Sportsbook action last season in the NFL was full of crazy twists and turns. But perhaps the most unpredictable division in the league and in the online odds was the NFC East. A team went from a 1-15 season to capture the division crown and the early sportsbook favorite to win the Super Bowl failed to make the sportsbook playoffs.
Sportsbook oddsmakers and fans alike marveled as the AFC East hierarchy was turned on its head last season. This year there are plenty of question marks and many likely surprises as the NFL preseason approaches. Heading into preseason the defending champion Miami Dolphins have already been written off by most online pages. The team’s schedule is much more difficult this season and more than anything, the return of Tom Brady relegated the champs to the role of sportsbook contender.
Brady missed last season with a blown out knee and many sportsbook handicappers expect him to lift the Pats back to the top of the NFL food chain. With Brady at the helm the Pats have one of the most potent offenses in sportsbook history and have to be the favorites to win the division. In fact many online companies have them listed as the favorites to strike Super Bowl gold.
The New York Jets are also a team in the hunt but with a new coach and new systems on both sides of the ball it will likely be transition year. It could also be a very long year in the online betting action if rookie Mark Sanchez wins the starting job.
The Bills are a team that could surprise a lot of people and has to be the dark horse pick in the sportsbook odds to win the AFC East. The team has a good core of players and with the addition of TO and a good draft class, it might be able to sneak up on the Pats.
The Dolphins are hardly out of the sportsbook mix either. Consider that they’ve lost very little talent in the off season and actually gotten better on paper trough the draft and free agent acquisitions. And as the old adage goes, the division title must go through Miami.
The biggest question mark in the AFC sportsbook battle this fall will be how well Brady bounces back. If the offense scores 40 point a game as it did in 2007 than New England owns the division. But if he struggles, it could be a very interesting outcome in the AFC East in 2009.