2008 Super Bowl Futures - Chargers Odds-On Favorite
by Mike Hayes - 02/15/2007
The Pro Bowl just ended and there are still more than two months until the NFL Draft but its not too early to start thinking about who will hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy next February and the early money is on the San Diego Chargers.
In the "what have you done lately?" world of the NFL and sports betting, the Colts, everybody's Super Bowl favorite the past few years, actually won one and they are no longer favorites.
The Chargers are the early choice at anywhere from the ridiculously low 7/2 posted by America's Line to the 6/1 being offered by Bodog, the first of Doc's recommended books to post odds on Super Bowl. The Colts are in the 7/1 range, surrounded by the likes of the Patriots and Bears.
Just prior to kickoff this past season Doc's took a look at the futures books and taking into account price as well as likelihood of reaching the Super Bowl, highlighted a couple of teams worth a look. Of the seven teams mentioned as being playable, five made the playoffs, including the Super Bowl finalist Colts at 5/1 and Bears at 28/1. The Ravens were the longest of those mentioned at 40/1 but disappointed backers with a first round exit.
Predicting who will win the Super Bowl just weeks after the last one is played, however, is of course not an easy venture but it could be a time to get some good value. Here's a look at some of the more intriguing possibilities based on odds from Bodog.
CHARGERS 6/1 -- In spite of the Colts Super Bowl victory, many still consider the Chargers the best team in the AFC. When I first took a look at the odds Marty Schottenheimer was still the coach. Now he's not, which makes the favored Bolts look even better. Let's face it, some guys just can't win the big one. Schottenheimer has proven to be one of the best regular season coaches in history with a record of 200-126 and a winning percentage of .613. His playoff mark is just 5-13, a percentage of .313. That just doesn't make sense. A new coach and a further seasoned Philip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson should make the Chargers a lock for the playoffs and maybe even the AFC title game
COLTS 7/1 -- Now that Manning and Dungy have shown they can win the Super Bowl it's hard to believe they are not favorites. After all, it's not like teams don't repeat in the NFL. The Patriots won three-of-four Super Bowls in recent years and before them Elway and the Broncos won back-to-back titles. Considering the Colts are a virtual lock to make the playoffs, and with the pressure off Manning and Dungy, the price seems a bit generous even though it's still only February.
BEARS 8/1 -- As hard as it is to believe, the Bears were only down by five with about 12 minutes to play when Rex Grossman threw a horrendous interception that was returned for a TD and basically shut the door on the Bear's hopes. If Grossman shows significant progress, or the Bears make a change altogether, Chicago could conceivably end the AFC string of domination. The 8/1 seems light however when you consider there are a significant number of AFC teams you would take over the Bears right now.
SAINTS 15/1 -- While it's difficult to envision any NFC team winning right now, the 15/1 is a lot better than the 8/1 being offered on the Bears, and the Saints, with a year of playoff experience, are poised to improve even further off of this season's rare success.
JAGUARS 25/1 -- A three game losing streak to end the season killed the Jags playoff hopes but they will again be in the mix in 2007 and the odds are right.
DOLPHINS 35/1 -- The Fish were the fashionable Super Bowl pick prior to last season and they flopped. The Patriots appear poised to be overtaken in the East and that means at least one home playoff game. If the Dolphins prove to be the team that ends the Pats run of division titles then the 35/1 is well worth it. They do need to do something at QB and that might just be Brady Quinn.
TITANS 35/1 -- With a year under his belt Vince Young will have the Titans in the playoff hunt. While a Super Bowl Championship in just his second year in the league seems unlikely, getting 35/1 on a team with a legitimate shot at the playoffs is nice. After all, getting there is half the battle.
ARIZONA 50/1 -- Do I really believe the Cards have a chance to win the Super Bowl? Of course not, but one of these seasons they are going to improve and make the playoffs. Matt Leinart is a winner so that season might come sooner rather than later and it would certainly be fun to root for a team in the playoffs when you've got them at 50/1.
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