Pro Bowl Odds - Betting Pick

The Pro Bowl betting odds listed at leading online sportsbook bodog have the NFC favored by 2.5 points with a total line of 57.

This year marks the first time the Pro Bowl will be played before the Super Bowl; the game has been moved from Hawaii to Miami.

Recently, the NFC has dominated the all-star event, winning eight of the last 10 Pro Bowls straight up, including last year's 30-21 victory. Thanks to some shuffling at quarterback, the NFC could have another big edge this season. Expect lots of points, as eight of the last 10 Pro Bowls have gone over the total.

The decision to move the Pro Bowl ahead of the Super Bowl has been much debated and, now that this year's Super Bowl contenders have been determined, we get to see the true impact. Indianapolis and New Orleans combined for 14 Pro Bowl selections this year, meaning 14 of the world's best football players won't be suiting up for the all-star game.

The talent drop off will be most noticeable at the game's "glamour" position, quarterback. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees should have started under center for the AFC and NFC, respectively, but they'll be playing in a much more important game a week later.

Injuries are playing a large impact too. In addition to the 14 Colts and Saints players that can't suit up, 21 more have dropped out due to injury. So, of the 86 total Pro Bowl selections, a ridiculous 35 of the original picks won't be attending the game. That's 41 percent of your players gone.

How will the replacement players affect each team's chances? Manning and Brees were already mentioned, but Manning's absence in particularly hurts the AFC. Even after losing Brett Favre to injury, the NFC can still boast Aaron Rodgers, Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo at quarterback. After Philip Rivers pulled out, the AFC is left with Matt Schaub, Vince Young and David Garrard. Give a big, big edge to the NFC. That just compounds the fact the AFC offense is already without Colts Dallas Clark, Reggie Wayne and Jeff Saturday.

The AFC does gain an edge on defense, however, especially in the secondary. New Orleans has two Pro Bowl safeties, Darren Sharper and Roman Harper, playing in the Super Bowl next week. Corners Charles Woodson and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will sit due to injury, leaving Asante Samuel, Terrance Newman and Mike Jenkins to try and match the AFC's Darrelle Revis, Nnamdi Asomugha and Champ Bailey. Perhaps this disparity will even out the mismatch at quarterback.