Lets take a look at this years teams and their chance at winning the Super Bowl. This version will be a money line odds. For example if a team was favourited at -250 (which is a very strong odd they will win), you would have to lay down $250 to win $100. Total ticket value is then $350. Conversely if you wanted to gamble and place money on the underdog for example. Odds like +650 you require you to place $100 to win $650 and total ticket value is then $750. That's how it works essentially. Now lets see the teams.
Baltimore Ravens -200 As it usually does the defending champions typically are the favorites heading into the season. Not a lot of roster movement this offseason and they did add some nice pieces in the draft and a few in FA. Though Norbert tends to avoid high roster turnover at all costs, even when his team is struggling and could use a change.
Indianapolis Colts -175 Here we have the Colts with the almighty Peyton Manning. Surrounded by a generally weak division they will be hard pressed not to make the playoffs this year. With that said, could this be there year? A lot of teams hope it wont be.
Washington Redskins -150 I can see a scenario where GM Bryan Mellon spends his every waking moment running sim after sim to try and devise the perfect game plan. Considering time is of the essence here. Look for the Redskins to not only get into the big show but push for a shot at the championship.
Green Bay Packers -150 This team was loaded from the start. Bad news all, it still is. I know Gary Hickman, when he wants to go out and win a Super Bowl that's exactly what he does. I could see the years of frustration weighing heavily on his shoulders and perhaps he has had enough. Lets all hope he continues not paying attention to what is going on around him for another year.
Carolina Panthers -125
New England Patriots -125
St. Louis Rams -125
The trifecta of doom right here. First we have the Rams. As previous Super Bowl winners and an aging roster. This is surely their last kick at the can before the massive rebuild commences. Next we have the Pats and they have Tom Brady and Musa smith. Not much more to say here. Lastly we have those Panthers from the dirty south division! I do like Brecks off season upgrades and quality depth he has assembled in Carolina. Looking good!
Philadelphia Eagles -110
Kansas City Chiefs -110
Denver Broncos -110
Now we start getting into the teams that need some luck. The Eagles have every thing you need to get all the way to the big show. As long a Leonard just sets it and forgets it with his lineup and game plan he should be good. The Chiefs have a wild division where anything is possible. I do think they can repeat a divisions winner and with some luck make a nice run. The Broncos can make the playoffs with some help. The roster is competitive and perhaps Tom Riddell can find a way to work through this accelerated season.
Cleveland Browns Even
New York Jets Even
San Francisco 49ers Even
The Browns look to make a quantum leap here. Collins usual worst to first idea. It has worked for him in the past, the roster turnover this offseason has been HUGE. They look to ride Dree Brees hard and then put him away wet idea. They also acquired a quality running back in Ricky Williams so they stand a chance. Next is the Jets, having a rookie QB start is the only reason the Jets are this far down. With a solid mix of vets and youth Im not sure if even Kevin quite knows where he is taking this team. Maybe the Super Bowl, Not likely though. Last we have the Niners. They have some play makers on both sides of the ball. I see wildcard seeding in their future.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +150
NY Giants +150
Miami Dolphins +150
We now see the transition to the proverbial underdogs portion now. The Buccs still have quality on defense though a lot of the league poached the FA they had this offseason. They can make noise is the schedule turns out well for them. The Giants are kinda in the same boat. Although if they start a rookie at QB this teams odd will dramatically drop, avoid the Giants odds at all costs here! The Phins also will rely on team defense, the lack of talent on offense is surely going to be problematic for them this season. I would also avoid these odd on the Phins.
Minnesota Vikings +200
San Diego Chargers +200
Oakland Raiders +200
The Vikes are building a potent offense starting with Randy Moss. They havent been able to put any consitency together yet. Maybe this is the year. The divsion they are in is going to have something to say about though. We then have both Chargers and Raiders who appear as the quintessential 500 ball club. With some small tweeks in the roster the could vault up to win the division! we shall see.
Atlanta Falcons +300
Chicago Bears +300
New Orleans Saints +300
With two teams coming out of the NFC south. We have seen the Saints already make the post season so to repeat that is very possible. They stayed pretty quite this offseason and lost a couple of good pieces this year. They aquisition of WR Roy Williams is going to give them a boost. He could very well win rookie of the year. Atlanta seems to be a bit confused. Continually trying to dump old high priced vets on one year deals isnt working. They are persisitant though. Trading away their star running back wont do them any favours though. The Bears are an interesting team. Top 10 defense all around last year has appeared to get better. The drafting of HB Cobbs will improve the lack of run game they have witnessed. Hard to say as this division is stacked with high end GMs looking to out do one another.
Cincinnati Bengals +500
Pittsburgh Steelers +500
Arizona Cardinals +500
Now we are getting into our Hail Mary team portion of the odds. The Bengals are young and balanced on both sides of the ball. They still need a lttle more marinating before serving up a can of Whop Ass they are dreaming of. The Steelers are also in need of a couple of pieces. QB is a huge need for these guys right now and I think it would do a world of difference for this roster. The Cardinals have a mix of young raw studs and old slow vets. That typically wont get you too far not to mention a Super Bowl. Though stranger things have happened.
Buffalo Bills +800
Detroit Lions +800
Houston Texans +800
What I see here is young and inexperienced QB play. Its real hard to win a championship with that recipe. I do like both the Bills and Lions roster as they are expected to be the thorn in the side of any GM they play this season. The kinda game you look at after and say...Damn those Bills.....Damn those Lions! The Texans have a weird roster. I really dont know what is going on over there.
Seattle Seahawks +1200
Dallas Cowboys +1200
I think Dallas has a plan. That plan may very well take too long to execute. Getting to 6 wins is going to be a battle in my opinion. Big Ben can halp ease the pain. But the just dont have enough to get even a sniff of the post season right now. Maybe next year. The Hawks have a roster that to be honest I have not really studied. I frankly running out of time here and perhaps forgot to include them higher. Or did I!?
Jacksonville Jaguars +1500
Tennessee Titans +1500
Sorry guys but two teams have to be last here. These teams could prove me wrong as the longest shot in the league to win the championship. The Titans are making more moves then anyone can keep up with. Not even sure what the roster looks like at the moment. The Jags have a compelling enough team that makes me think the is way too low for them. One thing is for sure we are going to find out together!
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