Super Bowl Odds & Betting Guide

With legal sports betting officially up and running in Illinois, you can experience the thrill of the “big game” like never before. The Super Bowl, the annual championship of the National Football League, is the most anticipated event every year by football fans and sports bettors.

The Super Bowl will be a top event at sports betting sites in Illinois. Expect sportsbook operators to offer exciting promotions and bet types. Our live odds feed brings you the latest numbers on the big game and the futures market. Read on as we cover all you need to know about Super Bowl betting in Illinois.

Best betting sites with Super Bowl promos

Super Bowl 56 Futures odds

See below for the latest Super Bowl 56 futures odds from legal online sportsbooks. These are real-time odds directly from each sportsbook. To jump on a set of odds you like, click on the odds and go directly to the online sportsbook. There you can claim your free bonus, register a new account and bet on Super Bowl 56 right now!

Most popular ways to bet on the Super Bowl

There’s a whole host of betting options to consider for the big game. Let’s begin with the basics. Once the Super Bowl matchup is official, you’ll see a game line that looks like this:

• Tennessee Titans  -2.5 (-110)       -140     O 49.5 (-110)
• Chicago Bears      +2.5 (-110)      +120     U 49.5 (-110)

Next to the team names are three sets of numbers, representing the odds for the main three bet types.

• Point Spread: Oddsmakers install a spread on the game. You can choose the favorite minus the points or take the underdog plus the number. In our example, the Titans are 2.5-point favorites over the Bears.
• Moneyline: This is a simple bet in which you pick the winner. The favorite has negative odds, while the underdog side will have a positive number. For our fictitious matchup, the Titans are also slightly favored.
• Totals: This bet has to do with the total combined points scored in the game. Sportsbooks set the bar with an estimated number, which, in this case, it’s 49.5. Bettors can choose to bet whether the actual total will be over or under that number.

Each of these three bet types will see a lot of betting action for the Super Bowl, but the list of choices doesn’t end there.

Prop betting

Also known as propositional wagers, these are side bets on the game. Sportsbooks will offer up hundreds of them for the Super Bowl. Many of these Super Bowl prop bets revolve around player performances and game instances, for example:

• Which player will score the first TD in the game?
• Which side will have more rushing yards in the game — Titans or Bears?
• Will overtime be needed to decide the game — yes/no?

Live betting

Thanks to live betting, you can wager along in real-time as the game plays out. This is a fast-moving market in which odds and offerings will vary depending on what’s happening. Sportsbook apps make it a snap to stay on top of latest events. Live bets may be:

• What will be the outcome of the Bears’ next drive — TD/FG/TO/punt/downs?
• How many rushing yards will Derrick Henry have before halftime — over/under 49.5?
• Which player will throw an INT first — Nick Foles or Ryan Tannehill?

Same-game parlay

Parlays are wagers in which you place multiple outcomes on the same slip in hopes of a big score. You can tie together a few different bet types for the Super Bowl at most sportsbooks, such as:

•  Player to score the first TD + winning side + over/under on game total.
•  Player passing yards + point spread bet + player to win MVP.

In short, you won’t be lacking for options when it comes to betting on the Super Bowl. You can also make your call on which team will win the game at virtually any time via the futures market. Let’s take a closer look at how that works.

Super Bowl futures betting explained

There will be plenty of time to celebrate once the Super Bowl is over, but it’s also time to consider who will win it all next year. The futures market never sleeps. Oddsmakers will release the odds for the next winner soon after the current Super Bowl is in the books.

The odds board will have lines for each of the NFL’s 32 teams. There will be some clear-cut favorites up top, long shots way down at the bottom, and everyone else in the middle. For bettors, the goal is to find the teams they are interested in betting on at the best possible price.

As time moves along, fortunes for each team will rise and fall. The same thing happens in the futures market. Teams who see lots of betting action could see their odds shorten, while the less popular clubs may become even longer shots.

Here’s what the odds for five top favorites could look like before the season gets underway:

• Kansas City Chiefs +500
• Baltimore Ravens +600
• San Francisco 49ers +750
• New Orleans Saints +900
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1,000

Once the season gets underway, perspectives may change on the overall outlook for NFL teams. That could lead to the top of the Super Bowl futures market looking something like this:

• Kansas City Chiefs +650
• Baltimore Ravens +700
• Seattle Seahawks +850
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers +900
• Tennessee Titans +1,000

A futures wager requires a long-term view, as tickets can’t be cashed until the big game is over. The market is also a great way to get a read on an upcoming season, at least as far as the oddsmakers and betting public sees it playing out.

Why do Super Bowl odds change?

After Super Bowl betting odds are released to the public, the numbers won’t stand still until kickoff. Once bets start coming in, sportsbooks will watch which way the money is flowing. If a lot goes on one side, then the operator has a liability on its hands.

If the public money is right, then the book is on the hook for a big loss. Since sportsbooks are for-profit entities, they’d rather not have that happen. As a result, they may start shifting the numbers in a bid to even out the action.

The side that sees the majority of bets will be made less attractive, while the other side may become a more appealing opportunity. If the initial move doesn’t have the desired effect, sportsbooks will make additional adjustments as needed.

In a perfect world, operators are hoping for near-equal action on both sides. They’ll make a profit due to the built-in juice. When it’s time for you to place your Super Bowl bets, be sure to compare the current numbers to where they opened. This comparison can provide valuable clues on where the public money has been flowing. While there’s no guarantee that the public will be right or wrong, it’s still helpful to know the general public sentiment.

Bet on Super Bowl MVP

Another big highlight on the Super Bowl betting menu is picking which player will win the MVP award. There are two significant ways to bet on the award: You can pick the individual player or make your call on which position will win.

For context, starting quarterbacks on the two sides will be the big favorites. Through the 55 editions of the Super Bowl to date, a QB has won the MVP 31 times. Over the last 10 years, the award has gone to a quarterback seven times.

That’s a pretty impressive run for signal-callers overall, but other players have broken through. Running backs and wide receivers have won seven MVP awards apiece, and it has gone to a defensive or special teams player 11 times (co-MVP in 1978 for two members of the Dallas Cowboys).

While you could place your bet on a QB and call it a day, the reality is that there won’t be a whole lot of value on the odds for those players. If you can dig deeper and find a potential gem, it’s a different story. For some clues, since 2000, a quarterback has won it 13 times.

Over that span, the remaining awards have broken down like this: four to wide receivers and four to defensive players.

Online Super Bowl betting rules in Illinois

Betting on football is pretty standard across the sports betting industry. However, there could be a quirk or two that rears its head here and there. Here are the main points you need to know about NFL betting rules:

• Bets are considered live as soon as the game kicks off.
• Settlement will be based on the result through overtime.
• Player props are considered action as long as listed players suit up.
• Official NFL statistics are used for settlement purposes.
• In the unlikely event of a season cancellation, futures bets will be void.

That’s the most important stuff, but you should know that operators may have different rules on how specific events are handled. To avoid any confusion or unwelcome surprises, it’s always a good idea to review the NFL house rules and the sportsbook operator’s terms and conditions.

Find the safest betting sites in Illinois

It wasn’t too long ago that the only option for legal sports betting was in Las Vegas. These days, sports betting is legal and regulated in a growing list of states, including here in Illinois.

There are still unregulated options that would easily take your money, but it’s not worth the risk. Here’s why:

• Protections in Place: By law, legal sportsbooks are required to keep your funds safe and secure. Offshore books are not regulated and can often be fly-by-night operations.
• Legal is Best: Offshore operators profess to operating in a “legal, gray area;” however, with the availability of state-regulated books, there’s no need to take any chances.
• Better Product: Top sportsbooks invest heavily in states they operate in and have a complete picture of the market. That’s not the case with the illegal offshore sportsbooks.

The list of reasons not to play at a sportsbook that’s not reputable is a lengthy one, but you get the gist. What’s more, you can be registered at a legal sportsbook in minutes by clicking through on our exclusive links to gain access to some awesome deposit bonuses.

The sign-up process is quick. After you’ve entered some basic details about yourself, look for the spot to download the app for your device from the sportsbook website. Log in with your mobile device and you’ll have legal sportsbook access whenever you are in Illinois.

Chicago Bears Super Bowl history

As one of the charter members of the NFL, the Chicago Bears have a lengthy and rich history. Here’s a look at some of the key points on that resume:

• Super Bowl Wins: One, 1985, Bears over New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX
• Super Bowl Appearances: Two, last in 2006; lost to Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI
• Super Bowl MVPs: One, DE Richard Dent, Super Bowl XX
• Conference Championship Game Appearances: Five, last in 2010; lost to Green Bay Packers
• Division Titles: 19, last in 2018
• Playoff Appearances: 27, last in 2020
• NFL Championships Premerger: Eight, last in 1963

The team’s biggest highlight of the Super Bowl era came in its legendary 1985 campaign. After ripping through the regular season with a mark of 15-1, the team shut out the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams in the NFC playoffs to reach the big game.

The dominance didn’t stop there. The Bears destroyed the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX by a score of 46-10. Richard Dent snagged the game MVP award. The 1985 Bears are in the discussion of the best single-season team the NFL has ever seen.

The club made it to two other NFC title games in the 1980s, losing both times to the San Francisco 49ers. The Bears returned to the Super Bowl following the 2006 season, falling to the Indianapolis Colts by 29-17.

The last time that Chicago made it to the NFL’s final four was after the 2010 campaign. The team fell to the Green Bay Packers by 21-14. The Bears made it to the postseason once since then, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild card round in 2018.

Which NFL team has the most Super Bowl wins?

Of the NFL’s 32 teams, 20 have at least one Super Bowl victory under their belts, while 13 have made it happen multiple times. Here’s 20 teams along with their record in the big game and the total number of appearances:

Team	Appearances	Record
New England Patriots	11	6-5
Pittsburgh Steelers	8	6-2
Dallas Cowboys	8	5-3
San Francisco 49ers	7	5-2
Green Bay Packers	5	4-1
New York Giants	5	4-1
Denver Broncos	8	3-5
Washington Football Team	5	3-2
Las Vegas Raiders	5	3-2
Miami Dolphins	5	2-3
Indianapolis Colts	4	2-2
Kansas City Chiefs	3	2-1
Baltimore Ravens	2	2-0
Los Angeles Rams	4	1-3
Seattle Seahawks	3	1-2
Philadelphia Eagles	3	1-2
Chicago Bears	2	1-1
New York Jets	1	1-0
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1	1-0
New Orleans Saints	1	1-0

On the consecutive Super Bowl wins front, we’re still waiting for the first club to win three in a row. However, back-to-back Super Bowl wins have happened eight times:

• Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl I over Kansas City Chiefs, Super Bowl II over Oakland Raiders
• Miami Dolphins: Super Bowl VII over Washington Football Team, Super Bowl VIII over Minnesota Vikings
• Pittsburgh Steelers: Super Bowl IX over Minnesota Vikings, Super Bowl X over Dallas Cowboys
• Pittsburgh Steelers: Super Bowl XIII over Dallas Cowboys, Super Bowl XIV over Los Angeles Rams
• San Francisco 49ers: Super Bowl XXIII over Cincinnati Bengals, Super Bowl XXIV over Denver Broncos
• Dallas Cowboys: Super Bowl XXVII over Buffalo Bills, Super Bowl XXVIII over Buffalo Bills
• Denver Broncos: Super Bowl XXXII over Green Bay Packers, Super Bowl XXXIII over Atlanta Falcons
• New England Patriots: Super Bowl XXXVIII over Carolina Panthers, Super Bowl XXXIX over Philadelphia Eagles

Just three clubs have made it to the Super Bowl three years in a row or more:

• Buffalo Bills: 1990-93
• Miami Dolphins: 1971-73
• New England Patriots: 2016-18

Which NFL teams have never won the Super Bowl?

Twelve NFL franchises are still on the hunt for their first Super Bowl win. Here’s the list, along with each team’s record in the Super Bowl, where applicable:

1. Buffalo Bills: 0-4
2. Minnesota Vikings: 0-4
3. Cincinnati Bengals: 0-2
4. Carolina Panthers: 0-2
5. Atlanta Falcons: 0-2
6. Los Angeles Chargers: 0-1
7. Tennessee Titans: 0-1
8. Arizona Cardinals: 0-1
9. Cleveland Browns: NA
10. Detroit Lions: NA
11. Houston Texans: NA
12. Jacksonville Jaguars: NA

The Bills of the early 1990s were one of the best teams that never got over the hump. All the team’s Super Bowl losses came over the four-year stretch from 1990-93:

• Super Bowl XXV: Lost to New York Giants, 20-19
• Super Bowl XXVI: Lost to Washington Football Team, 37-24
• Super Bowl XXVII: Lost to Dallas Cowboys, 52-17
• Super Bowl XXVIII: Lost to Dallas Cowboys, 30-13

The Vikings are also in the conversation of best team to never win the Super Bowl, as all four of their defeats came over an eight-year stretch in the 1970s:

• Super Bowl IV: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs, 23-7
• Super Bowl VIII: Lost to Miami Dolphins, 24-7
• Super Bowl IX: Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers, 16-6
• Super Bowl XI: Lost to Oakland Raiders, 32-14

Top 5 Super Bowl moments of all time

The 2021 Super Bowl will be the 55th edition of the big game. There have been dozens of memorable moments through the years, and the absolute best ones are naturally open for debate. Here are our five picks for moments that deserve to be in the conversation:

1. Super Bowl III, Joe Namath Guarantee: The AFL’s New York Jets were big underdogs to the NFL’s Baltimore Colts heading into the game. QB Joe Namath saw things differently and predicted a Jets win. He proved to be quite prescient as the Jets walked off the field with a stunning 16-7 upset win.
2. Super Bowl XXIII, Joe Montana Game-Winning Drive: The San Francisco 49ers were trailing the Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 16-13 with a little over three minutes remaining. QB Joe Montana added to his legend by coolly marching the 49ers 92 yards down the field for a game-winning TD.
3. Super Bowl XXXII, John Elway Wills Broncos To Win: Broncos QB John Elway had a Super Bowl history to forget up to this point, with a trio of lopsided losses, but things broke differently here. Highlights included Elway helicoptering through the air after a stirring run as the Broncos upended the Packers.
4. Super Bowl XLII, Eli Manning To David Tyree: The Giants were on their last breath when QB Eli Manning somehow shed a slew of Patriots tacklers to heave the ball to David Tyree, who magically snagged the reception against his helmet. New York finished the drive with a game-winning TD.
5. Super Bowl LI, Patriots Storm Back For OT Win: The Falcons smothered the Patriots from the onset and raced out to a 28-3 lead. Then New England woke up. In a comeback that had to be seen to be believed, the Patriots stormed back for a 34-28 victory in OT.

5 Illinois NFL players who made it to the Super Bowl

The 2020 Super Bowl was a big one for Illinois. No, the Bears didn’t make it, but two players who suited up for the game came from here. Jimmy Garoppolo, the QB for the San Francisco 49ers, hails from Arlington Heights. Ben Niemann, a linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, was born in Iowa, but he played his high school ball at Sycamore High School.

Here are five more players from Illinois who have appeared in the Super Bowl:

1. DB John Lynch, Hinsdale: Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003. Lynch played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they defeated the Oakland Raiders by a score of 48-21.
2. DT Bryant Young, Chicago Heights: Super Bowl XXIX. Young played for the San Francisco 49ers as they defeated the San Diego Chargers by a score of 49-26.
3. DB Rodney Harrison, Markham: Two-time champion with the New England Patriots. XXXVIII in 2004 over Carolina Panthers, XXXIX over Philadelphia Eagles.
4. DE Simeon Rice, Chicago: Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003. Rice was also a member of the Buccaneers as they blew out the Raiders.
5. QB Donovan McNabb, Chicago: Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005. McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles came up short as they fell to the Patriots 24-21.

Tips for betting on the NFL Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is the biggest betting event of the year. Handicapping the game is similar to any other contest, and there’s no need to deviate due to the stakes being higher. That said, there are some Super Bowl betting tips to keep in mind:

1. Watch Out For Information Overload: The hype for the Super Bowl is endless, and nearly everyone has an opinion on how things will shake out. Do your best to tune out the noise. While you may think that digesting as much information as possible will lead to better decisions, it can have the opposite effect.
2. Have A Clear Budget And Plan: This will be the last pro football game for a while, but there’s no need to go overboard. Stick to a budget that you’re comfortable with and allocate it accordingly. For example, you can spread out the risk by wagering on the winner of the game and MVP while keeping some funds aside for props or live betting.
3. Listen To Your Instincts: If you’re seeing something that others aren’t and have some solid reasons to back up your choice, then don’t be shy about going against the grain. When in doubt, consider the answer to this question: Which side comes out ahead more often: the public consensus or the sportsbook oddsmakers?

Betting on the Super Bowl should be an enjoyable experience. There is never a good reason to bet outside of your comfort level or over your head. Stick to what works for you and enjoy the game.