Champs or Chumps? Which Current Division Leaders Are For Real

The season has just started, and teams that are in first place now could end up in last place by the time the season is over. With 13 games left on the schedule there is time for teams that are winning now to falter later.

Teams that start the season with some wins are usually a guarantee to become a playoff team, but there not all of them are legitimate contenders.

With that in mind, it is time to investigate the current division leaders and see which ones are champs or chumps?

Champs are teams that are considered to be legitimate and will make the playoffs and maybe even do some damage once they get there.

Chumps are teams that are fooling themselves with their early performance. There is a good chance that these teams will not win their division and have a shot at missing the playoffs.

Here is a look at all of the current division leaders heading into week four.

AFC East

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MIAMI - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back LaDanian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

New York Jets

The Jets started the season with a downright ugly loss against the Baltimore Ravens and things did not look so good in the Big Apple. Since then Mark Sanchez has looked sharp and the offense has opened up. LT looks like a great pick up in the off season and he is carrying the offense out of the backfield.

Darelle Revis has missed several games with an injury (Guess the hold out was not a good idea) and Braylon Edwards will have his day in court, but the distractions have not bothered the Jets.

They are on top of the AFC East and already have wins against the Patriots and the Dolphins to get the edge in winning the East title. It’s still early and anything can happen, but right now the Jets have to be considered Champs.

Odds released by BetMania have the Jets at 1.4 to 1 to win the AFC East.

AFC South

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Wide receiver Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans attempts to shake the tackle of cornerback Terence Newman #41 of the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Image

Houston Texans

The Texans started the season with a monstrous win in division by taking down the Indianapolis Colts. They followed that up with an overtime win on the road against the Redskins. Last week they lost to the Cowboys, but still hold the top spot in the AFC South.

The Texans have not shown the ability to play solid defense. They rank dead last in total defense and struggle against the run and the pass. Superstar wide receiver, Andre Johnson is banged up and if misses time the offense would suffer.

Until they improve on defense and as long as the Colts are in the same division they have to be considered Chumps.

The Texans are listed at 2.5 to 1 to win the AFC South at BetMania.

AFC North

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TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tries to out run defenders Cody Grimm #35 and Ronde Barber #20 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Tampa, F

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are just one of three undefeated teams in the NFL and they have done it without the services of their starting quarterback.

This team is well coached and backed by a strong defense that can win games if the offense struggles. The game against the Ravens this week is the first division game and will test their merit. This division is very competitive, but the Steelers will only get better when Big Ben comes back into the lineup.

The Steelers are for real and have to be considered Champs.

The Steelers are even money at BetMania to win the AFC North

AFC West

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 26: Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes the ball while under pressure from Justin Smith #94 and Parys Haralson #98 of the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. The

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs pulled off an upset in week one over the AFC West favorite San Diego Chargers. Then to prove it was not a fluke they then won on the road in Cleveland and trounced the 49ers at home.

This may not be a popular choice, but the Chiefs get a label of Champs. The west is not strong and the Chargers are having trouble beating mediocre teams. The Chiefs have a crazy home field advantage and can rush the ball.  The special teams are explosive and the Chiefs have a good coaching staff that has this team going in the right direction.

According to NFL odds posted by BetMania The Chiefs are 1.6 to 1 to win the AFC West

NFC East

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles is sacked by safety Sean Considine #37 of the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars 2

Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Vick has Philadelphia excited about the possibilities for this team. He is the starter of a team and ignites an offense that is filled with play makers.

The defense has been suspect. They gave up over 30 points and a slew of yards to a Detroit Lions defense sans Matthew Stafford. They have won against weak opposition and in a tough division the Eagles will get the label of Chumps.

It's still early but the Cowboys are still in the running for this division.

The Odds for the eagles to win the NFC East are 1.4 to 1 at BetMania

NFC South

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 26: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons is tackled by Jabari Greer #33 of the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on September 26, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Falcons defeated the Saints 27-24. (Photo by Chr

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are making some noise in the NFC South. They are off a very big divisional win against the Saints in the super dome. This win was an indication that they are ready to play with the best in the NFL. With an early schedule that included the Steelers, and the Saints a 2-1 record is pretty good.

The Falcons win over the Saints puts the division in their hands and makes the dirty birds champs in my book.

BetMania has the odds for the Falcons to win the NFC South at 2 to 1

NFC West

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 26: Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks returns an interception against the San Diego Chargers at Qwest Field on September 26, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Chargers 27-20. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty I

Seattle Seahawks

Pete Carroll has the Seattle faithful excited as they are in the division lead after three weeks of the regular season. They are using the home field advantage to get some early season wins against good teams lie the Chargers and the 49ers.

They do have some problems. The offense is stagnant at times and in the win against the Chargers, special teams had to carry the load. The Seahawks have yet to win on the road and for that and other reason they are labeled Chumps.

The odds for the Seahawks to win the NFC West is 1.4 to 1 at BetMania.

NFC North

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Mark Anderson #97 of the Chicago Bears looks on against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears won 20-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Chicago Bears

The Bears are undefeated and have to huge wins against the Cowboys and the Packers. Jay Cutler is putting up huge numbers in the new offense under Mike Martz and Julius Peppers is a great fit on defense.

The problem is the Green Bay Packers play in their division. They won the first meeting, but the Packers let it slip away by setting a franchise record in penalties. The Bears are still mistake prone as evident by the game against Detroit and are considered Chumps and will be exposed this week against the Giants.

The odds for the Bears to win the NFC North are 2 to 1 at BetMania

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Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews, and predictions. Feel Free to contact Matt at [e-mail]