Impact Rookies and Injuries
By Bodog
It seems like only yesterday that confetti was raining down on Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints as they upset Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV, but that was all the way back in February. The 2009 season is in the past, and the 2010 season is right on the horizon. With the preseason just a few weeks away, Bodog Sportsbook previews some of this season’s new players, injuries, and odds to look out for.
Impact Rookies
DT Ndamukong Suh: The Detroit Lions (100/1 to win the Super Bowl) are making some strides towards regaining respectability in the NFL, and no stride is much bigger than the 6-4 300 pound tackle Suh. In a division ripe with questionable offensive lines, Suh is a generational talent that will make his presence known early and often.
WR Dez Bryant: Big things are expected of the Dallas Cowboys (10/1) in 2010, and much of their success will ride on the season that Bryant turns in. Bryant has already wowed fans and coaches alike with his spectacular catches and speed, and he should be one of Tony Romo’s favorite weapons this year.
RB Ryan Mathews: The San Diego Chargers (10/1) moved up in the draft to take Mathews, who is being counted on to replace LaDainian Tomlinson. If he can build on his success at Fresno State and enjoy the easy competition in the AFC West, Mathews could rise to the NFL’s elite level sooner rather than later.
Key Injuries
S Ed Reed, Hip: Reed has been placed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list to start training camp, and may miss time during the regular season. Bettors should keep their eyes on this injury, as Reed (along with Ray Lewis) is one of the emotional and physical leaders of the Baltimore Ravens (12/1) defense.
WR Wes Welker, ACL: Welker appears to be recovering well from his torn ACL injury, but the Patriots don’t want to rush it and placed him on the PUP list to start training camp. His health will be a key factor for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots (12/1) offense.
QB Ben Roethlisberger, Suspension: Though not technically an injury, bettors that didn’t keep up with offseason drama should be reminded that Roethlisberger will miss the first 4-6 weeks of the season due to suspension. The Pittsburgh Steelers (20/1) will have to take on Atlanta, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, and Baltimore without him.
Super Bowl Future Lines That May Move
New York Jets 10/1: The Jets have been a popular pick by many experts to do serious damage this season, led by Rex Ryan’s powerhouse defense. CB Darrelle Revis’s contract dispute has dominated the headlines this offseason, and when he makes his decision on whether to hold out or accept a new deal the line will likely move accordingly. It is also worth noting that the Jets will be tested early with home games against AFC favorites Baltimore and New England as well as a road game against Miami. How the Jets fare in these three games will very likely impact bettors’ perception of the team and its Super Bowl aspirations.
Denver Broncos 50/1, Oakland Raiders 80/1, Kansas City 90/1: The San Diego Chargers have a few things working against them, the most notable being the likely holdouts of WR Vincent Jackson and LT Marcus McNeill. They also have a tendency to start seasons off slow, beginning the last three years with a 2-3 record. While San Diego often surges back and doesn’t have much competition in the weak AFC West, if any of these three teams get off to a quick start their future odds will likely shoot down. Now might be the time to strike if you have a favorite in the pack.
San Francisco 49ers 25/1: With Arizona (50/1) losing key pieces on both sides of the ball and Seattle (50/1) and St. Louis (100/1) seemingly in rebuild mode, the NFC West looks to be San Francisco’s for the taking. Arizona made the playoffs in 2008, winning this division with a modest 9-7 record, and came within minutes of topping the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Championship. 25/1 is a pretty solid price for a team that looks likely to be playoff bound.