AFC South odds still favor the Colts

It is still anyone’s game in the tightly-bunched AFC South Division.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning may be interception-happy lately, but oddsmakers still like their chances to win the AFC South.
Bookmaker.com has the Colts at minus 155 division odds, followed by Jacksonville (plus 350), Tennessee (plus 450) and Houston (plus 900).
Indianapolis is 6-5 straight up and tied with Jacksonville. Tennessee and Houston are both 5-6, making this the closest race in football.
Manning threw four interceptions in last night’s 36-14 home loss to San Diego. Two of those were returned for touchdowns. That comes on the heels of a three-interception performance at New England the week before, another loss. He threw just four total picks in the first nine games.
Manning has historically struggled against San Diego (1-5 SU in the last six overall), but that ugly effort was still surprising. A rash of Colts injuries have hurt and they could get a boost this week against Dallas with the return of receiver Austin Collie and running back Joseph Addai. However, this team is not invincible like in prior years.
The Jaguars are the surprise team after having plus 1400 preseason division odds at some sportsbooks. They’re 3-1 SU and 4-0 ATS in their last four games. They would be atop the division if not for a blown fourth-quarter lead at the New York Giants yesterday. Jacksonville already has a 31-28 home win over Indy, with the rematch on Dec. 19.
Tennessee is coming off a 20-0 loss at Houston and is 0-4 SU and ATS in its last four games. Starting quarterback Vince Young (thumb) is out for the year and second-string Kerry Collins (calf) was forced to backup rookie Rusty Smith against Houston. Collins will be day-to-day this week hosting Jacksonville.
The Texans seem to provide value at their AFC South odds. They had tremendously bad luck in recent losses to San Diego, Jacksonville and the NY Jets. However, yesterday’s shutout win over Tennessee could get things going in the right direction, especially defensively. Thursday night’s game at Philadelphia will be a giant test.
Super Bowl favorites battle in ‘Border War’
The New England Patriots and New York Jets (both 9-2 SU) could have their whole seasons at stake when they meet on Monday Night Football in Foxboro, MA. The winner will likely take the AFC East and perhaps ultimately the No. 1 seed in the conference. The loser could be relegated to a wild card and a first-round road game.
New England is the plus 700 Super Bowl favorite along with Atlanta, while the Jets are plus 850.
Baltimore (plus 850) and Pittsburgh (plus 900) are right behind as AFC North powerhouses. Those 8-3 SU teams meet in Baltimore on Sunday night, with the game even more important to Pittsburgh. That’s because the Ravens already beat the Steelers once with Ben Roethlisberger still serving his suspension.
Indianapolis has seen its odds plummet to plus 1800. No other AFC South team has Super Bowl odds less than plus 10000.
One team not taken seriously is the 7-4 SU Kansas City Chiefs (plus 3500). They lead the AFC West by one game over San Diego (plus 900). The Chargers are 4-0 SU and ATS in their last four games and get Kansas City at home on Dec. 12.
Atlanta is 9-2 SU and the favored team from the NFC. The rest of the conference Super Bowl favorites in order are Green Bay (plus 900), Philadelphia (plus 900), New Orleans (plus 1000) and the NY Giants (plus 1200).
The Falcons are in the driver’s seat for the conference’s No. 1 seed. They’re 6-0 SU and 4-2 ATS at home and get NFC South rival New Orleans (8-3 SU) there on Dec. 27. Atlanta does face a current three-game road trip beginning Sunday at Tampa Bay.
Philadelphia and the NY Giants are battling for the NFC East crown with 7-4 SU records. The G-Men still get the Eagles at home on Dec. 19 after losing in Philly on Nov. 21.
Chicago (plus 1600) is almost an afterthought despite leading the NFC North with an 8-3 SU mark. Green Bay is one game back at 7-4 SU.
The NFC West is the worst division in football with no team above .500. St. Louis (plus 10000) is considered the most likely to win the division and host a first round game.