Gronkowski Brothers: NFL Division Picks

Betting on NFL Division winners is always a good gamble. You have a one-in-four chance of picking correctly, regardless of the amount of time and research you’ve put into each selection. Chris and Glenn Gronkowski recently stepped up to the plate to deliver their own predictions for the 2018 NFL division winners.

In the AFC East, both Glenn and Chris went with their brother Rob’s current employer, the New England Patriots (-714).

It’s hard to argue with picking the Patriots to win the AFC East. Since 2001, they’ve only not won it twice and looking at the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, there doesn’t seem to be any danger of losing it this season. Even if quarterback Tom Brady hits the cliff, head coach Bill Belichick can still get this team to 10 victories, which should be enough to win a title. Now, if Brady gets hurt and Brian Hoyer takes the field, that’s an entirely different story.

For their AFC North picks, both men also agreed that the Pittsburgh Steelers (-303) would take the crown. Again, this is an easy pick with a significantly better return on investment. Since the AFC North originated in 2002, the Steelers have won it eight times, including each of the last two seasons. Unless Ben Roethlisberger goes down for a significant period of time, this year should make that three in a row.

Gronkowski Brothers: NFL Preseason Betting Tips

The AFC South iswhere we see the first disagreement among the Gronks — Chris picks the Houston Texans (+188) and Glenn is taking the Jacksonville Jaguars (+180) to defend its title.

I don’t agree with either of them. In fact, I don’t think the Texans or the Jaguars will make the playoffs. I like the Tennessee Titans (+400) in the AFC South and, while I was no fan of Mike Vrabel as a head coaching hire, he’s brought in the right assistant coaches in Matt LaFleur and Dean Pees. Marcus Mariota is due for a breakout season behind one of the best offensive lines in the league, with all the skill players needed around him to put up a ton of points.

In the AFC West, both Gronkowskis have fallen for the Los Angeles Chargers (+180), a team that consistently wins preseason punditry championships, but rarely delivers on the field. I like the Oakland Raiders (+275) to return to form under Jon Gruden. This Raiders squad is just a season removed from a 12-4 finish under Jack Del Rio. Gruden can at least match that with a superior roster.

Chris and Glenn are at odds on almost every divisional pick in their NFC slate, with the exception of the NFC East where both men think the Philadelphia Eagles (-175) will repeat. I do too.

In the NFC North, Chris likes the Minnesota Vikings (+137) and Glenn likes the Detroit Lions (+600). I’m not sure what Glenn sees in Detroit and first-year head coach Matt Patricia that has the Lions leapfrogging both the loaded Vikings and the Aaron Rodgers-led Green Bay Packers. Whatever it is, he stands alone. I, like Chris, think the Vikings will roll to an NFC North title.

It’s exactly the opposite situation in the NFC South with Glenn and I agreeing that the Atlanta Falcons (+180) will take the division and Chris picking the New Orleans Saints (+187) to repeat as champs. The Saints are never going to be out of it as long as Drew Brees is the quarterback, but I don’t think they make the playoffs this year. If anything, I think people aren’t paying enough attention to the Carolina Panthers (+300). They could end up winning the whole thing if the marriage between Cam Newton and new offensive coordinator Norv Turner works out.

In the NFC West, Glenn has crowned the San Francisco 49ers (+260) as his potential champions. Meanwhile, Chris has determined that the Los Angeles Rams (-120) will repeat. I like what the 49ers have done since they brought in quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, but the talent gap between the Rams and Niners is just too great. I don’t think S.F. will win more than nine games, but they’ll be fun to watch. The Rams are a legitimate Super Bowl contender and probably one of the four most talented teams in the NFL.