NFL Betting – Pro Bowl Preview
AFC @ NFC
Bodog Odds (Bodog Reviews): AFC -3
Sports betting handicappers are faced with a novel situation this upcoming Sunday in Miami, Fla. Oddsmakers, for the past 30 years, have dealt with a Pro Bowl game played after the Super Bowl in Hawaii. Players on Super Bowl teams participated in the game, and players on the losing teams in the conference championship games were able to get more rest in advance of professional football’s all-star game.
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The participating coaches came from the losing teams in the conference championship games.
All those things are different this year. The Pro Bowl players on the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts won’t play on Sunday. The losing players in the two conference championship games won’t be rested, and will have little reason to play hard for an extended period of time. The coaches will come from the highest-seeded losing teams in the Divisional Playoff round. In past years, Rex Ryan (Jets) and Brad Childress (Vikings) would have coached the AFC and NFC, but this year, San Diego’s Norv Turner and Dallas boss Wade Phillips will have the honors. The key is to identify how the many changes to the Pro Bowl will affect the AFC and NFC squads who will travel to South Florida for this Jan. 31 event.
What the AFC needs to do to win
With Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning preparing for the Super Bowl and New England’s Tom Brady at less than full strength, the AFC’s best hope at quarterback is San Diego gunslinger Philip Rivers, but Rivers is also dinged up. Houston’s Matt Schaub and Tennessee’s Vince Young have been listed as backups, so it’s clear that the AFC will need an above-average performance under center in this contest.
The AFC’s biggest advantage comes at running back. Adrian Peterson of Minnesota will be distraught after his horrible performance in the NFC Championship Game, and Steven Jackson of St. Louis is injured. Meanwhile, the AFC will boast three running backs – Chris Johnson of Tennessee, Maurice Jones-Drew of Jacksonville, and Ray Rice of Baltimore – who are fresh and healthy. The running game offers the AFC its best path to victory.
What the NFC needs to do to win
New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees won’t quarterback the NFC, and it’s hard to imagine Minnesota’s Brett Favre playing in this game after the pounding he took in the NFC Championship Game. However, one healthy quarterback exists in this game, and that’s Green Bay signal caller Aaron Rodgers. If Rodgers plays well, the NFC has an excellent chance to win.
Because Rodgers will see extended minutes, another key for the NFC is to protect Rodgers during this game. As long as the NFC’s offensive front can pass block with distinction, the NFC will be in good shape.
Sportsbook Outlook & Pick
Aaron Rodgers will take this game seriously, and he’s in position to play really well. The AFC’s lack of healthy quarterbacks should make the difference in an NFC victory.
NFL Picks: NFC
One reply on “2010 Pro Bowl Preview – Betting Picks + Odds”
The lines have been shifting as I have the NFC currently favored by 2 in this game. The final rosters were even set as of Tuesday as there were still some last minute substitutions. I think it’s back to Hawaii for 2011.