NFL Futures Friday: Target these AFC East win specials

Happy NFL Futures Friday! Coming off a +280 same-game parlay winner on Thursday night's preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles, we're looking to add to our futures portfolio heading into the 2024 NFL season.

Let's take a visit to the AFC East and target a pair of win specials on this week's edition of NFL Futures Friday.

NFL Futures Friday: Win specials

Last remaining winless team: New England Patriots (+600 FanDuel )

We were already searching for ways to fade the Patriots this season, but that became an even more enticing strategy after New England traded Pro-Bowl pass-rusher Matthew Judon to the Atlanta Falcons. Although the Pats are the betting favorites in this market, we still think there's value in +600.

New England still doesn't have a set plan at the quarterback position. Jacoby Brissett hasn't looked good through two preseason games, and Drake Maye probably isn't ready to take control of an NFL offense just yet. Whoever ends up under center to start the season, he'll be operating behind one of the worst offensive lines and wide receiver groups in the league. This offense is going to be uglier than you might think.

And we haven't even gotten to the schedule yet. The Patriots begin on the road as nine-point underdogs against the Cincinnati Bengals. They then return home for a winnable game against the Seattle Seahawks, but if they drop that game, they could be on their way to a disastrous start. After Week 2, New England faces a gauntlet of the New York Jets, the San Francisco 49ers, the Miami Dolphins, the Houston Texans, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Jets again. The Pats could realistically start 0-8, as they'll be underdogs in at least seven of those games.

Last remaining undefeated team: New York Jets (+1700 FD )

The Jets are a team you want to play to the extremes in futures markets. New York could be the best team in the AFC if everything clicks, but it could also fall apart if something happens to Aaron Rodgers, who is about to turn 41 and is coming off an Achilles tear.

If Rodgers can return to his MVP form, this team has the upside to rattle off an incredible start to the season. It all starts in Week 1 against the 49ers, which are a bit of a mess right now with the Brandon Aiyuk saga still unresolved. If the Jets can pull off the upset, the road gets much easier from there.

After Week 1, New York faces off against the Tennessee Titans, the Patriots, the Denver Broncos, the Minnesota Vikings, the Buffalo Bills, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Patriots again. A 7-0 record out of the gates is totally possible with the easy schedule and the talent on this roster.

In the news ...

Drake Maye scores first preseason touchdown, Patriots fall to Eagles — Maye made his second appearance of the preseason on Thursday night and recorded his first career touchdown with a four-yard scamper in the second quarter. The third overall pick completed six of his 11 pass attempts for 47 yards and no interceptions, but the Philadelphia Eagles took the game, 14-13, thanks to a two-point conversion with four minutes remaining. Maye is +2800 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Christian Yelich out for the season after opting for back surgery — The Milwaukee Brewers are in a great position to win the NL Central and make a playoff run in the National League, but they'll have to do so without one of their best hitters. Yelich, who hasn't been in the lineup since July 23, will undergo season-ending back surgery on Friday . The All-Star outfielder was having his best season since 2019, but it will be cut short. The Brewers are +650 to win the NL pennant.

Falcons continue to fortify defense by signing Justin Simmons — The Atlanta Falcons aren't done improving their roster just yet. One day after trading for star pass-rusher Matthew Judon, the Falcons signed former Denver Broncos safety Simmons to a one-year, $8 million contract. Simmons is coming off a Pro Bowl campaign last season, and he led the NFL with six interceptions in 2022. Atlanta is now -215 to make the playoffs this year.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Jack Dougherty