The season is rapidly approaching. And that can only mean anyone interested in getting a wager down on “Futures” pools needs to do so prior to the kickoff of the 100th anniversary of the NFL. Check out the odds via Bovada.lv. Remember, these are odds to win the Super Bowl, so the only way to cash is if your team gets the ring. The base wager is $100.
Miami
A rookie coach in Brian Flores, granted coming from a Super Bowl organization the New England Patriots. That isn’t about to get Vegas sweet on the Dolphins. They come up as the longest shots on the board at plus-$15,000. In layman’s terms, it means if you bet $100 you get back $15,100. It also means you are highly likely to get nothing in return, especially with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen as your quarterbacks battling for a starting gig.
Cincinnati
Zac Taylor may have gone to the Super Bowl last season with the Rams. However, don’t think the smart minds in Las Vegas expect him to bring the Bengals to the big game in his first season. Cincy is plus-$12,500. And remember in addition to all the other factors against the Bengals winning the Super Bowl, add in they have never done it.
Arizona, Buffalo and Washington
Jay Gruden has a daunting task ahead of him. So, it is not a surprise that if Washington somehow won the Super Bowl, its backers would make quite the score. Another team with a chaotic quarterback situation with Colt McCoy, Case Keenum and rookie Dwayne Haskins. Surprising Kliff Kingsbury and the Cardinals aren’t the longest shots on the board. Guess they can remind everyone another bird, Mine That Bird, once won the Kentucky Derby at long, long odds. Sean McDermott has to be counting on a strong second season from Josh Allen. Still, each member of this trio is a risky proposition to say the least. That is why the Futures number stands at plus-$10,000 for all three teams.
New York, New York, Detroit and Tampa Bay
Well. at least the oddsmakers think the Giants and Jets have something in common. They stand with the Bucs and Lions in the group at plus-$8,000 to win the Super Bowl. The Giants would be a far better bet to see how long it takes for a quarterback controversy to percolate. The Jets haven’t been to a Super Bowl since Joe Namath and III and the Lions have never been to the big game. The Bucs made a smart hire in Bruce Arians. If he can’t fix Jameis Winston, no one can. Wouldn’t expect to see Sam Darnold vs. Eli Manning or Matt Stafford or Winston with the Vince Lombardi Trophy on the line and people still holding live tickets on these teams in February.
Tennessee
Mike Vrabel is another coach with multiple Super Bowl rings. That does not mean anyone who makes the odds thinks he will add another one with the Titans this season. The quarterback situation is shaky as Marcus Mariota feels like a health risk. Ryan Tannehill is the backup (see where his old team the Dolphins are in future odds). It would be far from shocking to see Tennessee improve but getting better is far from winning a title. The futures are saying plus-$7,000.
Denver
Guess there has to be some formula or balance to why these odds stand as they do. Vic Fangio and Joe Flacco will be the big new names in Denver. It does not feel as the Broncos are close to the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl with the Chargers and Chiefs in the AFC West. The line is plus-$6,600 and don’t say we didn’t warn you when you are tearing up your tickets at the end of the regular season.
Oakland
Now this has to be simply because Raider Nation has a lot of money to burn. Plus-$6,000? Wow. that feels low, low, low for a team that has not been competitive. In fact, the Silver and Black have had one season better than .500 since 2003. Jon Gruden would have to be a miracle worker to get Oakland into the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl and winning it.
Baltimore and Jacksonville
Here is where the odds get tempting. At least for the Ravens fans. They won the AFC North last year and expect Lamar Jackson to grow in his sophomore season. John Harbaugh knows how to win big games and Earl Thomas and Mark Ingram are key additions. On the other side, Jacksonville would be looking at a bounce-back season and has brought in a Super Bowl winner in Nick Foles. The Jags would have to have a massive turnaround for the tickets to be cashed at plus-$4,000, which is the same odds the Ravens are wearing.
Carolina Panthers
Ron Rivera and Cam Newton have a lot riding on 2019. They have yo-yo’d between double-digit victories in a season and sub-.500 records since 2012. So, the hunch would be 10 or more wins. That said, the Panthers have gotten to Super Bowls and never won one. If you like their chances, they are at plus-$3,500
Atlanta, Houston and Seattle
The Seahawks have a tough way to the NFC West Division title with the Rams in front of them. Houston came on strong last season and is stacked on offense and defense. It’s hard to imagine the Falcons showing that much improvement, though Dan Quinn and Atlanta have to know the fuse is doing a slow burn if they fail to come up big. That 28-3 into 34-28 isn’t going anywhere until a ring appears. The trio has been set at plus-$3,300.
San Francisco
There must be a ton of people in the Bay Area with cash to spare. Why would the Niners be plus-$3,000? They are on a run of four straight seasons with 10 or more losses. Jimmy Garoppolo is coming off knee surgery and looked rusty. Nick Bosa already has a high ankle sprain. At these odds, run … away from the computer and betting windows.
Minnesota and Pittsburgh
Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin are big-gamers. And why would it be stunning to anyone if they won the AFC North? Bet the locker room is a much less tense spot with Antonio Brown gone and Le’Veon Bell in New York. There are weapons on both sides and this is a team that missed having a fifth straight 10-win season by a game. That said, Pittsburgh has not won the Super Bowl since 2008. Minnesota, meanwhile, has never won a Super Bowl. Never. The 2018 season was mediocre but if you look below the surface, Kirk Cousins was strong. Not sure the People People are good enough to solve the Monsters of the Midway in the NFC North, let alone gain their first Lombardi Trophy. Plus-$2,200
Dallas Cowboys
Bet with your head, not over it was the old Off-Track Betting mantra. Dallas fans who back America’s Team have not cashed a Super Bowl winning ticket or futures bet since the 1995 season. So, plus-$2,000 almost feels like a sucker bet. Yeah, it is tempting but remember past performances can set you up for the future. They’ll battle the Eagles for the NFC East title. Way unsure if they are ready to grab the ring.
Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers is good enough to win a Super Bowl. Davante Adams is an incredible receiver. Matt LaFleur is a coach in his first season with the big title. He will be under the spotlight as GB looks to avoid a third straight losing season. Testing division, too. The Packers would reward you with plus-$1,800 if they brought the Vince Lombardi Trophy home to where the legendary coach made his name.
Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis
Will Philip Rivers make it to a Super Bowl and if he gets there will be grab his first ring? The Chargers are strong and they won 12 games last season. There are issues, though with Melvin Gordon holding out and Derwin James out for a while. Still, there is reason to believe they can topple the Chiefs and make a deep playoff run. The quarterback and the franchise are seeking its first Super Bowl victory. Indianapolis will go as Andrew Luck takes it. Frank Reich did a great job last season but he had Luck. The former Stanford star’s health makes this is dicey wager. Both teams stand at plus-$1,600. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Indy rise in odds.
Chicago, Cleveland and Philadelphia
The Browns almost feel like the buzz horse on the backstretch the week of the Kentucky Derby. They have all sorts of talent. They also have never been to a Super Bowl and haven’t been to a playoff game since 2002. Might be better for bettors to set their sights on slightly lesser goals. Chicago should be considered a mighty contender. The Bears are back to being Monsters of the Midway and the offense is on the improve. Will they miss Jordan Howard or can David Montgomery step in and step up? The Eagles finished strong last season and almost made it to the NFC title game. With Nick Foles gone, Carson Wentz has to stay healthy. Josh McCown taking snaps in the regular season could lead to fans ripping up their tickets early. Plus-$1,200.
Los Angeles Rams
They made it to the Promised Land only to fall short against the New England Patriots. Will Sean McVay’s magic bring the Rams a ring? While it may feel like a while since a team has won a Super Bowl after losing the previous year, it hasn’t. The Patriots did precisely that by downing the Rams. Plus-$950 feels a bit on the light side.
New Orleans
One non-call away from a date with the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Will Sean Payton and the Saints come this close again or will they make it to the big game and win New Orleans’ second Super Bowl? The fantasy folks are making it seem like Drew Brees is ready for doom and gloom. Don’t expect to see Brees fall as far and fast as they seem to think he will. Alvin Kamara is a threat and Michael Thomas is one of the best in the game. The defense is sharp. Would not want to face a team with vengeance on its mind in the playoffs. Plus-$850.
Kansas City
The AFC brings us the two favorites, which means one of the tickets will be tossed. Patrick Mahomes’ 50-5,000 season was insane. He doesn’t have to hit those bars to have another wonderful year. The defense has added Frank Clark and Tyrann Mathieu to a huddle that needed help. Andy Reid seeks his first Super Bowl victory. Having the Chargers in the division will be a test. Plus-$800.
New England
It almost feels as if Vegas wants you to bet on Bill Belichick and Tom Brady making it to a fourth straight Super Bowl and winning for a third time in the span. That said, there is no Gronk, who knows now about Patrick Chung and making four in a row is quite the accomplishment. Plus-$700 is the number. With six rings, Pats fans likely have some expendable cash. However, there is no guarantee they will get a return on investment, again.
