Arizona Cardinals 9.5 Over (-140) / Under (+110) — For the third straight year, the world doesn’t give Bruce Arians’ team any respect. This is maybe the most dangerous team in football, and they only got better this offseason with adding Chandler Jones and Robert Nkemdiche to bolster the pass rush. Carson Palmer is aging well, there’s tons of talent at receiver (Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown are the NFL’s best trio) and David Johnson could be scary if he builds on his rookie breakout. The defense will be stout again. The over price is steep but this is a double-digit win team and title contender. Huge bonus that they might not have to deal with Tom Brady in Week 1. They might have six or seven wins before their Week 9 bye.
VERDICT: OVER (11-5)
Los Angeles Rams 7.5 Over (+115) / Under (-140) — The addition of Jared Goff at quarterback and the move to Los Angeles has everyone all aflutter. Goff could be a very good NFL quarterback but does he really fit what the Rams want to do on offense? Todd Gurley is the truth and Aaron Donald somehow remains underrated. The defense flies all over the place and will create turnovers. If Goff is great, the Rams will break .500 for the first time under Jeff Fisher. If he’s a rookie quarterback playing in a difficult division, it’s entirely possible they could end up winning seven games again.
VERDICT: UNDER (7-9)
San Francisco 49ers 5.5 Over (-115) / Under (-115) — Personally I’m a big fan of Chip Kelly. He got a bad rap in Philadelphia because of how he ran the front office, and he should be better in San Francisco. But there’s not as much talent here. Carlos Hyde is going to blow up next year in his offense and Torrey Smith could do damage as well. But the quarterback situation is a major issue. Have you seen their opening schedule? The Rams at home, the Panthers and Seahawks on the road and then the Cowboys and Cardinals at home. 0-5 is a very real possibly to start. It’s hard to find more than four wins for this rebuilding team.
VERDICT: UNDER (I’m going over here personally, but only 6-10 record)
Seattle Seahawks 10.5 Over (-140) / Under (+110) — No sleeper business here from Las Vegas. Seattle is the favorite to win the NFC West and is tied with Green Bay and Carolina for the highest win total in the NFC. Unlike last year, there shouldn’t be a slow start (the Dolphins, Rams, 49ers and Jets open things up) before the Week 5 bye. Ten or 11 wins is well within range, which means you’ve got to trust the better schedule here and assume a quality team will win the games it should. No drama this offseason or early on as people wonder if the “Seahawks’ dynasty is dead.”
VERDICT: OVER (11-5)
exerpts from Wlll Brinson, NFL.com
OIeSagginSeahawk
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