As always, last week news came out of the National Football League. No earth-shattering news but a couple of interesting points. Also, once again, there was a massive NFL odds change on a few teams to win Super Bowl LV next year. Check this week’s NFL Update!
NFL Update – May 18th Edition
2021 Super Bowl- When: Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021
- Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
2021 Super Bowl Odds
- Kansas City Chiefs +500
- Baltimore Ravens +500
- San Francisco 49ers +825
- New England Patriots +2800
- New Orleans Saints +1000
- Pittsburgh Steelers +2500
- Dallas Cowboys +1700
- A. Chargers +5500
- Green Bay Packers +3500
- Seattle Seahawks +2100
- Philadelphia Eagles +2300
- A. Rams +3800
- Cleveland Browns +2700
- Minnesota Vikings +3300
- A. Raiders +8000
- Indianapolis Colts +2100
- Tennessee Titans +3000
- Houston Texans +9500
- Chicago Bears +6600
- Atlanta Falcons +4500
- Buffalo Bills +2100
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers +900
- Denver Broncos +6000
- Carolina Panthers +18000
- New York Giants +14500
- New York Jets +10000
- Detroit Lions +9000
- Arizona Cardinals +5500
- Jacksonville Jaguars +10000
- Cincinnati Bengals +10000
- Miami Dolphins +8000
- Washington Redskins +10000
Colts bullish on Philip Rivers playing past this season
Although not a Super Bowl favorite, the Indianapolis Colts have their championship betting fans. The Colts odds currently sit at +2100.
Philip Rivers is one of the reasons. The former L.A. Chargers signal caller now sits under center for the Colts. Last season, Rivers completed 66% of his passes while throwing for 4,615 yards.
He tossed 20 interceptions. Behind Indianapolis’ offensive line, he should improve in that department.
Head coach Frank Reich believes Rivers is the long-term answer in Indy. Reich said he expects Rivers to play more than this season. That’s a huge statement about a player that started his career in 2004.
Chargers’ Lyn explains why Cam isn’t a Bolt
LAC head coach Anthony Lyn felt it necessary to explain why Cam Newton isn’t a Charger.
Per Lyn, the Bolts considered signing Newton after the Carolina Panthers released the former NFL MVP. But the Chargers decided to stick with the current quarterbacks on their roster.
LAC’s quarterbacks are former Bills’ starter Tyrod Taylor and 2019 fifth round pick Easton Stick. The Chargers have yet to sign this year’s first round pick, Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert.
Although Lyn’s statement keeps things copasetic, the truth might be more obvious. Just twice during his career has Cam Newton completed 60% or more of his passes for an entire season.
During his rookie year, he completed 60%. In 2018, he completed 67% of his passes. Nice, but that was an anomaly. Newton’s lifetime completion percentage is 59.7%
To put that into perspective, Alex Smith’s lifetime completion percentage is 62.5%. Future hall of famer Drew Brees led the NFL in completion percentage last season. Drew completed 74.7% of his passes.
But after Brees, the list of top completion percentage quarterbacks might surprise you. Derek Carr is second at 70.4%. Kirk Cousins completed 68.8% of his passes. Jimmy Garoppolo and Ryan Tannehill both completed 68.5% of their throws.
Cam is coming off an injury. It’s tough to sign a quarterback off an injury who completes less than 60% of his passes.
New York Governor Cuomo encourages NY teams to start playing
There some good news on the current sports shutdown. The NFL has yet to say if they will postpone Week 1 or not. It’s looking more and more like the National Football League starts on time.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he wants sports leagues to return. Because Cuomo governs the state with the most populous city in the U.S., he has some pull.
If Cuomo says it’s time for real sports to return, expect real sports to return. That should put the NFL back on a schedule that allows them to start the season on Sep. 5.
Huge Super Bowl 55 odds changes
MyBookie Super Bowl odds changed big time for a few teams. First, the Baltimore Ravens went from +650 to +500.
Kansas City went down 100 from +600 to +500. That’s another big change.
But the biggest odds change happened for the Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers said he doesn’t think he can “retire a Packer”. That means he’s got a foot out the door.
It makes sense because the Packers moved up in the first round to draft Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. Green Bay’s Super Bowl odds slid from +1800 to +3500.
That’s a massive change. Do your handicapping before backing the Pack, though. If Rodgers heads into to the season motivation less, it’s over for GB before it starts.
Have a great week!
