NFL Betting – AFC West Future Betting

When Ric Ocasek and the Cars belted out their chorus from one of their biggest hits, obviously they didn’t have the AFC West in mind, but when I look at their division heading into the 2009 season, I couldn’t help but hear the this American New Wave band singing along.  

Shake it up – The Broncos fire one of the legends of the coaching fraternity, hire a youngster who immediately pisses off everyone, and they have to jettison their starting QB (and one of the best young arms in the game).  

Shake it up – The Chiefs trade away their best offensive player and arguably the best tight end to ever play the game (Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta) and finally land a QB who might be able to help Larry Johnson and move the ball.  

Shake it up – The Chargers drafted an edge pass rusher in the first round of the draft, sending their best defensive player, Shawne Merriman off the deep end.   

Shake it up – the Raiders, well the Raiders were the Raiders...as mixed up and shaken up as always heading into a new season. 

Sports bettors have been looking over the numbers for this division and it is hard to believe any team other than the San Diego Chargers will win this one.  

SPORTSBETTING.com has the NFL Future odds up for the AFC West: 

Oakland Raiders - 11 - 1

Kansas City Chiefs - 8 - 1

Denver Broncos - 4 - 1

San Diego Chargers - 4 - 11

Check on all the NFL Future Odds 

 - The big questions still exist all over this division. How will Matt Cassel perform without the New England system surrounding him. A mediocre coaching staff, mediocre system, weak offensive line and mediocre receiving corps...sports bettors, I wouldn’t count on Cassel leading this team to a playoff spot, and certainly not a division title.  

Can Kyle Orton and Josh McDaniel pull it together in Mile High? It’s going to be tough. Their star receiver, Brandon Marshall wants out, their defense looks like they’ll be bad (except for all-world corner Champ Bailey) and the schedule doesn’t do them any favors. It starts soft with Cincinnati, Cleveland and Oakland, and bettors will want to watch for good spots to get their money down on them early, before hitting a brutal five-game stretch (Dallas, New England, San Diego, Baltimore and Pittsburgh). 

With odds of 4-1 on them to win the division at most online sportsbook there is really no value in betting on the Broncos in this spot.   

The raiders...well...forget about them challenging for the division. Al Davis has been successful at running this franchise into the ground and every year demonstrates an ability to drill them down a little further (see that draft this summer). It’s still bad in Oakland, but that said, I’ll be looking for spots to bet on the Raiders, as the defense can compete and there should be some value on taking the points with the big numbers.

The Chargers need to get focused and get over themselves. Suck it up, quit whining and play ball...yes we’re talking to you LaDainian Tomlinson, you Philip Rivers and you Merriman.  

They still have talent everywhere and will be the cream of the AFC West crop and could make a deep playoff run.  

Good luck with NFL Gambling as we get closer to the NFL pre-season odds.  

Check out top online sportsbook SPORTSBETTING.com for the lines and great bonuses.