Posted on
5/14/2008 6:34:45 PM
NFL Furious Football Betting Opinion – Best Receiving Corps
By Tim Furious
Last week BetUS.com previewed a plethora of running-back situations to give you a better idea of who can protect your sports betting dollars in this upcoming NFL online betting season. Now we’ll look at the primadonas in the league – the wide receivers. Of course we’ll be previewing the best pass catchers in the league on an individual basis, but we’ve got to kick this set of football betting previews off properly by taking a look at the teams.
When you’re grading a wide receiver’s chances of blossoming, you have to study the quarterback situation. That’s why having Steve Smith and Mushin won’t really matter since Jake Delhomme has fallen off the map. Your best bets are teams that have talent at both the quarterback and receiver position. So here are the Furious Seven rankings for the NFL receiving corps. And, as always, feel free to call me at 1-888-512-3887 ext 2305 to tell me why I’m wrong (which I’m not).
1. New England Patriots (QB – Tom Brady, WR- Welker, Moss, Watson)
The Patriots slaughtered everyone through the air last year, gaining 295.7 yards per game through the sky. They’re still the heavy favorites to win the Superbowl, despite what happened last year. The loss of Donte Stallworth will hurt this team, but Brady is an assassin at quarterback and Welker and Moss are proven short range and long range commodities. It remains to be seen if New England will get huge -14 points spreads this season, and while repeating close to 300 yards through the skies will be difficult, they will average will over 250 yards per game without a problem.
2. Cleveland Browns (QB – Derek Anderson / WR – Edwards, Stallworth, Winslow)
The Browns ranked twelfth in the league last year with 232.9 yards passing per game, but no team was more terrifying through the air than Cleveland. They were fearless last season. Anderson threw for a monstrous 29 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Sure, mistakes happened with Anderson in his first year as a starter, but the Browns attacked relentlessly through the air helping them average an astounding 25.1 points per game.
Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow were a fantastic one-two punch last season. Now they have Donte Stallworth helping them stretch the field. Braylon is an all-purpose receiver, and his touches will increase now that he can be used in more effective short yardage situations. If you thought the Browns’ offense was solid last year, buckle up for another stellar season. And make sure your betting dollars are on the side of Cleveland, who was a massive profit monster last year.
3. Indianapolis Colts (QB – Peyton Manning / WR – Wayne, Harrison, Clark)
The Colts were without Harrison for virtually the entire year last season, and still averaged 252.1 yards per game through the air. Dallas Clark, their tight-end, racked up 11 touchdowns in the process and Reggie emerged as one of the best – if not the best. Bet against them if you want, but the Colts still present one of the most balanced attacks in the league. I want Wayne on my fantasy squad so badly. Everyone that’s had him has just oozed joy. I want to experience that. It looks like so much fun and I’m starting to get jealous.
4. Arizona Cardinals (QB - *shaking my head* / WR – Fitzgerald / Boldin)
I just set the office on fire asking where to rank the Cardinals. And the reason I asked is because of their woeful quarterback situation. If Matt Leinart is sober enough, the Cardinals could present a real problem for the league. But Boldin’s pissed that he’s not getting Fitzgerald money and the team can’t rely on the 62 year-old Kurt Warner anymore. This team will only go as far as Leinart goes, but the receiving corps talent is undeniable which is why they get the nod over…
5. San Diego Chargers (QB - *still shaking my head* / WR – Chambers, Gates)
They’re here on talent alone, and I’m projecting that they’re going to overcome their passing problems from last year. They averaged only 187.8 passing yards because Philip Rivers is…well…terrible. There. I said it.
But Chambers is the key here. He has some of the best hands in the game, and combined with Gates to make the Chargers (finally) a viable aerial threat. I love how balanced this offense is overall, especially with Vincent Jackson jumping over quarterbacks and LDT as well, but I hate Philip Rivers. When Chargers fans are down on Rivers, there’s no reason for anybody else to be up on him.
6. Dallas Cowboys (QB – Jessica Simpson / WR – Owens, Crayton, Witten)
With or without Terry Glenn, this team proved that they could throw. Witten was one of the best tight-end threats in the league, Owens is still the most impossible receivers to tackle and as long as Crayton justifies his contract extension, the Boys will be back at the top of the heap in the NFC without a worry. That is, as long as Owens can catch the football.
7. New Orleans (QB – Drew Brees / WR – Colston, Bush, Patten)
The Saints got the seven slot over Seattle, Cincinnati and Detroit because of Brees. The Saints, believe it or not (because I sure didn’t), were third in the NFL last year with 269.6 yards per game through the air. Colston hauled in 11 touchdowns and Bush, whose real strength as at receiver, caught 73 balls for 417 yards. New Orleans is a passing team. They lean on it, and their numbers prove that they can move the chains by tossing the pigskins.
The only reason to have faith in this offense is if Robert Meacham can emerge as a viable receiving threat. The 2007 draft pick had a non-existent rookie season, but if he emerges to be the threat to compliment Colston that he’s projected to be, Brees will slice opposing secondaries to shreds.
The 2008 NFL betting season is coming, and 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 games, totals and propositions, and you will also find NFL future lines up for the Super Bowl as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLII and beyond!