New England Patriots to lead the way in the AFC

The Super Bowl is watched by more people than any other event around the world. This year's Super Bowl XLVI will take place on February 5th, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

There are many reasons for watching this highly publicized event. There are the hardcore football fans that live for the moment. NFL handicappers like to bet all of the different props right down to the toss of the coin. Some people like to watch the halftime show and some people just like to say "Hey, I watched the Super Bowl last night". The Super Bowl is the sporting event that's bet on more than any other.

Let's get down to who I think are the top contenders in the American Football Conference.

AFC

New England Patriots - (7/1)

The New England Patriots have won 3 Super Bowl's since Tom Brady took over for Drew Bledsoe as quarterback and the New York Jets are the only team to make it to the conference finals for the last 2 years. I don't see any other team that will contend in this division.

Tom Brady is getting older but still feels that he has a lot to prove. He went out on a sour note when his undefeated Patriots took on the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII and lost on a late touchdown pass. Although the Patriots won the division last year, they're not the same team. It's all about getting to the playoffs and what a team does from there. The Jets have somewhat surpassed the Pats in the last 2 years. Ever since Tom Brady was injured a couple of seasons ago, the Patriots haven't been able to reclaim their spot.

The Patriots have Ben-Jarvus Green Ellis who's a sufficient 1000 yard running back. He's very similar to their previous back Lawrence Maroney. Brady doesn't have one specific star receiver but he can always rely on possession receiver Wes Welker to come up with a big play.

There's no Randy Moss to throw to but Brady has rehooked up with receiver Deion Branch (706 yards, 5 TD's) and can count on Jets disgard Danny Woodhead to fill the all purpose role. Last season, Woodhead gained 547 rushing with 5 TD's and 379 yards receiving with 1 TD. Woodhead seems to be Brady's go to guy when the pressure is on.

Coach Bill Belichick made a brilliant pickup in getting Danny Woodhead. New England is solid in the tight end position with Rob Gronkowski (546 yards, 10 TD's) and have sufficient backup receivers for Brady to throw to.

This team lost their heart when Tedi Bruschi retired but Tom Brady showed that he one of the all time greats last season. Brady threw for 3900 yards with 36 TD's and just 4 INT's. New England also drafted two running backs in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Look for New England to be a main contender. Tom Brady wants to be known as the best quarterback ever and he'll be gunning for a 4th ring.

The offensive attack of New England will be as strong as ever, and their ability to score will make them a solid team for betting against the spread as well, as they went 10-5-1 ATS last season.

Baltimore Ravens (14/1)

The Ravens real chance to make it to the Super Bowl will be through home field advantage. They were 7-1 at home last year. The Ravens have a solid quarterback in Joe Flacco but he's not in the class of the other AFC powerhouses. Flacco threw for 3622 yards with 25 TD and 10 INT in 2010. He's not going to make the big mistake but he's also not a game changer. His numbers might be better than Mark Sanchez but Sanchez is younger than Flacco and more clutch (there's more potential for Sanchez).

To summarize Joe Flacco, he does a sufficient job. A lot of the offensive load is left on the shoulders of Rutgers star Ray Rice. Rice had 1776 all purpose yards (1220 rushing, 556 receiving) and 6 TD's. Willis McGahee provides support at the running back position. 

The Ravens go 4 deep at the receiving position. Former 1000 yard receiver Anquan Boldin doesn't have Kurt Warner throwing to him anymore but look for him to improve upon the 837 yards and 7 touchdowns that he caught in 2010. Derrick Mason is a solid veteran receiver while the Ravens have one of the better tight ends in the game in Todd Heap.

Offensively, the Ravens aren't an overwhelming team but very stable. On the defensive side of the ball, they have one of the best defensive players in the league. In my opinion, Ed Reed is one of the toughest covermen in the NFL. Last season, Reed had 8 interceptions in just 10 games but the numbers don't always tell the story.

The Ravens would need the right situation in the playoffs and for some top teams to falter in order for them to have a real shot to win it all.

New York Jets- (14/1)

The Jets have made it to the AFC conference finals the last 2 seasons. That makes them an instant contender. They got off to an awful start against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Conference Finals but actually outplayed Pittsburgh. Coach Rex Ryan had guaranteed a Super Bowl win and also made a promise that his team would be at the White House, but has yet to deliver.

New York will have to contend with New England. Coach Ryan also said that he wouldn't kiss Bill Belichick's rings. There's bad blood between these two teams. The team that gets past the other has a good shot at making it to the Super Bowl.

Rex Ryan prides himself on his defense. He has one of the best covermen in the game in Darelle Revis. Revis didn't have one of his best seasons last year but I think that contract problems can always get a player off to a bad start but expect Revis to have a big season. He's one of the best cornerbacks in the game. Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard are two players that Ryan can count on from his days with the Ravens.

Offensively, Mark Sanchez showed a lot of maturity from his rookie season to his 2nd year. Sanchez was prone to make mistakes but cut back on them in 2010. Sanchez threw for 3291 yards with 17 TD's and 13 INT's. This was a major improvement from year number one. Sanchez doesn't put up huge numbers but is known for coming up with the clutch pass in a big game.

Sanchez's favorite target is tight end Dustin Keller. Keller caught for 687 yards and 5 TD's last season. This connection is getting very comfortable with eachother. Look for this tandem to continue their success and possibly improve upon it. New York also has former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards at the receiver position. Santonio Holmes is a sure handed receiver, more so than Edwards but Braylon comes up with some long down the field grabs that have helped the Jets passing game. Edwards averages 17.1 yards per catch for 904 yards and 7 TD's. Look for Sanchez to get more comfortable with this duo and their numbers should should go up.

There have been talks of the Jets possibly picking up Plaxico Burress or Randy Moss. Each would be a great acquisition that could put New York over the top but that's just speculation at this time.

New York is solid at running back with all time great, Ladanlian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene. As of this point, Tomlinson is still a Jet and although he's lost a step, he can still grind out close to 1000 a season. (he had 914 yard in 2010). Overall, Tomlinson had a good season but keep your eye on this position.

Shonn Greene hasn't proven to be a primary back but that could change. Greene rushed for 766 yards and 2 TD's last season. It will be interesting to see how the Jets approach their running game this season.

Look for New York to be a top contender for the Super Bowl. They were one step away from making it 2 years in a row and that will stick with them.

Indianapolis Colts - 16/1

I'm going to give the Colts a pass for last season due to injuries. They have the best quarterback in the league in Peyton Manning. Although Manning has only won one Super Bowl, make no mistakes about it, he's either equal to Brady or better. He's like a coach on the field. Nobody wouldn't even dream of Terrell Owens coming over to the Colts because Peyton Manning commands so much respect. He's a coach on the field, and TO wouldnt go with that.

Indianapolis has some incentive this season as the Super Bowl will be played on their home field. The Colts and Manning himself are getting older but that will add major incentive to this season for Indy. Manning and Reggie Wayne have one of the all time great connections in football.

The Colts will rely heavily on Pierre Garcon to be the number 2 possession receiver. Look for Garcon to play well. Austin Collie and tight end Dallas Clark will be back from injuries last season. That will be a major boost for the Colts. Indy is deep at the receiver position but that's due to the greatness of Manning.

At running back, the Colts will be healthier as Joseph Addai was also injured last season. The combination of Addai and Dominic Rhodes should be sufficient to take the pressure off of Manning and the passing game.

The AFC will be stacked and the Colts will be underestimated in the NFL odds due to all of the injuries last season. According to Bodog, Indianapolis is 16/1 to win the Super Bowl. Look for Indianapolis to shock the public and to be a good NFL betting option.

AFC Notes:

The San Diego Chargers (12/1) and Pittsburgh Steelers (11/1) are heavily favored by Bodog to be a possible Super Bowl Championship team but not in my book. Phillip Rivers can throw with the best of them. He's capable of breaking records but the Chargers can't seem to win the big game when needed, whether it's due to special teams or opposing team coming up with the big play.

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a good first half against the Jets and were lucky to make it to the Super Bowl. I think that this group of men have taken it as far as they can take it. Both of these teams are overrated and incapable of winning the Super Bowl for this upcoming season.

Check out my article on the NFC Contenders and see where your favorite teams sit in the mix. You will not want to miss it.