With players and owners having settled their grievances and signed a CBA (collective bargaining agreement) that assures football betting fans there will be action for at least another decade, NFL Super Bowl future book betting already has kicked off on home computer screens and at wagering watering holes around the globe in advance of the league's season opener, Sept. 8.
Sportsbooks have either the Patriots or the Packers favored to win Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Feb. 5, 2012. In fact, of 19 books surveyed, eight had New England as the favorite, usually at around 6/1, another eight had Green Bay as the 6/1 favorite to capture back-to-back NFL titles and three books listed the Pats and Packers as co-favorites.
You certainly can make a case for either team. New England has appeared in four Super Bowls in the last decade, winning three, had the best straight up record in the league last year at 14-2 and has always been a contender during the Bill Belichick/Tom Brady era. Green Bay, on the other cleat, barely made the playoffs last year at 10-6 but then won four straight post-season games to earn the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Packers have a dynamic quarterback of their own in Aaron Rodgers.
While New England and Green Bay may be on top, football betting fans have several other attractive options, all at double-digits. San Diego, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh all are in the 10/1 to 12/1 range. The Chargers underachieved and failed to make the playoffs even while the team was leading the NFL in both offense and defense last year. Winning in September, something that's been a problem in San Diego, would help the team's chances.
After a great off-season during which they bolstered their roster, the Eagles seem to be the fashionable pick this season. Interestingly, while some believe Philadelphia has the best team in the NFL, there's some debate if the Eagles are even the best team in Pennsylvania.
The Steelers have been in two of the last three Super Bowls, winning it all in 2009. Less talk, healthier bodies and a season without turmoil might land Pittsburgh back in the title game.
Another cluster of teams, including New Orleans, the New York Jets, Atlanta and Baltimore, are offered at odds in the range of 12/1 to 14/1. Just beyond that quartet are Dallas, Indianapolis and the New York Giants, each at about 20/1.
The Saints and Falcons each enjoy solid play at quarterback and will slug it out in the NFC South Division. The Jets, who split two AFC East games with the Patriots during the regular season before knocking New England out of the playoffs in a third meeting, don't lack for swagger but need improved play from third-year quarterback Mark Sanchez to take the next step. As usual, the Ravens will be led by their intimidating defense. Getting a home playoff game—Baltimore has played seven straight post-season road games—would be a big plus.
Of the Cowboys, Colts and Giants, only Indianapolis is favored to win its own division so bettors may want to look twice at the Colts, especially since the Super Bowl will be played on their home field next February.
In addition to Super Bowl betting, most sportsbooks also have prices to win the AFC and NFC titles, respectively, as well as each of the league's eight divisions. For the most part, conference odds are about half of a team's Super Bowl price so while Chicago is 30/1 to win the NFL title, the Bears are 15/1 to capture the NFC Conference crown.
There's less value in division odds where five of the eight favorites are even money or less but some of the races are intriguing, particularly the weak NFC West where St. Louis is a tepid 13/8 favorite over San Francisco, 2/1, Arizona, 4/1, and Seattle, 5/1.
Those NFL betting aficionados who really want to play it safe can lay -110 (bet $110 to win $100) either way on whether the Super Bowl champion emerges from the AFC or NFC.
Some enterprising sportsbooks even have odds on which players will be named respective offensive and defensive rookies of the year. A pair of wide receivers, Atlanta's Julio Jones and Cincinnati's AJ Green, each are listed at 5/1 while Carolina quarterback Cam Newton and New Orleans running back Mark Ingram each are held at odds of 7/1.
On defense, Detroit tackle Nick Fairley and Arizona cornerback Patrick Peterson each are offered at odds of 6/1 with Buffalo lineman Marcell Dareus and Denver linebacker Von Miller each quoted at 7/1 to win rookie of the year hardware.
It's OK to exhale now; the NFL and NFL betting are here to stay.
This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering college football betting and sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com
