NFL Pro Bowl 2018: Betting Preview, Prediction, Rosters

This year, the 2018 Pro Bowl will be played at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. If you're looking to watch the game, this will be the first game in years to start in the middle of the afternoon, at 3 PM. It will be simulcast on ESPN and ABC.

This will be the first time in a decade the game has not been shown in prime time hours to US mainland viewers. Which I think could actually help the game. But sadly, it's going to have to split ratings with Tiger Woods playing at Torrey Pines this weekend.

Betting on these games is always difficult. There are special rules in place to prevent injuries, which kind of handicaps the defense. Plus, there is always a series of no-shows for the game for various reasons. Sometimes someone has to pass on the game because they're playing in the Super Bowl, or faking an injury in the interest of just not wanting to be there. As much as this is supposed to be a showcase for the NFL, it's really a vacation for the players involved. 

But some still don't want to be there, even though it's often played in a warmer climate. They just want to get their off-season started. But, because of the key players missing, I would have to say the NFC has the advantage going into this one.

Prediction: The NFC (even)

Let's start with the obvious, who will be there. You're clearly not going to get any players from the New England Patriots or the Philadelphia Eagles because they all have a pretty big game next weekend. So, that means you're going to be missing Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Matthew Slater and James Develin from the AFC side of things.

For the NFC, Carson Wentz was named starting QB but will miss the game because he's injured and his team still made the Super Bowl. Other Eagles taking the pass on the game include Zach Ertz, Lane Johnson, and Fletcher Cox.

Now let's discuss who will be there. Brady will be replaced by either Ben Roethlisberger or Phillip Rivers. And on the NFC side, they will start either Russell Wilson or Drew Brees at quarterback.

The NFC will be coached by Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints, whereas the AFC will be coached by Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This is a very tough gig and an even harder sell to the NFL players. This is essentially the only time you can really have an NFL All-Star game. You can't put it in the middle of the season like NBA, NHL, and major-league baseball do. Sure, it would give a lot of players an extra week off, but there is always massive injury concerns.

And the NFL owners are not keen to offer up their best players in the middle of the season if there is even a 10% chance they will get hurt. Everything they do is to protect the health of their valuable players, they're not about to risk it for a game nobody cares about, from the player side.

The NFL has put special rules in place to try to protect all the players involved. There is no blitz in the quarterback, nor trying to block ponds, feel goals, or point after touchdown. There's also no kickoffs, and the offense and defense have to run pretty basic stuff.

If you're looking to bet on the NFL, you only have two games left. So make your time and money count. Bookies are currently accepting bets on the NFL Pro Bowl. They're also offering an amazing introductory offer for first-time bettors, like you. You can get a 100% bonus on your first wager, up to $200. All you have to do is sign up for a free account, make your secure initial deposit, claim the bonus, and start winning.

Category : Online Betting News

Tag : Football , nfl , Pro Bowl

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