2017 NFL Odds Futures to Win Super Bowl 51
After entering Super Bowl 50 as a 5.5 point favorite, Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers met a stingy Denver defense on Super Bowl Sunday, and, for the first time all season, were completely shut down. The Broncos pass rush doomed the Panthers’ championship chances, as for four quarters, Newton was under siege.
Handicappers that saw that coming cashed in, but those that did not, closed out their NFL betting season with a disappointing loss. But it’s time to pick up the pieces and get ready for next year’s big game.
Before the confetti stopped dropping on the Broncos Super Bowl 51 celebration, Vegas has already released its list of teams and odds it expects to win Super Bowl 51, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas next year. And in an effort to help handicappers prepare for, we take a look and analyze the top five teams who are favored to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy on Feb. 5, 2017.
First on the list, are the New England Patriots.
Decimated by injuries, the Pats (+750) finished the 2015 regular season with a 3-5 SU and ATS record in their last eight games, before coming up short in the AFC Championship game to the Peyton Manning and a tightfisted Denver Broncos’ defense.
Nevertheless, with an offseason to recover and a new grudge, New England quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick should have no problem emerging as an elite team once again. The Patriots will return its entire core next season and do not have any major players that will be free agents.
Meanwhile, Super Bowl 50 champions, the Denver Broncos, are going off at +900, even though it still isn’t clear who will be under center for the team in 2016. As Manning contemplates retirement, backup Brock Osweiler is an unrestricted free agent, as well as Super Bowl MVP Von Miller and leading tackler Danny Trevathan.
With so many key contributor’s future’s remaining uncertain, it’s hard to back the Broncos, unless they extend Miller’s contract this offseason. And then they should once again be a force to be reckoned with.
Next, the Pittsburgh Steelers (+900) finished second in the AFC North, despite the amount of injuries they sustained, especially on offense. If running back Le’Veon Bell can make a full recovery, and the Steelers can find a way to improve their defense, they could again make deep playoff run 2017.
As, are the Seattle Seahawks (+1000), who despite the retirement of running back Marshawn Lynch,should be able to stay in the hunt for a return to the Super Bowl, asThomas Rawls appears poised to take over as the lead back. However, Seattle must improve their offensive line, if they want to really unleash quarterback Russell Wilson’s potential.
Finally, NFL handicappers should not let the Panthers Super Bowl 50 performance let them forget just how good Newton and the Panthers’ defense really are.
Unlike so many other teams on this list, Carolina has most of its stars locked up with the exception of All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman. They also return young wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who will no doubt instantly add more firepower to their offense.
Because of all that, Carolina (+1000) should once again be a serious contender for another trip to the Super Bowl next year.
