Posted on
5/9/2008 6:28:31 PM
NFL Football Futures Betting Preview – Will St. Louis Ram?
By Charles Jay
BetUS Sportsbook has posted its 2008 online betting odds to win the next Super Bowl, and the Dallas Cowboys are the lowest-priced team from the NFC (+800 in the BetUS odds), even ahead of the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants (+1800). The bottom line is that there is probably less of a gap between the perceived "haves" and "have-nots" in the NFC, and one of the beneficiaries of that may be the St. Louis Rams. This team, which was racked by medical concerns in a 3-13 season in 2007 sports betting, is going to be the subject of our story today.
First let's look at the odds to win the Super Bowl, as they appear in BetUS Sportsbook:
BetUS NFL Futures Odds To Win Super Bowl XLIII
ST LOUIS RAMS +7500
Minnesota Vikings +2800
New England Patriots +325
New York Jets +10000
Buffalo Bills +8000
Miami Dolphins +10000
Baltimore Ravens +6000
Cincinnati Bengals +4500
Pittsburgh Steelers +1750
Cleveland Browns +3000
Indianapolis Colts +700
Tennessee Titans +3500
Jacksonville Jaguars +1400
Houston Texans +6500
San Diego Chargers +700
Denver Broncos +4000
Kansas City Chiefs +10000
Oakland Raiders +10000
Dallas Cowboys +800
Philadelphia Eagles +2000
New York Giants +1800
Washington Redskins +4000
Chicago Bears +4500
Green Bay Packers +1800
Detroit Lions +7500
New Orleans Saints +2500
Carolina Panthers +5000
Atlanta Falcons +20000
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +4000
Seattle Seahawks +2700
San Francisco 49ers +5000
Arizona Cardinals +5000
Maybe this is the online betting year we get to see what the St. Louis Rams can do with a healthy team.
Quarterback Marc Bulger had a tough season. Sure, he completed 58.5% of his passes, but he threw 15 interceptions to go with just 12 TD's, was sacked 37 times and was pressured constantly as his protection broke down, and he probably shouldn't have been kept in there to take all the abuse. In fact, it's kind of remarkable that he played as much as he did. Bulger is fully capable of playing at a Pro Bowl level, and with better luck he may get a chance to go back to Hawaii next February.
The offensive line lost five of its members at one time or another during 2007, among them Orlando Pace, Richie Incognito and Todd Steusse, and virtually from the outset had to shuffle things around, a dilemma that was ongoing throughout the campaign. As a result of this process, however, some depth was developed. And if this unit can return itself to even a normal level of stability, this is going to prove a big boost.
Weapons do exist in this offense. Steven Jackson had 1002 yards rushing in what, for him, was also an injury-plagued season. Brian Leonard, the draft choice out of Rutgers, may be too small to be an NFL fullback, but he is going to be valuable in third-down situations. The Rams lost Isaac Bruce to the Niners, but Donnie Avery, a speedster out of the University of Houston, has a chance to be a useful complement to Torry Holt (93 receptions, 1189 yards). Drew Bennett, who came over from Tennessee before the start of last season and caught just 33 passes, is also around. Tight end Randy McMichael (formerly of the Dolphins) disappointed with his production (429 yards receiving), but the feeling around the Rams' camp is that he had to stay home and help out the O-line with blocking so much that his pass-catching was negatively affected.
With first-round draft choice Chris Long (2nd overall) and last year's top selection, Adam Carriker, St. Louis has the makings of a pretty good defensive line, because Leonard Little should have at least one more productive season at the end position. Of course, this team has to demonstrate that it can stop the run better. Will Witherspoon is an emerging star in what is a credible linebacking corps, and when the secondary is healthy, it is not bad at all. Even though the unit was 31st in the league in points allowed, head coach Scott Linehan was actually proud of his defense at times because the lack of offensive production had put so much pressure on it that it was surprising how well it held up in some games.
There is a domino effect that can take place, particularly on offense. With a better offensive line, there is a better running game, better protection, and more productivity from Bulger.
This team was considered by many to be a potential wild card contender before the injury-riddled 3-13 season. This year they have a chance to make a leap.
Seattle would have to be looked at as the front-runner in the division in what is Mike Holmgren's final season. But the Seahawks are not solid all the way through, and have questions on offense, particularly on the ground, that must be answered. Arizona is continually unable to get over the hump, and the jury will once again be out on the Cardinals. San Francisco may have to go through a transition season, at least on the offensive end, with new coordinator Mike Martz and a QB situation that is still not settled. There is opportunity in the NFC West for the Rams. If this team is healthy and doesn't perform, Linehan's job is going to be in trouble.
I think they'll do much better, and with a break or two, they could challenge for a wild card berth.
JAY'S PREDICTION FOR 2008:
St. Louis Rams -- 8-8, Tie 2nd, NFC West
(+7500 in the BetUS Super Bowl betting odds)
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The 2008 NFL betting season is around the corner! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLIII and beyond!
(Charles Jay of http://www.ebookies.com is a member of the NFL too - that is, "not for long" if you don't get results. He is now a regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room)