The NFL pre-season often changes the complexion of Super Bowl odds, but the early favourites avoided turmoil and injuries to remain atop of the championship betting lists.
The Denver Broncos and the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers remain the betting favourites at most shops monitored by OddsShark.com.
Both Denver and San Francisco lost to the Baltimore Ravens in last year’s post-season (the Broncos in the divisional playoffs, the 49ers in the Super Bowl) but, heading into the campaign, online sportsbooks have them tied as the 6/1 championship chalk.
Peyton Manning and the Broncos open their season Thursday night at home against the Ravens, and the 49ers start off at home against the Green Bay Packers next Sunday.
Baltimore is 5-0 against the spread in the past five season openers, so they are attracting interest as 10-point dogs.
One of San Francisco’s biggest challenges for the conference crown this season might come from a team in their own division, at least according to the oddsmakers. The Seattle Seahawks, who fell to Atlanta in last year’s divisional playoffs, are set at 17/2 to win the Super Bowl.
Seattle opens in Carolina for their Week 1 matchup.
The New England Patriots, who generally sit as the Super Bowl favourite at this time of the year, are fourth at 10/1 odds, after sitting slightly higher at 9/1 on that list a few weeks ago.
The Patriots are one of the road favourites for Week 1 of the season as they’ll be going up against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. New England is 7-1-1 against the spread in their last nine trips to Buffalo, but the Bills have been a good Week 1 bet (6-2 against the spread the past eight seasons).
The Falcons and Packers both sit at 12/1 on the updated odds to win the Super Bowl, with the Texans and Saints each at 18/1, the Giants at 22/1, the Bears, Bengals, and Cowboys at 25/1, and the Ravens joining the Steelers at 28/1.
The Redskins can then be found at 33/1 on the Super Bowl odds, while the Lions, Colts, Dolphins, Vikings, and Rams are at 40/1. The Chiefs, Eagles, Chargers, and Buccaneers are at 50/1.
Hint: We will discuss next week why the Chargers might be a great bet.
The Panthers can be wagered on at 66/1, with the Jets at 100/1, the Cardinals at 125/1, and the Bills, Browns, and Titans all pegged at 150/1.
The Super Bowl betting longshots are then the Raiders at 250/1 and the Jaguars at 300/1. Oakland is on the road against Andrew Luck at the Colts for their Week 1 game next Sunday, while Jacksonville begins its season at home against the Chiefs that day.
More NFL lines are available each day here at sportsnet.ca.
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