Top 5 Worst NFL Bets in 2017
Now that we’re through eight weeks, which NFL teams have been the worst bets in 2017? Here is the top 5.
Arizona Cardinals (1-6 ATS)
Things are bad in the desert and they’re about to get a whole lot worse. Carson Palmer was placed on injured reserve last week with a broken left arm. The injury effectively ends his season as he won’t be eligble to retun until Week 16. The Cardinals will now turn to Drew Stanton as Palmer’s replacement, although Blaine Gabbert could see time if/when Stanton is ineffective. Stanton couldn’t move the ball whatsoever after Palmer broke his arm in the second quarter of a loss two weeks ago to the Rams. With David Johnson (wrist) also on injured reserve, this is turning into a lost season for the Cardinals.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-5-1 ATS)
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Buccaneers were a 1-point home favorite against the Panthers, who held their NFC South rivals to a single field goal in a 17-3 victory. That dropped Tampa Bay’s ATS record to 1-5-1 on the season. What’s going in Tampa? Where do we start. First and foremost, quarterback Jameis Winston is currently dealing with a shoulder injury. He completed 21-of-38 passes for just 210 yards with zero touchdowns and two interceptions in that loss to the Panthers. He was horrendous, air mailing several throws while also displaying questionable decision-making. Coach Dirk Koetter nearly benched Winston at one point during the game and the signal-caller’s status for Week 9 against New Orleans is up in the air. Mike Evans continues to be a victim of Winston’s inaccuracies as a passer. The Bucs are also a mess defensively. While they held the Panthers to only 17 points last Sunday, Tampa Bay owns a sieve-like pass defense. Adding injury to insult, Brent Grimes (shoulder) might not play against Drew Brees and the Saints on Sunday. Then again, the Bucs have struggled with and without Grimes.
3. Cleveland Browns (2-6 ATS)
Looking for a good play on Sunday? Just fade the Browns, who are now 1-23 under head coach Hue Jackson after losing to the Vikings in London on Sunday. While Jackson’s job is apparently safe for now, he has a mess on his hands at the quarterback position. (What else is new in Cleveland?) Rookie DeShone Kizer completed just 18-of-34 passes for 179 yards, a rushing touchdown and zero interceptions in that loss to Minnesota. Granted, Kizer played better than his final stat line would indicate. He made a great throw to Ricardo Louis down the left sideline near the end of the second quarter and evaded pressure to find running back Isaiah Crowell for another long gain. When the Browns eventually fell behind, however, Kizer could no longer settle for check-downs and he couldn’t deliver from inside the pocket. The Browns are once again hopeless and it’s unfortunte for bettors that the team is on its bye this week because they have become weekly fade material.
4. Atlanta Falcons (2-5 ATS)
Good news! The Falcons snapped their three-game losing streak! The bad news? They once again failed to cover. Atlanta beat the Jets 25-20 in East Rutherford on Sunday but failed to cover as a 6.5-point road favorite. Matt Ryan won the MVP last season but has played nowhere near like that quarterback this season. He has struggled with turnovers (two more fumbles on Sunday) and he isn’t throwing the ball deep with the same consistency he did a year ago. The change in play-callers has really hurt Ryan, who thrived under former OC and current 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. Perhaps things will get better over time with Steve Sarkisian calling plays, but so far Sarkisian has turned a Ferrari into a beater.
5. Washington Redskins (2-5 ATS)
Injuries are starting to pile up in Washington, especially along the offensive line. Trent Williams, Brandon Scherff and Spencer Long were all inactive against the Cowboys on Sunday, then the Redskins lost guard Shawn Lauvao in the third quarter. Kirk Cousins finsihed the game without four of his five starting offensive linemen and he eventually succumbed to Dallas’ pass-rush. Much like in Arizona, it looks to be a lost year in Washington.