2017-18 NFL Outright Betting Preview – Divisional Betting Preview
With the 2017 NFL Draft having concluded in April, it’s now time to welcome a brand-new season, starting Friday 8 September. The New England Patriots were the victors of Superbowl 51 when they regrouped and came back from nowhere to beat the Atlanta Falcons and clinch the title.
The 2017-2018 NFL season promises to be just as entertaining. The Dallas Cowboys are eager to better their playoff performance with the arm of Dak Prescott, while the Packers will want to squeeze the last out of an Aaron Rodgers whose time must surely be running out.
Our resident tipster at BSB takes you through both the AFC and NFC conferences, highlighting some future bets you should consider investing in for each division of the 2017-2018 NFL season. Let’s get stuck into our NFL Outright Betting Preview.
AFC North NFL Outright Betting Odds:
Pittsburgh Steelers 7/10
Cincinnati Bengals 59/20
Baltimore Ravens 59/20
Cleveland Browns 36/1
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers rule this division almost every year. They have an excellent coach in Mike Tomlin and elite quarterback ‘Big Ben’ Roethlisberger. Adding to their offensive potency is LeVeon Bell – arguably the league’s best running back – and Antonio Brown, who’s a wide receiver of note!
When compared to the other AFC North teams, the Steelers’ offensive line is superior by a huge margin. Despite Roethlisberger missing four games last season due to injury, the Steelers still went 11-5 and there’s no reason they can’t do even better if they remain healthy.
Cleveland Browns
Achieving their worst-ever franchise record of 1-15, the Browns were absolutely dreadful last season. It’s hard to believe they won’t improve (even slightly) this season but the three other teams in the AFC North should all still finish above them.
Despite some promising new arrivals, we can’t trust in the Brown to better 4th place in their division. They’ve had the early pick in the NFL draft for a number of years now and still haven’t managed to improve!
AFC East NFL Outright Betting Odds:
New England Patriots 1/10
Miami Dolphins 31/4
Buffalo Bills 12/1
New York Jets 53/1
New England Patriots
As the short odds suggest, this division is just about a gimme for the Patriots. The Dolphins were their only competition last season but they’re still not cut from the same cloth as the Superbowl 51 winners.
The Pats have the best quarterback in the league and take orders from arguably the best football coach of all time. Bill Belichick has led Tom Brady and his men to 14 divisional titles in the last 16 years and this division might well be wrapped up early on again in the upcoming 2017-18 season.
New York Jets
The New York Jets have been dealt a terrible roster for the upcoming season. They’ve missed out on the playoffs for the past 6 years and it seems unlikely their losing streak will be snapped.
On the plus side, Jamal Adams was an excellent pick in the draft for the Jets as they desperately needed a safety. Jordan Leggett is a tight end who’s arrived from 2016 NCAA title runners-up Clemson to add some much-needed quality to their squad.
AFC South NFL Outright Betting Odds:
Tennessee Titans 19/10
Houston Texans 41/20
Jacksonville Jaguars 6/1
Indianapolis Colts 23/10
Tennessee Titans
The Titans tripled their win total from 2015 and very nearly made the playoffs for the first time since 2008. General manager Jon Robinson has now added depth to his squad by bringing in weapons around quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Tennessee’s much improved offence are rightful favourites to bring the AFC South title home. Nothing short of the postseason will be acceptable for the Titans this time round which they looked primed to achieve.
Indianapolis Colts
Due to injury, the Indianapolis Colts started their preseason without their star quarterback Andrew Luck on the field. Their backups are Scott Tolzein and Stephen Morris who hardly light up the scoreboard.
Although Luck isn’t expected to be out of action for more than 2 games, any time he misses is a massive blow to his team’s playoff hopes. The Colts look like a team destined for underachievement again this season.
AFC West NFL Outright Betting Odds:
Oakland Raiders 37/20
Kansas City Chiefs 22/10
Denver Broncos 11/4
Los Angeles Chargers 17/4
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City has reached the playoffs in 3 of the last 4 seasons that head coach Andy Reid has been at the helm. Again this season, their opponents will constantly need to find ways to stop wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
The Raiders might be favourites to win the AFC West but the Chiefs are my fancy for the title. Kansas City’s ball-hawking defence and pressuring offense makes them one the most attractive teams in the league. Whether this formula can take them from the playoffs to Superbowl glory is another debate.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers aren’t a bad team by any means but compete in football’s toughest division. The Bolts might be the division’s weakest link but do have a consistent quarterback in Philip Rivers.
Management seem to be addressing their ongoing offensive line concerns, which is certainly a move in the right direction. It’s uncertain exactly how their stadium move will affect team morale. Another negative is that they have the 3rd toughest schedule of any team.
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NFC North NFL Outright Betting Odds:
Green Bay Packers 4/10
Minnesota Vikings 13/4
Detroit Lions 23/4
Chicago Bears 26/1
Minnesota Vikings
This division is all about Aaron Rodgers and his Packers offense – okay fine, it’s just about Aaron Rodgers in fact. But don’t sleep on the Vikings, who remain a destructive defensive unit.
After a 5–0 start for Minnesota last year, the league caught up to quarterback Sam Bradford, but signs of improvement are already evident. With new signings, their offensive line and running game should be much improved, which could transform the Vikings into not only playoff but Superbowl ring contenders.
Detroit Lions
The Lions were not as good as their 9-7 record last season suggests. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was touted to be the MVP for 2016 but was never consistent enough.
Detroit made the NFL playoffs but were below average in many key indicators, which suggests they were lucky to get there. The Lions also came back to win many games last season in the 4th quarter which is never really a “quality” to rely on.
NFC East NFL Outright Betting Odds:
Dallas Cowboys 16/10
New York Giants 18/10
Philadelphia Eagles 71/20
Washington Redskins 11/2
Philadelphia Eagles
The arrow seems to be pointing upwards for Doug Pederson and his Eagles but the Philadelphia-based outfit have a really tough schedule this season. The recruiting staff have bulked up their offense to help their rookie quarterback Carson Wentz take a bigger step forward this season.
Although the Eagles were a mediocre 2-4 in the highly competitive NFC East last season, their point differential was only -4. The Eagles were on the wrong side of some very tight games last season which they should come through this time round.
Washington Redskins
After an 8-7-1 season in which the Redskins showed great stability, Washington appears to have made some regressive decisions in the offseason. Last season was the best yet in quarterback Kirk Cousins’ career under head coach Jay Gruden.
Worrying for the Skins is there’s now talk of a move for Cousins, and even if he does stay on board, he’s lost two of his best receivers in DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. It’s hard to see Washington back in playoff contention this season and this might well be a lost year of the franchise’s own making.
NFC South NFL Outright Betting Odds:
Atlanta Falcons 16/10
Carolina Panthers 43/20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 67/20
New Orleans Saints 17/4
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers suffered a Super Bowl hangover much like Atlanta might well do this season. Carolina have done well to draft Matt Kalil from Minnesota as well as running back Christian McCaffrey, who can provide some easy completions.
The Panthers offensive line can’t possibly suffer as many injuries as it did last season. The Panthers are of course heavily reliant on Cam Newton and their success will hinge on his recovery from surgery and that he avoids further injury.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback Jameis Winston led the Bucs to a 9–7 record last season. Management at Tampa Bay have recruited well during the offseason, adding free agent receiver DeSean Jackson, Alabama tight-end O.J. Howard and receiver Chris Godwin from Penn State.
The Bucs have momentum on their side and their team in undoubtedly stronger than last season. Whether their shaky defence can hold up its end of the bargain will determine their playoff chances.
NFC West NFL Outright Betting Odds:
Seattle Seahawks 7/20
Arizona Cardinals 23/10
Los Angeles Rams 20/1
San Francisco 49ers 34/1
Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks have a favourable schedule this season. Seattle get to play 3 of their 4 primetime games at home, where they’re rock solid – and have zero back-to-back road games.
With a healthy Russell Wilson and Earl Thomas, this team is the most consistent we’ve seen in many years. The Seahawks have won 3 division titles out of the last 4 – and the title is looming again.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers were dismal last season, ranking stone-last in total defence. They sacked their head coach and brought in Kyle Shanahan from Superbowl 51 finalists, the Atlanta Falcons. They’ve also got rid of long-standing general manager Trent Baalke for John Lynch.
Shanahan’s first priority will be to get the San Fran offense back on track and he’s already signed three wide receivers to help his cause. Although the rebuild will take some time, these managerial changes should see the 49ers easily improve on their win total from last season.
NFL Outright Betting Preview Picks for the 2017-18 NFL season:
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers to win division @ 7/10 (WSB)
Cleveland Browns – Under 3.5 Regular Season wins @ 4/6 (Sportingbet)
AFC East
New England Patriots – Over 12.5 Regular Season wins @ 8/10 (Sportingbet)
New York Jets – Over 4.5 Regular Season wins @ 13/10 (Sportingbet)
AFC South
Tennessee Titans to win division @ 19/10 (WSB)
Indianapolis Colts – Under 8.5 Regular Season wins @ 21/20 (Sportingbet)
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs to win division @ 22/10 (WSB)
LA Chargers Division Finishing Position – 4th @ 11/10 (Sportingbet)
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NFC North
Minnesota Vikings – Over 8.5 Regular Season wins @ 9/10 (Sportingbet)
Detroit Lions – Under 7.5 Regular Season wins @ 23/20 (Sportingbet)
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles – Over 8 Regular Season wins @ 3/4 (Sportingbet)
Washington Redskins – Under 7.5 Regular Season wins @ EVS (Sportingbet)
NFC South
Carolina Panthers to win division @ 43/20 (WSB)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Over 8.5 Regular Season wins @ 4/6 (Sportingbet)
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks – Over 10.5 Regular Season wins @ 7/10 (Sportingbet)
San Francisco 49ers – Over 4.5 Regular Season wins @ 17/20 (Sportingbet)