10 NFL Offenses Worth Betting on in 2019

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NFL training camps are beginning and the pre-season will (finally) begin just after that. It is officially time to turn our attention to the 2019 season and begin assessing which NFL teams will be dynamic, and which will fall by the wayside. Whether you’re a Casino Guru that loves picking games against the spread or you just like having a few side wagers to make the NFL season that much more fun, these ten offenses should be worth researching over the next month and a half.

10. Green Bay Packers

The Packers are perfectly positioned to take their offense back into the top tier of the league. Rodgers, coming off an injury that cut his 2017 season short, threw for 4,442 yards in 2018-his highest since 2012. Rodgers’ favorite target Davante Adams (1,386 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in 2019) will be complemented by a young corps. of promising receivers in Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Jake Kumerow. Green Bay also added rookie tight end Jace Sternberger to compliment the aging Jimmy Graham. New head coach Matt LaFleur can be the spark this offense needs to be considered one of the most dynamic in the league again.

Running back Aaron Jones split time in 2018 with Jamaal Williams, after serving a 4 game suspension. In just 133 attempts Jones ran for 728 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and 8 touchdowns. Jones gets to run behind one of the best offensive lines in the league-with Bakhtiari and Bulaga anchoring the tackle spots, and Taylor, Linsley, and Turner coming together to form a solid interior offensive line.

Interesting Future and Prop Bets:

• Odds to make to the playoffs: -110
• Most Regular Season Passing yards: Aaron Rodgers +800 (8 to 1)
• Most Regular Season Touchdowns: Davnate Adams +1100 (11 to 1)

9. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland took the NFL by storm in 2018, in particular, once Freddy Kitchens took over the offense midseason. The Browns finished 8th in weighted offensive efficiency in 2018, according to Football Outsiders. Weighted offensive efficiency refers to how a team’s offense performs as the season goes on. The Browns finished 10th in total plays in 2019, and 5th in pace of play. They also had the 6th best rate of converting red zone opportunities.

The Browns are not resting on their 2018 success, though. They added superstar Odell Beckham Jr. via trade prior to the NFL draft-giving Mayfield another potent option alongside Jarvis Landry and David Njoku. They also added controversial free agent Kareem Hunt-who will contribute to the Browns offense after serving an 8 game suspension. Mayfield will have Chubb and Duke Johnson, two very dynamic backs, to support him as well.

Interesting Future and Prop Bets:

• Over/Under 9 Wins in 2019 Regular Season: Over -140
• Most Regular Season Touchdowns: Odell Beckham Jr. +1600 (16 to 1)
• Odds to Win Super Bowl 54: +600 (6 to 1)

8. Philadelphia Eagles

Carson Wentz was on pace for his best season yet in 2018 before suffering a season-ending injury. Wentz completed 69.6% of his 401 attempts through 11 weeks in 2018-which was 8.5% better than his career average. He was on pace for 4,471 passing yards, which would have been 689 more yards than his career-best. He also had a 3:1 touchdown to interception ratio. The Eagles and Wentz benefit from 6 games against NFC East opponents, which help them field the 5th easiest strength of schedule for 2019.

Philadephia added JJ Arcega-Whiteside and DeSean Jackson to Wentz’s arsenal for 2019. They also gave a much-needed infusion to the running back group; acquiring Jordan Howard through trade and taking Miles Sanders with the 53rd overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Interesting Future and Prop Bets:

• Most Regular Season Passing yards: Carson Wentz +4000 (40 to 1)
• Odds to Win Super Bowl 54: +1600 (16 to 1)
• Odds to Win the NFC East: Even Money

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

One of these teams does not seem like the others, and it is the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay, though, deserves to be in this conversation. They added offensive guru Bruce Arians as their new head coach. Under Arians, the Cardinals finished top 10 in the league in points, yards, and touchdowns per game in 2015 and 2016.

Arians has a group of dynamic offensive weapons to help Jameis Winston survive his contract season. Mike Evans leads the corps.; he has caught at least 1,000 yards in each of his 5 NFL seasons. In 2018 Evans caught 1,524 yards and 8 touchdowns. Chris Godwin, who is entering his 3rd NFL season, is primed for a breakout. He caught 59 of his 95 targets in 2018, totaling 842 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. The athletic monster OJ Howard is also due for a breakout, and we can not ignore the consistent veteran Cameron Brate, who Winston loves to target.

Interesting Future and Prop Bets:

• Odds to Win the NFC South: 1200 (12 to 1)
• Odds to make to the playoffs: +475
• Most Regular Season Passing yards: Jameis Winston +1000 (10 to 1)

6. New Orleans Saints

Unlike their division-mates, the Saints are not a surprise addition to this list. New Orleans finished 3rd in points per game, 3rd in red zone attempts, 4th in red score conversion, and 2nd in touchdowns per game in 2018. Sean Payton called the 13th most plays last season, and they equated to the 8th most yards in the league-making them the 4th most efficient offense.

New Orleans remains one of the most consistent groups in the NFL-returning Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, Tre’ Quan Smith, and Alvin Kamara. They also keep Armstead and Ramczyk holding down the critical tackle positions on their offensive line. The Saints added Latavius Murray to fill Mark Ingram’s role and added Jared Cook to fill their void at tight end.

Interesting Future and Prop Bets:

• Most Regular Season Touchdowns: Michael Thomas +1600 (16 to 1)
• Odds to Win Super Bowl 54: +850 (8.5 to 1)
• Over/Under 10.5 Wins in 2019 Regular Season: Over -105

5. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts quietly had one of the best offensive seasons in 2018. They led the league in pace of play, finished with the 8th most points per game, 7th most touchdowns per game, 7th most overall yards, and the 5th best red zone scoring rate. This offseason they added red-zone threat Devin Funchess and will have a healthy Jack Doyle back to spread out defenses in 2019.

The Colts offensive success is anchored in their talented offensive line. All 5 of their starting offensive linemen are considered above average by Pro Football Focus, with Castonzo and Nelson being considered high quality-the second-highest grade they give out. They will provide a great foundation once again for Andrew Luck to be successful. After returning from a tenacious shoulder injury, Luck threw for 4,593 yards and 39 touchdowns while completing 67.3% of his passing attempts while leading the Colts to the playoffs in 2018.

Interesting Future and Prop Bets:

• Most Regular Season Touchdowns: T.Y Hilton +3300 (33 to 1)
• Odds to Win Super Bowl 54: +1400 (14 to 1)

 

 

4. New England Patriots

Led by one of the greatest football minds in the history of the game, the Patriots seem like the safest bet when it comes to predictability. New England was 2nd in plays per game, 4th in points per game, 5th in touchdowns per game, and 5th in total yards in 2018. The Patriots have the best offensive line in the league going into 2019, according to Pro Football Focus. The line is anchored by Shaq Mason and complimented by 2018 first-round draft pick Isiah Wynn, who missed all of 2018 with an injury.

Tom Brady has a slew of wide receivers (Edelman, Inman, Thomas, Dorsett, Harris, and rookie N’Keal Harry) that will be elevated through his steering of the offense. The Patriots addition of former Alabama running back Damien Harris gives their running game a dominant three-headed monster. Harris joins Michel and White, who combined for 1,356 rushing yards, 1,301 receiving yards, and 18 total touchdowns in 2018.

Interesting Future and Prop Bets:

• Odds to win the Offensive MVP Award: Tom Brady +1400 (14 to 1)
• Odds to Win Super Bowl 54: +700 (7 to 1)
• Over/Under 11 Wins in 2019 Regular Season: Over -135

3. Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City was the most dominant offense in the NFL in 2018. They finished 1st in the league in points per game, touchdowns per game, and total yards. They also finished 2nd in the league in red zone attempts and scoring. Kansas City, though, released Kareem Hunt and may be without Tyreek Hill for a portion of the 2019 season. Still, the offense led by the phenom Mahomes needs to be considered amongst the best in the league.

Interesting Future and Prop Bets:

• Most Regular Season Passing yards: Patrick Mahomes +450 (4.5 to 1)
• Odds to Win Super Bowl 54: +800 (8 to 1)

2. Atlanta Falcons

I have spent this offseason banging the table for the Falcons, who I consider the most underrated offenses heading into 2019. The Falcons, despite an injury-riddled season, finished top 10 in the league in total yards, offensive efficiency, red zone scoring, touchdowns per game, and points per game last season. They infused two rookies, Chris Lindstrom, and Kaleb McGary, into an already solid offensive line unit; led by Alex Mack and Jake Matthews.

Matt Ryan threw for the 3rd most passing touchdowns and yards in 2018. He will again have Julio Jones, who led the league in receiving yards in 2018, and Calvin Ridley, who led rookie wideouts in receiving yards in 2018. The Falcons will also get back Devonta Freeman, who has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in every season where he has gotten at least 200 attempts.

Interesting Future and Prop Bets:

• Odds to make to the playoffs: +140
• Most Regular Season Touchdowns: Julio Jones +1600 (16 to 1)
• Odds to Win Super Bowl 54: +3300 (33 to 1)

1. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams find themselves at the perfect crossroad of past production and forward momentum. Led by Sean McVay, the Rams finished top 3 in the NFL in pace of play, points per game, touchdowns per game, red zone attempts, and total yards in 2018. Whitworth and Havenstein are high quality to elite pieces that led a top 3 offensive line unit, which will be very effective in protecting franchise quarterback Jared Goff again this season.

Goff completed 64.9% of his 561 attempts in 2018, totaling 4,688 yards and 32 touchdowns. He was supported by the best wide receiver trio in the league in 2018; Cooks (1,204 yards, 5 touchdowns), Woods (1,219 yards, 6 touchdowns) and Kupp (566 yards, 6 touchdowns in 8 games). The Rams also have Todd Gurley, who despite injury rumors, is still an undisputed top back; having led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2018. The Rams also drafted the highly touted running back out of Memphis, Darrell Henderson to help compliment Gurley’s workload.

Interesting Future and Prop Bets:

• Most Regular Season Sacks in the NFL: +240 (2.4 to 1)
• Odds to Win the NFC West: -180