In the coming months, bettors will be wagering on NFL win
totals for the 2019 season. Before making any picks, we're taking a stab at
predicting the opening numbers.
After covering the NFC,
here are our projections for the AFC.
AFC EAST
BUFFALO BILLS:
6-10
Josh
Allen sparking hope during the 2018 stretch run aside, the Bills will
likely still battle it out with the Dolphins to avoid the AFC East basement.
MIAMI DOLPHINS:
5-11
Miami was more lucky than good while getting past its 6.5
win total in 2018 during a 7-9 season. There's a potential drop-off looming as
the Dolphins search
for a franchise quarterback under a new head coach.
NEW ENGLAND
PATRIOTS: 11-5
The Patriots will
be a fixture in the AFC again, though we're not giving them the highest win
total in the conference.
NEW YORK JETS:
6-10
A second-year Sam Darnold paired
with Adam Gase should be enough to inject life into the Jets' fan base. But this
team is still years away from contention, or even a winning record.
AFC NORTH
BALTIMORE RAVENS
8-8
The Lamar Jackson show
has officially started in Baltimore, and he's not even the most hyped
second-year quarterback in the division. The Ravens still have a
juggernaut defense, but they're a couple offensive pieces away from separating
in the AFC North.
CLEVELAND BROWNS 8-8
The Browns'
win total will arguably be the most intriguing to watch once it's posted. There
will be a huge over shift on the public's stance. After not wanting anything to
do with them, recreational bettors will pounce on the Browns with Baker Mayfield under
center and a competent coaching staff on the sideline.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
6-10
The Bengals looked
like a dark horse last year before injuries interrupted their momentum. Now,
they're taking over the Browns' spot as division bottom-feeders.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
9-7
Here's another number that'll be fascinating to watch as it
fluctuates, given all the drama surrounding the Steelers. The Browns are
attracting Super Bowl bets, and the Ravens are coming off the lone postseason
berth in the division. But it wouldn't be surprising if Pittsburgh opens with
the best win total of the bunch.
AFC SOUTH
HOUSTON TEXANS 8-8
The AFC South has been a pretty quirky division in recent
seasons, and it should be a fun race to the finish line again in 2019. Here,
the Texans get
the same number they closed within 2018.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
9-7
The Colts should
be a public darling after making a run to the AFC divisional round behind a
healthy Andrew Luck.
They have the third-shortest odds among AFC teams to win the Super Bowl.
JACKSONVILLE 6-10
The Jaguars are
pretty volatile entering 2019. Are they a quarterback away from contention? And
was their 2017 defensive production a fluke? You could give Jacksonville a win
total anywhere between five and eight, and it wouldn't raise an eyebrow.
TENNESSEE TITANS 7-9
Some liked the Titans as a sleeper
in 2018. Now, they'll likely lose public attraction as the Texans and Colts
surge.
AFC WEST
DENVER BRONCOS 6-10
The Broncos were
hot midway through the 2018 season before crumbling. The trade for Joe Flacco actually
sends their Super Bowl odds in the opposite direction.
LOS ANGELES
CHARGERS 10-6
Every year is the Chargers' year!
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
11-5
Here's the highest win total in the conference, and it's
tied for the most in the league with the Los Angeles Rams.
Quarterback Patrick
Mahomes defied the odds during his first season as a starter.
Better defensive play should balance out any regression the Chiefs get from
their young pivot.
OAKLAND RAIDERS 5-11
The lone source of hope for the reeling Raiders will be an
exciting upcoming draft that includes three first-round picks, and four in the
top 35. However, the club is still in a pretty ugly situation overall.
No comments:
Post a Comment