The 2022 NFL season officially kicked off last night with the Buffalo Bills taking down the Los Angeles Rams in LA. Buffalo proved why they were the preseason favorites to win the Super Bowl with a dominating win.
Buffalo is off to a hot start and is looking to win the AFC East for the third consecutive year. The division was once dominated by the New England Patriots.
Now the Pats, the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets are all looking up at the Bills. However, this could be a sneaky opportunity for folks in the sports betting world. What are the odds that one of these teams shocks the world and dethrones the Bills atop the AFC East?
AFC East Betting Odds
| TEAM | AFC EAST DIVISION ODDS |
|---|---|
| Bills | -325 |
| Dolphins | +450 |
| Patriots | +1000 |
| Jets | +5000 |
Odds available at time of publishing on Friday, September 9
Bills Looking To Three-Peat
The Buffalo Bills have won at least ten games in each of the last three seasons. However, this year’s roster is the most complete it has been since Josh Allen took over as the starting QB in 2018.
Allen and Stefon Diggs are entering their third season as a duo. The emergence of wideout Gabriel Davis in the playoffs last season has helped create an added level of excitement about the prospects of this Bills offense.
The Bills also brought in star linebacker Von Miller in free agency who will boost Buffalo’s pass rush. They are mixing in some youth at the cornerback spot, but they will be backed up by experience at the safety positions. Ideally, they will be able to hold up long enough for All-Pro CB Tre’Davious White to heal up from the ACL tear he suffered last season.
Out of the four teams in the AFC East, the Bills have the least amount of question marks. Here is a quick look at Buffalo’s futures odds:
- To win Super Bowl +500
- To win AFC: +300
- To win AFC East: -325
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Can The Patriots Make Another Playoff Run?
The New England Patriots took a huge step forward last season in the post-Tom Brady era. As a rookie, QB Mac Jones was impressive. He played very well at times showing the poise that made him a star in college at Alabama.
However, there are a lot of football experts that are pointing to last season as a fluke. Right now the Patriots win total over/under is at 8.5 (+115) according to most sportsbooks. That doesn’t bode well for Pats fans. But if you are a believer and think head coach Bill Belichick will keep this team competitive, there are a host of good bets you can make.
Here is a quick look at New England’s futures odds:
- To win Super Bowl +8000
- To win AFC: +4000
- To win AFC East: +1000
Betting on the Patriots to make the postseason as a wildcard could be a solid wager. The odds are at +320. If you think the Patriots have a chance to compete in the AFC but have a hard time putting them over the Bills, this is the bet you want to make. The AFC West will be a dog fight, but it would be rather surprising to see all four teams make the playoffs. The AFC South will likely only send its division champion to the postseason. The battle for the AFC North is the one to watch. Can the Pats keep pace with the Bengals and the Ravens? Possibly. The AFC East and AFC North teams play each other this season, so there will be plenty of opportunities to find out.
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Will Tua Take That Next Step For The Dolphins?
The Miami Dolphins are a trendy pick to make the playoffs this season, primarily due to the addition of star wide receiver Tyreek Hill. After several pro bowl years with the Kansas City Chiefs, Hills is confident that his speed and playmaking ability is just what QB Tua Tagovailoa needs to ascend in the quarterback rankings.
The Dolphins organization has faced a lot of scrutiny over some of its dealings in recent years. One scandal got so bad that the team lost draft picks, and team owner Stephen Ross was fined and suspended. On the field, many have questioned the Dolphins’ selection of Tagovailoa in the 2020 NFL Draft over Justin Herbert.
Tua can silence the doubters with a big year. He has more weapons on offense, and the defense should be solid. Many sports betting sites have Miami slotted in second in the AFC East. That will only happen if Tua is able to shine.
Here is a quick look at Miami’s futures odds:
- To win Super Bowl +3000
- To win AFC: +2000
- To win AFC East: +450
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Will The Jets Crash And Burn, Or Are They Ready To Take Off?
The season hasn’t even started, and many fans of the New York Jets have already thrown in the towel. Not only are they in the same division as the prohibitive Super Bowl favorite, but they also will not have their starting quarterback for at least the first three games of the season.
QB Zach Wilson is reportedly out until at least Week 4. Meaning, Joe Flacco will start in the season opener against his former team, the Baltimore Ravens. This feels like a bad omen for Jets fans. They are already facing an uphill climb in the AFC East. Now they have to start the season without their franchise player.
Here is a quick look at New York’s futures odds:
- To win Super Bowl +41000
- To win AFC: +15000
- To win AFC East: +5000
Let’s face it: the Jets are a long shot to do any significant winning. However, there is one future bet that could be worth taking a look at. Keep an eye on rookie running back Breece Hall in the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation. Right now his odds to win the award are at +1800. This might be a steal. A lot of focus is usually on quarterbacks for these awards, but no rookie QBs expect to see much playing time early in the season. That means this award is wide open. Hall will get a lot of touches throughout the season, meaning he will have plenty of chances to stake claim to this award and help bettors potentially cash in.
Overall View Of The AFC East
While the Bills are the safe bet to come away with the division, odds at -278 don’t really do a lot for anyone. The Patriots (+1000) and Dolphins (+420) are low risk, high rewards plays that could net you a pretty penny. Unless you are a Jets fan, it may be best to focus on prop bets throughout the season and potential sleepers in the futures betting market.
The AFC East may not have the best teams from top to bottom, but there are loads of interesting and exciting storylines. It will be intriguing to see if anyone will challenge Buffalo for the division crown. Can Miami live up to high expectations? Can New England exceed low expectations? Will the Jets create any expectations? It should be a fun ride. However, one thing sports fans can agree on is: thank goodness football is back.
AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes
