Early 2011 Super Bowl odds plus five sleeper NFC teams
Posted by Anthony Stalter
According to theSpread.com, the Colts are 6/1 favorites to win the 2011 Super Bowl. Ironically enough, the team that beat the Colts in this year’s Super Bowl, the Saints, is 8/1 to win in 2011.
Seeing as how no NFC team has made back-to-back appearances in the Super Bowl since the Cowboys did it in the early 90s, there is value on throwing some change on a couple of sleeper teams for next season.
For example:
Dallas Cowboys 12/1
The odds on the Cowboys winning the Super Bowl may never be better. Wade Phillips had their defense playing outstanding football at the end of the year and if Jerry Jones can find Tony Romo another playmaker to go along with Miles Austin and Jason Witten in the passing game, then the Cowboys will be dangerous again next season. This team got the playoff monkey off its back last year and assuming they have another solid offseason, they could easily win the NFC East again and possibly earn one of the top two seeds in the postseason.
Green Bay Packers 12/1
The Packers averaged almost 30 points a game last year thanks to an explosive passing attack that featured quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. If they can find a way to upgrade their offensive line in the offseason, they could have a top 5 offense next season. And assuming the defense grows more comfortable in Dom Capers’ system, they should be improved in that area as well. If Brett Favre doesn’t come back and the Vikings don’t find a capable replacement for him under center, then the Packers will be the team to beat in the NFC North.
Philadelphia Eagles 12/1
It’s hard not to love the talent that the Eagles have on their roster, but they have to answer a huge question this offseason pertaining to their quarterback situation. Do they go with Donovan McNabb or shift into the Kevin Kolb era? Also, will they ever live up to expectations or will they always be a team that is destined to fall flat with McNabb and Andy Reid? Still, a team with that much talent is a bargain at 12/1.
New York Giants 30/1
This team is only three years removed from winning the Super Bowl and they still have a top 10 offense. If new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell can clean up the mess that Bill Sheridan left last year, then the G-Men will have the opportunity to be right back on top next season.
Atlanta Falcons 30/1
Fair warning: I’m a Falcon fan, so I’m well aware that this could just be my optimism shining through. That said, this is a team on the rise and they should challenge for a playoff spot next season. Injuries to Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Brian Williams and Peria Jerry hurt them throughout the year but they still found a way to finish 9-7. They need a couple more playmakers on their young defense, but they have more than enough offense to be dangerous and assuming Ryan and Turner bounce back, the Falcons could be a deep sleeper in the NFC next season.
According to theSpread.com, the Colts are 6/1 favorites to win the 2011 Super Bowl. Ironically enough, the team that beat the Colts in this year’s Super Bowl, the Saints, is 8/1 to win in 2011.
Seeing as how no NFC team has made back-to-back appearances in the Super Bowl since the Cowboys did it in the early 90s, there is value on throwing some change on a couple of sleeper teams for next season.
For example:
Dallas Cowboys 12/1
The odds on the Cowboys winning the Super Bowl may never be better. Wade Phillips had their defense playing outstanding football at the end of the year and if Jerry Jones can find Tony Romo another playmaker to go along with Miles Austin and Jason Witten in the passing game, then the Cowboys will be dangerous again next season. This team got the playoff monkey off its back last year and assuming they have another solid offseason, they could easily win the NFC East again and possibly earn one of the top two seeds in the postseason.
Green Bay Packers 12/1
The Packers averaged almost 30 points a game last year thanks to an explosive passing attack that featured quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. If they can find a way to upgrade their offensive line in the offseason, they could have a top 5 offense next season. And assuming the defense grows more comfortable in Dom Capers’ system, they should be improved in that area as well. If Brett Favre doesn’t come back and the Vikings don’t find a capable replacement for him under center, then the Packers will be the team to beat in the NFC North.
Philadelphia Eagles 12/1
It’s hard not to love the talent that the Eagles have on their roster, but they have to answer a huge question this offseason pertaining to their quarterback situation. Do they go with Donovan McNabb or shift into the Kevin Kolb era? Also, will they ever live up to expectations or will they always be a team that is destined to fall flat with McNabb and Andy Reid? Still, a team with that much talent is a bargain at 12/1.
New York Giants 30/1
This team is only three years removed from winning the Super Bowl and they still have a top 10 offense. If new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell can clean up the mess that Bill Sheridan left last year, then the G-Men will have the opportunity to be right back on top next season.
Atlanta Falcons 30/1
Fair warning: I’m a Falcon fan, so I’m well aware that this could just be my optimism shining through. That said, this is a team on the rise and they should challenge for a playoff spot next season. Injuries to Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Brian Williams and Peria Jerry hurt them throughout the year but they still found a way to finish 9-7. They need a couple more playmakers on their young defense, but they have more than enough offense to be dangerous and assuming Ryan and Turner bounce back, the Falcons could be a deep sleeper in the NFC next season.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:59 AM
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