2016 NFL Lowest Scoring Team Futures Bet
By Loot, NFL Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
With NFL Football futures bets, we're usually forced to pick which player or team will be the best or get the most of something. In a futures bet on who will be the lowest scoring team in the NFL in 2016, we are forced to tune in more to the negative, as we try to figure which squad will have the least amount of offensive success this season. It's an interesting bet and one that forces us to take a different approach, as we hone in more on the negative.
At the same time, there's a negative-Nellie in all of us. We're always being forced to pick who will have the most or which team will win or cover the spread. Or which team will have the most of something, whether it be yardage or points or what have you. Some of us have more of a tendency to look at the negative side of life. Some of us have taken such a beating in various areas of life that we're just more adept at identifying something negative.
There are different ways to approach this. There are teams as of right now who are great candidates to be the lowest-scoring team in the NFL. Other teams might not be the best choice at this very moment, but are one bad injury from the team looking completely different. We see the Dallas Cowboys are 100-to-1 to be the lowest-scoring team. And they look like the offense will be really good. But last season, with Romo gone for a large chunk of the season, they scored an anemic 275 points—the second-fewest points in the league behind only the 49ers. If taking a long-shot, it doesn't hurt to pick one where they are really only one bad loss of personnel away from being a bad offensive team.
Teams can turn things around pretty quickly for the most part. Granted, teams like Cleveland and San Fran look like solid contenders once again to score the fewest points. But the 2014 lowest-scoring team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, turned it around last season and ended up mid-pack in this category. In other words, it doesn't hurt to look outside the top group of candidates for a pick.
Here are our picks to score the fewest points in the NFL this season, followed by a full list of odds for all NFL teams.
Our Picks to Score the Fewest Points in the NFL in 2016
Cleveland Browns (+700): Their star on offense might be Gary Barnidge. He's a fine tight end, but it tells you a few things about the star-power on this offense. Having RG3 at quarterback with no discernible run-game and a lack of tools at his disposal doesn't inspire much optimism. With last season a disaster, they are in full-rebuild mode and this offense will need time to get clicking.
Philadelphia Eagles (+2000): The once-booming Philly offense has hit some tough times. Sam Bradford played decently at times last season, but his vibe was infectiously negative—to the fans and maybe even his players. Their run-game could be decent with underrated Ryan Mathews and old hand Darren Sproles. But the aerial crew is filled with more complimentary pieces than a real number-one receiver. And a line already facing a lot of questions isn't any better, especially after T Lane Johnson was suspended for ten games.
Denver Broncos (+3000): A few years ago, they had the league's top-scoring offense with Peyton Manning zinging the rock around to different playmakers. Well, most of those guys are gone and the options aren't great. It looks like retread Mark Sanchez or Trevor Siemian will be their QB, with rookie Paxton Lynch lying in wait if that doesn't go well. The run-game is led by rookie Devontae Booker and injury-prone CJ Anderson. They have a lot of talent at receiver with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, but who will get them the rock on a regular basis? And remember, they didn't exactly score a lot last season, despite winning the Super Bowl. Not bad value at 30-1.
Houston Texans (+3000): There was a certain amount of mojo last season that allowed Houston to succeed and overcome a 2-5 start to end up at 9-7 and in the postseason. This is a team that can either make it work and thrive or they won't fire and struggle. At 30-1, you're going to be rewarded if the latter occurs. Brock Osweiler is now behind center, working with a new RB in Lamar Miller, with top receiver DeAndre Hopkins. They have talent, which is why they're 30-to-1, but if things don't click with all the new pieces, they could struggle.
PLACE YOUR BETS ON WHO WILL BE THE LOWEST SCORING TEAM IN THE NFL THIS SEASON USING THESE ODDS AT THE WEB'S BEST SPORTSBOOK: 5DIMES
Odds for Lowest Scoring NFL Team in 2016
Cleveland Browns +700
Los Angeles Rams +750
Tennessee Titans +850
San Francisco 49ers +1000
Detroit Lions +1150
Chicago Bears +1200
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1400
Philadelphia Eagles +2000
San Diego Chargers +2000
Miami Dolphins +2500
New York Jets +2500
Oakland Raiders +2500
Washington Redskins +2500
Denver Broncos +3000
Houston Texans +3000
Baltimore Ravens +3300
Buffalo Bills +3300
Minnesota Vikings +3350
Jacksonville Jaguars +5000
Kansas City Chiefs +5000
New Orleans Saints +6250
Atlanta Falcons +6600
Cincinnati Bengals +7500
Indianapolis Colts +7500
New York Giants +7500
Dallas Cowboys +10000
Seattle Seahawks +12000
Carolina Panthers +15000
New England Patriots +15000
Pittsburgh Steelers +15000
Arizona Cardinals +17500
Green Bay Packers +17500
