Super Bowl Odds and Preview of Every Team Left
With Wildcard Weekend NFL football betting just a day away, Cappers Picks NFL handicappers have been hard at work putting out tons of other NFL betting info and NFL Predictions & Previews for those of us who can’t wait.
It’s NFL Playoff time and the games start on Saturday. There are only a few real legitimate surprises left vying for the coveted trophy but it is not those surprise teams that the Oddsmakers feel will play into February.
Below is a breakdown of every team left standing, their Odds to win it all, and why they could be the last team standing.
1. New England +170: The Patriots are rightfully the team to beat this season. They have only lost twice this season – to the Jets in Week 2 and to the Cleveland Browns – the Cleveland Browns??? With Tom Brady playing elite football and with the team not turning the ball over, the Pats are going to be difficult to beat. Add in the fact that they have Home Field throughout the playoffs and the fact that Brady simply does not lose at home and there is no shortage of reasons not to put your money on New England.
2. Pittsburgh +550: If you subscribe to the notion that Defense wins Championships, then you must love the Steelers. The team maintained their Number 1 ranking even without Troy Polamalu in the lineup. The Steelers have a solid running game, a tough as nails quarterback, a veteran reliable receiver, a scary deep threat in Mike Wallace on offense and simply the scariest defense in the NFL.
3. Falcons +600: This team takes care of the ball and they have a knack of winning at home – where they are for the playoffs. Matt Ryan appears to be ready to take the next step and with Roddy White to throw to, his ascent will be easy. Michael Turner is the quintessential workhorse who can punish defenses and take some pressure off the rest of the offense. Defensively, the Falcons have improved immensely but it may just be their Achilles Heel if they have one.
4. New Orleans +1000: There are more questions than answers this year with the Saints. Drew Brees threw a career high 22 interceptions this season and the running game has been stuck in the mud all year. Also, the Saints will have to win every game on the road in order to advance to their second straight Super Bowl. The saving grace is the late season return of some of the injured stars. Chris Ivory is gone and so is Pierre Thomas but Reggie Bush looks good. The defense has been great all season – maybe one of the most underrated units in the playoffs.
5. Philadelphia +1200: I am a bit surprised that the Eagles are not in the +800 range. I guess that teams have learned how to play against Vick again! He was not nearly as effective late in the season – he threw too many interceptions and he was constantly nursing nagging injuries. The Philadelphia defense isn’t what it used to be either. Truthfully, I think that Green Bay beats the Eagles in the Wild card round! 
6. Green Bay +1200: The Packers have a stern test right off the bat but speed on defense and a dynamic offense may just propel the Packers to the promise land. The Packers may be one of the most complete teams in the playoffs with the only thing slowing them is the sad state of the running game. As a longish shot, the Packers are as good as they come!
7. Chicago +1200: I have a bad feeling about the Bears and it is not the defense that I fear. In fact, I would take the Bears defense over any other D in the playoffs right now. It is Jay Cutler and the fact that he is due for a blowup that scares me. He will turn the ball over, he will get sacked and he will blame everyone but himself. Cutler is Cutler – I don’t trust him in the Big Game.
8. Baltimore +1400: Baltimore is getting no love from the oddsmakers! I understand that their defense isn’t as strong as it used to be but there is no denying that they are still formidable! Also, the Ravens offense is better than ever – Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and TJ Houshmanzadeh are a quality offense. However, they will likely be on the road for the playoffs. The Ravens are my dark horse AFC team and maybe worth a little attention!
9. N.Y. Jets +2500: The New York Jets enter the playoffs with more questions than answers. Where has the running game gone? Can we depend on Mark Sanchez to play mistake free football? Where is the defense that shut down the opposition in the first ¾ of the season? All of these questions add up to what is likely a short playoff run for Rex Ryan and the Jets.
10. Indianapolis +1600: The Colts are actually decent value at +1600. They are playing possible their best football of the season heading into the playoffs. The running game is coming around and the run defense has proven stout against such teams as the Jags, the Raiders and the Titans. Many are counting out the Colts but betting against Peyton Manning has proven costly in the past!
11. Kansas City +4000: The Chiefs, assuming that they get by the Ravens, which I don’t think they will, will have to travel to New England in the semi-finals. I don’t like their chances. With Charlie Weiss already committed to another job, there are too many off-field issues for this team to win it all.
12. Seattle +8000: The Hawks couldn’t even muster a .500 season and now must face the defending champs in the first round. Assuming they get by the Saints, Seattle will likely have to travel to Atlanta to take on the almost unbeatable Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Seattle is a Cinderella Story that won’t have a happy ending!
