As sports betting handicappers, we’re always thinking about odds. We must because we know there are underlay bets and overlay bets. In this blog, we’re doing something different. Instead of worrying so much about odds, we’re going to talk about teams that have a real shot to win Super Bowl LVI. We’ve tiered the teams, 3 in each tier. By approaching the question this way, hopefully it will be easier for us to see overlay Super Bowl bets. With that in mind, let’s get right to it so you can plan your bets against their Super Bowl odds.
Forget the Odds… Who Can Really Win the Next Super Bowl?
Super Bowl 56
- When: Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022
- Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Top-Tier Super Bowl 56 Teams
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers enter the season with the twenty-ninth most difficult schedule in the league. It doesn’t seem fair that the Super Bowl champions get to play such stalwart squads like the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants.
The Detroit Lions are also on the schedule. Unless Brady gets hurt, the Bucs should win the NFC South and grab homefield throughout the playoffs.
- Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen is the preseason NFL MVP favorite. The Bills’ quarterback has wheels for days. But he can also sit in the pocket and deliver pinpoint passes. He has a chance to pull a 2018 Patrick Mahomes. That’s the year Mahomes threw for 5,097 yards and 50 TDs.
Also, the Bills defense should be better this season. Buffalo looks primed for another deep playoff run.
- Kansas City Chiefs
The only question regarding the Kansas City Chiefs is whether the offensive line will gel. The Chiefs have new players along the line, including Baltimore’s former starting right tackle, Orlando Brown. If the O-line gels, there’s no reason to believe the Chiefs and Bills don’t again fight for the right to go to the Super Bowl.
Second-Tier Super Bowl 56 Teams
- Miami Dolphins
Like in past seasons, the AFC seems way deeper than the NFC. Some may laugh at us for putting the Dolphins in the second-tier. But hear us out before you start to cackle.
In his rookie season, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa showed flashes of being a top NFL starter. The Fins drafted Jerry Jeudy, Tua’s favorite target while at Alabama, in Round 1. The defense is already one of the better units in the league and the schedule difficulty ranks twenty-seventh.
Good reasons to make the Fins a Tier 2 Super Bowl team, right?
- Cleveland Browns
Make no mistake. The Browns must earn their playoff berth. Cleveland plays the ninth most difficult schedule in the NFL. That alone could knock Cleveland from playoff contention.
Then again, every team in the AFC North plays a difficult schedule. Without a doubt, the Browns are the best team in their division. More importantly, Cleveland will field the top rushing attack in the NFL.
Rushing levels the playing field. Teams that rush the ball eat up clock and score touchdowns. The 2021 Cleveland Browns are a legit Super Bowl contender.
- Los Angeles Rams
The Rams should be one of the better teams in the league this season. The key for Los Angeles is how well Matthew Stafford picks up Sean McVay’s playbook.
Staff shouldn’t have a problem. But until he shows he can run McVay’s offense effectively, and the defense continues to shut down opponents, it’s hard to put the Rams into the first tier.
Third-Tier Super Bowl 56 Teams
- New Orleans Saints
For the first time since before Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Saints must play without Drew Brees. It could either be a disaster. Or it could turn out great.
Because Sean Payton leads this team, it should turn out great. The Saints used their first couple of picks on defenders. If Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara stay healthy, the offense should be decent no matter who starts at quarterback.
- Dallas Cowboys
Two questions surround the Dallas Cowboys. First, does Dak Prescott return one-hundred percent from the injury that derailed his 200 season? Second, has the Dallas defense improved enough for the Boys to win the NFC East?
We think the answer is “yes” for both questions. Dak was on his way to an MVP type season before suffering the injury and the defense improved big time in the final month of last season.
Mike McCarthy is a good enough coach to get the best out of the Cowboys. Plus, the only competition in the NFC East is rival Washington.
- Green Bay Packers
If Aaron Rodgers plays and he’s happy playing, the Packers are a first tier Super Bowl contender. If Aaron Rodgers plays but he isn’t happy playing, the Packers are a second tier contender.
With Aaron Rodgers is in limbo, like right now, Green Bay is a third tier Super Bowl squad. If the Packers move Rodgers, don’t even think about backing Green Bay to win the Lombardi Trophy.
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