NFL Football Futures Betting – Buffalo Bills Climbing Ranks
Posted on 8/26/2008 1:22:51 AM
By Stan Simmons
NFL Football Futures – Buffalo Bills
-
Can the Buffalo Bills improve on their eight-win season?
-
Is Trent Edwards ready to lead this team?
-
How good can the Bills defensive line become?
For those who follow NFL football futures betting, the Buffalo Bills were a sexy sleeper team until Brett Favre arrived in the AFC East.
The New York Jets acquisition of Favre also had a ripple effect on the Miami Dolphins, but in a positive way. The Dolphins upgraded their starting quarterback situation when Chad Pennington was cut by the Jets, which means they will also be improved.
So where does that leave the Bills, who were supposed to be the second-best team in the division?
The Bills made a push for the playoffs in 2007 and after returning almost all of their entire young core, they should be on the way up.
The burden of the offense is now on the shoulders of Trent Edwards, who led the Bills to several wins after taking over for J.P. Losman. But Edwards still had a poor season statistically and there are some question marks about his arm strength.
Marshawn Lynch is a stud in the backfield and he will be the chief support of Edwards. Lynch should be more active as a receiver since he has excellent hands for a running back.
The main concern on offense will be the left tackle position, which is currently vacate. Pro Bowl tackle Jason Peters is holding out of training camp leaving a gigantic void.
On defense, the Bills made some upgrades in the offseason, most notably acquiring former Pro Bowl tackle Marcus Stroud. The Bills have had an excellent rotation at the two end positions but have lacked muscle in the middle. Stroud directly addresses that concern and if he is motivated to play at his peak, the Bills could have the best defensive line in the league.
The linebacking corps gets a double-boost from free agent signing Kawika Mitchell and the return of Paul Posluzny from a season-ending injury. NFL football futures betting sharps watched the Bills defense play fairly well last year even though plenty of injuries hampered them throughout the season.
Bettors have to keep an eye on head coach Dick Jauron. His teams have made a habit of underachieving save one big season in Chicago. There is plenty of talent around and there is no reason that the Bills shouldn't be in the neighborhood of a wild card spot.
But the NFL football futures betting community knows that the Bills now have to contend with the New England Patriots and the New York Jets in their own division and likely Cleveland/Jacksonville/Tennessee/Houston/Denver for a wild card spot. With a tough schedule, the Bills won't get to nine or 10 wins, which the minimal amount that they'll need to get into the playoffs.
Stan Simmons' Pick: Under 8
For all your online sports betting needs, visit the BetOnline.com Sportsbook. Be sure to visit The Bettor's Edge daily for the hottest tips, info and NFL betting.
Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
