NFL Elite Eleven (Preseason Edition)
Finally, finally the NFL season arrived last week and things are off to an exciting start. Patriots over the Bengals?? Is Sam Darnold looking like a star in the Meadowlands? Try and figure out this crazy league. Let’s take a dive into the top 11 teams heading into Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season.
NFL Elite Eleven (Preseason Edition)
#11. Chicago Bears 1-0 (+3500) - A lot of people had the Bears on their list of upstart teams for 2024. Most didn’t expect the defense to be the reason why they would win games. The Bears' defense brought the team all the way back from an early deficit and survived a very modest performance by #1 pick Caleb Williams and the offense. The Bears' offense will need to be more effective this week when they travel to Houston.
#10. LA Rams 0-1 (+3500) - The Rams may have lost the opener but they opened eyes with their ability to slow down a potent Lions’ offensive attack. WR Puka Nacua was a casualty, lost for three weeks with a knee injury, but Cooper Kupp looks to be in fine form. The Rams get Arizona at home this week.
#9. Baltimore Ravens 0-1 (+1200) - The Ravens lost a heartbreak to the Chiefs on Thursday by a toe, literally. Eyes were opened by the play of TE Isaiah Likely but the Ravens will need to establish a ground attack going forward. They should pick up a fairly easy win over Las Vegas at home this week.
#8. Miami Dolphins 1-0 (+2000) - The Dolphins survived a rough pregame and a rough start to pull out a last second 20-17 win over the Jaguars at home. They now get set for the Buffalo Bills in what will be a huge game for their psyche after going 0-2 against the Bills last season.
#7. Buffalo Bills 1-0 (+1500) - The Bills started slowly and trailed 17-3 but then they remembered they have Josh Allen. Allen ran for two scores and threw for two others while spreading the ball around to nine different receivers in the 34-28 win over Arizona. The Bills' defense started slowly but held Kyler Murray under 200 yards passing.
#6. Philadelphia Eagles 1-0 (+1000) - The Eagles rode the legs of Saquon Barkley and timely passing from Jalen Hurts for an opening win in Brazil over the Packers. Still, there have to be some concerns over Hurts decision-making after a few poor throws, particularly in the red zone. They have a tough home test against what will be an angry Atlanta team on Sunday.
#5. Dallas Cowboys 1-0 (+1500) - The Cowboys were road dogs in the opener against the Cleveland Browns one year after being dominated by them in the same stadium. New year, new result. The Cowboys’ defense was dominant and the offense did enough to pull away for an easy win. This week the Cowboys return home against the 1-0 Saints.
#4. Houston Texans (+1300) - The Texans continued their recent dominance over the Colts with a win in Indy on Sunday. Welcome to Houston, Joe Mixon. Mixon dominated this game and if this offense gets a consistent ground game…uh oh. They get the Bears at home this week.
#3. Detroit Lions 1-0 (+1000) - The Lions did what good teams do on Sunday night, win an ugly game. The Rams defense slowed down their attack but the Lions did what they had to do late, scoring to tie the game near the end of regulation and then going the length of the field to win it in overtime. Next up is a playoff rematch with Tampa Bay at home.
#2. San Francisco 49ers 1-0 (+550) - No Christian McCaffrey, no problem. Backup Jordan Mason was plugged in and ran for over 100 yards and a score. The 49ers defense limited Aaron Rodgers and the Jets attack and the team dominated time of possession. The Niners look like a team with a chip on its shoulder. They travel to Minnesota this week.
#1. Kansas City Chiefs 1-0 (+475) - The champs survived a spirited effort from the Ravens on Thursday night. Quarterback Mahomes got to show off one of his new toys, rookie wideout Xavier Worthy. They now get a matchup with an angry Bengals team at home this week.
Game of the Week: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins (-2.5)
This game feels bigger for the Dolphins than it does for the Bills. They have the game at home, and with that comes the advantage of the heat and humidity. They were 0-2 against the Bills last season so revenge should be on their mind. Finally, the Dolphins should have the advantage in the passing game against a Bills’ secondary that is revamped this season. If they can’t take down the Bills in this one, then when?
*All odds courtesy of Draftkings.com
By Mark Ruelle
