posted June 3, 2008 at 14:23 in NFL Betting Trends

BetUS Sportsbook's Super Bowl odds cover both conferences and each of the league's eight divisions. The defending champion New York Giants are listed at +1800 football betting odds to pull off a repeat of their Super Bowl title. But what about the team they beat in last year's Big Game - the team who had won 18 in a row prior to that? Of course, we're talking about the New England Patriots, and we examine their chances today.

First let's look at the sports betting odds to win the AFC and AFC East division, as they appear in BetUS Sportsbook:

BetUS NFL Futures Odds

To Win AFC East

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS -1000

Buffalo Bills +800

New York Jets +1000

Miami Dolphins +1200

To win the AFC Championship

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS +175

San Diego Chargers +450

Indianapolis Colts +500

Jacksonville Jaguars +900

Pittsburgh Steelers +1200

Cleveland Browns +1600

Tennessee Titans +2000

Denver Broncos +2000

Cincinnati Bengals +2200

Baltimore Ravens +2500

Houston Texans +3000

Buffalo Bills +4500

New York Jets +6000

Miami Dolphins +6600

Kansas City Chiefs +6600

Oakland Raiders +6000

This has already been a strange year for the Patriots. First, they charge to the Super Bowl, have almost everyone (except for this reporter) expecting them to roll to a 19th straight victory and NFL immortality, lose to the New York Giants, and in the wake of that disappointment, they find out that the "Spygate" issue won't go away. It may still not be over. I'm wondering if that might be a rallying point for this team, which reacted to the initial charges (by the New York Jets) with seven straight blowouts of 17 points or more en route to the regular season. If the Patriots are to become champions, however, it's going to have to happen without several key players from last year's run.

Donte Stallworth left for the Cleveland Browns in free agency. He was joined by Asante Samuel, who signed a big contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, and Randall Gay went to the New Orleans Saints. Randy Moss, who also had the option of declaring free agency, stayed with the team, and Tom Brady returns, although it is doubtful that he can duplicate his amazing 2007, when he threw for 50 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. Wes Welker, who was acquired from the Dolphins, had 112 catches and he will once again be a major target for Brady, along with Jabar Gaffney, who fit in nicely with the high-powered crew of receivers last season.

Expect that New England will try to do a little more running this time around; last year they suffered a succession of injuries that made it difficult to put too much of a burden on Lawrence Maroney, who is one of the more explosive backs in the league when given the opportunity. Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk help give this backfield depth. New England sent three of its offensive linemen to the Pro Bowl, but that line showed its vulnerability to strong enemy pass rushes, particularly to the Giants in the Super Bowl.

Defensively, a solution must be found to replace people like Samuel and Gay, and Junior Seau may or may not come back for his 19 NFL season. Jerod Mayo, one of the best linebackers in the draft, was taken with the 10th overall pick, and Terrence Wheatley, a top corner at Colorado, was the second-rounder. Cornerback Fernando Bryant, with Detroit last year, was signed as a free agent, as was former Jet LB Victor Hobson. This may not represent an upgrade, but we all know what Belichick can do with defensive schemes, though he may not have as much success when he isn't spying on the other team. We're only half-kidding when we say that.

Look - New England has more offensive talent than just about anyone. There is no reason to believe Moss and Welker won't have outstanding seasons once again, and Maroney, who was a stud during the playoffs, offering interesting upside. The Pats should survive their division, and though I wouldn't say they are a value to win the AFC East (at 1/10), they may be worth a pop at 7/2 (+350) to go all the way, maybe with a few losses this time.

JAY'S PREDICTION FOR 2008:

New England Patriots -- 13-3, 1st, AFC East

(-1000 to win division, +175 to win AFC, +350 to win Super Bowl in the BetUS Super Bowl betting odds)

The 2008 NFL betting season is around the corner! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLIII and beyond!

(Charles Jay of http://www.ebookies.com is a member of the NFL too - that is, "not for long" if you don't get results. He is now a regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room)