2016 NFL Highest-Scoring Team Futures
By Loot, NFL Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
The race for which team will score the most points is an interesting one to follow, though no one really talks about it much and the teams are not really keeping an eye on it, either. At the same time, teams are naturally trying to hit the scoreboard as often as possible, so this is a natural byproduct of offensive success, in addition to having a playmaking defense, which most recent NFL points-scored leaders had.
Being the highest-scoring team usually equates to being good, but doesn't necessarily mean you're a Super Bowl team. The New Orleans Saints, who won Super Bowl glory following the 2009 season, were the last Super Bowl winner to lead the NFL in points scored. And when looking at the top of the list for candidates to lead the league in scoring this year, it reads like a list of Super Bowl favorites to some extent.
Since 2010, the teams to win this award were the New England Patriots in 2010 and 2012, the Green Bay Packers in 2011 and 2014, the Denver Broncos in 2013, and the Carolina Panthers last season. Other than the Broncos, who have turned into more of a defensive-oriented team, all those former winners remain top choices to win the honor this season.
Carolina winning the points-scored race last season also puts into mind the fact that not all teams that lead the league in points-scored are the teams you would figure. Not a lot of people were predicting Carolina to be the highest-scoring team in the league following a season where they were ranked 19th in this category. So it's not always as obvious as one might think. Bettors shouldn't always talk themselves out of making more of a long-shot pick.
We're going to show you our favorite picks with reasons why we're making them, followed by a full list of odds for all NFL teams to lead the league in scoring.
Our Picks for Teams to Lead the NFL in Scoring in 2016
Pittsburgh Steelers (+750): Some pieces have been lost, with Heath Miller retiring, Martavis Bryant serving a one-year suspension, and Le'Veon Bell sitting the first 4 games. And tight end replacement Ladarius Green's status is also shaky entering the new season. The 4th highest-scoring team in 2015 with Big Ben sitting out for four games, the Steelers still have a loaded offense and should put up oodles of points this year.
Green Bay Packers (+800): A lot of their shining stars on offense were either out or compromised in 2015. With more pieces at his disposal and some better health on the O-line, we should a version of the Packers that was closer to their previous form. In 2014, they led the league in points scored and they should be in the thick of it again this season.
New England Patriots (+1000): Tom Brady being out for four games doesn't help their projected point totals, but his understudy Garoppolo should keep a loaded offensive machine rolling. Their receiver crew is stocked with difference-makers and their run-game should be pretty good. Only the Cardinals and the Panthers had more points than the Pats last season.
Seattle Seahawks (+1200): Russell Wilson's performance over the last half of the season is hardly a secret, with normally offensively-struggling Seahawks getting a lot of respect on this board at 12-to-1. Some better projected line play, a stocked pass-catching crew, a suddenly vertically-inclined Wilson, and the continued growth of RB Thomas Rawls should have Seattle in the mix.
Indianapolis Colts (+2000): Andrew Luck has shown he can put up silly numbers in the passing-game. Say what you will about Frank Gore, but we suspect he might not be finished. Some youngsters are due to showcase their wares. This is more of a long-shot pick, so we're tempering our enthusiasm here some. But it's a 20-1 shot that has some upside.
New York Giants (+2500): Another longer shot on the board, the Giants are still in a position to score an ungodly amount of points. They were 6th in scoring last season with not a lot of things going their way in a 6-10 campaign. Some new leadership, a more on-point Manning, some better play up-front, and a receiver crew that looks like one of the best in the league should have the Giants hitting the scoreboard with regularity in 2016.
BET ON WHICH TEAM WILL SCORE THE MOST POINTS IN THE NFL THIS SEASON USING THESE ODDS AT THE WEB'S BEST SPORTSBOOK: 5DIMES
Odds to be the Highest-Scoring Team in the NFL in 2016
Carolina Panthers +750
Pittsburgh Steelers +750
Green Bay Packers +800
Arizona Cardinals +900
New England Patriots +1000
Seattle Seahawks +1200
Cincinnati Bengals +2000
Dallas Cowboys +2000
Indianapolis Colts +2000
New Orleans Saints +2500
New York Giants +2500
Minnesota Vikings +2750
Kansas City Chiefs +2800
Denver Broncos +3500
Atlanta Falcons +4000
Baltimore Ravens +4000
Houston Texans +4000
Buffalo Bills +5000
Jacksonville Jaguars +5000
Oakland Raiders +5000
Washington Redskins +5000
Miami Dolphins +5500
Philadelphia Eagles +5500
New York Jets +6000
Detroit Lions +6600
San Diego Chargers +6600
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +6750
Chicago Bears +10000
San Francisco 49ers +10000
Tennessee Titans +10000
Los Angeles Rams +12500
Cleveland Browns +15000
