NFL teams are always evolving – at least that’s the plan. One season, a club can be known for its deep passing attack. And the next, they’re a defensive stalwart. Week 1 of the NFL debuted a few new-look schemes, which can be very profitable to football bettors if they can wager accordingly before the market reacts.
Here are three big facelifts you should know about heading into Week 2:
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta’s reconstruction started with the firing of Mike Smith and the hiring of former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as head coach. Quinn brings with him a Super Bowl-winning blueprint and we saw that same Seattle-like aggressiveness in the Falcons during their Week 1 win over Philadelphia.
Atlanta hit Sam Bradford on eight dropbacks and picked off two passes – a far cry from the team that allowed an NFL-worst 398.2 yards per game last season.
This week: +2.5 at N.Y. Giants
St. Louis Rams
The backbone of the Rams is their defense, which was in top form in a stunning upset over the Seahawks in Week 1. But the offense played a huge role in that victory, stinging the daunting Seattle defense with six pass of 20 yards or more – something unheard of from both the Seahawks secondary and St. Louis’ offense. The Rams totaled 276 yards through the air after averaging just over 212 passing yards per game in 2014.
This teams could be a sleeper Super Bowl contender if the offense can match the defense, especially with Tre Mason and Todd Gurley as a potential backfield complementing the budding passing game.
This week: -3.5 at Washington
Buffalo Bills
From top to bottom, the Bills have possibly the most talented roster in the NFL. They proved it with an upset over the Colts at home in Week 1. Buffalo wasn’t shy about its game plan, starting dual-threat QB Tyrod Taylor and bringing in dynamic RB LeSean McCoy from Philadelphia.
The Bills rushed the ball on 65.45 percent of their plays in Week 1 – an about face from the 39.41 percent frequency from 2014 – and rumbled for 147 yards on the ground.
The defense also looked different, with new head coach Rex Ryan injecting them with his unique brand of swagger. They sacked Andrew Luck three times and intercepted two of his passes, one in the end zone.
This week: +1 vs. New England