Ravens and Chargers can win their tough divisions
The NFL is months away from kicking off, however the early chook will get the betting worm, so let’s check out three division winner values on BetMGM earlier than the percentages wriggle away from us. All three groups are priced above +200, so if simply considered one of them hits, you will earn cash in case you’re wagering the identical quantity on every guess.
The one attainable rationalization for the Ravens’ horrific damage luck in 2021 is that proprietor Stephen Bisciotti should have dropped a mirror whereas strolling beneath a ladder whereas opening some cursed tomb earlier than the season began. Quarterback Lamar Jackson and cornerback Marlon Humphrey missed 5 video games every, offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley missed nearly your complete yr, cornerback Marcus Peters did miss your complete yr, and Baltimore was all the way down to their third-string operating again by the point the season began, within the wake of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards each struggling season-ending accidents within the preseason.
Baltimore has 10 picks within the 2022 draft, together with the 14th general choose. For those who check out their draft historical past, you will discover that the Ravens not often miss. The present expertise on Baltimore’s roster is on par with the 2019 staff that went 14-2 and gained the AFC North by six video games. Jackson’s MVP marketing campaign that season was no fluke. He is nonetheless some of the troublesome quarterbacks to gameplan for and play towards. With Dobbins and Edwards wholesome, the Ravens dashing assault might be again in an enormous manner. Their protection might be, as effectively. Final yr’s disappointing end is that this yr’s recency bias-fueled worth.
As for the opposite groups within the division, the Steelers (+900) might be higher than individuals anticipate, however their offensive line stays a obvious downside. Cincinnati (+240) shored up in that space, however they loved the third-easiest schedule final yr and a little bit of luck, ending with 1.6 extra wins than their anticipated 8.4 wins. Cleveland (+160) is favored to win the AFC North and may very well be Baltimore’s hardest competitors, however they may additionally find yourself on the backside of the division, relying on what finally ends up taking place with reference to a Deshaun Watson suspension. If Watson will get suspended for 6-plus video games, Baltimore out of the blue turns into the favorite to win the AFC North.
The AFC West is loaded with extra stars than the Oscars, and Chris Rock hasn’t seen something just like the slugfest we’re about to witness within the division. Kansas City, a +135 favourite to win the AFC West, has had a stranglehold on it for the previous six seasons, however that started to crack final season. Now, Tyreek Hill is gone, Travis Kelce has a thirty third birthday creeping up, and the Chiefs not have the luxurious of a stud quarterback who’s taking part in on his rookie contract.
The Chargers do have that luxurious, nevertheless. Actually, they’re the one ones within the division with it. I wrote again in February how Los Angeles was in an ideal place to go all-in on a Super Bowl run behind QB Justin Herbert, and boy did they begin making strikes in free company. Nostril tackles Austin Johnson and Sebastian Joseph-Day and linebacker Khalil Mack have been introduced in to handle the Chargers’ incapacity to cease the run, and ball-hawking cornerback J.C. Jackson was signed to close down opposing passing video games. Since he is been within the NFL, no cornerback has allowed a decrease passer score than Jackson (45.7). Los Angeles nonetheless has practically $19 million in cap area and the seventeenth choose within the draft to improve the suitable facet of their offensive line and add some depth on protection.
The Broncos (+280) are immediate contenders after the addition of QB Russell Wilson, and the Raiders (+600) might be equally powerful with newcomers Davante Adams and Chandler Jones and the return of a wholesome Darren Waller. Los Angeles has the fewest weaknesses within the division following their free agent purchasing spree and I believe their push in direction of the Tremendous Bowl pays off this season with at least an AFC West crown.
The Eagles’ offense was painful to observe early within the 2021 season. QB Jalen Hurts wasn’t clicking with what passes in Philadelphia for a large receiver room, as his staff began 3-6. First-year head coach Nick Sirianni righted the ship by doing what his roster was constructed to do — run the ball. The Eagles gained six of their ultimate eight video games, dashing for 200-plus yards 4 occasions, and snuck into the playoffs after main the league in dashing yards.
Philly might be even higher this yr. They nonetheless have a mauling offensive line, Hurts and Sirianni each have a full season of motion beneath their belts, the Eagles personal three of the highest 19 picks within the 2022 draft, they usually signed backfield-wrecker Haason Reddick to pair with defensive lineman Fletcher Cox. If they will simply discover one other stable receiver to line up with DeVonta Smith, that is going to be a enjoyable staff to observe.
Their largest impediment might be final yr’s NFC East champ, the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas is a -120 favorite to repeat the feat. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn turned the Cowboys D round in 2021, however they have been additionally the beneficiary of the second-highest fumble restoration luck, which tends to regress. The offense shipped off Amari Cooper and continues to be weighed down by Ezekiel Elliott‘s albatross of a contract. If there’s any alternative for Mike McCarthy to mess this season up, he’ll.
Washington (+450) is hypothetically in play, however their protection was an absolute zero final season and I am very comfy fading QB Carson Wentz. The Giants (+700) have a brand new head coach who’s a superb offensive thoughts, however Brian Daboll is not a magician, and New York wants David Copperfield in the event that they wish to seem on the prime of the division standings when the season is full.
Stats offered by PFF, teamrankings.com, and nfl.com.
