Of the four divisions in the AFC, perhaps once again it is the West that appears to be the most wide-open heading into this regular season. The Kansas City Chiefs will look to defend their title and hold on to the division heading into this NFL betting lines season, but they will face a tough test as each of the other three teams have all shown improvement this preseason.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Green Bay Packers
Thursday, 8:00 PM ET
The Chiefs have been a major question mark in the NFL futures this week, with a debate about whether they have a legitimate shot to repeat as division champions, or if they are simply one-year wonders. Kansas City does have a ton of talent on its roster, but whether or not those core players are capable of excelling for years to come has yet to be proven. The Chiefs have a tough preseason finale against the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, and although it won’t mean much in the long run the first quarter could serve as a strong test of sportsbook promo merit.
NFL Betting Pick: Kansas City Chiefs +3
Denver Broncos @ Arizona Cardinals
Thursday, 10:00 PM ET
While the Chiefs have to prove that they can repeat, the Broncos are simply trying to prove that they can compete as they look to close out their season on a winning note against Arizona. Denver will open the season with Kyle Orton as its starting quarterback, which leaves Tim Tebow to hold off Brady Quinn as the team’s second-string pivot. Tebow may not get another true shot at game action until a few weeks in to the season, and he likely will put on an NFL spectacle before taking a seat.
NFL Betting Pick: Denver Broncos + 3
San Francisco 49ers @ San Diego Chargers
Thursday, 10:00 PM ET
The Chargers’ offense has looked in midseason form so far this preseason, and will look to keep it going and avoid a slow start out of the gate this regular season. Phillip Rivers continues to emerge into one of the elite quarterbacks in the game today, and as long as the defense can play to an average standard San Diego should be golden. The Chargers have nothing left to prove heading into this exhibition finale, but they do have more depth than the 49ers and that will make the sports betting difference.
NFL Betting Pick: San Diego Chargers - 3
Oakland Raiders @ Seattle Seahawks
Friday, 10:30 PM ET
Terrelle Pryor will see his first NFL action on Friday night, as the Raiders take to the field in Seattle looking for their first win of the preseason. Things haven’t been pretty in Oakland so far in 2011, and you have to think that head coach Hue Jackson would like to see his team go fishing for at least one.
Gambling Advisor blog Pick: Oakland Raiders + 3.5
