AFC North Future Bets

The AFC North is a tough division that has been ruled during recent years by two teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.  But ever few years the Bengals come in flexing their muscles like last year.  With a tough division like this, it is hard to pick the division winner.  One thing is normal though, it isn't always the favorite. 

AFC North Favorite

For the last 10 years, everyone has touted the Baltimore Raven's defense. Now people are crowning Joe Flacco as the next franchise quarterback. With a big play running back in Ray Rice and the addition of Anquan Boldin there is no shock to learn that the Ravens are the favorite to win the AFC North at -195. But Flacco does have issues when being hurried and the defense is old and hurt. Free safety Ed Reed is on the PUP list and out for the first 6 games of the season and Domonique Foxworth went down the other day for the season after tearing his ACL. Those question marks makes me weary to lay money on a team in such a physical and tough division.

AFC North Vaule Bet

Even before the Cincinnati Bengals signed Terrel Owens, they were a nice pick at +350. Cedric Benson rushed for over 1200 yard last season when teams stuffed the box with 8 players. Now that T.O. in on the team, teams will not be able to focus as much on the run and only Chad Ochocinco. The signing of T.O. brought the line down to +300. With a defense that ranked 4th in yards allowed last season, the Bengals are a great value bet to repeat as AFC North Champions.

NFC West Future Bet

As the NFL season becomes closer and closer every day, it is time to look at the conferences and my future bets. The NFC West is possibly the weakest division of the entire league. But there is some nice value in the bet.

NFC West Favorite

The San Fransisco 49ers have been slowly building their team via the NFL Draft and have made strides each and every season. The sportsbooks believe that this is their year. Being led by quarterback Alex Smith, they are being the favorite to win the division at -210.

NFC West Value Bet

In a division that is arguably the weakest in the entire NFL, any team except for the St. Louis Rams have a chance to win the NFC West. But there is only one team that doesn't have a question mark at quarterback. The Seattle Seahawks have a healthy veteran returning this season in Matt Hasselbeck. They signed a could running back such as Leon Washington. Not to mention they have T.J. Housmazada as a play-making wide receiver. The defense might be questionable, but so are the other teams' defenses in the division. In such a weak division, the Seahawks are a sexy value bet at +475.