Clowney trade makes Seahawks' win total an attractive bet

The Houston Texans settled their holdout situation with former first-round pick Jadeveon Clowney over the weekend by trading him to the Seattle Seahawks. The Pro Bowl defensive end signed his franchise tender immediately following the trade, which made him eligible for Week 1.

Seattle surrendered linebackers Barkevious Mingo and Jacob Martin, along with a 2020 third-round draft pick, to acquire Clowney. This addition makes Seattle an interesting contender in the NFC. Let's take a peek at the projected win total and how Clowney should affect your wager.

Seattle Seahawks regular season win total: 8.5

The addition of Clowney is drawing some buzz, but not enough in my opinion. The biggest reason this addition could spring an awakening in Clowney is that Seattle runs a 4-3 defense, compared to the 3-4 in Houston. This will allow the defensive end to return to his college roots at South Carolina, where he earned his way to the No. 1 selection in the 2014 NFL Draft.

"Coming out of college it was very, very different for me, coming from a 4-3 to a 3-4," Clowney recently told the Seattle Times. "Now that I’m here I just know for a fact that I’m going forward. So I can put on as much weight as I want and get going."

Last season the Seahawks defense ranked 17th in passing yards allowed and near the bottom of the league in rushing yards allowed per attempt (30th). Clowney makes a massive difference in both areas by causing havoc in the backfield. With improvements in these two areas, the No. 1 rushing offense in the league from 2018 will become even better at controlling the game.

But the schedule is treacherous for the Seahawks, which is likely the reason this win total is only 8.5 following a 10-6 season in 2018. However, with the addition of Clowney and a solid rushing attack, the team may be able to pull off some tough road victories and get to nine or 10 wins this season. I am taking the Over and feel solid about it.

Free pick: Over 8.5 (-130)

Other NFL win totals you can't afford to miss

1) Baltimore Ravens Over 8.5 (+110)

The Ravens offensive revolution is real. The Oklahoma Sooners of the NFL will show out this season, with a more balanced, spread offense and quarterback Lamar Jackson will prove to be a legit passer. I predict 11 wins.

2) Carolina Panthers Over 8 (-125)

This wager is dependent on a healthy Cam Newton, but I am a believer. Newton will be able to spread the field more with D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel running all types of routes needed to get open. I predict a 10-win season and a NFC South title.

3) Chicago Bears Over 9.5 (+120)

Considering the Bears are my Super Bowl team, this wager is a no-brainer for me.  The balance of this team, with the addition of David Montgomery, should lead to a 12-win season.

4) Jacksonville Jaguars Over 8 (-110)

The AFC South is a mess right now, and this defense will be a consistent force. The addition of Josh Allen (my pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year) will put this defense back on 2017 terms. Expect quarterback Nick Foles to lead the Jags to 11 wins this year.

5) Los Angeles Chargers Under 9.5 (+130)

I needed to pick at least one Under, and it was between the Chargers, Bengals and Redskins. I just do not see how the Chargers can be without Melvin Gordon, Russell Okung and Derwin James and reach double-digit victories.

---

Bet any team to win the NFL title and get up to $200 bonus for every game your team wins.