Written by: The Blitz Team
We are just a couple weeks removed from the federal government fully legalizing sports betting. Of course, it will still be up to the state governments to decide if they will allow it within their borders. Either way, most people have the understanding that gambling on sports will eventually happen regardless. For this month’s All32 Series, we’ve decided to take a look at if fans should go with the over or the under on their team’s wins in 2018. Check out what our team members think what you should do!
**Odds per https://www.oddsshark.com/nfl/nfl-over-under-win-totals per BetOnline**
(Note: as of this reading the odds may have changed, so check the closest legal betting outlet)
Arizona Cardinals — 5.5 Wins
Under
Despite having an excellent draft, finding their QB of the future in Josh Rosen and a dynamic offensive weapon for him in Christian Kirk, the Cardinals have a prohibitively difficult schedule in 2018. Their division rival Rams have arguably the best roster on paper, and the 49ers look to be a force with a full year of Jimmy Garoppolo at QB. While the Seattle Seahawks haven’t been as dominant in recent years as they used to, they will always be a difficult matchup with Russell Wilson at the helm and a still-talented defense. Aside from playing in one of the hardest divisions in football, the Cardinals get to meet the Vikings, Packers, Falcons and Chargers as well, all teams that are projected to win their division (or in the Vikings’ and Packers’ case, wrap up the first wild card easily). Even Arizona’s “easier” matchups come against the up-and-coming Bears, the retooled Broncos, and the talented Oakland Raiders. While I expect Arizona to be competitive soon with Josh Rosen at the helm, it will not be this year.
-Alexander Amir
Los Angeles Rams — 9.5 Wins
Over
The Los Angeles Rams are an intriguing team coming in to this season. They made some huge moves this offseason that I believe will make them one of the favorites to win the NFC. On offense, quarterback Jared Goff looks to continue to improve off a very impressive second season, and the Rams brought him some help by acquiring wide receiver Brandin Cooks in a trade with the Patriots. Cooks will give the Rams a number one receiver and an outstanding deep threat. It also helps that Goff has a top 5 running back in the league in Todd Gurley.
Although their offense should be solid, the Rams will be carried by their defense. They made a lot of noise in the offseason by signing Pro Bowl talent on the defensive side of the ball. Newly acquired corners Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters will be one of the best cornerback duos in the league, and the Rams also signed Ndamukong Suh to be a force alongside Aaron Donald. Those two will easily be the best interior duo in the league. With that being said, I’d say the Rams will have a top 3, if not the top defense in the league in 2018. Realistically speaking, I believe the Rams will be a huge threat to knock off the Eagles in the NFC. I see them finishing 11–5 and possibly being in the Super Bowl this year.
-Ryan Lippert
San Francisco 49ers — 8.5 Wins
Over
The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a year in which they started 1–10 before going on a five-game win streak to finish off the season. The team’s late-season success was solely due to their acquisition of Jimmy Garoppolo. San Francisco gave up a 2nd round pick to the New England Patriots just before the trade deadline to obtain the rights to the final year of Garoppolo’s rookie deal. It’s widely considered to already be one of the biggest steals in NFL history. Jimmy G is undefeated through his first seven games as a starting QB, and to do that with a one win team should have everyone excited to see what’s in store for 2018. The team only got better this offseason, most notably taking the best tackle in the draft in Mike McGlinchey, as well as signing former Seahawk and longtime rival Richard Sherman. Those additions alone should equate to quite a few more wins, but the team supplemented its entire roster by adding Jerick McKinnon to the backfield, Dante Pettis to the wide receiving corps, and Tavarius Moore to the secondary. The 49ers are primed to have a huge turnaround season and will be giving the Los Angeles Rams a run for their money for the NFC West Division Title. Take the over and expect at least a 9–7 record from the new and improved San Francisco 49ers.
-Jack Bourgeois
Seattle Seahawks — 8.5 Wins
Under
The Seattle Seahawks hit the reset button this offseason, letting go of long time Legion of Boom founding member Richard Sherman, trading Michael Bennett, and seeing Jimmy Graham, Paul Richardson, Sheldon Richardson, and Luke Joeckel leave in free agency. They didn’t make any major signings in free agency, but did attempt to address a major need of a running back with their 1st round pick by selecting Rashaad Penny. They still have questions along their offensive line, and so it appears that Russell Wilson will be depending on his feet to keep him alive this season. The loss of Sherman will have an impact on their defense as we saw last season when he went out with an injury. It also doesn’t help they find themselves in a division with the talented Los Angeles Rams and one of the hotter teams in the league in the San Francisco 49ers. I would take the under if I was putting money on the Seahawks’ 2018 season.
-Cody Manning