The NFL owners have got their way over a new financial package and the new season will get under way this week. The New England Patriots are marginal favourites to land the SuperBowl in January at a best 13/2 with bwin, ahead of defending NFL champions the Green Bay Packers (7/1 general).
The Patriots undoubtedly have the most streamlined offense in the NFL and their defensive record will improve this year if Leigh Bodden stays fit to bolster the right side. They are unlikely to be far away again and look a stand-out for the AFC Championship at Blue Square and 888sport‘s 10/3. The only fly in the ointment would appear to be the Baltimore Ravens, whose apparent decision to dispense with veterans like Todd Heap and Derrick Mason, who have served them so well in recent years, and turn to youth will either make or break the franchise. Much will depend on the emergence of Ed Dickson but the Ravens will almost certainly win more than they lose this year and can be backed at 17/2 on betfair to thwart the Patriots in the AFC and 18/1 with Stan James to win SuperBowl.
Turning to the Packers, who are a general 7/2 to win the NFC Championship. Of course, if they can maintain the same intensity as last year then there’s no reason why their won’t be another SuperBowl title winging its way back to Lambeau Field in January. Aaron Rodgers will again be the focus of media attention this year and many pundits are predicting he and his young team can scale even greater heights in the years ahead. But how many times have quarterbacks been promoted to legend status on the back of one brilliant season only to fall flat on their face the next? So comfortable was it for the Packers last season that there is almost certain to be complacency in some quarters this time around and, though much was made of their extensive injury list at the back-end of last year, few of those missing could be regarded as regular starters. I’d be a little bit wary of backing them at restrictive odds until seeing evidence that they were in the right frame of mind.
If I was a having a bet, therefore, I’d be looking at the Philadelphia Eagles. I really like the way they’ve restructured since last season and the hiring of ex-Colts offensive line coach Howard Mudd could be a master stroke. If former bad boy Michael Vick can stay match-fit, the Eagles could make serious inroads this season and make plenty of appeal at 9/2 with Stan James to oust the Packers and win the NFC. They are 9/1 with the same firm to win SuperBowl, which is just too big if most of owner Jeffrey Lurie‘s gambles pay off. Even if quarterback Vick misses a few games, the Eagles have an excellent back-up in Vince Young and it shouldn’t be forgotten that they had the third-best scoring record in the NFL last year and second in yardage gained. Nnamdi Asomugha and Jason Babin will add further steel to their defense this season and the Eagles may well to be the team to beat in 2011.
