4 NFL teams to fade in a potentially shortened offseason
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On Wednesday, we highlighted four NFL teams worth betting in a shortened offseason. That featured clubs with continuity, stable leadership, and playing styles that could take advantage of a lack of preparation.
We're looking at the other side today. Here are four teams for bettors to avoid if the NFL offseason is shortened, with odds from theScore Bet in New Jersey:
Indianapolis Colts
For the record, I love what the Colts have done this offseason. Philip Rivers is an ideal fit in a ready-made offense under Frank Reich, and DeForest Buckner fills a major gap defensively. If this offseason proceeds without a hitch, Indy is a worthwhile buy.
However, the last thing you want during a potentially shortened preparation period is reinventing an offense with a new quarterback. The Colts (+140) are getting shorter odds to win the AFC South than the Tennessee Titans (+160) are, who could play tomorrow and immediately gel. In the case of summer unrest, those prices should be flipped.
Denver Broncos
We've been high on the Broncos this offseason, particularly if MVP long shot Drew Lock can fulfill his massive potential. But can he do that without adequate time to prepare? The second-year quarterback has plenty of maturation to do before he'll be an effective starter, and his top weapons are new to the team. Any bump in the road makes it that much more difficult to establish chemistry.
We've already mentioned the Titans as an example of stability. Denver is favored over Tennessee in Week 1. Do you want to bet on Lock's first game as a full-time starter without an entire offseason's worth of reps with his young receivers? I'll be buying the Broncos overall, but limited training camps could hurt them early.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have a lot going for them in 2020, but continuity is not among those advantages. Los Angeles returns only two starters from last year's offensive line - tied for the fewest in the NFL - and will integrate a new leader at quarterback and middle linebacker, with both spots possibly being filled by rookies.
Los Angeles' secondary has the potential to be elite, but its run defense and tackling could use major improvements - both suffer without extensive physical training periods. In a division with four playoff-caliber squads, the Chargers (+180 to make the postseason) are the easiest fade amid any uncertainty.
Washington Redskins
As if you needed another reason to bet against the Redskins in 2020, an atypical summer would be a death knell for this group. Washington's coaching staff is almost completely unfamiliar under new head coach Ron Rivera, who will try to find the hidden gems within one of the worst rosters in the NFL.
However, it's hard to truly shake up the starting unit without a full offseason to analyze the team, so some of the Redskins' also-ran starters from a year ago might walk into jobs this fall. Even a potential quarterback competition between Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen is complicated by any uncertainty. If this offseason is cut short, under five wins on this group is a gift for bettors.
C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.