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New England Patriots: Overwhelming favorites to win AFC East again

By Matty Simo

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) high fives quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) high fives quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New England Patriots are massive  betting favorites in Las Vegas to win the AFC East for the ninth season in a row and 14th time in 15 years. So does any other team in the division have a shot?

Eventually, another AFC East team will dethrone the New England Patriots and win the division. The Miami Dolphins look like the second-best team on paper in 2017. But there is a reason Miami is listed at 8/1 odds to win the AFC East this year.

To put that in perspective, the Patriots are 3/1 to win Super Bowl 52 at the Westgate SuperBook in Vegas. So they have a much better chance to repeat as Super Bowl champs — which has not been done in more than a decade — than the Dolphins have to win the division this season.

The exact amount you would need to wager on New England to win the AFC East this year to make $100 is $1,400, which translates to a steep price of -1400. Sure thing? Seems like it, but keep in mind Miami last won the AFC East in 2008. That has happened since the Pats last won consecutive Super Bowls following the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

Repeating anything in the NFL is difficult, period. Which is why New England’s streak of eight straight division titles is so remarkable. Of the eight division winners in 2016, only two repeated from the previous year (the Patriots and Houston Texans). Houston winning two AFC South titles in a row is amazing too considering the team’s quarterback struggles during that stretch.

So what would need to happen for New England not to win the AFC East in 2017? The last time the Patriots did not win it, Tom Brady tore his ACL in the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. This year, the Pats again open the campaign versus the Chiefs. And Brady is tempting fate by appearing on the cover of “Madden NFL 18” this year.

Next: 5 Reasons Why Pats Can Repeat as Champs

Whether you believe in the “Madden Curse” or not, playing Kansas City in Week 1 again is still an eerie coincidence. Who knows, maybe holding onto Jimmy Garoppolo will end up being the team’s best offseason move.

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