NFL betting: Top picks for best, worst records in 2019
We have a decent grasp on which NFL teams will be good or bad in 2019. However, we have to kick it up a notch and identify both the elite and dreadful. Here, we dive into which teams will finish the 2019 regular season with both the NFL's best and worst record.
Odds to finish with the best record
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Patriots | 6-1 |
| Rams | 7-1 |
| Saints | 7-1 |
| Chiefs | 9-1 |
| Colts | 10-1 |
| Chargers | 10-1 |
| Eaglers | 10-1 |
| Bears | 14-1 |
| Packers | 14-1 |
| Falcons | 20-1 |
| Browns | 20-1 |
| Cowboys | 20-1 |
| Vikings | 20-1 |
| Steelers | 20-1 |
| Seahawks | 25-1 |
| Texans | 33-1 |
| Titans | 33-1 |
| Ravens | 40-1 |
| Jaguars | 40-1 |
| 49ers | 40-1 |
| Panthers | 50-1 |
| Jets | 66-1 |
| Bills | 100-1 |
| Broncos | 100-1 |
| Lions | 125-1 |
| Raiders | 150-1 |
| Redskins | 150-1 |
| Cardinals | 250-1 |
| Bengals | 250-1 |
| Giants | 250-1 |
| Buccaneers | 250-1 |
| Dolphins | 500-1 |
Strength of schedule
Team performance isn't sticky on a year-to-year basis. However, using a team's strength of schedule based on the success of their opponents from last season can be a good indicator for which teams will thrive and which teams will falter during the upcoming campaign.
Patriots (6-1)
The Patriots are almost always overvalued by the betting public. Right now, New England owns the highest regular-season win total on the board at 11 games. Not only should coaching, talent, and experience propel the Patriots to another deep run, they'll also benefit from the league's second-easiest schedule. New England only plays five of its 16 games against playoff teams from a year ago and four against clubs who won 10-plus contests.
Rams (7-1)
The Rams tied with the Saints last season for the best record at 13-3. Their 2019 schedule features teams that combined for a .473 winning percentage, tying them with the Bengals, Jets, and Giants for the league's third-easiest slate. L.A. couldn't break through with a Super Bowl win last year, but the Rams could run the table during the regular season yet again this fall.
Eagles (10-1)
It was only two seasons ago that the Eagles finished in a four-way tie for the best record in the NFL at 13-3 before going on to win the Super Bowl. If Carson Wentz can stay healthy, Philadelphia has a realistic shot at pulling it off again, as the team faces a 2019 schedule featuring a collective .479 winning percentage.
Teams to fade
Chiefs (9-1)
The Chiefs went 12-4 in 2018 and are pegged for another double-digit campaign. However, they have the NFL's fifth-toughest schedule, with seven contests against teams who won 10 or more games last year.
Browns (20-1)
The Browns are a popular pick in the futures market and Cleveland does have a legitimate shot at an AFC North crown this season. However, pump the brakes a bit on this public darling.
Odds to finish with the worst record
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Dolphins | 6-1 |
| Cardinals | 8-1 |
| Bengals | 8-1 |
| Raiders | 8-1 |
| Buccaneers | 8-1 |
| Redskins | 8-1 |
| Giants | 8-1 |
| Bills | 10-1 |
| Broncos | 10-1 |
| Jets | 10-1 |
| Lions | 10-1 |
| Panthers | 12-1 |
| Ravens | 14-1 |
| Jaguars | 14-1 |
| 49ers | 14-1 |
| Texans | 20-1 |
| Titans | 20-1 |
| Seahawks | 25-1 |
| Falcons | 33-1 |
| Browns | 33-1 |
Teams to consider
Dolphins (6-1)
It's not going to be pretty in Miami this season. Not only do the Dolphins face seven playoff teams from a year ago, but they're also in a full-on rebuild. There's a reason they're 6-1 to finish with the league's worst record.
Cardinals (8-1)
Last year's winner in this department shook things up by hiring a head coach with no NFL experience and drafting a quarterback who'll start immediately as a rookie. The Cardinals will also be without the services of their best defensive player - Patrick Peterson - for the first six games of the season due to a suspension.
Broncos (10-1)
This is our favorite mid-tier pick of the field. The Broncos face the second-toughest schedule and their biggest move of the offseason was trading for the declining Joe Flacco.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.