Last week was another up and down week for me as I only got out of Saturday’s college games with one win while I went undefeated with one push for my six NFL picks. Despite my recent performance in college football, I am still going to try to bounce back and provide picks although you would be better off taking the opposite of what I pick. I’ll look to keep my streak going for NFL games this week.
College Football
Sep 15, 2018; Auburn, AL, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow (9) carries against the Auburn Tigers during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 1-4
Overall: 2-8
SMU @ Houston 10/24 7:30 PM EST
SMU -14
The Mustangs head to Houston on a short week and are hosted by a team who barely beat a bad UConn time last week. SMU’s high powered offense has scored over 40 points in every game this season except for the first game of the season while the Cougars have surrendered over 30 points in every game this season except for their game against UConn last week. Houston’s defense will not be able to contain SMU’s offense leading to a potential blowout.
Auburn @ LSU 10/26 3:30 PM EST
LSU – 10.5
I am not a believer in Auburn’s freshman quarterback, Bo Nix. He goes through stretches in big games where it is apparent that he cannot lead an offense. It happened against Oregon, it happened against Texas A&M, and it happened against Florida. If that happens against LSU then that’s bad news for Auburn. LSU is rolling with their best offense in program history with Heisman co-favorite Joe Burrow leading the way. I like LSU to win by two touchdowns.
Appalachian State @ South Alabama 10/26 12:00 PM EST
Appalachian State -26
The story of Appalachian State is a fun one. They were one of the best, if not the best, FCS team of all time, winning over 550 games, three straight championships from 2005 to 2007, and making the FCS playoffs 20 times. In 2013, they transitioned to the FBS level and have dominated the Sun Belt Conference ever since, winning four straight bowl games and finishing three straight seasons with 10 or more wins. They are currently undefeated and ranked 21st in the country. Now with that kind of background, Appalachian State doesn’t belong on the same field as a team as bad as South Alabama. The Mountaineers win in a blowout.
Texas @ TCU 10/26 3:30 PM EST
Over 58.5
After squeezing out a win against Kansas, the Longhorns seem like a team that has to score at least 40 points to win a game because of their historically bad defense. They have gained at least 427 yards of offense in every game but one this season and while the Horned Frogs haven’t had an explosive offense this past month, I expect them to score at least 30 against this bad Texas defense. I actually think that 58.5 is an exceptionally low total for this shootout.
Texas Tech @ Kansas 10/26 7:00 PM EST
Texas Tech -3.5
Kansas has had two offensive explosions this year. One against Boston College and one last week against Texas. After their 48 points against Boston College, they only scored 24 the next week against West Virginia at home. I expect a similar situation against the Red Raiders. It is difficult to predict which Texas Tech team will show up in Lawrence but I think we’ll see the team that can put up 40+ points and I can’t say the same for Kansas.
NFL
Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (61) lines up across from Indianapolis Colts nose tackle David Parry (54) in the first half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: 5-0-1
Overall: 9-1-1
Redskins @ Vikings 10/24 8:20 PM EST
Redskins +17
The Redskins have hit the under in four straight games while the line for this game is 42 points. I am by no means saying the Redskins have any shot at winning but the over/under is entirely too low for this spread. Interim head coach, Bill Callahan, has shifted Washington’s offense to be run-first putting the ball in Adrian Peterson’s hands more often which will decrease the amount of scoring opportunities. The Vikings will also be without Adam Thielen which will make it even more difficult for them to cover the spread.
Broncos @ Colts 10/27 1:00 PM EST
Colts -5.5
There is a possibility that the Colts have their entire starting defense in tact for the first time all season this week. That combined with the fact that the Broncos just traded their number one receiver in Emmanuel Sanders means the Colts are looking at a juicy matchup. I don’t expect Denver to score more than 10 points in this one while the Colts dominate on both sides of the ball.
Browns @ Patriots 10/27 4:25 PM EST
Under 46
The league leader in interceptions thrown meets the team that leads the league in interceptions. Sounds like a disaster for Baker Mayfield. The only thing bettors should be wary of is if New England scores any more defensive touchdowns which would allow this game to hit the over. Nonetheless, Mayfield doesn’t stand a chance against this historic defense and the Patriots will hit the under once again as they have done nearly every week.
Giants @ Lions 10/27 1:00 PM EST
Giants +6.5
The Lions lead the league in fumbles recovered while the Giants are second to last in fumbles lost so the Lions should not expect to dominate the turnover battle in this one. The Lions run defense has been very bad this year, giving up at least 110 yards in every game this season so Saquon Barkley should have a fun day. The Lions also experienced two key losses this past week with Kerryon Johnson going down with an injury and Quandre Diggs headed to Seattle via trade. The Giants have a good chance at covering this week.
Seahawks @ Falcons 10/27 1:00 PM EST
Seahawks -3.5
The Seahawks have needed everything to go right for them to get 4 of their 5 wins so I understand this spread. However, the Falcons are clearly one of the worst teams in the league with a defense who has given up the second most points per game and the most total points this season. The Seahawks will do enough in this one to win by at least a touchdown.
NBA
Credit: sfchronicle.com
Clippers @ Warriors 10/24 10:30 PM EST
Clippers -1.5
I had to squeeze in a basketball bet to commemorate the beginning the the NBA season. The Clippers just beat the Lakers by 10 who are a much better team than the Warriors. I expect the Clippers to spoil the Warriors’ first game in the new Chase Center in San Francisco. The Warriors currently have gaping holes at the wing after losing Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson and they near the bottom of the list for every defensive category. This one might not even be close.
Dula: Over. I really like the direction the Atlanta Hawks are heading in. They are very young but also very talented. I expect second year guys, Trae Young and Kevin Huerter, to improve on their rookie campaign and I expect Atlanta’s two first round picks, DeAndre Hunter and Cam Reddish, to have an immediate impact. Atlanta will only improve for years to come.
Keehn: Under. Atlanta drafted well this year. Trae Young and John Collins are legitimate pros… on the offensive side of the ball. This team is far and away one of the most atrocious defensive teams in recent memory. Adding Hunter is a great addition for this and he will start at the 3 and play a lot. However, Young and Collins are so horrifically bad on defense that they will give up too many points for the fast-paced offense to match. They were both ranked number one at their position for worst defensive efficiency and most field goals given up.
Boston Celtics: 48.5 (-110/-110), 2018-19 wins: 49
Dula: Over. While the Celtics did lose Kyrie Irving, they gained Kemba Walker who I think can propel this team to 50 wins. Kyrie proved he could not be a system player as he did not fit in Brad Stevens’ system. Kemba was 2nd in the league in scoring when driving to the basket last year, behind only the MVP of the league, Giannis Antentokounmpo. Combine him with young stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown then add a little bit of Gordon Hayward and you’ve got a recipe for a contender. Boston also got who I believe will be the steal of the draft in Purdue’s Carsen Edwards who averaged more than 30 PPG in the NCAA tournament earlier this year.
Keehn: Over. Brad Stevens and the rest of the crew in bean town can finally breathe a sigh of relief with the departure of Kyrie Irving. Kemba Walker brings in a new vibe to the team. This team did take a strong hit defensively, adding Kanter and Walker who are both not as good as Horford/Kyrie/Baynes. However, they finished the preseason as the best defense on paper when it came to efficiencies. Jayson Tatum is ready to pop this season. He will finally begin to go to the basket and draw fouls and shoot more 3’s which will propel him to an all-star appearance. Gordon Hayward will look to get back to his normal self again. This team is trending in the right direction. If Stevens can mix and match lineups that work, their depth could propel them past 50 wins. Look for Carsen Edwards to be the steal of the draft.
Brooklyn Nets: 44.5 (-110/-110), 2018-19 wins: 42
Dula: Over. The Nets are a year away from being legitimate contenders when Kevin Durant comes back from his Achilles injury. This year will be a building block year with newly acquired Kyrie Irving leading the charge. The Nets also added a lot of depth this offseason with veterans like Garrett Temple, Wilson Chandler, DeAndre Jordan, and third-year player Taurean Prince. Caris LeVert was in the midst of a breakout year before dislocating his ankle last season, if he stays healthy this starting lineup is scary good.
Keehn: Over. This one really could go either way. If Kyrie stays healthy this season, all season, they should be more than okay to beat this total. Maybe now that DeAndre Jordan is playing with his friends he will show a small bit of effort. Last year was embarrassing for him and he looks to turn this around. If Atkinson can keep a hold of the personalities of this team, it will all work out. But if he starts to let the players dictate the show, it could get out of hand. Jarrett Allen should play more than Jordan. However, with Kyrie at the helm, he might demand otherwise. It will be interesting to see how the young Nets do with Uncle Drew at the helm. When healthy this team is loaded with talent. They are one year away (obviously).
Charlotte Hornets: 23.5 (-110/-110), 2018-19 wins: 39
Dula: Under. Kemba Walker single-handedly won games for Charlotte last season. Now, I don’t believe that he won an extrta 16 games for them, but he kept them in playoff contention until the end of the season. With no Walker, the Hornets’ starting backcourt includes two guards who would probably be backups on any other team with Rozier and Bacon. I expect a lottery pick from Charlotte in next year’s draft.
Keehn: Under. I have no comment on this team because they are by far the worst in the league. Jordan should be ashamed of the team he has put together. Giving Rozier that much money is ridiculous. This is going to get ugly. Maybe worst team in the league is a bit harsh but without Kemba, what can they even be?
Chicago Bulls: 30.5 (-134/+110), 2018-19 wins: 22
Dula: Over. The Chicago Bulls are only getting more experienced and Zach LaVine can hopefully play at least 70 games this year. The Bulls are also very deep at the guard position with Satoransky, LaVine, Dunn, and rookie Coby White. They also get Otto Porter Jr. for a full season and they added veteran, Thaddeus Young. Lauri Markkenen and Wendell Carter Jr. round out the frontcourt making Chicago a pretty decent team.
Keehn: Over. Don’t be surprised if Chicago makes a little bit of a playoff run at some point in the season. Zach Lowe put them as one of his preseason playoff teams, and I don’t blame him. If LaVine can stay healthy along with Lauri, they can be a fun team to watch. Wendell Carter and Coby White are prototypical guys with their sizes and skill-sets for the modern NBA. This team has so many young weapons and should surprise a lot of people this year.
Dula: Under. Outside of Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson, the Cavs are a rather young team with potential. Sexton and rookie Darius Garland could eventually be a dynamic backcourt and I think Dylan Windler will also be an impactful rookie. This team does have some bright spots but they still won’t be able to claw out of the hole LeBron left them in.
Keehn: Under. The Cavs are really bad. Kevin will be traded by December and they have an extremely young backcourt with Garland and Sexton. This team just doesn’t have enough to compete. They are going to need a lot of help if they are going to get above 20 wins.
Dula: Under. Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis are going to be a dominant scoring duo. I also believe that Doncic will be a top 3 player in the league in the near future. But for now, the Western Conference is too good for Dallas to reach a .500 record. That being said, the Mavs are not too far away from competing in the west.
Keehn: Under. There are actually quite a few people who have Dallas making the playoffs this year. This is quite bold considering Kristaps is coming off injury and Luka is is still so young. Outside of those two guys they really don’t have any play makers who have played in any big games. In fact, Luka and Kristaps haven’t played in big games either. This team will be good eventually. Look for them to be active at the trade deadline. They’ll get there eventually, but not this year.
Dula: Over. The Denver Nuggets come into the season with essentially the same roster as last year with the addition of Michael Porter Jr. who sat out all of last season after back surgery. The Nuggets have four guards who could be starters in the NBA with Gary Harris, Jamal Murray, Monte Morris, and Malik Beasley. Nikola Jokic is also arguably the best center in the league rounding out this very solid roster. The Nuggets should still be considered contenders despite the amount of offseason action in the Western Conference.
Keehn: Over. This team is going to finish as the number one seed in the West, and it’s not that bold to say. It isn’t even because of Michael Porter Jr coming back. This team is the most balanced team in the league with several matchups that work in their favor. Adding Jerami Grant was one of the best additions this offseason. This team is defensively poised, they are maturing, and they are ready to go deeper in the playoffs. Jokic is the best center in the league. He is absolutely someone you should consider throwing money on for MVP this year and he is a clear-cut top 5 fantasy player. He looks to lead this team to another great year.
Detroit Pistons: 37.5 (-134/+110), 2018-19 wins: 41
Dula: Over. The Pistons O/U being at 37.5 is kind of disrespectful if you ask me. The Pistons were a playoff team last year and entered the postseason with an injured Blake Griffin. Luke Kennard did a better than expected job filling in for Griffin and with the additions of Derrick Rose and BIG3 MVP Joe Johnson, I think the Pistons have a chance at making the playoffs again this season.
Keehn: Over. Ever so slightly over. Like, 38 or 39 wins kind of over. I actually like this O/U for them. The teams in the East who improved this year with their offseason additions and changes did more so then the Pistons did. D-Rose is obviously a great addition to any team but point guard really wasn’t this team’s problem. They got badly exposed on the wing on both sides of the ball and did nothing to get better at that position. The East teams who did improve all have dynamic wings who will be able to keep exploiting this. If Blake gets hurt like I expect him to at some point, they are in serious trouble. They’ll be a borderline playoff team but I don’t think they will be able to keep up with the other teams in a better (but still not great) Eastern Conference.
Golden State Warriors: 47.5 (-134/+110), 2018-19 wins: 57
Dula: Over. So they lost KD and Klay Thompson, but that doesn’t make them 10 games worse than they were last year. They still have Steph Curry who is in a position to put up MVP numbers and teams can’t shut him down like the Raptors did in the finals because D’Angelo Russell will take that defensive pressure off of him. Willie Cauley-Stein was an underrated acquisition at center and if they can figure out their small forward position, I expect the Warriors to thrive with a chip on their shoulder this season.
Keehn: Under. Part of me thinks that this team will just somehow magically get to 50+ wins just because they’re the Warriors. Adding Russell is very interesting but here’s a twist not a lot of people are thinking of. Russell is going to be one of the most talked about guys likely to get traded at the deadline than almost every player in the league besides Kevin Love. If the Warriors get a few picks and some solid players, that would be preparing them for the future. It doesn’t help when they have Omari Spellman and Alfonso McKinnie in their starting lineup and in the crunch time lineup with Curry and Draymond in the preseason. In a loaded Western Conference, those guys aren’t going to cut it. One thing is for sure: Steph is going to win the scoring title. The rest is up in the air for this team. With the uncertainty of Klay coming back, I have to under on this one. However if Klay were to have a similar timetable to Oladipo, I would switch to over very quickly.
Dula: Over. While this team is not very deep outside of backups, Tyson Chandler, Gerald Green, and Austin Rivers, the combination of Westbrook and Harden is going to be too powerful for most teams to handle. It still baffles me that Scott Brooks had those two guys and Kevin Durant and failed to win a championship but that’s another discussion. The Rockets will maintain their regular season dominance and achieve at least 53 wins this season.
Keehn: Over. A thousand times again… this will be over. This team is going to finish near the top of the West. I cannot believe people are excluding this team from their playoff projections. The amount of disrespect Russ gets around the league is laughable. Him and Harden are going to be an absolute nightmare for even the higher end defensive teams. Russ is still going to stuff the stats sheet, Harden is still going to put up MVP numbers, and the role players are going to do their thing. This team is going to WALK to 50 wins. Come on guys, is this real?
Dula: Over. While Oladipo won’t be healthy do start the season, if he comes back and is the same All-Star he was last season then the Pacers are a dangerous team. They are very deep and a backcourt consisting of Dipo and Malcom Brogdon is no joke. I expect a 50 win season from Nate McMillan and his squad.
Keehn: Under. The loss of Thaddeus Young and Bojan are huge for this team. With Oladipo’s return up in the air, his ideal complement, Brogdon, won’t be able to do the things he did with Milwaukee because the cast is nowhere near as good as the Bucks. The Pacers have a lot of talented individual guys, but being able to gel as a team and continually grow leading up to his return will be a big test for this team.
Los Angeles Clippers: 56.5 (-110/-110), 2018-19 wins: 48
Dula: Over. Doc Rivers was simply robbed of Coach of the Year last year. Now he gets the two best two-way players in the league with Paul George and Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers return both of their Sixth Man of the Year nominees, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell which shows how strong their bench is. This team will coast to the Conference Finals if healthy.
Keehn: Over. This is higher than I would have expected. 56 is quite high considering Paul George will miss the first 10 or so games. However, when healthy, this team is far and away the best in the league. The 2 best 2 way players in the league surrounded by veteran who is the best 6th man in the league, young stars who play their roles beautifully, a defensive pest as a point guard, and a championship head coach. That is the formula for winning if there ever was one.
Los Angeles Lakers: 51.5 (-110/-110), 2018-19 wins: 37
Dula: Over. Mising out on Kawhi Leonard was a blessing in disguise for the Lakers. Because of that, they were able add the necessary depth to their lineup. LeBron had the first serious injury of his career last year so we’ll see how his body holds up after logging over 46,000 regular season minutes in his career. A healthy Anthony Davis should take the pressure of LeBron though, making this team a favorite to win the west.
Keehn: Over. If Anthony Davis can stay healthy all year, this team will be so much fun to watch on defense. Anthony Davis is a clear-cut candidate to compete with Giannis for the MVP. LeBron still looks as sharp as ever. The guys around them are all defensively oriented. Davis, LeBron, Green, Bradley, and McGee is a downright scary defense. However, if one of LeBron or AD goes out for a long period of time, this team won’t have enough scoring to stay afloat and it could plummet quickly.
Dula: Over. I think it’s reasonable to say this team can reach 30 wins. With the additions of young talent like Ja Morant, Grayson Allen, Tyus Jones, and Brandon Clarke the future looks bright for Memphis but they will continue to rebuild for the next few years.
Keehn: Over. Not by much here. They are going to have to steal a lot of games from the East teams. Morant is ready to be the front-runner to win ROY (yes because he will play more minutes and get more volume than Zion). Jarren Jackson Jr. is going to be a force in this league really soon. It should be him this franchise builds around. They’ll get there eventually. Clarke is one of my favorite recent college players to come out of a draft. This team is built for the future. Slightly over here. Maybe they’ll get to 30 but over 30 would be a stretch.
Miami Heat: 42.5 (-110/-110), 2018-19 wins: 39
Dula: Over. Jimmy Butler is back in a situation where he is undoubtedly the star on his team. I’m expecting potential MVP numbers from him this season. He’s accompanied by Rookie of the Year candidate, Tyler Herro, who I haven’t even seen hit the rim on the shots he’s made throughout summer league and preseason so far. Spoelstra’s move of Justise Winslow to point guard last season should also continue to see its benefits.
Keehn: Over. The Heat got rid of the most lazy player in the league and added the least lazy player in the league. I would take that as a huge win. Jimmy Butler completely changes the Heat’s mindset to a “win now” one. If they can make an acquisition at the trade deadline for a Love, Griffin, or Russell, this team could be a real contender. Bam Adebayo, Justice Winslow, and Tyler Herro are great young pieces who will be used at length this year. Expect them to compete for a high seed in the East.
Dula: Under. Khris Middleton and Giannis are one of the NBA duos that nobody is talking about but they belong in the conversation with AD and Lebron, Russ and Harden, and PG and Kawhi. However, 57 wins is still a lot of wins and the east has gotten stronger despite losing Kawhi Leonard. That’s not to say they won’t get 55, but I’m not seeing 57 for the Bucks.
Keehn: Over. Watching Giannis in the preseason was incredibly hilarious. 27 points and 14 rebounds in 24 minutes of action was pretty consistent (ball-parking). He is the favorite to repeat as MVP. His jumper also took a HUGE step forward. It is far smoother and he is shooting it with more confidence. The team as a whole got worse but Giannis, somehow, got better. I like them to be the top seed in the East once again.
Dula: Under. Losing Derrick Rose hurts the Wolves. I expect Jarrett Culver to beat out Jake Layman for the starting job sooner rather than later but I still don’t think this team got any better in the offseason. Karl-Anthony Towns’ talent will be wasted for yet another season in Minnesota.
Keehn: Under. This is the season that is going to drive Towns out of town. Jarrett Culver is ranked as my second best rookie for the long-term. He is going to be a good 2 way NBA player for a long time. They lost Jones and Rose which is a big hit on load that Jeff Teague will have. This team did not get much better while the rest of the conference did. I expect Josh Okogie to take a jump this year.
New Orleans Pelicans: 38.5 (-112/-112), 2018-19 wins: 33
Dula: Over. There is no team in the NBA that I am more excited to watch than the Pelicans. They were a top 5 team in pace last season so what they did in the offseason was go out and get a bunch of athletic guys who can beat their guys up and down the floor. I cannot wait to see how they implement a transition offense with. And they will have an above average defense with guys like Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick Favors in the starting lineup. Not to mention, they had an excellent draft getting Zion Williamson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Jaxson Hayes. I don’t think it will happen, but I hope I see this team in the playoffs.
Keehn: Over. This is one of those where the number for this might have people shaking there heads, but it’s actually pretty good. I like them to win around 40 games this year and just missing the playoffs. This team will have a rare identity that isn’t really seen at any level of basketball these days: a young team with an exceptional defense. They will be a show in transition but it is their defense that will get people out of their seats. If Zion can stay healthy, get your popcorn ready.
New York Knicks: 27.5 (-122/+100), 2018-19 wins: 17
Dula: Under. I don’t think the Knicks are as bad as everyone has made them out to be. If Julius Randle can stay healthy, they can potentially be a 30 win team. But I just don’t think they are good enough to beat the teams they’ll be playing. Give RJ Barrett some time and let Kevin Knox get another year of NBA experience and they should be a decent team in a few years.
Keehn: Under. Before the preseason started, I would have thought about the over on this one. However, after watching some of their games I am going to have to take the under. Dula is right: they aren’t as bad as people think. It is clear that Fiz is running the team through Barrett and Randle this preseason. The problem is the team doesn’t really have an identity. With 4 of their 8 best players all being power forwards, it’s hard to have an identity with a lop-sided roster. Barrett is going to be a serious contender for rookie of the year, Knox will improve his all around game, and Mitchell Robinson will learn from his bad high school tendencies he had last year.
Oklahoma City Thunder: 33.5 (-110/-110), 2018-19 wins: 49
Dula: Under. OKC is in full rebuild mode this season, but with all the draft picks they attained this offseason I’d say they have a good foundation for what they want to build. I actually like their backcourt with Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and who doesn’t love Steven Adams? Still, this team won’t be able to compete this season.
Keehn: Under. As cool as this team is on paper, there is going to be some moves for this team. It can almost be guaranteed that this team will be different roster wise from beginning of the season to the end. Steven Adams will have a great year and Chris Paul will be a nice mentor for Shai Alexander who is one of my favorite young players in the league. They will be fun to watch, but won’t have enough firepower to compete with the elites in the west.
Orlando Magic: 40.5 (+110/-134), 2018-19 wins: 42
Dula: Under. The Magic didn’t get any worse this offseason, they just didn’t get any better. I was very surprised when Nikola Vucevic decided to remain with Orlando after testing the waters as a free agent, seeing how he is one of the best centers in the league who has nothing to show for it. The Magic selected Chuma Okeke in the first round of the draft this year which also made no sense to me so despite resigning Vucevic, the Magic had a below average offseason.
Keehn: Over. The Magic are going to be a force that nobody sees coming in the East this season. Ranked in the top 3 defensively the last 3 months of the season, this team is the real deal. Jon Isaac is my pick for most improved player this year. Fultz’s jumper is better, but it is still really odd. The Magic having him isn’t too much of a factor here. Aaron Gordon looks to be an all-star along side his extremely underrated big man, Nikola Vucevic is going to continue his monster campaign. I really like this team a lot.
Philadelphia 76ers: 53.5 (-134/+110), 2018-19 wins: 51
Dula: Under. The Sixers are one injury away from being just an average team. The lack of depth in Philly makes me want to take the under here. While Ben Simmons looks like he’s been working on his jumper in the offseason, and the Sixers signed Al Horford, I’m worried that one injury could exponentially set this team back. The Sixers were a much better team as whole last year (their starting 5 is among the best in the league but their depth last year made them better) and they only totaled 51 wins so it wouldn’t make sense to me to take the over here.
Keehn: Over. Their depth is a PROBLEM. Brett Brown played more than 10 guys off the bench in almost all of their preseason games to see who was going to put in. Strong campaigns from rookie Matisse Thybulle, Mike Scott, and a few others. Those guys are not nearly enough to fill the shoes of an injury prone, but loaded, starting 5 of Philly. Their 5, when healthy, is the best in the league. I want to take the under here, but I am going to make the bold assumption that this team can actually stay healthy for once. If they do, they will be a regular season dream. However, when it comes to crunch time in a playoff series, they could be in trouble, especially with the lack of durability of Embiid and the age of Al Horford.
Phoenix Suns: 27.5 (+100/-121), 2018-19 wins: 19
Dula: Under. My heart wants to say over but it’s the Suns. They have been the laughing stock of the league for the last five years and I just won’t believe they’ll win 30 games until I see it. They do have a lot of solid players like Rubio, Ayton, Tyler Johnson, Mikal Bridges, and Devin Booker, but I still don’t think it’s enough to get them to 30 wins which is a mark they haven’t reached since the 2014-15 season.
Keehn: Under. This team is so bad. Devin Booker will always be a good player on a bad team. He is a great fantasy option but really has to take over this year if he wants to help this team get anywhere. It is a lot of talented guys playing together with no real identity. Mikal Bridges and Ayton look to have big years for Phoenix.
Dula: Under. Dame and CJ will continue to be one of the best backcourts in the NBA but the frontcourt is what worries me with the Blazers this season. I really don’t like Zach Collins as a starter and there is no timetable for Jusuf Nurkic’s return. Even if Nurkic comes back healthy, it could be too late to give the Blazers another 50 win season.
Keehn: Over. This is a very different team for the Blazers. They sub in two long, athletic, defensive-minded wings for two above average shooting ones. They get Hassan Whiteside, an expiring contract, which will be huge in their negotiations for a “win now” guy at the deadline. They can flip Whiteside’s expiring for a Griffin or Love with Nurkic coming back. Each of the past 5 years the Blazers always project in the bottom of the playoff picture and always finish better. I trust Damian Lillard, not only because he is my favorite player in the league, but because he can lead a team in a loaded western conference. This team has a winning formula and can still be very talented in the West.
Dula: Over. The Kings are not too far away from being in the top tier in the west. The top tier meaning the seven teams who should be locks to make the playoffs but the Kings should fight for an 8-seed this year. Bagley, Barnes, Hield, Fox, and potential Most Improved Player, Bogdan Bogdanovic, make up a solid roster that shouldn’t be slept on.
Keehn: Over. It’s crazy because when I say the over on this one, I’m guessing 39 wins, the same they had last year. I like this young team a lot. Buddy is an elite shooter. He is in the tier of shooters just below Klay and Steph. Bagley looks to take the leap this year and De’Aaron Fox is ready to enter a high level tier of NBA point guards. He is going to have a huge year for the Kings. However, the conference is loaded and I still expect them to be in the hunt for the 8 seed.
San Antonio Spurs: 46.5 (-110/-110), 2018-19 wins: 48
Dula: Over. I will never bet against Popovich. Even if this team was depleted and they didn’t have guys like Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan accompanied by Derrick White and the return of Dejounte Murray, I still would not take the under with Popovich coaching this team. This team also has depth with DeMarre Caroll, Patty Mills, Lonnie Walker IV, Trey Lyles, and Rudy Gay coming off the bench. The Spurs are a lock for 50 wins this season.
Keehn. Under. Dejounte Murray is really good. the injury to him last year was really unfortunate. The Spurs always find a way to hang around and be relevant in the post-Kawhi era. However, I feel as though the conference as a whole got better and the Spurs did not get much better. They have a lot of minutes distributions they have to figure out. This is probably the first time ever I would have hit the under on Pop. What has happened to me?
Toronto Raptors: 46.5 (-121/+100), 2018-19 wins: 58
Dula: Under. The Raptors won’t sniff the second overall seed in the east like they did last year. Losing Kawhi won’t have the same effect losing LeBron had on Cleveland, but Toronto is by no means a contender. I expect Fred VanVleet to come back down to earth from his extraordinary playoff run while Siakam will continue to emerge as a star. Not all is lost for Toronto and they can still sneak into the playoffs but a repeat is very far out of the question.
Keehn: Over. The Raptors are a very interesting team. They just gave Lowry his money for his years of service there. The Raptors are the number one team to move their own pieces at the deadline. Pascal Siakm is ready for a big year. The majority of this team is back and even without Kawhi, they are still a good basketball team in the East. They’ll finish with anywhere around 45-49 wins… IF… big if, they keep their team in tact. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if they moved Gasol at the deadline. OG coming back is bigger for this team than people think. Dula and I have disagreed on this one ever since Kawhi announced he was leaving. This’ll be a fun one for us to watch throughout the year.
Utah Jazz: 53.5 (-110/-110), 2018-19 wins: 50
Dula: Over. The Jazz could be the best defensive team in the NBA with their starting lineup including Mike Conley, Joe Ingles, and Rudy Gobert. Not to mention they have Ed Davis coming off the bench who shut down Joel Embiid in the playoffs last season before he left the series with an injury. While everyone is talking about the flashy teams like the Lakers, Clippers, and Rockets, the Jazz are getting lost in the contender conversation.
Keehn: Under. The Jazz are picked by a lot of people to be in that top 3 range right behind the Lakers and Clippers. They had an amazing offseason and their team definitely got a lot better. They finally have a playoff experienced guy who can help them out in those big game situations when they need a play maker or a quick bucket. Mitchell is ready for a big pop this year and they look extremely good on paper. However, I really think the Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, Rockets, and Blazers are all better than them. For that reason, I think they might be a tad overrated. Gobert will repeat as DPOY that’s for sure.
Washington Wizards: 27.5 (+100/-122), 2018-19 wins: 32
Dula: Under. I truly believe the WIzards will be the worst team in the NBA this season. Despite Beal’s extension, I am not ruling out a trade to send Beal elsewhere through his own request. Although, I really like rookie Rui Hachimura who I think has a legitimate chance at winning Rookie of the Year because of the amount of minutes he will get on this very bad team. Hachimura is also a good all around player on both sides of the ball. So I really don’t like the Wizards this season but I love Hachimura.
Keehn: Under. This team is going to be so bad. It’s such a shame because Bradley Beal is such a good player. He is a popular pick to get traded at the deadline, despite him signing an extension. Rui Hachimura is a guy who I thought could have easily been a top 5 pick. Bryant is emerging a little bit. But unfortunately, they have nowhere near enough fire power.
The NFL season is almost underway. It is just about that time to start placing your bets on all things football. But before you go running off to hammer the over on your mediocre teams this season, take a look at what we think. Our picks are based off of the Over/Under according to DraftKings.
Credit: Golf Digest
AFC East
MiamiDolphins: 4.5 (+110/-134), 2018 wins: 7
Keehn: Under. Even with Fitzmagic and Rosen, #TankForTua seems to be more and more real as the days go on.
Dula: Under. The Dolphins are odds-on favorites to have the worst record in the NFL. But hey, at least they’ll get a top five pick in next year’s draft.
New York Jets: 7.5 (-136/+110), 2018 wins: 4
Keehn: Under. Sam Darnold is one year away. It’ll be interesting to see how Lev Bell responds after sitting out an entire season. Again, one year away.
Dula: Under. But just barely. I think this team can reach a 6-10 or 7-9 record, however, the lack of overall talent cannot be carried by Bell and Darnold.
Buffalo Bills: 6.5 (-200/+160), 2018 wins: 6
Keehn: Over. Josh Allen is ready to go nuts. He was one of the top QB’s for fantasy during playoff season. If he can improve with the arm, they can be sneaky.
Dula: Over. The Bills are by far the second best team in the AFC East behind the Patriots. Josh Allen may be the best QB to come out of the 2018 draft class and with the addition of C Mitch Morse and WR John Brown expect Allen to build on his rookie campaign.
New England Patriots: 11 (-134/+110), 2018 wins: 11
Keehn: Over. We’re not going to play this game again are we? Look at their win totals this entire decade. They won’t slow down anytime soon. Sony Michel will have a huge year, especially around the goal, and a strong receiver core will easily win them the divison. It’s Brady and Belichick. Come on now.
Dula: Over. I mean, do I really have to do an analysis for this one? Brady and Belichick are the most dominant coach-QB duo of all time. And that defense is actually one of the best in the league talent-wise. Belichick is expected to call the defensive plays this year as well, should be fun to watch.
AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals: 5.5 (-132/+110), 2018 wins: 6
Keehn: Under. After an unfortunate injury to AJ Green, the luck of the draw in a loaded division will give the Bengals the short end of the stick.
Dula: Under. The Bengals could give the Dolphins a run for their money for the worst record in the league. This team gave up over 400 yards per game on defense last year and with a middle of the road offense they will not be able to keep up with teams scoring in bunches against them.
Cleveland Browns: 9.5 (+120/-143), 2018 wins: 7
Keehn: Under. Do people really think this team is going to make the super bowl? Baker is good but where people are taking him in fantasy is crazy for a guy who is still unproven.
Dula: Over. I think the Browns finish the season either 10-6 or 9-7 making this a difficult line to bet on. With the weapons the Browns have provided Baker Mayfield, it would be difficult for anyone to have a below average season at QB for Cleveland. Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward are also two of the best at their respective positions on defense.
Baltimore Ravens: 8.5 (+115/-139), 2018 wins: 10
Keehn: Over. Lamar is ready for a big year. Yeah, he was pretty bad in the playoff game, but the dude can flat out run. They look to build in year 2 of Lamar after last year’s playoff birth.
Dula: Under. Coach John Harbaugh told reporters to hammer the over for the amount of carries Lamar Jackson will have this year and to expect a different type of football. Are the Ravens trying to implement an option offense in the NFL? There’s a reason no other teams run this type of offense and that’s because it simply doesn’t work. With teams loading the box and lack of receiver depth, Baltimore’s defense will have to keep them in games.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 9 (-148/+120), 2018 wins: 9
Keehn: Over. No more Bell and no more Brown is a pretty big hit considering they are both considered, by many, to be top 5 in their positions. But now the Steelers have no more drama and it is worth the trade-off. Do not be surprised when JuJu accumulates a lot of AB’s targets. He can potentially finish as the WR1 at the end of this season.
Dula: Over. James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster are basically Bell and Brown 2.0. The Steelers won’t lose a step on offense and Big Ben is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. I’m considering him as a dark horse MVP candidate.
AFC West
Oakland Raiders: 6 (+105/-125), 2018 wins: 4
Keehn: Under. Hard Knocks has kind of been a summary of what I imagine the season for them will be like. Gruden running around doing stupid stuff while all eyes are on Antonio Brown, who is also always doing and saying stupid stuff. I like rookie back Josh Jacobs, but not as much as I hate Antonio Brown. Next.
Dula: Over. There is a lot of emotion surrounding the Raiders being that this will be their last season before they relocate to Las Vegas. They’ll want to go out with a bang and the additions of Tyrell Williams, Antonio Brown, Trent Brown, and Josh Jacobs could help propel their team to a comeback season.
Denver Broncos: 6.5 (-152/+125), 2018 wins: 6
Keehn: Over. I’m a little worried for Emmanuel Sanders because I don’t think he will be as good after the injury. Their defense though should propel them past the 6.5 mark. Expect Lindsay to take a slight dip as well.
Dula: Under. It seems as if Joe Flacco has gotten worse every year since he won a Super Bowl. With Drew Lock on the IR and people around the organization claiming he isn’t ready to play in the NFL yet, I don’t expect the Broncos to have a good enough QB to make their sub-par receivers better.
Los Angeles Chargers: 9.5 (-143/+116), 2018 wins: 12
Keehn: Over. Austin Ekeler can, I think, handle the running back spot while Melvin Gordon follows closely in the footsteps of his buddy Lev Bell. But I have this weird hunch that Keenan Allen might ACTUALLY stay healthy (for the most part). I have no stat to back this up but I just got a hunch.
Dula: Over. Philip Rivers needs a ring. He has been too good for too long without a championship and the Chargers are one of the most talented teams in the league this year. Keenan Allen has played all 16 games the past two years so it looks like the unlucky injuries are behind him. The only question mark with this team is their running back situation. It’ll be a battle between them and Kansas City for the division title.
Kansas City Chiefs: 10 (-182/+150), 2018 wins:12
Keehn: Over. Is it me or should this number be higher? It is the best offense in football and Pat Mahomes shows no signs of slowing down. Fun fact of the day: Dula told me last year Mahomes was going to win MVP and that I should take him as my backup fantasy QB. Dula called it, and boy was he right. Expect more of the same and yet another AFC title game between the Chiefs and the Pats.
Dula: Over. The Chiefs may be the last team to lose a game this year. If not for Dee Ford lining up offsides in the AFC Championship Game, we probably would’ve seen Patrick Mahomes lifting the Lombardi Trophy in his first full season as a starter. Kansas City has all the right pieces and Coach of the Year candidate, Andy Reid. We’ll be seeing these guys in January.
AFC South
Tenneessee Titans: 8 (-104/-118), 2018 wins: 9
Keehn: Under. I just can’t get all in on Mariota. I really wish I could but I just can’t. I can’t be a Derrick Henry truther either. So unfortunately, I am going to have to hammer the under on this one.
Dula: Under. The Titans defense is young and underrated. Mike Vrabel saw a quick jump from LB coach to head coach because of his excellent defensive mind. But their defense does not make up for their lackluster offense.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 8 (-125/+104), 2018 wins: 5
Keehn: Under. I love Dede Westbrook this year for fantasy purposes but, like Mariota, I just cannot get behind Nick Foles. I don’t think the Blake Bortles to Nick Foles transition will add 3 wins to their total. No offense to the Eagles people.
Dula: Under. Nick Foles’ Super Bowl run was exceptional but I don’t expect him to turn this team around in just a year. The receiving corps is simply too young but give them a year or two and they may surprise some people in the next couple seasons.
Houston Texans: 8.5 (-134/+110), 2018 wins: 11
Keehn: Over. I was really close to saying under just to be different. But I don’t see a scenario where the defense doesn’t hold up and Hopkins and Fuller aren’t enough. Watson will still put up great numbers and JJ Watt will continue to scare people, including me.
Dula: Over. I have been very high on Deshaun Watson ever since his days at Clemson. He is without a doubt a franchise quarterback. Hopefully his offensive line can keep him upright and we’ll see this team back in the playoffs.
Indianapolis Colts: 6.5 (-134/+110), 2018 wins: 10
Keehn: Over. Considering I still think the Colts are going to win this division without Andrew Luck, I am hammering the over on this one. Jacoby is the best backup in the league and they still have so many talented offensive weapons and an exciting young defense.
Dula: Over. No Andrew Luck? No problem. The Colts still have a great offensive line and an above average defense led by Darius Leonard. The talent around Brissett is enough to make him a serviceable starter.
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6.5 (-110/-110), 2018 wins: 5
Keehn: Over. Chris Godwin is ready for a, consistent, breakout year… for real this time! One of Dula’s breakout player predictions this year, Jameis Winston will be a steal in every fantasy league he is taken in. Expect him to use all of his offensive weapons to his advantage, even if the O line isn’t that great.
Dula: Over. The Bucs might surprise some people this year. Everyone is saying Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and OJ Howard are all going to have great years and if that’s the case, why isn’t everyone talking about how great of a year Jameis Winston could have? A name to look out for is Dare Ogunbowale. He is the potential savior of Tampa Bay’s running game.
Carolina Panthers: 7.5 (-165/+135), 2018 win: 7
Keehn: Under. I am not on the Curtis Samuel Hype train this year nor the DJ Moore one. I love Newton as a fantasy QB and the fact that Stephen A Smith Doesn’t have McCaffrey on his top 5 RBs is “blasphemy” as he would say.
Dula: Over. Looking at the Panthers depth chart, I have a hard time justifying how they will win less than eight games. They have names like Keuchly, Poe, and Reid on defense. If Curtis Samuel and DJ Moore can show they belong in the league and if Christian McCaffrey is Christian McCaffrey, then I think the Panthers can be a .500 team.
Atlanta Falcons: 8.5 (-130/+108), 2018 wins: 7
Keehn: Under. The window for the Falcons has pretty much closed. The Saints are the team to beat in the division. Their offense is still elite but somehow Matt Ryan still cannot seem to find Julio Jones in the end zone and I am not sure if that can change this year.
Dula: Under. The Falcons had a window to win a Super Bowl and that was when they were beating the Patriots 28-3 at halftime of Super Bowl LI. They still have not recovered since then and I’d say another season without a playoff appearance puts coach Dan Quinn on the hot seat.
New Orleans Saints: 10.5 (+115/-137), 2018 wins: 13
Keehn: Over. Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas are too damn good. Brees is still elite. The Saints are looking to avenge their exit from the last two playoffs and make one last run for the title before their window is closed. This could be the year.
Dula: Over. Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, Cameron Jordan, Marcus Williams, Marcus Davenport, Marshon Lattimore, Sean Payton. Need I say more? The Saints should have been in the Super Bowl last year but the worst no call in NFL history got in the way. We should see them there this year.
NFC North
Detroit Lions: 6.5 (-150/+123), 2018 wins: 6
Keehn: Under. Another team in a loaded division with three other teams all capable of making the playoffs. I love Marvin Jones as a fantasy option this year but as a team they don’t seem to be going anywhere.
Dula: Under. It won’t be long before the Lions realize they made a mistake signing Matt Patricia as their coach. He wasn’t even that great of a defensive coordinator but because he was on the Patriots coaching staff, he was highly sought after. The Lions just don’t ave enough talent to compete in the NFC North.
Minnesota Vikings: 9 (-121/+100), 2018 wins: 8
Keehn: Push. It’s crazy to think that a team with as much offensive fire power finished .500 (with a tie). With Dalvin Cook going down early in the season they took a tough loss to a Bills team they should have beaten. With another tough schedule this year, including two AFC games at the Chargers and at the Chiefs. I do, however, think Dalvin Cook will stay healthy and that could get them over the 8 win mark.
Dula: Over. I think Minnesota bounces back this year and they’ll find themselves contending again. Their offense is stacked and their defense includes guys like Linvall Joseph, Danielle Hunter, Everson Griffin, Anthony Barr, Harrison Smith, and Xavier Rhodes. Looks like a tough team to beat on paper.
Green Bay Packers: 9 (-112/-112), 2018 wins: 6
Keehn: Under. The Packers will have more than their 6 wins they had last year. I’m going to go with 8-8 for them here this season. So many people are ready for an Aaron Rodgers MVP season but I’m just not seeing it this year. They have a tough schedule and, like the Vikings, go up against the Chiefs and the Chargers this year.
Dula: Under. I like the direction the Packers are moving in. Matt LaFleur seems to have good communication with Rodgers but I’m not impressed with their receivers outside of Davante Adams. If teams can eliminate Adams, the Packers might struggle to put points on the board.
Chicago Bears: 9.5 (+135/-162), 2018 wins:12
Keehn: Over. With the best defense in the NFL, the bears look to come out punching after a heartbreaking loss to the Eagles. They have a new kicker and hopefully he won’t have a mental breakdown in the playoffs. Fingers crossed, Chicago.
Dula: Over. Mitch Trubisky will only keep getting better. David Montgomery will take over Jordan Howard’s role and be better than Howard was. Tarik Cohen and Allen Robinson II will help carry the offense while the defense will remain dominant.
NFC East
New York Giants: 5.5 (-132/+110), 2018 wins 5
Keehn: Over. I do think the Giants are a little bit better then they get credit for. Their O line is much better (it couldn’t get much worse last year) and Saquon Barkely is ready to dethrone everyone else as the clear-cut RB1. However, a tandem of slot receivers with an aging Eli Manning calls into question their ability in the passing game. I do think Daniel Jones will prove a lot of people wrong, and I do think he’s better than Haskins. Maybe we’ll get to see some reps from the former Dukey.
Dula: Over. Saquon Barkley is the best running back in the NFL after only playing one season and who were Eli’s receivers when he won those Super Bowls? Eli Manning somehow thrives without star receivers with the exception of Plaxico Burress. Golden Tate, Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram will do just fine. That defense could surprise some people too with Jabrill Peppers, Antoine Bethea, Dalvin Tomlinson, BJ Hill, and rookies, Deandre Baker and Dexter Lawrence.
Washington Redskins: 6 (+115/-139), 2018 wins: 7
Keehn: Under. Any team that has Ereck Flowers on it should be hammering the under. Just kidding but not really. Gruden now says the offense will be run through Derrius Guice. This should be interesting how those touches are dispersed through him and AP. Hopefully, Jordan Reed doesn’t get yet another concussion once he’d done recovering from the one he has now.
Dula: Under. Yet another team that can finish the season with the worst record in the league. Gruden is in for a rude awakening when he realizes the offense can’t run through Derrius Guice because of his offensive line. This offensive line is bad and Case Keenum will open the season as the starter because Dwayne Haskins isn’t ready. He only started fourteen games in college, of course he isn’t ready. And when he is ready he will still look like he isn’t ready. The Redskins are in a bad situation for what could be years.
Dallas Cowboys: 9 (+105/-129), 2018 wins: 10
Keehn: Push. Who knows how long Zeke’s contract talks will stay in the state it’s in. It has gone from one extreme to the other and at this point, Dallas fans might as well just get behind Tony Pollard and call it a day. I know the advanced metrics are on Dak’s side, but the eye test really isn’t all that solid for me. He’s a good dude, don’t get me wrong, but this is the Eagle’s division this season.
Dula: Under. I will not give delusional Cowboys fans the satisfaction of saying they will win more than nine games. Dak Prescott has benefited from being in a division with the Giants and Redskins the last few years but I don’t see him as a guy who can lead a team to a Super Bowl. Maybe if Jason Garrett was replaced this offseason I would’ve taken the over.
Philadelphia Eagles: 10 (-148/+120), 2018 wins: 9
Keehn: Over. Carson Wentz is back and hopefully can stay healthy. Rookie back Miles Sanders is getting a lot of buzz heading into the season and looks to add to a team loaded with offensive weapons. If the Eagles can stay healthy, they’ll look to be at the top of the division once again.
Dula: Push. Carson Wentz is an MVP candidate when healthy and he benefits from an above average offensive line. However, they have to face the Patriots, Bears, Seahawks, and Vikings. Winning in Dallas is no easy task either. I expect the Eagles to have exactly 10 wins this season.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: 5 (-137/+112), 2018 wins: 3
Keehn: Under. I think people might be freaking out too much over Kyler’s hellacious preseason game. He is going to be fine and is my clear-cut favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. I do think Christian Kirk can emerge as the WR1 for this team. It’s unreal that Larry is still going and we’ll always show that dude the love he deserves.
Dula: Over. I’m excited for Kyler Murray in Kliff Kingsbury’s air raid offense. People have also forgotten how incredible David Johnson can be when the Cardinals can spread the field. Patrick Peterson will miss the first six games due to suspension but this defense also features Terrell Suggs, Chandler Jones, and DJ Swearinger. Also, look out for rookie defensive end, Zach Allen, out of Boston College. Some analysts were comparing him to JJ Watt ahead of the draft.
San Francisco 49ers: 7.5 (-159/+130), 2018 wins: 4
Keehn: Under. Jimmy G is back. Kittle is a beast. Maybe we can finally see a breakout from Dante Pettis? Maybe? I really wanted to take the over on this one but they are going to struggle with the LA and Seattle. I am going to go with 7-9 for them but this one could be hit or miss depending on how well their offense can capitalize.
Dula: Under. Kittle had an extraordinary season with Nick Mullens throwing him the ball a majority of the time. Honestly, if Nick Mullens remained the QB I probably would’ve had a more difficult decision but the Niners aren’t paying Jimmy G way too much money to sit on the bench.
Seattle Seahawks: 8.5 (-139/+115), 2018 wins: 10
Keehn: Over. Seattle’s front seven is down right terrifying; on top of an already unfair home field advantage. Doug Baldwin is gone but Tyler Lockett looks to take the reigns as the WR1 and Chris Carson looks to get involved in the passing game more this year. Look for the Seahawks to be legitimate contenders to not only win this division instead of the Rams, but compete for the NFC title as well.
Dula: Under. The addition of Jadeveon Clowney solidifed Seattle’s front seven as the best front seven in football. It’ll be tough for this team to lose at home this season but I can’t get on board with Tyler Lockett as a WR1 and DK Metcalf as a WR2. Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny will complement each other well in the backfield but that might be the only thing this offense has going for it outside of Russell Wilson. I’m pinning this team at 8-8.
Los Angeles Rams: 10.5 (+110/-134), 2018 wins: 13
Keehn: Over. Cooper Kupp is back and the dude was the WR2 before he went down with his torn ACL. Add that to a young, and still improving, Jared Goff, a healthy Todd Gurley (although his knees are a huge enigma for fantasy purposes), and an array of weapons on both sides of the ball. Did I mention they have the best player in football in Aaron Donald? All this under the genius that is Sean McVay. They will compete, yet again, at the highest level.
Dula: Over. The Rams will recover from their Super Bowl loss and return what could be the best receiving corps in the league with Cooks, Woods, and Kupp. Even if Gurley isn’t 100%, rookie Darrell Henderson will be a good change of pace back. Add that high powered offense to a defense anchored by Aaron Donald and you’ve got yourself a contender.
