A few teams seem to shock the NFL world every year. Last season, the Dallas Cowboys improved nine wins, going from 4-12 in 2015 to 13-3 in 2016. The Carolina Panthers headed in the opposite direction, posting a 15-1 record and earning a trip to the Super Bowl in 2015, only to collapse to 6-10 in 2016. Let’s take a look at the projected win totals and predictions for each NFC club in the upcoming 2017 season (odds provided by bovada.lv).
| Total Wins Pick | Over |
 |
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Arizona Cardinals (Over 8 -140, Under 8 +110) — The Cardinals, 7-8-1 last season, have the 23rd toughest schedule. However, their first two games of the season are on the road before their home opener in Week 3 against Dallas. Arizona’s offensive line allowed 41 sacks last season. They must do a better job protecting aging QB Carson Palmer or they could be in for another long year.
| Total Wins Pick | Over |
 |
|
Atlanta Falcons (Over 9.5 -130, Under 9.5 Even) — Will the Falcons be haunted all season long after their record collapse in the Super Bowl? They have the 13th toughest schedule but they rank among the NFL’s elite when it comes to putting points on the board. Atlanta hit rock bottom in 2013 with four wins, but they have been improving ever since behind MVP QB Matt Ryan and star receiver Julio Jones.
| Total Wins Pick | Over |
 |
|
Carolina Panthers (Over 8.5 -175, Under 8.5 +145) — Bettors have jumped all over this betting line. It seems everyone thinks the Panthers will be at least 9-7. Franchise QB Cam Newton is recovering from shoulder surgery. He must be healthy for Carolina to overcome last season’s 6-10 record. They only play a division rival once in their first seven games, but they start on the road for the sixth time in seven seasons.
| Total Wins Pick | Under |
 |
|
Chicago Bears (Over 5.5 +135, Under 5.5 -165) — The Bears, 3-13 last season, have finished last in the NFC North for three straight years. New QB Mike Glennon is not the answer to halt that skid. Chicago also lost their best receiver in Alshon Jeffrey to free agency. The Bears have a bye in Week 9. They will need it, too, as they could easily be winless in their first eight games.
| Total Wins Pick | Over |
 |
|
Dallas Cowboys (Over 9.5 -150, Under 9.5 +120) — The Cowboys hit the jackpot in the 2016 draft with Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. The team set the bar high last season at 13-3. It didn’t make believers out of the oddsmakers as they set the line for this season at 9.5, with bettors flocking to the over. If the club can match last year’s 6-2 road record, 10 wins is within range.
| Total Wins Pick | Over |
 |
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Detroit Lions (Over 8 -105, Under 8 -125) — The Lions have won more than eight games three times in the last six years. They were 9-7 in 2016, even with three straight losses to end the season. The team’s defense is solid and Matthew Stafford has grown into a legitimate franchise quarterback. If Detroit can survive a tough schedule to start the season, they can threaten the Packers for the division crown.
| Total Wins Pick | Under |
 |
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Green Bay Packers (Over 10 -165, Under 10 +135) — Everyone knows about the Packers’ offense and how great QB Aaron Rodgers is at moving his team up and down the field. Green Bay will score points, no doubt. But their defense is a major concern. They allowed the second most points in their division last year and started the season 4-6. For the second straight year, GB had a 10-6 record.
| Total Wins Pick | Under |
 |
|
Los Angeles Rams (Over 5.5 +110, Under 5.5 -140) — The Rams had won six or more games for four straight seasons before last year’s 4-12 finish. QB Jared Goff can only get better off of last year’s initiation, but will he improve enough for L.A. to top the betting line? The Rams have the 17th toughest schedule in the league, and their defense will certainly keep them in games.
| Total Wins Pick | Under |
 |
|
Minnesota Vikings (Over 8.5 -125, Under 8.5 -105) — The Vikings started off 2016 with five straight wins before losing eight of their last 11 games. Minnesota’s defense is among the best in the league. Their offense? Not so much. This is Sam Bradford’s team for now, but how will the Vikings respond after losing star running back Adrian Peterson to free agency? Expect another mediocre year.
| Total Wins Pick | Over |
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|
New Orleans Saints (Over 8 -125, Under 8 -105) — The Saints, 7-9 for the last three seasons, and hall of fame QB Drew Brees can score points in bunches. The team also gained headlines this offseason with the addition of star running back Adrian Peterson. But only one team in the NFL allowed more points than this defense, and that’s why they won’t win the division title in a very competitive NFC South.
| Total Wins Pick | Under |
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New York Giants (Over 9 -115, Under 9 -115) — Will the addition of receiver Brandon Marshall be enough to lift the Giants and superstar Odell Beckham to the division title? The team was 11-5 last year, but they also have the eighth toughest schedule in the league, starting the season at Dallas. New York has not had consecutive double-digit winning seasons since 2007-08.
| Total Wins Pick | Under |
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Philadelphia Eagles (Over 8 -130, Under 8 Even) — The Eagles raced out of the gate last season behind rookie QB Carson Wentz. That won’t likely happen this year with their first two games on the road and the 10th toughest schedule in the NFL. December looks like a make-or-break month for Philadelphia, with two games in prime time. They finish the season off at home against Dallas.
| Total Wins Pick | Under |
 |
|
San Francisco 49ers (Over 4.5 -150, Under 4.5 +120) — The 49ers are a long way from respectability. They won just two games last year, both against the Rams. They’ve cleaned house and are definitely rebuilding. But that will take time. Even though rookie GM John Lynch had a terrific first draft, it will likely take a few years before the 49ers threaten for a playoff spot.
| Total Wins Pick | Over |
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|
Seattle Seahawks (Over 10.5 -115, Under 10.5 -115) — The Seahawks, 10-5-1 last season, have one of the easier schedules in the league. They also have two very bad rivals in their division. It would be a shock if Seattle did not win the NFC West, especially since they are nearly unbeatable at home. The Seahawks don't have back-to-back road games for the first time in franchise history.
| Total Wins Pick | Over |
 |
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Over 8.5 -130, Under 8.5 Even) — The Buccaneers continue to improve every year. They hit bottom in 2014 with just two wins. They finished 9-7 last year, even though they were only favored in three games. QB Jameis Winston, who has thrown 33 interceptions in his first two seasons in the NFL, looks to lift the Bucs into the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
| Total Wins Pick | Over |
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Washington Redskins (Over 7.5 -130, Under 7.5 Even) — The Redskins are coming off two consecutive winning seasons, including an 8-7-1 record last year. In 2016, the defense racked up 21 takeaways. And with 38 sacks, the Redskins were only 10 behind the league best. Washington has the seventh toughest NFL schedule, including five games in prime time.
Category : Betting Picks
Tag : atlanta falcons , dallas cowboys , nfc , NFL futures , NFL props
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