NFL Betting: Bet the Under on These Win Totals
The NFL win totals were released on FanDuel Sportsbook, and it never fails that there are surprises and head-scratching lines for certain teams. It's easy to point out teams set to overachieve each year based off free agency and last year's finish, but it may be more difficult to choose the teams that will underwhelm in back-to-back seasons. There are a few rebuilding teams' under totals that stick out like a sore thumb, so let's take a look at three of them.
These three teams are drafting inside the top 10 on April 23 and hold a ton of value in repeating with six or fewer victories in 2020. Going in draft order, let's start with the Washington Redskins and their chase for first winning record since 2015.
Washington Redskins - Under 5 (+100)
The Redskins are starting a rebuild with Ron Rivera taking over as head coach and Dwayne Haskins as their signal-caller. Washington's 3-13 record last season was their worst since since 2013 and tied for their second-lowest win total in franchise history since 1960. Washington has had four seasons with five wins or fewer since 2011 and finished third or worse in the NFC East eight out of 10 seasons.
The only positive for Washington entering the 2020 campaign is they hold the fifth-easiest strength of schedule (.465%). Their opponents totaled a 2019 record of 118-136-2, but their five road games outside of the division could very well result in an 0-5 finish. They travel to face four potential playoff teams in 2020; the 49ers, Browns, Cardinals, Lions, and Steelers are on schedule away from D.C. At home, Washington hosts the Bengals, Panthers, Rams, Ravens, and Seahawks. Making matters worse, Washington has been a doormat in the NFC East, finishing 3-15 over the last five years, including 0-6 last season.
The offense struggled all year and finished last in the league with 16.6 points per game, including five games of 10 points or fewer in the first eight matchups. The offense lost two lineman, their top two tight ends, and a few more skill positions, leaving the offensive depth chart depleted prior to the draft. Despite all that, they'll likely select Ohio State's Chase Young at No. 2 overall to assist a defense that allowed 27.2 points per game (27th) and handed out eight games of 30 points or more to opposing offenses last season.
Washington will again be one of the worst scoring teams in the league and be in contention for the No. 1 overall pick again next season as the Rivera era begins.
Miami Dolphins - Under 6 (-115)
The Miami Dolphins have suffered 10 or more losses in three of the past five seasons, including two of the last three. Questions surround the Fins heading into the NFL Draft. Miami selects 5, 19, and 26 overall in the first round as they started their rebuild following Week 3 last season after losing 133-16 in the first three games. It's still unclear who will be the quarterback in 2020, but Ryan Fitzpatrick seems to be the favorite after starting 13 games and appearing in 15 last season. There's an abundance of quarterback talent available in the first round for Miami, however, none of them should lead Miami to a 7-9 record or better.
The Dolphins lost Aqib Talib and Reshad Jones to free agency, and after trading away Minkah Fitzpatrick last season for their No. 19 overall pick, they added talent to a horrendous defense. Miami ranked last in points allowed per game (30.9) and 30th in total yards allowed (397.8) last season, but they landed Byron Jones, giving Miami the two highest paid corners in the league (Xavien Howard). They'll only be able to do so much, though, as Miami's defense finished 26th in passing yards per game (262.4) and 27th in rushing yards per game (135.4).
Miami has finished third or worse in the AFC East in seven of the last 10 seasons -- 13-17 overall in division play over a five-year stretch -- and recorded nine straight seasons of being .500 or worse on the road. Not to make matters any easier, Miami owns the third-toughest schedule (.527%) across the league, and their road schedule is no easy feat. Miami heads into 2020 with road contests versus the 49ers, Bills, Broncos, Cardinals, Jaguars, Jets, Patriots and Raiders. At home, Miami will welcome the Bills, Bengals, Chiefs, Chargers, Jets, Rams, Patriots, and Seahawks to the Sunshine State.
The Dolphins were in the "Tank for Tua" business most of the season, and there's still a chance Miami lands the former Alabama quarterback. If Miami drafts Tagovailoa, then I'm a firm believer Miami will be a better team next season, but six wins is far too many for a squad that won three games entering Week 16. The three teams that drafted a quarterback in the first round last year finished 12-35-1 overall, with no team recording six wins. In 2018, two of five teams surpassed six wins, and one of three teams won half a dozen or more in 2017.
Chances are even with a rookie quarterback under center, Miami will likely finish 6-10 or worse next season.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Under 5 (+105)
The Jacksonville Jaguars are in a odd position entering a new decade without a franchise quarterback, receiving complaints on social media from their star running back (Leonard Fournette) after parting ways with four main contributors on the defensive side of the ball: A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell, Marcell Dareus, and Jake Ryan.
Last offseason, Jacksonville brought in Nick Foles on a four-year $118 million deal, and he lasted four games, suffering from a clavicle fracture that forced him to miss 12 games. Gardner Minshew has gone 6-6 in his 12 career starts, throwing 21 touchdowns and 6 interceptions with three comeback game-winning drives in 2019, giving Jacksonville a 6-10 record.
The Jaguars have had one winning season in the last five years (2017) and recorded three seasons of five wins or fewer in the last five. The offense was mostly all Fournette last season, as he finished as one of nine running backs to combine for over 300 rushing attempts and receptions. Fournette was one of eight running backs with 250 rushing attempts and was fifth among running backs in receptions (76) and receiving yards (522). The wear and tear on running backs is no joke, and after posting career-highs, he's bound to regress, and the same can be said for Minshew in year two.
The Jaguars' strength of schedule is tied for the 10th-easiest, but they'll need any assistance they can get after posting a 3-9 record versus the AFC South over the las two years. The Jags finished last in the division three out of the last four seasons and third or worse in eight of the past nine years.
Jacksonville averaged 18.8 points per game (26th) and allowed 24.8 (21st) last season, and you can expect both those numbers to rise, as they'll likely be playing from behind in most contests. The Jaguars select No. 9 and 20 in the first round of the NFL Draft, and whether they select a franchise quarterback or roll with Minshew Week 1 -- this season will likely be a rebuild in Jacksonville.