AFC Divisional Futures Plays
The NFL Futures weren’t so kind to me last year. I went 2-6 with my predictions, hitting on only San Diego and Carolina. I do believe that some serious redemption is in order.
2008 proved that there are some sweet money-making opportunities in these Future plays. You could’ve gone 1-7 on Divisional winners, and still ended up in the black as long as your lone winner was the Miami Dolphins to take the AFC East at +2000. Who saw that one coming before the Brady injury? I’m guessing not too many. Time to see if there are any hidden gems out there for the 2009 season.
AFC EAST
New England -775
Buffalo +1000
Miami +1000
NY Jets +1000
Will there be another unexpected twist in this division to keep the Patriots from their rightful title? I suppose that if their offensive line keeps allowing defenders to get to their quarterback, another season-ending Brady injury isn’t out of the question. Their 48 sacks allowed last year ranked amongst the league’s worst. But it’s hard to place a 17-week wager on the hopes of an injury.
2008 proved that there are some sweet money-making opportunities in these Future plays. You could’ve gone 1-7 on Divisional winners, and still ended up in the black as long as your lone winner was the Miami Dolphins to take the AFC East at +2000. Who saw that one coming before the Brady injury? I’m guessing not too many. Time to see if there are any hidden gems out there for the 2009 season.
AFC EAST
New England -775
Buffalo +1000
Miami +1000
NY Jets +1000
Will there be another unexpected twist in this division to keep the Patriots from their rightful title? I suppose that if their offensive line keeps allowing defenders to get to their quarterback, another season-ending Brady injury isn’t out of the question. Their 48 sacks allowed last year ranked amongst the league’s worst. But it’s hard to place a 17-week wager on the hopes of an injury.
Brady’s back. Tell a friend.
Time for some new blood in the South
Even with a running game that consists of banged up backs Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk (as well as senior citizen Fred Taylor), and the recent trade of defensive cornerstone Richard Seymour, New England should romp in the East.
In Buffalo, if Terrell Owens has been unhappy with Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo, just wait til he gets a load of Trent Edwards! What week will the first meltdown occur? I’m guessing as low as Week 3 and I can’t wait!
Chad Pennington made a deal with the devil last year and now it’s time for Miami fans to pay the piper. The good news is that Joey Porter is returning off of a career year. His 17.5 sacks were second to only DeMarcus Ware. The bad news is that he doesn’t throw or catch the ball. This should be something that Coach Tony Sparano considers trying.
The Jets are hoping that Mark Sanchez will have a Matt Ryan-like rookie season. I’m hoping that Jessica Alba shows up at my door in her bathrobe. Neither one is happening.
AFC North
Pittsburgh -250
Baltimore +250
Cincinnati +1000
Cleveland +1300
The defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers are basically returning their entire team. With the exception of Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu, there are no stars. They are just a group of solid players who mesh well together under head coach Mike Tomlin. Their hard-hitting, top ranked defense was the stingiest in yards (237.2) and points allowed (13.98). Last year I took Cleveland to win the North. This year I won’t be such an idiot. Until the Steelers give me a reason to believe that they don’t own this division, I’ll be on them.
In Buffalo, if Terrell Owens has been unhappy with Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo, just wait til he gets a load of Trent Edwards! What week will the first meltdown occur? I’m guessing as low as Week 3 and I can’t wait!
Chad Pennington made a deal with the devil last year and now it’s time for Miami fans to pay the piper. The good news is that Joey Porter is returning off of a career year. His 17.5 sacks were second to only DeMarcus Ware. The bad news is that he doesn’t throw or catch the ball. This should be something that Coach Tony Sparano considers trying.
The Jets are hoping that Mark Sanchez will have a Matt Ryan-like rookie season. I’m hoping that Jessica Alba shows up at my door in her bathrobe. Neither one is happening.
AFC North
Pittsburgh -250
Baltimore +250
Cincinnati +1000
Cleveland +1300
The defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers are basically returning their entire team. With the exception of Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu, there are no stars. They are just a group of solid players who mesh well together under head coach Mike Tomlin. Their hard-hitting, top ranked defense was the stingiest in yards (237.2) and points allowed (13.98). Last year I took Cleveland to win the North. This year I won’t be such an idiot. Until the Steelers give me a reason to believe that they don’t own this division, I’ll be on them.
Polamalu. Bless you.
In Baltimore the game is still all about the defense. Hasn’t that been the case for over 10 years? Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and company still control Raven games when they are smacking opponents in the grill. If they could just throw any semblance of an offense on the field, they could be dangerous. When Todd Heap is your only threat, things probably aren’t going to go your way.
The good news for the Bengals is that the rest of the NFL is beginning to catch up to them in arrest reports. I played poker with quarterback Carson Palmer a few weeks ago at the SBR Bash, and he is better looking in person than I thought he would be. OK it was actually moderator Vegas Dave wearing a Palmer jersey, but he was better looking in person than I expected as well. Laveranues Coles should help the real Carson in the passing game, but these are still the Bungles.
The Browns look to finally be going with Brady Quinn. BQ at QB. He’s a QT. OK I’ll stop that now, and the Browns shouldn’t even bother. Another last place finish, coming right up!
AFC South
Indianapolis -115
Tennessee +300
Houston +375
Jacksonville +475
Finally, a dog I can get down to. Obviously my Houston choice last year was a bit premature. This year, however, I’m feeling pretty good about these Texans.
Quarterback Matt Schaub is banged up again heading into the opener. He absolutely has to find a way to keep himself on the field. He is a talented player with a superb supporting cast. Should he end up sidelined again, it will be a steady dose of Dan Orlovsky and Rex Grossman. If that happens, these tickets become obsolete.
If he is able to stay healthy, the possibilities of what he, Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels and Steve Slaton could accomplish this season are endless. They could certainly build on their 5-1 finish in 2008 and ride the wave all the way to the playoffs.
The good news for the Bengals is that the rest of the NFL is beginning to catch up to them in arrest reports. I played poker with quarterback Carson Palmer a few weeks ago at the SBR Bash, and he is better looking in person than I thought he would be. OK it was actually moderator Vegas Dave wearing a Palmer jersey, but he was better looking in person than I expected as well. Laveranues Coles should help the real Carson in the passing game, but these are still the Bungles.
The Browns look to finally be going with Brady Quinn. BQ at QB. He’s a QT. OK I’ll stop that now, and the Browns shouldn’t even bother. Another last place finish, coming right up!
AFC South
Indianapolis -115
Tennessee +300
Houston +375
Jacksonville +475
Finally, a dog I can get down to. Obviously my Houston choice last year was a bit premature. This year, however, I’m feeling pretty good about these Texans.
Quarterback Matt Schaub is banged up again heading into the opener. He absolutely has to find a way to keep himself on the field. He is a talented player with a superb supporting cast. Should he end up sidelined again, it will be a steady dose of Dan Orlovsky and Rex Grossman. If that happens, these tickets become obsolete.
If he is able to stay healthy, the possibilities of what he, Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels and Steve Slaton could accomplish this season are endless. They could certainly build on their 5-1 finish in 2008 and ride the wave all the way to the playoffs.
Time for some new blood in the South
For the first time in his career Peyton Manning will not have Marvin Harrison’s services available to him. Reggie Wayne has proven his value, and Anthony Gonzalez has shown some signs as well, but Harrison was Manning’s security blanket for so long. Throw in a less-than-scary running attack, and you have to wonder if Peyton will still have the swagger that has made him one of the league’s best for so long. I’m just over the Colts. Somebody please make them go away.
Is there anything to like about the Titan’s chances this year? There is really no position on the entire team to be excited about. Last season’s effective defense returns without big man Albert Haynesworth. This year could be brutal. Only if Sahel Kazemi took the field could Tennessee’s hopes be killed quicker than they already have been.
Jacksonville is just there. They’ll win a few, they’ll lose a few, but can Jags fans even begin to convince themselves that they will be anything more than marginal? If I was a betting man, I’d say no. Oh wait, I am a betting man, and I say NO.
AFC WEST
San Diego -825
Denver +600
Kansas City +1500
Oakland +1500
Yet another huge favorite and I’d be silly to even consider taking anyone else. Just by default for being in a garbage division, the Chargers should take the West with ease.
In Denver, Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall were beginning to bring back memories of John Elway and Rod Smith. But it wasn’t meant to be, as Coach Shanahan was fired, Cutler traded to Chicago, and Marshall (suspended) has been the latest in a long line of wide receiver head cases to emerge. Now Bronco fans have to build themselves up for Kyle Orton-to-Brandon Stokley (gasp!) The good news is that rookie running back Knowshon Moreno should be a nice addition to their backfield. Champ Bailey is still one of the best D-backs around. Veteran signing Brian Dawkins will join Bailey in the secondary to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. But Orton-to-Stokley? My God.
The Chiefs put all of their hopes on Matt Cassel, when they traded for the Patriots backup after a nice season in relief of Tom Brady. Cassel has sprained his MCL and is questionable for the team’s start next week. There are reports that Larry Johnson looks to be in great shape once again, and if Cassel remains healthy and wasn’t a one-and-done fluke, then the Chiefs could actually put up some numbers. But then their second-worst defense (393.2 ypg, 27.5 ppg) will find new and inventive ways to blow sure victories.
As for Oakland – The Seven Dwarfs are working down in the mines when there is a cave-in. Snow White runs to the entrance to the mine and yells down to them. In the distance a voice shouts out of the mine shaft, “The Raiders will win the AFC West.” Snow White says, “Well at least Dopey’s alive.”
Is there anything to like about the Titan’s chances this year? There is really no position on the entire team to be excited about. Last season’s effective defense returns without big man Albert Haynesworth. This year could be brutal. Only if Sahel Kazemi took the field could Tennessee’s hopes be killed quicker than they already have been.
Jacksonville is just there. They’ll win a few, they’ll lose a few, but can Jags fans even begin to convince themselves that they will be anything more than marginal? If I was a betting man, I’d say no. Oh wait, I am a betting man, and I say NO.
AFC WEST
San Diego -825
Denver +600
Kansas City +1500
Oakland +1500
Yet another huge favorite and I’d be silly to even consider taking anyone else. Just by default for being in a garbage division, the Chargers should take the West with ease.
In Denver, Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall were beginning to bring back memories of John Elway and Rod Smith. But it wasn’t meant to be, as Coach Shanahan was fired, Cutler traded to Chicago, and Marshall (suspended) has been the latest in a long line of wide receiver head cases to emerge. Now Bronco fans have to build themselves up for Kyle Orton-to-Brandon Stokley (gasp!) The good news is that rookie running back Knowshon Moreno should be a nice addition to their backfield. Champ Bailey is still one of the best D-backs around. Veteran signing Brian Dawkins will join Bailey in the secondary to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. But Orton-to-Stokley? My God.
The Chiefs put all of their hopes on Matt Cassel, when they traded for the Patriots backup after a nice season in relief of Tom Brady. Cassel has sprained his MCL and is questionable for the team’s start next week. There are reports that Larry Johnson looks to be in great shape once again, and if Cassel remains healthy and wasn’t a one-and-done fluke, then the Chiefs could actually put up some numbers. But then their second-worst defense (393.2 ypg, 27.5 ppg) will find new and inventive ways to blow sure victories.
As for Oakland – The Seven Dwarfs are working down in the mines when there is a cave-in. Snow White runs to the entrance to the mine and yells down to them. In the distance a voice shouts out of the mine shaft, “The Raiders will win the AFC West.” Snow White says, “Well at least Dopey’s alive.”