Manning Signs With Broncos, Super Bowl Betting Odds Free-fall

Time has run out for gamblers who were trying to get the Denver Broncos at a bargain rate to win next seasons Super Bowl. The Broncos were listed as a 50/1 choice to win the big game when the odds were released by Las Vegas sports books. That was before Peyton Manning signed with the team.

After Manning signed on the dotted line Tuesday afternoon, the Broncos saw one of the biggest drops in betting odds of all-time. Denver's Super Bowl odds went from 50/1, to 12/1, overnight. It is a phenomenon that many gamblers were amazed to see.

"I guess we now know that the quarterback position is the one most associated with the betting lines," said Harvey Grant, a gambler who has been betting football for 25 years. Grant was in Las Vegas on business over the past week, and he was one of the bettors that took a chance on Denver before the Manning signing.

"I just had a gut feeling that he (Manning) was going to sign with the Broncos. I got my odds at 35/1, and now I feel very confident in my bet with Manning on a team that won their division last year. This may have been the best odds I have ever played."

Although optimism in Denver and for Grant has grown in the hours since Manning signed with the Broncos, the team is still not the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl. The Patriots, Steelers, and Ravens all have better odds in the AFC alone.

Similarly, picking up big name free agents in the off season does not guarantee success on the field. The eagles had one of the best signing periods in years last summer, only to miss the playoffs after being Super Bowl favorites heading into training camp. Philadelphia is a reminder that teams still need to gel on the field to have success.

Manning will bring renewed joy to the Broncos fan base that was staring at the prospects of going into the year with Tim Tebow as their starting quarterback. Tebow is rumored to be on the trading block in Denver, with Miami, Jacksonville, Green Bay, and the Jets showing interest in the former Heisman Trophy winner.

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