2012 NFL Draft: Betting Odds For Teams To Receive the No. 1 Pick

Sports bettors may want to look the other way when trying to decide to back the Indianapolis Colts or Miami Dolphins each Sunday.

But they can cash in with an entertaining proposition wager.

Odds-makers have placed betting odds on eight teams to potentially earn the rights to the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL draft, while also providing an opportunity to bet the field.

Let's take a look at the race for Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck from a betting perspective.

Field (+850)

The Seattle Seahawks are part of the 24 teams that make up the field, and second-year head coach Pete Carroll doesn't have a capable option under center.

During his time on the sidelines for the USC Trojans, Carroll enjoyed having the likes of Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Mark Sanchez at the quarterback position.

After suffering a 6-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns Sunday, the Pacific Northwest is probably clamoring to the idea of being in the running for Luck.

The Seahawks managed to gain just 137 yards coming off a bye week.

They can't expect to win a Super Bowl with Tarvaris Jackson or Charlie Whitehurst.

Arizona Cardinals (+950)

It wasn't supposed to be this way for the Arizona Cardinals, but quarterback Kevin Kolb's handle of the offense isn't coming along.

Granted, the former Houston Cougars star was acquired during the offseason, but he currently sits 26th in the NFL in passer rating.

A lot of the blame falls squarely on an offensive line that has allowed him to get sacked 18 times.

Playing the St. Louis Rams two times in the next five weeks will likely keep the franchise out of the running for the top pick in next year's draft.

Minnesota Vikings (+650)

The Minnesota Vikings fell to 1-6 on the season by dropping a 33-27 contest to the Green Bay Packers Sunday.

First round selection Christian Ponder completed 13-of-32 passes for 219 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Switching to Ponder signaled the franchise is focused on the future, but don't forget many NFL experts felt the franchise reached in selecting him so high.

A tough schedule lies ahead, including next week's game against the Carolina Panthers and No. 1 pick Cam Newton.

Denver Broncos (+650)

Quarterback Tim Tebow is one of the NFL's biggest stories this year, and Sunday's 18-15 come-from-behind win could go a long way in determining the Andrew Luck Sweepstakes.

It looked as if the experiment of starting the former Florida Gators star was going to fall flat, as he was 4-for-14 with 40 yards with 5:23 left against the Miami Dolphins.

Then it happened—that Tebow magic that fans love.

Week 7's win likely ends the franchise's dream of having another Stanford quarterback under center.

Carolina Panthers (+550)

Obtaining the No. 1 pick would almost be unfair for the rest of the league at this point, as rookie quarterback Cam Newton looks like the real deal.

It would be quite the bargaining chip in obtaining future draft picks that would have this franchise challenge for Super Bowls down the road.

Carolina already has two wins and plays the Indianapolis Colts on the road Nov. 27.

That scenario will likely knock the Panthers out of contention for the rights to the top pick in consecutive years.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+350)

Jacksonville Jaguars fans should practice patience over the final nine weeks of the season, as rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert is facing some stiff competition.

Playing tonight's Monday Night Football game against the Baltimore Ravens will likely keep the numbers down, as he is coming in with a 71.1 passer rating.

He has completed just 48.8 percent of his passes but has also thrown just two interceptions in 123 pass attempts.

Head coach Jack Del Rio is fighting for his job, leading me to believe the team won't end up with the selection.

Especially with two remaining games against the Indianapolis Colts.

St. Louis Rams (+340)

The St. Louis Rams have not scored more than 16 points this season but already have countless millions riding on the arm of former No. 1 pick Sam Bradford.

Bettors will likely find the team entering Week 9 with an 0-7 record, as the New Orleans Saints are next on their schedule.

Bradford sat out Sunday with a high ankle sprain and should remain on the sidelines until four winnable games appear on the schedule starting Nov. 6, when the Rams travel to Arizona.

Miami Dolphins (+300)

Miami Dolphins fans are clamoring for the opportunity to draft a big-name quarterback, something the franchise has obviously lacked since the retirement of Dan Marino.

Bettors will likely abandon the team the rest of the way, coming into this week with an 0-5-1 ATS record.

Head coach Tony Sparano is on his way out, and the only reason to keep tabs on this franchise is the potential of gaining the No. 1 pick.

Their schedule certainly reads like an 0-16 screenplay. 

Indianapolis Colts (+265)

The Indianapolis Colts franchise has no choice but to try and obtain the rights to the No. 1 pick, as its success has fallen on the arm of a quarterback for years.

Last night's 62-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints dropped the team to an embarrassing 0-7 record.

Not only are the Colts racing to the bottom, the entire front office will be rooting against other teams on their schedule.

The reason for this is the first tiebreaker in determining draft order is strength of schedule.

There's only one storyline in Indy the rest of the 2011 campaign.

Because of that, Peyton Manning will not been seen on the field until next year.