As NFL teams prepare for the final week of the regular season, it’s wise for bettors to begin looking into the odds for favorites to take the crown from Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
There are many familiar faces in the running to win it all this year, including the Packers, Buccaneers, Chiefs, and Patriots. And you’ll be able to bet on the Super Bowl at online sportsbooks in Illinois.
But newcomers like the Bengals, Chargers, and Cardinals will provide an excellent return on investment if they can reach the promised land.
Below are some of the more intriguing bets and storylines to check out heading into Week 18 of the NFL:
Super Bowl odds
Here are the odds for each team to raise the Lombardi Trophy.
Green Bay streaking at the right time
The Packers rattled off their fifth consecutive win in a dominant Week 17 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. They also hold the best odds to win the Super Bowl at +380.
The victory clinched the number one seed in the NFC for the Pack, guaranteeing home-field advantage through the playoffs. Hosting games in the frigid weather at Lambeau Field could be advantageous for Green Bay considering the top teams in the NFC all play in domes or warm-weather cities.
The tandem of Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams has been the driving force behind the team’s success. Rodgers is ninth in passing yards at 3,977 and Adams is third in receiving yards with 1,498.
Back-to-back for Brady and the Bucs?
Tampa Bay is +900 at DraftKings Illinois to win consecutive Super Bowls, giving them the fifth-best odds.
Tampa Bay has experienced a hectic end of the season, losing Chris Godwin and Leonard Fournette to injury.
Antonio Brown also lived out the dream for cube monkeys across America in Week 17 when he took off his jersey and pads before leaving the field mid-game after a disagreement with head coach Bruce Arians.
Despite the injuries and drama, you can never count out Brady come playoff time. His seven Super Bowl rings and 34-11 postseason record always provide value for Brady-led teams.
Possible value play?
Despite being the one seed in the AFC, Tennessee is +1,200 to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
While most teams who have clinched playoff spots in Week 18 will be resting key players, the Titans still have plenty to gain from a victory. A win over the Houston Texans will give star running back Derrick Henry extra time to rest up for a possible return in the postseason.
Henry was an unstoppable force before fracturing his foot in Week 8. He led the league in rushing when his injury occurred and still ranks sixth in rushing yards despite having missed the past eight games.
Tennessee is expected to activate Henry to the 53-man active roster with head coach Mike Vrabel hinting at an official decision coming this week.
If Tennessee can beat the lowly Texans in Week 18, it will give the Titans a first-round bye, providing extra room for Henry to make up for lost time ahead of the divisional round of the playoffs.
