NFL Gambling – 2012 SuperBowl Futures Update
And they’re off! The NFL offseason transaction frenzy has begun. Teams’ Super Bowl futures are thus bound to fluctuate wildly over the next few weeks.
Let’s check in with the latest movers and shakers.
TOP CONTENDERS
Green Bay Packers (+600)
So far, there isn’t much buzz about the Packers making a major offseason splash. They’re reportedly letting Cullen Jenkins and Nick Barnett walk but that shouldn’t affect the Pack’s status as favorites to repeat. Their team will still be healthier in Week 1 than it was when it won the Super Bowl. 
New England Patriots (+600)
Free agency has barely begun and New England already has its latest reclamation project: defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. He was a monster at one point and he’s not ancient yet at 30 years old. Will the Pats look for another castoff like Chad Ochocinco to add on offense? If these guys can’t play for Bill Belichick, they can’t play for anyone.
Indianapolis Colts (+900)
I can’t understand why Indy’s odds have improved since we last examined Super Bowl futures in early May. The Colts aren’t linked to any major offseason acquisitions and the news about Peyton Manning’s neck surgery has gotten worse, not better. I still think 2011 is the season the Colts’ empire crumbles. What does this team have to be excited about? Its weak run defense? Aging Reggie Wayne? Concussed Austin Collie? Drop-prone Pierre Garcon? Slow-footed Donald Brown? If Manning isn’t ready for the start of the season on top of that, Indy could have a losing record on its hands before we know it.
STOCK RISING
San Diego Chargers (+1200)
Maybe oddsmakers believe the football gods will correct things this year. The Chargers missed the playoffs in 2010 despite leading the NFL in total offense and defense. WTF? Even if Vincent Jackson and Darren Sproles find new homes, Phil Rivers has shown he can carry an offense by himself.
Dallas Cowboys (+1800)
It appears the Cowboys are enjoying addition by subtraction. Soon-to-be-released Roy Williams and Marion Barber were simply standing in the way of Dez Bryant and Tashard Choice’s playing time. With the younger, fresher players seeing their offensive roles expand, Tony Romo back from injury and Jason Garrett getting to coach a full season, things are looking up for America’s Team.
Detroit Lions (+2500)
Whoa, daddy! I know the Lions are on the upswing but should their odds really be higher than Kansas City’s or Tampa’s? Nick Fairley will join Ndamukong Suh to make the front seven very frightening. But I’m still not sold on Matt Stafford yet. Detroit at +2500 is terrible value if you ask me.
STOCK FALLING
Oakland Raiders (+5000)
The Raiders’ run defense has been Swiss cheese for several seasons now. Their only saving grace on “D” has been their ability to stop the pass. That may change this year. By all accounts, Nnamdi Asomugha is about to cash in elsewhere (Houston?), leaving a gaping hole in the Raiders’ secondary. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Factor in Michael Bush’s impending departure from the backfield…and you start to wonder if the Raiders have anything positive besides Darren McFadden. They could take a step backward this season.
Denver Broncos (+6000)
Personally, I’d like to see Denver’s odds improve rather than worsen. Things can’t get much worse than last year, for one. Secondly, Tim Tebow quietly showed late last season that he had some game. First-round pick Von Miller is also so talented that he could change the defense’s personality overnight the same way Patrick Willis did when he arrived in San Francisco.
Lastly, the Broncos are expected to be active in free agency. How is this not a team on the rise?
Cincinnati Bengals (+10000)
What a sad, sorry franchise. T.O. is gone. Chad Ochocinco is gone. Carson Palmer lost the spite war and retired. Marvin Lewis returns as head coach when it seemed like no one wanted him to. Johnathan Joseph appears to be leaving. Cedric Benson got arrested. Sheesh.
The Bengals have some pieces to be excited about. A.J. Green was the draft’s most coveted receiver and Andy Dalton has a chance to be an impact quarterback. But neither projects to be an instant star.
The Bengals could have an awful 2011 campaign even by their low standards.
