Super Bowl Odds: New England Patriots Gain Ground on Green Bay Packers

The New England Patriots may have the worst defense in the National Football League, but that hasn't stopped people from wagering on them to win Super Bowl XLVI inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Cantor Gaming has Patriots quarterback Tom Brady positioned just behind Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers in the current betting odds, while 17 other teams fall behind the current favorites to come out of the AFC and NFC.

Let's take a closer look at the Las Vegas futures market for teams to lift the Lombardi Trophy on Feb. 5, 2012.

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans ruined any legitimate chance of being in this discussion when they lost to the winless Indianapolis Colts last week.

Rookie Jake Locker will get his chance under center in 2012 and will have a more focused Chris Johnson behind him.

Super Bowl Odds: 200/1

Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders made a big move trading for Carson Palmer after original starter Jason Campbell went down with an injury.

Don't be surprised if the cost of getting him weighs down this franchise for the next five years.

Super Bowl Odds: 150/1

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are a few pieces away from being a major contender in the AFC, sitting behind the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North division.

Super Bowl Odds: 60/1

New York Giants

The New York Giants laid an absolute egg last week when they lost to the Washington Redskins, causing their betting odds to plummet.

Quarterback Eli Manning needs to be almost perfect the next two weeks in order for this team to make the playoffs.

Super Bowl Odds: 50/1

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears were making some noise in November, but have fallen flat this month due to injuries to quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte.

Clearly looking ahead to 2012.

Super Bowl Odds: 40/1

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos got a taste of reality when their six-game winning streak was snapped by the New England Patriots last week.

Don't fall asleep on this team, as turnovers really turned the tide in that contest.

Super Bowl Odds: 25/1

San Diego Chargers

You could make a case that the San Diego Chargers are the best team in the AFC right now—despite having a mediocre 7-7 record.

The betting odds are shorter than the Denver Broncos due to the amount of money this underachieving team received during the early portion of the 2011 campaign.

Super Bowl Odds: 20/1

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have tallied back-to-back impressive wins and need to win out to have a chance.

Anything is possible in the NFC East division—anything.

Super Bowl Odds: 20/1

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions showed some grit with a come-from-behind road win over the Oakland Raiders and will now host the dangerous San Diego Chargers Sunday.

Not quite sure they can come out of the NFC without playing a game inside Ford Field.

Super Bowl Odds: 20/1

New York Jets

The New York Jets simply talk about winning the Super Bowl.

Head coach Rex Ryan needs to try a different approach.

Super Bowl Odds: 20/1

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys once again took control of the NFC East division last week and will close the season against some of their fiercest rivals.

It should be fun to watch.

Super Bowl Odds: 15/1

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans are definitely a team to watch in the playoffs and wide receiver Andre Johnson needs to get over his hamstring problems to give them an opportunity to make some noise.

Defense wins championships and coordinator Wade Phillips has this unit playing at an extremely high level.

Super Bowl Odds: 15/1

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons have the opportunity to exact revenge against the New Orleans Saints for an earlier loss at home, which would make them major players in the NFC playoff bracket.

Don't forget, this squad was the No. 1 seed last year.

Super Bowl Odds: 15/1

Baltimore Ravens

I'm not sold on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and I'm beginning to think that the defense is thinking the same thing.

Very telling that the Pittsburgh Steelers have shorter betting odds.

Super Bowl Odds: 9/1

San Francisco 49ers

Don't put too much stock in Monday night's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the San Francisco 49ers were facing a banged-up quarterback that should have watched the game from the sidelines.

With no movement in the betting odds from the prior week—it seems that sharp bettors are staying away.

Super Bowl Odds: 8/1

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers don't need home-field advantage to win the Super Bowl, which is why it baffled me that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was on the field Monday night.

Still my choice to represent the AFC in the big game.

Super Bowl Odds: 6/1

New Orleans Saints

I've been riding this team from the start and will not be getting off the bandwagon anytime soon.

Quarterback Drew Brees is enjoying a special season and the offense is truly dynamic with playmakers all over the field.

Super Bowl Odds: 5/1

New England Patriots

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady showed some playoff fire last Sunday against the Denver Broncos, something that makes them a major player in the postseason.

The current betting odds offer no value.

Super Bowl Odds: 3/1

Green Bay Packers

I didn't believe the Green Bay Packers would go 16-0 during the regular season, but I also didn't expect their first loss to come against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Still the favorite in a wide-open race.

Super Bowl Odds: 1/1