Opening AFC East Division Odds List Bills as Heavy Favorites, Patriots at +480
- The Buffalo Bills open as the -170 favorites to repeat as AFC East champions
- After the Bills, the Miami Dolphins (+280) and New England Patriots (+480) are the next betting choices
- Tthe New York Jets, at +1600 are showing the longest odds at open
For over a decade, every team in the AFC East was looking up at the New England Patriots. Now that the Buffalo Bills have finally ended New England’s stranglehold on the division title, oddsmakers believe that the Bills are poised to keep throttling the other teams in the group.
Buffalo is opening as the -170 odds-on favorite to repeat as AFC East champions. Buffalo hasn’t repeated as division champs since winning four in a row from 1988-91.
The 10-6 Miami Dolphins, after finishing three games behind the Bills and one win out of the postseason, are given +280 odds to win the division. The Patriots, winners of 11 titles in a row prior to last season, are listed at a betting line of +480 after slumping to 7-9.
Following a 2-14 campaign, the Jets are at +1600 in the NFL divisional odds.
2021 AFC East Opening Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | -170 |
| Miami Dolphins | +280 |
| New England Patriots | +480 |
| New York Jets | +1600 |
Odds as of Feb. 10th at FanDuel
Interestingly, last season it was the Dolphins who were the longest shot on the board in the opening AFC East odds at +2000. The Pats were -250 favorites, followed by the Bills (+350) and Jets (+700).
Bills Will Be Tough to Beat
Including playoffs, Buffalo lost just four times all season long. Two of those defeats were handed the team by the AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The Bills were a dominant 7-1 at home. They established franchise records for wins (13) and points (501). Quarterback Josh Allen is an MVP in waiting. In combination with wideout Stefon Diggs, they’re as deadly as any QB-WR combo in the league.
Josh Allen reg. season completion %:
🔹 2019 – 58.8% (32nd)
🔹 2020 – 69.2% (4th) pic.twitter.com/x1M00DXTmg— PFF (@PFF) February 4, 2021
That’s not to say this isn’t a team with areas of concern. Buffalo clearly needs an upgrade at running back. The defense surrendered 375 points, second-highest in the division, ahead of only the lowly Jets. Buffalo is a mid-range team in terms of pressuring the passer.
Buffalo lists 22 free agents. With diminishing salary cap space, they face hard decisions on key players such as linebacker Matt Milano, DE Jerry Hughes and offensive linemen Jon Feliciano and Daryl Williams.
The NFL schedule maker is also helping out the Bills. Buffalo was handed the 23rd-softest slate in the league. Bills 2021 opponents combined to go 123-133 (.480) in 2020. During their 13-3 division-winning campaign, Buffalo dealt with the NFL’s fifth-toughest schedule.
Dolphins Far From Finished
The Deshaun Watson to Miami talk won’t go away, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. Suppose for the time being that it’s sophomore Tua Tagovailoa at QB next season for the Dolphins. Allen’s game didn’t truly come together until last season, his third in the NFL.
On @GMFB, #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa was asked if he’s the team’s franchise QB now and going forward: “I would say yes. What I can do is control what I can control. My focus is being the best person I can be.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 4, 2021
Miami’s offensive skill players are good, but they don’t have a game-breaker like Diggs. Defensively, the Dolphins allowed the sixth-fewest points and forced the most turnovers in the NFL.
The Dolphins are getting there, but they’re not there yet.
Standing (In Quicksand) Pats
For two decades, the Patriots knew who their QB was. Now, for the second straight offseason, they haven’t a clue who will be under center.
Will they draft a QB? Is it going to be another free agent roll of the dice like Cam Newton was this past season? Or do they deal for one?
The quest. pic.twitter.com/LGHhq3zbbY
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 8, 2021
One factor in New England’s favor is that the club is sitting with about $64 million in available cap space. But is Foxborough as appealing a destination in the post-Tom Brady era?
Will New York Jettison Darnold?
Is there an NFL team more bereft of skill players than the Jets? And what about Sam? Will new Jets coach Robert Saleh stick with 2018 first-round pick Sam Darnold under center – or will the Jets move Darnold and use their #2 overall draft pick on a QB?
.@AdamSchefter thinks #Jets QB Sam Darnold could be worth a late first-round pick if he's traded. pic.twitter.com/g2JQLkFTIs
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 3, 2021
So many questions. So few answers. If the Jets don’t lose 10 games, that will make the season a success story.
Don’t Be Buffaloed
If the Dophins get Watson, then the AFC East gets a little more interesting. But you can’t wager based on what ifs.
Highest points per game in the AFC.
And a franchise record 501 points.📺: #NFLHonors | 9pm ET on CBS pic.twitter.com/Y8AE7StXdA
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) February 7, 2021
The Bills are the best team in this division. Don’t overthink things.
Pick: Buffalo Bills (-170).
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
