2019 NFL Playoffs Sleeper Teams to Bet On

When you think about sleeper teams, you think about teams that people really are not taking seriously — but which end up emerging as surprise contenders. The Cleveland Browns, for example, are not a “sleeper” team, because they are favored by many to win the AFC North, although it will be entertaining to see the dynamic on a team with so many bold personalities, especially with Odell Beckham Jr. joining the mix. In this article, we consider some teams that NFL betting enthusiasts might keep around as value plays because of the gap between their potential and the respect they get from the oddsmakers.

2019 NFL Playoffs Sleeper Teams to Bet On

Notes: #Lions named a sleeper for making the NFL playoffs https://t.co/SuJAVtZA1e

— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) June 20, 2019

New York Jets

Le’Veon Bell took off the 2018 season to make a point about the compensation that he thought he deserved, and the Jets wrote him a big check — so you can believe that he will come out motivated. Sam Darnold enters his second season aware of the increased speed of the pro game and ready to get some revenge on defenses that beat him last year. On the other side of the ball, the Jets bring pressure against quarterbacks, and Jamal Adams is an elite defensive back. The Jets won’t win the AFC East, because New England is still too far ahead, but the Jets could sweep the Dolphins and the Bills, or even split with the Bills, and make it to the postseason with six more wins.

Buffalo Bills

Tyrod Taylor took them to the postseason two years ago, inspiring a viral trend of Bills fans jumping onto folding tables. Taylor is long gone, but the craze remains, and second-year quarterback Josh Allen has the arm to send bombs to John Brown and crossing-route passes to free-agent signing Cole Beasley. The Bills already have a stout defense, and their coaching staff is solid as well. If the Jets don’t emerge in the AFC East, then Buffalo could.

Denver Broncos

You know Joe Flacco will have plenty of motivation after seeing Lamar Jackson take his job in Baltimore. The Broncos still have a solid defense, and with Bradley Chubb and Von Miller on the edge, their pass rush will be significant. Kansas City will drop back a bit, as Tyreek Hill’s playing future is uncertain, and the Chargers always play inconsistently. Oakland is still in rebuilding mode, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Flacco get the ball rolling down the field, with SMU products Emmanuel Sanders and Courtland Sutton catching deep balls.

New York Giants

I know what you’re saying — the Giants don’t seem to know whether they want to rebuild or win now. They said they want to rebuild, but then they drafted a quarterback who will not make it as an NFL starter — in the first round. So Eli Manning has a backup, but he already had one. They also dumped a load of money on Golden Tate. Now, the offensive line should show some improvement in 2019, and their defense is decent. The Giants could get by Philadelphia, as Carson Wentz has been fragile — and upon his return, he has not played as well. Washington is even more dysfunctional than the Giants. Dallas has replaced a real offensive coordinator (Scott Linehan) with someone cheap enough to suit Jerry Jones’ checkbook (Kellen Moore), so this is an open division that the Giants could snag, if they can ride their defense and Saquon Barkley to the postseason.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jameis Winston has tons of talent, but the coaches he has had up to this point have not been able to get him to show it consistently. Bruce Arians is the sort of coach that can get the best out of Winston. The Buccaneers’ defense is also better, at least on paper, than it has played. Tampa Bay gets the help that comes from a last place schedule, and if Atlanta and Carolina slip a bit, these Buccaneers (who opened 2018 by beating New Orleans) could sneak by them and into a wild card slot.