NBA Playoff Betting – Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns Game 5
May 9, 2022
NFL Betting – NFC North Odds
May 10, 2022
The Dallas Cowboys were the cream of the NFC East crop by a country mile a season ago. They went 12-5 SU and an even more impressive 13-4 ATS to secure the No. 3 seed in the NFC. All it earned was an early exit from the playoffs after bowing out in the wild-card round at home against the San Francisco 49ers. Still, not many had Jerry Jones and Co. making a Super Bowl run.
SugarHouse Sportsbook has them installed the odds-on +110 favorite to reel in a second straight title which would amount to the franchise’s third in the last five seasons. I’m not going that route. I don’t trust Mike McCarthy as far as I can throw him, and some instrumental pieces are no longer on the team. I truly believe any of the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, or New York Giants can be the top dog of this division come the season’s end. As such, the two teams listed below are the only preseason wagers I’ve made with the rosters of every team still likely to change.
NFC East Odds at SugarHouse Sportsbook
Dallas Cowboys +110
Philadelphia Eagles +220
Washington Commanders +500
New York Giants +650
Philadelphia Eagles +225
The Cowboys initially hit the board as -120 chalk to hold onto its title, while the Eagles opened +300. But due to what’s perceived by many to be one of the best drafts in the league, the betting markets have thrown some many towards Nick Sirianni and Co. I’m a believer! Philly is now a +225 dog while Big D clocks in at +110. Upper management shored up two huge position needs with its first two picks with Howie Roseman taking UGA DT Jordan Davis with the 13th pick in the first round, and then selected Jason Kelce’s future replacement with the selection of Nebraska C Cam Jurgens in the second. Oh, did I forget to mention the huge trade to lock up A.J. Brown for the next five seasons? He’s likely to end up being the straw that stirs the drink with the offense desperately in need of a go to pass catcher that can complement what was the game’s best rushing attack of a year ago. His presence is also likely to see DeVonta Smith take the next leap after leading the team in receiving with 916 yards and 5 TD. QB Jalen Hurts will have no more excuses with the offensive talent currently surrounding him.
Philly’s stop unit was one of the better ones a season ago. It ranked amongst the top 11 at both defending the run (No. 9) and pass (No. 11). What it didn’t do enough of was force turnovers with only 16 accrued overall. The addition of Jordan Davis up front paired with Bulldog teammate Nakobe Dean at the LB position puts a jolt of youth into a front wall that’s getting a bit longer in the tooth with both Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham heading into the twilight years of their respective careers. There’s enough at hand here for Philadelphia to sport the best overall stop unit in the division. I’m excited to see what a dynamic player like Brown is able to do with the offense. At the same time, the defense is in my opinion the best the division has to offer provided Washington continues to forget what made it so dominant back in 2020-21. The combo is worth an investment now before the odds get even shorter the closer we get to Week 1.
New York Giants +650
The Washington Commanders were an utter flop a season ago. Much of the issues stemmed from erratic quarterback play. Taylor Heinicke had his moments, but he’s best served as a backup that can be called upon when all else fails. He’s not a QB1. That being said, I’m not 100 percent certain Carson Wentz is either. I don’t think he was worth the second and third round picks sent Indianapolis’s way either. Because of it, I’m taking a shot with the big dog GMEN who I’ll be pounding the drum for all season! I raved about the talent on this roster all of last season. Heck, for the last few seasons! Since Tom Coughlin hung up his whistle, New York has been forced to watch Ben McAdoo, Pat Shurmur, and Joe Judge trip and stumble all over themselves on the sideline en route to leading the Giants to a combined 33-64 SU record. I think some good fortune is headed the franchise’s way with Brian Daboll and a brand new staff handed over the reins. I’m well aware the team still has a ton of questions. Is Danny Dimes ever gonna prove his worth? Can Saquon Barkley shake the injury bug? What we do know is new GM Joe Schoen smashed his first draft with a pair of top-10 picks. The influx of talent headlined by EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux and OT Evan Neal has me giddy about this team entering the 2022-23 NFL betting season!
