NFL Futures Betting – Predicting the Championship Game Matchups

While the 2008 NFL season concluded with the Pittsburgh Steelers narrowly beating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in one of the most entertaining Super Bowl contests in recent memory, each conference championship contest featured one surprise participant that not many NFL experts predicted before the start of the regular season.

For those NFL bettors that did call at least one of last season’s conference championship games correctly, they undoubtedly cashed in immensely.

Now, with the start of the 2009 NFL preseason period just weeks from getting underway, this look at some of the interesting NFL betting Lines to Meet in the Conference Championship should help avid NFL gamblers in their respective efforts to nail this season-long wager and boost their NFL betting bankroll in a big way.

With training camps across the country set to open in weeks, let me get started by looking at a few of the possible conference championship matchups odds before providing my analysis on the possibility of each matchup actually taking place, ranking each hypothetical matchup’s possibility of happening from one to five.

To Meet in AFC Championship

Patriots/Steelers +600

Analysis: While the New England Patriots (11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS, 88-7-1 O/U) were on the outside looking in come playoff time last season, the consistent franchise recorded an excellent 11-5 record last season despite losing quarterback Tom Brady in the opening game of the 2008 season.

Now with Brady back and reportedly at full strength following surgery to repair a torn ACL, the Patriots, with a slew of solid offseason free agent signings, should be as dangerous as ever in the AFC.

The defending Super Bowl champion Steelers (12-4 SU, 9-7 ATS, 8-8 O/U) are back with nearly the same squad that won last season’s Super Bowl and will undoubtedly be a threat, barring an injury to a key player, to reach the AFC championship game.

I’d say the possibility of this happening is a definite five (5).

Patriots/Titans +1000

Analysis: I get the feeling that not many people believe the Tennessee Titans (13-3 SU, 12-4 ATS, 9-6-1 O/U) can duplicate the success of their stellar 13-3 regular season record, but I disagree. While the Titans were knocked out of their playoffs in their first postseason game, losing 13-3 in a home contest against the Baltimore Ravens, I like the Titans under the veteran leadership of Kerry Collins and what is arguably the best rushing attack in the NFL, to challenge the Indianapolis Colts for division supremacy while making a serious run at reaching Super Bowl XLIV.

I say the possibility of these two teams meeting in the conference title game is a solid four (4).

Chargers/Ravens +1600

Analysis: The Baltimore Ravens (11-5 SU, 12-4 ATS, 9-6-1 O/U) opened a lot of eyes in 2008 and they should be even better in 2009, starting with strong-armed rookie quarterback Joe Flacco. With Baltimore likely opening up its offense a bit more with Flacco heading into his second full season as a starter, Baltimore should be to improve on its 28th-ranked passing offense.

If the Ravens can continue to rush the ball effectively (fourth) while maintaining its usual brand of spectacular defense, (15.2 ppg allowed, 3rd) and appearance in the AFC title game is a legitimate possibility.

The San Diego Chargers (8-8 SU, 7-8-1 ATS, 8-7-1 O/U) still have plenty of talent on their roster and will be bolstered by the return of All-Pro linebacker Shawne Merriman in 2009, but I think their window of opportunity has closed a bit the last few seasons when they failed to capitalize on their talent-laden rosters, blowing several opportunities to reach the Super Bowl in the process. Coming off an uninspiring 8-8 season and playing for a head coach that has routinely failed to get his teams to play up to their full potential, I think San Diego improves just a bit with their regular season record, but falls short of reaching the conference title game.

I say the possibility of this game actually happening is a two (2) at best.

Colts/Steelers +900

Analysis: The Indianapolis Colts (12-4 SU, 8-7-1 ATS, 8-8 O/U) will have a new head coach this season following the retirement of beloved head coach Tony Dungy, but may not feel the effects as bad as some teams might seeing as how Dungy’s successor, Jim Caldwell, has been with the organization since 2002, spending the first three seasons as quarterbacks coach before earning the expanded title of assistant head coach prior to the 2005 season.

If Caldwell can help the Colts improve their 31st-ranked rushing offense, Indianapolis could make a big push in the playoffs. If Indy can’t find a way to run the ball effectively or maintain its seventh-ranked scoring defense (18.6 ppg) the Colts could take a slight step backwards.

I rate the possibility of this game happening at a solid three (3).

To Meet in NFC Championship

Eagles/Cardinals +2000

Analysis: The Philadelphia Eagles went just 9-7-1 during the regular season, finishing a distant second to the New York Giants, but caught fire in the postseason, beating Minnesota 26-14 in a Wild Card contest before taking down New York 23-11 in an NFC divisional playoff matchup, winning both games on the road no less.

Philadelphia enters the 2009 season as one of the favorites to reach the NFC title game, if not more and I believe they will challenge for conference supremacy at the very least.

The defending NFC-champion Arizona Cardinals won the NFC West last season with a solid 9-7 record before trashing the Carolina Panther in a divisional postseason showdown and beating Philadelphia in the NFC title game 32-25.

With basically the same cast that reached last season’s Super Bowl, plus a couple of additions I believe will make them even better, give the Cardinals a good shot of winning their division and challenging for an appearance in the conference title tilt.

I’d say the possibility of this contest happening is a legitimate four (4).

Giants/Eagles +850

Analysis: New York went 12-4 last season to easily win the NFC East, but the club fell apart in its 23-11 loss to Philadelphia in its NFC divisional playoff matchup. The Giants were solid on defense last season, ranking fifth in points allowed (18.4 ppg) and first in rushing yards per game (157.4 ypg) but saw its passing attack falter without big wide receiver Plaxico Burress. If Giants’ first round draft pick Hakeem Nicks can help bolster New York’s uninspiring passing game, the Giants could find themselves back in the NFC title game.

I say the possibility of this game actually happening has got to be a four (4) at the very least.

Giants/Vikings +1200

Analysis: The Minnesota Vikings went 10-6 last season to win the NFC North title by one game over the Chicago Bears before falling in the playoffs at home to Philadelphia 26-14 in a Wild Card contest. The Vikings wisely picked up veteran quarterback Sage Rosenfels to compete with athletic but unpolished signal caller Tavaris Jackson, but both may take a back seat to Hall of Fame-bound quarterback Brett Favre.

If Favre suits up for the Vikings, they should at the very least, contend for the NFC North division title while making a big push to reach the NFC title game.

I think the possibility of Minnesota facing New York in the NFC title game is right around a three (3) on my scale of one to five.

Cowboys/Giants +850

Analysis: The Cowboys finished third in the NFC East last season, recording a 9-7 record but missed out on the postseason altogether as they managed to make it through another drama-filled season under hands-on owner Jerry Jones. The Boys ranked a middle-of-the-pack, 18th in scoring (22.6 ppg) and 20th in points allowed (22.8 ppg) and I think 2009 will hold much of the same for Dallas.

It could be me, but I don’t get the sense that the Cowboys are ready to challenge for anything of consequence at the moment. Dallas needs to start small, by winning a playoff game first before thinking of bigger things.

I believe the possibility of this game actually happening is about a two (2) – and a three (3) at the very most.

Cowboys/Falcons +1500

Analysis: I’ve talked about the Cowboys, now let me get on to the Atlanta Falcons. I think the Falcons made one of the best offseason free agent additions of any team in the league by adding Hall of Fame-bound tight end Tony Gonzalez to an offense that was very potent last season, led by special rookie quarterback Matt Ryan.

While I have no doubt that the Falcons will be as explosive on offense as they were last season when they ranked 10th in points scored per game (24.4 ppg), the Falcons will need to improve a defense that ranked in the bottom third in run defense, pass defense and total yards allowed per game (348.2 ypg, 24th).

If the Falcons can make the leap forward with its defense under head coach Mike Smith, the former defensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars, they could really surprise in 2009.

Still, BetOnline NFL sports betting members, I think the likeliness of these two teams meeting In the NFC title game is probably hovering between a one two on my sliding scale. Let’s call it 1.5.

Packers/Bears +3500

Analysis: The Green Bay Packers struggled to a 6-10 record in 2008 as the team transitioned from former signal caller Brett Favre to first-year starter Aaron Rodgers. However, I believe this team has a bright future, starting this season. Rodgers performed admirably last season despite playing with injuries that would have caused a lesser man to sit. The Packers ranked an encouraging fifth in points scored per game last season (26.2 ppg) but need to improve a defense that ranked 22nd in points allowed per game (23.8) and 20th in yards allowed per game (334.3).

The Chicago Bears went 9-7 last season to finish second in the NFC North to the Minnesota Vikings but acquired strong-armed quarterback Jay Cutler from the Denver broncos in an offseason trade they hope will boost an offense that ranked in the bottom third in every meaningful offensive category except points scored per game where they ranked an inexplicable 14th with 23.4 points per game despite their often ineptness.

If head coach Lovie Smith alters his offense to fit Cutler’s extraordinary right arm and the team can improve a defense than ranked in the bottom third in almost every meaningful category, the Bears could be in business.

These two teams will both have a tough way to go to reach the NFC championship game and I think the possibility of these two storied franchises meeting in this year’s conference final rates a one (1).

Saints/Panthers +2500

Analysis: The New Orleans Saints were absolutely explosive on offense last season, ranking first across the board, except in rushing, where they struggled to average just 99.6 yards per game on the ground, (28th).

New Orleans went a respectable 8-8 last season but will also need to make some serious upgrades to a defense that ranked 26th in points allowed per game (24.6) and in the bottom third in every other pertinent defensive category.

The Carolina Panthers recorded a stellar 12-4 record last season to win the NFC South, but were knocked out of the playoffs in their 33-13 rout at the hands of the defending conference-champion Arizona Cardinals.

While the Panthers ranked in the top third in three of the top four offensive categories (pts, yds, rush) they will need to improve a defense that ranked in the middle third across the board.

I think the possibility of these two ballclubs meeting in the conference final is at two (2) at best.