2023 AFC East Odds: Bills are Still the Team To Beat
All the Jets Hype Leads To Fools’ Gold
Oddsmakers Not Moved by all the Jets Preseason Hype
The media won’t shut the *bleep* up about the New York Jets. Since acquiring four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, the talking heads have been propping up New York non-stop. And yet, the 2023 AFC East odds still favor the Buffalo Bills at +125. So ignore all the hype around the Jets because the only thing green and expensive in that franchise is its uniform.
Bills vs Jets: Which New York Team is More Legit?
We get it. The Jets are supposed to be a Super Bowl contender because pairing Rodgers, an all-time great quarterback, with a fearsome defense is a recipe for winning. As such, the 2023 AFC East odds have New York at +175 to win the division and just behind Buffalo. But Buffalo is arguably better in every facet.
Josh Allen is a younger and more versatile quarterback than Rodgers. People forget he injured his elbow last NFL season and was not able to throw the same way. Allen averaged 8.06 yards per attempt and a 99.2 passer rating before the injury. Afterward, his NFL stats dipped to just 6.99 and 93.8.
On top of that, the Bills were hit by injuries. The team lost top safety Micah Hyde for all but two games, while Von Miller, its big-ticket acquisition, got hurt in Week 12. The defense still finished second in scoring, and the team rolled to a 13-3 record, the second-best record in the AFC’s NFL standings.
As for the Jets, they ranked fourth in both scoring and yardage on defense. The team allowed 24 or more points just four times in the season. But injuries to the offense and poor play at quarterback doomed the team.
Rodgers, star running back Dalvin Cook and receiver Allen Lazard should fix this issue. But the most important unit the Jets did not address too significantly is the offensive line.
Their new quarterback is already discreetly recruiting David Bakhtiari from Green Bay to watch his behind (literally). Rodgers has never played behind a shaky line. It’s also why the odds have the Jets finishing either first, second, or third, all at the same price (+250).
Miami Vic: Dolphins’ New ‘D’ is the Wild Card
Buffalo is the favorite on the 2023 AFC East odds, and the Jets are the media’s darling. But the team that could supersede both is the Miami Dolphins. Of course, this team is the true definition of a “wild card” – it could just win the division (+300) or even finish last (+350). It depends on two names: Tua Tagovailoa and Vic Fangio.
Tagovailoa goes without saying. The team won just one game (1-3) without him. It’s not on him but on his offensive line to keep him safe. One more bad hit, and that could be it for the Hawaiian. Terron Armstead at left tackle will need to stay healthy. But Miami did bring in Isaiah Wynn in case he can’t.
Fangio should also turn the defense around. Miami gave up 23.5 points per game last season and was a -7 in turnover differential thanks to its meager 14 forced turnovers. The 22-year coach turned three different franchises into defensive juggernauts. If he can work this magic on Miami, the Dolphins could just be a potent bet on NFL point spreads.
The Other Bills: Belichick and O’Brien To Lead Patriot Renaissance?
Some folks report Bill Belichick is on the hot seat this coming season. To think that the “GOAT” could get fired is laughable. But the Patriots are favored to finish last in the division (-115), and it will be the first time he misses the postseason in consecutive years. So he brought in help by way of an old peer: Bill O’Brien.
The Patriots’ old new offensive coordinator made the team a top-three offense in his sole stint as O.C. in 2011. He also helped turn Deshaun Watson into an immediate star as a young quarterback. This should bode well for Mac Jones, who is also under a lot of pressure to perform.
Jones now has a real offensive coach behind him. However, the rest of the offense leave much to be desired. So surviving in the AFC East still looks daunting for the once-mighty franchise.
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