NFL Futures Betting Picks – A look at the Favorites, Top Contenders, To Reach the AFC Final

Are your ‘powers of prediction’ off the charts pro football betting buffs?

Do you know which two teams will reach the AFC title game in 2010?

Well, if you answered ‘Yes’ to either question, then you could potentially cash in with a payday-producing NFL Futures Odds selection centered around the participants of this season’s conference title showdown.

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Following what promises to be a thrilling 2010 regular season, six AFC teams will hit the postseason running in an effort to become one of just two teams to reach the conference championship game and earn the right to advance to Super Bowl XLV.

NFL betting fanatics that love to wager on the ‘game within the game’ could potentially cash in with a huge payday-producing NFL Futures Odds wager by correctly predicting either one or both of this season’s conference finals participants.

To Reach AFC Conference Final
Indianapolis Colts +200
New York Jets +325
Baltimore Ravens +350
Cincinnati Bengals +700

Analysis: The Colts beat the New York Jets 30-17 in last season’s AFC title tilt – and both teams enter the 2010 regular season as two of my top four favorites to win this year’s conference crown as well.

Having said that, I also believe that the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals have very legitimate chances to reach this coming season’s conference title tilt.

Indianapolis has racked up double digit win totals in each of the past eight seasons and 10 of the last 11 overall, but will likely have a bit tougher way to go as Tennessee and Houston will both be improved this season in the AFC South. Still, another division title looks like a certainty for Peyton Manning and company.

Led by exuberant and outspoken head coach Rex Ryan, the Jets went 9-7 to reach the postseason before beating Cincinnati and San Diego to reach the AFC championship game last season before falling to the Colts in the title tilt. Led by their insanely-productive, high-pressure defense, the Jets will once again force a bunch of turnovers – and have a legitimate shot to reach – and win this season’s AFC Championship game.

The Baltimore Ravens ranked in the top five defensively last season, but had major trouble passing the ball because of a lack of talent at the wide receiver position. Now after adding Anquan Boldin and an underrated Donte Stallworth, the Ravens are being picked by many to win the AFC outright in 2010.

The Cincinnati Bengals were a lot like the Ravens last season – very good defensively and mediocre at best offensively, particularly when it came to passing the ball. The Bengals recently added wide receiver Terrell Owens and although a lot of football observers are making jokes about the circus that will surround Owens and fellow publicity-seeking wideout Chad Ochocinco, I think Carson Palmer will team up with the pair to form a formidable passing attack – and then, no one will be laughing – especially opposing defensive backs.

Next in Line
San Diego Chargers +250
New England Patriots +300
Pittsburgh Steelers +450
Tennessee Titans +700
Miami Dolphins +800

Analysis: The San Diego Chargers have a boatload of talent on both sides of the ball (again) but I’ve always thought Norv Turner should stick to being an offensive coordinator and just don’t have a bunch of confidence in a Chargers franchise that underachieves (like its head coach) on a perennial basis.

I believe the New England Patriots will be solid this season as always under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, but I suspect they may not have the defense that is needed to reach the conference finals and could genuinely finish second to New York in the AFC East.

I love Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, but I’m not sure how well Pittsburgh will be able to run the ball or protect their starting quarterback, whoever starts while Ben Roethlisberger serves a minimum, four-game suspension at the least. Besides, Pittsburgh will undoubtedly have its hands full in the competitive AFC North and could theoretically finish in third place in their own division – for the second consecutive season!

I like the Titans and Dolphins to have solid seasons as well and both teams could potentially reach the postseason in 2010, but the reality for each team is that they are likely another season or two away from really challenging for conference supremacy.

Overall Analysis: While I believe that Peyton Manning is the best signal caller in all of football and expect the Colts to win the AFC South and reach the postseason again – I think the team’s so-so defense will stop them short of reaching this coming season’s conference championship game.

Having said that, I am going on record to back the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets to reach this season’s AFC conference final.

Both teams possess other-worldly defenses and will almost certainly produce better offensive units this season as New York’s Mark Sanchez will have another season of experience under his belt and Baltimore finally has some receivers to compliment strong-armed quarterback Joe Flacco.

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