The second instalment of our betting preview on the return of the NFL, you can find the first part here.
NFC North
A fairly simple division to focus on and with one swing of the mental axe we can narrow it down to two.
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The Bears (14/1) are becoming a calamity season after season led by the no doubt talented but aloof and unpredictable Jay Cutler and Detroit (12/1) look sure to stink up the place even more without the silver lining of 'Megatron' at WR.
That leaves the Green Bay Packers (8/11) and the Minnesota Vikings (2/1). Defensively the Vikings look tighter than a Tory spending budget but apart from a good core of Bridgewater and Peterson they have an O-line like Swiss cheese and lack serious offensive weapons, especially deep.
The Packers on the other hand posses everything we need. Arguably the most talented QB in the sport in Aaron Rodgers and with Jordy Nelson back at WR, last year's well practiced receiving corps will get a boost similar to the one the Avengers got when Thor joined the ranks. With talent all over the roster I'll take them to swallow up the division.
Pick: Green Bay Packers 8/11
NFC South
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An interesting division all hinging on the Super Bowl nearly-men, the Carolina Panthers (1/2). Cam Newton announced himself last season with all the subtlety of Donald Trump's presidential run.
He looks a star duel-threat QB and they'll no doubt go close again. Whether they can surprise and be as good again I'm not convinced. Secondary still remains their soft spot and I suspect teams will target it even more now CB Josh Norman has hightailed it to Washington.
The chasing pack all look closely matched with the Falcons (6/1), Saints (7/1) and Buccaneers (9/1) all with something to prove. Ryan and the Falcons should be a decent outfit again and Tampa have at least a potential star in last year's QB draft pick Winston to focus on but I'll take a chance on New Orleans to bounce back from last season.
Defensively solid, especially after jettisoning the calamitous Rob Ryan to Buffalo, I also expect their offense to get it together with some interesting ordnanceat their disposal. I also fancy that Drew Brees isn't completely washed up. I'll take a punt on them to win the division at a huge 7/1.
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Pick: New Orleans Saints 7/1
NFC East
As Chris Eubank once said 'Nigel Benn is built on hype and the bubble will burst'. Well the hype with this division is constant and there isn't really a bubble to burst.
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Something like 2 playoff wins from the whole division in about 5 years proves that point. Why the hype? Size of the markets. Dallas (15/8), New York (5/2), Washington (10/3) and Philadelphia are all NFL behemoths and American Metropolises'.
Unfortunately there is the whiff of dysfunctionality about some of these franchises. Dallas have arguably the best O-line in football but their fortunes rest largely on the humpty-dumpty-esque Tony Romo. He's often broken and I'm sceptical he can be put back together again.
The Eagles are a disaster area after Hurricane Chip Kelly has blown through so I'll leave them be. Giants have talent all over the place but Eli Manning at QB is just too up and down, despite the ups often leading to Super Bowl rings but I'll still pass.
I've read the Redskins are expecting big things from Cousins this year and I fancy with some nice additions to an already division winning roster last year it may be enough to see them navigate through the choppy waters of the NFC East once again.
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Pick: Washington Redskins 10/3
NFC West
We end with a real yin and yang of a division with the NFC West. The dynasty building Seahawks (5/6) return again along with last seasons surprise package the Cardinals (7/4).
This yang is nicely offset by a derisory couple of yins in the newly located LA Rams (11/1) and the saddest fall from grace since Sampras cried over love letters at Wimbledon in the San Francisco 49ers (33s).
Although I don't think the 49ers will be that bad under Chip Kelly we'll focus on the front two. Cardinals should be strong again under the efficient gray man Carson Palmer but I suspect the Seahawks are bordering on greatness with Pete Ryan confident he's got the best set of players he's ever had in Seattle.
QB Russell Wilson's Football IQ may just match the Packers Rodgers this year and I suspect that after a blockbuster trade fizzled out last year with TE Jimmy Graham producing little, we may just see Offensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell figure him out.
The roster is largely the same, minus RB MarshawnLynch (who produced little last year) and LB Bruce Irvin and I'll take the Seahawks to have their 3rd strong season in a row and take the division with relative ease.
Pick: Seattle Seahawks 5/6