Six Most Intriguing 2019 NFL Bets This Season

We’re less than six weeks away from the start of the 2019 regular season in the National Football League, and there are a lot of interesting story lines brewing as training camps are getting underway. Will the Dallas Cowboys pay Ezekiel Elliott now (Elliott is holding out despite having two years left on his contract)? Or will they see where Alfred Morris and some rookies can get enough done in the running game? Will Rob Gronkowski return from retirement to join Tom Brady in New England for another campaign? Can Kansas City actually have a defense that doesn’t need its offense to bail it out, week in and week out? Will Philip Rivers finally stop short-circuiting his team with costly interceptions? Can Cleveland actually win the AFC North? We have six wagers for you to consider as part of your NFL betting.

Six Most Intriguing 2019 NFL Bets This Season

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Who will win Super Bowl LIV?

The New England Patriots — surprise, surprise — are the favorites, with +600 sitting as the most common moneyline. And why not? The AFC East has the Patriots and three rebuilding teams in the Jets, Bills and Dolphins, and it is hard to say that anyone has emerged as a contender that one would expect to take down the Pats in the AFC playoffs, with the possible exception of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Los Angeles Rams (+1000) offer a little more value, but the possibility of Super Bowl hangover is huge for that team. Cleveland (+1400) seems possibly a little undervalued, as the result of hype coming from a ton of bets, but Green Bay (+1600) is tempting, as Aaron Rodgers has to be champing for redemption.

Who will win the AFC North?

This is one of the most wide-open divisions in football. Cincinnati is getting the most value here, at +1600. They enter 2019 under new head coach Zac Taylor, who came from Sean McVay’s system, which means the offense should be much better. Quarterback Andy Dalton and wideout A.J. Green should get a chance to put up numbers, and they have a talented tailback in Joe Mixon. However, the Bengals have a brutal defense. Baltimore (+275) is an intriguing pick thanks to the emergence of Lamar Jackson leading a run-heavy offense and to a defense that remains stout. Pittsburgh (+195) may be a little too low on this, given the departure of Antonio Brown and a defense that has been porous at the wrong time. Cleveland (+125) has never been a preseason favorite to win their division until this season. At that moneyline, the Browns do not offer a ton of value, but they will be fun to watch.

Can anyone stop the Patriots in the AFC East?

The New York Jets have +600 odds to win the AFC East. They have a growing second-year quarterback in Sam Darnold and a running back who has been among the elite in the NFL in Le’Veon Bell. The Jets have also added to their defense, making at least a split with the Patriots a possibility. The Buffalo Bills (+1200) are a little further behind the Jets. Josh Allen is also an intriguing second-year quarterback, though, and the team added Cole Beasley, a slippery slot receiver who did some damage in Dallas. Miami (+4000) split with New England last year, but I don’t expect them to threaten in the division this year.

Who wins the NFC East?

There are two contenders — Philadelphia and Dallas. It’s a potential sleeper — the Washington Redskins. There is a dumpster fire — the New York Giants, who possibly has the best running back among all four teams. The Eagles and Cowboys are tied at the top of the division in terms of moneyline right now, and they both have quarterbacks entering their fourth seasons in Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott who have had some big-time success but who also have some questions to answer. Dallas also has to deal with either signing Elliott or replacing him while he holds out.

Which coach will be fired first?

The top three are Jay Gruden (Washington), Matt Patricia (Detroit) and Pat Shurmur (N.Y. Giants). Gruden has been in Washington for five seasons and starts his sixth under some heavy expectations — despite the fact that his franchise quarterback, Alex Smith, went down with a horrific leg injury last season. Matt Patricia had an up-and-down season with the Lions in his first year, although that year did improve an impressive thumping of his old team, the New England Patriots. Pat Shurmur is dealing with a roster that lacks much in the way of offensive talent beyond Saquon Barkley.

Will Chicago beat Green Bay at home in the season opener?

The Bears host the Packers in the 2019 opener, in prime time on a Thursday night. Aaron Rodgers will be back under a new head coach and with a full head of steam, while the Bears will be looking to build on the momentum of their NFC North championship from a year ago. Can Soldier Field’s faithful roar their Bears to a win over their rivals? I don’t see Mitch Trubisky outdueling Aaron Rodgers in prime time.