AFC vs. NFC (+1.5, 80)Betting the Pro Bowl can be tricky. You never know who is going to play and for how long. One thing we do know is that defenses are hardly a factor in the Pro Bowl, as evidenced by the opening 84-point total, so we decided to break down the key offensive positions in an attempt to find a betting edge.
QuarterbacksAFC- Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Matt SchaubThe AFC was hoping to have the Patriots’ Tom Brady to round out its QB carousel, but he won’t participate because of injury. Each of the AFC QBs has brought their favorite targets with them to Hawaii. Demaryius Thomas, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels should have excellent chemistry with their club QBs and that could make a difference in the game.
NFC – Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Russell WilsonThe NFC quarterbacks in this year’s game were supposed to be a completely different trio, but Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan and Robert Griffin III are all dealing with injuries. That being said, the NFC still boasts an elite crop of QBs led by Drew Brees. But only Manning (Victor Cruz) will be throwing to a target he’s accustomed to.
Edge: AFC
Running BacksAFC – Arian Foster, Jamaal Charles, C.J. SpillerThe AFC can’t hold a candle to the elite crop of RBs the NFC is bringing to the table. Some would argue that Foster is the only back of this trio deserving of playing in the game.
NFC – Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, Doug MartinYou’d be hard-pressed to find a better running trio in the NFL. Peterson nearly broke the single-season rushing record, Lynch rushed for over 1,500 yards and Martin shocked the football world with a breakout season as a rookie.
Edge: NFC
Receivers AFC – A.J. Green, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Demaryius Thomas, Owen DanielsAs mentioned above, the AFC receiving corps will have familiarity with their team quarterbacks. Wayne and Thomas are used to snatching darts from Manning, while Daniels and Johnson already have excellent chemistry with Matt Schaub.
NFC – Julio Jones, Victor Cruz, Larry Fitzgerald, Vincent Jackson, Jason WittenThe NFC receiving group was supposed to be led by Calvin Johnson, but Megatron isn’t healthy enough to play after his record-setting campaign. Larry Fitzgerald is subbing in despite only having 798 receiving yards and four TDs this season.
Edge: AFC
Betting trends:*The AFC posted a wild 59-41 victory over the NFC in the Pro Bowl last year.
*The AFC has won two of the last three Pro Bowls and holds a 15-12 all-time series lead.
*The NFC is 3-2 ATS in the last five Pro Bowls and the last three have played over the total.
Oddsmakers take (Courtesy of BetDSI.com)"In a game that most people think should not be played, the Pro Bowl does offer betters a warmup before the Super Bowl next Sunday. So far this game has seen some sharp money hit the AFC at plus money and the line eventually flipped for this exhibition matchup between the two conferences. The total always gets a lot of public attention similar to the NBA All-Star Game. That public attention pushed the line a bit upward where it saw some buyback with sharp money hitting the under once it reached the 85 mark."