The NFL has set up camp.
The league has been resolute throughout the coronavirus pandemic about keeping its sport on track. Quarantines forced the NFL Draft to be held virtually, but everything stayed on schedule. And the offseason is following the same path, with NFL training camp now underway for all 32 teams. The “gradual ramp-up period” of the NFL’s phased return schedule begins Aug. 12.
While other sports have had their seasons disrupted by the coronavirus, the NFL is striving for something near normal. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles have reported for training camp. They got physicals and equipment on Aug. 1-2. That was followed by an eight-day period focusing on strength, conditioning and noncontact walk-through sessions.
And now, actual football begins. No one can be certain what lies ahead for any sport, but the NFL is marching forward and keeping stride. Let’s take a look at some NFL futures for the Steelers and Eagles to get you ready for the season.
Big Ben is favorite for NFL Comeback Player of the Year
The Steelers’ season went into a tailspin last year when starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger injured his elbow and was lost for the season. But oddsmakers expect Big Ben to rebound this year, installing Roethlisberger as the favorite for the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year at +300.
Cam Newton, who recently signed with the New England Patriots, is next at +400. Alex Smith (+600) and Matthew Stafford (+800) follow him. Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson is also on the board at +3300.
Steelers and Eagles have season win total set at 9 games
BetRivers Sports, PlaySugarHouse and DraftKings Sportsbook have set the over/under for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadephia Eagles season win total at the same mark — nine games.
Each team must play at least 16 games in the NFL season for that bet to be valid. You can wager on whether or not the teams will make the playoffs and which place they will finish in the division. There is also pricing available on each team winning the division, conference and Super Bowl. Those odds at FanDuel Sportsbook PA are as follows:
Philadelphia Eagles:
To win the NFC East: +140
NFC championship winner: +1000
To win the Super Bowl: +1900
Pittsburgh Steelers:
To win the AFC North: +340
AFC championship winner: +1200
To win the Super Bowl: +2400
Futures bets are available on season yardage totals
If you prefer to bet on an individual player, PA sportsbooks have plenty of options for that too. Totals have been posted for passing, rushing and receiving stats for players all across the league, including some Eagles and Steelers. Here’s a quick rundown of some of those numbers, provided by DraftKings:
Ben Roethlisberger:
Passing Yardage Total: Over/Under 3800.5
Passing TD Total: Over/Under 25.5
Carson Wentz:
Passing Yardage Total: Over/Under 3900.5
Passing TD Total: Over/Under 27.5
James Conner:
Rushing Yardage Total: Over/Under 775.5
Miles Sanders:
Rushing Yardage Total: Over/Under 1,000.5
Juju Smith-Schuster:
Receiving Yardage Total: Over/Under 1100.5
Zach Ertz:
Receiving Yardage Total: Over/Under 850.5
Week One Steelers and Eagles bets are live
Players can also wager on Week One of the NFL season, which is currently set for Sept. 13. The Philadelphia Eagles are 6.5-point favorites in their opener on the road at Washington. The game’s total is set at 44.5 points.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 4-point favorites in a Monday night road game at the New York Giants. That game has an over/under of 47.5 points.
FanDuel and DraftKings have daily fantasy satellite contests available that can qualify you for Week One NFL action. They also have some Week One contests now open.
Of course, all that assumes the NFL’s opening week stays intact. But right now, things are going as planned.
Training camps are open. The players have arrived.
And actual football will begin soon.
