You know all those stories that pop up during the postseason about bettors who put down money on Super Bowl long shots and now they’re on the verge of collecting because their team became the NFL’s Cinderella?
Well, turns out a lot of bettors are looking for a Jets fairy tale this season.
A year after smart money grabbed Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 65-1 to win a championship, the Jets are the chic pick, even though the guy who took them to their only Super Bowl appearance is now a senior citizen on TV hawking Medicare plans.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that large bets have been placed on the Jets to win the AFC East, the conference title and the Super Bowl. That money has dropped the Jets from 20-1 to 12-1 to win the AFC East — the biggest shift in odds of any NFL team.
“Maybe they know something,” William Hill sportsbook director Nick Bogdanovich said. “I don’t know. Maybe they think Sam Darnold will start playing better.”
Or maybe they’re betting on a new quarterback, too. There’s a good chunk of change being placed on DeShaun Watson becoming the Jets starting quarterback on Opening Day. According to several reports, Watson wants out and will waive his no-trade clause to join the Miami Dolphins, Jets or Carolina Panthers.
And the NFC East? “Anyone can win that division,” Bogdanovich said.
The Dallas Cowboys are +110 favorites to win the division, followed by Washington and the Giants at +350. The Eagles, with Jalen Hurts the likely starter at quarterback, are 4-1.
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