Even if you play poker online, you have one eye on the NFL lockout situation which is threatening the season, but that hasn’t stopped lines from coming out, and predictions from being made. Here is a look at the AFC West, and you should take a chance on the defending division champions, who offer some great value.

San Diego (-225): The Chargers came on strong in the second half of the season, but they suffered through a lot of injuries, especially at receiver, and they also had Vincent Jackson on the sidelines because of a contract dispute. The rest of the West has caught up to the Chargers.

Kansas City (+300): The Chiefs won last year’s division with an incredibly young team, but this year, they won’t be a surprise. Kansas City’s biggest worry is how the offense handles the loss of coordinator Charlie Weis, but they still have the best running game in the league, which will power them to another crown.

Oakland (+500): The Raiders are improving, but they have to figure out what to do with cornerback Nmandi Asomugha, who will be a free agent. They’ll also have a new head coach in Hue Jackson, who was promoted to replace Tom Cable, and he’ll keep the Raiders in the running for a wild card.

Denver (+1150): The Broncos are still a couple of years away, but they do have a good foundation, and you can’t underestimate the loss of end Elvis Dumervil, who led the league in sacks two years ago. The Kyle Orton/Tim Tebow system at quarterback will be of the most interest to NFL betting players.

Heading into the 2011 NFL betting season, all eyes will be on the AFC East division, as fans and experts alike wonder if one of the four teams can finally win a Super Bowl. Last season, the New England Patriots and New York Jets, put together some of the best games in the breeders cup betting season, only to fall short in the playoffs. With improvements to the Bills and a step back for the Dolphins, things look to be the same in this legendary division. Here is a preview of the AFC East.

If the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills have any aspirations of contending for the AFC East crown in 2011, both teams will have to invest in a quarterback. Since Drew Bledsoe left Buffalo in the middle of the decade, the Bills have had a quarterback carousel, which has resulted in the team missing out on the playoffs. Currently, Buffalo is using former Cincinnati Bengals back up Ryan Fitzpatrick as their go to guy. While Fitzpatrick has a good arm, he isn’t a starter that can actually carry a team to the playoffs. In an ideal world, the Bills would somehow be able to attract a veteran pivot such as Donovan McNabb or Vince Young to play for their team.

Speaking of Donovan McNabb, there has been plenty of speculation this offseason, that McNabb will take over for Chad Henne as the every day starter for the Miami Dolphins. Over the last couple of years, Henne has gone from the backup to the starter, which in turn has led to poor results for the rest of the team. A Bet Online scam? Not likely. For the most part, the Dolphins are built with a veteran core, and they need a veteran quarterback such as McNabb to help get them over the edge.

Those who bet on MLB baseball should be happy to have the spotlight to themselves, but the NFL is always on the horizon, especially when reports come out stating that the two sides are getting closer to a deal that would end the lockout. Whenever the season begins, here are three players that will garner a lot of attention.

Cam Newton, Carolina

The first overall pick in the draft will have a franchise on his shoulders as the Panthers look to rebuilt, and he’ll end up with as much scrunity, if not more, than Denver’s Tim Tebow, who was a late pick in the first round in 2010. Newton didn’t play in your typical pro offense at Auburn, but his intangibles are off the charts, so it’ll be interesting to see how he progresses.

Carson Palmer, Cincinnati

Palmer wants to be traded out of Cincinnati, but owner Mike Brown says that he won’t give in. Palmer has threatened to retire, and the Bengals drafted Andy Dalton out of TCU in the second round. The Bengals have to trade Palmer so they can at least get something for him, and this is just a battle of who can be more stubborn.

Plaxico Burress

Burress was released from prison after 21 months, but the big receiver is going to find a new team as the New York Giants probably won’t have him back, even though his teammates are more than willing to welcome him back into the fold. Michael Vick has bounced back from his prison term to star in Philadelphia, so you never know: Burress could end up boosting some team’s odds in your online sportsbook.

There are few jobs in professional sports with shorter shelf lives than that of an NFL running back. If you don’t agree with that, let me submit this little piece of evidence – Shaun Alexander might have topped this list only five years ago. Or Larry Johnson. Or Edgerrin James.

It’s a position constantly in flux, and in 2011 a couple new faces (Arian Foster, Jamaal Charles) joined recent staples Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson in the best-in-the-league conversation.
Here’s a look at the best ball-carriers in football today.

1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

No, he didn’t sniff 2,000 yards again, much less the 2,500 he said he was shooting for, but Johnson was still the most dangerous back in football in 2010, despite being the first, second, and third priority for opposing defensive co-ordinators. His speed is no secret, but he’s far from a one-dimensional sprinter. He has the power to break away from initial contact and the vision to find seams in the middle of the line. He has the hands and size to split out wide in the passing game. And unlike the next guy on this list, he doesn’t fumble much and has stayed fairly healthy.

2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

Physically, Adrian Peterson is the absolute total package. He’s big (6-2, 220), fast, and incredibly powerful, able to trample linebackers and run past safeties. On top of all those physical gifts, he runs harder and with more anger than anybody in the game. That aggression has put a slight damper on his career, as his determined efforts to gain extra yards have often resulted in fumbles, and he’s taken a ton of hard hits already in his career. With the (hopefully final) retirement of Brett Favre, Peterson should be the focal point of the Vikings offence once again in 2011, and while they might find themselves back near the bottom of the NFL standings, “All Day” will be right there amongst the top rushers in the league.

3. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

Don’t call him small.

The Jags’ 5-foot-7 wrecking ball is a deceptively powerful runner, with legs like tree trunks. With his naturally low pad level, he can power through tackles and has the speed and bounce to get outside and go the distance. When he was drafted, he was expected to be a versatile, change-of-pace third-down back who could also return kicks. Five years later, he’s one of the best all-around offensive players in football.

4. Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Only two years ago, Steve Slaton was the up-and-coming star running back for the Texans. But after literally fumbling away the opportunity in 2009, he opened the door for a new back to feature in Houston’s version of Alex Gibbs’ zone-blocking run game. Former Tennessee Volunteers star Arian Foster got the opportunity in Week 1 and ran – get it? – with it. He put up over 200 yards against the Colts, and never let up for the rest of the season, finishing with the most rushing yards (1,616) and scores (16) in the NFL. He’s a big back with decent speed, but his greatest asset is his vision and cutback ability, which makes him a great fit for the Texans scheme. He’s only a one-season wonder at this point, but if he can repeat his performance from 2010, he could quickly climb these rankings.

5. Jamaal Charles – Kansas City Chiefs

Charles broke out as a sophomore in 2009, topping going over 1,100 yards for a miserable Chiefs team, but truly emerged as a star in 2010, with nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage and a ridiculous 6.4 yards-per-carry average, unheard of for a full-time back. Having veteran Thomas Jones as a back-up certainly helped, and together the backs led the Chiefs to their first AFC West title since 2003. Charles has incredible speed – unsurprising given that he’s sprinted at international track meets – but has developed into a well-rounded back with good vision and quickness. If Jones can continue to produce as his back-up, Charles should be able to stay healthy and looks poised to be a star for years to come.

Some might say that betting on futures for an NFL season that might not even happen is a fool’s errand. Others might say assessing teams before free agency even takes place is a waste of time.

These people just aren’t any fun.

The sports calendar is moving into its worst stretch as the NBA and NHL finals are wrapping up and MLB is settling into its dull, predictable mid-season. So why not make the off-season bearable by wasting a bit of money on Super Bowl long shot bets?

Here’s a few teams that could be worth your money, and a few sucker bets to avoid. All odds are from VegasInsider.com, current as of June 9, 2011.

Smart money – Chicago Bears (15-1)

It’s tough to say something nice about a team with Jay Cutler behind centre, but the fact remains that this is a fairly young team that advanced (with a little luck) to the NFC Championship Game, losing by only one score to the eventual Super Bowl-winning Packers despite third-string quarterback Caleb Hanie taking over in the third quarter.

First-round pick Gabe Carimi should help Matt Forte return to his rookie form, when he rushed over 1,200 years, and the defence should be tough again.

They’ll have a tough time winning the NFC North crown with the Packers around, but a Wild Card is definitely possible, and strong defence can really bolster a playoff run.

Sucker bet – Dallas Cowboys (10-1)

“America’s Team” is a sucker bet every year. Their irritating, inexplicable, and unfailing popularity makes them the ultimate “public” team, drawing plenty of attention in Vegas from uninformed fans who don’t know any better.

They were a terrible team in 2010; they’ll be an OK team in 2011. They should be Lombardi long shots. Avoid at all costs.

Smart money – Philadelphia Eagles (12-1)

The Eagles had a thrilling 2010 season, as Michael Vick emerged as the top story in NFL news with his incredible comeback season. This is now his team from Day 1, so Philly shouldn’t have to deal with the tumult of a quarterback change again. A Kevin Kolb trade should reap rewards that will only make them better, and the NFC East doesn’t look particularly challenging in 2011. This could be the year Andy Reid gets over the hump.

Smart money – St. Louis Rams (50-1)

With 2010 Offensive Rookie of the Year Sam Bradford under centre, the Rams were a markedly improved team last season, narrowly missing the playoffs at 7-9. They play in the worst division in the NFL, if not in all of professional sports, and have to be considered the favourites to finish atop with the division title. If Bradford can take his game up a notch or two in his sophomore season, the Rams could have a miracle run in them. At 50-1, it’d certainly be a fun ride while it lasted.

Sucker bet – San Diego Chargers (9-1)

Take this from someone who’s followed this team closely since 2002: they will get your hopes up every offseason then break your heart time and again. Until Norv Turner is run out of town, or these odds creep up into the 18-1 or 20-1 range, stay away.

Over the last couple of weeks, Belmont betting enthusiasts also handicapping the NFL have grown in excitement, as the NFL and its players union work out a new collective bargaining agreement. Since early last week, the NFL and PA have met in a sports betting private setting in hopes of no longer needing federal courts to decide their disputes. With roughly two months until preseason begins, here is a look at some trades that need to happen when the lockout ends.

Kevin Kolb to Cincinnati Bengals – The Bengals drafted Andy Dalton from TCU with their second round pick in the 2011 draft, and many experts believe he is the most ready rookie quarterback to step in. However, the Bengals have historically rushed their pivots causing the team to miss out on the playoffs. Having said that, acquiring Kevin Kolb from the Philadelphia Eagles, allows Dalton to learn the tricks of the trade for a few seasons and keep the Bengals competitive with Kolb at the helm.

Carson Palmer to Buffalo Bills – On the other hand, the Bengals are in need of a trade partner for disgruntled quarterback Carson Palmer. While Bengals owner Mike Brown has made it abundantly clear, that Palmer will leave Cincinnati when Brown is good and ready, making a deal with the Bills helps both sides considerably. With the emergence of CJ Sproles during the middle of last season, the Bills found themselves with too many top tier running backs. On the contrary, the Bills desperately need a good quarterback, which at 31 Palmer still is. Meaning to say, a potential Carson Palmer for Fred Jackson deal could work out perfectly for both of these struggling franchises.

Donovan McNabb to Cleveland Browns – With talk of Colt McCoy taking over as the starting quarterback in Cleveland, we couldn’t help but think that the Browns similar to interstate rivals the Bengals desperately need a veteran quarterback. Enter McNabb, who desperately wants out of the Washington Redskins, after he and Head Coach Mike Shanahan had a falling out. It’s no betonline scam, with talk that Plaxico Burress may sign with Cleveland, a McNabb and Burress tandem would be one of the scariest in the entire NFL.

The depressing, drawn-out saga of the NFL labour conflict has only got uglier. Two weeks ago the business-friendly Eight Circuit Court of Appeals essentially overruled a decision to lift the owner’s lockout, once again threatening the start of the 2011 season.

It was yet another step backwards in a dispute that has been fought more in the courts than at the bargaining table. There has been more legal manoeuvring than negotiating, and the exhausting process has only increased the bad blood between the two parties.

The head of The-Organization-Formerly-Known-As-The-NFLPA, DeMaurice Smith, has only further poisoned the well with continuous grandstanding in the media. He’s referred to the dispute like it’s a WWE-style feud. He says the players will never “lay down,” they have to “counterpunch,” the owners are creating “chaos”… He’s likely trying to get the public on the side of the players, but all he’s managed to do is drive a wedge deeper and deeper between the two sides.

At this point, it’s pretty hard to imagine a collegial atmosphere if real negotiations ever resume. NFL news will likely be dominated by continuing legal disputes, angry statements from players and owners, and aggravatingly slow progress. What the conversation should be about is what to do about escalating rookie salaries, how to protect players from long-term brain damage, and whether to extend the regular season. (Answer to the last question: no.)

Having lost their first lawsuit against the owners, the players now turn their attention to a class-action antitrust suit commonly known as “Brady vs. NFL.” Several well-recognized players came together to file the case accusing the owners of imposing an unlawful lockout. To file under antitrust law, however, the players had to decertify the NFL Players Association, because as unionized workers they had to operate under labour legislation, not antitrust. The owners are countering Brady’s suit by calling the decertification a “sham” for the purpose of manipulating labour law.

Ultimately, with the start of the 2011 preseason supposedly only two months away, the clock is ticking while the light at the end of the tunnel is only getting dimmer. Even if a new CBA can somehow be ratified in the coming weeks, there still needs to be sufficient time for a free agency period, which would have to include signing rookie contracts, and a training camp lengthy enough to get teams – and players – in shape for a full season. The regular season was supposed to kickoff on the same weekend as the 10th anniversary of September 11th, but it’s really starting to look like any planned pre-game memorial services are going to have to be put on hold because a bunch of ego-fueled millionaires can’t seem to get along.

Even 2011 Belmont betting players will be paying attention to the ongoing NFL lockout saga currently going on, but the ones that may stand to be hurt most by the lockout are rookie quarterbacks. It’s the toughest position in the NFL to grasp, not just on the field, but off as well, and they’re going to have a lot of work on their hands when the season gets underway.

Of course, the biggest worries surround the quarterbacks who were taken in the two rounds, as they’re the ones most likely to get playing time right away. A lot of pivots, such as the No.1 pick, Cam Newton and No.10 Blaine Gabbert, spent their college careers playing in a spread, so they would love to have some time to get used to their new centers, not to mention their new receivers. Then you have players like Jake Locker, Christian Ponder and Andy Dalton, all of whom have a chance to start this season, but they’re going to be behind the eight-ball if the lockout continues.

All of the players are going to be affected by this lockout, but the learning curve for a rookie pivot is so steep in the NFL that it’s hard to imagine any of them playing very well whenever the new season starts. Don’t expect much out of these rookies when we resume action, because even though some are working out with their new teammates anyway, they still can’t have any contact with coaches, which is a huge part of the process. It’ll be interesting to see who ends up being the favorite for Rookie of the Year in your sports betting book.