As NFL Training Camps Open, Broncos Are Super Bowl Favorites
The Denver Broncos were one of the best teams in the NFL last season. Although they fell short of their goal of winning the Super Bowl in Peyton Manning's first season with the team, the Broncos still invigorated their fan base.
As training camps open around the NFL in 2013, the Broncos are again feeling good about their chances, but unlike last season, Denver will be the betting favorites when the teams step on the field for the first time this week.
Las Vegas sports books have installed the Broncos as 11/2 favorites to win the Super Bowl this season. The sports books are riding the off season hype that comes with signing one of the top available free agents. The Broncos stole Wes Welker away from the Patriots, shifting the balance of power, at least in the eyes of gamblers.
"Every year, there are a team or two that bettors jump on, and this year that team is the Broncos," said analyst Gregg Shank. "Last year it was the Eagles, and before that, the Ravens. Unfortunately for bettors, the hype does not always match the reality."
If gamblers want to stay away from the hype, they can move on to the second choice of odds makers, last year's Super Bowl runner-ups, San Francisco. The 49ers are a 6/1 choice.
The Patriots, who have had a turbulent off season, and the Seattle Seahawks, are the only other teams with odds of less than 10/1. The Seahawks and Patriots both come into 2013 with 8/1 odds.
A few teams that have been perennial favorites the past couple of seasons have seen their odds drop heading into this year. Baltimore, the defending Super Bowl champions, have odds of 30/1 to repeat.
New Orleans, who will get their head coach, Sean Payton, back this year, has odds of 20/1.
Green Bay and Pittsburgh, two teams that met for the championship just three seasons ago, have 15/1 and 35/1 odds, respectively.
Training camp starts this week for most teams, and the NFL preseason begins next weekend. The regular season is set to begin on September 8th.