Posted above are the current division odds that are up on bookmaker.eu for the AFC West Division. From a value standpoint there is one that just leaps off the page to me. That is the Oakland Raiders to win at +459. I actually already made this pick here but will now expand on why I think they're a good bet to win.
Why I Like The Raiders
The Raiders are coming off a bad year after going 6-10 but just 2 years ago they were a team threatening to make a super bowl run with Derek Carr being in the MVP discussion. That run ended after Carr went down with a season ending leg injury. During this off season the Raiders brought in Jon Gruden to be their head coach. While a lot of football analysts seem to be of the opinion that Gruden has been "out of the game" and will be rusty, I have the opposite opinion. Gruden has been an analyst on Monday Night Football for the last decade, he has lived and breathed football analysis. He is one of the best minds in the game as far as I'm concerned and I think he's stepped into one of the best situations in the league.
Why I Don't Like The Other Teams
Starting with the obvious, I think the Denver Broncos have too many questions on offense, specifically the QB position, and that's going to put too much pressure on their defense to pick up the slack. I just don't think they're going to be able to compete to win this division. The Kansas City Chiefs have parted ways with QB Alex Smith and will have a 2nd year QB under center in Patrick Mahomes. While this doesn't mean he won't eventually be a good QB in the NFL, I just think there will be a learning curve for him running an NFL offense. The Chargers are currently the odds on favorite but there are some cases to be made against them. First, Philip Rivers is getting up there in age, he will be 37 before the season ends, and he could begin declining in production. There have also been rumblings that Rivers hasn't been happy about the franchise move to Los Angeles. If he is disgruntled, it could have a major impact on the teams overall success.
Futures Betting And Betting In General
Usually I don't like betting on futures for a few different reasons. First, it ties up your money for a lengthy period of time when you could be betting it elsewhere. Next, it's a gamble where anything can happen over that length of time that can ruin your bet. But if you're looking to bet NFL futures I would take a serious look at the Raiders at their current odds. I feel they have a 50/50 shot at winning their division and getting 4.5 to 1 on your money is a pretty good deal when it could be a coin flip. However, any bet can lose, so just be mindful that any long term play like this is vulnerable to several unforeseen circumstances that could make it a loser. With that in mind, good luck and happy betting!
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