With a little more than a month until the 2020 NFL season begins, NFL futures bets are buzzing with sports bettors right now. Currently, all 32 teams are participating in training camps and preparing for the upcoming season.
However, with no preseason games, it’s hard to gauge what a team looks like. So, the best we can do is take a look at the current rosters, their upcoming schedule, and their track record over the last few seasons in order to make informed wagers.
Let’s huddle up and take a look at the latest odds for NFL win totals from the best NFL betting sites and predict which teams will finish Under.
Get used to this…
9️⃣ ➡1️⃣8️⃣ pic.twitter.com/p8y1y56cjL
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 6, 2020
Cincinnati Bengals Win Total
- Over 5.5 wins (-125)
- Under 5.5 (+103)
Last year, the Bengals were the worst team in the NFL with a 2-14 record. They had inferior talent on both sides of the ball, which led the team to drafting first overall. And, to nobody’s surprise, they took LSU QB Joe Burrow to be their franchise savior.
Burrow definitely has the talent, but he doesn’t really have the supporting cast in Cincy as of yet. A.J. Green returns from injury, but who knows how good the 32 year old receiver will be. Wide receiver Tee Higgins was a nice draft pick for the Bengals, but he will need time to develop as well.
The Bengals have a good rushing attack led by Joe Mixon, but it won’t matter much since their biggest issue on offense is the o-line. And, it doesn’t look like they did much to upgrade it other than hoping 2019 top draft choice Jonah Williams can excel at LT. Yet, that doesn’t excuse the mess on the interior.
Defensively, Cincy’s strength is along the d-line with Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and free agent addition D.J. Reader. The linebacker position is young and unproven. The secondary is filled with overpaid players who haven’t proven they’re worth the contracts that Cincy gave them.
In other words, Cincy has way too many question marks and positions to still figure out to be worth betting on this NFL season.
The Bengals 2020 Schedule
The first four games for Cincy are against the Chargers, Browns, Eagles and Jaguars. I wouldn’t be surprised if they went 0-4 to start the season. Yet, let’s say they squeak out one win against the Jags.
Their next four games are against the Ravens, Colts, Browns and Titans. I don’t see Cincy winning one of these games at all. So, they will head into their Bye Week at 1-7 or 2-6 at best.
Following the Bye, the Bengals have the Steelers, Washington, Giants and Dolphins. There are some winnable games in this stretch depending on how good the Giants and Dolphins are. Let’s say the Bengals go 2-2, which brings their record up to 3-9 or 4-8 at best.
The final four games of the season are against Dallas, Pittsburgh, Houston and Baltimore. I don’t see Cincy winning any of these games. They might be able to beat Baltimore if the Ravens rest all of their starters for the Playoffs.
With that said, the Bengals will win five games at the most this season. More than likely, I see them sitting at 3-13 or 4-12. Either way, they’re coming in below the 5.5 win total.
This is not a good team at all. The coaching is inferior and it’s been a poorly run organization for at least the last decade. I’m absolutely surprised that this O/U is at 5.5 and not something like 4 or 4.5 wins.
New England Patriots Win Total
- Over 9 wins (-120)
- Under 9 wins (-110)
I’m a bit surprised that the Patriots are still getting listed with an Over/Under of 9 wins. This team has lost far more talent than it’s gained. Signing Cam Newton isn’t going to save the franchise from flirting with a losing record.
Yes, we know that Tom Brady has departed, but it’s all of the other losses for this team that have many pundits believing the Patriots will finish .500 or worse. In fact, I don’t believe there is one Free Agent addition or 2020 NFL Draft pick that will really help this team in 2020 other than Cam Newton.
The rest of the additions definitely don’t make this roster as good as last year’s team. Speaking of the 2019 roster, in addition to Brady, the Patriots have lost at least 10 other key contributors and starters either due to Free Agency or opting out.
Offensively, New England will be without linemen Marshall Newhouse and Ted Karras. Their o-line was good last year, but looks to have taken a step back this year.
Furthermore, their wide receiving group isn’t anything to be awestruck over. Other than Julian Edelman, they don’t have anyone to win one-on-one battles. The tight end position is filled with draft picks that haven’t done anything and the running back position lacks a game breaker.
This top ranked defense from 2019 has been gutted by departures and opt-outs. Gone from last year are: Danny Shelton, Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, Elandon Roberts, and Dont’a Hightower just to name a few.
Pretty much their entire linebacking group is gone and their d-line has no legitimate pass rushing threat. Only the secondary remains intact and it’s definitely still a great one. But, with no pass rush, and poor coverage from the linebackers, this secondary won’t be able to hold up all season long.
New England’s 2020 Schedule
The Patriots have the toughest schedule heading into the 2020 season based on each team’s record from 2019. They have seven games against Playoff teams from last year and some tough matchups against rising squads as well.
The Patriots’ first five games are against Miami, Seattle, the Raiders, Kansas City and Denver. At best, they go 3-2 heading into their Bye Week. However, I actually think they will go 2-3 with losses to the Seahawks, Chiefs and Broncos.
Following the Bye Week, they have a tough five game stretch against the 49ers, Bills, Jets, Ravens and Texans. I see New England going 2-3, which brings their record to 4-6 or 5-5 at best.
The remaining six games is where New England can make up some ground. They play Arizona, Chargers, Rams, Dolphins, Bills and Jets. The game against the Bills could be for the AFC East division title, which New England has won 16 out of the last 17 years.
I can see New England going 3-3 or 4-2 in these six games. If the Rams are good, they will beat the Patriots. The Chargers could be good if Tyrod Taylor succeeds as a game manager. Arizona might be a surprise team as I picked them to have Over seven wins on the season.
Ultimately, New England will be 9-7 at best, which makes this wager a push. However, I believe they will go 8-8 and possibly 7-9 overall. I wouldn’t be surprised if Miami beats them against this year as well.
Washington Football Team Win Total
- Over 5 (-140)
- Under 5 (+118)
Not only did this team need to change their name, but they really needed to change almost their entire roster. Unfortunately for newly hired head coach Ron Rivera, Washington will be competing with Cincy for the worst team in the NFL this season.
In fact, these two teams play against each other, which could decide who gets the #1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Washington will roll out second year QB Dwayne Haskins to lead the offense. He had a rough 2019 season, but did show some promise. Haskins’ top target will be receiver Terry McLaurin who had a great rookie season last year. However, the rest of the WR group is unproven at best.
Taking everything down and starting fresh 🙌 pic.twitter.com/lxfRNNoG3P
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 6, 2020
The backfield is a mess after Washington released Derrius Guice due to domestic violence charges. He was supposed to be the team’s starting running back this year. They also lost all-purpose back Chris Thompson. The addition of Peyton Barber doesn’t move the needle at all.
Things go from bad to worse when looking at this offensive line. They’re without a capable left side of the line as Williams and Flowers are gone. The center and right side is good, but there are injury concerns with at least one of the starters in Brandon Scherff.
The defense should be better this year, but that’s not saying much. Ron Rivera’s forte is on this side of the ball which is why they made several offseason moves to improve this unit.
Washington has a strong defensive front featuring Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat and the extremely talented rookie Chase Young. This could be one of the best d-lines in the NFC.
There’s not much at linebacker other than 37 year old Thomas Davis. The secondary will rely on the fragile corner Ronald Darby and safety Landon Collins to have success. Unfortunately, that’s a tall task.
Washington’s 2020 Schedule
Washington was 3-13 last year and they will be lucky to surpass that mark this year. Their first four games are against Philly, Arizona, Cleveland and Baltimore. I don’t see this team winning one of those games. They will go 0-4 to start off the season.
Their next three games are against the Rams, Giants and Dallas. Maybe they beat the Giants, but New York appears to be better on paper. Washington could start the year off 0-7 or 1-6 heading into their Bye Week.
Following the Bye, Washington actually has the easiest part of their schedule with games against the Giants, Lions and Bengals. I wouldn’t be surprised if they went 2-1. However, their remaining schedule is brutal.
Washington finishes off the season with games against Dallas, Pittsburgh, the 49ers, Seattle, Carolina and Philly. Maybe they get the win over Carolina, but that’s it. At best, this team goes 5-11 or 4-12. More than likely, they will go 2-14 or 3-13.
Washington might have changed their team name, but this will be the same losing franchise until they get rid of owner Daniel Snyder.
Rick Rockwell
As a longtime freelance writer, avid sports fan, former athlete, and experienced sports bettor, Rick Rockwell has risen up the ranks at GamblingSites.org to become the self-professed “King of the Blog” in his first year with the site. …
