
A two or three-week window doesn’t provide a wide enough perspective to properly evaluate pro football teams. No encapsulation of time is given more credence than the opening few weeks of a the NFL season, and this year has been no different.
The real test is when coaches around the league have time to review game film and discover any tendencies or tipoffs that opposing offensive and defensive units reveal. Once that catchup process is complete, the real test is how these teams with newfound success respond.
Here are a few franhises that continue to counter expectations and baffle those that are betting on NFL Football.
Teams We Are Not Betting On At The Moment
- The Cincinnati Bengals – We’re not sure if we’ve ever seen a team this loaded with talent get off to such a dismal start to a season. They now stand at 1-4 and tied for last place in the AFC North with the Cleveland Browns. Several franchises have made it to the postseason after losing four of their first five games, but none have ever won a Super Bowl. Their inconsistent performance makes it too difficult to bet on their results going forth.
- The Buffalo Bills – There’s no doubt that the Bills are still the team to beat in the AFC East, but they are 2-3 against the spread this season and tough to wager on or against. Buffalo started off 3-0, but have dropped their last two games to the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans. The Bills are favored by -2.5 on the road at BetOnline against the New York Jets for Monday Night Football in Week 6.
The Current NFL Playoff Picture
The New Orleans Saints
The once 2-0 New Orleans Saints showed promise of revival in the Bayou, but after losing three games in a row, they’ve exposed their mortality. NO is 3-2 ATS on the year, and we’re not bailing on them just yet.
Their losses have been competitive and came at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, and Kansas City Chiefs. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers are up next for New Orleans, and they are favored at home this Sunday by -2.5.
The Minnesota Vikings
Not only are the Minnesota Vikings 5-0 and in sole possession of the NFC North division lead, they have also covered in all five of those wins. The Vikings have a bye in Week 6, but face the Detroit Lions at home in Week 7. BetUS has posted early NFL betting lines for Week 7’s games, and the Lions are 3 point favorites.
The next six games on the Vikings schedule after Detroit are all winnable contests that include the LA Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, and Arizona Cardinals.
With a lucky bounce of the ball or two in Minnesota’s direction, the Vikings could end up 12-0. Far out.