2013 NFL Futures In Full
Just days after Baltimore hoisted the Lombardi Trophy aloft, BettingSports.com is already looking forward to the 2013 NFL season.
After what proved to be one of the more exciting seasons in recent memory, we’re hoping for more of the same come September.
Of course, bettors can get an early jumpstart on proceedings with the NFL futures list. Odds makers issued a list of odds on Monday of this week, and in some cases these numbers have already taken a tumble.
Read on for our quick overview of how the NFL futures currently stand.
San Francisco 49ers 7/1
Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers are joint favorites to win Super Bowl XLVII.
After coming up one pass interference call short of winning Super Bowl XLVII, the 49ers have been installed as joint favorites to win next year’s big game. There’s little to do in the Bay Area with regards to bolstering the team, but expect one or two moves to improve the talent pool.
Denver Broncos 7/1
San Francisco is joined by Denver at the top of the pile. The Broncos’ season far exceeded what most expected of the side, but for Peyton Manning and Co., falling in the conference final wasn’t good enough.
New England Patriots 15/2
Perennial favorites, New England will be licking its wounds after falling to Baltimore in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs. Criticism is already being thrown at Rob Gronkowski’s offseason antics, but expect Bill Belichick to reel him back in, whilst make improvements to the team, as he does every year.
Green Bay Packers 10/1
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers might not have had as strong a regular season as they would have liked, but Green Bay proved a threat down the stretch. Donald Driver’s retirement may have made the headlines this week, but expect the Pack to come out strong next year.
Seattle Seahawks 12/1
The Seahawks were a complete surprise this past season, much of that thanks to Rookie of the Year quarterback Russell Wilson. The challenge now will be to repeat this season’s success. That’s one challenge that will be hard to win.
Baltimore Ravens 14/1
On Monday, the Ravens were considered 12/1 to win Super Bowl XLVIII. Just three days later those odds have slipped further. After a patchy season, Baltimore has the opportunity to be a better team next year, but will “Destiny†be on the Ravens’ side. Bookmakers think not.
Houston Texans 14/1
After an incredible start to the season, Houston came undone towards the end of the year. Despite that, the Texans are still one of the most balanced sides in football, and an extra year of experience could make all the difference.
Atlanta Falcons 16/1
18/1 to win Super Bowl XLVIII on Monday, the Falcons have seen their odds shorten already. The team came so close to making the Super Bowl, dumping that big old playoff monkey of its back in the process. With New Orleans back to full strength, the question is: can the Falcons hang onto the NFC South?
New Orleans Saints 16/1
Like Atlanta, New Orleans opened this week with 18/1 odds, odds which have shortened to 16/1. News surfaced this week that former Dallas defensive coordinator Rob Ryan looks certain to take on that role in the Big Easy. That’s a smart move from this point. With Sean Payton back at the helm (long-term), expect the Saints to threaten again.
Pittsburgh Steelers 18/1
A disappointing (and injury-plagued) season ended with the Steelers missing the playoffs. Expect Mike Tomlin, Ben Roethlisberger and Co. to make a fight of the AFC North again next season. Rashard Mendenhall and Mile Wallace will both be free agents this summer, so there may be some tinkering to be done beforehand.
Chicago Bears 20/1
Everything was going so well until Jay Cutler’s concussion. Just another example how the NFL futures can be blown wide open with just one (not so little) injury. The Bears will look to regroup under new head coach Marc Trestman, but will likely find the NFC North tough again next year.
New York Giants 20/1
Eli Manning and the New York Giants find themselves outside of the NFL futures' top 10 after a disappointing season.
After upsetting the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, most expected the Giants to challenge again this season. Not only did the Giants fail to challenge, they missed the postseason altogether. News surfaced this week that Ahmad Bradshaw and Chris Canty have been cut, as New York looks to retool after a very disappointing season.
Dallas Cowboys 25/1
Speaking of disappointing. Another year, another Dallas collapse. America’s Team struggled through the early part of the regular season before coming on strong towards the end. Of course, this being the Cowboys, the team lost an elimination Week 17 game, and failed to make the postseason. Jason Garrett will be looking over his shoulder again next season, well aware of the fact that it’s been 17 years since the Cowboys won the Super Bowl.
Washington Redskins 30/1
Like Seattle, the Redskins proved to be a surprise package behind rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III. The decision to play the dual threat quarterback against Seattle in the wild-card round will be second-guessed all offseason, but things certainly look brighter in D.C.
Indianapolis Colts 33/1
Add Indianapolis and Andrew Luck to that list of surprise teams. Nobody expected 11 wins from the Colts this year. Of course, replicating that record next season will be tough.
Cincinnati Bengals 35/1
Two consecutive playoff appearances for the Bengals was almost unheard of (this was only the second time such had occurred) but Marvin Lewis’ side will expect more than that. The Bengals’ consistency will make the side a threat again next season.
San Diego Chargers 35/1
A disastrous season was made worse for some when the Chargers committed to at least one more year in San Diego. All kidding aside, there was little of merit about the Chargers last season, but the team’s talent levels mean it remains in the mix as far as the bookies are concerned. New head coach Mike McCoy will look to turn the team into a contender.
Detroit Lions 40/1
Odds of Detroit winning Super Bowl XLVII have already lengthened, after opening at 35/1 on Monday. Despite Calvin Johnson having a record-breaking year and Matt Stafford posting some gaudy numbers, the Lions struggled. Nobody expects next year to go as badly, but then nobody expected this year to either.
Minnesota Vikings 40/1
The Vikings have also seen their odds drop from 35/1 earlier this week. Another of the league’s surprise stories, the Vikings overachieved, making the postseason behind league MVP Adrian Peterson. A repeat next season might be equally as surprising.
New York Jets 40/1
The Jets’ Tim Tebow experiment is surely over, which is a good thing for all parties involved. Now the side will look to repair the damage caused by a season that had to be seen to be believed. The Jets round out the NFL futures’ top 20; a position the team will expect to exceed.
Philadelphia Eagles 40/1
Philadelphia imploded big time as nothing seemed to work. The front office and fans will hope that Oregon offensive guru Chip Kelly can transform the team into the contender it was supposed to be last season. With the quarterback position uncertain, this looks more like a rebuilding year for the Eagles, who have seen odds fall from 35/1 at the beginning of the week.
Carolina Panthers 50/1
After Cam Newton wowed in his rookie season, the Panthers tightened the reins and the team suffered. Five wins in the last six games saw the team looking better, and suggests that things may be on the up again.
Kansas City Chiefs 50/1
Bookmakers expect an improvement in Kansas City with Andy Reid at the helm.
After finished dead last in the NFL (that’s worth a No. 1 pick!), the Chiefs hired Andy Reid who will be tasked with turning the team around. The fact that Kansas City is joint 22nd on the NFL futures list suggests bookmakers expect him to do just that.
Miami Dolphins 50/1
For half the season, the Dolphins looked good. Rookie quarterback (another one!) Ryan Tannehill looked good at stages, and certainly the best quarterback Miami has seen in a while, but he might not be the player to build the team around. 2013 looks like another rebuilding year.
St. Louis Rams 50/1
At 50/1, the Rams might be one of next season’s dark horses. The side impressed at times throughout the season, including four wins in the last six games. Jeff Fisher has this side heading in the right direction. Advancing through the NFC West will be a tough task though.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 60/1
At 6-4, the Buccaneers looked like they were playoff bound. Five straight losses suggested there’s still a lot of work to be done here. Don’t be surprised if Greg Schiano starts by looking at the quarterback position. Tampa Bay has already seen its odds drop from 50/1 on Monday.
Arizona Cardinals 66/1
Those that can remember that far back will recall the Cardinals began the season 4-0. The one win from 12 that followed relegated the side to the bottom of the NFC West. Nobody was surprised when head coach Ken Whisenhunt was relieved of his duties last month. Now it’s down to Bruce Arians to try and turn this thing around.
Cleveland Browns 66/1
Despite only winning five games, Cleveland was a tough team to beat this season, with five losses coming by less than a touchdown. None of those came in the last three games of the year, when the ghost had been given up. However, the Browns appear to be pointed in the right direction at least.
Tennessee Titans 75/1
Another subpar year for the Titans saw the team open on Monday with 66/1 odds to win Super Bowl XLVII. Those odds have already lengthened. With neither Jake Locker (4-6) or Matt Hassellbeck (2-4) faring well under center, expect this to be another team on the hunt for a quarterback to turn things around.
Buffalo Bills 100/1
The preseason hype and expectation that surrounded the Bills (and their new defensive outlook) was quashed by the midpoint of the season. Nobody expects anything of the side this coming season.
Oakland Raiders 100/1
After a terrible season, the first thing the Raiders need to see to is the quarterback position. Alex Smith would be a good fit, and he lives close by. Just saying.
Jacksonville Jaguars 150/1
Things couldn’t have gone worse for the Jaguars, and that includes not securing the No. 1 pick in April’s draft. Another rebuilding year for the Jacksonville side will include the first of four annual games at Wembley Stadium in London. How long until the side ups sticks for good?
