The 2022 NFL season is finally here. Teams around the league have officially finalized their 53-man rosters. Therefore it is time to place our 3 favorite future team total wagers heading into kickoff. Now, let’s get to our three favorite NFL Futures Three Best Bets for 2022. Enjoy the season.
Chicago Bears – Under 6.5 Wins
The Chicago Bears finished the 2021 season with a disappointing 6-11 record. And to be brutally honest, this team was a total mess down the stretch. The rumors of the players and assistant coaches quitting on head coach Matt Nagy probably resulted in some of those losses. However, new Head Coach Matt Eberflus will surely be a welcome change to last season’s dysfunctional locker room culture.
Although the Bears have the 6th most favorable strength of schedule according to EDSFootball, they start the season against the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers and could quickly begin the 2022 campaign 0-2.
Chicago has new coaching and management, an exciting but unproven second-year QB in Justin Fields, and minimal offensive firepower beyond wideout Darnell Mooney and running back David Montgomery.
In addition to the offensive weapon woes, PFF currently has the O-Line ranked 31st in the league, with only the Seattle Seahawks ranked worse.
Defensively, Chicago lost Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks, a brutal one-two blow to their vaunted pass-rush. The Bears also feature two projected rookie starters in the secondary with safety Jaquan Brisker and corner Kyler Gordon that could suffer first-year NFL growing pains.
I expect a better, more disciplined Chicago Bears this season, but there is still much needed room to grow in order to eclipse seven regular season wins.
Cincinnati Bengals – Over 10 Wins
The Cincinnati Bengals finished the 2021 season with a 10-7 record, making it to the Super Bowl, where they fought admirably but came up short to the Champion Los Angeles Rams 23-20. However, in order to get back to the big game the Bengals will have an uphill climb as they sport a strength of schedule that currently sees them ranked 26th in the league.
In addition to the formidable offensive weapons afforded to QB Joe Burrow, PFF currently has the O-Line ranked 8th in the league. Yet, this is possibly the most improved offensive line in the NFL. Guard Ted Karras, and tackles Alex Cappa and La’el Collins are all significant upgrades over the Bengals’ 2021 personnel. Add to that guards Jonah Williams and Jackson Carman both high draft picks who could develop in 2022.
On the other side of the ball, DE Trey Hendrickson delivered the best season of his career. He collected 14 sacks during the regular season and another 3.5 in the playoffs. Returning tackles DJ Reader and B.J. Hill combined to secure the middle of a defense that ranked fifth in the NFL against the run last season.
This team was minutes away from winning it all last season; they kept vital weapons from that team and made much-needed improvements at O -Line to protect Burrow and keep Joe Mixon piling up rushing yards.
Dallas Cowboys – Over 10 Wins
Fortunately for Dallas Cowboys fans, America’s team enjoy the most accessible strength of schedule according to EDSFootball in the NFL this season, tied with division rivals Washington Commanders, with its opponents possessing a collective 2021 winning percentage of just .462.
QB Dak Prescott is healthy. Tony Pollard has emerged in the backfield as a fine compliment to Ezekiel Elliott. Pollard could see even more opportunities after the best statistical season of his career in 2021. He had 169 touches for 1,056 yards, and two touchdowns, plus his 5.5 yards per carry ranked second in the NFL among qualifying backs. Coupled with an O-Line ranked 6th by PFF, the Cowboys should be able to control game tempo most weeks. Wideouts CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup can potentially be a top-five receiving duo in the league.
Another new weapon for Dak will be free agent WR James Washington, who compiled 1,629 receiving yards in 4 years with Pittsburgh. Washington should be their third receiver after losing Cedric Wilson in free agency.
Tight end Dalton Schultz has played all 33 games the past two seasons, starting 29 and posting 141 receptions for 1,423 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Cowboys used the franchise tag to keep Schultz, who should see even more chances this season.
Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn earned NFL Assistant Coach of the Year honors for turning around the Cowboys. Quinn’s group ranked seventh in points allowed and led the NFL with 34 takeaways.
Defensively the 2021 rookie linebacker Micah Parsons and interception extraordinaire Trevon Diggs helped the Cowboy’s defense go from awful to an elite level in one short season. Expect more of the same in the 2022 campaign.
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Enjoy the 2022 NFL season, and remember to bet responsibly.
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