Sunday, August 20, 2006

Last year the Indianapolis Colts won more regular season games than any other team in the NFL with a 14-2 record. Although they failed yet again to win the big prize and despite the off-season loss of running back Edgerrin James to free agency, Sportsbook.com odds makers still believe the Colts should lead the league again, setting their over/under odds for total wins this season at 11.5, the most for any team. Seattle, the NFC Champion is given the next highest over/under for total wins, along with New England, at 10.5. They are followed by three teams listed at 10 wins, including the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina and Denver. The lowest over/under of five wins belongs to the once mighty and revered San Francisco 49ers. Last year the 49ers finished with a pathetic 4-12 record, but they were not alone. The team across the Bay in Oakland also had just four wins as did Green Bay, the New York Jets and Tennessee. Last year's bottom feeders, the Houston Texans, who managed only two wins in 2005, have their over/under for total wins this season set at 5.5 games.

Along with Houston, the teams expected to make the biggest improvement by the odds makers are the Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints. Two big-time running backs might be the reason behind the optimism in those cities, with the aforementioned James signing with the Cardinals this summer and the Saints bolstering their attack with highly touted rookie Reggie Bush.

"Everybody bets on the NFL and betting on total wins has always been one of the most popular pre-season bets for Sportsbook.com users," said Alex Czajkowski, Sportsbook.com. "Every team and every fan has a sense of optimism and hope heading into the season. Everyone looks good when their record is 0-0."