Super Bowl Odds
By WT Staff
The NFL preseason is going into second gear this weekend, and the early signs are still pointing to a dominant year for the AFC.
New England is favored at +346 odds at Pinnacle to win the Super Bowl this season and cement their place as one of the great NFL dynasties of all time. The Patriots should have one of the league's best passing attacks with Tom Brady at the helm throwing to Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth, but the key to the Pats' season may be running back Laurence Maroney. The second-year player had an outstanding rookie season and will be counted on to keep defenses honest.
San Diego is next at +651 odds, and the Chargers may replace Indianapolis as the Patriots' biggest rivals after last season's fiery postseason game that ended in a New England victory, as if reigning MVP LaDainian Tomlinson needed any more motivation for the upcoming season. Philip Rivers, like Maroney, will need to play like he did in his first year as an NFL starter.
The champion Colts are rated at +881, and defense will be the big question mark casting a shadow over the RCA Dome with the loss of defensive tackle Anthony McFarlane. But with Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and company on the other side of the ball, the Colts can never be counted out of the race. Chicago comes in as the NFC's best hope at +1551. The Bears have Rex Grossman and Brian Griese at the most important position, but as they proved last season, with their unbelievable defense they only need an average quarterback to be successful.
Dallas is hot on their heels at +1897, and their great balance on both sides of the ball will likely keep them in the hunt all season. How the players take to new coach Wade Phillips will be the major storyline of this season for the Cowboys.
Pinnacle - Odds to win 2008 Super Bowl
New England +346
Indianapolis +881
San Diego +651
Chicago +1551
Baltimore +1965
New Orleans +2086
Cincinnati +2436
Denver +2523
Dallas +1897
Philadelphia +2058
Carolina +3807
Seattle +2360
Pittsburgh +3884
New York Giants +5000
San Francisco +5000
Arizona +5000
St. Louis +5000
Atlanta +5250
Washington +5350
New York Jets +5000
Miami +5350
Tennessee +5750
Jacksonville +3389
Kansas City +6350