True, it may be early to begin asking who will be next year’s Super Bowl winner, but that’s not going to stop Vegas. The odds of winning next year’s big game are out, and there’s some striking oddities. Let’s take a closer look.
New England Patriots 5-1
It’s often said that the Super Bowl loser is cursed in the following season. Still, the Patriots have a solid team, and their defense can only get better.
Green Bay Packers 11-2
I’m actually surprised the Packers aren’t number one. They have a great offense, and like the Pats, their defense really can’t get much worse.
Pittsburgh Steelers 6-1
The Steelers season in 2012 will depend on Todd Haley’s ability to mesh with the rest of the team. If that doesn’t happen, expect these odds to change in a hurry.
Philadelphia Eagles 6-1
*Laughing*
New York Giants 8-1
The Giants aren’t at the top of the list for good reason. They got hot at the right time. It’s as simple as that. When they’re playing their “A game,” they can beat anyone. The problem is usually getting them to play that way.
New Orleans Saints 10-1
I’m not a fan of the Saints chances in 2012. Their defense is poor at best, and Drew Brees isn’t likely to put up such unworldly numbers two seasons in a row.
San Francisco 49ers 10-1
This is a team I think has a very real chance of winning the Super Bowl. The key here is to avoid quarterback controversy. Repeat after me, “Alex Smith is our starter. Alex Smith is our starter. Alex Smith…”
San Diego Chargers 12-1
Why do we still consider this team to be one of the most talented teams in the league? Season after season they prove that they can’t win consistently. For the love of everything that is good, let’s stop it.
Houston Texans 12-1
The Texans were good without Schaub. It’s time to see if they can back up a playoff run with a deep playoff run.
Chicago Bears 17-1
The Bears just seem stale to me. Finding a competent backup quarterback should be their top priority.
Detroit Lions 18-1
I can’t believe the Lions’ odds are so bad. I’d have them up there with the Saints and every other team with a great offense and no defense.
Atlanta Falcons 18-1
The Falcons are quickly gaining a reputation in the NFL as being the best choke-artists in the game. Have we considered that “Matty Ice” may be cold because he’s dead?
Dallas Cowboys 20-1
The Cowboys are just fighting to stay relevant. The Eagles won’t be down for too long, and the Giants just won the Super Bowl. Good luck Big D.
Baltimore Ravens 20-1
The Ravens botched their best chance to get into the Super Bowl when Lee Evans dropped an easy game winning touchdown in the conference championship. As always, they’ll need to go through Pittsburgh (or New England) to win it all.
New York Jets 20-1
The Jets are like that kid that always has a story to top the one you just told. No one cares. Shut up please.
Indianapolis Colts 25-1
While the Colts’ odds aren’t great, they’re better than I expected. Even if Andrew Luck is the second coming of Peyton Manning, they don’t have a realistic chance.
Tennessee Titans 30-1
If the Titans decide it’s time to move forward with the Jake Locker era, these odds should tumble even farther. They’re still building. Be patient.
Cincinnati Bengals 30-1
The Bengals are ranked far too low. They stunned everyone by sneaking into the playoffs, and they should continue to grow as a team in 2012.
Buffalo Bills 50-1
Ryan Fitzpatrick may prove to be the most over-paid player in the NFL in 2012.
Kansas City Chiefs 50-1
The Chiefs were devastated by injuries in 2011. They have a solid core of talented players, and they may be able to mount a run at the division title in the very weak AFC West.
Seattle Seahawks 50-1
The Seahawks have talent, but they must sort out their quarterback situation to have anywhere near a 50-1 shot of winning the Super Bowl.
Denver Broncos 50-1
That has to be a typo. With Tebow at quarterback, the odds should be 5,000-1.
Carolina Panthers 50-1
Cam Newton is the one player that keeps the Panthers otherwise talent depleted team relevant.
Miami Dolphins 50-1
Here’s another team that has to find a quarterback. While they’re at it, they may want to find a new general manager.
St. Louis Rams 50-1
It’s all on Sam Bradford. 2012 may determine whether he is a bust or just getting over a sophomore slump.
Oakland Raiders 60-1
The Raiders have been looking for stability since the Rich Gannon era. If they can find it, they may be able to make the playoffs as the AFC West champion. Once you’re in, all bets are off.
Minnesota Vikings 60-1
I’m not sold on Christian Ponder as an NFL starter. The Vikings will need to make unbelievable moves in the off-season to become a factor in February next year.
Arizona Cardinals 60-1
What if Peyton Manning lands in Arizona and gets to throw to Larry Fitzgerald? What if?
Cleveland Browns 75-1
Robert Griffin III would help them out immensely. He could do the same thing for the Browns that Cam Newton did for the Panthers in 2011. Still, there’s no Super Bowl in their immediate future.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 100-1
As with many teams at the bottom of this list, the Buccaneers are in rebuilding mode, and winning the Super Bowl in 2013 isn’t exactly realistic.
Washington Redskins 125-1
The Redskins may be the most dysfunctional team in the league, and that’s exactly why they remain a footnote in the NFC East at best.
Jacksonville Jaguars 150-1
The Jaguars’ odds are far too low. They have a top 10 defense, with their defensive coordinator returning. They have the NFL’s leading rusher and a commitment from new owner, Shahid Khan, that the team will spend in free agency.
Odds courtesy of MGM Grand Las Vegas
