The biggest move in the NFL off-season was Tom Brady leaving the New England Patriots to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Even with the GOAT going south, New Jersey’s leading NFL betting sites still have the Pats at the top of the market for the AFC East title this season.
To say New England have controlled the AFC with Brady at the helm would be an understatement. The last time they did not win the division was 2008, when George Bush Jr. was in the White House. The Miami Dolphins won the division that year, but they have the longest odds to take out the title this year.
While the Brady-less Pats are the AFC East betting favorites, New Jersey sportsbooks have it is as one of the tightest divisions in the NFL. Here are latest odds at BetMGM New Jersey:
- New England Patriots +115
- Buffalo Bills +135
- New York Jets +700
- Miami Dolphins +800
It is quite an understatement to say the Pats’ new starting quarterback, Jarrett Stidham, has big shoes to fill. He is taking over for the GOAT after passing for a grand total of 14 yards in his rookie year. However, legendary coach Bill Belichick is still at the helm and last season the Patriots had the league’s top-ranked defense. New England stood pat in the off-season, not signing any free agent quarterbacks or speculating in the draft, so it seems Belichick has faith in Stidham.
The Buffalo Bills are just behind the Patriots after making the playoffs last season. Josh Allen heads into his third year after a solid sophomore campaign, but the team is still led by the defense and run game. Many in northern New York think this is the season the Bills can finally break through and win the AFC East, which they have not done since way back in 1995.
The New York Jets also have a promising third-year quarterback in Sam Darnold, but they also have some big issues. They lack a good wide receiving corps, while running back Le’Veon Bell was a big disappointment in his maiden campaign with Jets and only averaged 3.2 yards per carry. The team has some young talent but also some big question marks in the skill position and on defense.
The Dolphins are trending up even though they have the worst betting odds to win the AFC East this season. The team stockpiled draft picks with several trades and lucked out in landing a top quarterback prospect in Tua Tagovailoa. Still, he may not play this season after sitting out half of his last term at Alabama with an injury. Miami were a surprise last season even winning five games and while the future is bright in South Beach, there is a lot of work ahead for this young team.
The Patriots are used to being favourites in the Super Bowl betting, but with Brady gone that is not the case any longer. FanDuel New Jersey has the Pats on the ninth line at +2300, with the Kansas City Chiefs leading the way at +650. The Bills are paying +2700 to win the Big Game for the first time, while the Jets (+7000) and Dolphins (+8000) are well back in the pack.