2008 Super Bowl futures: Will Browns or Steelers earn North crown?
Super Bowl futures have been released for 2008, so start preparing for NFL odds. Don't get blind-sided by Week 1 of the NFL regular season. Preparation is the key to success in online betting, and our online sportsbook Bettor's Edge will help you be as prepared as you can be. Our division-by-division recap continues today with the AFC North.
The Ravens (+7000 Super Bowl odds) had an incredibly disappointing season in 2007. After winning 12 games the year before, Baltimore totally collapsed, winning just five games and finishing last in the division. As usual, the offense just didn't have enough juice to compete, but the defense showed signs of weakness too. Still, the team invested its first two draft picks on offense, taking quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice. The Ravens turned to defense after that, taking linebacker Tavares Gooden and safety Tom Zbikowski. The team was quite quiet in free agency, choosing not to sign or let go of any marquee players. They did sign solid linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo.
The Bengals (+6000 Super Bowl odds) are certainly underdogs in the AFC North. They've got talent on offense but can't stop anybody, not to mention the off-field problems. Cincinnati took linebacker Keith Rivers in the first round and added third-round pick Pat Sims to shore up the defense. They lost defensive end Justin Smith to free agency, though, which will hurt. Cincy obviously anticipates losing either Chad Johnson or T.J. Houshmandzadeh sometime in the near future so they drafted a pair of receivers in Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell.
Many analysts consider Cleveland (+2500 Super Bowl odds) the favorite to win the division. The Browns were without a first-round pick because of last year's Brady Quinn trade, and it sent a few more away to acquire some players for the defensive line; Shaun Rodgers and Corey Williams should certainly improve the run defense a great deal. Last year's breakout offense could be even more impressive thanks to the addition of explosive receiver Donte Stallworth. Stallworth can score in a hurry when he's not hurt. Cleveland retained quaterback Derek Anderson, though Quinn is waiting in the wings. The biggest loss will be cornerback Leigh Bodden, who was sent to the Lions in the Rodgers deal. That leaves the team quite thin at corner.
Pittsburgh (+1400 Super Bowl odds) appears intent on making its impressive offense even more formidable. After averaging 24.5 points per game in '07, the Steelers added running back Rashard Mendenhall and receiver Limas Sweed with its first and second round picks. That makes the team a good bet to average over 30 per outing in 2008, since they can spread the field with the likes of Hines Ward, Sanantonio Holmes, Willie Paker, Heath Miller and the rookies. Pittsburgh did lose two starters in guard Alan Faneca and linebacker Clark Haggans—Faneca in particular will hurt—but it has so much talent that sportsbooks will still consider them the favorite in the division.
Stay on top of all the offseason news with Bettor's Edge. The NFL regular season is nearly upon us, so get up to date with the 2008 Super Bowl futures and the latest football picks and season predictions at betonline.com Sportsbook.
Blake walked onto his college football team and had a brief stint as an assistant coach after he graduated. He brings a sharp mind to the world of sports handicapping. Blake understands the nuances of the game that only someone who has played would understand, and he was one of the few who gave the Giants a chance against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Thoughts or questions?
