NFL Division Preview – AFC East
In our quest to be the ONLINE LEADER in NFL Gambling & NFL Handicapping information we’re way out ahead of the rest with our 2009 Divisional Previews for all 8 NFL divisions.
We will be covering the entire off season for each team and giving you a preview of the upcoming 2009 season with updates from now through kickoff of Week 1 of the NFL 2009/10 Season.
Are you ready for some football?
With the US Open odds on hold as rain comes down at Bethpage Black, we can pass the time by looking at NFL odds for the upcoming 2009 season. Let’s start by previewing the enigmatic AFC East.
One season, it looks like the toughest division in football; the next, teams falter as quickly as they rose. What’s in store for 2009?
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Odds to win AFC East: -550
They Patriots missed the playoffs in 2008 but all was not lost; they went 11-5 without Tom Brady, proving they truly are a complete team that can win without him. Brady’s back and, hopefully, his old self this season and the Patriots look better at many other positions too. Laurence Maroney failed his audition to become an every-down back and won’t be relied upon as a key contributor anymore, with Fred Taylor signing and Sammy Morris currently atop the depth chart. Whoever gets the ball should be effective enough.
Wes Welker proved he’s a legit pass-catching machine without Brady last season, so we know what we get with him, but Randy Moss has a chance to bounce back in a big way this year. The Pats’ D is aging but some of its young prospects, like Jerod Mayo, are ready to take on bigger roles.
The Pats should win the AFC East in a walk and will contend for the Super Bowl crown. Don’t overthink things and bet against them in your NFL picks; they will take the East.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Odds to win AFC East: +800
In one of the biggest divisional turnarounds in recent memory, the Fish jumped from one win in 2007 to 11 in 2008. The key to the improvement was a vintage performance from Chad Pennington, who threw 19 touchdown passes with just seven interceptions. The other major factor, of course, was the much-hyped wildcat offense, in which Ronnie Brown took direct snaps and drove opposing defenses crazy. The trickery won’t work as well in 2009 as everyone expects it now; also, Brown has already established himself as injury-prone and Pennington is unlikely to stay healthy two years in a row. The defense hopes Vontae Davis, brother of Vernon, can help the secondary with its pass defense woes, but don’t count on it this season. Last year wasn’t quite a fluke, but it would be a shock to see the Dolphins repeat it.
NEW YORK JETS
Odds to win AFC East: +800
The Jets have reason for optimism down the road, with first-round pick Mark Sanchez looking strong in minicamps, D’Brickashaw Ferguson there to protect him and Dustin Keller potentially becoming the next great athletic tight end. However, there are too many question marks in ’09 to justify taking a chance on their NFL odds. After Brett Favre’s “retirement,” Sanchez will battle Kellen Clemens for the starting quarterback job, but there’s no guarantee the winner will be effective. Thomas Jones, coming off a banner 2008, is angry about his contract and isn’t showing up to camps right now, so the offensive picture is cloudy.
The Jets’ solid, unspectacular defense, led by mammoth run stopper Kris Jenkins, should only get better under new co-ordinator Rex Ryan. If the Jets’ QB situation pans out, they should finish above Miami. Otherwise, the offense just won’t do enough to keep Gang Green over .500.
BUFFALO BILLS
Odds to win AFC East: +1000
If you use sportsbook software, it likely projects the Bills to finish last in the AFC East. After all, they’ve disappointed the last few seasons and the O-line took a big hit with Jason Peters’ departure. However, if we’ve learned anything about the AFC East in the last few years, it’s that we should toss our football predictions out the window. If Terrell Owens, Lee Evans and Trent Edwards click and Marshawn Lynch regains his form, the Bills’ offense could suddenly be potent. The defense is good enough to keep Buffalo competitive, so you just never know.
2009 AFC East Prediction
If you’re betting on the AFC East winner and don’t trust New England, you may as well forget Miami and New York; go with the boom/bust value and pick the Bills.
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As Always Comments Are Welcome Below!!!
One reply on “2009 AFC East Lines / NFL Preview”
The Patriots are the obvious favorite in the AFC East, but I am interested to see how well Miami plays this year. They can no longer sneak up on anyone, so we will get a chance to see if last year was just a fluke, or are they really a championship caliber team.