As the labor situation in the NFL between the league\u2019s owners and players continues to slowly creep toward a new collective bargaining agreement, (we hope) here we go with another conference preview. <\/p>\n
It is time to start handicapping which teams have the best chance to come out of the AFC to earn a spot in Super Bowl XLVI along with their current odds as provided by BetUS.com.<\/p>\n
New England +300 New York Jets +650 Miami Dolphins +2500 Buffalo Bills +5000<\/strong><\/p>\n The more things change the more they stay the same as once again New England is the odds on favorite to not only win the East, but win the conference as well. As long as the Patriots have a healthy Tom Brady they have a chance to win, but you cannot help but feel that public perception is driving these odds down. New York has been right on their heels for the past two seasons and appears to be poised to finally knock the Pate\u2019s from their lofty perch this time around.<\/p>\n Miami still has issues at quarterback and Buffalo has issues across the board, so we are looking at a two-team race in the East.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Steelers +450 Baltimore Ravens +700 Cincinnati Bengals +2500 Cleveland Browns +3000<\/strong><\/p>\n The North is another two-team race between the Steelers and the Ravens. Whichever team winds up on top will have the inside track to the AFC Championship so the outcome of opening day and Week 9 will go along way at deciding which team actually gets there. Just like the Jets, it is the Ravens turn to win the division and let Pittsburg fend with New England in the Wildcard round.<\/p>\n Cleveland has a chance to make some noise but its offense is still pretty dreadful. The Bengals could actually take a major step backwards if QB Carson Palmer holds true to his threat to retire.<\/p>\n Indianapolis Colts +800 Houston Texans +1600 Tennessee Titans +2500 Jacksonville Jaguars +2500<\/strong><\/p>\n You have to be a bit concerned about the health of QB Peyton Manning, but has long as he is behind center he gives the Colts a chance to win. This team\u2019s window of opportunity is getting ready to close, but the rest of the teams in the South are still not in a position to capitalize. [soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n Houston probably has the best chance of the three, but cannot seem to stop shooting itself in the foot year after year. Tennessee is in the same boat as quite a number of teams in the NFL with no clear starter at QB. Jacksonville overachieved last season and is primed for a letdown this year behind a very average David Garrard.<\/p>\n San Diego +550 Kansas City +1800 Oakland Raiders +2000 Denver Broncos +2500<\/strong><\/p>\n The odds makers must think that last year was just an aberration instilling the Chargers as the favorite. They did get hit with a number of distractions last season and certainly still have the talent to contend in the conference, but the gap between them and the other teams in the division is not nearly as wide as the current odds would suggest.<\/p>\n Kansas City\u2019s success last season was not a fluke as this team has some playmakers on both sides of the ball. Oakland is at a crossroads after an 8-8 season and should be able to take another step forward. It is hard to understand which direction Denver is headed after a disastrous 2010 campaign, but you can almost guarantee it is still a year or two away from seriously contending in the West.<\/p>\n With a division title and first-round bye, it is Baltimore\u2019s turn to play host in the playoffs after falling on the road the past two seasons. The Ravens make the most of their opportunity as they use the home field advantage to punch their ticket to Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI.<\/p>\nAFC North<\/h3>\n
AFC South<\/h3>\n
AFC West<\/h3>\n