Posted on February 5, 2018, by Bryan Zarpentine
Image via cnbc.com
Another football season is in the books, with the Philadelphia Eagles coming out victorious in Super Bowl 52. Of course, it’s not too early to start looking ahead to Super Bowl 53. Obviously, every team will change with free agency and the draft, not to mention the intriguing saga of where Kirk Cousins ends up. But the powers that be in Las Vegas already have betting odds for next year’s Super Bowl. Let’s take a sneak peek at some of the leading favorites for Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta.
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Patriots, 9-2
The loss of their two longtime coordinators won’t be enough to stop the Patriots from being the favorites to win next year’s Super Bowl. Tom Brady isn’t likely to retire, and so the Patriots still have the greatest of all time playing quarterback for them. Also, New England has still won two of the last four Super Bowls, so there’s no reason to think they won’t remain serious contenders.
Eagles, 6-1
If you can win a Super Bowl with Nick Foles at quarterback, surely you can win one with Carson Wentz. Repeating, as we know, is quite difficult. But from top to bottom, the Eagles had the best roster in the NFL this past season. Wentz is also a quarterback on the rise after playing like an MVP before his injury, so no one should be surprised to see Philadelphia back in the Super Bowl next year.
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Steelers, 8-1
Ben Roethlisberger isn’t going to retire just yet, and if the Steelers can retain Le’Veon Bell and keep their top playmakers around Roethlisberger, there’s no reason why they won’t be serious contenders next season. The perception that the AFC is weak outside the Patriots and Steelers also gives Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl odds a boost.
Packers, 12-1
The Packers have some issues on the defensive side of the ball that they need to fix. But if Aaron Rodgers is healthy for 16 games, anything is possible. At first glance, Green Bay’s odds seem a bit high. However, more than almost any other quarterback, Rodgers is capable of carrying his team to the promised land.
Vikings, 12-1
For a team that doesn’t know who their quarterback is at the moment, the Vikings have rather high Super Bowl aspirations. However, Minnesota’s defense was the best in the NFL this past year, which is enough to put them in the championship conversation heading into next season.
Falcons, 16-1
The Falcons should feel a little better the further removed they get from last year’s Super Bowl collapse. Atlanta had some ups and downs this past season, which is no doubt a concern moving forward, especially in such a competitive NFC South. However, Matt Ryan has proven that he can lead the Falcons to the Super Bowl, and the chance to play at home in the big game could motivate the Falcons to get to next year’s Super Bowl.
Saints, 16-1
New Orleans was a bit of an afterthought heading into 2017, but that won’t be the case in 2018. Drew Brees is almost certain to return for another year, and he has a great supporting cast around him. Remember, the Saints were one miracle play away from the NFC Championship Game, so they definitely have the pieces to reach a Super Bowl.
49ers, 20-1
It’s amazing what the addition of Jimmy Garoppolo has done to San Francisco’s Super Bowl odds. After the 49ers won five straight games, including three against playoff teams, to finish the 2017 season, they have more momentum than any other team outside the Eagles heading into 2018. They may not be ready to win a Super Bowl next year, but they are a team to watch closely.
Cowboys, 20-1
The Cowboys are a fascinating sleeper pick for Super Bowl 53. Remember, they were the class of the NFL for much of 2016. If they can get Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott together for 16 games, there’s a good chance they can recapture what worked in 2016 and get back to the playoffs.
Jaguars, 20-1
Defense wins championships, and we know that the Jaguars are elite on that side of the ball. If Blake Bortles can take a step forward, Jacksonville can be on the same level as New England and Pittsburgh in the AFC. However, a great defense and a strong running game got the Jaguars to the AFC Championship Game this season, and with a little good fortune, it could be enough to win a Super Bowl.
Rams, 20-1
At 20-1, the Rams may be the best value pick for next year’s Super Bowl. After all, they were the highest-scoring team in the league in 2017. They also had a rather underrated defense this past season. With a young head coach and quarterback, the Rams still have plenty of room for improvement. They should not be overlooked as contenders in the NFC in 2018.
Seahawks, 20-1
The Seahawks fell apart late in 2017 and missed the playoffs, but they shouldn’t be forgotten about just yet. They still have a trustworthy quarterback, there’s still a lot of talent on defense, and they still have one of the most intimidating home fields in football. The window may be starting to close for them in such a competitive NFC, but they still have a chance to make some noise in 2018.