Sleeper Teams to Consider for the 2018 NFL Betting Action

Written by on June 8, 2018

A year ago, the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars not only managed to break into the playoffs in completely unsuspecting fashion, but they both did so emphatically by winning the NFC West and AFC South respectively. With that thought in mind, you should know that each and every season, some team or teams surprises even the most knowledgeable NFL Betting experts. If you’re wondering which teams have the chance to do just that this coming season, then let’s take a look at six sleeper teams that should be on your betting radar for the upcoming season, no matter what the NFL Odds might say.

Sleeper Teams to Consider for the 2018 NFL Betting Action

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins were an awful 6-10 last season under head coach Adam Gase, but the loss of starting quarterback – and super foolish signing of veteran Jay Cutler shortly thereafter – contributed mightily to Miami’s demise in 2017. Now, with Tannehill fully recovered from his ACL tear, the Dolphins could be poised to get back in the playoffs after going 10-6 in 2016 to make the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Miami will need to get a lot right this coming season, but hey, no one saw their playoff berth coming in 2016, so it could happen.

New York Jets

The New York Jets may have gone just 5-11 for the second straight year last season, but they did manage to go 10-6 in head coach Todd Bowles first season back in 2015 and they could be poised for another run to the postseason behind Bowles’ defensive genius and some key offseason additions. The Jets brought in quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to compete with veteran Josh McCown while also adding wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, cornerback Trumaine Johnson and running back Isaiah Crowell among others. A really good season out of either signal-caller combined with what should be an even better defense than it was last season and who knows, New York could be right back in the mix for a playoff berth this coming campaign.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati went 7-9 last season, but they closed out the regular season playing really hard to win their last two games and four of seven games overall while beating the Ravens in Baltimore no less to keep Baltimore out of the playoffs. The Bengals wisely brought back longtime head coach Marvin Lewis after initially saying they would part ways and I believe the Bengals are a good NFL Betting pick if their young players like Joe Mixon and John Ross take a big step forward in 2018.

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders went 6-10 last season after going 12-4 in 2016, so clearly they’ve got some talent on their roster, starting with gifted quarterback Derek Carr. Could the expensive addition of head coach Jon Gruden be enough to put them over the top and get them into the playoffs in the crowded AFC West? It’s definitely a possibility.

New York Giants

Go ahead and laugh if you want, but I’m here to say that there’s a shot that New York could come back in a big way from their disastrous 3-13 campaign from a year ago under widely-respected first-year head coach Pat Shurmur, a revitalized Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. plus super gifted running back Saquon Barkley. The Giants should be on your NFL Betting radar for the 2018 season. If the Giants play any sort of defense this coming season, I’m thinking they could challenge for something better than a .500 record. I’m expecting the G-Men to put more than their fair share of points on the board so, the success or lack thereof for New York will likely lie with how good their defense is.

San Francisco 49ers

By now, everyone knows that the 49ers have never lost a game that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has started! The Niners closed out the 2017 regular season by winning their final five games with Jimmy G starting. Now, heading into the 2018 season under second-year head coach Mike Shanahan, San Francisco is hoping for big things out of their young team and they could very well surprise if Garoppolo plays anywhere close to the way he did last season. Frisco’s defense should be a lot better after another offseason and draft, making them a great NFL Betting pick for this coming season.

Last Season Playoffs Teams

AFC
  • New England Patriots
  • Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Kansas City Chiefs
  • Tennessee Titans
  • Buffalo Bills
NFC
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Minnesota Vikings
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • New Orleans Saints
  • Carolina Panthers
  • Atlanta Falcons