Including exhibition games in your sports betting really means a willingness to accept some fairly arbitrary outcomes. All-star games generally do not feature much in the way of defense, as players do not want to risk injury just to take part in a game that is largely played for fun. With the game now coming before the Super Bowl, the players from the top two teams will not be there, and a number of opt-outs, particularly on the NFC’s side, could make the competitive balance a bit iffy.
Let’s take a look at this year’s Pro Bowl betting preview, scheduled for Sunday at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.
NFL Preview: The Pro Bowl (Sunday, February 6)
NFC vs AFC
When: Sunday, February 6, 2022, 3:00 pm ET
Where: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
TV: ESPN / ABC
Radio: ESPN Radio
Live Stream: Hulu
NFL Odds: AFC -1.5 / O/U 62.5
Why should you bet on the NFC?
The NFC has a slight edge at wide receiver, with Deebo Samuel and Justin Jefferson expected to play. However, the AFC will have Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen and Stefon Diggs, and the fact that Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert will be in the game with their top receivers makes the NFC’s case a little thin. The NFC will also miss its best three offensive tackles, as Tyron Smith, Tristan Wirfs and Trent Williams have all opted to heal up instead of play. The quarterbacks will be Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins, and they could spend a lot of time running from rushers.
The Rams’ advancing to the Super Bowl took a lot of top talent out of the NFC roster. Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, Von Miller, and Kupp are all glaring absences. Kicker Matt Gay won’t be around for the NFC. If you think that the NFC will take advantage of some AFC apathy, the long AFC winning streak and the fact that Patrick Mahomes will come to Vegas with a chip on his shoulder after that dreadful second half against Cincinnati will hopefully convince you otherwise.
Why should you put your money on the AFC?
The AFC has won each Pro Bowl since 2016, which was when the league reverted back from a format that had two retired players serving as captains and picking players from the Pro Bowl pool. Three of the four games since 2016 (there was no game last year due to COVID-19) have been decided by no more than seven points, and in 2020, when the AFC won, 38-33, that was the first time since 2012 that both sides had crossed the 30-point threshold.
The NFC will not have Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Cooper Kupp or Davante Adams. Even Dak Prescott demurred at the chance to take a roster spot, saying that he needed extra rest, even though the Dallas Cowboys doubtless think they should still be playing a couple of weeks after that wild-card playoff loss at home. The AFC will have both Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, and they also have Jonathan Taylor and Nick Chubb carrying the ball. That’s a more daunting tailback duo than James Conner and Dalvin Cook.
Final Score and Betting Prediction
This line opened as a pick’em and has moved to AFC -1.5. The best wagering decision you can make at this point is to take the AFC to cover as quickly as you can, before this line climbs even further. There might not be many people watching this game, but the disparity in talent suggests that this will be a game the AFC wins. The margin might not be more than four or five, but it will certainly be more than 1 ½. I predict a final score of AFC 38, NFC 27.
NFC vs AFC : Bet the Game Today
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