Leach's Lists: 2014 NFL Playoffs - Who Will Win The AFC? Odds And Value
By Dan Leach/Follow Dan on Twitter @DTMLEACH
Many Detroit Lions fans hearts are broken, but there is still football to be played and there is no better cure for a football hangover, than more football:) Here is how I see the AFC playoffs shaping up complete with the current Vegas odds to win the conference and the best value if you happen to be making a trip out to the desert to spend some of that holiday cash. And......Away .......We.....Go!!
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 16-1 (+$1600) TO WIN AFC
(DTM ODDS VALUE SCALE 1-10) (5)
THEY WILL WIN THE AFC IF ....... The Chargers made the miracle run to the postseason by winning their last four while not turning the ball over. They also got as clutch of any plays anyone saw in the AFC over the past month of the season. They have little chance to win the AFC, but if Philip Rivers continues his hot play and the D continues to force turnovers, the Bolts could make a run towards the SB. PREDICTION: Lose first round
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 14-1 (7.5)
THEY WILL WIN THE AFC IF ...... The Chiefs have all the balance it takes to get to the big game, but have a very hard path to get to the Met-O-Lands. They open on the road in Indy, but if they get by the Colts, Andy Reid's bunch has the offensive setup to make waves in January. They will need near-perfect play out of Alex Smith and RB Jamal Charles will need to take over. games. PREDICTION: Lose AFC Divisional
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 14-1 (6.5)
THEY WILL WIN THE AFC IF ...... QB Andrew Luck is capable of taking over games, but for Indy to make a move in January they will need to play much better and more consistent on defense the red zone offense will have to be at its peak. Trent Richardson could be a key factor in taking INDY on a New Year's jaunt. PREDICTION: Lose first round
CINCINNATI BENGALS 7-1 (8)
THEY WILL WIN THE AFC IF ....... The Bengals have been my fave to get to the AFC title game for well over a month now. With Denver as the huge favorite and little value, Cinci comes in as the best overall AFC value. This is a team that can play all three facets of the game well and is simply never out of a contest. If The Red Herring (QB Andy Dalton) can keep up his high level of play, coupled with A.J Green stretching defenses and the Bengals D taking over a game while keeping up its high level of play, this is a team that can beat anybody. PREDICTION: Lose AFC title game
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 3.5-1 (7)
THEY WILL WIN THE AFC IF ..... I simply can't trust the Pats and their lack of depth to win the AFC, but can you EVER count out Terrific Tom Brady and Belichick? THE ANSWER IS NO. Somehow, someway, even at times with smoke and mirrors, the Pats have clinched a first round bye, many times winning in the most absurd fashion. If Brady can keep making subpar WRs look great and the D can be a threat instead of a liability, the sky is the limit for N.E PREDICTION: Lose AFC Divisional
DENVER BRONCOS -150 (6)
THEY WILL WIN THE AFC IF ....... The Broncos are the AFC fave for a reason.....two words .... PEYTON MANNING. Not only has he had an incredible season, he has simply had one of the bets season by a QB ever. With this team's tremendous balance, the only thing that can cause them problems is if they get in their own way. If they play Bronco football like they did in their games against the Chiefs in their two games against them, there is no AFC team that can go into Denver and win. PREDICTION: WIN AFC!
Dan Leach recently circled the globe lofted high above the sky on nothing but a lawn chair and 800 helium balloons, was the first human journalist to interview Dracula , is being blamed for the sub-zero temperatures around the Eastern United States due to his top secret work on a "Weather Machine", invented time travel when he hit his head on a port-a-potty on Oct 15, 1985, and is a finalist for the first human manned mission to former planet Pluto.
