Super Bowl Favorites and Odds
The NFL did a wonderful thing by expanding the playoffs to 14 teams this season. With six games during Wild Card Weekend, fans were treated to an incredible two days of football. Of course, the first weekend of the playoffs helped to root out the teams that never had a serious chance of reaching the Super Bowl. Now we’re down to the best eight teams in football, all of which have genuine championship aspirations. Let’s look at the Super Bowl favorites and break down which teams have the best odds to win the Super Bowl.
Kansas City Chiefs, 2-1
It should surprise no one that the reigning Super Bowl champs have the best odds of repeating as champions. Kansas City finished the regular season 14-2, and the Chiefs only lost in Week 17 because they rested key starters in the regular-season finale. Despite some subpar performances late in the season and an inconsistent rushing attack, the Chiefs have massive potential offensively as long as Patrick Mahomes is the quarterback. Behind Mahomes, the Chiefs were able to overcome a mediocre defense to win the Super Bowl last season, and there’s every reason to think that they can do the same again.
Green Bay Packers, 19-5
With likely MVP winner Aaron Rodgers leading the way, the Packers have the best Super Bowl odds of any team in the NFC. Rodgers leads perhaps the most balanced offense in the NFL. Green Bay has a 1,000-yard rusher in Aaron Jones and one of the best wide receivers in the NFL in Davante Adams. Defensively, the Packers leave a little bit to be desired. However, they have a solid pass rush, which helps them to preserve a lead when they get one. Plus, there aren’t many teams hoping to get into a shootout against Rodgers, which means the Packers are capable of winning games even when they don’t get a strong performance from the defense.
New Orleans Saints, 11-2
Drew Brees is taking what could be his last shot at winning a Super Bowl. Fortunately for him, the supporting cast around him might be the best in football. Wide receiver Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara both returned in the Wild Card Round after missing time late in the season. Those two are integral to getting the New Orleans offense on track. Likewise, the New Orleans defense has difference-makers at all three levels. With Brees aging and toward the end of his career, the Saints aren’t as explosive offensively as some of the other teams left. However, they are arguably the most balanced team in the playoffs.
Buffalo Bills, 6-1
Buffalo’s edge in the postseason comes from being the hottest team in football. If the Cardinals hadn’t beat them with a last-second Hail Mary pass, the Bills would be riding an 11-game winning streak at the moment. Josh Allen has gone from a young quarterback with obvious flaws to one of the elite quarterbacks in the league. Defensively, the Bills have some weaknesses that can be exposed. But Allen has been a one-man wrecking crew this season while getting plenty of help from Stefon Diggs. Offensively, the Bills can match any team, making them a tough out.
Baltimore Ravens, 8-1
Lamar Jackson got the monkey off his back when Baltimore beat the Titans last week, and he makes the Ravens awfully dangerous moving forward. Keep in mind that Baltimore was expected to be Kansas City’s biggest competition in the AFC at the start of the season. In recent weeks, the Ravens have started to look more and more like a team that can challenge the Chiefs. Jackson and the running game have been impossible to contain over 60 minutes, while the Baltimore defense has been one of the best in the NFL all season. That combination makes the Ravens a serious Super Bowl contender.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 17-2
You can never count out a team led by Tom Brady. The aging quarterback legend has perhaps the best set of playmakers around that he’s ever had in his career. When the Buccaneers get rolling offensively, they can look like a freight train that’s moving downhill. Whether the Tampa Bay defense can play well enough to carry the Bucs to the Super Bowl is another question. However, a quarterback like Brady can do special things with the receiving talent the Bucs have.
Los Angeles Rams, 16-1
If it’s true that defense wins championships, the Rams are genuine Super Bowl contenders. Los Angeles allowed the fewest points in the NFL during the regular season. The Rams also have two of the best defensive players in the NFL in Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. Even with both quarterbacks on the roster dealing with injuries, the Rams are good enough defensively to have a fighting chance against any team they play.
Cleveland Browns 25-1
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for the Browns, who snapped an 18-year playoff drought and won their first playoff game since 1994. Cleveland did all of that against the backdrop of positive COVID-19 tests and injured players. But the Browns are still alive and have one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL. Teams that can run the ball effectively always have a chance in the playoffs, which makes the Browns a dark horse that shouldn’t be overlooked.