Odds to Win Super Bowl 46

The NFL players’ lockout by the owners is entering its third month as all league business remains at a stand still while both sides continue to try and hammer out a new labor agreement. This shut down is bound to have a more profound effect on some teams more than others, but at this point all 32 clubs are starting to feel the pinch of not being able to properly prepare for next season’s run at a championship.

The teams with an established coaching system and veteran quarterback already in place stand to fare the best through this whole fiasco so you have to believe that the longer the lockout wears on, the more value is added to their current odds to win Super Bowl XLVI.

The first team that fits this bill is the defending champion Green Bay Packers at 7/1. It not uncommon for the past season’s champs to start off as the next season’s odd-on-favorite despite the fact that in the 45-year history of the Super Bowl only eight teams have successfully defended its title with New England being the last to accomplish this feat in 2004 and 2005.

Speaking of the Patriots, Bodog has them co-favorites with the Packers to win it all at 7/1. It is easy to argue that New England is one of the most established teams in the league and should be able to quickly pick things up once everyone goes back to work. There is some value in the current odds, but public perception has still driven them lower than they should actually be. The Patriots still have to get by the New York Jets in the AFC East and teams like Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Indianapolis in the conference. These teams are also well-established and should be able to quickly pick up where they left off last season.

Baltimore offers some real value at 14/1, but it still has Pittsburgh standing in its way in the AFC North. The team that comes out of that division probably has the best chance at winning the AFC, but it is hard to decide which one it will be. The Steelers at 11/1 offer some solid value as well and may still have the slight edge over the Ravens heading into the season.

The NFC remains wide open with a number of teams ready to challenge Green Day for the top spot in the conference. Atlanta, Dallas, New Orleans, and Philadelphia are all currently listed at 16/1 to win the title. Out of that group, the Eagles offer the best value primarily because they now have the longest tenured head coach in the league in Andy Reid. He has led this team to five NFC Championships and one Super Bowl and remains hungry to finally bring home a championship to the beleaguered fans from the City of Brotherly Love. His experience will allow him to quickly adapt to a shortened window to get his team ready and he has one of the most dynamic players in the NFL in Michael Vick to help him get the job done.

Scouring down the list of odds in search of a longshot that offers the most value, you have to stop and take a hard look at the Detroit Lions at 35/1. This is a team that is not that far removed from a 0-16 campaign, but has quickly added some key pieces on both sides of the ball to make it competitive with any team it will have to face. The big question mark is the health of quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has shown moments of brilliance in his short NFL career. The Lions added defensive tackle Nick Fairly in the first round of this year’s draft to go along with last year’s No.1 pick Ndamukong Suh. Detroit will still need a lot of chips to fall in place to make a serious run at a title, but offer some genuine value at its current odds.

Here are the odds to win the Super Bowl at Bodog as of May 19th.

• Green Bay Packers +700
• New England Patriots +700
• Pittsburgh Steelers +1100
• San Diego Chargers +1200
• Baltimore Ravens +1400
• New York Jets +1400
• Dallas Cowboys +1600
• Atlanta Falcons +1600
• Indianapolis Colts +1600
• New Orleans Saints +1600
• Philadelphia Eagles +1600
• New York Giants +1800
• Chicago Bears +2800
• Tampa Bay Buccanneers +3000
• Detroit Lions +3500
• Houston Texans +3500
• Kansas City Chiefs +3500
• Minnesota Vikings +3500
• Oakland Raiders +4000
• San Francisco 49ers +4000
• St Louis Rams +4000
• Miami Dolphins +5000
• Tennessee Titans +5000
• Washington Redskins +5000
• Cincinnati Bengals +6000
• Denver Broncos +6000
• Cleveland Browns +6500
• Jacksonville Jaguars +6500
• Arizona Cardinals +7500
• Seattle Seahawks +8000
• Carolina Panthers +10000
• Buffalo Bills +10000