NFL 2024 Betting Guide – NFC Preview:

The 2024 NFL season is finally here, and VSiN will prepare you daily for the entire season. Before Week 1’s action kicks off, here’s our exclusive preview of the NFC.

Philadelphia Eagles

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 14-1
Odds to Win NFC: +600
Odds to Win NFC East: -125

 

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Since the release of the first guide, the Eagles are down from 17-1 to 15-1 to win the Super Bowl and +700 to +600 to win the NFC.

The Eagles didn’t play their stars in the preseason. Perhaps that means it’ll take some time to get going in the regular season. However, it should also mean that they’ll be healthy come Week 1. And by all accounts, Philadelphia looked sharp in a joint practice with New England on August 13th. Most beat writers noted that Jalen Hurts looked extremely comfortable in new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s offense. He even linked up with newly acquired RB Saquon Barkley on a wheel route that went for a touchdown. 

As far as the preseason goes, Nolan Smith Jr. popped. The 23-year-old had a sack in Philadelphia’s first two games. One of them was a play in which he evaded a Patriots double team and took down rookie Drake Maye. Newly acquired Bryce Huff also looked comfortable in his brief time on the field. 

Another good sign was that Avonte Maddox, who is being moved to safety, picked off Jacoby Brissett in the end zone in the second preseason game. Philadelphia’s secondary was a mess last season. The Eagles did a lot to address that, but Maddox can help a bunch as a solid depth piece. 

PLAYER TO WATCH: LB Nakobe Dean

New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will accept help wherever he can get it. Well, Dean could be hard to keep off the field. Dean battled injuries in the 2023 season, but he was stellar in the preseason. Dean was one of PFF’s highest-rated players in the preseason, and he was seemingly all over the field for Philadelphia. Whether it was stuffing the ball carrier or blowing up screens, Dean made his presence felt. 

Dallas Cowboys

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 19-1
Odds to Win NFC: +700
Odds to Win NFC East: +170

There was a miserable stink surrounding the organization as the team failed to reach new deals with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Prescott is going to play with or without the extension, but the Lamb situation was messier. Jerry Jones frustrated his top wideout by saying that working out a new deal wasn’t “urgent.” But Dallas ultimately inked Lamb to a four-year, $136 million deal, so the vibes should be better heading into Week 1. 

On the field, the Cowboys have some gamers in second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland and third-round pick Marist Liufau. Both players will have opportunities this season. And on offense, third-round pick Cooper Beebe feels like another hit for the Cowboys along the offensive line. Along with first-round pick Tyler Guyton, Dallas seemingly nabbed two starters up front in this draft. 

Trey Lance’s play in the final week of preseason did put a damper on everything. Dallas desperately wanted Lance to win the backup job, and there were even people who thought he was the Cowboys’ post-Prescott plan. But Lance threw five interceptions against the Chargers in Week 3. His decision-making is abysmal.

The 6-8 week injury to DaRon Bland was also a vibe-killer. Dallas will now be counting on either fifth-round pick Caelen Carson or Andrew Booth Jr. at corner. 

PLAYER TO WATCH: LT Tyler Guyton

Tyron Smith leaves some massive shoes to fill at left tackle, but it seems like Guyton is up for the challenge. A serious toe injury for Chuma Edoga means the rookie will start in Week 1, but Guyton, who primarily played right tackle in college, seems ready to anchor the line. The 29th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft got a good amount of run in the preseason, and Dallas looked strong up front when he was out there. Guyton didn’t necessarily stand out, but that’s a good thing for an offensive lineman. 

Washington Commanders

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 120-1
Odds to Win NFC: 60-1
Odds to Win NFC East: +900

There was a lot of chatter about the offense featuring a ton of deep shots throughout training camp. Considering how well rookie Jayden Daniels throws the ball down the field, that would certainly make a lot of sense. But Kliff Kingsbury is the offensive coordinator for Washington, and the team’s offense looked a lot like his old Arizona teams throughout the preseason.

There’s clearly an emphasis on getting the ball out of Daniels’ hands quickly. Daniels’ time to throw was quicker in the preseason than the fastest release time in the NFL in 2023. That alone isn’t a bad thing. But the offense has been heavy in RPOs and has Daniels throwing short passes frequently. Utilizing Daniels’ legs makes a lot of sense. He’s going to be one of the best running quarterbacks in football immediately. But will Kingsbury trust him to air it out? 

Washington also made the decision to move on from Jahan Dotson, making a rare in-division deal to send him to Philadelphia. It was a head-scratching move for a team that can use help at the receiver position, but perhaps it’s a sign of how much the Commanders believe in third-round pick Luke McCaffrey. 

All in all, there was a lot to like from Washington before the season, but the odds don’t reflect that. The Commanders were +800 to win the NFC East a few months ago, but they’re +900 now. 

PLAYER TO WATCH: RB Brian Robinson Jr. 

The Commanders might have brought in Austin Ekeler, but this is likely going to be Robinson’s show. Kingsbury absolutely loves him as a between-the-tackles punisher, and Robinson looked even more explosive than usual in the preseason. There was a sequence in the loss to Miami in which Robinson hit two 11-yard runs in a row. He’s looking decisive and ready to get back to being the bellcow he was at Alabama. Of course, Ekeler will mix in. But he’s very likely looking at the third-down role he had earlier in his career. 

New York Giants

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 150-1
Odds to Win NFC: 70-1
Odds to Win NFC East: 20-1

Daniel Jones was the butt of every joke on X after his two-pick performance against the Texans. However, let’s remember that Jones was playing in his first game back from ACL surgery. He was also going up against a Houston team that is stacked defensively, and Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans takes the preseason seriously. Jones also did some good things in the game. He shook off the mistakes and made some impressive downfield throws. 

Realistically, the most important thing for New York is that the offensive line has been getting rave reviews. Last season, PFF had the Giants’ offensive line ranked 30th in the NFL. Well, if New York can get some league-average production up front, that should help Jones find the game that got him a four-year, $160 million deal. It will also make the loss of Saquon Barkley hurt less. 

Malik Nabers was one of the big stories of training camp. He apparently stood out whenever he was on the field, and he had four catches for 54 yards against Houston in Week 2. Nabers seems like he’s ready to show out immediately. 

People are pretty clearly down on this team, though. New York was 12-1 to win the NFC East when our first guide released. The Giants are now 20-1 to win the division. 

PLAYER TO WATCH: RB Eric Gray

Devin Singletary was brought in to be the Barkley replacement, but Gray could end up being a big factor out of the backfield. In New York’s first preseason games, Gray rushed four times for 52 yards and two scores, and he also caught four passes for 46 yards. Gray was also more effective than Singletary in the loss to the Texans, rushing three times for 18 yards and catching five balls for 22 yards. He just has quite a bit of juice and could be hard to keep off the field with his ability to pick up chunk yardage. 

Detroit Lions

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 12-1
Odds to Win NFC: +550
Odds to Win NFC North: +130

On August 12, Jahmyr Gibbs suffered a lower-body injury that looked like it was going to sideline him for a while. However, that ended up being a minor hamstring issue, and Gibbs is doing well in his recovery. Before Detroit’s preseason meeting with Pittsburgh, Gibbs was seen running routes and catching passes from Jared Goff. The second-year back looked explosive in the videos that surfaced online, and it sounds like he’s going to be out there in Week 1. 

The real story heading into the season is the play of rookies Terrion Arnold, the 24th pick in the draft, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr., the 61st pick in the draft. Detroit’s secondary was a mess last season, with the Lions being 25th in the NFL in Dropback EPA per play allowed. But Arnold and Rakestraw Jr. impressed this offseason, and they’re going to be given every opportunity to make their mark immediately. Both players got hurt and missed time in the preseason, but Dan Campbell expects them back in Week 1. 

It’ll also be interesting to see what Hendon Hooker can learn from Goff and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Hooker made some bone-headed plays throughout the preseason, but he also rushed for 93 yards in a win over the Steelers last game. Quarterbacks that stand at 6-foot-3 and have his set of wheels don’t grow on trees. 

PLAYER TO WATCH: K Jake Bates 

There’s a lot of pressure on Bates to perform this season. With Michael Badgley having suffered a season-ending injury, Bates will be the guy for Detroit. He apparently had his struggles throughout training camp, but he went 6 for 7 on field goals in preseason. The Lions are hoping to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year. That won’t be doable without a serviceable kicker. Can Bates keep up his solid play from the preseason? If not, look for Detroit to sign somebody. 

Green Bay Packers

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 18-1
Odds to Win NFC: +750
Odds to Win NFC North: +230

Most of the talk surrounding the Packers this offseason was centered on the defensive side of the ball. After years of people calling for Joe Barry’s job, Green Bay finally moved on and brought in former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley as his replacement. By all accounts, Green Bay’s defense is looking a lot more dangerous and aggressive. Hafley’s move from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense was ambitious, but the Packers have the personnel to make it work. 

One player who has apparently enjoyed the transition is Rashan Gary. Now that he’s even further removed from a torn ACL, people are excited about what he can do in this defense. Gary, and the rest of the defensive line, apparently handled a joint practice with Baltimore extremely well. 

Something that was encouraging in the preseason was the play of seventh-round pick Kalen King. You can’t expect much out of players drafted that late, but the rookie made some plays and looked the part. He could be a nice depth piece.

In regards to the offense, Jordan Love seems poised to build on what he did in the second half of last season. He has one of the best pass-blocking lines in the NFL, and he has plenty to work with at wideout. The Packers might not have a legit superstar, but plenty of teams would take Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. 

PLAYER TO WATCH: TE Tucker Kraft

Kraft is looking to build on a rookie season in which he caught 31 passes for 355 yards and two scores. His offseason didn’t start the way he wanted because of a torn pec, but it sounds like he’s back to playing at a high level. In the joint practice with the Ravens, Kraft caught five passes and wreaked havoc in the middle of the field. Luke Musgrave is still in Green Bay, so Kraft probably isn’t looking at a full-time workload. But Kraft has the potential to unseat Musgrave as the starter, and he opens up a lot of things for this Packers offense. 

Chicago Bears

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 35-1
Odds to Win NFC: 15-1
Odds to Win NFC North: +280

You probably saw some Caleb Williams highlights in the preseason. He made a bunch of outrageous plays, and his improvisation skills can make him look like a cross between Patrick Mahomes and prime Russell Wilson. However, it’s important to note that it wasn’t all good for the No. 1 pick. Williams can be guilty of missing the easy read, as he’s so talented that he wants to run around and wait for something bigger. That can get him into trouble, but it should get better with time. 

It was nice to see Williams’ early chemistry with fellow first-round pick Rome Odunze. With DJ Moore and Keenan Allen on the roster, it’s fair to wonder how well Odunze will play in Year 1. But he has looked like a star and Williams isn’t going to avoid throwing to him just because he’s younger. Odunze has a big body and understands how to get himself open. He flashed in the preseason and should be a big-time weapon immediately. 

Chicago could also have something special brewing defensively. The Bears turned things around in the second half of last season, playing like a top-10 defense after acquiring Montez Sweat. Well, the Bears continued to look like a force in the preseason, especially when it came to taking the ball away. Chicago has also built some tremendous depth on that side of the ball, and that was very clear when looking at the secondary. 

PLAYER TO WATCH: RB Velus Jones Jr. 

The Bears used a third-round pick on Jones in 2022, but he didn’t do much as a wide receiver. Instead of giving up on Jones entirely, Chicago converted Jones to running back. That move is paying off for Jones, who looks like he’ll be sticking around in the Windy City. In the final preseason game against the Chiefs, Jones rushed 13 times for 111 yards and a touchdown. He clearly has a good feel for finding holes as a runner, and he should get better as he spends more time at the position. His experience as a wideout should also make him a valuable pass catcher out of the backfield. Jones is also a very good special teams player. 

Minnesota Vikings

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 80-1
Odds to Win NFC: 40-1
Odds to Win NFC North: 11-1

Many expected Sam Darnold to be a short-term starter while rookie J.J. McCarthy, the 10th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, got used to being a professional. But McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus in training camp and underwent season-ending surgery. So, Darnold will get the ball in Week 1 and will likely be the starter all season. Nick Mullens is expected to be the backup, but Jaren Hall could end up stealing that job. In the third week of preseason, Hall completed 17 of 25 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles. 

Minnesota is also dealing with some key injuries on offense. T.J. Hockenson still isn’t back from the torn ACL he suffered towards the end of 2023, and Jordan Addison’s ankle injury might keep him out of Week 1. So, Minnesota might have a hard time scoring early in the season. 

On the other side of the ball, Blake Cashman is banged up. But one positive that came out of the preseason was that Lewis Cine played well. A first-round pick in 2022, Cine hasn’t had a great start to his career. He broke his leg as a rookie and wasn’t able to find his groove in 2023. But he was flying around the field in the preseason, looking a lot like he did in Georgia. He should be able to find a way to contribute, or Minnesota can deal him for a draft pick.

PLAYER TO WATCH: WR Trishton Jackson

With uncertainty surrounding Addison heading into the year, don’t be surprised if Jackson makes an impact. The 6-foot-1 wideout scored a touchdown in all three preseason games, and he had four catches for 100 yards in preseason Week 1. He made contested catches, was fearless over the middle of the field and was good after the catch. If the Vikings don’t keep him around, he’ll quickly latch on with another team. 

Atlanta Falcons

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 30-1
Odds to Win NFC: 13-1
Odds to Win NFC South: -130

“Mike showed us last week enough that we don’t have to play him in the preseason,” said Falcons coach Raheem Morris after Penix Jr’s performance against Miami in the preseason opener. Kirk Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million deal in the offseason, is expected to be ready for Week 1, but the Falcons will be comfortable trotting out their rookie if the veteran hasn’t recovered from his Achilles injury. Morris was especially impressed with how Penix changed protections at the line of scrimmage. 

There’s some speculation that Penix was held out the final two games of the preseason because Cousins won’t be ready. There are others who believe the front office was afraid of Penix playing well and sparking a quarterback controversy. There probably isn’t truth to either, but it’ll be fun to monitor this situation all year. 

One thing that was clear in the preseason was that Atlanta is missing something in the secondary. Outside of AJ Terrell, who just signed a four-year, $81 million extension, it’s pretty thin. That’s why Atlanta just signed Justin Simmons. 

Somebody who might ultimately help is Kevin King, who has been out of football since January 2022 because of an Achilles injury. King, who used to be a corner, has been playing some safety, and he hasn’t looked out of place. It’d be big if he can contribute at that spot. 

PLAYER TO WATCH: WR Chris Blair

Blair spent last season with the XFL’s DC Defenders and flashed big play ability. The 26-year-old then won over Morris with his work ethic, as he was constantly in the training facility. Blair started to pop in training camp, and his play carried over into the preseason. Blair actually had four catches for 91 yards in a Week 2 loss to the Ravens, and Morris noted that he’s proud of the wideout after the team’s Week 3 loss. I know these feel-good stories don’t often end well, but it’s not like Blair is competing with all-world talent in this receiving corps. Atlanta doesn’t have much outside of Drake London and Darnell Mooney.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 80-1
Odds to Win NFC: 35-1
Odds to Win NFC South: +320

Dave Canales did great work with Baker Mayfield, playing a big role in the former Heisman winner signing a three-year deal worth up to $115 million. With that in mind, there’s naturally some concern over Canales having bolted to be the coach of the Panthers. However, there must have been a collective sigh of relief after Tampa Bay marched down the field for an opening-drive touchdown against Miami in preseason Week 3. Mayfield went 3 for 3 for 54 yards and Rachaad White rushed four times for 16 yards and a score. 

Todd Bowles was considering giving the starters a significant workload in the game, but he was so impressed that he rested them after the score. That was the first, and only, taste of preseason action for the first team. 

Something specifically worth noting is that the Buccaneers’ ground attack has looked good under new offensive coordinator Liam Cohen. Things should only get better as rookie Graham Barton, a first-round pick in 2024, gets more comfortable. Barton played well enough to unseat Robert Hainsey as the team’s starting center, and he should continue to improve with more reps. 

It’s also worth mentioning that Chase McLaughlin drilled a 51-yard field goal and went 3 for 3 on extra points. McLaughlin was 1 for 3 on field goals in the first two weeks of preseason, and local media members were pressing Bowles about whether he’d bring in another kicker.

PLAYER TO WATCH: LB Jose Ramirez 

Ramirez was just a practice squad player in 2023, but he might be an important part of the Tampa Bay pass rush to start the season. YaYa Diaby is dealing with a significant high ankle sprain, and Randy Gregory was released after failing to report to training camp. That means the Buccaneers are light on players who can get after the quarterback. Well, Ramirez consistently got into the backfield in the preseason and even had a three-sack game against Jacksonville in Week 2.

New Orleans Saints

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 100-1
Odds to Win NFC: 45-1
Odds to Win NFC South: +400

The Saints are banged up in the secondary, so seeing rookie corner Kool-Aid McKinstry go down with a leg injury in preseason Week 2 was quite the blow. McKinstry looked great in a win over the Cardinals the week prior. Fortunately, McKinstry avoided a long-term injury, but New Orleans will be hoping to see him on the field sooner rather than later. 

Chase Young’s name came up often in the offseason. The second pick in the 2022 NFL Draft hasn’t lived up to the hype early in his career, but he’s on a one-year deal with the Saints, and he’s out to prove he deserves a big contract. When New Orleans took on San Francisco, Young’s former team, in the second week of preseason, he was the best player on the field. Young was explosive in getting after the quarterback, and he was a monster against the run. It feels like he’s hungrier than ever, and veteran Demario Davis said he wouldn’t be surprised if Young is in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. 

Of course, the Saints defense isn’t the problem. New Orleans was fifth in EPA per play allowed last year. It’s Derek Carr and the offense that will need to rise to the occasion. Carr didn’t look great in his limited preseason reps, so that side of the ball is still a major question mark. 

PLAYER TO WATCH: QB Taysom Hill

Broncos head coach Sean Payton will be admiring from afar, as it certainly looks like this could be a big year for Hill. New Orleans has featured him heavily throughout the offseason, and it might not be the worst idea in the world. Despite being 34 years old, he has the speed required to provide a spark to a lifeless unit. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak really likes what Hill brings as a runner. In fact, it was Hill who punctuated a scoring drive with the first team in a preseason game against the 49ers in Week 2. Expect to see a lot of him in the red zone. 

Carolina Panthers

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 250-1
Odds to Win NFC: 120-1
Odds to Win NFC South: 11-1

We didn’t see too much of second-year signal caller Bryce Young in the preseason, but he performed at a high level in joint practices with the Jets. Young was also superb in his short time on the field against the Bills in Week 3 of the preseason. He played one drive but went 6 for 8 for 70 yards and a score. After that, Canales had seen enough and pulled the first-team offense. 

One of the keys to Young’s success has been strong play up front, which is to be expected after the amount of money Carolina pumped into the offensive line. But he also looks comfortable in Canales’ system.

Despite the fact that we haven’t seen much from Carolina, it appears there’s some optimism in the air. When we released the original NFL Betting Guide, the Panthers’ win total was just 4.5. That is now sitting at 5.5 at DraftKings Sportsbook, and it’s -115 to the Over. 

One thing that was evident in the preseason is that Terrace Marshall Jr. has improved. He looked comfortable in real games, and he also had two touchdowns in the joint practice. Marshall wasn’t viewed as a lock to make the roster, but he impressed the front office and could factor into the team’s future again. 

PLAYER TO WATCH: CB D’Shawn Jamison 

Dane Jackson will miss the first quarter of the regular season, so Carolina will need somebody to slot into the No. 2 role under Jaycee Horn. One of the guys in consideration was Lamar Jackson (a different one), but the Panthers cut him after Week 2 of the preseason. That presents a real opportunity for Jamison, one of the team’s standouts in training camp and the preseason. Jamison is far from a lockdown corner, but he’s solid enough as a bend-don’t-break option.  

San Francisco 49ers

Odds to Win Super Bowl: +600
Odds to Win NFC: +250
Odds to Win NFC West: -195

The 49ers have been looking for edge rushers who can take advantage of the attention Nick Bosa demands on the other side of the line. San Francisco brought in Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos to address that. The problem is that both players suffered knee injuries in the 49ers’ win over the Raiders in the third week of preseason. 

It’ll also be interesting to see how Brock Purdy performs out of the gate. Purdy threw a pick against Las Vegas, and we mostly saw up-and-down play out of him in the preseason. That came after reports that he was struggling in training camp. But we have heard this with Purdy before, and he tends to figure it out when the lights are brightest. So, it could be a non-issue. But San Francisco’s pass blocking isn’t as reliable as the run blocking, and the team also wants to lessen the load on Christian McCaffrey this year. That means Purdy will need to be solid right away. 

PLAYER TO WATCH: RB Jordan Mason

“We have guys that can run the ball…We have to protect Christian from himself.” That was a June quote from head coach Kyle Shanahan, and it’s something to consider if you’re looking at Overs on McCaffrey’s player prop markets. We also saw Mason seamlessly run with the first team against the Raiders, rushing for 42 yards and a touchdown on only eight carries. Don’t be surprised if Mason unseats Elijah Mitchell as San Francisco’s No. 2 back. And whoever does win that battle could be in for a decent-sized workload. 

Los Angeles Rams

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 30-1
Odds to Win NFC: 15-1
Odds to Win NFC West: +350

It’s hard to learn much of anything from the Rams in the preseason. Sean McVay doesn’t feel in-game reps are important enough to risk the long-term health of his starters, and it’s hard to argue with the logic. 

One thing we did see is that Stetson Bennett isn’t worthy of being a backup — even if he will be out of necessity early on. Bennett has some juice in his legs and can occasionally make some nice throws, but his decision-making is a nightmare — especially for a quarterback who is viewed as a game manager. With Jimmy Garoppolo suspended the first two games, the Rams better hope Matthew Stafford is healthy. Stafford is back to practicing in full, but he has been dealing with a hamstring issue. 

We also learned that McVay values third-round pick Blake Corum quite a bit. The former Michigan star was held out of the preseason with the rest of Los Angeles’ key pieces. Perhaps we’ll see something close to a full split between Corum and Kyren Williams. 

If you’re high on Los Angeles, you’re going to have to pay up to take the Over on 8.5 wins. The Over was juiced to -140 at DraftKings when we put out the first guide. It’s up at -160 now. Just know that Ernest Jones IV might not be on the team. The Rams are letting the linebacker seek a trade. 

PLAYER TO WATCH: WR Jordan Whittington

It remains to be seen what type of role a rookie wideout can carve out in Los Angeles. The Rams are pretty set with Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and Demarcus Robinson at the position. However, Whittington will be ready if called upon. The sixth-round pick out of Texas was a target machine in the preseason. He’s good at finding gaps in the defense, and he’s not afraid to take hits over the middle of the field. Sean McVay raved about Whittington’s play in training camp. It wouldn’t be shocking if he overtakes Robinson in three-wide sets.  

Seattle Seahawks

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 65-1
Odds to Win NFC: 28-1
Odds to Win NFC West: +650

New offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who held the same position with the Washington Huskies last year, has made his presence felt early. The Seahawks were near the top of the NFL in motion in the preseason, and they were also heavily utilizing RPOs and play action. All of that helped Sam Howell, Seattle’s backup quarterback, find success. That’s important with Geno Smith’s history of getting banged up. And overall, the idea of the Seahawks’ talented trio of wideouts, along with Smith and a good group of rushers, being in the Grubb offense is exciting. 

The offense isn’t the only side of the ball changing, though. New head coach Mike Macdonald, last year’s defensive coordinator in Baltimore, and defensive coordinator Aden Durde have also breathed some life into the defense. We didn’t see much from the Seahawks starters, but there was a little more creativity in changing up formations and disguising blitzes — or bringing them from different parts of the defense. Unfortunately, Seattle edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu got hurt in the final preseason game, and he’ll miss some time. 

Pete Carroll did some great things in Seattle, but his teams were generally predictable. This new era of Seahawks football will be innovative. People are buying, too. The Over on 7.5 wins is now juiced to -150 at DraftKings. 

PLAYER TO WATCH: WR Laviska Shenault Jr. 

Look, Shenault always pops up as a “player to watch” and never seems to actually produce. I get it. However, the jack of all trades, master of none has been a standout for Seattle in the preseason. Shenault has made a huge impact as a special teams player, and Grubb also likes him as both a pass catcher and a runner. So, don’t be surprised if he ends up being a useful gadget player for the Seahawks. At the very least, his presence on the field will make it hard for defenses to roll double coverage in the direction of DK Metcalf. 

Arizona Cardinals

Odds to Win Super Bowl: 100-1
Odds to Win NFC: 50-1
Odds to Win NFC West: 13-1

We didn’t see Kyler Murray in the preseason, but the buzz surrounding this new-look Cardinals offense is palpable. Arizona beat writers continue to praise Murray for his command of the offense, as well as his leadership. It also sounds like Marvin Harrison Jr. looks the part of an elite wide receiver, which is what the Cardinals are expecting from the fourth overall pick. However, Harrison won’t have to do it alone. Everybody has hyped the play of wide receivers Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch and Zay Jones, and tight end Trey McBride is a big-time weapon.

As far as the preseason goes, the Cardinals simply didn’t give their starters enough run. So, it’s hard to take much away from it. But one thing that did stand out was that the pass blocking along the offensive line was a nightmare. Sure, Arizona’s starters weren’t out there, so that could change immediately. But some of the Cardinals’ key depth pieces, like Elijah Wilkinson, Isaiah Adams and Jon Gaines II, haven’t looked good. 

On the flip side, the team’s pass rush was better than expected. There might not be a clear stud in the group, but Arizona seems to press the right buttons in shuffling guys in and out. 

It’s also hard to ignore the play of rookie running back Trey Benson. He should be the backup as soon as Week 1, and he’ll likely see real work this year. 

PLAYER TO WATCH: LB Xavier Thomas

BJ Ojulari, who had four sacks last season, is out for the year with a torn ACL. That means head coach Jonathan Gannon can use a little pass-rushing juice. Perhaps Thomas can provide that. Thomas battled injuries in his time with Clemson, but he’s a former five-star recruit who had three sacks and 25 tackles in 12 games in his final season in college. Thomas also popped in preseason, when he was a consistent presence in the opposing backfield. Arizona might have a little something in this year’s fifth-round pick. 

Get ready for the 2024 NFL season by downloading the VSiN NFL Betting Guide.

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