NFL Betting – Who Will Be NFL's Sack Leader?

2008 NFL odds:

• Will Jared Allen repeat as NFL's sack leader?
• Is Mario Williams ready to emerge as one of the best ends in the NFL?
• How will Michael Strahan's retirement affect Osi Umenyiora?

With plenty of exotics and props to choose from in the internet sportsbook, one good one for online sports betting fans to handicap is the NFL sack race.

There are two types of categories you can bet for most sacks: the five-way race or the whole NFL.

Handicapping the five-way race, Jared Allen (+200) is the favorite. Allen led the NFL in sacks last year  but he only played in 14 games. He started the season serving a two-game suspension. Allen was traded to Minnesota in the offseason and handing a big contract. He will be playing for a better defense but sometimes players slack after signing a big contract.

Second in line, according to the odds, is Houston Texans end Mario Williams (+250). After a slow start to his career, Williams finished 2007 with an impressive 14 sacks. Williams – as well as the Texans – have dealt with plenty of criticism for the Reggie Bush situation but Williams has already proven to be the more valuable player. Williams finished with 10 sacks in his last seven games so he'll head into 2008 with plenty of confidence.

Osi Umenyiora (+300) will get some action on this prop bet but should we be concerned about Michael Strahan's retirement? Normally, that would mean that Umenryiora is going to face plenty of blocking attention but with Justin Tuck on the other end – another Pro Bowler in the waiting – Umenyiora should continue his dominance.

The remaining two members of this five-way race are Shawne Merriman (+400) and Aaron Kampman (+400). Merriman is offering pretty good value considering he led the league in sacks in 2006. He started slow with only three sacks in his first five games but he finished strong with seven sacks in his last five games.

Kampman is a solid pick but he isn't much more than a solid defensive end. He has a non-stop motor and is very consistent, but losing franchise player, defensive tackle Corey Williams, who rushed beside him, is going to affect his total.

Here are the odds on the five-way race:

Jared Allen +200
Mario Williams +250
Osi Umenyiora +300
Shawne Merriman +400
Aaron Kampman +400

For all your online sports wagering needs, visit the betonline.com Sportsbook. Be sure to visit The Bettor's Edge daily for the hottest tips, info and NFL betting lines.

Although Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, his handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions?