New Orleans Saints – The defending Super-Bowl champions sure know how to move the ball. Last year, the Saints led the league both in scoring (31.9 points per game) and yards (403.8 yards per game). There’s no reason to think that Saints won’t be able to put up those types of numbers again this year. Everyone knows how good the Saints passing attack is as it ranked fourth in the league last season. But the rushing game doesn’t get any of the credit it deserves. Last year, the Saints totaled up the sixth most rushing yards and third most rushing touchdowns. Expect the Saints to be a top offense again this year.
Green Bay Packers – What isn’t to love about this offense? The Packers have ranked in the top five in scoring every year since Aaron Rodgers took over, including last season when they scored 28.8 points per game. The key for the Packers is their ability to limit turnovers while forcing them on defense. Last season, Green Bay led the league with an astounding +24 turnover differential. Ryan Grant remains as one of the league’s most underrated backs, as he has ran for 1,200 yards in each of the last two seasons.
Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys offense looks ready to go again this year. Last season, the Cowboys averaged nearly 400 yards per game. With a quality quarterback in Tony Romo and an emerging star in Miles Austin, the Cowboys have one of the league’s best passing games. But for as many yards as the Cowboys gained last year, they only scored 22.6 points per game. Expect that to be higher this year as Austin will be playing from week one.
Indianapolis Colts – The Colts had the second-best passing attack last season, averaging 282 yards per game. That shouldn’t change this year as Peyton Manning has the same set of weapons returning. The Colts did, however, rank last in the league in rushing. Expect the running game to be better this year, but still not great. Overall, this will still be a team that averages 25 points a game.
San Diego Chargers – Philip Rivers is now one of the league’s best quarterbacks. But there are some questions about this offense, even though it has been a top offense for much of the last decade. With a rookie getting the majority of the carries, will the running game be as much of a threat? How will Rivers perform without Vincent Jackson? The Chargers ranked fourth in scoring last year, so this team will still find ways to get the ball in the end zone.
Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings were second in the league in scoring last season at 29.4 points per game. They also ranked in the top five in total yards. But with Brett Favre a little bit older, the loss of Chester Taylor, and the injuries to key wide receivers, the Vikings offseason might not be as good as it was last year. There is no doubt this is still a top offense, but don’t expect the same dominating Vikings unit we saw last year.
Houston Texans – Matt Schaub led the league in passing last year, totaling nearly 4,800 yards through the air. With arguably the best wide receiver in the league in Andre Johnson, the Texans boost one of the league’s best aerial attacks. The Texans ranked fourth in yards per game last year and 10th in scoring. This offense does have some room for improvement, as it ranked 30th in rushing. But with Arian Foster getting most of the rushes this year, this team could offer a more balanced attacked.
Honorable Mention: New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals.
You will see that most of these teams have high NFL over under totals posted on their games for week 1, before you go firing in bets on the Overs involving these teams, remember that typically week 1 and week 2 have been heavy under weeks for totals bettors. Wait until week 3 and look for value in the totals before you start playing these teams Over. For winning advice check out the NFL football picks packages Maddux has lined up for visitors of the site.
