Midseason Super Bowl Odds for Every NFL Team
We've already reached the midway point of the NFL season, which once again proves the age-old axiom that time flies when you're having fun.
Well, at least some teams are having fun. Others are floundering and have no hope of reaching the Super Bowl. But there are organizations that can legitimately claim to be Super Bowl contenders and that are currently in position to make a run.
In this column, we'll count down the Super Bowl odds for every NFL team in ascending order, starting with the team that possesses the worst odds (hello, Oakland!) before eventually finishing with the team that Las Vegas believes has the best shot of raising the Lombardi Trophy (what up, Denver?).
It's important to remember that these are the odds listed by Las Vegas and take an entire season into account. That's why the 5-3 Green Bay Packers have better Super Bowl odds than the 7-1 Arizona Cardinals—because Vegas believes Green Bay is a stronger bet to win the Super Bowl than Arizona.
Here are the updated Super Bowl odds for every NFL team at the season's midway point.
Oakland Raiders
1 of 32
ODDS: 5000/1
First, the bad news: The Oakland Raiders are 0-8, and there's a chance they could match the 2008 Detroit Lions' overall futility by going 0-16. They've already fired their head coach (Dennis Allen), and there are schools in the SEC West that would produce more fantasy football starters.
When the season (mercifully) draws to an end, owner Mark Davis will need to hire yet another new coach and could potentially fire hapless and overmatched general manager Reggie McKenzie as well.
Now, the good news: Rookie quarterback Derek Carr is a keeper, and he appears to be the franchise's finest young passer in quite some time.
Despite a dearth of talent around him, Carr is completing nearly 61 percent of his passes and has tossed 11 touchdown passes against only seven interceptions. This past Sunday, he played well in Seattle against the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks (albeit in a losing effort), providing hope for a Silver and Black future.
Speaking about Carr, interim coach Tony Sparano told Ann Killion of the San Francisco Chronicle, "He's a strong-willed kid. He knows what he has to get better at."
That's a good thing, because in order for the Raiders to even dream about Super Bowls in the future, Carr will have to continue to grow and mature. If they can build a team around him, watch out. The Raiders might actually have something brewing.
Jacksonville Jaguars
2 of 32
ODDS: 3000/1
Coming into the season, optimism surrounded the Jacksonville Jaguars, much like dirt and filth permeated the character Pig-Pen from Peanuts.
Unfortunately for Jaguars fans, the on-field product has been closer to Pig-Pen than to success, as the club sits at 1-8 with virtually zero chance at making a postseason run. Coach Gus Bradley is now 5-20 as the team's head coach.
But for the Jaguars, it's never been about 2014. Bradley and general manager David Caldwell have always planned for 2015 to be their grand unveiling, and the good news is that there are good young players stacked throughout the roster. Rookie receiver Allen Robinson, running back Denard Robinson and rookie linebacker Telvin Smith have all played well this year.
Ultimately, the development (or lack thereof) of first-round quarterback Blake Bortles (drafted third overall this past May) will determine whether the Jaguars can finally climb back into the postseason hunt next year. Despite starting only seven games this season, Bortles has thrown a league-high 13 interceptions and generally hasn't looked the part of a franchise passer. It's way too early to make grand proclamations about his future, but there's no doubting that he needs to play better.
This offseason, Bradley and Caldwell will seek to provide Bortles with the help he needs to bring postseason football back to Duval.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3 of 32
ODDS: 2000/1
It's been a miserable season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Coming into the year, many (including yours truly) felt the Bucs could be playoff contenders. Boy, were we wrong.
The Bucs (1-7) have been absolutely brutal and sit all by their lonesome in last place in the NFC South. They've been outscored by 95 points on the campaign.
Year one of coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht's regime has been an epic failure, with prized free-agent pickups (such as defensive end Michael Johnson and tackle Anthony Collins) looking like busts.
They also look like they have no clue when it comes to quarterbacks. Josh McCown started the season and was atrocious. He then got injured and was replaced by Mike Glennon. And now Glennon will return to the bench in favor of the erratic McCown, as Glennon told WDAE 620AM in Tampa.
Rookie receiver Mike Evans has been one of the lone bright spots, but he can't carry a team by his lonesome. The Bucs have been a full-on dumpster fire and could very well continue to crash and burn for the duration of the season.
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New York Jets
4 of 32
ODDS: 2000/1
The 2014 New York Jets are a dumpster fire rolled up into a disaster, generously topped with heapings of kerosene and fan scorn. With the Jets sitting at 1-8, the playoffs represent nothing more than the most far-out pipe dreams, and putting "the Jets" and "Super Bowl" in the same sentence is an insult to the Super Bowl.
Coach Rex Ryan is a dead man walking, and everyone knows it. Following back-to-back trips to the AFC title game in his first two seasons (2009-10), Ryan hasn't led the team to the postseason. It's time for a change.
General manager John Idzik should join the head coach in the unemployment line. He didn't supply Ryan with the requisite talent needed to compete and has appeared clueless and overmatched throughout his tenure. Owner Woody Johnson must hit the reset button at season's end.
Oh yeah, the club will need to hit the reset button on the quarterback position as well, with Geno Smith looking like an unmitigated disaster. If Michael Vick is the answer, I'd love to know the question.
Forget about the playoffs. Super Bowl? That's a laugh.
Only three words are needed to describe this train wreck of a season: Same old Jets.
Tennessee Titans
5 of 32
ODDS: 1000/1
Let's be clear about this: The Tennessee Titans have no chance of winning the Super Bowl.
None. Zero. Zip. Nada. Zilch.
Through eight games (2-6), coach Ken Whisenhunt's team has yet to carve out a discernible identity and has already started three different quarterbacks (Jake Locker, Charlie Whitehurst and Zach Mettenberger). Mettenberger, the team's sixth-round draft pick this past May, made more waves for a series of Instagram selfies than for his play on the field, which is never a good thing.
There isn't much talent on the team's roster, which qualifies as a major issue. Whisenhunt and Co. have a lot of work to do to return the Titans to the postseason.
Right now, they aren't even close. Until they determine who their franchise quarterback is, forget about the Titans as a Super Bowl threat.
Washington Redskins
6 of 32
ODDS: 500/1
The Washington Redskins just cannot get out of their own way.
After yet another loss dropped their record to 3-6—good for last place in the NFC East—ESPN's Britt McHenry (h/t Dan Steinberg of The Washington Post) dropped a bombshell of a report that suggested quarterback Robert Griffin III doesn't have the respect of his teammates.
While some Redskins beat writers (including Jason Reid of The Washington Post, as seen in Steinberg's column) refuted McHenry's report, other members of the media, including Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman, corroborated it.
McHenry's report underscores major issues in the Redskins locker room, including a significant lack of leadership and a swirling doubt as to whether Griffin is indeed the man to lead the team out of a long malaise.
Coach Jay Gruden has his work cut out for him to turn this Redskins team into a winning outfit. It won't happen this year, that's for sure. Forget about the Redskins as a playoff contender, and they won't even sniff the Super Bowl.
St. Louis Rams
7 of 32
ODDS: 300/1
While they're only 3-5, the St. Louis Rams should be feeling good about themselves this week, coming off a 13-10 road upset of the 49ers in San Francisco.
Coach Jeff Fisher's team has played hard, and the defense is finally starting to come on. First-round rookie defensive tackle Aaron Donald is an absolute monster—he's rated as the fourth-best defensive tackle by Pro Football Focus (subscription required)—and end Robert Quinn has five sacks in his last three games.
The problem for the Rams lies on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Austin Davis probably isn't the long-term answer, and the future of erstwhile/injured starter Sam Bradford is nebulous at best. It appears likely that Fisher and general manager Les Snead will get another year to fix the offense and nab a franchise passer, which is clearly the organization's biggest need.
The Rams won't make the playoffs, and they are still the worst team in their own division (the ultra-tough NFC West). But they're going to be a tough out over the rest of the season and could end up playing spoiler to a number of playoff hopefuls.
Atlanta Falcons
8 of 32
ODDS: 300/1
It's been a bitterly disappointing season for the Atlanta Falcons.
Following last year's 4-12 disaster of a campaign, expectations were high entering 2014. But the club is on pace for yet another 4-12 mark, as it currently sits at 2-6 at the midway point.
It's been a systematic failure on every level. The offensive line, ravaged by injuries, hasn't protected quarterback Matt Ryan. The defense doesn't have enough talent. Coach Mike Smith makes head-scratching errors in game management, and general manager Thomas Dimitroff hasn't sufficiently stocked the roster with playmakers.
Other than that, things are great!
The Falcons do have one thing going for them: Ryan at quarterback. They can continue to build around him. As long as a team has a quarterback, it isn't that far away from contention.
But don't get it twisted: Barring some kind of unforeseen turnaround, the Falcons will undergo major changes in the offseason. Expect a new head coach at minimum, with Dimitroff at risk of losing his job as well.
New York Giants
9 of 32
ODDS: 200/1
Remember when the New York Giants were winning Super Bowl titles in improbable fashion? It really wasn't all that long ago, but it seems like eons have passed since their last title following the 2011 season.
That's because Big Blue has been a failure ever since, and this campaign has been no exception.
After clawing their way to 3-2 after an 0-2 start, the Giants have dropped three straight games in heinous fashion. The latest was a 40-24 blowout loss this past Monday night to the Indianapolis Colts, which wasn't as close as the final score would indicate. These Giants are bad, and it's tough to imagine them getting better.
Quarterback Eli Manning has played good football, but he can't do it alone. Injuries to the offensive line and secondary haven't helped matters, but the main issue is an overall lack of talent.
Plus, it's fair to ask how much longer Tom Coughlin will be employed as the team's head coach. Regardless of how things end, Coughlin will go down as an all-time great, a likely Hall of Famer and one of the best coaches in team history. But this will surely mark the team's third consecutive season without a playoff appearance.
After they lose in Seattle this Sunday, the Giants will be 3-6. And for all intents and purposes, their season will be over.
Houston Texans
10 of 32
ODDS: 150/1
The Houston Texans have already doubled their win total from all of 2013 (2-14 in 2013, 4-5 thus far in 2014), which is a definite positive.
But what's not a positive is that the Texans are closer to a last-place team than a Super Bowl contender, and it's because they don't have a legitimate starting quarterback.
Per Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com, Texans coach Bill O'Brien has benched starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick in favor of backup Ryan Mallett, which is the football equivalent of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Fitzpatrick was predictably awful in his stint as the starter, and Mallett has shown nothing in extended preseason appearances to get fans excited.
Think about it: How many times did the Patriots essentially showcase Mallett to the rest of the league in hopes of inviting significant trade offers that never materialized? Now, barring an unforeseen development (Mallett waking up Sunday with Tom Brady's talent), he is merely keeping the seat warm for fourth-round rookie Tom Savage.
Once the Texans figure out the quarterback position, they'll be a force to be reckoned with. But until then, star defensive end J.J. Watt (the clear front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year) and Co. will likely suffer through more seasons out of the playoff picture.
Chicago Bears
11 of 32
ODDS: 150/1
The 3-5 Chicago Bears have been an epic failure this season, and it's been quite the embarrassment for second-year coach Marc Trestman.
In a season in which the team was widely expected to compete for (and likely claim) a playoff spot, it appears the wheels are ready to come off entirely. It's a bad brew in Chicago right now, and it doesn't show signs of improving any time soon.
The offense has criminally underachieved, despite possessing a cavalcade of weapons around quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler, who received an exorbitant contract extension this offseason, hasn't played up to snuff, and the unit has been defined by a major spat heard by the media after the Bears' Week 7 home loss to Miami.
Meanwhile, the defense has been an unmitigated disaster. Coordinator Mel Tucker's unit has more holes than an especially moldy piece of Swiss cheese and has little hope of slowing down the better offenses in the league.
If the Bears harbor any hopes of winning the NFC North, winning in Lambeau Field on Sunday night against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers is a must.
Good luck with that.
Carolina Panthers
12 of 32
ODDS: 150/1
The 2014 Carolina Panthers are in a spot of trouble.
A home victory last Thursday night over the New Orleans Saints would have propelled them to first place in the NFC South. But they lost, dropping their record to 3-5-1, and the Saints look ready to claim the division title.
If the Panthers can't get into the playoffs via winning the NFC South, they have no shot. The team simply isn't talented enough.
Quarterback Cam Newton has mostly been good, but he has also had stretches of inconsistent football—and he was dreadful last Thursday night against New Orleans. It's also true that Newton doesn't have nearly enough weapons around him. Rookie receiver Kelvin Benjamin has been a revelation, but the neophyte can't do it by himself.
The loss of defensive end Greg Hardy to the commissioner's exempt list hasn't helped matters. And according to Joseph Person and Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer, Hardy's Panther career is likely over.
Forget about the Panthers as a Super Bowl contender. They'll be lucky to finish .500.
Minnesota Vikings
13 of 32
ODDS: 100/1
Despite their 4-5 record, the future appears bright for the Minnesota Vikings.
Coach Mike Zimmer has done a wonderful job coaxing positive performances out of the team's young players, particularly its pair of first-round rookies—quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and linebacker Anthony Barr.
Bridgewater is 3-2 since entering the starting lineup, and Barr has made a number of splash plays, including his game-winning touchdown in overtime to beat the Buccaneers. While both men can obviously still improve, they've shown enough that Vikings fans should feel good about the direction of the franchise.
Bridgewater has shown an aptitude for playing his best when it matters the most, which is what you want out of your franchise quarterback. And it says a lot that the Vikings are at 4-5 despite playing the vast majority of the season without star tailback Adrian Peterson, who is still on the commissioner's exempt list. Peterson's situation remains one to monitor.
The Vikings won't make the playoffs this year, but they'll have momentum heading into 2015.
Buffalo Bills
14 of 32
ODDS: 100/1
The Buffalo Bills are 5-3, and beyond everyone else, two men deserve the lion's share of the credit: coach Doug Marrone and quarterback Kyle Orton.
With the Bills stuck in a malaise at 2-2 and starting quarterback EJ Manuel struggling mightily, Marrone made the decision to replace Manuel with Orton—and as the road less traveled did in the famous Robert Frost poem, it's made all the difference.
The Bills are a talented football team and merely needed a competent quarterback to steer them into playoff contention. Orton is competent, and at this point in his career, Manuel is not. It's as simple as that.
Rookie receiver Sammy Watkins has been a revelation, and the defense can rush the passer. Don't sleep on the Bills as a playoff threat. They're not a Super Bowl contender, but the postseason is a definite possibility.
Cleveland Browns
15 of 32
ODDS: 75/1
Don't look now, but the Cleveland Browns are 5-3 and have an opportunity to move into a tie for first place in the AFC North with a win on Thursday Night Football over the 5-2-1 Bengals.
That's right: The Browns, led by coach Mike Pettine and quarterback Brian Hoyer, could move to 6-3 with a win Thursday night.
It's been a magical season thus far for Browns fans, and it could get even better.
Hoyer has been solid throughout and has kept rookie Johnny Manziel tethered firmly to the bench. The run game has waned in recent weeks after the season-ending injury suffered by center Alex Mack, but the offense as a whole has overachieved. And Pettine's defense can rush the passer and possesses a number of quality players.
It remains to be seen if the Browns are a mature enough team to keep it up as the weather grows colder and the pressure intensifies. But as of right now, the 2014 season has been a rousing success, and they're laying a foundation for future playoff trips.
Miami Dolphins
16 of 32
ODDS: 50/1
Following a last-second loss to Green Bay that left them with a 2-3 record, the Miami Dolphins looked like a rudderless ship, ready to vanish into the NFL abyss.
But three straight wins have elevated the club into legitimate playoff contention, and the sterling play of quarterback Ryan Tannehill has a lot to do with it.
Tannehill has been superb over the three-game win streak, tossing six touchdown passes against only one interception. He appears to be in full command of coordinator Bill Lazor's offense and is spreading the football effectively. Receiver Mike Wallace has taken a major step forward in his second year in South Beach, and the offensive line is exponentially better than it was in 2013.
Moreover, the defense has been outstanding, ranked third overall, and has been especially stingy recently against the run. Defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle has done a phenomenal job.
The Dolphins probably aren't ready to be considered Super Bowl contenders, but this is a team that will be firmly in the playoff hunt come late December.
San Diego Chargers
17 of 32
ODDS: 40/1
The last few weeks have not been kind to the San Diego Chargers.
After starting the season 5-1—and looking like world-beaters in the process—the Chargers have dropped three consecutive games to drop to 5-4. The bye week couldn't have come at a better time.
Despite the recent run of poor form, the Chargers are a dangerous team. Quarterback Philip Rivers is still one of the best in the league, and coach Mike McCoy is excellent at his job. It's highly unlikely the Chargers will catch the Denver Broncos atop the AFC West, but a playoff berth is very much a possibility.
If they do indeed make the postseason, they'll earn it. Over their final seven games, the Chargers will host New England and Denver and play road games at Baltimore, San Francisco and Kansas City.
If they survive that schedule and play into January, there isn't a team in the AFC that will be happy to see the Chargers coming to town.
Kansas City Chiefs
18 of 32
ODDS: 40/1
Entering the 2014 season, it appeared the Kansas City Chiefs wouldn't be as good as the 2013 iteration that went 11-5 and claimed a playoff berth.
But coach Andy Reid's team has looked good over the first half of the season, racing out to a 5-3 mark that has the Chiefs squarely in the AFC playoff hunt.
Quarterback Alex Smith has been steady, and running back Jamaal Charles is a star. Linebacker Justin Houston has been a pass-rushing demon, as he leads the NFL with 12 sacks. Houston could end up threatening Michael Strahan's all-time single-season sack record (22.5).
Because they play in a division with the Broncos, the Chiefs will likely have to settle for a wild-card berth if they're to make the postseason. But it's definitely possible that they could get there.
The problem is, it's difficult to envision a scenario where the Chiefs could beat either the Patriots or Broncos on the road in January. Barring something unforeseen (Smith suddenly morphing into Aaron Rodgers), the Super Bowl is likely out of the question.
Baltimore Ravens
19 of 32
ODDS: 40/1
To underscore how wildly competitive the AFC North has been, consider this: Two weeks ago, the Baltimore Ravens were in first. Now, they're in last with a record of 5-4.
But don't let that last-place status fool you: The Ravens could absolutely make the playoffs, and they've shown that once they get there, they're a highly dangerous out.
Coach John Harbaugh, quarterback Joe Flacco and Co. have gotten it done in the past, and it's hard to bet against them. Steve Smith Sr. has been a revelation at receiver opposite Torrey Smith, and the defense has been excellent, keyed by the outstanding play of rookie linebacker C.J. Mosley, who is a favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Getting swept by the Bengals will make winning the AFC North difficult, but all the Ravens need to do is get into the postseason to potentially make a run. Right now, they don't feel like a Super Bowl threat, but they've shown an aptitude for January success in the past, so bet against them at your own risk.
Cincinnati Bengals
20 of 32
ODDS: 33/1
In the first half of the season, it's as if the Cincinnati Bengals have been three different teams.
First came the team that started 3-0 and looked like world-beaters. Then came the team that went 0-2-1 over its next three and looked as if it couldn't get out of its own way. And now, there's the team that's won two consecutive games to move into sole possession of first place in the ultra-competitive AFC North.
So which one most accurately defines the 2014 Bengals? It's likely a combination of all three. The Bengals have the ability to be dominant, but they are ultimately too inconsistent to be taken seriously as a Super Bowl threat.
Quarterback Andy Dalton is still prone to turn the ball over at any given moment, and coach Marvin Lewis is prone to outrageous gaffes in game management. Both men are impossible to trust in a big spot.
It's certainly possible that the Bengals will reach the postseason for the fourth consecutive year. It's also possible—and even likely—that they'll go one-and-done for the fourth straight time when they get there.
San Francisco 49ers
21 of 32
ODDS: 25/1
Despite possessing one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, the San Francisco 49ers enter the midpoint of their season at 4-4 and in third place in the NFC West.
That has to be a bitter disappointment for coach Jim Harbaugh and Co.
The 49ers melted down in their loss last Sunday to the Rams, with quarterback Colin Kaepernick fumbling on the goal line as he attempted to score the game-winning touchdown in the waning moments. That play encapsulated what's been a maddening season for the team's fourth-year quarterback and uneven offense.
The defense should continue to improve as it gets healthier, and there is enough talent throughout that it's impossible to discount the 49ers making a playoff run. Plus, we're still talking about a team that has advanced to three straight NFC Championship Games, so there is a pedigree of January success.
If the 49ers can somehow navigate their way into the postseason, look out. They'll be a dangerous squad no team will want to face. But they need to get there first, and that is far from a lock.
Dallas Cowboys
22 of 32
ODDS: 25/1
Just two weeks ago, the Dallas Cowboys were sitting pretty at 6-1 and were the toast of the NFL.
Fast-forward two weeks later, and the Cowboys are 6-3 and reeling, desperately needing quarterback Tony Romo operating at full strength.
Dallas has lost two straight games, but the opportunity to advance deep into the postseason remains. It all comes down to Romo's injured back and if he'll be healthy enough to perform at a high level for the duration of the season.
This Sunday, the Cowboys play the Jaguars in London, and if they're smart, they'll sit Romo and let him heal for another week and over the upcoming bye. But these are the Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones we're talking about, so expect to see Romo in the lineup barring any unforeseen development.
If Romo can stay healthy, the Cowboys are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Their run game, keyed by star back DeMarco Murray and a dominant offensive line, is capable of neutralizing the best offenses in the league. And the defense has been better than expected.
But if Romo misses an extended period of time, forget about it. There's a better chance of Jones bequeathing ownership of the Cowboys to you than backup passer Brandon Weeden leading the Cowboys to postseason glory.
Pittsburgh Steelers
23 of 32
ODDS: 20/1
It wasn't that long ago that coach Mike Tomlin's Pittsburgh Steelers were 3-3, seemingly stuck in neutral and unable to claim any semblance of momentum.
What a difference three weeks can make, as the Steelers have looked like legitimate Super Bowl contenders over a highly impressive 3-0 stretch.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is playing some of the finest football of his career, as evidenced by him becoming the first player in league history to throw 12 touchdown passes in consecutive games. He's been virtually unstoppable (22 touchdown passes against only three interceptions) and has playoff pedigree.
He's been buoyed by the play of star receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le'Veon Bell, both of whom have been among the very best in the league at their positions. And the defense is now starting to come along too.
At 6-3, the Steelers look like a very dangerous team. The superlative play of Roethlisberger makes them a Super Bowl threat.
Detroit Lions
24 of 32
ODDS: 20/1
The 6-2 Detroit Lions represent one of the league's best stories and have the look and feel of a playoff team.
It's a major credit to coach Jim Caldwell. Not only has he (mostly) avoided the grotesque errors in game management that plagued him in Indianapolis, but he's done a fine job helping to amplify the overall performance of quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Plus, first-year defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has done a phenomenal job. The Lions defense has been outstanding and is currently ranked first overall in the league.
The Lions deserve a ton of credit for being where they are—first place in the NFC North—despite being without star receiver Calvin Johnson for much of the year. Now, Johnson appears to be healthy and ready to roll—and not a moment too soon.
With a win over the Packers already in hand, the Lions' directive is clear: Win the NFC North and earn a home playoff game. Their Week 17 contest at Lambeau Field looms large.
New Orleans Saints
25 of 32
ODDS: 16/1
Entering the 2014 season, many (including the esteemed writer of this column) believed the New Orleans Saints would win the Super Bowl. In that vein, their 4-4 record goes down as a major disappointment.
But on the other hand, one could argue the Saints are getting ready to peak at the right time. They appear to be the best team in an awful NFC South and should earn a division title and the home playoff game that goes along with it. And we know how good the Saints are in the friendly confines of the Superdome.
Home-field advantage is the most important thing for the Saints. They are clearly a different team on the road, so securing as many playoff games at home as possible is vital.
It's doubtful that they'll be able to earn the top seed in the NFC, which strongly diminishes their chances at reaching the Super Bowl. But they still have quarterback Drew Brees, tight end Jimmy Graham and coach Sean Payton. Expect the Saints to reach the postseason, but the Super Bowl is probably out of the question at this point.
Philadelphia Eagles
26 of 32
ODDS: 14/1
The Philadelphia Eagles currently sit atop the NFC East with a 6-2 record, yet not all is well in the City of Brotherly Love.
That's because starting quarterback Nick Foles broke his collarbone in this past Sunday's win over the Texans, injecting backup passer Mark Sanchez into the lineup.
Yes, that Mark Sanchez. The same Mark Sanchez who stunk it up for years with the Jets. While Sanchez played well in relief of Foles, it remains to be seen how he'll perform now that teams can prepare for him as the starter.
The best bet for Eagles coach Chip Kelly will be to lean on star running back LeSean McCoy and an offensive line that is both getting healthier and rounding into form. If Sanchez can avoid reclaiming his throne as King Turnover I, the Eagles will have a real shot to win the NFC East, particularly if Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo can't shake off his back woes.
But as for the Super Bowl? If Sanchez leads the Eagles all the way to February, there's a strong chance pigs will fly and hell will freeze over.
Indianapolis Colts
27 of 32
ODDS: 10/1
Despite shortcomings throughout the roster, the Indianapolis Colts are absolutely a Super Bowl contender.
And it's thanks to the overwhelming greatness of quarterback Andrew Luck.
Luck is a veritable destroyer of worlds, capable of single-handedly obliterating any defense. Per Stephen Holder of The Indianapolis Star, Luck is on pace to break Peyton Manning's single-season passing yards record (5,477). He's averaging 342 passing yards per game and has tossed 26 touchdown passes against only nine interceptions. Simply put: He's ridiculously good.
There are question marks surrounding the defense (ranked 18th overall) and the offensive line (Luck still gets hit too many times), but as long as Luck is under center, the Colts are capable of triumphing over any team in the NFL.
Make no mistake about it: No team in the AFC wants to see Luck and the Colts come January. They will emerge as champions of the otherwise putrid AFC South and earn at least one home playoff game.
Arizona Cardinals
28 of 32
ODDS: 10/1
Take a look at the picture above.
That man in the Kangol hat is Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, and he is one of the primary reasons (if not the primary reason) that the team possesses the NFL's best record at 7-1. As of right now, Arians is the Coach of the Year, and it isn't particularly close. ProFootballTalk.com's Michael David Smith wrote as much this past Monday.
The Cardinals are getting it done with an offense that takes care of the football (tied for a league low in turnovers with six) and a suffocating run defense (allowing only 3.4 yards per carry). Sprinkle in a little Arians magic, and you have the formula for a winning football team.
Cardinals fans: Don't get too uptight about having two NFC teams come ahead of your squad in these Super Bowl odds. Vegas is right to have questions about quarterback Carson Palmer, who has had a tendency throughout his career to play hot potato with the football in critical moments. Just enjoy the ride, and take solace in knowing that your team still has two games remaining against the defending champion Seahawks to send a message.
There's a decent chance the Cardinals could end up being the first team to play in the Super Bowl in their own stadium. And that's a major credit to Arians, the front-runner for Coach of the Year.
Green Bay Packers
29 of 32
ODDS: 9/1
As quarterback Aaron Rodgers goes, so go the Green Bay Packers.
Fortunately for Packers fans, that's usually into the postseason.
The greatness of Rodgers—perhaps the NFL's finest player regardless of position—means the Packers must be taken seriously as a Super Bowl contender. Rodgers is authoring another spectacular season, tossing 19 touchdown passes against only three interceptions and completing nearly 68 percent of his passes. He's the maestro of Green Bay's offensive symphony.
Plus, he has numerous weapons on offense, including star receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb and bruising running back Eddie Lacy.
The defense remains a concern (the unit is ranked 25th in yards per game allowed), but as long as it's competent, the explosive Packers offense should mask its shortcomings.
At this point, the Packers' focus should be on winning the NFC North. At 5-3, they're currently one game behind first-place Detroit (6-2), and the Lions defeated the Packers in Motown earlier this year. A Week 17 home date with the Lions looms large, and it could go a long way toward deciding the team's playoff fate. If the Packers can secure multiple home games at Lambeau Field, look out.
Seattle Seahawks
30 of 32
ODDS: 8/1
Las Vegas is still giving a ton of respect to the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, installing them as the NFC's top Super Bowl contender despite being two games out of first place in their own division (they're 5-3, while Arizona sits at 7-1).
And it's easy to understand why. The recency effect is obviously in place, as the Seahawks are coming off a dominant run toward last year's Lombardi Trophy. But many of the principal members of the title team are still in place, most notably quarterback Russell Wilson.
There's no doubting that the Seahawks haven't looked like the juggernaut many expected them to be, but they're still an excellent football team that knows how to win. They most certainly control their own destiny in the NFC West, with two games remaining against both the 7-1 Cardinals and 4-4 49ers.
While a playoff berth isn't a certainty, it's hard to imagine the Seahawks not qualifying for the postseason. And if and when they get there, no team in the NFC will want to see coach Pete Carroll and Co. on the opposing sideline.
New England Patriots
31 of 32
ODDS: 6/1
Remember when the New England Patriots were absolutely eviscerated (41-14) by the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 4, leading to widespread speculation that their run of excellence had drawn to a close? Remember when some actually questioned the greatness of quarterback Tom Brady?
Since that fateful Monday night at the end of September, all the Patriots have done is steamroll the rest of the league, winning five consecutive games and looking like a Super Bowl contender in the process.
Brady has been outstanding, throwing 18 touchdown passes against only one interception in that time frame. Anyone who believes he isn't the front-runner for league MVP right now isn't paying attention.
Plus, the stellar play of tight end Rob Gronkowski cannot be ignored. The man affectionately referred to as "Gronk" finally appears to be 100 percent healthy and is back to his dominant ways, snatching footballs out of the air with grace and barreling into opposing defenders with sheer physicality.
And last I checked, the Patriots still have Bill Belichick as their head coach. Quite frankly, that's all they need.
Sleep on the Patriots at your own risk. Reports of their demise were greatly, greatly exaggerated.
Denver Broncos
32 of 32
ODDS: 7/2
Even with their loss this past Sunday in New England, the Denver Broncos remain the class of the NFL and have to be considered the favorites to raise the Lombardi Trophy on the first Sunday of February.
How is that possible? Because they are the best overall team and have one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time (Peyton Manning) running the show.
This past offseason, general manager John Elway did an amazing job of elevating the defense to a championship level, which is where the Manning-led offense has been for quite some time. And Manning has been, well, Manning, completing 67 percent of his passes and tossing 24 touchdown passes against only five interceptions.
Don't let the loss to New England cloud your judgment; should these two teams meet again in January (likely in Denver for the AFC Championship Game), expect the Broncos to come out on top.
Provided head coach John Fox doesn't screw things up, don't be surprised if and when the Broncos capture the franchise's third Super Bowl championship.
Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com.
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