American Football Pro Bowl Betting: Numerous changes could lead to low-scoring affair

NFL / Andy Richmond / 30 January 2010 / Leave a Comment

Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers could have a big game for the NFC

"The NFC look much stronger in the quarterback position and arguably have the best one in the entire game playing for them in Aaron Rodgers of the Packers – he has a fine array of weaponry to throw and hand off to."

Andy Richmond tells us why this year's Pro Bowl match is very different to previous years and who he expects to come out on top....

With the Super Bowl a week away, the best of the NFL are gathering together in Miami to play in the Pro Bowl. This year's bash in Miami will of course see the NFL's best players get together for an All-Star game, although this year the Super Bowl players will not be in action.

Therefore this is a novel situation for punters and players alike - for the past thirty years we have dealt with this game post-Superbowl, players on Super Bowl teams participated in the game, and players on the losing teams in the conference championship games were able to get more rest in advance of professional football's all-star game.

The original teams that were selected have been decimated not only by Superbowl calls but by injuries and lots of the starters were third or fourth choices on the original lists so it's really a game to watch and enjoy rather than to get involved with on the punting front. Plenty of time for that next week when the "Big Show" is in town.

However, there are some interesting points to be made about the two teams that may help a modest investment. The AFC look to be struggling at quarterback - how they would love to have Peyton Manning under centre but they do have a side stacked with running potential - Chris Johnson of Tennessee, Maurice Jones-Drew of Jacksonville, and Ray Rice of Baltimore - who are fresh and healthy. The running game offers the AFC its best path to victory. Titans RB Chris Johnson set a new NFL record for yards from scrimmage during the regular season, and that was with teams game-planning specifically to stop him. In a more relaxed setting like the Pro Bowl, Johnson could seemingly rush for unlimited yardage. Can he gain 200, maybe even 300 total yards?

The NFC look much stronger in the quarterback position and arguably have the best one in the entire game playing for them in Aaron Rodgers of the Packers - he has a fine array of weaponry to throw and hand off to. As seen in the regular season, if the NFC can keep Rodgers upright, he's a dangerous customer and his presence tips the balance in favour of the NFC.

With so many changes in the game (not only to the original lineups) it's hard to be definitive about the game but all those changes may not help a fluid and flowing game and whilst the NFC may add to their lead in this series, it may not be the shoot-out it sometimes is.

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Back ½ point NFC -2.5 points [2.0] or better

Back 1 point Under 58.5 match points [1.96] or better