British Masters Picks
May 3, 2022
NFL Betting – AFC North Odds
May 4, 2022
The Buffalo Bills took home AFC East bragging rights for the second straight season by way of going 11-6 SU and a moneymaking 9-6-2 against the closing NFL odds. It outscored all opposition by 194 points. For reference sake, the New York Jets brought up the rear of the standings (4-13, 6-11 ATS) after getting outscored by 194 points. That alone lets it be known just how much of a separation their truly is from the top to the bottom of this conference. That being said, I forecast the AFC East to be much more competitive throughout the 2022-23 NFL betting season with the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, and Jets mostly improved from 2021-22. Even so, this is still the Bills division to lose as evidenced by SugarHouse Sportsbook installing them decided -200 chalk to take it down a third straight time. The following are the two teams I believe are worthy of investing in to win the division right now without being able to take a gander at every team’s upcoming schedule. My beliefs can and will likely change over the course of the season due to the line value created; either good or bad.
AFC East Odds at SugarHouse Sportsbook
Buffalo Bills -200
New England Patriots +420
Miami Dolphins +420
New York Jets +2000
Buffalo Bills -200
The fifth year of the Josh Allen era kicks off in earnest in 2022 with the Bills the +650 odds on favorite to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at SugarHouse for the first time in franchise history. Their win total currently clocks in at 11.5 with heavy -143 juice currently attached to the over. No other team within the division owns a win total higher than nine! We’re talking about a team that ranked amongst the top-10 in just about every pertinent offensive stat category a season ago, and backed that output up with a defense that conceded the fewest yards (272.8) and points (17.0) in the game. Put it all together and we got not only the best overall team in the division, but also a bona fide Super Bowl contender that’s a -500 favorite to qualify for the playoffs; none of the other 31 teams have higher odds to do so! In other words, the Bills are going to the postseason; health permitting. It’s only a matter of whether it’s as division winners or wild card entrants.
And to think, this team only got better following the NFL Draft with its biggest needs coming at cornerback, wide receiver, and running back. Florida CB Kaiir Elam immediately checked a box with the 23rd pick of the first round. If Tre’Davious White hits the gridiron completely healthy for 2022-23, the Bills are going to be extremely tough to pass on. The second need was shored up with the snagging of UGA RB James Cook in the second round. More WR depth was added with the selection of Boise State pass catcher Khalil Shakir in the fifth round. Should new punter Matt Araiza thrive in the NFL like he did in the collegiate landscape, Buffalo is going to win the field position battle with a high frequency every passing week! The way the front office hit home runs both in free agency and the draft, there likely isn’t a team in the division worthy of ending the Bills reign. The franchise playing with a chip on its shoulder only makes it that much easier to buy into in all futures markets.
Miami Dolphins +420
Though the Dolphins logged winning marks under Brian Flores’s watch each of the last two seasons, Miami chose to go in a different direction at the head coaching position for the foreseeable future. Even with a new shot caller in place in the form of Mike McDaniel, I’m still a fan of what this team will bring to the playing field every passing week. The moves made in the offseason to shore up the roster were noticeable. Veteran OT Terron Armstead was brought in to shore up the offensive line, while WR Tyreek Hill was also added to make an already formidable pass-catching corps all the more lethal. And don’t forget about the acquisition of RB Chase Edmonds who should fit seamlessly into his new offensive attack. Ultimately, it’ll all come down to Tua Tagovailoa coming into his own and finally living up to being selected fifth in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The former Alabama standout has had his ups and downs through his first two seasons with turnovers and the injury bug continuing to be a pest. Even so, the stars are aligned for him to have his biggest showing at the NFL level with the weapons currently surrounding him. The team logged nine wins a season ago and was in the playoff hunt till the bitter end. The 2022-23 win total clocks in at 9 at SugarHouse Sportsbook with heavy juice currently attached to the under. If it’s to go over its win total a second straight season, it’ll ultimately come down to Tua taking that next step under the new coaching staff – I believe he can
