NFL Betting: AFC Future Odds & Predictions

Can the Patriots run away with the AFC Championship once again?

It is hard to believe but baseball is at its midway point and NFL training camps will be open for business shortly. Let's get a jump start on the current NFL odds in the AFC.

New England Patriots - (+310)

And why shouldn't the Super Bowl runner ups be favored to win the conference? They have most of the pieces in place from last season's championship run and certainly have more depth at wide receiver. The Pats have augmented their receiving corps with the sole purpose of stretching the field. They have Welker, Gronkowski and Hernandez who are expert at catching Brady's flares but their inability to strike downtown was exposed in the Super Bowl when the Giants locked up the box on 3^rd down and dared Brady to go long. He couldn't because his receivers were unable to gain separation down the sidelines.

This season the Patriots have released Ochocinco who was seemingly lost in Belichick's game plan and added big free agent prize Brandon Lloyd as well as Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth as they welcome back Wes Welker (currently under the franchise tag) and Deion Branch. Certainly an upgrade over last season and they have drafted a pair of 1^st round defensive players in Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower who could make an immediate impact by rushing the quarterback and taking the pressure off a secondary that was continually torched last season.

Houston Texans +550

If repeating as AFC South champions is not a cakewalk for the Texans then I fear these odds of winning the AFC are way out of whack. The Texans have the luxury of playing in a woeful division as the Jaguars and Colts should be at least four notches in the win column with the only divisional test coming from the Titans.

If quarterback Matt Schaub returns in good health then the Texans are once again loaded with the best running back in the league Arian Foster at the ready to chew up ground and the freakishly athletic Andre Johnson devastating secondaries all across the league. However, the defense did take a hit with the departures of Mario Williams and to a lesser extent DeMeco Ryans. Nevertheless, the Texans should have an easy path to the postseason and are a threat to win the AFC.

Denver Broncos +650

Should the Broncos really be the third choice to win the conference? Yes they have Peyton Manning but which version are they getting? He has not thrown a pass in anger in over a year and he's a middle aged guy now. And it's not like he has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal in terms of receivers. Outside of Demaryius Thomas, Manning is looking at short range targets. 

Defense is good and they have an absolute stud in Von Miller while Elvis Dumervil will bring the heat but Champ Bailey is another year older and there are some holes to plug in the secondary and at linebacker. The Broncos not only have to crack heads with a talented but underachieving Chargers squad but the Chiefs should be improved over last season and the Raiders. If that's not enough they will also meet the Steelers, Falcons, Texans, Patriots, Saints, and Ravens. I guess the NFL schedule makers forgot to give them the Packers and the 49'ers. Brutal schedule and one which will leave them gasping down the homestretch.

Baltimore Ravens +750

Always tough, hardcore defensive stalwarts who bring a punishing brand of football every time they take the field. Defensive All-Pros Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are getting a little long in the tooth but they will be there, they always are but Terrell Suggs will be on the sidelines still nursing an Achilles injury until at least December and perhaps the entire season. But the cornerback situation appears to be rock solid with Ladarius Webb signing a big money 5-year extension after a stellar season that saw him total 5 picks and 67 tackles.

Offensively Joe Flacco is the man executing the plan with Ray Rice as the undisputed rock star in the backfield. Anquan Bolden and Torrey Smith are proven commodities as Flacco's choice targets but the rest of the receiving corps is a question mark. Nonetheless the versatile Ray Rice is like having another receiver but with his contract situation still tenuous as of this writing it could be caveat emptor if you are willing to back these Ravens. 

Pittsburgh Steelers +800

The Steelers, like their AFC North nemesis the Baltimore Ravens, have a terrific defense but are fairly one dimensional on the offensive side of the ball with the injury prone Ben Roethlisberger at the helm. The rushing attack won't be helped by designating leading ball carrier Rashard Mendenhall on the Physically Unable to Perform list but that's exactly what will happen if he cannot rehab his ACL injury from last season in time for the opener. If that is the case then Mendenhall would not be able to suit up until at least Week 6. 

The Steelers are a dangerous team but they appear to have a penchant for ailing at all the wrong times. If I am going to choose between the Ravens and the Steelers, I say Baltimore will win the division and perhaps capture an all important first round bye which leaves the Steelers on the road throughout. Not a place you want your team to be if you're backing them to win the conference. 

San Diego Chargers +1000

Norv Turner beat the odds and somehow remained with the Chargers who have been the most disappointing team in the NFL two years running. An AFC West division crown is the only result that will allow Turner to continue in his current capacity, and why shouldn't they finally live up to their vast potential? Norv Turner of course! 

I am not sure if I am kidding when I say that because it is unfathomable that the Chargers have stumbled so badly over the last few years. But one thing we do know, Norv Turner did not throw a series of confounding interceptions throughout the season. That distinction belongs to Phillip Rivers who is a top tier quarterback to be sure but he certainly had his share of agonizing moments last season.

The Chargers welcome a new wide receiver in Robert Meacham, formerly of the Saints, and will look to Ryan Mathews on the ground and Antonio Gates as a key member of San Diego's air force. For my money, 10-1 is not a bad price to win the AFC title, for a team that has an excellent chance of being crowned the AFC West champs. 

New York Jets +1200

The Big Apple Circus has moved to East Rutherford, New Jersey and they have a ringmaster by the name of Sexxy Rexxy. Some may not like the Jets, but they are certainly entertaining. This offseason was a wild one. The public outcry was to get rid of incumbent starting quarterback Mark Sanchez and all the Jets brass did was sign him to an extension. That made Sanchez feel warm and fuzzy until a few days later when the Jets fractured his fragile ego by signing the polarizing force that is Tim Tebow.

Is Tebow a backup in case Sanchez gets injured or will the Jets be taking the quarterback by committee approach? Perhaps it is something in between but whatever it is, it better work because the New York media will be critiquing every pass and scrutinizing every move the Jets make. Nothing like a good old fashioned quarterback controversy to sell newspapers. 

Gang Green was 8-8 last season and the border war with their New England neighbors will continue. Do they have the arsenal to dethrone the Patriots from their lofty perch high atop the AFC East? Not likely but with Rex Ryan, you just never know. 

The Rest of the Pack

Cincinnati Bengals +1600

Miami Dolphins +1800

Kansas City Chiefs +2500

Tennessee Titans +2500

Buffalo Bills +2800

Oakland Raiders +3000

Jacksonville Jaguars +6850

Indianapolis Colts +6850

Cleveland Browns +7000