While the Patriots' offseason has been a tumultuous one, the defending Super Bowl champs remain the odds-on favorites to win the AFC East, a division they've dominated since 2001. New England has won 12 of the last 14 AFC East titles and is listed at 4-to-7 odds at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook to claim it again this year.
That number, though, has been adjusted from the 4-to-9 opening price, partly because of Tom Brady's four-game suspension. New England's win total was reduced from 10.5 to 10 at the SuperBook as well.
New England is 8-to-1 to win another Super Bowl, behind only the Seahawks (5/1), Packers (5/1) and Colts (7/1) on the Westgate's futures board.
Some people believe, meanwhile, that Brady's suspension will be shortened, or lifted altogether.
Expectations for the Pats' competition in the division, though, are rising. The Dolphins' win total is posted at 9, which projects them to have their first winning season since 2008. Rex Ryan is now coaching the Bills, who have a win total of 8.5 and are 19-to-4 to take the division. The Jets' win total was bet up from 7 (OVER -140) to 7.5 (OVER -150).
Here's a bettor's snapshot on the AFC East, including season win totals, odds to win the Super Bowl, odds to win the division and The Linemakers' take on each team. Odds are current as of Monday, June 15.
Patriots
Season win total: 10 (OVER -140, UNDER +120)
Odds to win Super Bowl: 8/1
Odds to win AFC East: 4/7
The Linemakers’ take: There was a Super Bowl hangover after Belichick and Brady’s first, but they’ve made the playoffs in 11 of the past 12 years, including three more Super Bowl wins. A run of five straight seasons with 12 wins or more could be complicated by Brady's suspension.
Dolphins
Season win total: 9 (OVER +100, UNDER -120)
Odds to win Super Bowl: 30/1
Odds to win AFC East: 7/2
The Linemakers’ take: Ryan Tannehill is emerging as a solid NFL quarterback, but making the playoffs and/or getting double-digit wins doesn’t seem likely with his below-average receivers. Seven to eight wins is more probable.
Bills
Season win total: 8.5 (OVER -120, UNDER +100)
Odds to win Super Bowl: 30/1
Odds to win AFC East: 19/4
The Linemakers’ take: Rex Ryan has a lot to work with, including an even better defense than he had with the Jets. However, his situation at QB is almost as bad, which will again be Buffalo’s downfall. Nine wins seems a stretch.
Jets
Season win total: 7.5 (OVER -150, UNDER +130)
Odds to win Super Bowl: 60/1
Odds to win AFC East: 8/1
The Linemakers’ take: The defense will again be in a good shape with Todd Bowles taking over as coach. They also have plenty of targets and talented running backs, but QB remains a major question mark. Best case is Bryce Petty turns out to be the steal of the draft.
More division outlooks: AFC North | AFC West
NFC: East | North | South | West
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