2015 NFL Odds: Who Wins the AFC East? |

2015 NFL Odds: Who Wins the AFC East?

July is the worst time of the year for sports fans if you don’t like baseball or soccer. The NBA is still entertaining with free agency and some summer league action, but it’s mostly gone and the NFL still isn’t quite here yet. Heck, even hockey is gone. For a sports betting fiend, this is a major lull in what should be a fun summer. Then again, perhaps the light break from sports gambling is good for the brain.

While the break can be taken either way, it’s finally starting to look like there is some light at the end of the tunnel, as NFL training camps will soon be starting and in just two weeks preseason action will return. That gives us a little over a month to round out our 2015 NFL predictions and place our big bets. We’ll eventually take one more look at how we should play the 2015 Super Bowl odds, but before we do, let’s run things down by division, starting with the AFC East:

New England Patriots (-150)

Tom Brady’s four-game ban has everything to do with everything concerning the Pats in 2015, as a slow start could finally kick them to the curb when it comes to winning yet another division title. They’re still at the top when it comes to AFC East odds, though, because they’re still the best, most complete team on paper inside the division. That being said, their defense took a mighty hit with the departure of Darrelle Revis, Vince Wilfork and Brandon Browner. If their young guys can’t step up, they could suddenly be leaning heavily on their offense. If Brady isn’t around to start the year, that could work out just horribly.

Miami Dolphins (+400)

Ryan Tannehill and this Miami offense are very much on the rise, as we’ve seen the fourth-year passer improve by solid margins every year he’s been in the league. Lamar Miller and rookie Jay Ajayi potentially offer a sound rushing attack, too, while new passing weapons Jordan Cameron, DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills could make this an offense to truly fear. If Ndamukong Suh is the missing link for an otherwise average defense, the Fins could be in place to take over the division in 2015.

Buffalo Bills (+425)

Rex Ryan takes over an elite defensive unit that was still beastly in 2014 despite not having stud linebacker Kiko Alonso for the entire season. There is no denying Ryan’s presence and defensive mind, nor the fact that Buffalo has one of the best defenses, from top to bottom. The Bills specifically shut down the run and on the other side of the ball now have a potential ace in the hole with running back LeSean McCoy giving them some offensive stability. The lone issue? This is a team without a quarterback. Matt Cassel is an average game manager at best, E.J. Manuel is too raw to count on and we know nothing about Tyrod Taylor.

New York Jets (+750)

Gang Green has the worst odds by far, but they might be the funnest bet to take in the AFC East. Sure, Geno Smith is a huge question mark and the Jets were terrible last year, but he ended 2014 on a high note and got Brandon Marshall in an off-season trade. If the offense is actually better, this could be a dangerous team when you look at rookie head coach Todd Bowles and his defensive mind, especially when you have Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie back in town and a stud rookie in Leonard Williams. This team could be scary good.

If you want to play it safe, you can still roll with the Patriots this year. Then again, with all three teams visibly getting better, New England may not longer be the safe route. The Jets have the odds that yield the best return, but of all the teams, the Dolphins may be best built to make a serious run at the AFC East crown in 2015.