We’re breaking the mold on the Power Rankings here at GetMoreSports this season. No longer will they just be arbitrary, based on gut feelings and observations. Instead, we’ll factor in actual science. At least, as scientific as the weekly point spreads get.
1. Minnesota Vikings (2017 ATS: 11-4-1): While the Vikings didn’t make the Super Bowl, they won betters plenty of money last year. The big changes on this year’s team are on offense, with the addition of Kirk Cousins at quarterback and the return of Dalvin Cook at running back.
2. New England Patriots (2017 ATS: 11-5): The defending AFC Champs were once again one of the best bets in the league in 2017. This might be the end of the road for the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick team-up. They’ve made people a lot of money, betting for and against, over the last decade and a half. Make the most of it.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (2017 ATS: 10-6): The only reason the Eagles didn’t finish higher is the absence of Carson Wentz over the last couple of weeks of the season. This year it will be just the opposite as Nick Foles will likely start the first two games of the 2018 season, if not more as Wentz recovers from a late-season knee injury.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (2017 ATS: 10-6): The Chiefs did most of this damage early in the 2017 season when they sprinted out to a 5-0 start and looked like the best team in the league. That evaporated in October. It may disappear significantly faster this season with second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes under center.
5. Buffalo Bills (2017 ATS: 9-6-1): Not only did the Bills outperform their roster last season in making the playoffs, they blew past 27 other NFL teams against the spread. Do not expect a repeat.
6. Los Angeles Rams (2017 ATS: 9-7): The Rams’ record outperformed their spread performance by two games. This season, Los Angeles looks to be favored in more match-ups and, if they’re playing for homefield advantage at the end of the season, won’t be sitting starters in Week 17.
7. Carolina Panthers (2017 ATS: 9-7): Everyone ignored the Panthers last season until December when they nearly won the NFC South. Another year, another invisible Carolina team that will make a push to the playoffs.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (2017 ATS: 9-7): The Jaguars were a quarter away from a Super Bowl appearance last season. If they don’t make the postseason this year, and I don’t think they will, it just shows how you can’t squander those opportunities.
9. San Francisco 49ers (2017 ATS: 9-7): The 49ers rivaled the Los Angeles Chargers this year as NFL offseason champions. They’ll be significantly better with Jimmy Garoppolo starting from Week 1, but don’t expect a miracle. There are plenty of holes on this squad.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (2017 ATS: 9-7): As Bengals’ fans excitedly awaited their new head coach at the end of last season, I predicted on this very site that Marvin Lewis would return to lead the Bengals in 2018. Sometimes being right can be a real bummer.
11. New York Jets (2017 ATS: 8-6-2): In spite of a 5-11 finish, the Jets were a surprisingly good bet last season under Todd Bowles, who should have been considered for Coach of the Year. He’ll have a rookie quarterback this season, so don’t expect these numbers to improve. It might just pay off, though, in 2019.
12. Chicago Bears (2017 ATS: 8-6-2): The Bears have jumped up plenty of standard Power Rankings with the addition of Khalil Mack to their defensive front. Mack’s talent, like Aaron Donald, can be quantified in wins; specifically two. This team could flirt with an 8-8 this season.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (2017 ATS: 8-6-2): Another offseason, another offseason championship for the Chargers. I’ll believe it will translate into real victories when I see it.
14. Tennessee Titans (2017 ATS: 8-7-1): The Titans fired Mike Mularkey and instantly improved the team. I don’t like Mike Vrabel as a hire, but I love his offensive and defensive coordinator additions and this team is stacked with talent.
15. Detroit Lions (2017 ATS: 8-7-1): After a past sexual assault accusation came to light for new head coach Matt Patricia, the Lions have made very little news. I’m sure that’s just the way he likes it. Unfortunately, I think that will continue into the regular season where no news is bad news.
16. Dallas Cowboys (2017 ATS: 8-7-1): Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott will play together all season, barring injury. Expect that to matter come December.
17. Baltimore Ravens (2017 ATS: 8-7-1): Joe Flacco is one of the three best postseason quarterbacks of his generation. He’s just never been able to deliver those kinds of performances consistently in the regular season. Perhaps he can find that mojo this year with Lamar Jackson breathing down his neck.
18. New Orleans Saints (2017 ATS: 8-8): Plenty of people are picking the Saints to make the Super Bowl. I’m not even expecting them to make the playoffs.
19. Indianapolis Colts (2017 ATS: 8-8): Andrew Luck is basically “Jaws” at this point. Nobody knows when he’ll appear and wreak havoc, but the fin is in the water and the music is playing.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (2017 ATS: 7-9): The Steelers were likely favored in 90 percent of their games last season and still were under .500 against the spread. Keep that in mind when betting on the Steelers this season.
21. Atlanta Falcons (2017 ATS: 7-9): Steve Sarkisian kept his job as offensive coordinator when he should have been fired the minute the Falcons were booted from the playoffs. We’ll see if he’s learned how to coach an offense in the six months since. The preseason hasn’t looked promising.
22. Houston Texans (2017 ATS: 7-9): Before we all get too excited about Deshaun Watson returning, let’s not forget that Bill O’Brien still coaches this team.
23. Green Bay Packers (2017 ATS: 7-9): Before we all get too excited about Aaron Rodgers returning, let’s not forget that Mike McCarthy still coaches this team.
24. New York Giants (2017 ATS: 7-9): Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley could be a deadly combination. Like Joe Flacco, nobody wants to face off against Eli in the playoffs. This offensive group has the talent to get there.
25. Washington Redskins (2017 ATS: 7-9): I would make the same joke about Alex Smith as I did with Deshaun Watson and Aaron Rodgers, but, really, no one is ever excited about Smith. It’s a shame, because he’ll be good in Washington even if the team isn’t.
26. Seattle Seahawks (2017 ATS: 6-9-1): Earl Thomas still hasn’t reported and likely won’t. Don’t be surprised to see him traded before the week is over. Reportedly, the Dallas Cowboys have offered a third rounder and the Seahawks want a second.
27. Arizona Cardinals (2017 ATS: 6-9-1): How well the Cardinals do this season will all come down to the health of Sam Bradford. If he plays 16 games, they’ll be in the playoff hunt right down to the final week of the season.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017 ATS: 6-9-1): Speaking of the end of the season, if Dirk Koetter is still coaching the Bucs in December I’ll eat my hat. And I’m not even wearing a hat.
29. Oakland Raiders (2017 ATS: 5-9-2): In one week, the Raiders have traded away their best player in Khalil Mack and cut Martavis Bryant, a guy they traded a third round pick for back in April. Not the start any of us expected, Jon Gruden.
30. Miami Dolphins (2017 ATS: 5-9-2): Ryan Tannehill is the best quarterback no one is talking about right now. His biggest problem this season is that the team has traded away his top offensive weapons.
31. Denver Broncos (2017 ATS: 4-11-1): Is Case Keenum the guy? The Broncos better hope so because the Raiders dealing Mack has opened up this entire division.
32. Cleveland Browns (2017 ATS: 4-12): Straight up? Against the spread? None of it matters. The Browns are the worst.
