NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears are a 100-to-1 shot to win the Super Bowl this year, according to the Las Vegas Superbook – one of the premier sportsbooks in all the land:
Updated futures odds from @LVSuperBook to win Super Bowl 52. pic.twitter.com/aTZ9am6wHz
— Covers (@Covers) August 8, 2017
So, you’re saying there’s a chance?
If Mike Glennon plays like a big-money quarterback, Jordan Howard follows through and becomes the NFL’s leading rusher, a couple of the team’s one-year placeholder receivers makes good on their “prove it” deals, Leonard Floyd has the kind of breakout second season Vic Beasley enjoyed in Atlanta, Prince Amukamara and the three new free agent starters in the secondary turn a weakness into a strength by creating more turnovers, and head coach John Fox pushes all the right buttons … it could happen, right?
The Patriots (8/2) enter the season as the favorite, followed by three teams at 10/1 (Cowboys, Packers, Seahawks), and a pair of teams (Falcons, Steelers) checking in at 12/1. If you’re curiously looking for a long shot, Jay Cutler’s Miami Dolphins are at 80/1. And if you just want to throw some money away, the Browns are a 300/1 shot, with the Josh McCown-led Jets and Brian Hoyer-backed 49ers each sitting at 200/1.
As far as the odds of hoisting the George S. Halas trophy for winning the NFC, the Bears are at 50/1 to get that done for the first time since the 2006 season that ended in a Super Bowl defeat. The Cowboys, Packers, and Seahawks are favored to take home the NFC crown at 9/2. Meanwhile, the defending NFC champion Atlanta Falcons – who will travel to Chicago to play the Bears in the season opener – sit at 5/1.
If you’re searching for value, the play might be in the AFC – but only if you’re confident in betting against New England, which is a 6/5 favorite to repeat as AFC champs. Relatively speaking, there is some value in the Raiders (4/1) and Steelers (6/1). Perhaps the Titans (15/1) and Broncos (20/1) are the kinds of dark horses who could be a surprise contender. I’d probably venture away from the Browns (150/1) or Jets (1001/1) here.
For what it’s worth, one of my favorite preseason wagers when I’m out in Vegas is taking the money line (which is at +115) on the underdog conference. This year, that would be whichever team represents the NFC. Then again, I’d be interested in hedging on the AFC representative covering the 2.5 points. But that’s getting a bit ahead of ourselves.
And in case you missed it, the Bears preseason opener against the Broncos on Thursday opened as a Pick ‘Em. Happy wagering!
