And we're not talking only in terms of grabbing the Lombardi Trophy or oversized rings here. NFL drama between February and training camp can directly affect a team's performance against the spread, total and moneyline. 

When the New England Patriots gave quarterback Tom Brady receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker, the Pats became a bettor's sugar daddy for the first eight weeks of the season, smoking the spread 8-0 while going 7-1 versus the total.

On the negative side, the Baltimore Ravens failed to inject any youth into their team last offseason and their ATS record plummeted from 10-6 in 2006 to 3-13 in 2007.

Since you've probably been busy watching NBA and MLB highlights the past few months, Bodog Nation breaks down the moves that will have the biggest impact on your bottom line:

Jacksonville Jaguars

Cause: The Jaguars have lost WRs Jerry Porter and Reggie Williams to injury and WR Matt Jones to the yeyo.

Effect: The Jaguars' offense will regress in 2008. So will their ATS record.

The argument could be made that Jags QB David Garrard didn't have a WR last year, but unfortunately, his choices this year are even worse.

Just days ago, the Jags lost their leading TD receiver, Williams, to a knee sprain. Couple that with Porter's recent hamstring tear and Jones' probable suspension for getting caught powdering his nose like Tony Montana, and Garrard is left with one bust (2005's seventh pick overall Troy Williamson) and one old man (Dennis Northcutt) to throw to.

The Jags were 11-5 ATS last year, but with such a poor receiving core will likely regress to their 2006-07 record (8-8 ATS).

Indianapolis Colts

Cause: Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison are recovering from surgery.

Effect: The usually profitable Indianapolis Colts will be an inconsistent wager.

The Colts' high-powered offense has always made them a solid weekly choice ATS, but with the offense's engine, Manning, sitting out training camp and Harrison still recovering from last year's knee injury, it's hard to have any confidence in them as a wager to start the season. The Colts were without Harrison last year for 12 games and went 6-6 ATS. Imagine how they'll do without Manning and Harrison.

Washington Redskins

Cause: The Redskins traded their second-round pick in 2009 and sixth-round pick in 2010 for six-time Pro Bowler Jason Taylor.

Effect: A good defense becomes great. A bad wager becomes good.

Washington already had a top 10 defense last year and the addition of a star end like Taylor should propel them into the top five. The 'Skins struggled ATS early in the 2007-08 season but their defense stepped up down the stretch, winning their last four in a row by holding opponents to 13.3 points per game. As long as their offense doesn't regress, their D should help their solid finish carry over to the 2008-09 season.

Tennessee Titans

Cause: The Titans fired offensive coordinator Norm Chow and hired OC Mike Heimerdinger. Also, they signed Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler.

Effect: The Titans will score more touchdowns which will boost their ATS performances.

Tennessee was carried by their top five defense in the 2007-08 season, going 8-8 ATS overall. In the offseason, they focused on bringing more TDs to the offense by bringing back Heimerdinger, the OC from Steve McNair's MVP season, and Michael Vick's former safety valve, Alge Crumpler, to be Vince Young's endzone target.

Regardless of Young's progress this year, it was evident that Chow's offense was too "dink and dunk" to fit in with Young's run-and-gun style. Heimerdinger's history with "Air" McNair makes him a better fit. He will improve their redzone ratio, thus, making them a better wager.

Cleveland Browns

Cause: The Browns traded for defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams.

Effect: The Browns will no longer be matadors versus the run, maintaining their status as a great bet.

Sitting at 26 against the run, the Browns made it their mission to grab space eaters in free agency to put in their 3-4 defense. Enter Rogers and Williams, over 720 pounds of (potential) Pro Bowl beef. The Titans proved in the 2007-08 season how much DTs can affect a defense, jumping from last place to fifth overall behind healthy DT Albert Haynesworth. If the tackles can make a dent in a D that gave up a third-worst 359.6 total yards, the Browns could match 2007's surprising ATS record (12-4 ATS) even if opponents are better prepared to handle their high-powered offense.

Seattle Seahawks

Cause: The Seahawks sign running back Julius Jones to replace Shaun Alexander.

Effect: A balanced offense makes the 2008-09 Seahawks a more consistent wager.

With Alexander sleepwalking through the 2007-08 season, head coach Mike Holmgren decided to call plays like he was playing Madden. Although their newfound gunslinging made them a pretty good wager down the stretch, their stagnant running game gave them a 3-4 start ATS and put them in dogfights with less talented squads like Arizona, Cincinnati, New Orleans and Atlanta.

The addition of Jones, along with continued contributions from Maurice Morris on the ground, should give them the balance they need to avoid any big upsets.   

Dallas Cowboys

Cause: The Cowboys signed troubled cornerback/returner Adam "Pacman" Jones

Effect: Whatever bloated line the Cowboys get, Pacman could still put them over the top.

Expect the Cowboys to get a little 2007 Patriots treatment from oddsmakers this year. They have playmakers on offense, defense and special teams; and everyone, down to the casual fan that watches the Super Bowl for the commercials, knows it.

Regardless, if Pacman can return to 2006-07 form, the Cowboys will still crush the odds. With the Titans Jones averaged more return yards than heralded KR/PR Devin Hester, scoring three return TDs while shutting down his side of the field at corner. If he has Hester-like impact on special teams alone, the Cowboys will be an unstoppable wager.

San Francisco 49ers

Cause: The 49ers sign heralded OC Mike Martz.

Effect: The Niners went 5-11 ATS with absolutely no offense. If Martz improves them by a TD, they'll at least go .500.

If you want to find out the kind of impact Martz can have on a struggling offense, check out what he did his one year in Detroit.

The Lions started 2006 with 3-5 ATS and averaged 20.3 points per game. Under Martz in 2007, they put up 25 per game and opened 5-3-1 ATS (6-2 straight up). Martz has shown that he can make chicken salad out of chicken shit, and with a young, talented defense ready to take off, oddsmakers will likely be caught off guard by their performances early on.

Can't wait for the NFL season to start? Bet on NFL football futures today!

 

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