Super Bowl futures: Pats will win East
betonline.com's internet sportsbook has released the 2008 Super Bowl futures, so it's time for anyone who loves betting sports to start preparing for NFL odds. Week 1 of the NFL regular season is fast approaching, so Bettor's Edge is providing a division-by-division review of the draft and free agency to give you a head start. Today, we'll recap the AFC East.
The Buffalo Bills (+5000 Super Bowl odds) were very quiet in free agency this offseason, signing and losing a few low-key and largely inconsequential veterans. The team did add some potentially important players with its draft picks, however. An improving Buffalo defense got some added depth with corner Leodis McKelvin and end Chris Ellis, taken in the first and third round, respectively. The Bills also took a big gamble on the hulking James Hardy. The 6'5” receiver is talented but has some character issues that scared many teams off. Speaking of baggage, the most important offseason development might be running back Marshawn Lynch's status. Lynch was involved in a hit-and-run this summer and it's yet to be determined how exactly he was involved or what the repercussions will be. If everything goes well, Buffalo could smell the playoffs.
The Miami Dolphins (+9000 Super Bowl odds) are definitely the underdogs in the division. Miami is rebuilding from the inside out, beginning with the offensive line. Free agent guard Justin Smiley is solid and first-overall pick Jake Long should be a stud at tackle for a long time. The Dolphins addressed the defensive line in the draft too, spending picks on Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford. A second-rounder was also used on “quarterback of the future” Chad Henne. A slew of veteran leaders are gone, including Zach Thomas, Marty Booker and Trent Green (not to mention disruptions caused by Jason Taylor), so expect Miami to struggle again before starting to turn things around in '09.
Coming off a near perfect season, the New England Patriots (+350 Super Bowl Odds) suffered a few key losses in the offseason. Cornerbacks Asante Samuel, Randall Gay and Eugene Wilson are gone, leaving the secondary rather thin. New England did spend picks on two corners in the draft, Terrance Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite, but they have big shoes to fill. The defense could be much younger this year, especially with high picks being spent on linebackers Jerod Mayo and Shawn Crable. Offensively, second receiver Donte Stallworth is gone. He was explosive and was important in their spread offense, but this team still has so many weapons it'll have plenty of juice to put points on the board. The Pats are still the favorites.
The New York Jets (+3500 Super Bowl odds) were a disappointment next year, so they were one of the most active teams this offseason. Guards Alan Faneca and Damian Woody, running back Jesse Chatman, fullback Tony Richardson and running back Jesse Chatman were all signed via free agency. If anything, the offensive line signings should improve the running game (New York also added first-round pick Dustin Keller in the first-round). The defense got some help, too, in the form of free agent linebacker Calvin Pace and sixth-overall pick Vernon Gholston. The duo should give New York a fearsome pass rush. If the Jets can get some decent quarterback play, they might compete for a playoff spot.
It's time to get your football picks in, as 2008 Super Bowl futures have been announced. Don't miss a chance to be 100 per cent prepared for Week 1 of the NFL regular season, and check out our AFC West preview tomorrow.
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?
