[TheShark72]

OK, Now I have reviewed all 8 divisions and predicted pretty much who I believe will qualify for the end of season playoffs, its now time to seek out the value in the antepost market for the Superbowl and Conference Championships.

Here is the updated market prices (Laddies)

New England Patriots 5/2
Indianapolis Colts 7/1
Dallas Cowboys 15/2
San Diego Chargers 8/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 14/1
New Orleans Saints 20/1
Philadelphia Eagles 20/1
New York Giants 22/1
Minnesota Vikings 25/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 25/1
Seattle Seahawks 25/1
Cleveland Browns 33/1
Green Bay Packers 33/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33/1
Carolina Panthers 40/1
Denver Broncos 40/1
Tennessee Titans 40/1
Washington Redskins 40/1
Arizona Cardinals 50/1
Chicago Bears 50/1
Cincinnati Bengals 50/1
Detroit Lions 66/1
Houston Texans 66/1
New York Jets 66/1
Baltimore Ravens 80/1
St Louis Rams 80/1
Buffalo Bills 100/1
Kansas City Chiefs 100/1
Oakland Raiders 100/1
San Francisco 49ers 100/1
Atlanta Falcons 200/1
Miami Dolphins 200/1

It is interesting to note that Dallas have shortened a few points since the last show and they are the only NFC team in the top 5 of the betting market, although the NFC is well represented thereafter.

Value here is still Minnesota Vikings e/w at 25/1. E/W bet in the Superbowl market is 1/2 the odds first two, so basically you are getting 12.5/1 on the Vikings just getting to the SB - or essentially being the NFC representative in the SB. Ladbrokes do run a market to win the Conference, and in this market the Vikings are 10/1 behind the Cowboys (10/3), Saints/Giants/Eagles (all 9/1). If you win the Conference you are in the SB, in which case our bet would stand up at a minimum of 12.5/1, and as I have reviewed, the Vikings are looking mighty good this season behind an excellent Defense and offensive running game.

There is no doubt that the Patriots remain the best all round team in the NFL, but they do have injury problems for the start of the season, have lost all 4 preseason games, and are no value at 5/2. Indianapolis are better value at 7/1, but again I would like to see their offense back to full fitness before tipping them with confidence - they also would need home field advantage in the playoffs as they play indoors, whereas all of their main rivals are outdoor field teams - and in January this can often mean wet/cold/snowy conditions which do not suit the Colts and have hamstrung their SB chances before. I would like the 14/1 on the Jaguars alot if they were not in such a rough division, so I will tip up the 8/1 San Diego Chargers for winning the big dance. Only New England stood between the Bolts and a SB appearance last season, which included a win over the Colts in the round before for the Chargers. They have a great Defense, an all pro RB in LaDainian Tomlinson, a much improved WR corps and, when fit, a stud TE. If Phillip Rivers can guide the passing game accurately to take advantage of teams intent on stopping the run of LT, the Chargers will have it all.

For a couple of outside bets, I would look at New Orleans Saints (20/1), Pittsburgh Steelers (25/1) and Arizona Cardinals at 50/1. All these teams are very potent on offense and, certainly in the case of the Steelers, no mugs on defense.

Laddies, amongst many other markets, are also offering antepost odds on teams just to make the playoffs. There is a treble here that has really caught my eye, which to me looks terrific value :

Vikings EVS
Jaguars EVS
Steelers 8/11

By my reckoning that pays about 6/7 to 1 on the accumulator, just for the teams to make the playoffs alone. With the Steelers and Vikings highly likely to win their respective divisions, it means the Jaguars will either need to finish above Indianapolis or, in all likelihood, have the next or second best record after the records of the Patriots, Colts, Steelers and Chargers, which should be very attainable.

So overall, my tips are :

San Diego Chargers 4 pts win SB @ 8/1
Minnesota Vikings 2 pts E/W win SB @ 25/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 1 pt E/W win SB @ 25/1

5 pts accumulator on Minnesota, Jacksonville and Pittsburgh to make the playoffs at (ish) 7/1

Dont forget the weekly individual game lines and handicaps, and we'll look at Week 1 games of the Regular season next week.

HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!!!!