New York Giants Betting Tips: 2010 NFL Team Preview

New York Giants
(+2550) – Odds to Win the Super Bowl
(Over 8.5, -120: Under 8.5, +100) – Over/Under Total Wins
(+145) – Odds to Win Division

The Giants really fell apart last season, there’s no doubt about that. After starting the season 5-0 and getting a lot of love from a lot of people in the business of ranking teams, the Giants dropped 4 straight before needing overtime to slip past Atlanta. That didn’t turn things around, however, as they finished the season 2-4 after that, going 3-8 after their hot start. But this might be a great time to think Giants. People have forgotten how good this team can be. Sure, they needed to replace some big parts – but it looks like they are doing that. Most of all, they are getting healthy – there’s a lot to be said about a return to health. There is no way the Giants can be snake-bitten by injuries like last year – that would be nuts. This team got more talented on the defensive line and in the secondary. If Antrel Rolle continues to improve and Kenny Phillips’ health is a non-issue, the back half of their secondary could be potent. I’ve never thought much of the Giants, never liked them anyway, but an offense with Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, Mario Manningham, Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, and Ahmad Bradshaw has enough tools to do big things. When you add a strong offensive line, the Giant could really surprise some people this season. I’m always amazed how fast fans can forget, but it always happens with a couple teams every year. This year, it’s New York. The Jets, Steelers, Titans, and Redskins all have lesser or equal payouts for winning the big crown. I like the Giants as much as the Jets and more than the other teams I listed – so I think they are a good value at +2550. They will win at least 9 games, so I think their -120 over/under of 8.5 is a solid bet. The Division is tougher, I think they struggle to win that. The Cowboys are really good, and the Eagles won’t be terrible either. The Redskins will also be better, and Washington lost a ton of close games last year. I would stay away from winning the division bets.

New Orleans Saints Betting Tips: 2010 NFL Team Preview

New Orleans Saints
(+1215) – Odds to Win the Super Bowl
(Over 10.5, +105: Under 10.5, -125) – Over/Under Total Wins
(-165) – Odds to Win Division

For a Super Bowl winner, the Saints sure do walk away with an easy schedule in 2010. Maybe somebody with some pull is trying to get rid of that old understanding that Super Bowl teams never get back to back chances. There shouldn’t be much strain on this elite Saints team, even if they can’t continue to cause turnovers at an alarming rate. The Saints are in the NFC South, which isn’t a stacked division by any means. I would think only one team from that division could challenge New Orleans, and that’s Atlanta, a team that isn’t nearly as balanced and powerful as the Saints. They get 6 games against Atlanta, Carolina, and Tampa Bay. Lucky. They also get to play Cleveland – though Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Cincinnati will be no walk in the park. But they also get Arizona, San Francisco, Seattle, and St. Louis – real lucky! The NFC West might be better this year, but then again, they might not. Lord knows nobody is expecting much from that division, and certainly nobody expects the Saints to do any worse than 3-1 during that 4-game part of the schedule. The Saints do play an inordinate amount of road games in the 2nd half, and they don’t get a bye until Week 10. They have 3 different situations where they play back to back road games – but will that kill them? Winning the Super Bowl 2 years in a row is damn near impossible in this day in age, but these Saints look pretty stinking good. I think they have their division as close to wrapped up as it gets, but -165? Nothing is free in the NFL, and I think I’d stay away from that. They have the same odds as the Patriots and Vikings, and I like them more than both, so if you’re taking one of the three, I’d go here. Will they win 11 games? That’s really high – but very doable. I gave you there schedule, and since 11 pays you out +105, I think I’d put something on that.

New England Patriots Betting Tips: 2010 NFL Team Preview

New England Patriots
(+1215) – Odds to Win the Super Bowl
(Over 9.5, -130: Under 9.5, +110) – Over/Under Total Wins
(+125) – Odds to Win Division

Tom Brady is all the way back by now, and probably out to prove his worth as well. The Patriots haven’t paid their signal caller yet, and Tom’s competitive enough to use that as motivation. I don’t think he needs any more, but this team is going to be better than people are giving them credit for. At +125 to win their division, they are a solid bet. I think the Jets should be equal (and they basically are), but it’s a toss up between those two, and plus money on a 50/50 bet seems solid to me. Can they win the Super Bowl? I’ll never put it past The Hoodie and his QB, but it seems unlikely. That defense still doesn’t have power on the D-ends of that 3-4, and that’s a big deal. I also don’t know if that offensive line is as good as it needs to be. The defense didn’t play awesome last year, and the offense was missing that elite consistency that they’ve always had in the past. They lost games in the final quarter and didn’t make good enough adjustments – a very rare pile of things for a Belichick team to do. But this year is a new year and Brady is back. Moss has looked refreshed and healthy in camp, and there’s some new blood to help at the skill positions. Wes Welker is battling to return from his torn knee late last year, and Julian Edelman can only be improved after spending his first full season at WR. I would stay away from the Super Bowl odds, despite my respect for Hoodie and Tom. I just don’t know if this team is strong enough up front, and that’s something Super Bowl teams almost always have. I like them to win at lest 10. They never play more than 2 games in a row on the road, they never have a super-tough stretch of really good opponents, and they finish the last 3 weeks of the season with 2 home games. They win 10 at least. Take that bet.

Minnesota Vikings Betting Tips: 2010 NFL Team Preview

Minnesota Vikings
(+1215) – Odds to Win the Super Bowl
(Over 9.5, -120: Under 9.5, +100) – Over/Under Total Wins
(+145) – Odds to Win Division

The Vikings get Brett Favre back, so there’s hope in Minnesota for a trip to the Super Bowl. They were only a couple plays away last year as Brett and the Vikings proved to be a perfect match – one can only assume that they’re back in action again this year, right? I’m not so sure. That offensive line in Minnesota was slowing down as the season pressed forward, and defenses started to catch on. That group isn’t getting much younger, or better, so unless they come out healthier than they were through last years’ long run, it’s tough for me to think this team will be much better. They also won a bunch of close games last year, and while Brett Favre is definitely a big reason for that, it might be tough to expect the same kind of last minute heroics for old Gray Beard himself. When you look at the Vikings’ schedule, a good start isn’t going to come easy. They start in New Orleans. They have two games at home against Miami and then Detroit – but after that they go to New York to play the Jets, get Dallas at home, then have road games in Green bay and New England. They close the season with an easier second half, but I still think it’s going to be tough for the Vikings to start much better than 4-3. I still think they win 10 games, with upside for more. They get Detroit and Chicago twice, Washington, Buffalo, and a Kurt Warner-less Arizona team. At +145, I certainly think they could win their division, and the payout isn’t bad. I expect all teams in the NFC North to be better this season, but it’s still a two man race between ‘Sota and Green Bay. At +1215 to win the Super Bowl, I just don’t know. I don’t think their offensive line played well enough to be a favorite to do so. I would steer clear there.