Reigning Super Bowl champ Saints are posted by NFL preseason odds as a 9/1 choice to repeat as world champions but there are other top football wagering options available.
NFL preseason odds had San Diego, Baltimore, Dallas, the Jets, Minnesota, New England, Indianapolis, Dallas, and Green Bay as the top football wagering contenders to dethrone the Saints.
The defending AFC Champion Indianapolis Colts opened as a 9/1 choice to win the Super Bowl after losing last year on Super Sunday to the Saints. The huge advantage for Indianapolis is quarterback Peyton Manning, the 4-time NFL MVP. Manning is regarded as one of the biggest quarterbacks of all time. The problem with the Colts is age and a weak running game along with a defense that is not dominant.
The Saints still have a leaky defense and will be the target of every challenger that they encounter though they will have the most explosive offense in the NFL in live football odds headed by quarterback Drew Brees. No Super Bowl champ has gone twice in a row since New England in 2004.
The Jets are an interesting choice at 10/1 as they emerged from nowhere to almost upset Indianapolis in the AFC Championship match. But New York did so without a reliable quarterback as rookie Mark Sanchez had trouble and it took a robust running game and defense to make the New York Jets soar.
The Jets won’t offer much board value as the surprise element is absent.
The Cowboys will try to become the first squad in NFL history to play at home on Super Sunday, plus they are a 10/1 choice with the football odds to win the Super Bowl. Quarterback Tony Romo seems to be peaking and Dallas is improving on both sides of the line.
The Vikings were at 12/1 with their NFC North foe, the Green Bay Packers, at 14/1 to take home the Super Bowl.
Green Bay was one of the better squads on both sides of the line a year ago but Minnesota has a potent defense and quarterback Brett Favre is arriving off a fantastic season, although he reverted to his old careless ways in the Vikings’ loss at New Orleans in the NFC title competition. Favre also has not made it clear yet whether or not he’ll be playing with the Vikings during the 2010 season. NFL injuries are a concern as an ankle injury that he sustained in the course of the 2009 NFC Championship Game hadn’t healed and would necessitate surgery before he may play again. Essentially he has an option between the surgery and retirement. Favre has been in the league since 1991, and after a fantastic 19-year run, it wouldn’t be shocking if he opted to retire.
Baltimore makes for an appealing 11/1 choice with the NFL preseason odds to win the Super Bowl as they have gotten to playoffs in back to back seasons and showcase a strong defense and running game. This is a team that can go all the way if quarterback Joe Flacco returns to his form of 2008.
The veteran New England Patriots were also at 12/1 and are invariably a possibility with Tom Brady.
