Preseason odds for NFL teams is a good way to look back to see expectations for the season and start to understand where things went wrong or right. Below, we will take a look at DraftKings Sportsbook’s preseason odds for win totals, division titles, player props and more while we discuss what led to their triumphs or disappointments.
Team Futures
Super Bowl: +900 (lost in Wild Card round)
NFC South: - 167 (Won division)
Win Total Over/Under: 10.5 (finished with 13 wins)
Player Props
Drew Brees: Passing touchdowns 30.5 (actual passing touchdowns 27)
Drew Brees: Passing yards 4,200.5 (actual passing yards 2,979)
Michael Thomas: Receiving yards 1,250.5 (actual receiving yards 1,725)
Michael Thomas: Receiving touchdowns 9 (actual receiving touchdowns 9)
Alvin Kamara: rushing touchdowns 11.5 (actual rushing touchdowns 5)
Alvin Kamara: Rushing yards 1,000.5 (actual rushing yards 797)
Alvin Kamara: Receiving yards 700.5 (actual receiving yards 533)
Alvin Kamara: Rushing & receiving yards 1675.5 (actual rushing & receiving yards 1,330)
Jared Cook: Receiving yards 700.5 (actual receiving yards 705)
Jared Cook: Receiving touchdowns 5.5 (actual receiving touchdowns 9)
The Saints came into the season favored to win the NFC South and as one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl. They met those high expectations for the most part, but were upset in the playoffs by the Vikings. Going 13-3 after losing Drew Brees for five games was a testament to their depth and coaching.
Besides losing Brees, Alvin Kamara suffered a high-ankle sprain, missing a couple games and not really coming back into form until the end of the season. As you can see from the preseason prop bets, Kamara did not live up to his projections. Still, totaling 1,330 yards in a down year is pretty remarkable.
Brees almost hit his touchdown prop despite missing those five games. His 27 touchdown passes in 11 games was his best per game average since 2016. He may not be as astounding as his usual now that he’s 41 but, all he needs is an offensive line to continue playing much better than the average Joe Quarterback in the NFL. The Saints would be smart to pay him.
Michael Thomas broke Marvin Harrison’s receptions record by a large margin, as he caught 149 passes this season. His huge number probably isn’t what the Saints want, because Thomas is the only wide receiver on the team who can consistently get open and make play after play. Jared Cook helped, as he beat expectations in his first year as a Saint, but they should add a wide receiver or two this offseason.
There isn’t much you can fault the Saints for this season. They played strong defense and offense and won 13 games. Their trouble in the playoffs is troubling, but their loss to the Vikings was, in part, due to Minnesota’s defensive line controlling the Saints offensive line and you can’t really say the Saints need a big upgrade up front.
As long as Sean Payton and Drew Brees are there in 2020, they will again be favored to win the South and go deep in the playoffs. A healthy Kamara, Thomas and Cook with some additional depth at receiver should keep them on the right track.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA) or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN) or 1-800-522-4700 (NH). NH/NJ/WV/IN/PA only. 21+ (18+ NH). Eligibility Restrictions Apply. See website for details.