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 favoured 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.
Green Bay Packers -200 It usually follows the previous years champion. Though this offseason the Washington Redskins decided to part ways with the Elite level play of quarterback Steve McNair. That being said I believe the Green Bay Packers are sliding into their spot. They really didn't lose much talent this offseason. Brett Farve has been brought back for perhaps his final year. If it's hard to believe they may have even improved the run game. Acquiring HB Ricky Williams from Cleveland was a statement to going all in for a championship. I think at the very least the Packers will be as good as last season. Also getting a softer schedule then the Rival Bears is just gravy for this squad. Look for them to bring it from jump this season.
Carolina Panthers -175 The Panthers have also made an impactful offseason. With two monster moves seeing them adding talents like HB LaDainain Tomlinson, QB Kerry Collins and WR David Terrell. These are serious improvements to their roster. The drafting of DT Marcus Spears also adds to the impressive list of athletes this roster holds. If Green Bay falters look this direction for a new favorite this season.
Minnesota Vikings -150 The Vikes are a team on the rise. There were a contender last season. With Quarterback Daunte Culpepper improving and WR Randy Moss still doing his thing. I think they can get a similar result they did last season. Adding talented WR Plaxico Burress from Pittsburgh was impressive. They also have a fairly soft schedule compared to division Rivals. I felt that the time to jump is actually next season, though if things work out in their favour it won't matter in the end.
Indianapolis Colts -150 Here we have the Colts with the almighty Peyton Manning. Previously surrounded by a generally weak division things just got harder for them this season. Perhaps that is what this team needs to stay focused for the entire season. The Mental lapses we've seen in the playoffs are becoming second nature for this squad. With that said, could this be there year? A lot of teams hope it wont be.
Atlanta Falcons -125
New England Patriots -125
Oakland Raiders -125
The trifecta of doom right here. First we have the Falcons. They will give it one last go with Quarterback Trent Green at the helm. Adding in more weapons at wide receiver they look to become this years Chicago Bears. I don't like that secondary but if they can put up 35 a game it won't matter. Next we have the Pats and they have Tom Brady and Musa smith. They have a still largely competitive division. I think they can win the division title so count on them to be playoff bound. Lastly we have those Oakland Raiders. I do like Garth's off season upgrades and quality depth he has assembled in Oakland. Adding the likes of Jeff Garcia will do wonders. Looking good!
Philadelphia Eagles -110
Arizona Cardinals -110
Cincinnati Bengals -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 Cardinals have a wild division where anything is possible. I do think they can become new division winners and with some luck make a nice run. The Bengals can make the playoffs with some help. The roster is competitive and perhaps Brady Tinnin can find a way to work his magic this season. With Steelers selling off their team and the Browns in a constant state of disarray. I like their chance at the division title.
Cleveland Browns Even
New York Jets Even
Denver Broncos Even
The Browns look to make a another improvement here. Collins usually can build a roster with balance. I feel this year he overloaded his front 4 and left other areas in shambles. It has worked for him in the past, the roster turnover this offseason has been HUGE. They look to ride Kurt Warner hard and then put him away wet, not ideal for an aging Vet. Next is the Jets, having converted a scrambling QB as their starter is why the Jets are this far up. With a solid mix of vets and youth I'm not sure if even Kevin quite knows where he is taking this team. Maybe the Super Bowl, Not likely though. Last we have the Broncos. They have some play makers on both sides of the ball. I see wildcard seeding in their future.
Baltimore Ravens +150
Houston Texans +150
Miami Dolphins +150
We now see the transition to the proverbial underdogs portion now. The Ravens 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 Texans are kinda in the same boat. Although if they start out with a hot run. Then they can perhaps put another playoff run! The Phins also will rely on team defense, the lack of talent on offense is surely going to be problematic for them this season. Being in the Super Bowl last season is surprising to see them this low.
Jacksonville Jaguars +200
San Diego Chargers +200
Tennessee Titans +200
The Jags are building a potent offense starting with Ahman Green. They haven't been able to put any consistency 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 Titans who appear as the quintessential 500 ball club. With some small tweeks in the roster they could vault up to win the division! We shall see.
Buffalo Bills +300
Washington Redskins +300
New Orleans Saints +300
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 acquisition of LT Marcus Johnson is going to give the run game a boost. Bills seem to be improving. Acquiring QB Steve McNair will push them into division title talk. Can they stay persistent throughout the entire season? We will have to find out. The Washington Redskins trading away their star Quarterback back wont do them any favours though. They still can compete but not at the same level as last season.
Detroit Lions +500
NY Giants +500
Dallas Cowboys +500
Now we are getting into our Hail Mary team portion of the odds. The Lions 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 Giants are also in need of a couple of pieces. D-Line is a huge need for these guys right now and I think it would do a world of difference for this roster. The Cowboys have a mix of young raw studs and older vets. That typically wont get you to the Super Bowl. Though stranger things have happened.
Chicago Bears +800
St Louis Rams +800
San Francisco 49ers +800
What I see here is young and inexperienced QB play. It's real hard to win a championship with that recipe. I do like both the Rams and Niners 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 Niners.....Damn those Rams! The Bears are an interesting team.. The drafting of HB Cobbs has improved the lack of a run game they had witnessed previously. Starting rookie Quarterback Alex Smith will see their share of bumps in the road. Hard to say as this division is stacked with high end GMs looking to out do one another.
Seattle Seahawks +1200
Tampa Bay buccaneers +1200
I think Seattle 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. I think unless Rock can get a better plan together it's more of the same. Maybe next year with a different GM. The Buccs 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!?
Pittsburgh Steelers +1500
Kansas City Chiefs +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 Steelers are still making moves. Not even sure what the roster looks like at the moment. I count 3 large blunders this offseason. It will be a rough year there for sure. The Chiefs have a compelling enough team that makes me think the is way too low for them. Having a fairly young Quarterback tells me probably not though. One thing is for sure we are going to find out together!
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