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by Jim Feist
The pro football season kicks off next week when the Titans travel to the Steelers to battle the defending champs. Pro football picks are in the air, and the best way to attack the books is with information! Here is a look at some of the best of the AFC, the conference that has won 9 of the last 12 Super Bowls.
Ravens (13-6 SU, 14-5 ATS): This is a talented team with a monster defense that is capable of beating anyone. The offense has been one-dimensional but got a boost last season from rookie QB Joe Flacco (60.0% completions, 14 TDs, 12 picks). He was steady despite a lack of wide out speed to work with. While they are a fine running team, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is good at deception and they are not afraid to throw deep.
The lack of a strong passing game was exposed in the playoffs, however, as the Steelers shut them down. They will have a winning season again behind a dominant defense that was No. 2 overall last fall. The Ravens are 55-22 SU, 45-28-3 ATS at home since their Super Bowl season of 2000.
Chargers (9-9 SU, 8-9-1 ATS): The 2008 San Diego Chargers were one the most bizarre teams in history, loaded with talent but starting 4-8. Then they became the only team to rally from that record and make the playoffs, winning the division as Denver gagged. The offense ranked 11th overall with plenty of talent, while the defense struggled and ranked 25th, replacing coordinators in mid-season.
The offense is loaded behind QB Philip Rivers (34 TDs, 11 picks, 4,009 yards), RB LaDainian Tomlinson (1,110 yards), WR Vincent Jackson (1,098 yards) and TE Antonio Gates. They have had trouble in the postseason of late, but should have little trouble rolling to another division title in the weak AFC West. San Diego is 24-18 SU, 25-15-3 ATS on the road the last five seasons.
Colts: Indy always shows nothing in the preseason, then comes out like gangbusters when the games mean something. However, there are a lot of question marks surrounding the 2009 Colts. WR Marvin Harrison is gone and the Colts have a new coach, a new offensive coordinator, OL coach and defensive coordinator. The defense suffered a lot of injuries in preseason, so we haven’t got a good look at their new personnel and schemes yet.
At least they still have a rock behind center in QB Peyton Manning (27 TDs, 12 picks in 2008), WR Reggie Wayne (1,145 yards) and TE Dallas Clark. At the end of the day, they will likely win more than they lose and be playing in January again.
Patriots (11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS): The story for this season begins and ends with the man behind center. Star QB Tom Brady was out for almost the entire 2008 season, going from a record 50 TDs in 2007 to none. He is back from a serious knee injury and all signs thus far have been positive. This offense will be one of the best again if Brady doesn’t have any setbacks, with slot receiver Wes Welker and 32-year old WR Randy Moss.
It’s the defense that is a question mark. The front line is solid with three former first-round draft picks in Richard Seymour, NT Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren. The linebacking corps is thin and aging after Jerod Mayo, while the secondary was completely revamped in the offseason. That might not be a bad thing, as the Pats were second worst in pass defense and struggled badly in the red zone. They have a remarkable home-field edge, going 47-6 SU and 30-24 ATS in the regular season at home from 2003-08. Something to keep in mind when putting together your weekly pro football picks!
Steelers (15-4 SU, 11-8 ATS in 2008): Nothing much changed for the Steelers in the offseason – and that’s a good thing for a defending champion (2 Super Bowl titles in the last four years). 37-year old coach Mike Tomlin has a stocked defense, tops in the league last year. He is just the third coach for the Steelers in 40 years!
The offense looks to run-first, but has plenty of weapons when needed in QB Ben Roethlisberger (17 TDs, 15 TDs), RB Willie Parker, WR Hines Ward (1,043 yards), Santonio Holmes (821) and TE Heath Miller. We saw that in the final minute of the Super Bowl, a spectacular winning drive. Pittsburgh is an incredible 25-10 SU, 22-14 ATS on the road the last four years. Smart bettors will think twice when making pro football picks AGAINST this team on the road.
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