AFC South 2011 Betting Preview
Will the Colts walk away with the AFC South division title once again this season, or could a team like the Texans finally challenge them for that crown? Here's a look at how the teams in the AFC South shape up heading into the start of the 2011 season.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts went only 10-6 last season, but that was good enough to give them the AFC South title by two games over the Jaguars. Indianapolis, though, didn't even make it through one playoff game, falling to the Jets 17-16 in the Wild Card Round. As well, the team has Peyton Manning's neck to worry about as Week 1 approaches.
Still, the oddsmakers at Bodog have the Colts listed with the top odds in the AFC South to win the Super Bowl this season, putting them at 18/1 on that chart. Indy is also at 9/1 to win the AFC Championship Game, and their wins OVER/UNDER is at 9.5. Manning is at 10/1 to on the Bodog props market to win the MVP award this year.
Houston Texans
Always primed for a breakout but never quite breaking out, the Texans won just six games last season and ended up tied with the Titans for last place in the AFC South standings. Defense is an area of concern for Houston, as they allowed more points than any other team in the division, and fewer than just the Broncos in the entire AFC.
With Matt Schaub, Arian Foster, and Andre Johnson in the fold, though, the Bodog oddsmakers at least have the Texans at respectable 25/1 odds to win the Super Bowl this season, and they're at 12/1 to win the AFC Championship Game. Houston's wins OVER/UNDER for the year is 8.5, and Schaub is at 22/1 on the Bodog MVP board.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars were a threat to topple the Colts atop the division standings last season; however, they lost their final three games while Indianapolis picked up a win in each of their last four contests. David Garrard will remain Jacksonville's starting quarterback for Week 1, but rookie Blaine Gabbert is lurking to take over that position.
Neither of those options, though, have the oddsmakers at Bodog excited, as they have the Jaguars' wins OVER/UNDER for the season at just 6.5. Jacksonville is also at 75/1 to win the Super Bowl in 2011, and at 35/1 to win the AFC championship. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew is sitting at 30/1 on the Bodog MVP odds board.
Tennessee Titans
It's back to the drawing board for the Titans this season, as they dumped QB Vince Young after the team went 6-10 in 2010; veteran Matt Hasselbeck is the stop-gap at the position for 2011. Tennessee also has to work out its running back situation, with star rusher Chris Johnson holding out for a new contract and not participating in camp.
The Johnson situation alone is enough to sour the oddsmakers on the Titans' chances for this season, and their wins OVER/UNDER at Bodog is at just 6.5. Tennesssee is also getting 75/1 odds to win the Super Bowl and 35/1 odds to claim the AFC championship, while Johnson's MVP odds at Bodog have been listed at 20/1.