This time of year is always great for NFL fans. It is a time of optimism as the NFL Draft has been completed and teams prepare for preseason. It is this time that fans take stock of their teams and dreams of winning the Super Bowl merrily dance in their heads.
It is also the time of the year in which sportsbooks large and small release their odds on the upcoming season. NFL bettors receive a treasure trove of markets during the offseason and a great futures bet – or stupid wager – can be made.
I have had a look at some of the various futures markets this week and identified a few bets that stand out. From a possible Super Bowl winner to a team making the playoffs, here are three bets that I ringed in red.
Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl +850
Kansas City Chiefs fans are long suffering diehards. They were so close to winning the AFC in 2018 behind the rocket arm of Patrick Mahomes, who is now a Missouri/Kansas treasure. Had it not been for the diabolical Tom Brady and New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game carving up the Chiefs defense in the second half, Mahomes would have led Kansas City to the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs haven’t been to the Super Bowl since 1969 when they won against the Minnesota Vikings. Despite this, Andy Reid’s side has been giving the second-favorite’s tag to win the big game behind the Pats. Call me a homer, but being from Missouri, I had to circle the Chiefs to win Super Bowl LIV.
Cleveland Browns to win the AFC North +130
Do mine eyes deceive me? The Cleveland Browns are favorites to win the AFC North? According to leading sportsbooks, yes, they are favorites to win the division. Still, I feel this seems like a long shot, but I do think the Browns are on the up.
Last season, the Browns finished 7-8 and in third place ahead of in-state rivals the Cincinnati Bengals. Cleveland was 3-2-1 in the division behind the arm of Baker Mayfield and his 27 touchdowns. Had the Browns not been able to run down the clock against the Oakland Raiders in Week 4, they would have finished .500 at the very least.
Cleveland should be even better this season especially with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens getting older. The Bengals… well, they are still the Bengals. Any team that can employ Marvin Lewis for 16 years of mediocrity is bound to suck.
Los Angeles Rams over 10.5 regular season wins +104
The Los Angeles Rams went 13-3 in the NFL regular season. It was a phenomenal year for the Rams behind an offense that scored 527 points. The defense wasn’t too bad either as it gave up 384 points.
Although the Seattle Seahawks will be a tough nut to crack in the NFC West, the Rams will play the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals a combined four times. That could be four wins right there. They will then play the AFC Central which could be two to four more victories.
The Rams will start with a difficult set of games when they open the season against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte before returning home to face the New Orleans Saints. If they can get past those games unscaythed, things should look good.
