There is now less than a month until the start of the 2012 NFL regular season. NFL franchises have had their training camps and are now involved in preseason games to get themselves ready for the upcoming season. As Sports Bettors it is vital that we also get ourselves ready for the upcoming season. In the next month at Online Gambling we will be previewing each division of the NFL so you will have as much information as possible before you place your bets.
Today we will be focusing one of the oldest divisions in the NFL- AFC East.
History:
AFC East has been in its current alignment since the NFL expansion in 2002. Since that time New England Patriots have dominated, winning the division nine times in just eleven seasons. The New York Jets have been the second most successful side winning the division in 2002 and qualifying for a wildcard four times. Miami Dolphins won the division in 2008 but were aided by the season ending injury to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Buffalo Bills have never won the division, in its current form, and have not reached the playoffs since 1999; the longest current drought in the NFL.
New England Patriots
Last Year:
The Patriots were one Wes Welker reception away from being Super Bowl Champions in 2011. Offensively the team was as strong as ever; ranking 3rd overall and 2nd in passing. It was their defense, particularly their secondary, which came under attack throughout the season. The Patriots had the second worse defense in the league something they must improve on if they are to return to the Super Bowl in 2012.
Off Season Acquisitions:
New England has attempted to rebuild their defense at the draft this year. There first six selections were all defensive players. The most pivotal pickups are defensive end Chandler Jones and Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower. Hightower is likely to start right away this season while Jones is a work in progress at this stage. The Patriots also added depth to their wide receiver stocks adding Brandon Lloyd, Anthony Gonzalez, Donte Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney.
Biggest Question:
Will the defense improve in 2012? The Patriots relied far too heavily on Tom Brady in 2011. When he had a bad game they lost. The defense must improve to take the pressure off Brady who at 35 is one of the oldest quarterbacks in the league.
Odds: (From Intertops)
To Win Superbowl: +600 ($7.00)
To Win Conference: +330 ($4.30)
To Win Division: -400 ($1.25)
Season Outlook:
You can expect another strong season from the New England Patriots. They have had a terrific off-season adding strength to the areas they needed it most. If Tom Brady remains fit and the defense improves as expected there is no reason the Patriots can’t make it all the way to the Superbowl again.
Best Bet: Bet on New England Patriots to win the AFC Championship at Intertops.
New York Jets
Last Year:
2011 was a major disappointment for the New York Jets. There much hyped defense struggled, Mark Sanchez continued to struggle and there was a great deal of conflict in the locker room. Jets coach Rex Ryan will have to reunite the dressing room and put last season behind him.
Off Season Acquisitions:
Unless you have been living under a rock you will know Tim Tebow signed with the New York Jets in the off season. It is hard to see what Tebow can bring to the Jets side, apart from headlines. The Jets will be hoping that Tebow’s presence on the bench will fire quarterback Mark Sanchez up for a break-out season in 2012. Elsewhere the Jets haven’t done much to improve their overall squad. They took risks in the draft taking Quinton Coples and Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill who both look like being bang or bust propositions. Based on their off season acquisitions it is difficult to see the Jets improving in 2012.
Biggest Question:
Will Mark Sanchez step up in 2012? This is a massive year for Sanchez and the Jets as a whole. If he struggles the calls for Tebow will go out and Sanchez may be out of a job at the end of the season. The Jets need Sanchez to fire if they want to mix it with the Patriots in 2012.
Odds: (From Intertops)
To Win Superbowl: +2800 ($29)
To Win Conference: +1200 ($13)
To Win Division: +650 ($7.50)
Outlook:
This is a make or break year for the New York Jets. Sanchez, Ryan and many others are all likely playing/coaching for their jobs this season. A return to the playoffs will be the minimum objective but it is hard to see them toppling the Patriots for the division title. They do have an easy schedule though so a wildcard berth is not out of the question. The Jets have shown they are a strong post-season side so if they make the play-offs watch out.
Best Bet: Bet on the New York Jets to win the AFC Championship at Intertops.
Buffalo Bills
Last Year:
Buffalo Bills started last season with a bang winning their first three games and ending a fifteen game losing streak against the Patriots. However, after an injury to quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick it was all downhill for the Bills with the side losing eight of their last nine games. It is clear that the Bills need Fitzpatrick to be fit and firing if they are to end the longest current play-off drought in the league.
Off Season Acquisitions:
The Bills have improved their defense tremendously in the off-season. They have added to their linebacker corps by bringing back Kirk Morrison and drafting Nigel Bradham from Florida State and Tank Carder from TCU. They also added to the secondary by drafting cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Ron Brooks. An improve defense will take the pressure off Fitzpatrick and give the Bills a realistic shot of making the play-offs for the first time since 1999.
Biggest Question:
Will Fitzpatrick stay fit? There 2011 season was derailed by an injury to Fitzpatrick and the same is likely to happen if Fitzpatrick gets hurt again. He must stay fit if the Bills are going to be a winning team.
Odds: (From Intertops)
To Win Superbowl: +6600 ($67)
To Win Conference: +3300 ($34)
To Win Division: +800 ($9)
Outlook:
Buffalo Bills head office has done as much as they can, in the offseason, to improve this side and finally get them back in the playoffs. If Fitzpatrick stays fit they are a big chance to do just that. They have a fairly easy schedule which should put them in the mix for an AFC wildcard berth. If something happens to Tom Brady they may just be able to win the division.
Best Bet: Bet on the Buffalo Bills to win the AFC East at Intertops.
Miami Dolphins
Last Year:
Miami Dolphins started last season terribly losing their first seven games and getting head Coach Tony Sparano fired in the process. They improved in the second half of the season to finish 6-10 but failed to improve on their 2010 record.
Off Season Acquisitions:
Miami drafted for the future by picking up Texas A & M quarterback Ryan Tannerhill. They also acquired veteran quarterback David Gerrard to create a three way quarterback battle between Tannerhill, Garrard and Matt Moore. Tannerhill is obviously the quarterback of the future but it will be interesting to see who steers the ship for the majority of 2012. The Dolphins finally lost patience with enigmatic wide-receiver Brandon Marshall but replaced him with the equally enigmatic Chad Johnson (formerly Ochocinco).
Biggest Question: Who will start at quarterback? Tannerhill has potential, Matt Moore was okay when given an opportunity last season and David Garrard is a seasoned veteran. Making the wrong choice could hinder the Dolphins rebuilding process.
Odds: (From Intertops)
To Win Superbowl: +6600 ($67)
To Win Conference: +2500 ($26)
To Win Division: +1400 ($15)
Outlook:
No matter who wins the starting quarterback position it is difficult to see Miami getting anywhere near the play-offs this season. There are simply not enough leaders or standout players in the squad. The defense must step up this year to give the young offence a change to gel as a unit, without staring at massive deficits. Anything north on 8-8 would be considered a successful season.
Best Bet: Do not bet on the Miami Dolphins
It looks like being same old, same old in AFC East with the Patriots likely to win another divisional title. Watch out for the Buffalo Bills who will improve on their 2011 performance and be right in the battle for an AFC wildcard.
