Best Bets:
Carolina over 9 (though not if the line moves to 9 1/2) at +110: Easy schedule, should be fine against Atlanta and TB, NFC South is weak, Dallas and Green Bay are easy draws, and play Houston and Tennessee in the AFC. A steal at +110
Bears over 10 (or 10.5) at +110: Lucky AFC draws with Denver and KC at home, and the two AFC west coast trips coming the first week and the week after the BYE, respectively. Weak division in North good for at least 5 wins. Expect Dallas, Washington, and NYG to underperform- two wins minimum from that list. NO at home is a great draw as well, while the game should have some playoff ramifications for the Bears if they're still competing for the 11th win against a dome team at home in the final game.
Cleveland under 5.5 at +135- too much draft day love, when the team has no QB, is in the toughest division in the NFL (Three legitimate Superbowl contenders), gets the two tougher NFC West teams at home (where they'll lose anyway) and has to travel to Arizona and STL, which will make them more difficult. Assuming they beat wither Baltimore, Cincinatti, or Pittsburgh once (not likely), they'd need to go 2-2 in the NFC west, 2-2 in the east (possible against Miami and Buffalo), and beat either Oakland or Houston. I say they go 0-6 in division, lose to Arizona, lose to Buffalo, and maybe lose to Houston or Oakland. N0 shot at 6-10, and a great line to boot.
Dallas at under 9 at +115- the biggest no-brainer in the history of earth. Welcome to your second year of starting, Shaun Romo!
NYJ at over 8 at +120 (though not 8.5)- I see four wins in division, can play NE close, winnable games against Cleveland, Tennessee, Miami, Washington, Dallas, and NJG (they get the lucky 9-game home schedule this go around as well.) Won't suprize anyone this go around, but should at least go 8-8.
Seattle at over 9 at +105- someone needs to win the NFC West, and someone needs to win the games between the West and the South. Get the Bears at home on Chicago's second straight West Coast trip, should be able to steal a game from either Cincy or Baltimore at home, and still get Cleveland as well. Should be better this year than last.
All of this is for entertainment purposes only, of course. Should Irish Boy be horribly wrong, Irish Boy offers no apologies or refunds.
_________________ Fire Phil Emery
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