My Official 5 Best Bets for Over/Unders for the 2011 NFL Season

Although I am not a big gambling guy, I am not above placing a wager every now and then just for the thrill of it. Nobody likes to lose and whether its a horse race at some dinky little track in Texas, a dog race in New England or the Super Bowl, there's nothing like winning a few bucks while enjoying a live sporting event.

Almost every team in football has at least one major question mark going into the 2011 season. Are the Jets ready to take the next step and move past the AFC Championship game? How long will Peyton Manning be out?  Will an untested QB sink the Jacksonville Jaguars? Is this the year the Lions put a winning team on the field? Will the Packers stay hungry? 

As I mentioned in my baseball predictions earlier in the year, (which by the way, I am looking at being very much on the mark!) don't bet the rent money on anyone of this.

But if you do take my advice and win, feel free to get back to me in January and share your story of good fortune. And if you lose, remember, remember, the House always wins!

New York Giants Over/Under 9.5 Wins

To me, this sounds too easy.

The Giants have been decimated by injuries thus far. They have major holes in their defense. They let Kevin Boss and Steve Smith walk. Eli Manning threw 25 picks last year. Osi Umenyiora is a royal pain in the butt and also is going to miss time.

This is also a team that has not won a playoff game since Super Bowl XLII.

Is Tom Coughlin's job safe?   

While Big Blue's schedule is relatively soft for the first seven games, look out after Halloween. Games with New England, San Fran, Philly, New Orleans, the Packers and Dallas round out a brutal November/early December.

Even if things go right, it is hard to see this team top out at more than eight wins.

Take the under with relative confidence! 

Houston Texans Over/Under 8.5 Wins

Being stuck in a division with Peyton Manning is tough.

Someday, probably around the time Mariano Rivera retires, the Colts will eventually have to find a new quarterback.

While still recovering from a neck injury, the Colts are going with ageless Kerry Collins. Are you sure Bert Jones isn't available? This is all good news for the Houston Texans.

Every year it seems Gary Kubiak is on the hot seat. This is probably the best chance for the franchise to make their first playoff appearance and actually make some noise in the postseason.

New defensive coordinator Wade Philips will help, as will elite DB's Danieal Manning and Johnathan Joseph.

With a weaker Colts squad, as well as a David Garrard-less Jaguars team, the Texans are destined for at least nine wins.

Take the over with a decent amount of confidence

Cincinnati Bengals Over/Under 5.5 Wins

Perhaps Carson Palmer had the right idea. Even with the subtraction of Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens, he still wanted nothing to do with this team.

Hard to believe that this team went to the playoffs not that long ago.

I'm not really sure what there is to look forward to. Perhaps No. 1 pick A.J. Green, perhaps Carlos Dunlap. Maybe the team can bring back Ickey Woods and look back at the good old days.

The Bengals are going to be easy picking for a majority of their opponents. It seems like a lot would have to fall into place for this team to exceed five wins.

Take the under and run with it!

Philadelphia Eagles Over/Under 10.5 Wins

I'm going to start off by saying I really like the Eagles chances this year. Andy Reid is probably feeling good.

My concern is that everything rides on the shoulders of Michael Vick. If he stays healthy, the sky is the limit.

While all teams are in trouble if their QB goes down, I don't think there is anyone in Philly who can have any confidence in Vince Young if anything happens to Vick.

Young is a bum! Plain and simple. He quit in Tennessee and if he wasn't a No. 1 draft pick out of Texas, he'd probably be pumping gas somewhere in Austin.

This team will be excellent, but getting to 11 wins might be tough.

Take the under with a few reservations.

Oakland Raiders Over/Under 6.5 Wins

At first glance, the Raiders are not an elite team. But they are also not awful either, and the parity in the NFL is to their advantage.

Not a Jason Campbell fan, but he's also not as bad as he's made out to be.

Having Darren McFadden in your backfield helps, and I really like the addition of TE Kevin Boss, formerly of the Giants.

There are some definite winnable games on the schedule, (Buffalo, Denver twice, Cleveland, Miami) and the Raiders could easily have four wins by the time their Bye Week rolls around on October 30.

It seems like a no-brainer to go ahead with taking the over.