BENGALS to maul the opposition in AFC North

Although the start of the NFL season is a number of weeks away with Free Agency well underway, the Draft in the book and minicamps getting underway here is a look at the early value that could be had in betting on the Super Bowl.

First let us start with the defending champions, the Baltimore Ravens who are as big as 22/1 (SKYBET/STAN JAMES) to defend their title. The Ravens are unlikely to repeat having lost a number of key players, , Ray Lewis and Matt Birk have retired, Anquan Bolden was traded to the San Francisco 49ers and they lost out on a number of their own free agents in Paul Kruger (Cleveland), Dannell Ellerbe (Miami), Cary Williams (Philadelphia) and Ed Reed (Houston). True they drafted well and secured a few key free agents of their own most notably in Elvis Dumervil (DENVER). In truth though the Ravens will take a step or two backwards this season. This leads me to a great value NFL bet in the AFC North. If the Ravens do take a step backwards then it leads the divisional title wide open.

The bookmakers think Pittsburgh will take advantage and have them as 7/4 (GENERAL) favourites though Cincinnati at 5/2 (CORAL/william hill) look the better bet. The Bengals had a 10-6 record last season while the Steelers were 8-8. Cincinnati are a young side who can only get better and as such look great value for the divisional title.

Denver Broncos are the 7/1 (GENERAL) favourites to claim the title and this looks well deserved. The Broncos lost to the Ravens in double overtime last season in the divisional play-offs in a game that could have gone either way. The Broncos lost Elvis Dumervil but have brought in Wes Welker and Shaun Phillips. In quarterback Peyton Manning they have an experienced game winner and this Denver side is not too changed from the same one that ended the regular season with a 11-1 run.

The second favourites are the New England Patriots who are 15/2 (SKYBET/BETVICTOR/CORAL). The Patriots always command respect behind the duo of quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick. Tim Tebow has joined them as a backup quarterback which will manage to ensure them even more media attention though whether he gets much gametime is another matter. The Patriots always command respect though I think the price is more a reflection of their name rather than their current team.

The San Francisco 49ers are our second selection as the beaten finalists last year look to bounce back from a three point loss to Baltimore. The 49ers have not been resting this summer either first nailing the draft with some quality pickups. They also secured the rights to Anquan Bolden via a trade from Baltimore and signed a number of qualify free-agents including Glenn Dorsey and Corey Lemonier. The only downside is the long-term injury to receiver Michael Crabtree. A lot of pressure will fall on one of Mario Manningham, Quniton Patton, Kyle Williams, AJ Jenkins and possible new signing Austin Collie to fill the void. The defence though will find them way to win games and quarterback Colin Kaepernick can only come on for a whole summer working out with the team as a starter rather than coming as a late season replacement like he did last year.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Cincinnati Bengals to win the AFC North, 5/2 (CORAL/william hill)
SILVER: Denver Broncos to win the Super Bowl, 7/1 (GENERAL)
BRONZE: San Francisco 49ers to win the Super Bowl, 8/1 ( GENERAL)

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20/06/2013     © Frixo 2024