By Mayer Fink
The NFL season is almost at the midway point, and it’s clear that the 2021 season will be unlike any other. The NFL is more unpredictable than it has been in quite some time and as a result, bettors are looking for teams that have great odds to win their divisions as possible sleeper teams.
The Bills, Ravens, Chiefs and Packers are still among the best in the NFL but there are plenty of teams that could shock the league by the end of the season and provide great odds in the process.
AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals (+375)
The Bengals have proven early on this season that they can play great on both sides of the ball. Defensively, they look significantly improved from last season with arguably one of the best front looks in the league. Trey Hendrickson has paid off tenfold on the edge, and Logan Wilson is emerging as one of the best young middle linebackers in the game. On the offense, the Bengals not only have a balanced attack but also have a special connection with second-year quarterback Joe Burrow throwing to rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who is already one of the best route runners in the NFL.
The only two roster positions that can hold the Bengals back this season are their offensive line, which has struggled to protect Burrow at times, and the cornerbacks which are susceptible in one-on-one coverage against elite receivers. Otherwise, the Bengals look to compete for the AFC North this season and can be a dark horse to ultimately win the division.
JOE BURROW & JA’MARR CHASE@LSUfootball 🚀🚀🚀
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 12, 2021
pic.twitter.com/1TiQQFdRkR
AFC East: New England Patriots (+850)
The Patriots with Bill Belichick as their coach can never be counted out. The Patriots are in the same division as the Buffalo Bills, arguably the best team in the NFL but can easily pile on wins and make up ground in the division as they face the Bills twice late in the season.
The Patriots are led by a complete defense that has little to no weakness and a secondary that not only eliminates opposing quarterbacks from beating them over the top but can also play aggressively and force turnovers. The offense, meanwhile, doesn’t have a high ceiling with Mac Jones under center and his inability to stretch out a defense, but with a balanced attack and a strong run game, New England can put together an offense that’s still good enough. As a result, the Patriots look to be a good bet to win the AFC East with a great payout as well.
Highest graded offensive rookie's (via @PFF):
— Ryan Spagnoli (@Ryan_Spags) November 8, 2021
1. QB Mac Jones (83.4)
2. RB Khalil Herbert (83.0)
3. TE Kyle Pitts (78.2)
4. WR Ja'Marr Chase (76.6)
5. TE Pat Freiermuth (76.4)#Patriots pic.twitter.com/N6iEWkJ5CZ
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts (+900)
Every season under Frank Reich feels the same for the Indianapolis Colts. In 2018, the Colts started out the season 1-5 only to turn the corner and finish the season 10-6 and reach the playoffs. And last season, the Colts started 3-2 only to finish with an 11-5 record and in the playoffs as well. Simply, the Colts every season slowly figure out the type of team they want to be on both sides of the ball and suddenly look unstoppable in the second half of the season.
This season, they learned that the offense is going to be a run-first unit with the great offensive line and Jonathan Taylor leading the way and winning off play action to find open receivers down the field. The Titans are still the odds-on favorite to win the division but with Derrick Henry out for the season, the Colts can possibly sneak up on them and take the AFC South.
🎯 22-for-30
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 5, 2021
🎯 3 TDs
🎯 Career-high 134.3 passer rating
📺 #JAXvsIND | 11/14 on CBS pic.twitter.com/5hosvByXmD
NFC South: New Orleans Saints (+275)
In recent seasons, fans have started to appreciate the great coaching of Sean Payton and his ability to adjust his roster based on the skill sets of his players. The Saints in the past five seasons have won with Drew Brees, Taysom Hill, Teddy Bridgewater and Jameis Winston under center.
This season, Payton will have Trevor Siemian at quarterback the rest of the season, and with a talented roster in every position, the Saints look to pile on the wins. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will still be the odds-on favorite to win the AFC South, but the Saints will push them throughout the season and possibly steal the division as well.
Check out this hilarious video of Jameis Winston after the big win against their division rivals.
Jameis Winston celebrating on crutches in the locker room after the win 👀😅 pic.twitter.com/bakibxYx78
— JayOnSC (@JayOnSC) November 1, 2021
Picture Credit: Wikimedia
