The Seattle Seahawks are deemed to be one of the strongest contenders for the Super Bowl (+1200 odds to win), but that will change if they can’t start finding the end zone on a regular basis. They’ve managed to score just 15 points in two games, which is a far cry from the 26.4 they averaged last season (tied for fourth-most in the NFL). That’s where we’ll start our breakdown of this week’s best NFL bets.
Will the Seahawks Score a 1st Half TD in Week 3?
The Seahawks have had a rough start to the season, scoring just one touchdown in two games. They’re averaging just 7.5 points per game, which is the second-lowest mark in the NFL. Can they finally get their first first-half score of the season this week? Their chances are fairly good as the San Francisco 49ers are coming off a 46-27 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The Seahawks scored 20 and 29 points in the two meetings with San Francisco last season, scoring a total of five first-half touchdowns in the two contests.
How Many 0-2 Teams Will Make the Playoffs?
Over 1.5: +170
Under 1.5: -250
Every year, we hear about how difficult it is for teams that start the season 0-2 to make the playoffs. In the last decade, only seven of the 75 teams that started 0-2 went on to play in the postseason. That means the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints need to be concerned. The odds are not in their favour.
Will Any Team Go 0-16 in the 2016 Regular Season?
Yes: +1000
Speaking of the 0-2 teams, if you think any of them are bad enough to go winless this season, you can bet on it with +1000 odds. The top contender is Cleveland, who’ve had another lousy start to the season. They blew a 20-0 lead last week at home to the Baltimore Ravens only to lose 25-20. On top of that, they’ve suffered a number of injuries, including quarterbacks Robert Griffin III (season) and Josh McCown (multiple games) and top wideout Corey Coleman (four to six weeks). With four road games in the next five weeks, it could be a while before the Browns come close to a win – if they can manage one.
Will Gus Bradley be Fired Before Week 17?
Heading into the season, people thought the Jaguars were ready to rise in the ranks, but questions about their direction have emerged after starting 0-2. That includes a 24-point blowout loss at San Diego last week. The Jaguars are now just 12-38 during Bradley’s four-year tenure and the next few weeks will determine his fate. The Jaguars host Baltimore and Indianapolis, then have a bye and visit Chicago before hosting Oakland. If they aren’t at least 2-2 in those games, Bradley could be on his way out this year.
*Odds as of September 23, 2016