by Al McMordie
Friday, Sep 04, 2026The NFL Season kicks off on Wednesday with a re-match of last year's title game: New England at Seattle. I had another great year with respect to my Futures selections, as I cashed three of the six (Michigan 20-1, Hurricanes +850, and Dodgers +260), but my NFL pick on the Baltimore Ravens burned $$$ unfortunately. This NFL season is as wide open as I can remember. Admittedly, the Rams look to be the best team going into Week 1, with newly-acquired Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald in the fold on defense. But a decent argument can be made for at least 16 teams. Let's take a look at the top teams' current odds (courtesy of DraftKings):
Rams +500
Bills +1000
Ravens +1000
Seahawks +1200
Chiefs +1600
Chargers +1700
Eagles +1700
Patriots +1800
Bengals +1800
Texans +1800
49ers +1900
Lions +1900
Packers +2000
Broncos +2000
Bears +2400
Cowboys +2500
With some leagues (e.g., NBA, MLB), I will often invest in shorter odds for my Futures wager, but for the NFL, I greatly prefer to get +700 (or better), since 7-1 are the true odds for a team to win three evenly-matched games. Because of that guideline, I'm tossing out the Rams (at 5-1), even though I believe they have the potential to be really good. Of the remaining teams, I favor the Buffalo Bills at 10-1 odds.
Buffalo has a lot going for it this season. Josh Allen is one of the top 2 quarterbacks in the league, and GM Brandon Beane traded a 2nd round pick for veteran WR D.J. Moore, so Allen will have a legit #1 target (which he did not last season). RB James Cook had developed into one of the better offensive players in the league, and guys like Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman provide additional weapons on offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jim Leonhard was brought over from the Denver Broncos to serve as defensive coordinator. The Bills added star OLB Bradley Chubb, who will team with guys like Ed Oliver and Greg Rousseau to put pressure on opponent's passers. Last season, defense was Buffalo's Achilles' heel, as they ranked 30th in yards allowed per rush. I expect that Leonard's presence should be a big boost to the defense, given his previous work in NCAA Football with Wisconsin, and his term with the Broncos.
The biggest storyline in Buffalo is that former offensive coordinator, Joe Brady, has been given the reins of the team, taking over for Sean McDermott, who was let go. And offensive line coach, Aaron Kromer, retired. Certainly, it's unclear if moving away from McDermott will be a net positive or a net negative. But after nine successful seasons with McDermott at the helm (but no Lombardi Trophy), management decided a new voice in the room was necessary.
Will the offseason moves prove fruitful? I believe there's a good chance they will, and especially like the Leonhard hire. Take the Bills at 10-1 odds to win the Super Bowl.
Good luck, as always,
Al McMordie
Rams +500
Bills +1000
Ravens +1000
Seahawks +1200
Chiefs +1600
Chargers +1700
Eagles +1700
Patriots +1800
Bengals +1800
Texans +1800
49ers +1900
Lions +1900
Packers +2000
Broncos +2000
Bears +2400
Cowboys +2500
With some leagues (e.g., NBA, MLB), I will often invest in shorter odds for my Futures wager, but for the NFL, I greatly prefer to get +700 (or better), since 7-1 are the true odds for a team to win three evenly-matched games. Because of that guideline, I'm tossing out the Rams (at 5-1), even though I believe they have the potential to be really good. Of the remaining teams, I favor the Buffalo Bills at 10-1 odds.
Buffalo has a lot going for it this season. Josh Allen is one of the top 2 quarterbacks in the league, and GM Brandon Beane traded a 2nd round pick for veteran WR D.J. Moore, so Allen will have a legit #1 target (which he did not last season). RB James Cook had developed into one of the better offensive players in the league, and guys like Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman provide additional weapons on offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jim Leonhard was brought over from the Denver Broncos to serve as defensive coordinator. The Bills added star OLB Bradley Chubb, who will team with guys like Ed Oliver and Greg Rousseau to put pressure on opponent's passers. Last season, defense was Buffalo's Achilles' heel, as they ranked 30th in yards allowed per rush. I expect that Leonard's presence should be a big boost to the defense, given his previous work in NCAA Football with Wisconsin, and his term with the Broncos.
The biggest storyline in Buffalo is that former offensive coordinator, Joe Brady, has been given the reins of the team, taking over for Sean McDermott, who was let go. And offensive line coach, Aaron Kromer, retired. Certainly, it's unclear if moving away from McDermott will be a net positive or a net negative. But after nine successful seasons with McDermott at the helm (but no Lombardi Trophy), management decided a new voice in the room was necessary.
Will the offseason moves prove fruitful? I believe there's a good chance they will, and especially like the Leonhard hire. Take the Bills at 10-1 odds to win the Super Bowl.
Good luck, as always,
Al McMordie
