Post by TheShadow on Jul 27, 2007 4:29:01 GMT -5
www.realfootball365.com
By Hugo Guzman
The start of the NFL season is nearly upon us, so it's time to break down what the oddsmakers are saying about each team's chances of reaching Super Bowl XLII. We will also go over the over/under for wins that each team is currently listed at.
Mind you, as you read through this, keep in mind that these odds are not fixed and that they tend to fluctuate throughout training camp and the preseason schedule.
Super Bowl Odds
New England Patriots 5/1:
Adding Adalius Thomas and Randy Moss makes the Patriots the trendy pick to win it all in 2007-08. Remember that New England was a second-half collapse away from defeating the word champion Indianapolis Colts last season.
Indianapolis Colts 11/2:
History says that it's tough to win two consecutive Super Bowl. Then again, with a quarterback like Peyton Manning at the helm, anything is possible.
San Diego Chargers 6/1:
The Chargers are a year older, a year wiser and are likely looking to exact some sort of revenge on a Patriots squad that knocked them out of the postseason last season. However, the team must prove that it can maintain its prior level of success sans Marty Schottenheimer.
Chicago Bears 8/1:
Last year, Rex Grossman seemed to prove that he was incapable of leading the Bears to the Promised Land. That being said, Chicago's defense is still top notch and the NFC remains a second-rate conference.
Baltimore Ravens 10/1:
The Ravens were a solid team last year in all facets of the game, but I'm not quite sure that they are at the same level of the Patriots and Colts. They're sort of like the Bears, only with a much more reliable quarterback. If only the Ravens played in the NFC...
New Orleans Saints 12/1:
Last year's Cinderella will try to take the next step in 2008. With a potent offense and a solid defense, the Saints look like a dark horse in the making.
Seattle Seahawks 15/1:
Remember that this team came close to winning the Super Bowl two years ago. As always, the Seahawks' season will rest on the feet of running back Shaun Alexander.
Cincinnati Bengals 15/1:
Sure, they have a lot of criminals on their roster, but the Bengals also have plenty of talent. With a fully healthy Carson Palmer at the helm and a defense that is looking to return to its 2005 form, this is another prime candidate for dark horse honors.
Dallas Cowboys 20/1:
The Cowboys definitely have potential on both sides of the ball, but unproven talent at the quarterback position and in the coaching staff makes them an unlikely candidate for Super Bowl glory. That being said, they should be in postseason contention, so it's not beyond the realm of possibility.
Denver Broncos 25/1:
With a sophomore quarterback at the helm, the Broncos are probably a few years away from challenging for a Super Bowl title. They're a fairly solid team but play in a very tough conference.
New York Jets 25/1:
Another prime candidate for dark horse honors. Solid coaching, good quarterback play and a knack for knocking off the Patriots make the Jets an intriguing pick. If the Jets make the playoffs and meet New England for the second straight year, don't be shocked to see New York prevail.
Philadelphia Eagles 25/1:
As usual, the Eagles' fortunes will be determined by the health of Donovan McNabb. If he can stay healthy, then they should be a legit contender in the NFC.
Pittsburgh Steelers 25/1:
Just one season removed from a world championship, the Steelers could surprise a lot of folks by returning to AFC supremacy. Then again, they could end up being just another also-ran. It will all depend on the consistency of Ben Roethlisberger and the competence of new head coach Mike Tomlin.
Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1:
No set quarterback means no real shot for a Super Bowl title. Unless one of their signal callers can permanently take the reins, the Jaguars will continue to be one of those teams that's good but not great.
Carolina Panthers 30/1:
The Panthers are simply not a Super Bowl contender at this point, which is a shame. They have solid young running backs and arguably the best receiver in the league.
New York Giants 30/1:
If Eli Manning can suddenly morph into a carbon copy of his brother, the Giants will be serious title contenders. It's hard to see that happening, though. Eli might end up being an elite quarterback one day, but probably not in 2008.
St. Louis Rams 40/1:
The Rams are another team that seems to be laden with talent but always end up with a mediocre season. There's no compelling reason to believe that this year will be any different.
San Francisco 49ers 45/1:
Like the Dolphins in 2006, the 49ers seem to be the fashionable pick to make some noise in 2007. Hopefully, for the fans' sake, the Niners won't suffer the same fate Miami did last year.
Minnesota Vikings 50/1:
Someday, Adrian Peterson may take the Vikings a long way, but not yet. However, it will be interesting to see if Tarvaris Jackson has what it takes to be a solid NFL quarterback.
Green Bay Packers 50/1:
In what may be Brett Favre's final season, the Packers will be lucky to even sniff the playoffs.
Washington Redskins 50/1:
So much talent, so little in the way of results. Is Jason Campbell a true pro QB? We'll be one step closer to knowing the answer once the regular season finally rolls around.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 60/1:
Playing musical quarterbacks is a surefire technique for ensuring that you'll have a disappointing season. However, if Jeff Garcia takes over and catches fire like he did last year, keep an eye out for the Buccaneers.
Tennessee Titans 70/1:
I like Vince Young as much as the next guy, but to think that he can single-handedly take the Titans to the postseason and beyond is ludicrous. They still need a lot more pieces.
Buffalo Bills 75/1:
This will be the year that Buffalo figures out whether J.P. Losman is its quarterback of the future. Unfortunately, even if Losman pans out, playing in a tough division like the AFC East almost assures that the Bills will miss the playoffs.
Kansas City Chiefs 75/1:
Brodie Croyle (seven career attempts) could be the Chiefs' starter at QB, and that likely means they won't be in title contention.
Atlanta Falcons 75/1:
Ouch! The prospect of having Joey Harrington start makes the Lions and Dolphins chuckle, but it's no laughing matter for Falcon fans.
Miami Dolphins 75/1:
Even if Trent Green returns to Pro Bowl form, it will be tough for Miami to earn a playoff berth. The defense is aging but still solid. The offense, however, is littered with question marks.
Arizona Cardinals 75/1:
Flaunting an array of big-name offensive weapons, the Cardinals are another one of those fashionable dark horse picks. Clearly, the oddsmakers know something that the average fan doesn't. Maybe it has something to do with the patchwork offensive line, the second-year quarterback and a subpar defense.
Cleveland Browns 100/1:
Brady Quinn, save us! Not bloody likely. At least not in 2007.
Houston Texans 100/1:
Let's see if Matt Schaub still comes off as a golden boy now that he will be playing for one of the worst offensive lines in football. If he does, the Texans might actually be a decent team.
Detroit Lions 125/1:
Can Calvin Johnson single-handedly turn around the Lions' fortunes? Doubtful. The Lions have added some other pieces, but they are still a few years away from playoff contention.
Oakland Raiders 150/1:
My prediction for the Raiders is simple. Much like the Titans from a year ago, they will get off to a horrid start and end up being forced to start their rookie quarterback early. And it will be the best thing that's happened to the franchise in quite some time.
By Hugo Guzman
The start of the NFL season is nearly upon us, so it's time to break down what the oddsmakers are saying about each team's chances of reaching Super Bowl XLII. We will also go over the over/under for wins that each team is currently listed at.
Mind you, as you read through this, keep in mind that these odds are not fixed and that they tend to fluctuate throughout training camp and the preseason schedule.
Super Bowl Odds
New England Patriots 5/1:
Adding Adalius Thomas and Randy Moss makes the Patriots the trendy pick to win it all in 2007-08. Remember that New England was a second-half collapse away from defeating the word champion Indianapolis Colts last season.
Indianapolis Colts 11/2:
History says that it's tough to win two consecutive Super Bowl. Then again, with a quarterback like Peyton Manning at the helm, anything is possible.
San Diego Chargers 6/1:
The Chargers are a year older, a year wiser and are likely looking to exact some sort of revenge on a Patriots squad that knocked them out of the postseason last season. However, the team must prove that it can maintain its prior level of success sans Marty Schottenheimer.
Chicago Bears 8/1:
Last year, Rex Grossman seemed to prove that he was incapable of leading the Bears to the Promised Land. That being said, Chicago's defense is still top notch and the NFC remains a second-rate conference.
Baltimore Ravens 10/1:
The Ravens were a solid team last year in all facets of the game, but I'm not quite sure that they are at the same level of the Patriots and Colts. They're sort of like the Bears, only with a much more reliable quarterback. If only the Ravens played in the NFC...
New Orleans Saints 12/1:
Last year's Cinderella will try to take the next step in 2008. With a potent offense and a solid defense, the Saints look like a dark horse in the making.
Seattle Seahawks 15/1:
Remember that this team came close to winning the Super Bowl two years ago. As always, the Seahawks' season will rest on the feet of running back Shaun Alexander.
Cincinnati Bengals 15/1:
Sure, they have a lot of criminals on their roster, but the Bengals also have plenty of talent. With a fully healthy Carson Palmer at the helm and a defense that is looking to return to its 2005 form, this is another prime candidate for dark horse honors.
Dallas Cowboys 20/1:
The Cowboys definitely have potential on both sides of the ball, but unproven talent at the quarterback position and in the coaching staff makes them an unlikely candidate for Super Bowl glory. That being said, they should be in postseason contention, so it's not beyond the realm of possibility.
Denver Broncos 25/1:
With a sophomore quarterback at the helm, the Broncos are probably a few years away from challenging for a Super Bowl title. They're a fairly solid team but play in a very tough conference.
New York Jets 25/1:
Another prime candidate for dark horse honors. Solid coaching, good quarterback play and a knack for knocking off the Patriots make the Jets an intriguing pick. If the Jets make the playoffs and meet New England for the second straight year, don't be shocked to see New York prevail.
Philadelphia Eagles 25/1:
As usual, the Eagles' fortunes will be determined by the health of Donovan McNabb. If he can stay healthy, then they should be a legit contender in the NFC.
Pittsburgh Steelers 25/1:
Just one season removed from a world championship, the Steelers could surprise a lot of folks by returning to AFC supremacy. Then again, they could end up being just another also-ran. It will all depend on the consistency of Ben Roethlisberger and the competence of new head coach Mike Tomlin.
Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1:
No set quarterback means no real shot for a Super Bowl title. Unless one of their signal callers can permanently take the reins, the Jaguars will continue to be one of those teams that's good but not great.
Carolina Panthers 30/1:
The Panthers are simply not a Super Bowl contender at this point, which is a shame. They have solid young running backs and arguably the best receiver in the league.
New York Giants 30/1:
If Eli Manning can suddenly morph into a carbon copy of his brother, the Giants will be serious title contenders. It's hard to see that happening, though. Eli might end up being an elite quarterback one day, but probably not in 2008.
St. Louis Rams 40/1:
The Rams are another team that seems to be laden with talent but always end up with a mediocre season. There's no compelling reason to believe that this year will be any different.
San Francisco 49ers 45/1:
Like the Dolphins in 2006, the 49ers seem to be the fashionable pick to make some noise in 2007. Hopefully, for the fans' sake, the Niners won't suffer the same fate Miami did last year.
Minnesota Vikings 50/1:
Someday, Adrian Peterson may take the Vikings a long way, but not yet. However, it will be interesting to see if Tarvaris Jackson has what it takes to be a solid NFL quarterback.
Green Bay Packers 50/1:
In what may be Brett Favre's final season, the Packers will be lucky to even sniff the playoffs.
Washington Redskins 50/1:
So much talent, so little in the way of results. Is Jason Campbell a true pro QB? We'll be one step closer to knowing the answer once the regular season finally rolls around.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 60/1:
Playing musical quarterbacks is a surefire technique for ensuring that you'll have a disappointing season. However, if Jeff Garcia takes over and catches fire like he did last year, keep an eye out for the Buccaneers.
Tennessee Titans 70/1:
I like Vince Young as much as the next guy, but to think that he can single-handedly take the Titans to the postseason and beyond is ludicrous. They still need a lot more pieces.
Buffalo Bills 75/1:
This will be the year that Buffalo figures out whether J.P. Losman is its quarterback of the future. Unfortunately, even if Losman pans out, playing in a tough division like the AFC East almost assures that the Bills will miss the playoffs.
Kansas City Chiefs 75/1:
Brodie Croyle (seven career attempts) could be the Chiefs' starter at QB, and that likely means they won't be in title contention.
Atlanta Falcons 75/1:
Ouch! The prospect of having Joey Harrington start makes the Lions and Dolphins chuckle, but it's no laughing matter for Falcon fans.
Miami Dolphins 75/1:
Even if Trent Green returns to Pro Bowl form, it will be tough for Miami to earn a playoff berth. The defense is aging but still solid. The offense, however, is littered with question marks.
Arizona Cardinals 75/1:
Flaunting an array of big-name offensive weapons, the Cardinals are another one of those fashionable dark horse picks. Clearly, the oddsmakers know something that the average fan doesn't. Maybe it has something to do with the patchwork offensive line, the second-year quarterback and a subpar defense.
Cleveland Browns 100/1:
Brady Quinn, save us! Not bloody likely. At least not in 2007.
Houston Texans 100/1:
Let's see if Matt Schaub still comes off as a golden boy now that he will be playing for one of the worst offensive lines in football. If he does, the Texans might actually be a decent team.
Detroit Lions 125/1:
Can Calvin Johnson single-handedly turn around the Lions' fortunes? Doubtful. The Lions have added some other pieces, but they are still a few years away from playoff contention.
Oakland Raiders 150/1:
My prediction for the Raiders is simple. Much like the Titans from a year ago, they will get off to a horrid start and end up being forced to start their rookie quarterback early. And it will be the best thing that's happened to the franchise in quite some time.