The NFL regular season is upon as, and with it, the speculation on whose year 2016-17 will be. So without further ado, let the prognosticating begin.
The Denver Broncos are going to come down from their mile-high perch and won’t repeat as Super Bowl champions. Minus both Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler, the Broncos are in such dire straits at quarterback it’s amazing Tim Tebow isn’t trying out for them again.
Evidently the sportsbooks agree. Bovada’s futures book lists the Broncos at +1800 to win the Super Bowl, odds that place them behind nine other teams. Have a look at the 2016-17 NFL schedule, find out the best betting lines for every game and heed some tips on how to make more money from your NFL bets.
Anybody can tell you who’s not going to win the Super Bowl but we’re willing to bet you want the skinny on who should win it, or at least who very well could win the big game.
Let’s begin with the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers is 32 and time is slowly running out for him to add a second Super Bowl ring. But this might just be the year he makes it happen.
No. 1 receiver Jordy Nelson returns from injury and running back Eddie Lacy, after coach Mike McCarthy basically labeled him a fat tub of goo following last season figures should be extremely motivated.
The Packers’ young defense will be stronger and with Minnesota losing Teddy Bridgewater, Green Bay’s path to the NFC North crown, and perhaps home field throughout the playoffs, has become a much smoother one, especially considering that Green Bay’s schedule (.457 cumulative winning percentage) is the easiest in the NFL. Nobody likes to go to Lambeau Field in January. It could be a good bet to back the Pack at +450 to win Super Bowl LI.
And then there’s the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are priced at +800 to take it all. But you might, after suspensions to running back Le’Veon Bell (three games) and receiver Martavis Bryant (season), want to consider holding back on your wages. Then again, we recommend putting this bet on the second you finish this article.
This Pittsburgh team will have to win Super Bowl LI in much different fashion than previous titles built on rock-solid defense. That’s ok, though, because Pittsburgh can light it up. Just look at all the weapons Ben Roethlisberger has at his disposal, from Antonio Brown to Ladarius Green to DeAngelo Williams. Even without their suspended stars, the Steelers are a very real threat.
Everyone in football is waiting for the Arizona Cardinals to take that next step and win a Super Bowl, but they have to get there first and playing in the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks makes the first step of their journey an extremely taxing one. If they can keep Carson Palmer healthy, the Cardinals might just be the most balanced team in the NFL and, at +1100, are a good bet to make a big return. Unfortunately, we don’t think they have quite enough to win it all.
The Seahawks won’t go away quietly. They dealt with their Achilles heel in the off-season, bolstering their sieve-like offensive line, but even with turnstiles blocking in front of him, QB Russell Wilson still got Seattle into the playoffs last season. Even though running back Marshawn Lynch retired, Bovada likes the Seahawks a lot, and at +700, are second only to the Packers to win Super Bowl LI.
You can’t talk Super Bowl contenders without mentioning the New England Patriots. Sure, QB Tom Brady is suspended for the first four games of the season. But let’s remember that he’s 39 years of age so a shortened season might do his body a world of good. And it’s not like there’s any team they need to be worried about in the AFC East. As long as the evil genius, head coach Bill Belichick, remains at the helm, the Patriots are to be feared and respected. At +750, Bovada certainly isn’t about to overlook New England. And we’re not either. Look for the Patriots to battle the Steeler in the NFC Championship game.
While we’re on the topic of fear and loathing, we have to mention the Baltimore Ravens. Yes, they were 5-11 last season, but scratch below the surface and you’ll see that record was a bit misleading. Seven of those losses were by less than a touchdown and Baltimore lost 20 players to injured reserve, including QB Joe Flacco, receiver Steve Smith, linebacker Terrell Suggs and running back Justin Forsett.
Baltimore is known for bouncing back after off years. The Ravens, if they can remain relatively healthy this year, are a playoff-hardened team that can do some damage. Should they get in, they will prove a tough out for any team. And at +5000 odds, a $100 bet would garner you $500,000, so chew on that thought for a bit.
Super Bowl LI Prediction: Steelers (+800) will beat the Packers (+450).
