The Patriots, Steelers, Titans, and Raiders are the American football betting faves to win their respective AFC divisions in the 2017 NFL season.
Football betting Conference Eastern Division: New England (-670)
The Pats – who are also expected by people who bet on NFL games to win Super Bowl 52 – have won 10 AFC East titles, including the last eight in a row, going on to win the Super Bowl on five of those occasions. The last time they failed to win it was during Tom Brady’s 2008 season-ending knee injury (the Miami Dolphins won it that time). Last season was no exception. The Pats had a league-best 14-2 record – including 3-1 without Brady to start the season – and a .875 winning percentage compared to the Dolphins’ 10-6 (.625). New England’s acquisitions for next season include Stephon Gilmore, Brandin Cooks, Dwayne Allen, Kony Ealy, Mike Gillislee, and Rex Burkhead.
American Football Conference Western Division: Oakland (+190)
The Raiders are tied with Denver Broncos and the San Diego Los Angeles Chargers for most AFC West titles. However, the last of those 15 came in 2002. However, they improved from 7-9 in 2015 to 12-4 last season – their first season above .500 since 2002 – thanks largely to Derek Carr on offense and Khalil Mack on D. As a matter of fact, people who bet on NFL games would not way off the mark if they chalked the Raiders not winning the divisional title to Carr’s broken leg in week 16. American football betting word has it that Carr could surpass Andrew Luck as the highest paid QB in the game once his contract extension talks with the Raiders are finished.
American Football Conference Western Division Southern Division: Tennessee (+220)
The Titans have won nine overall division titles but only two in the AFC South; to wit, 2002 and 2008. Indy finished tied with the Houston Texans for the divisional title last year, but lost the tiebreaker due to the latter having a better record against divisional foes. The Titans have a potentially franchise-building QB in Marcus Mariota and two killer RBs in Derrick Henry and DeMarco Murray. Meanwhile the Texans are going back to the drawing board – this time with Deshaun Watson – and the Colts should consider taking Luck to Lourdes for a magical, super-fast recovery from the shoulder surgery he underwent during the offseason so he can be ready on time for training camp.
American Football Conference Northern Division: Pittsburgh (+105)
The Steelers won their 22nd divisional championship last year, their second in the last three seasons, with an 11-5 record. Pitt’s offensive core should be in effect for next season: Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Bell skipped OTAs and will miss minicamp as well as he is negotiating a new deal with the Steelers, but American football betting odds are he will be back in Pittsburgh’s attack trident. The biggest threat for the Steelers are the Ravens now that Baltimore signed a new target for Joe Cool; namely, receiver Jeremy Maclin.