Category: Super Bowl

Should you bet on the Buffalo Bills to win Super Bowl LIV?

Previewing the Buffalo Bills’ Super Bowl LIV chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.

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AFC East teams besides the New England Patriots don’t typically make the playoffs. They certainly don’t usually go 10-6 or challenge New England for the division crown very often. Yet, that’s exactly what the Buffalo Bills did this season, giving the Patriots a run for their money in the AFC East and becoming just the third wild-card team from the division since 2011.

But do the Bills have a legitimate chance to win the Super Bowl? According to the oddsmakers, not really.

Buffalo Bills playoff futures

NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 12:30 pm. ET.

Get some action on the games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

BetMGM has the Bills at +6000 to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in February, the longest odds of any team in the playoffs. That’s the result of them having a young, inconsistent sophomore quarterback under center in Josh Allen, a tough matchup in the first round against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium, and a second-round date with either the Baltimore Ravens or Kansas City Chiefs if they were to advance to the Divisional Round.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Bills to win Super Bowl LIV would return a profit of $600 should Buffalo win the Super Bowl.

Allen had a solid season. He threw 20 touchdown passes with only nine interceptions, rushing for another 510 yards and nine touchdowns, as well. However, he only completed 58.8% of his passes and his 5.71 adjusted net yards per attempt – a good measuring stick of a quarterback’s aggressiveness and success – ranked 23rd among qualified quarterbacks.

(Photo Credit: Rich Barnes – USA TODAY Sports)

The Bills defense is what helped carry them to the postseason, ranking second in points and third in yards allowed, but how many top offenses did they truly face? The Dallas Cowboys and Ravens were the only teams that really stand out offensively from Buffalo’s schedule, though it was impressive that they were held to a combined 39 points in consecutive weeks.

The Bills aren’t exactly coming into the postseason riding high, either. They lost three of their last four games, one of which was the season finale with Matt Barkley at quarterback. There isn’t much momentum behind the Bills heading into this wild-card matchup with the Texans, especially on offense. In the last three games that Allen completed, the Bills had fewer than 300 yards of offense in each, including fewer than 200 yards passing.

Why You Shouldn’t Bet On the Bills to win Super Bowl LIV

(Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire – USA TODAY Sports)

So that begs the question again: Should you bet on the Bills to win Super Bowl LIV? In short, no. Unless the Tennessee Titans go on a deep run, Buffalo will be on the road for the entire postseason run. Winning four straight games away from home is no easy task for any team, let alone one that faced only three playoff teams in the regular season – including a Philadelphia Eagles squad that barely got in.

Save your money and put it on a team like the Ravens, San Francisco 49ers or New Orleans Saints. The Seahawks at +2500 or the Patriots at +1200 are better bets than the Bills and still come with financial upside on a small wager.

So unless you just want to lay $10 down on a Bills Cinderella story, it’d be wise to pass on this wager.

Want action on this bet? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Should you bet on the Baltimore Ravens to win Super Bowl LIV?

Previewing the Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl LIV chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.

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The Baltimore Ravens cruised through the 2019 NFL regular season to a 14-2 record and a second straight AFC North crown. They won their final 12 games of the year after a 2-2 start and nine of their 14 wins were decided by at least a two-score margin. Now, they head into the postseason as +225 favorites to win Super Bowl LIV in Miami Sunday, Feb. 2.

The Ravens, led by MVP frontrunner QB Lamar Jackson, locked down the No. 1 seed in the AFC and will host the Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills or Houston Texans in the Divisional Round Saturday, Jan, 11.

NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 12:30 pm. ET.

Baltimore Ravens playoff futures

Get some action on the games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

AFC Champion: -112

The Ravens are the only team in either conference getting a negative number to advance to Super Bowl LIV. The Kansas City Chiefs are the next closest favorite in the AFC at +200, while the Buffalo Bills are the biggest long shot at +3000. The books are putting the juice on a Ravens team, which obtained the NFL’s best regular-season record, controls home field through the AFC playoffs and enters the postseason on a 12-game winning streak.

The Ravens’ two losses this season came at the Chiefs (33-28) and at home to the rival Cleveland Browns (40-25) in Weeks 3 and 4, respectively. Baltimore and KC may meet in the AFC Championship Game, but it’ll be Baltimore with the home advantage in the rematch.

(Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan – USA TODAY Sports)

The Ravens led the NFL with 33.2 points per game and ranked second in total yards of offense per game at 407.6. Defensively, they ranked third in PPG allowed (17.6) and fourth in YPG allowed (300.6.). Only six teams had a better turnover differential than Baltimore’s plus-10.

These merits aside, there’s zero value in placing a futures bet on the team getting the juice. There’s too much that can happen, even in a three-game sample. It’s a hard PASS for me on the conference title odds. It’s Super Bowl or bust for John Harbaugh’s Ravens.

Super Bowl: +225

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Ravens to win Super Bowl LIV would return a profit of $22.50 should Baltimore win the game.

Harbaugh should be viewed as the Coach of the Year favorite, much like Jackson ran away with the MVP honors. Additionally, the Ravens tied an NFL record with 12 Pro Bowl selections this season. Behind Jackson, free-agent additions RB Mark Ingram and S Earl Thomas received nods, as did in-season trade acquisition CB Marcus Peters. Nine of the team’s sections were either drafted by the Ravens (six) or signed as undrafted free agents (three).

Photo Credit: Rich Barnes – USA TODAY Sports

At +225, the books still aren’t offering much value on the Ravens to win it all in early February. The Ravens opened with +2000 odds of winning Super Bowl LIV last February, with those rising all the way to +4000 by the end of the preseason. To all those who acted at the right time, congratulations. Sit back, and hold your ticket tight.

For those needing action entering the postseason, go ahead and back the Ravens on a multi-unit bet. Hedge it by backing a long shot out of the NFC such as the Minnesota Vikings (+1600) or Seattle Seahawks (+1200).

Alternatively, try predicting the exact Super Bowl LIV matchup. Baltimore Ravens v Green Bay Packers (+800) will be getting some of my money.

Want action on this bet? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Should you bet on the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl LIV?

Previewing the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl LIV chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.

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For most of the 2019 season, it appeared the New England Patriots were locked into the No. 2 seed in the AFC as they rode their hot defense to another 12-win season. After a colossal collapse against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17, the Patriots will now have to play on Wild Card weekend against the red-hot Tennesee Titans.

Given their history, it’s hard to count out the Patriots as long as they are still in the playoffs. Below are the reasons you should or shouldn’t bet on the New England Patriots to win their seventh Super Bowl.

NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Friday at 11:45 a.m. ET.

Why You Should Bet On The Patriots to win Super Bowl LIV

(Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara – USA TODAY Sports)

Odds to Win Super Bowl LIV: +1200 

Get some action on the games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

The case for why you should bet on the Patriots to win the Super Bowl is simple; head coach Bill Belichick and QB Tom Brady. The two are nearly unstoppable in the playoffs and have proven time and time again they can flip the switch when it matters the most. They have shown they can go on the road and win, something many of the other AFC playoff contenders can’t say.

It also doesn’t hurt that the Patriots have the best defense in football, allowing just over 14 points per game this season. New England can create takeaways at will and give their offense short fields with which to work. While it may not always look pretty, it’s awfully tough to not bet on the Patriots to come out of the AFC this season. And with their current odds, they actually present some excellent value, as well. Their +1200 odds to win Super Bowl LIV seem almost too good to be true.

Why You Shouldn’t Bet On The Patriots to win Super Bowl LIV

(Photo Credit: David Butler II – USA TODAY Sports)

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Patriots to win Super Bowl LIV would return a profit of $120 should the Patriots win the Super Bowl.

Despite six Super Bowl wins over the last 20 seasons, the Patriots have never made it to the Super Bowl, let alone win one when they were forced to play on Wild Card weekend. It’s just too difficult to make it through the AFC gauntlet when you have to play two or three games on the road in order to make the Super Bowl.

On top of that, the 2019 Patriots don’t resemble anything we are accustomed to seeing. The Patriots have scored more than 24 points just once in their last 10 games, and their offense can be shut down relatively easily. It’s also concerning how Brady appears to be in the worst slump of his career as he has a passer rating of only 80.8 over the last eight games of the season.

While it’s hard to count out Belichick and Brady, this does appear to be one of their weaker teams in recent memory. But don’t be surprised if New England finds a way to come out of the AFC for the fourth-straight season.

Want action on this bet? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Should you bet on the Houston Texans to win Super Bowl LIV?

Previewing the Houston Texans’ Super Bowl LIV chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets.

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Should you bet anyone to win the Super Bowl? That’s a personal question I suppose. Some would say no. I’d definitely argue yes. In the spirit of trying to break the BetMGM book, let’s take a look at the Houston Texans’ case to win Super Bowl LIV.

NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Thursday at 9:40 p.m. ET.

Houston Texans playoff futures

Get some action on the games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

AFC Champion: +1800

If you’re anything like me, then seeing a quadruple-digit betting line for a relatively healthy, division-winning team with a franchise quarterback is very exciting. The Texans have been well-coached and structured enough to have a winning record in five of the six seasons Bill O’Brien has been their head coach.

Also, the Texans have won the AFC South and made the playoffs in four of six seasons under O’Brien, but this time, they have a legitimate franchise quarterback in Deshaun Watson to help them advance in the postseason. Also, the 21-7 drubbing to the Indianapolis Colts last year in the playoffs gave Watson much needed postseason experience.

(Photo credit: Christopher Hanewinckel – USA TODAY Sports)

The 2019 Texans are the most balanced offense in their team’s history, statistically and personnel-wise. Thousands of words have been written about the explosiveness of the passing game featuring Watson, and WRs DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, but little has been said about an elite run game.

That’s right, I said elite. What else do you call the ninth-ranked team in total rushing yards (2,009), eighth in yards per carry (4.6) and with 17 rushing touchdowns with a multi-faceted run game? Carlos Hyde was a great offseason pickup—245 carries for 1,070 yards and six touchdowns—but Duke Johnson provides a dual-threat spell back and Watson added 413 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.

Taking the TEXANS +1800 to come out of the AFC is a tremendous value, and gives you a plethora of hedge options (betting the other side against the Texans to minimize financial exposure and/or ensure a profit) should they advance to the AFC title game.

Super Bowl: +3300

New to sports betting? A $100 wager on the Texans to win Super Bowl LIV would return a profit of $3,300 should the Texans win the Super Bowl.

Talk about value, betting TEXANS +3300 to win Super Bowl LIV is a juicy play. Playoff competition isn’t new to the Texans and they’ve already beaten three AFC playoff teams in the regular season: the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6 (31-24), the New England Patriots in Week 13 (28-22) and the Tennessee Titans in Week 15 (24-21).

(Photo credit: Troy Taormina – USA TODAY Sports)

Also, their emotional leader, and best defensive player, DE J.J. Watt is coming back for the postseason. The defense took a noticeable dip with Watt out of the lineup since Week 8 due to a pectoral injury. Sans Watt, the Texans gave up more yards per game, yards per play, points per game and were minus-31 in point differential compared to a plus-24 point differential with Watt playing.

All the teams in the playoffs have a worthy argument of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, but only the Texans are getting a first-ballot Hall of Fame player back for the postseason.

Want action on this bet? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Should you bet on the Eagles to win Super Bowl LIV?

Previewing the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIV NFL chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets

The NFL playoffs begin this weekend and, as NFC East champions, the Philadelphia Eagles will host the final of the four wild-card games on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles finished the season 9-7, beating the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16 then closing out the division crown with a 34-17 road win against the Giants in Week 17.

In all, the Eagles had to win four in a row to do it. And they needed every win.

Now Philadelphia readies for its playoff run with one looming question: Can the Eagles win four more games and take home its second Super Bowl title in the last three seasons?

The question for you is whether you should bet on the Eagles to actually sweep through the playoffs and win Super Bowl LIV.

NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Wednesday at 6:30 pm. ET.

Get some action on the games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

The odds certainly wouldn’t point to the Eagles even making the playoffs, as they sit at +1200 to win the NFC, tied with Seattle for the second-longest odds in the NFC. Only Minnesota (+1600) has longer odds.

Philly is tied for the third-longest odds to win the Super Bowl at +3300. So while their odds of pulling it all off seem unlikely, the Eagles offer one of the biggest potential paydays in the playoffs.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Eagles to win the Super Bowl would return a profit of $330 should Philadelphia win the game.

Yes, it is a big payday. The question is whether it is worth betting on the Eagles.

Eagles to win the Super Bowl: Worth the risk?

Carson Wentz and the Eagles conquered the Dallas Cowboys in December. Can they conquer the rest of the NFL in January and February? (Photo Credit: Matthew Emmons – USA TODAY Sports)

They did win their final four games to get into the playoffs, so they are hot. However, those four games were all against the NFC East. They did not beat a winning team in the final eight games of the season.

They were 5-3 at home and 4-4 on the road. They likely will only have one playoff game at home — and that’s against the Seahawks, who have a better record than the Eagles (11-5) and were literally one yard away from winning the NFC West.

The Eagles’ receiving corps is underwhelming and Philadelphia struggles in the secondary. And last week, the club saw one of its best linemen, guard Brandon Brooks, go down for the remainder of the season. Running back Miles Sanders, a revelation in the second half of the season, also went down against the Giants and his availability is in question. And then there are injuries to All-Pro tight end Zach Ertz and All-Pro tackle Lane Johnson, both of whom are also uncertain for Sunday.

And if the Eagles do get past the Seahawks, they will likely be sitting in the divisional round with a trio of 11-3 teams … and that’s before we start talking potential Super Bowl opponent.

The potential payout is huge, but unless it is a casual, small bet, the Eagles aren’t worth wagering much.

Want action on this bet? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Should you bet on the 49ers to win Super Bowl LIV?

Previewing the 49ers’ Super Bowl LIV NFL chances, with NFL betting odds, picks, futures and best bets

The San Francisco 49ers steamrolled their way to an 8-0 record to open the season, allowing more than 20 points just once in that span. Then came an overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 10 and a 3-3 run over the next six games as the San Francisco defense came back down to earth.

Nevertheless, the 49ers finished the season 5-3, earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, and still look like one of the best teams in the NFL. The oddsmakers see it that way, too. As of Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET, BetMGM lists the 49ers at +400 to win Super Bowl LIV, the second-best odds only to the Ravens (+225).

NFL futures odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Wednesday at 3:30 pm. ET.

Get some action on the games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets.

The upside of betting on the 49ers isn’t nearly as high as picking a team like the Texans (+3300), but the risk is also much lower, given the fact that San Francisco has a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the NFC.

So should you lay down a wager on the 49ers to win it all? Absolutely. In fact, they’re one of the best bets in the playoffs for a couple of reasons.

Sizing up the NFC field

Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers spent much of the regular season perched atop the NFC. (Photo credit: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports)

First is San Francisco’s seeding and the NFC side of the playoff bracket. The 49ers haven’t had a week off since Week 4 — in late September. Earning a first-round bye with their riveting win over the Seahawks in Week 17 will do the 49ers a world good as banged-up veterans such as Emmanuel Sanders get extra time to recover and get healthy, while their first opponent won’t have that benefit.

And speaking of their first opponent in the playoffs, it won’t be the Saints or the Packers — the next-best teams in the conference. Green Bay is the No. 2 seed and also has a bye. New Orleans is the No. 3 seed and would automatically visit the Packers in the divisional round should it beat Minnesota this weekend. That leaves the 49ers to face the Seahawks, Eagles or Vikings.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the 49ers to win the Super Bowl would return a profit of $40 should the 49ers win the game.

The Eagles are a nice story of perseverance and overcoming injuries, but they’re too banged up to make a deep run in the playoffs with Carson Wentz being their only consistent source of offense. Seattle isn’t as good as its record — the Seahawks have only one win by more than one possession but three losses by at least two touchdowns.

The Vikings are an interesting team, but Kirk Cousins can’t be trusted on the big stage. Plus a deeper look at Minnesota’s schedule shows the Vikings beat only one opponent that finished with a winning record. In other words, they beat up on lesser teams and lost to their tougher foes.

On top of the playoff bracket, the 49ers are one of the most consistent and proven teams in the postseason. They lost in overtime to the Seahawks before beating them in Week 17, lost by three points on the road to the Ravens and were upset by the Falcons at the last second in Week 15 with a decimated secondary.

 

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is a big reason why the 49ers are looking down at the rest of the NFC playoff field. (Photo credit: Stan Szeto – USA TODAY Sports)

When healthy, the 49ers have a terrifying defense that’s outstanding at all three levels — from the pass rush with Nick Bosa to the linebackers with Fred Warner to the secondary with Richard Sherman.

On offense, their relentless ground game with the three-headed running-back monster of Raheem Mostert, Matt Breida and Tevin Coleman helps balance the offense with Jimmy Garoppolo behind center. As long as Garoppolo doesn’t fold under pressure, the 49ers will be in good shape.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has the smarts to outduel even the best defensive masterminds — including Pete Carroll and Mike Zimmer. He has a golden opportunity to lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl, where a rematch with the Ravens could ensue.

Talent and coaching win in the playoffs, and the 49ers have both. Feel good about putting money on the 49ers to win it all in February.

Want action on this bet? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NFL futures betting: Super Bowl LIV Champion odds, picks and best bets

Previewing the Super Bowl LIV champions futures odds with 1 week left in the regular season, with NFL futures, betting odds, picks and bets.

The NFL playoffs are nearly here as most of the playoff seeding is set heading into Week 17. What we know for sure is that the Baltimore Ravens are the No. 1 seed in the AFC and all seeding spots are still up for grabs in the NFC.

To get you prepared for the playoffs, here are the five best Super Bowl bets you should be making ahead of Week 17.

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1. New Orleans Saints (+500)

Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel – USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens (+225) are currently the overwhelming favorite to win the Super Bowl this season, but those odds might be off. The Saints could finish anywhere from the NFC’s No. 1 seed to No. 3. They have an incredibly deep roster on both sides of the ball, and they have a head coach and a quarterback who have been in several big games together.

The Saints have looked incredible this season, with their only losses coming against the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and Atlanta Falcons. They look to be a team that is just starting to hit their stride and can win games in a variety of ways.

2. New England Patriots (+550)

Photo Credit: Winslow Townson – USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots are +550 underdogs to win the Super Bowl despite likely being the No. 2 seed in the AFC. Considering the history and the quality of their defense, those odds seem awfully low.

For the Patriots to win the Super Bowl, they will need to win a home playoff game and then will likely travel to Baltimore. But there is also the chance the Ravens could slip up against the Texans or Bills, giving the Patriots another home game. It’s just hard to envision the Patriots not playing in the AFC Championship Game, and if they make it to the Super Bowl, they will likely be favored once again due to their experience. At +550, there is finally value in betting on the Pats.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (+750)

Photo Credit: David Banks – USA TODAY Sports

More than likely, the Chiefs will be the No. 3 seed in the AFC, and that means they will face one of the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, or Oakland Raiders in the first round of the playoffs. Despite losing to Tennessee on the road this season, the Chiefs will open as big favorites against any of those three teams in the first round.

From that point on, the road will get much tougher for Kansas City. The saving grace for the Chiefs is they may still have the best offense in the NFL. Given the talent level of QB Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the offense, don’t be shocked if the Chiefs get hot on offense and make a run through the AFC to the Super Bowl. At +750, they are a strong bet to make before the playoffs begin.

4. Seattle Seahawks (+1200)

Photo Credit: Jim Dedmon – USA TODAY Sports

Despite an ugly Week 16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the Seahawks still have a chance to clinch the No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the NFC. While the No. 2 seed is so much more valuable, Seattle is a team that has proven it can go on the road and win games in the playoffs. They have one of the best head coach-quarterback pairings in the entire league, and the Seahawks’ experience in big games makes them incredibly difficult team to beat. At +1200, Seattle is a nice longshot bet to win the Super Bowl.

5. Green Bay Packers (+1400)

Photo Credit: Brad Rempel – USA TODAY Sports

With their win over the Vikings in Week 16, the Packers’ odds of having a first-round bye have moved all the way up to a 78% chance, according to the New York Times. As long as they take care of business in Week 17, the Packers will get a bye and will likely be the No. 2 seed in the AFC.

With a future Hall of Fame quarterback and a potential home playoff game in Round 2, the Packers are a great longshot bet to make a run in the playoffs. Can Aaron Rodgers get hot for three-straight games and lead the Packers to a Super Bowl win? He certainly can, and given the odds, this is a bet you should be making right now.

To get some action on the Super Bowl LIV Futures odds or other games, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Marcus_Mosher and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NFL futures betting: NFC Champion odds, picks and best bets

Previewing the NFL NFC champion futures odds with 1 week left in the regular season, with NFL futures, betting odds, picks and best bets

Battle-tested will be an appropriate adjective for whichever team makes it out of what should be a grueling NFC playoffs. We know five of the six NFC playoff teams but who gets a bye, home-field advantage and the winner of the NFC East are all still up for grabs heading into Week 17. Here are my top three bets to win the NFC Championship.

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1. San Francisco 49ers (+250) 

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (Photo credit: Cary Edmondson – USA TODAY Sports)

Currently the second favorite to come out of the NFC, the 49ers head into their Week 17 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks needing a win to clinch a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the NFC playoffs.

When healthy the 49ers defense could be the best unit in all of football. The 49ers completely overwhelmed the Green Bay Packers in their 37-8 beatdown in Week 12, holding the Packers to just 198 total yards. They kept future MVP, QB Lamar Jackson, and the world-beating Baltimore Ravens in check during their slugfest 20-17 loss to the Ravens in Week 13.  The value isn’t great at +250 and there are injury concerns in the aforementioned defense but the 49ers should be ready to roll come playoff time given they’ve played a number of high-intensity games recently, including a three-week stretch against Green Bay, Baltimore, and New Orleans. The latter two games were on the road, too.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (+1400) 

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (Photo credit: Matthew Emmons – USA TODAY Sports)

Obviously, the long odds of +1400 are the selling point here but if the Eagles can win the NFC East title by beating the New York Giants in Week 17 then every NFL bettor should entertain the Eagles’ chances to win the NFC. The Eagles are elite along the offensive line, defensive line and at quarterback. On their run to winning Super Bowl LII, the Eagles coaching staff ran trick plays, played its home-field advantage perfectly and ultimately coached up then backup quarterback, Nick Foles, to a Super Bowl-MVP performance.

Also, all we need is for the Eagles to make the NFC Conference Championship to earn money on this wager. If the Eagles make it to the NFC title game, you can hedge your Eagles to win the NFC futures ticket by betting the other side. So if you placed a $100 wager, which earns a profit of $1,400, betting whoever the Eagles are playing in that game—even if it’s at a juiced-up moneyline—will guarantee a profit.

3. New Orleans Saints (+185) 

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (Photo credit: Chuck Cook – USA TODAY Sports)

Again we aren’t in love with the Saints value here at +185, but they are the most complete team heading into the playoffs. Quarterback Drew Brees, ranks first in completion percentage (75.3%), second in QB Rating (115.7), third in QBR (73.7) and third in touchdown percentage (6.9%). His number one target—WR Michael Thomas—is now the record holder of most catches in a season and is a legitimate MVP contender. Everyone expects their offense to be elite, but a sneaky tough defense could make the 2019 Saints special. They rank No. 3 in sacks (49), fifth in rushing yards allowed per game and 14th in total yards heading into Week 17.

Currently the 3-seed, the Saints can still clinch a first-round bye if they win plus the 49ers or Packers lose. Playing in New Orleans gives the Saints a home-field advantage few teams have as Mercedes-Benz Superdome is a scary place for any opposing team. Getting the bye and at least two home games will be crucial for a Saints team that has a 74-38 record at home since Sean Payton took over as head coach in 2006.

To get some action on the NFC Futures odds or other games, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NFL futures betting: AFC Champion odds, picks and best bets

Previewing the NFL AFC champion futures odds with 1 week left in the regular season, with NFL futures, betting odds, picks and best bets

Though there remains some jockeying to be done in terms of seeding, the teams that make up the top five spots in the AFC playoffs are locked in. The Baltimore Ravens are also locked into the conference’s top seed (and thus hold home-field advantage to the Super Bowl), and New England will likely finish with the No. 2 seed.

Today, we take a look at how to bet on the AFC in terms of who will emerge as the conference champion, and which teams present the most value for winning the conference. Here are the top five teams in AFC championship odds heading into the final week of the season.

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1. Baltimore Ravens (-112)

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. (Photo credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports)

As you would expect, the Ravens are the favorites to win the AFC this season. Every game they will play up to the Super Bowl will be at home — which is only two games thanks to their first-round bye. They have the likely NFL MVP at quarterback in Lamar Jackson and a veteran team that is loaded with talent.

However, there just isn’t a ton of value in betting the Ravens here unless you are combing them in another parlay. At -112, the Ravens are a bet to avoid despite how much you make like them to advance to the Super Bowl.

2. New England Patriots (+250)

Patriots coach Bill Belichick. (Photo credit: Raj Mehta – USA TODAY Sports)

This number, +250, is larger than what we’re used to seeing the Patriots at to win the AFC with one week to go in the regular season. They will have a home playoff game in the divisional round, and that game will likely be against the Chiefs. A bye week would certainly help the Pats given their age, and if they get that then it’s tough to bet against them. The value here may be too good to pass up.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (+375)

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. (Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing – USA TODAY Sports)

Having to win three straight games — with at least one and likely two on the road — isn’t a recipe for success when it comes to getting to the Super Bowl. However, few — if any — teams have ever had a player like Patrick Mahomes on their roster.

The Chiefs have shown they belong with the AFC’s best, having beaten the Ravens and Patriots this season, making them are fascinating pick at +375. But for them to get to the Super Bowl, they will likely need to beat both the Nos. 1 & 2 seeds on the road. It’s certainly not impossible, but the odds just aren’t quite good enough to bet on them. You are better off betting the Kansas City moneyline each week rather than picking them now to win the conference.

4. Houston Texans (+1600)

Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (10) and QB Deshaun Watson (4). (Photo credit: Christopher Hanewinckel – USA TODAY Sports)

The team with the fourth-best odds to win the conference is the Houston Texans. While they have been mighty inconsistent this season, they also have the talent to compete with just about any team. And when you compare their talent vs. the Chiefs to their odds relative to the Chiefs, there is a lot more value in betting the Texans to come out of the AFC. Consider betting on Houston as a potential longshot.

5. Buffalo Bills (+2500)

Bills RB Devin Singletary. (Photo credit: Mark Konezny – USA TODAY Sports)

You can make a strong case that the Bills are the third-best team in the conference despite being the No. 5 seed in the AFC. They have one of the best defenses in all of football, and their offense seems to be improving by the week. Unfortunately, their road to the Super Bowl will be incredibly difficult as they would need to win three straight games in three straight weeks and, barring a miracle, all three games will be on the road. And if the seedings hold, their opponent will have the better quarterback each time, too. The Bills are certainly a great story and a fun team, but don’t count on them making much noise in the playoffs.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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