By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
For nearly two decades, it’s been the New England Patriots and a bunch of also-rans in the AFC East. Since the 2001 season, only twice have the Buffalo Bills’ AFC East rivals been at the top of the standings at the end of the season in place of the Patriots.
The New York Jets won the divisional drown in 2002, while the Miami Dolphins knocked off New England in 2008.
Otherwise, New England has owned this division.
Unsurprisingly, the Patriots have the best odds at winning the division this year, sporting 2-7 odds, according to BetOnline.ag. Using OddShark’s calculator, a person would have to bet $100 to win an additional $28.57.
The oddsmakers though do not see the Bills as a major threat to New England’s crown. The Bills, for their part, have the third-best odds in the division, sporting 7-1 odds. The New York Jets are saddled with 5-1 odds, indicating oddsmakers feel the Jets having a better chance at knocking off the perennial division winners.
Some in western New York may feel as if the Bills are being disrespected, as many fans feel that the team has made significant upgrades to their roster to challenge for the postseason and possibly, the divisional crown.
Folks have to be saddled with the understanding that sports books are not in the industry to lose money. Thus, even though Buffalo is a bit of a longshot to win the division, they are in striking distance. The belief that most bettors will feel Buffalo is too far away in this instance to challenge those type of odds.
However, an aging New England team, along with a Jets team who seem to be following a similar course as the Bills, makes this not-too-distant longshot that could be fulfilled by Buffalo.
The Bills haven’t won a divisional crown since 1995, which was Jim Kelly’s penultimate season. It’s been a while.