The new NFL season gets underway this week with all 32 franchises beginning with the dream of ending up in Atlanta on the first Sunday in February competing in Super Bowl LIII and when you look at the sides in isolation there are a good dozen or so who look to have every chance.
Philadelphia Eagles shocked the New England Patriots last season to claim the title in Minnesota and they will be out to defend the Vince Lombardi trophy once again this term. There are many challengers for their crown though.
Recent Winners
2017 – Philadelphia Eagles
2016 – New England Patriots
2015 – Denver Broncos
2014 – New England Patriots
2013 – Seattle Seahawks
2012 – Baltimore Ravens
2011 – New York Giants
2010 – Green Bay Packers
2009 – New Orleans Saints
2008 – Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC
It might be a new season but once again the New England Patriots are the favourites to win the Super Bowl at the end of it. Tom Brady continues to play despite his aging years and will be looking for another ring. The Patriots should dominate the division once again even without their star receiver Julian Edelman who is suspended for the first four games. I worry if they will have enough in the play-offs though and the loss of offensive and defensive co-ordinators is not inspiring. At 4/1 they can be left alone.
Pittsburgh Steelers are the second favourites in terms of the AFC in the Super Bowl market. Their season could be determined by what happens regarding Le’Veon Bell and his contract situation and the damage that does to the locker room. In terms of opposition there isn’t much for Pittsburgh to beat in the North but when tougher tests come they could be found wanting again regardless of the form of Bell and Antonio Brown.
The Jacksonville Jaguars shocked everyone to make it to the AFC Championship game last season and they put up a good account of themselves when they got there as well. They are 20/1 for the title this season. They now have to deal with the mindset of being challengers rather than underdogs or dark horses but there is no doubt ‘London’s team’ is a side on the up. They had one of the best defences in the league last season and if that side of the ball can be as strong then Blake Bortles can grow into his role and lead the Jaguars to the glory game.
Los Angeles Chargers are 22/1 to win the Super Bowl and that is sure to get the attention of some. Had it not been for a poor start last season they would have made a much bigger impact but now they are used to their new home and strengthened significantly on their defence they are set for a good campaign. The other three sides in their division have major holes in them so the Chargers should make the postseason and from there anything is possible.
NFC
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams are the leading sides in the betting for the Super Bowl from the NFC this season. If you take the Eagles at 11/1 you are swimming against history as the Super Bowl title is not successfully defended very often. They should put up a really strong tilt at a title defence however. The Rams look the real deal if you can trust them to get over the line when they need to. They now have a fully functional quarterback, the best running back in the league and a top class defence which has had a lot of free agency money spent on it. If they click as one they could dominate.
The Minnesota Vikings were beaten by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Championship game last season but they are 12/1 to go a couple of steps better and claim the title. I don’t think that is beyond them because when you look at them you immediately see an upgrade in the quarterback position with Kirk Cousins arriving. If they stay fit they are contenders this term for sure.
New Orleans Saints are next in the betting which is a bit of a surprise as their division is a talented one but having won it last year Sean Payton and his men will be looking to kick on this term. They cleaned up the rookie awards last season and if Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore do not suffer second season syndrome then they should be there or thereabouts once again. 14/1 is a fair price but they might just be a shade too young to land the title.
The Green Bay Packers will be delighted to have Aaron Rodgers back for this season not least because he has a huge new contract to perform under. They missed him badly last season but things might not be hunky dory for him on his return as Jordy Nelson is a huge loss for the offense. Jimmy Graham’s arrival is no bad thing but with all their eggs in the Rodgers basket I wonder if there is enough overall to justify 16/1 claims. If you back them and Rodgers gets injured again you’ve definitely done your dough.
Atlanta Falcons were a bit of a let-down last season but they are 20/1 to win the Super Bowl this term. If their defence can continue to play like it did last year and their offense returns to former glories then there is no reason why they can’t go well but the mystery of last year is still too fresh in the mind to trust them.
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Super Bowl
Traditionally I don’t like to get stuck into the Super Bowl market this early on but there are two sides I think are going to go very well this season and I would rather get on them now rather than wait and see their price shorten. In the NFC I’m all about the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have one of the best defensive units in the competition but when you look at their offense there are a number of playmakers now. Kirk Cousins is a huge upgrade on Case Keenum at quarterback while Dalvin Cook looked the business before his Week 4 injury last season. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen are among the better receiving pairs in the league and Kyle Rudolph can make big plays in the tight end position. It is all about staying fit for the Vikings this season. If they do that I believe they will be Atlanta bound in February.
Jacksonville Jaguars were the surprise package last season but they will be surprising nobody this time around as I believe they are genuine runners for the title here. Their defence is only going to improve and with the pressure off of Blake Bortles a little he can thrive more. Leonard Fournette is an absolute tank so the Jaguars have all bases covered. Their divisional battle with the Houston Texans will be one of the highlights of the season but both should make the play-offs anyway. When they are there don’t be surprised if Jacksonville go all the way this time.
Division Betting
Betting in four runner markets is more my thing and although I don’t like tying money up long-term these are paid out inside four months so it isn’t too bad. I expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the AFC North but this whole Le’Veon Bell situation is not going to help them and it could open the door to the Baltimore Ravens who are solid rather than flashy. Flacco has some weapons to throw to this season and they have a couple of good options in the run game. If the Ravens defence can remain a force then they are no 4/1 shot in this division. Cincinnati are fading fast and Cleveland are Cleveland. This is a two horse race and the 4/1 poke are too big.
New Orleans Saints are all the rage in the NFC South but the Carolina Panthers are crying out to be backed at almost 4/1. They have the best defence in the division and with more playmakers being added on offense they should be a much bigger force in that department. If Cam Newton can get back to his best, and with receiving weapons that are a genuine upgrade on what they have had I see the Panthers coming through what is likely to be the most competitive division of the lot.
Tips
Back Minnesota Vikings to win Super Bowl LIII (e/w) for a 1.5/10 stake at 13.00 with William Hill (1/2 1-2)
Back them here:
Back Jacksonville Jaguars to win Super Bowl LIII (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 21.00 with TLCBet (1/2 1-2)
Back them here:
Back Baltimore Ravens to win AFC North for a 2/10 stake at 5.00 with Boylesports
Back them here:
Back Carolina Panthers to win NFC South for a 2/10 stake at 4.75 with Bet365
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