2017 Super Bowl Predictions: Odds Favor Patriots to Win SB 51
Four weeks into the NFL season and, aside from Adrian Peterson, we haven't had many big stars go down with injuries.
Thus the futures market has changed gradually, adjusting mainly to teams doing better (Texans, Giants) or worse (Panthers) than expected.
You won't see a drastic change in Super Bowl odds until an expected playoff team gets to the verge of not making the playoffs.
| Team | Open | Current |
| Patriots | 8/1 | 7/2 |
| Packers | 10/1 | 7/1 |
| Seahawks | 8/1 | 8/1 |
| Vikings | 20/1 | 10/1 |
| Steelers | 8/1 | 10/1 |
| Cardinals | 10/1 | 10/1 |
| Broncos | 20/1 | 12/1 |
| Panthers | 12/1 | 14/1 |
| Cowboys | 14/1 | 20/1 |
| Eagles | 40/1 | 20/1 |
| Raiders | 50/1 | 20/1 |
| Texans | 40/1 | 25/1 |
| Chiefs | 20/1 | 25/1 |
| Ravens | 40/1 | 30/1 |
| Giants | 40/1 | 30/1 |
| Bengals | 12/1 | 40/1 |
| Colts | 20/1 | 40/1 |
| Chargers | 50/1 | 50/1 |
So if you have an inkling on a team that can go deep into the playoffs, now is the time to land favorable odds.
Come late October to mid-November, you'll be fighting a number that has likely come down 25-35 percent.
Here are two teams I think deserve your consideration for a Super Bowl futures bet now. Odds are current from the Westgate LV SuperBook.
CAROLINA PANTHERS 14/1
Sure the Panthers are 1-2 but there is no denying their track record. Dating to last season, they've won 18 of their past 22 games.
Losses to sound, balanced teams in Denver and Minnesota have upped the value on the Panthers.
Don't be surprised if Cam Newton, battered by the Vikings last Sunday, takes out his frustration on Atlanta this week as the Panthers re-assert their control over the division.
In 2014, with a sore back from a car accident, Newton sparked a late-season rally to get the Panthers into the playoffs. Last year he threw for under 195 yards in three of the first four games before igniting the NFL's top-ranked offense.
Newton still has a chip on his shoulder from last year's Super Bowl loss, and I like the offensive pieces around him.
HOUSTON TEXANS 25/1
The Texans have seen their odds drop from 40/1 to 25/1. Former Bill Belichick disciple Bill O'Brien may have something working down in Houston.
After years of trying to figure out their quarterback situation, they didn't settle for a journeyman veteran. They landed Brock Osweiler with a mega contract along with former Dolphins running back Lamar Miller.
Last year DeAndre Hopkins emerged as a superstar, and now the Texans have another blossoming target in rookie Will Fuller.
Behind both are options that should only get better in Braxton Miller and last year's third-round pick, Jaelen Strong.
People tend to forget the old custom of young quarterbacks serving as understudies for a few seasons.
Osweiler learned under Peyton Manning for multiple seasons. As the season progresses, he'll grow more confident, especially because of the weapons at his disposal and Houston's strong defense.
Even with J.J. Watt out for the season, the Texans are destined for the playoffs in a weak AFC South. After that, anything can happen.
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