Online betting players are gearing up for the beginning of the upcoming NFL betting season, and of course, futures are always one of the most difficult things to handicap as it’s a long season, and a lot can happen on the road from Week 1 to the Super Bowl. Here is a look at how we think the season is going to play out with division picks from both conferences, as well as NFL playoff picks and the Super Bowl champion.
AFC
East – New England Patriots
North – Baltimore Ravens
South – Indianapolis Colts
West – Denver Broncos
Wild-Card Picks: New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals
Champion: New England Patriots
In the AFC, the New England Patriots should be able to win the East again even though the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are on the rise. In the North and West, we’ll see a changing of the guards as the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens unseat the regulars in Pittsburgh and San Diego, and in the South, it’s status quo as the Indianapolis Colts should once again hit double-digit wins and take the South.
Expect a big bounce-back year for the Patriots as they have a very dynamic offense and an improving defense to carry them. Don’t underestimate them as Bill Belichick is a king at producing results when the pundits write him off.
NFC
East – Dallas Cowboys
North – Minnesota Vikings
South – New Orleans Saints
West – San Francisco 49ers
Wild-Card Picks: Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals
Champion: Minnesota Vikings
In the NFL, we’ll see much of the same as last year as five of the six projected playoff teams are the same. The New Orleans Saints will take care of business in the South, the Dallas Cowboys will repeat in the East, the Minnesota Vikings still control the North but the lone difference will by the San Francisco 49ers. They’ll edge the Arizona Cardinals in the West but the Cards will still return to the playoffs as a Wild Card.
In the postseason, look for the Vikings to get past where they failed last year and advance to the Super Bowl in Brett Favre’s swan song.
Betting On Super Bowl XLV:
Like last year’s Super Bowl, when NFL betting fans were treated to a quarterback showdown between New Orleans’ Drew Brees and Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning, there will be another great battle of the pivots between Minnesota’s Brett Favre and New England’s Tom Brady, who had four MVP awards (three for Favre) and four Super Bowl rings (three for Brady) between them, not to mention 16 Pro Bowl selections (11 for Favre) heading into this season. The Patriots’ defense will be better than they were last year, but the Vikings are extremely balanced and have the ability to keep the Patriots on edge. On defense, the Vikings will shut down the run and force the New England defense to the air, and we’re not sure that the Patriots can stop end Jared Allen from running wild into the backfield. And finally, Favre can retire with another Super Bowl ring, arguably the ring that he should have won last season. Go with the Minnesota Vikings to win the Super Bowl in your sports betting picks this season.
Super Bowl XLV Pick: Minnesota Vikings
Super Bowl Lines:
Indianapolis Colts +925
San Diego Chargers +925
New England Patriots +1215
Pittsburgh Steelers +2250
Baltimore Ravens +1215
Cincinnatti Bengals +3050
New Orleans Saints +1215
Dallas Cowboys +1015
Minnesota Vikings +1215
Philadelphia Eagles +3050
Green Bay Packers +1015
Arizona Cardinals +6050
Atlanta Falcons +3050
New York Giants +3250
Chicago Bears +3250
San Francisco 49ers +3550
Washington Redskins +2550
Seattle Seahawks +5250
Denver Broncos +5250
New York Jets +1615
Jacksonville Jaguars +8550
Miami Dolphins +4550
Buffalo Bills +14250
Kansas City Chiefs +12550
Carolina Panthers +5250
Tennessee Titans +2550
Cleveland Browns +8550
Houston Texans +3250
Oakland Raiders +8550
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +12850
St Louis Rams +17250
Detroit Lions +17250