SPORTS BETTING

• Super Bowl Odds & Contenders: Five Best Bets

  Posted on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT by GetChalk

  
  

  The great thing about futures betting on Super Bowl outright odds is there’s always tons of value to be had at sportsbooks. Of the following five teams we consider the true contenders to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy, any of the choices delivers a sizable payday.

  While it’s certainly enticing to simply go with the chalk at the top of the betting odds list, handicappers would be wise to go beyond assessing the favored New England Patriots. Remember it was the Patriots who couldn’t finish the job two years ago after running the table in the regular season and through the AFC playoffs.

  New England Patriots (+425)

  It should come as no surprise the Patriots are the preseason chalk to win Super Bowl XLIV now that Tom Brady is back under center in New England. The Pats managed to go 11-5 SU (9-7 ATS) last season with career backup Matt Cassel calling the plays, so it figures the team should be able to step it up a notch or five with arguably the best quarterback in the NFL healthy.

  All reports indicate Brady has completely recovered from torn medial and anterior cruciate ligaments in his knee, and it’ll help he now has additional weapons Fred Taylor, Joey Galloway, and Greg Lewis to go along with Randy Moss and Wes Welker.

  Pittsburgh Steelers (+825)

  There’s no reason the Steelers couldn’t go back-to-back after taking out the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. Pittsburgh had one of the best defenses in NFL history last season, and the entire unit is back for head coach Mike Tomlin.

  It should be noted the Steelers went 12-4 SU (9-7 ATS) last season playing the toughest schedule since the 1970s, so it should be even easier for them this time around. Ben Roethlisberger is just coming into his own as an NFL quarterback despite having already won two championships, and it’s unlikely Pittsburgh will have to go through another season where their top two running backs spend significant time out of the lineup.

  Philadelphia Eagles (+1200)

  This could be the last kick at the can for Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid, but this might be their best chance to win the big game. Bettors should remember the Eagles came within a touchdown of making the Super Bowl last season, so it’s not as if this team is a longshot.

  In addition to the emergence of wide receiver DeSean Jackson last season, Philadelphia picked up Jeremy Maclin out of Missouri in the first round of the NFL draft. McNabb hasn’t had this type of arsenal at his disposal since Terrell Owens was in Philly, and that team came within three points of winning it all.

  The Eagles defense is what could push the team over the top: Philadelphia quietly ranked third in total yards against last season (274.3).

  Indianapolis Colts (+1200)

  There won’t be much of a drop off in Indianapolis with the retirement of Tony Dungy. Associate head coach Jim Caldwell worked under Dungy for eight seasons, and is expected to continue the same system employed successfully under his predecessor. Peyton Manning is the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, and led the Colts to nine straight SU wins to close out the 2008 regular season at 12-4 SU (8-7-1 ATS).

  For Indy to win another ring, it goes without saying Bob Sanders has to be healthy and the running game has to get going. Sanders tends to have his most productive seasons in odd numbered years, while the Colts drafted Connecticut running back Donald Brown in the first round to push Joseph Addai for playing time.

  NY Giants (+875)

  The Giants are seeing decreased value because of their public status, but they’re still one of the sharpest plays on the board. New York fizzled out last season by dropping three of its last four games before losing at home to Philadelphia in the playoffs, but it finished 12-4 SU and against the spread.

  Eli Manning and the Giants offense will miss Plaxico Burress, but they’ll have had an entire offseason to adjust for his absence. It helps tremendously New York will have Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck back in the lineup, not that the defense struggled without the pair. The Giants ranked fifth in total defense in the competitive NFC East last season (292.0 yards per game).