While several Super Bowl 51 contenders (and preseason pretenders) have maintained or improved on their odds of winning this year’s league title, a handful of other teams have gone in the polar opposite direction.
This fun-filled look at the best and worst teams as far as their preseason and current Super Bowl 51 odds are concerned, will inform and entertain while hopefully helping you narrow your choices of legitimate Super Bowl 51 teams worthy of a wager against their still-available Super Bowl futures odds. Okay, let’s get started.
The Dallas Cowboys (8-1) have gone from a preseason ‘pretender’ to a 5/1 favorite, thanks to the contributions of rookies, Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. After dropping their opener against the Gants, Dallas has ripped off eight straight wins as Prescott and Elliott have performed like savvy veterans.
Kansas City Chiefs 25/1 to 15/1
The Chiefs (7-2) were a 25/1 pick to win it all before the season started but have moved up to a 15/1 pick by ‘handling their business’ in the now competitive AFC West. While there weren’t’ many people on the Chiefs bandwagon – and still aren’t – I believe the Chiefs have a real shot of representing the AFC in Super Bowl 51 if they reach the postseason. Kansas City has a handful of Pro Bowl defensive players and a veteran quarterback that just doesn’t make mistakes and that, football fans, is a recipe for success.
Oakland Raiders 60/1 to 17/1
The Raiders (7-2) were a whopping 60/1 preseason pick to win it all despite being one of the popular picks to improve this season. Now, nine games in, the Raiders have proven to be better than expected as young quarterback Derek Carr has combined with wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to form arguably the most potent passing trio in the league. With running back Latavius Murray and Pro Bowl linebacker Khalil Mack joining the aforementioned trio as dangerous threats on both sides of the ball, the Raiders look like they could continue to reach new heights over the remainder of the regular season.
Atlanta Falcons 40/1 to 18/1
The Falcons (6-4) were a 40/1 longshot to win Super Bowl 51 before the season started, but are now a 17/1 favorite thanks mostly to the play of quarterback Matt ‘Matty Ice’ Ryan and unstoppable pass-catching of Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones. Even in their four losses this season, Atlanta, and their No. 1 scoring offense, has looked mostly like a legitimate Super Bowl contender worthy of a wager to win Super Bowl 51.
Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers (3-6) have looked nothing like Super Bowl runner-ups or the NFC powerhouse they were expected to be after falling just short of winning it all last season. To make matters worse, the Panthers’ once vaunted defense now looks mediocre at best while Newton and the team’s offense have been pedestrian at best all season long. Right now, Carolina is a longshot to just reach the playoffs this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1 to 22/1
The Steelers (4-5) were a 10/1 preseason favorite, but are now a much longer 22/1 pick to win Super Bowl 51 and rightfully so. Ben Roethlisberger has looked nothing like the perennial Pro Bowler he’s been for the majority of his NFL career and the Steelers’ once powerful defense has given up almost as many points as the offense has scored this season. Right now, I say save your money on the Steelers as a Super Bowl 51 pick.
Green Bay Packers 12/1 to 25/1
What in the name of Vince Lombardi is going on with the Packers (4-5)? Oh…I know. After opening up as a 12/1 favorite, the Packers have gone backwards in a big way as quarterback Aaron Rodgers has struggled more than he ever has and the Packers’ rushing attack has completely disappeared.
Arizona Cardinals 15/1 to 25/1
The Cardinals (4-4-1) look nothing like the team that went 13-3 last season, but they sure look like the team that got routed in their only playoff games last season. Arizona running back David Johnson is a freak of nature, but veteran quarterback Carson Palmer is aging quickly and just doesn’t look like the guy to lead this franchise where they want to go.
Cincinnati Bengals 18/1 to 65/1
The Bengals (3-5-1) have fallen off in a big way after being expected to contend (again) for a berth in Super Bowl 51 – and no, quarterback Andy Dalton is not the reason Cincy has struggled so much this season. The Bengals have given up more points than they’ve scored this season and that will keep any team from contending.
Indianapolis Colts 20/1 to 50/1
Andrew Luck and the Colts were expected to be one of the top contenders to represent the AFC in Super Bowl 51, but they’ve looked nothing like a contender – or playoff team for that matter. Maybe it’s me, but I’m still wondering why Colts owner Jim Irsay didn’t immediately fire head coach Chuck Pagano after his incredibly insane fake punt call last season.
NFL’s Best To Worst In Improving Their Super Bowl 51 Odds
One Step Forward
Dallas Cowboys 20 to 5/1The Dallas Cowboys (8-1) have gone from a preseason ‘pretender’ to a 5/1 favorite, thanks to the contributions of rookies, Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. After dropping their opener against the Gants, Dallas has ripped off eight straight wins as Prescott and Elliott have performed like savvy veterans.
Kansas City Chiefs 25/1 to 15/1
The Chiefs (7-2) were a 25/1 pick to win it all before the season started but have moved up to a 15/1 pick by ‘handling their business’ in the now competitive AFC West. While there weren’t’ many people on the Chiefs bandwagon – and still aren’t – I believe the Chiefs have a real shot of representing the AFC in Super Bowl 51 if they reach the postseason. Kansas City has a handful of Pro Bowl defensive players and a veteran quarterback that just doesn’t make mistakes and that, football fans, is a recipe for success.
Oakland Raiders 60/1 to 17/1
The Raiders (7-2) were a whopping 60/1 preseason pick to win it all despite being one of the popular picks to improve this season. Now, nine games in, the Raiders have proven to be better than expected as young quarterback Derek Carr has combined with wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to form arguably the most potent passing trio in the league. With running back Latavius Murray and Pro Bowl linebacker Khalil Mack joining the aforementioned trio as dangerous threats on both sides of the ball, the Raiders look like they could continue to reach new heights over the remainder of the regular season.
Atlanta Falcons 40/1 to 18/1
The Falcons (6-4) were a 40/1 longshot to win Super Bowl 51 before the season started, but are now a 17/1 favorite thanks mostly to the play of quarterback Matt ‘Matty Ice’ Ryan and unstoppable pass-catching of Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones. Even in their four losses this season, Atlanta, and their No. 1 scoring offense, has looked mostly like a legitimate Super Bowl contender worthy of a wager to win Super Bowl 51.
Two Steps Back
Carolina Panthers 10/1 to 75/1Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers (3-6) have looked nothing like Super Bowl runner-ups or the NFC powerhouse they were expected to be after falling just short of winning it all last season. To make matters worse, the Panthers’ once vaunted defense now looks mediocre at best while Newton and the team’s offense have been pedestrian at best all season long. Right now, Carolina is a longshot to just reach the playoffs this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1 to 22/1
The Steelers (4-5) were a 10/1 preseason favorite, but are now a much longer 22/1 pick to win Super Bowl 51 and rightfully so. Ben Roethlisberger has looked nothing like the perennial Pro Bowler he’s been for the majority of his NFL career and the Steelers’ once powerful defense has given up almost as many points as the offense has scored this season. Right now, I say save your money on the Steelers as a Super Bowl 51 pick.
Green Bay Packers 12/1 to 25/1
What in the name of Vince Lombardi is going on with the Packers (4-5)? Oh…I know. After opening up as a 12/1 favorite, the Packers have gone backwards in a big way as quarterback Aaron Rodgers has struggled more than he ever has and the Packers’ rushing attack has completely disappeared.
Arizona Cardinals 15/1 to 25/1
The Cardinals (4-4-1) look nothing like the team that went 13-3 last season, but they sure look like the team that got routed in their only playoff games last season. Arizona running back David Johnson is a freak of nature, but veteran quarterback Carson Palmer is aging quickly and just doesn’t look like the guy to lead this franchise where they want to go.
Cincinnati Bengals 18/1 to 65/1
The Bengals (3-5-1) have fallen off in a big way after being expected to contend (again) for a berth in Super Bowl 51 – and no, quarterback Andy Dalton is not the reason Cincy has struggled so much this season. The Bengals have given up more points than they’ve scored this season and that will keep any team from contending.
Indianapolis Colts 20/1 to 50/1
Andrew Luck and the Colts were expected to be one of the top contenders to represent the AFC in Super Bowl 51, but they’ve looked nothing like a contender – or playoff team for that matter. Maybe it’s me, but I’m still wondering why Colts owner Jim Irsay didn’t immediately fire head coach Chuck Pagano after his incredibly insane fake punt call last season.
