AFC East 2011 Betting Preview
Two of the league's top Super Bowl contenders reside in the AFC East, with the New England Patriots and the New York Jets set to battle for that division title once again this year. Here's a look at how the AFC East shapes up heading into the season.
New England Patriots
The Patriots went 14-2 during the regular season last year but then went one-and-done in the playoffs, falling at home to the Jets in the Divisional Round. That didn't sit well in New England, and they beefed up their offense over the summer by acquiring wide receiver Chad Ochocinco from the Bengals as they look to outgun opponents.
The oddsmakers at Bodog expect big things from the Pats in 2011, giving them the highest wins OVER/UNDER in the AFC at 11.5. Tom Brady and company are also high up the Super Bowl odds list at 6/1, and they're the 11/4 favorites to win the AFC Championship Game this season. Brady sits at 13/2 on the Bodog MVP odds board.
New York Jets
The Jets' playoff run peaked with their win over New England last season – they followed up that victory by dropping a 24-19 decision in Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship Game. New York finished three games behind the Patriots in the AFC East standings at 11-5 in 2010, and they added WR Plaxico Burress in the summer.
Despite knocking out the Pats, though, the Jets are still behind them on the Super Bowl odds list at Bodog heading into this season at 12/1. New York is also at 6/1 to win the AFC Championship Game, and their wins OVER/UNDER for the season is just back of New England at 10. Sanchez has 25/1 odds at Bodog to be named MVP.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins were an enigma for NFL bettors last season, ending up 7-9 on the season but winning just one of their eight home games (while going 6-2 on the road). Miami also lost their final three games of 2010 to put themselves out of contention for an AFC Wild Card berth. The Dolphins picked up RB Reggie Bush in the offseason.
The oddsmakers at Bodog don't expect much to change for the Dolphins and embattled quarterback Chad Henne in 2011, as they're set at 7.5 on the wins OVER/UNDER for the season. The Dolphins are also listed back at 60/1 odds to win the Super Bowl next February, and they're at 30/1 odds to win the AFC championship.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills tied for the fewest wins in the AFC last season with four, and their defense gave up almost 100 more points than any other team in the AFC East. That doesn't have their supporters very optimistic about their chances in 2011, especially after a slow start to the preseason slate. The Bills also failed to upgrade at QB for this year.
And that has Buffalo's wins OVER/UNDER at Bodog for 2011 well back of the pack at just 5.5 – tied at the bottom in the AFC with the Bengals and the Broncos. True optimists can get the Bills at lucrative 150/1 odds to win the Super Bowl this season.