Super Bowl 49 is a little over five months away but with the NFL season kicking off in two weeks, there’s no reason why we can’t put on our Nostradamus hats and predict how we think the season is going to play out.
I’ve already tackled the Super Bowl odds in a previous post but betting on Super Bowl futures doesn’t start and end with picking the eventual champion. A handful of other futures bets are also being offered, beginning with the always-popular if not always profitable “Name the Finalists” prop.
Last season, the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks had 25/1 odds to meet in Super Bowl XLVIII. Anybody who took that bet before the season started was rewarded handily. I took the Broncos and 49ers at 12/1 odds and I came within a tipped pass by Richard Sherman to cash in on that bet. But I’ve moved on from that heartbreak and I’m now looking forward to another exciting season. But before that, I look at the landscape of the league and I’m making a doozy of a bet on the participants of Super Bowl 49. You ready for this?
The New England Patriots and the New Orleans Saints at 40/1 odds, baby!
That’s far from the favorite choice—the Broncos and Seahawks are favored to have a rematch at 10/1 odds—but it’s something I’m pretty comfortable betting on given the team’s capabilities and the huge odds attached to it.
I was tempted to pick the Patriots and the Seahawks at 16/1 odds, but I’m not bullish on Seattle this year, especially after coming off the season they just had and the competition the NFC has to offer. The AFC is different because it’s basically between the Pats and the Broncos. Maybe the Colts can make some noise but I’m giving them another year of playoff lessons before they take that next level leap next season.
So it’s between New England and Denver and as much as I like the additions the Broncos made, I think Tom Brady will have better receivers to throw to and Darrelle Revis will be a game changer in that defense.
That’s more than enough for me to ride with Pats vs. Saints playing in Super Bowl 49 at 40/1 odds.
If you’re not sure about this kind of future prop, I don’t blame you. The myriad of combinations are enough to make even my head spin. If you want a Super Bowl futures prop that’s a little more tied to the ground, you can opt to bet on the Winning Conference. The NFC is the understandable favorite at 4/6 odds for all the reasons I just mentioned. That conference is incredibly top-heavy. Seven of the 10 teams with the shortest odds to win the Super Bowl are in the NFC, a stark difference from the mediocre state of the AFC (6/5 odds).
Not feeling those odds? Well, why not break it down even further by betting on the Winning Division. You get to choose among all eight divisions, beginning with the NFC West, the favorites at 9/4 odds. The AFC West is a close second at 4/1 odds on the strength of the Broncos being there. They’re followed by the AFC East at 6/1 with the Patriots leading the way. Then the NFC North—the Packers are there and the NFC South—the Saints!—at 7/1 apiece. The AFC North is at 8/1 while the NFC East is at 9/1. Finally, the AFC South—a Colts long shot!—is at 12/1 odds.
