The New York Jets are minus 105 to win the AFC East Division.
The New York Jets came out of nowhere for a run to the AFC Championship game last year. The J-E-T-S are now the second favorite in the AFC East, one of the closest divisions in NFL football.
New York is the minus 105 favorite at Bookmaker.com. New England is just ahead of the Jets at minus 110, followed by Miami (plus 525) and long shot Buffalo (plus 3500).
The Jets were on the outside looking in at the playoffs at 7-7 last year. However, they caught a big break when Indianapolis rested starters in Week 16 and Cincinnati did the same the final week.
Coach Rex Ryan’s team took full advantage of its good fortune with playoff wins at Cincinnati and San Diego, before putting a scare into Indy in the AFC title game. Bettors are bullish on New York’s division chances and have moved it ahead of hated New England.
The big question is chemistry. General Manager Mike Tannenbaum was a mad scientist in the offseason. Coming aboard were running back LaDainian Tomlinson, wide receiver Santonio Holmes, cornerback Antonio Cromartie and linebacker Jason Taylor. Holmes is suspended for the first four NFL football games of the season.
Those additions came at the expense of running back Thomas Jones and guard Alan Faneca. They were two veteran leaders in the locker room, while Holmes and Cromartie are substantial character risks.
Ryan is certainly a player’s coach and doesn’t lack the confidence to handle any situation. His No. 1 ranked NFL football defense in total yards (252.3) and points (14.8) shouldn’t have much drop-off. Shonne Greene is the featured runner to replace Jones, with Tomlinson providing depth.
Second-year quarterback Mark Sanchez appears 100 percent after offseason knee surgery. He’s out to improve the league’s 31st ranked passing attack. Sanchez had 18 interceptions in the team’s eight losses and four in the 11 wins.
Ryan wants to run the ball and rely on his defense, but also knows that receivers Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery won’t be happy unless they get the ball.
There are enough potential malcontents with cornerback Darrelle Revis and center Nick Mangold publicly unhappy about their contracts. Each is grumbling about a holdout and the loss of Revis would be particularly devastating.
New England may trail New York in the division odds, but it’s the second-favorite (plus 485) in the AFC behind Indianapolis (plus 290). San Diego (plus 525), the Jets (plus 545) and Baltimore (plus 625) round out the top-5.
The Patriots and Jets each have the same win total at 9 ½. New England’s ‘over’ comes with minus 125 juice, while New York’s ‘over’ is minus 130.
New England’s demise has been greatly exaggerated, with much of it due to a 33-14 home playoff loss to Baltimore. That was Tom Brady’s first home playoff defeat in nine tries. However he should continue to get healthier in his second year after ACL surgery.
Coach Bill Belichick continues to retool the defense with young players. The unit finished 11th in the league in total defense, despite ranking 23rd in sacks. New England will put up points even if Wes Welker (knee) misses the start of the NFL football season.
The Patriots won the division last year at 10-6 (8-0 at home) and the maturation of their defense will determine if they do it again.
It’s hard to remember that Miami won the division just two years ago. The Dolphins went 11-5 in 2008 under coach Tony Sparano and won with tiebreakers over New England.
Miami slipped all the way to 7-9 last season and was below average in offense (ranked 17th) and defense (22nd). Bill Parcells is never shy in making personnel moves. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall was the big acquisition and he gives quarterback Chad Henne an elite target.
Free agent linebacker Karlos Dansby was given big money to bolster the defense. Rookie linebacker Koa Misi and defensive tackle Jared Odrick are expected to step in as starters. NFL football odds, Miami’s win total is 8 ½-games, with the ‘under’ the favored scenario at minus 140 juice.
Buffalo is the biggest division underdog in the AFC. New coach Chan Gailey wasn’t the big name Bills fans were hoping for and he still hasn’t named a starting quarterback.
Trent Edwards should get the job and he can be decent in the right system. There is plenty of depth at running back with Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch and electric rookie C.J. Spiller.
The defense has some talent as well, but is transitioning to a 3-4 scheme. If it develops quickly, Buffalo will have value at ‘over’ 5 ½ wins (plus 105).