POINT TRAIN PREDICTIONS – all odds found at FanDuel
NFC WINNER – Green Bay Packers +500
The Packers have rolled to an impressive 39-10 regular season record the last 3 seasons which is the best mark in the NFL over that time period. The defense should be one of the best in the NFL this year. Green Bay is loaded in the defensive backfield and it could be argued they have three #1 corners with Alexander, Stokes and Douglas. If they can shore up their run defense this will be tough to beat. Because of that, the offense may not have to do as much as previous seasons. QB Rodgers lost some key weapons in the passing game but others have stepped up in early practices and he tends to make all of his receivers look good. The running game will be among the best in the league as well with the 2 headed monster of Jones and Dillon. The Packers have won the NFC North in 8 of the last 11 seasons and we expect them to come out on top in the division again this year. They’ve come up short in the NFC Championship game in 2 of the last 3 seasons and we think they have a great shot to get over the hump this year.
NFC LONGER SHOT – New Orleans Saints +1700
The Saints roster is loaded with talent. It’s one of the best in the NFL. Their defense last year was very good finishing in the top 5 in PPG, YPG, and YPP allowed. Their offensive weapons are as good as any in the league with RB Kamara (suspension possible?) and WR’s Thomas (back from injury), Landry and rookie Olave. Can QB Jameis Winston play well enough to get this team to the playoffs? That’s they only question we have with this team. If Winston plays well, the Saints should be very good. Tampa remains the only other formidable team in the division and New Orleans has owned the Bucs beating them 7 straight times in the regular season, including 4-0 facing Brady at QB.
AFC WINNER – Buffalo Bills +400
The Bills have lost in the AFC Divisional or Championship game in each of the last 2 seasons. Both losses were versus the Chiefs including a 42-36 setback in OT to get to the AFC Title game last season. If you remember Buffalo took a 3 point lead in that game with just 13 seconds remaining the Chiefs were able to tie it in regulation and win in OT. Despite coming up short, the Bills were the best team in the NFL for the entirety of the season. They led the NFL in point differential and yards per play differential, both by a wide margin. All 12 of their wins came by more than 10 points and 6 of their 7 losses came by a TD or less with 2 coming in OT. The defense led the NFL allowing just 18 PPG and in yards per play allowed at just 4.8. The offense should be great this year with QB Allen working with some high end weapons again this season. If the offensive line can improve just a bit, watch out. The AFC East is a fairly weak and the Bills are definitely the class of the division. Buffalo finally gets to the Super Bowl this year.
AFC LONGER SHOT – Indianapolis Colts +1200
The Colts have the 3rd easiest schedule in the NFL this year and they sit in one of the weakest divisions in football, the AFC South. Houston and Jacksonville are projected to be 2 of the worst teams in the NFL once again and Tennessee had the lowest point differential of any team that won their division. Despite finishing 2nd last year, the Colts point differential was 21 points better than the Titans. An upgrade at QB with Matt Ryan should help significantly as Wentz was a disaster last season. We project Indianapolis to win the division this year and at 12/1 they are not a bad investment to win it all.
SUPER BOWL WINNER – Buffalo Bills +650