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: +6600 (didn’t make playoffs)
NFC South: +1100 (finished third)
Win Total Over/Under: 6.5 (finished 7-9)
Player Props
Jameis Winston: Passing yards 4,300.5 (actual passing yards 5,109)
Jameis Winston: Passing touchdowns 25.5 (actual passing touchdowns 33)
Mike Evans: Receiving yards 1,250.5 (actual receiving yards 1,157)
Mike Evans: Receiving touchdowns 8.5 (actual receiving touchdowns 8)
Chris Godwin: Receiving yards 950.5 (actual receiving yards 1,333)
Chris Godwin: Receiving touchdowns 6.5 (actual receiving touchdowns 9)
O.J. Howard: Receiving yards 825.5 (actual receiving yards 459)
Tampa Bay exceeded expectations in 2019, but those expectations weren’t very high and they barely exceeded them. What we did see happen was a Bruce Arians offense in full passing mode put up big statistics, and unfortunately, big interceptions from Jameis Winston.
Winston ended up becoming the first quarterback to ever throw for 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in a game. That dubious honor kept the Buccaneers from a winning record but it did help Chris Godwin break out and Mike Evans to continue his high level of play. Evans didn’t hit his prop bet thresholds but also missed the last two games of the season with a hamstring injury. Both receivers topped 1,000 yards and are set up for big numbers under Arians for the foreseeable future.
The non-Godwin and Evans players did not put up statistics that you’ll want to frame and put in your study, but running back Ronald Jones didn’t hurt his chances to be the lead back heading into next season. His numbers won’t bowl you over, but he did top 1,000 total yards and caught 31 passes, which isn’t a skill he showed in college. If he can continue to develop as a receiver, he has potential for a strong 2020.
With Godwin and Evans hurting toward the end of the season, we were finally able to see Breshad Perriman put up strong statistics, catching 36 passes for 645 yards and six touchdowns as he topped 100 receiving yards in the last three games. It was a perfect time for Perriman to break out, as he is a free agent this offseason.
The Bucs defense showed life in 2019. They improved against the pass as the season went on and they were consistently the top team against the run. So, there are plenty of positives to take from Arians’ first season as head coach, but the elephant in the room remains Winston.
Winston’s interception troubles are real and they are spectacular. He’s fun to watch if you aren’t a Buccaneers fan or coach, but that’s not a good thing. Wintson is a restricted free agent and the team could franchise tag him and give him another season to prove he can throw under 15 interceptions or they could go after a veteran quarterback like Tom Brady or Phillip Rivers and look at quarterbacks in the draft, but Arians may think he can push Winston in the right direction. The team needs to make the right move, whatever that is.
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