yielded records of 185-100-1 SU (64.9%) and 159-123-2 ATS (56.4%), including his “Best Bets” going 13-7 SU\/ATS and “Upset Specials” a sparkling 15-3 SU\/ATS.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nThroughout the NFL, coaches and players \u2013 echoing those coaches, naturally — will tell you that winning divisional games are of utmost importance in the chase to the playoffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re not necessarily buying it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider that a team can lose all six of its games within its division but win its other 11 contests, and almost certainly make the playoffs. Maybe even win that division, particularly if it is the AFC South or NFC East in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sure, there are meaningful intra-division games upcoming. Each of the matchups within the AFC West could be critical because the perennial champion Chiefs, the Chargers, Raiders and Broncos appear so evenly matched. It\u2019s not beyond the realm of reality that all four clubs will finish with winning records, possibly all qualifying for the postseason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But where they finish in that sector could be determined even more by how they handle their appointments outside of the AFC West. Their meetings with the defending Super Bowl champion Rams and strong 49ers, for example, could be just as decisive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when you hear how divisional games are worth double, well, don\u2019t necessarily take it as gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for how each of the 32 clubs will fare on the under\/over wins scale, read on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ARIZONA CARDINALS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe offense disappeared without star receiver DeAndre Hopkins last season, and he\u2019s suspended for the first six games. Quarterback Kyler Murray got his money; proving he is worth the big contract will be challenging. The defense lost its best pass rusher, Chandler Jones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 8.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nATLANTA FALCONS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nClearly a team in transition \u2013 does any GM or coach dare use the word rebuild? \u2013 the Falcons could be a contender for the top overall draft selection next April. Their best players, tight end Kyle Pitts, placekicker Younghoe Koo and DL Grady Jarrett, won\u2019t lift them out of the NFC South basement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 4.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBALTIMORE RAVENS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nNo team was more ravaged by injuries last season than the Ravens. They were almost unrecognizable by the 17th<\/sup> game as they faded from contention. While their defense should rebound, there are too many questions on offense, and QB Lamar Jackson\u2019s contract status could be a distraction. It\u2019s difficult seeing them win more than 10 games \u2026 or fewer than 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: 10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBUFFALO BILLS<\/p>\n\n\n\n
History has shown that teams falling just short of the NFL title tend to use disappointment and adversity as a catalyst. So the Bills, who haven\u2019t been to a Super Bowl since losing four straight in the 1990s, just might deserve the favorite\u2019s role. Still, the AFC is deep and talented, and the schedule is challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 11.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCAROLINA PANTHERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCoach Matt Rhule better hope his group is ready to ascend after a pair of five-win seasons. Otherwise, he\u2019s likely to be working in college in 2023. There are weapons on offense, with RB Christian McCaffrey remaining healthy critical to Carolina\u2019s chances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Over 6.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCHICAGO BEARS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis might be the worst roster in the NFL. Chicago needs to discover how good Justin Fields might be, but it hasn\u2019t given the second-year quarterback much to work with. And the defense has too many holes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCINCINNATI BENGALS<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re still trying to figure out why this number is so low. Hey, remember, the Bengals nearly won the Super Bowl in February. They\u2019ve upgraded their biggest weakness, the offensive line, and though the defense doesn\u2019t get much recognition, it\u2019s solid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Well Over 9.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCLEVELAND BROWNS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAnd we can\u2019t quite comprehend how the Browns, as dysfunctional a pro sports organization as you will find, are considered that close to the Bengals in talent. By the time QB Deshaun Watson returns from his 11-game ban, Cleveland should be an also-ran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 8<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDALLAS COWBOYS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nLike Rhule, Mike McCarthy is another coach in need of a special season. With problems in the trenches, that might not be in reach for Dallas. Yes, the NFC East isn\u2019t exactly a crucible. Still \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDENVER BRONCOS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe AFC West definitely is a crucible (see above). Folks in Denver expect Russell Wilson to be a Mile High Savior, and he has weapons around him (watch RB Javonte Williams). Much depends on the front seven on defense; the secondary is solid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDETROIT LIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nMotor City Mania won\u2019t be hitting Detroit, and the record could look similar to recent years. But the Lions should be competitive most weeks, and first-round draftee Aidan Hutchinson could be a force in the pass rush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 6.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nGREEN BAY PACKERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nGreen Bay\u2019s defense often gets ignored because of all the headlines \u2013 positive and negative \u2013 that reigning two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers provides. The NFC North doesn\u2019t look too tough and there are four meetings with the NFC East. So maybe Davante Adams\u2019 absence won\u2019t lead to a plummet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Over 10.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nHOUSTON TEXANS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nTo say that David Culley didn\u2019t get a fair shake in his one year as Texans coach would be like noting that it gets hot in Houston this time of year. By the time it gets cooler there, the Texans will be thinking about the draft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Barely Over 4.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nINDIANAPOLIS COLTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIndy went from Peyton Manning to Andrew Luck to, well, nobody of particular note at quarterback. That changes with Matt Ryan joining the Colts, and he should have something left. The defense has plenty left in an easy division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Over 9.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nJACKSONVILLE JAGUARS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nJust the fact Doug Pederson, who outcoached Bill Belichick to win a Super Bowl, has replaced Urban Meyer as Jags coach should be applauded in Jacksonville. The franchise spent money to get better and, even with a losing record, the Jags will be improved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 6.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nKANSAS CITY CHIEFS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCan you hear the Arrowhead fans\u2019 chants changing from WHO-OW WHO-OW to WOE ARE WE? A lot of people are projecting it. We\u2019re not. Andy Reid is too good a coach, Patrick Mahomes too good a quarterback, Travis Kelce took good a tight end \u2026 You get the idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Over 10.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nLAS VEGAS RAIDERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nDespite awful recent drafts, turmoil on and off the field, and living in the AFC West, the \u201922 Raiders have a very nice look. Adding WR Davante Adams to TE Darren Waller and fellow wideout Hunter Renfrow is a big part of the optimism. So is Chandler Jones teaming with Maxx Crosby on the D-line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Over 8.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nLOS ANGELES CHARGERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIf Brandon Staley doesn\u2019t overcoach the way he did in 2021, and if prized free agent CB J.C. Jackson recovers quickly from ankle surgery, and if Khalil Mack and Derwin James return to peak form \u2026 Lots of ifs here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Barely Over 10.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nLOS ANGELES RAMS<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LA\u2019s other squad, the Super Bowl champs, lost some key contributors to the title run. The Rams still figure to be the class of the NFC West, with an exciting attack built around 2021 Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp, and perennial All-Pro DT Aaron Donald. They won\u2019t be dominant, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Over 10.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nMIAMI DOLPHINS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe excitement meter might fly off the scale with speed demon receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle aboard. If, of course, Tua Tagovailoa can get them the ball. New coach Mike McDaniel won\u2019t hold back anything on offense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Over 8.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nMINNESOTA VIKINGS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAll that noise coming out of the Twin Cities made us take a deeper look at the Vikings, and how they compare to the Packers in the NFC North. We were impressed with much of the offense, and shrugged about much of the D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 9.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nNEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the Patriots and Dolphins are in a tight race for a wild-card berth, their meetings in Weeks 1 and 17 will be crucial. These Patriots appear weaker than last season\u2019s surprise playoff qualifier, but good enough for nine victories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Over 8.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nNEW ORLEANS SAINTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile the Saints aren\u2019t likely to chase down \u2013 or even threaten \u2013 the TBs (Tampa Bay and Tom Brady) in the NFC South, they are superior to Atlanta and Carolina. The schedule doesn\u2019t appear daunting, and the defense could be playoff caliber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Over 8.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nNEW YORK GIANTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nFuhgeddabout it. Oops, our Queens accent coming through. The Giants and new coach Brian Daboll have more questions to answer (Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay, the linebackers and secondary) than a Big Apple politician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 7.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nNEW YORK JETS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nYear 2 under coach Robert Saleh isn\u2019t likely to look much better in the standings than his first go-round. We doubt the defense will be such a sieve again, and there are promising pieces at the offensive skill positions. The schedule is a killer, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 5.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nPHILADELPHIA EAGLES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThink back to how the Eagles closed last season to make the playoffs with a roster less talented than this one. Their gumption and resourcefulness impressed, and now they\u2019ve added more playmakers, especially WR A.J. Brown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Over 9.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nPITTSBURGH STEELERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is a tough one because we believe Mike Tomlin can turn pretty much any bunch into a contender. If the defense can stop the run and the quarterbacking is more than marginal, the Steelers could be a surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Over 7.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSAN FRANCISCO 49ERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nNow that Jimmy G is staying put, a very wise move by the quarterback and Niners management, pursuing another Super Bowl berth is possible. The defense, led by a terrific front line, needs to be formidable, particularly if Trey Lance is not ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Over 9.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSEATTLE SEAHAWKS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThese Seahawks are reminiscent of the group Pete Carroll took charge of way back in 2010. The league\u2019s oldest coach is one of the best, but he simply doesn\u2019t have the studs right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 5.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nTAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen a team is battling with key injuries before the opening kickoff (see Ravens), it\u2019s not a positive harbinger. Then again, that young man behind center makes up for a lot of worries. Just not enough for this many wins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 11.5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nTENNESSEE TITANS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSorry to cop out here, but the Titans look like a 9-8 team. Sure, if Derrick Henry is fully recovered and the O-line jells and the pass rush is dynamic and someone steps up at wideout \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: 9<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWASHINGTON COMMANDERS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWe\u2019d like to think Carson Wentz will find the mojo from his early seasons in Philly. We\u2019d like to think all the off-field drama won\u2019t be a distraction. We\u2019d like to think a fine coach like Ron Rivera can produce a good record. We don\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilner\u2019s Win Total Pick: Under 8<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Barry Wilner (EDITOR’S NOTE: Barry Wilner was a sports writer for the Associated Press for 55 years, covering the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":17557,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[129],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23484","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.betonline.ag\/news-room\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23484","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.betonline.ag\/news-room\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.betonline.ag\/news-room\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.betonline.ag\/news-room\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.betonline.ag\/news-room\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23484"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.betonline.ag\/news-room\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23484\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23485,"href":"https:\/\/www.betonline.ag\/news-room\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23484\/revisions\/23485"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.betonline.ag\/news-room\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17557"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.betonline.ag\/news-room\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.betonline.ag\/news-room\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.betonline.ag\/news-room\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}