Betting the AFC South at Bovada and BetOnline
The weeks are getting closer to real football, with Week 2 of the NFL Preseason under way this week. We are posting some picks on preseason football (if you’re betting preseason, check out our NFL Preseason betting primer).
We went over our picks to win the AFC North last week. Today, it’s the AFC South. The division is rather wide open (and weakest) compared to others. We will provide odds for both Bovada and BetOnline’s divisional betting futures, but it’s still important to line shop for the best price available.
Bovada’s to Win AFC South Odds
BetOnline’s to Win AFC South Odds
Odds Analysis
The Texans won the division last year with a 9-7 record and managed to beat the Titans in a tiebreaker to make the playoffs. The Brock Osweiler Experiment lasted one full season. He’s now on the Browns, and Tom Savage appears to be the starter for now. However, they did draft Deshaun Watson as the quarterback of the future. Houston is a better bet at Bovada where they are +200 compared to +195 at BetOnline to win the AFC South.
After just barely missing the postseason last year and losing Marcus Mariota to injury – the Titans look poised to make the next step. Mariota is fully healthy, and they have added Eric Decker to an already potent offensive arsenal. Poor defense continues to hold them back. Tennessee is a better bet at +200 at Bovada than at BetOnline where they are +180.
Up next is the Colts, a franchise which has disappointed fans, in recent years, despite plenty of hype. Andrew Luck is once again facing injury questions, after missing several games last season. With all that said, they were just a game behind the division after finishing 8-8 last year. Indianapolis is a slightly better option at BetOnline where they are +260 compared to +250 at Bovada.
The Jaguars have underachieved for years. Inconsistent quarterback play from Bortles, despite plenty of talented weapons, has plagued Jacksonville for several seasons now. They finished a woeful 3-13 last season. BetOnline’s +600 beats Bovada’s +550 if you think Jacksonville has hope for a massive turnaround.
Our Pick to Win the AFC South
Houston seems to be the trendy pick for many handicapping this division. J.J. Watt is back, and their defense is fantastic, but the offense is a significant liability, and with journeyman Tom Savage or a rookie signal-caller behind center – I’m not sure it’s going to get much better.
Maybe this is the year Indy puts it all together. +260 isn’t a bad price in what might be the worst division in football. Andrew Luck was billed as a generation talent, but it’s fair to say, he might have been overhyped. Luck has failed in big games in the postseason, turns the ball over frequently, and is consistently on the shelf.
I can’t possibly consider Jacksonville, even at +600. They’re an absolute mess at quarterback and defensively.
The Titans look to take the reins in this division. I think 9-7 is a baseline for Tennessee this season. Mariota is a dynamic player who has all his injuries behind him. He’s meticulous will the ball and may unleash his legs this more this season. The roster isn’t ideal defensively but the secondary was revamped in the offseason, and it is the third year under famed defensive coordinator, Dick LeBeau.
Our Pick: Titans +200 at Bovada
About the Author
Joseph Falchetti
Editor-in-Chief, Pro Sports Bettor and Casino Expert
Joe is the author of the majority of sports betting pages on SBS and he serves as a gambling consultant to our content team. He's been mentioned on Forbes.com as a gaming analyst, and his articles have been linked by larger publications, such as the New York Times.
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Betting the AFC North at Bovada and BetOnline
Joseph Falchetti | August 10, 2017Next post
