NFL Playoffs Taking Shape For Las Vegas Odds Makers
The NFL season still has two weeks left, but that has not stopped gamblers and odds makers from looking forward to the playoffs. With the start of the playoffs just three weeks away, and the picture for which teams will make those playoffs becoming clearer, odds makers have started to readjust the championship betting odds.
The Seattle Seahawks came into the season as one of the favorites to win the NFC. Although the Seahawks were getting a lot of press from analysts in the media, gamblers were slow to take to the idea that Pete Carroll's team could be the best in the league. With just two weeks to go, Seattle has left little doubt that they are now clearly the team to beat in either conference.
Seattle is the betting favorite at 2/1 to win the Super Bowl. The second choice of odds makers comes out of the AFC. Denver, and quarterback Peyton Manning, have the best record in the conference, and with two more wins will clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Broncos are a 3/1 choice to win it all in February.
The next two teams in terms of betting odds were both dealt humiliating losses this past Sunday. New England, a team that has won three titles under quarterback Tom Brady, is an 8/1 choice. New Orleans looked average at best against St. Louis, but remained the fourth pick at 9/1.
The Saints have better Super Bowl odds than Carolina, even though the Panthers are now in control of their own destiny to win the NFC South. If Carolina beats the Saints Sunday, it would be the Panthers, and not the Saints, who would take the divisional crown. Carolina is a 20/1 Super Bowl pick.
The other preseason favorite in the NFC was the defending conference champion San Francisco 49ers. After starting the season slowly, the 49ers look every bit the dominant team they were when last season ended. The late season push has the 49ers up to a 10/1 choice to win it all this year.