The Patriots may have won three of the last four Super Bowls but the oddsmakers at
The Greek Sportsbook believe that both the Eagles and the Colts have a better chance to capture this season's NFL Championship. The NFL regular season kicks off Thursday, Sept. 8, when the Oakland Raiders visit New England.
While New England, Philadelphia and Indianapolis are the only three teams among the NFL's 32 franchises to boast single digit odds, at +725 (bet $100 to win $725), the Pats are slightly behind their main rival in the AFC, the Colts, which are offered at +715. Both teams are in hot pursuit of the Eagles, the +575 favorite, which should have an easier time reaching the big game in the less competitive NFC.
Beyond the "Big Three," nine teams are lumped in the competitive +1150 to +1850 range with an additional 10 teams anything but out of it at odds of less than 40/1.
In addition to Super Bowl futures,
The Greek Sportsbook also offers odds on a team capturing the AFC or NFC Conference title, as well as prices for winning each of the league's eight divisions. What's more, there are over/under prices for regular season wins for each NFL team, plus a propositions on which coach will be the first to be fired or resign and which player will be named MVP of the NFL. There even are a serious of generic props for the Super Bowl.
With its generous prices, many savvy players not only view future book wagering as a stand-alone bet of superior value, but also as a welcome respite from the weekly grind of having to lay $110 to win $100 during the regular season.
With that in mind, let's look at the major contenders. (Regular season records in parenthesis):
Philadelphia Eagles (13-3): The Birds have won a league best 59 games over the past five seasons and gone to four straight NFC Championship games so there's little mystery as to why they're so highly regarded. What's more, Philadelphia boasts something New England doesn't have: stability at the key coordinator positions in Brad Childress directing the offense and Jim Johnson handling the defense for Head Coach Andy Reid. Throw in nine returning Pro Bowl players and even a Terrell Owens holdout may not ground the Eagles.
Indianapolis Colts (12-4): Is Peyton Manning doomed to join Dan Marino as the man with all the passing records and no championship ring? The offense, led by Manning, Marvin Harrison, Brandon Stokley, Edgerrin James and Reggie Wayne is awesome but the defense, which slumped from 11th in 2003 to 29th last year, still is a major concern. Head Coach Tony Dungy used five of the team's first six draft choices in April to fortify his defense. The gem is marlin Jackson, a likely starter at cornerback.
New England Patriots (14-2): While the loss of linebacker Tedy Bruschi (heart ailment) is bothersome, it's the twin defections of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, to be head coach at Notre Dame, and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, who took the top job with at Cleveland, that will test the resiliency of Head Coach Bill Belichick. But New England still has the best money quarterback in the NFL in Tom Brady, a kicker, Adam Vinatieri, who's immune to pressure, and the iron determination to become the first team since the 1965-67 Packers to win three straight Super Bowl titles.
Kansas City Chiefs (7-9): Why are the Chiefs, who won just seven games last season, rated so highly? For one thing, Kansas City was the only team to amass more yardage than Indianapolis did last season. But the Chiefs defense was even worse than the Colts last year, ranking next to last in the league. But that could change. KC bolstered its secondary by trading for Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Surtain and signing free agent safety Sammy Knight. Derrick Johnson, the first round draft pick out of Texas, could have an immediate impact at linebacker.
Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7): If, and it's a big if, the pieces all fit together, Jacksonville could be better than advertised this season. The Jaguars are strong in the trenches, especially with Marcus Stround and John Henderson anchoring the defensive line, but need quarterback Byron Lefwich to remain healthy and realize his potential. First round draft pick Matt Jones has big play written all over him if (there's that word again) he can make the adjustment from college quarterback to NFL wide receiver.
Baltimore Ravens (9-7): The Ravens season pretty much rests with quarterback Kyle Boller who, in his third year as starter, has yet to prove that he is the right man for the job. Boller, who has thrown as many (20) interceptions as TD passes over the last two seasons, will have an upgraded receiver corps led by free agent pickup Derrick Mason, who was second in the NFL with 96 catches last year, and first round draft choice Mark Clayton, a polished pass catcher. The Ravens pound the ball with RB Jamal Lewis and the defense, led by LB Ray Lewis, is punishing.
Minnesota Vikings (8-8): A defense that's been restocked with as many as five new starters could make Minnesota a formidable force this year. The Vikings have lost talented but tormented Randy Moss but might gain by subtraction, especially if No. 1 draft choice Troy Williamson is as good as advertised. QB Duante Culpepper again leads a potent offense and Head Coach Mike Tice has his marching orders: Win or suffer the consequences.
Seattle Seahawks (9-7): The Seahawks have had their share of turmoil, losing two of their best players, cornerback Ken Lucas and DE Chike Okeafor from a defense that ranked 26th last season. Newcomers Jamie Sharper, Andre Dyson and Kelly Herndon are expected to pick up the slack while the attack, which ranked eighth in the NFL last season, is led by QB Matt Hasselbeck and RB Shaun Alexander.
Pittsburgh Steelers (15-1): The formula that worked for the Steelers during their championship runs--a strong running attack and a staunch defense--is back. The numbers don't lie: Pittsburgh led the league in total defense and ranked second in rushing last season. WR Plaxico Burress is the only major defection but No. 1 draft choice Heath Miller at TE should ease the loss for QB Ben Roethlisberger, who won a rookie-record 13 consecutive starts and finished fifth in the NFL in passing efficiency last year.
Carolina Panthers (7-9): When Stephen Davis, Steve Smith and Kris Jenkins--the best runner, receiver and defensive lineman--were in the lineup in 2003, the Panthers won the NFC Championship. Now healthy after missing a combined 41 games last year, that trio, along with a revamped secondary featuring acquisitions Ken Lucas and Idrees Bashir, could vault Carolina right back into contention.
Atlanta Falcons (11-5): It's all about quarterback Michael Vick and getting him enough weapons. Atlanta certainly hopes that WR Roddy White, their first selection in the draft, adds to that firepower. The Falcons also got faster, especially on defense, something they'll need to offset a difficult schedule that includes games against both of last season's Super Bowls teams, the Patriots and Eagles.
New York Jets (10-6): New York was a field goal shy of reaching the AFC Championship game last season, a result which might be remedied by the drafting of kicker Mike Nugent in the second round of the draft. While it's tough to make progress when the Patriots are in your division, with a more diversified offense--QB Chad Pennington will operate out of the shotgun a lot--and an angry defense, the Jets should be formidable again this season.
San Diego Chargers (12-4): The Chargers have every significant piece back from the team that went 12-4 last season, an accomplishment of its own in the era of free agency. A trio of Pro Bowl selections, LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees and Antonio Gates, pace the offense. Improvements to the defense were made via free agency and the draft. San Diego could be better than a year ago but a brutal schedule that includes trips to New England, Philadelphia and Indianapolis might result in fewer wins.
Washington Redskins (6-10): Joe Gibbs discovered that the NFL has changed since his last stint when he won three Super Bowls. Gibbs, who won those three titles with three different quarterbacks, may look to another signal caller, first round draft choice Jason Campbell to jump start a moribund offense that ranked 30th in the league last season. The defense, which ranked third, is superb.
Buffalo Bills (9-7): Like Washington, Buffalo must solve its quarterback problem. J.P. Losman, who's thrown five NFL passes, takes over for the departed Drew Bledsoe. Everything else is in place in Buffalo, including a defense that ranked second last year, excellent special teams play and scoring threats such as RB Willis McGahee and WR Lee Evans.
Green Bay Packers (10-6): Brett Favre, who has played a record 205 consecutive games at quarterback, will give it another shot but Green Bay doesn't look like it's improved from the team that was embarrassed at home by Minnesota in the playoffs last season. Both starting guards are gone and the No. 1 draft pick, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, may pay dividends down the road, but not this season. Still, with Favre at the helm, the Packers always are a threat.
ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XL
