I’ve already looked at three teams prepared to go over in win totals, so now it’s time for the bad news.
Some teams will disappoint. It happens every year and 2017 won’t be an exception.
Here’s three teams to target in predicting which teams will go under the 2017 win totals.
Atlanta Falcons, Over/Under 9.5
This team isn’t as good as we saw last season. Matt Ryan’s year was a statistical anomaly from what he has become. His touchdowns were the most of his career, and his interceptions were the lowest. Either he took some youth elixir, or it was not what we should expect going forward. His 2016 season was a complete reversal from 2015, when Ryan went for the least amount of touchdowns since his rookie year, and his second of three seasons with 16 or more interceptions.
Ryan’s season was one of several things that went right for the Falcons. But I’m going to stop doubting the Super Bowl hangover, and much like what I saw with Arizona in 2016 after such a crushing 2015 loss in the NFC Championship game, I believe the hangover will be a real thing for the Falcons. The defense didn’t do anything really outstanding and the offense just won’t be as good this season, thanks to an offensive line that I’m not buying like some other NFL experts. The Falcons will drop back down to earth this season, so a 10-win season won’t happen.
Detroit Lions, Over/Under 7.5
The Lions love to disappoint every other year. Welcome to that year.
Since 2010, Detroit has pretty much traded good seasons for bad, going for under .500 seasons four times, and over .500 season three times. Last year just happened to be one of those somewhat surprises with nine wins, but upon further examination, it wasn’t so glamorous.
The Lions won only one game by more than one possession in 2016. Even in the NFL where close games are the norm, that’s striking. In games against playoff teams, Detroit was horrendous. The Lions didn’t beat a 2016 playoff team and lost by more than a touchdown in two of the four games against playoff teams. The Lions will face more good teams in 2017 and that won’t translate to wins. If I can guarantee a team to go under in win totals, this would be it.
New York Jets, Over/Under 4.5
This is a stretch. But I can’t see the Jets winning more than three games, let alone four.
If you can name more than four players on this roster, you should be commended. The Jets don’t have a quarterback. They don’t have any playmakers. And the defense is coming off a year in which he couldn’t make up for the lack of offense.
That will once again be the case in 2017. Upon further examination, it appears the Jets are tanking in 2017 for the No. 1 pick in 2018.
I know this is generally a ploy orchestrated in the NBA, but the Jets need a franchise quarterback, so they’re prepared to take it to the next level. NFL teams are supposed to be able to compete on a weekly basis, but we saw the Jets give up later in the season last season. This will be even worse, so it won’t get much better. I’m booking the under.
