We are one day away from the start of the NFL season, and I have finalized the total plays of my season team. I waited until now just to be sure a major injury didn’t pop up. These lines are from DraftKings Sports Book as of this morning, and you can grab them now. Let’s have a great season and make a ton of $$$$.
Many think that new head coach Jim Harbaugh is going to turn the Chargers around in season 1 of his tenure. I do think he will turn the franchise around, but I believe he is going to need another off-season under his belt. On offense, they figure to be a run-first team, considering they do not have proven play-making receivers. They will work behind an improving offensive line, but look at their running backs. Gus Edwards is solid but not explosive, and he is being backed up by J.K. Dobbins, who is full of talent but can never stay healthy. This duo will never put fear into their opponent. Their passing game has no proven playmakers. Rookie WR Ladd McConkey should be a nice addition, but WR Joshua Palmer shows flashes but has an injury history, and second-year receiver Quentin Johnston has a lot to prove. Not to mention, they are void at tight end, with Will Dissly as the projected starter. QB Justin Herbert has been lacking luster since his rookie season, and he is going to need someone to step up as he lost his security blanket, WR Keenan Allen, to the Bears. On defense, they are a so-so defense that will get after the quarterback with Bosa and Khalil Mack, but they have struggled vs. the run and give up passing yards despite having safety Derwin James in their secondary. I think they will be competing with the Broncos for last place in their division, as I think the Raiders are better. Their schedule does them no favors as they have seven games vs. teams who made the playoffs last season that include the Chiefs, Steelers, Browns, Buccaneers, and Ravens. Plus, they play up-and-coming teams like the Falcons, Titans, Cardinals, and two games vs. the Raiders. I project them at 6-11 or 7-10, making this a nice plus-money play.
Last season, the Dolphins won 11 games, but they only beat ONE team with a winning record. This season, their schedule improves tremendously as not only do they play the Bills twice, but the Jets, presumably with Aaron Rodgers twice, and also a slew of 2023 playoff teams like the Browns, Packers, 49ers, Texans, and Rams. Plus, they will have their hands full with teams like the Seahawks, Titans, Colts, Cardinals, and Raiders. Their offense played about as well as it could last season, and I expect some regression with this schedule. Their defense should have a solid secondary, but that front seven doesn’t scare anyone. They are a 9-8 to 8-9 team.
The Raiders are my favorite season total on the board. Several weeks ago, Doc interviewed Sports Illustrated Raider Insider Hondo Carpenter on his radio show “Fantasy House Calls” on Sirius XM Channel 87. Hondo made many great points about this Raider team that motivated me to research them. The only weakness I can find is the QB position in Gardner Minshew, but he should be serviceable. He has a lot of weapons, including receivers Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Tre Tucker. He has what could be a great tight end group in Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. Plus, he has RB Zamir White, who was excellent to finish last season as the starter and added a solid backup in Alexander Mattison. The offensive line is improving and should be solid enough not to be a weakness. I forgot to mention that they added Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy, who Hondo thinks is an excellent coordinator who will have an excellent scheme and get the passing game to excel. Expect a consistent offense that produces over 20 points per game.
On defense, Hondo pointed out since Antonio Pierce was named coach during mid-season last year that the Raiders were the number one defense. They are led by high-motor DE Maxx Crosby, who loves to be in on every play, let alone sack the QB. They added DT Christian Wilkins who will further bolster that defensive line. The linebackers are solid, and the secondary is very good. They should be the second-best team behind the Chiefs in the AFC West. Their schedule isn’t too daunting as they play the Chargers twice, the Broncos twice, and the Panthers. Remember that they beat the Chiefs in Arrowhead last season and should be in every game. This team has too many playmakers, too much defense, and too much coaching not to finish over .500. We don’t even need that; all we need is 7-10 to be a winner.
