NFL QB Props - Jay Cutler vs. The Field

NFL Football Futures Betting

JAY CUTLER VS. THE FIELD

Mike Shanahan liked Jay Cutler better than any other quarterback in the 2006 draft, which is why the former Vanderbilt signal-caller went to the Denver Broncos with the 11th overall pick that year. During that rookie season, Shanahan decided to give Cutler the keys to the offense, and it gave him a running start on a 2007 campaign that saw him throw for 3497 yards. Last season was the best of his brief career, as he threw for 25 TD passes and 4526 yards, and was rewarded with a Pro Bowl appearance for his efforts.

Then the Broncos fired Shanahan, and replaced him with Josh McDaniels, who was considering putting him into a trade with either Detroit or Tampa Bay. When Cutler got wind of it, he was upset, and further meetings with McDaniels and Denver owner Pat Bowlen exacerbated the situation. Finally, Cutler demanded a trade, and was sent to the Chicago Bears. So here he is.

That having been said, let's do some comparisons, as they relate to propositions in the BetUS NFL Futures betting odds:

CUTLER VS ROMO

Jay Cutler ~ Bears +3½ TD Passes -120
Tony Romo ~ Cowboys -3½ TD Passes -120

There is no doubt that Cutler is going to spice up the Bears' offense, and he will no doubt find some people and make them better receivers, but what he has to work with in Chicago might be less accomplished than what Romo has in Dallas, even as the Cowboys lost Terrell Owens. Then again, it might not be. Cutler has a tight end (Greg Olson) that will be a main target like Romo does (Jason Witten). If Roy Williams doesn't come up big for Romo, there could be trouble in that Dallas air attack. Last year these guys were only one touchdown apart, but of course Cutler no longer has Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal to throw to. Instead he has Devin Hester, who had better learn his routes. ROMO (-3.5, -120)

CUTLER VS RYAN

Jay Cutler ~ Bears -3 TD Passes -120
Matt Ryan ~ Falcons +3 TD Passes -120

It is reasonable to believe that Matt Ryan's numbers, which weren't bad last season, will improve this year, as he gets to know Roddy White better and adds Tony Gonzalez to the lineup at tight end. I could see a jump to the 22-25 touchdown range, although the Falcons' offense will likely be centered around running the ball with Michael Turner. Cutler's numbers, you must remember, jumped over a thousand yards from one season to the next, and he will have to get better receivers in Chicago, so we don't think it's a stretch to take a chance with Ryan, who has two of the best at their respective positions. RYAN (+3, -120)

CUTLER VS WARNER

Jay Cutler ~ Bears +3½ TD Passes -120
Kurt Warner ~ Cardinals -3½ TD Passes -120

I'm really not sure this is much of a contest. On the one hand, Cutler is working with Devin Hester, Earl Bennett and Rashied Davis at wide receiver, while Warner has wideouts like Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston to throw to. While Cutler is going to have to negotiate cold weather and wind in the latter part of the season, that's not really going to be a problem for Warner. The only thing that can bring Cutler closer in this category, from what I can see, is an injury to Warner. WARNER (-3.5, -120)