The 4 Surest Bets to Make Entering 2019 NFL Season That Still Return a Decent Profit

• Chiefs appear locked for back-to-back AFC West Titles
• Bengals in tough in competitive AFC North
• Identifying some sure bets to kick off your NFL season

It’s pretty clear that everyone is ready for some football.

And as the days tick down to Week 1 of the NFL season, we wanted to offer you a light dip into the betting waters, get you comfortable with some sure bets, to bank some W’s before you find yourself staring down some real long shot bets (which, by the way, we’ll be getting ready for you too).

We’d love to get you started off right with the Patriots taking the AFC East (which is the winningest of winning bets), but it comes at a near dud value of -500. We wanted to stay closer to even, setting a bar around the -200 range, and these four bets do that.

Let’s start out west, where there’s a juggernaut lurking, and no one will be able to stop it.

Odds to Win AFC West

*Odds from 08/30/2019

Easy-money explanation: Say what you want about KC’s defense, which, just with the additions of Frank Clark and Tyrann Mathieu, exponentially improve a stinker of a defense from a year ago, but this team will outscore its problems so long as reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes stays healthy.

In his first full season as starter, the second-year pro set the NFL ablaze with video-game numbers. He threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns, becoming just the second player in league history to hit those figures in the same season, pacing the Chiefs to a 12-4 mark.

Mecole Hardman is fast. Like really, really fast.

pic.twitter.com/8r385srflo

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 11, 2019

He’s even got his full cast of weapons back – including Tyreek Hill, who somehow managed to sidestep a suspension – and the additional burning speed of Mecole Hardman to boot.  Even if Mahomes regresses, like so many expect, that could still mean 4,800 yards and 45 TDs. Scary.

Outlook: You can thank the LA Chargers for handing you this payout. Injury to star safety Derwin James is going to hurt, even though Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram will wreak havoc on QBs all year.

Chargers' S Derwin James will undergo surgery on the stress fracture of his foot next week with Dr. Robert Anderson, as @MikeGarafolo reported. James is expected to be sidelined 3-4 months, which means he could be back for a playoff push or the postseason.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 17, 2019

Melvin Gordon’s holdout looks like it’s heading into the regular season, and while the Bolts can patch together a makeshift backfield to get them through, there’s just enough roster holes that there won’t be a tie for tops in the West like last year.

Final Divisional Standings – Bengals

More Wins: Steelers vs Ravens

Easy-money explanation: The Steelers are built for the new NFL. They have one of the best offensive lines in the league, and Ben Roethlisberger, despite what he would himself consider a down year,  led the league in passing yards and after all the internal turmoil, is the undisputed leader of this team. You already know how I feel about JuJu Smith-Schuster and the year he’s going to have.

One play, one score.

Ben Roethlisberger finds JuJu Smith-Schuster for the 75-yard TDhttps://t.co/QyLW3YUSP2

— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) November 9, 2018

They still have the customary grit and grind. He may not be Le’Veon Bell, but James Conner doesn’t need to be. All Pittsburgh needs him to do is run hard and hang on to the football. Their defense may still be lacking Ryan Shazier, but they may have found an apt speed and range comparison with rookie Devin Bush.

Lamar Jackson with his FIRST NFL TD ⭐️ @Lj_era8 (via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/E3aTfnBb6U

— Overtime (@overtime) August 3, 2018

The Ravens, by head coach John Harbaugh’s own admission, will be anything but your prototypical NFL offense. Such is the life when you’ve got Lamar Jackson as your starting QB. He appeared in all 16 games, but in just seven starts, Jackson compiled most of his carriers, setting the record for most rushes in a season by a QB with 147 totes. While it is interesting, there’s only so far that gadgetry can take you.

People need to understand that Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson have a similar problem for different reasons. They both are special and believe every play can finish with a TD. Their challenge will be to know when to give up on a play versus forcing a pass or running the ball.

— Skepticgoat (@skepticgoat) August 24, 2019

Outlook: It’s going to be tight, but I’ll take stability at QB over the still unknown. Jackson will win the Ravens some games with his legs, but there will be others where he’s forced to throw them to victory, and he won’t always be able to come through. Steelers take this one with a few games to spare.

Odds to Win NFC East

Easy-money explanation: The Eagles are one of the top constructed rosters in the NFL, and that’s why they’re one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl. If Carson Wentz  is healthy, expect him to return to shredding defenses and slinging it all over the field.

DeSean Jackson passes the 🐐

Most 60-yd TD receptions in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/poLWjViNs1

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 28, 2018

DeSean Jackson is still more than capable of taking the top off defenses, allowing Alshon Jeffrey and Zach Ertz to work all over the field. Rookie Miles Sanders might be a game-breaker at running back, but head coach Doug Pedereson knows how to get his backfield weapons involved by committee too.

Also, their defensive front is going to mash, and that was before they brought in Malik Jackson and returned Vinny Curry to a front that includes Fletcher Cox, Tim Jernigan and Brandon Graham.

Jerry Jones indicating he’s prepared to wait Zeke out for however long that may take. https://t.co/eDJ7zxg9nI

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) August 28, 2019

Outlook: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has already admitted that Zeke Elliott’s holdout could lead to multiple games missed in the regular season. The Cowboys are the only team in the division with the talent to compete with the Eagles, though Philly’s still deeper and more potent. Giving them any sort of cushion will be the difference maker.