NFL Thoughts – NFC

Well the 2012-2013 NFL season is less than a week away and excitement at Star Spreads HQ here in Dublin is at boiling point.

I’ve been known to dabble in some NFL betting over the years, so this week I’m going to hit you with four NFL betting previews. I’ll look at the AFC, the NFC, the MVP race and finally some various player props.

Today I’ll preview the divisional races in the NFC.

NFC East. Traditionally one of the NFL’s premier divisions, the NFC East looks loaded again this year. Washington bring in QB sensation RGIII (who has amazingly managed to keep Andrew Luck off the back pages all summer). Philly look like that classic betting opportunity – the dream team that disappoints but is able to back a year later at tasty prices (Miami Heat 2012 etc) – and is sure to attract some money. Dallas always attracts plenty of hype and – oh yes – there’s also the reigning champs. Looks very tough to call, but I rather fancy Philly to make some serious noise this year – that is if Vick can stay healthy.

NFC North. Hard to see past Green Bay here. It’s easy to forget just how dominant they were in the regular season, and the Giamts were in inspired form that day to knock them off at Lambeau. I’m fed up with backing the Bears – they can look good mopping up wins against the lesser lights of the conference, but can you really see them beating Green bay, or the Giants, or San Fran in a must win game. Minny are hopeless and Detroit always seem to shoot themselves in the foot.

NFC South. The way you bet this div all comes down to how you think the suspensions from Bounty-Gate will affect the Saints. If you think it’s all a lot of fuss over nothing, then you should grab them now. If you think having one of the top three head coaches in the game on the deck (1, Belichick, 2. Harbaugh (SF)) will be a massive blow, then it’s time to look elsewhere. Atlanta is too conservative, Tampa Bay is too bad… so that leaves Carolina. Can Super Cam repeat his heroics from last year? If so, the Panthers look rather tasty at the prices.

NFC West. Gosh isn’t it hard to see beyond San Fran! Has a top defence ever returned so many starters? They were a Kyle Williams fumbled punt (actually TWO Kyle Williams fumbled punts arghhhhh) away from a Super Bowl trip last year and the division looks as weak as ever. This is a no-brainer: the 49ers are good and the other teams are bad. Get on them now, regardless of price. They will win.