The dust has settled on the NFL season, or perhaps better said, the confetti has settled, and now it should be time to sit back and relax. That is not the case for sharp sports bettors, however, as they are already crunching numbers and looking ahead to next season to identify the next potential underdog to reach the Big Game. Seattle and New England certainly have plenty working in their favor to make another run, but the competition will be fierce. With every team starting from a clean slate, sportsbooks must anticipate how free agency will unfold, what trades may materialize, and, most importantly, how the draft will reshape rosters. All of that comes before factoring in schedules and travel criteria, which have yet to be finalized.
With so many moving parts, there are moments when bettors can find a slight edge, and this window immediately following the Super Bowl is often one of them. Taking an early position, usually on a long shot, can provide value before markets fully adjust. Identifying that team is part analysis and part art. Below are the odds as of Monday morning following the Seahawks’ championship, with Seattle opening as the favorite to win next year’s Super Bowl at 8-to-1.
Seattle +800, Rams +900, Ravens +1200, Bills +1200, Packers +1400, Eagles +1400, Lions +1500, Chiefs +1500, Chargers +1500, Patriots +1500, 49ers +1700, Broncos +2000, Texans +2000, Jaguars +2000, Bears +2500, Bengals +3000, Cowboys +3000, Colts +4000, Buccaneers +4000, Vikings +5000, Commanders +5000, Falcons +6600, Giants +6600, Steelers +8000, Panthers +10000, Titans +10000, Raiders +15000, Browns +15000, Saints +15000, Cardinals +25000, Jets +25000, Dolphins +25000.
This early market reflects projections more than certainty, but for bettors willing to embrace volatility, it can be the most intriguing time of the year.