Best bets to win the Super Bowl
With the start of the NFL regular season right around the corner, our sports betting staff gives its best bets to win this year's Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles (14-1) - Alex Kolodziej
The Eagles at 14-1 pique my interest quite a bit, considering they're the most talented team in the NFC. Philadelphia won nine games last season while ranking No. 5 in man-games lost to injury and now has one of the easiest schedules in the league (.477 opponent win percentage in 2018).
Expect the Eagles to revert back to league average - or better - in 2019. There are very few flaws on the roster, and if quarterback Carson Wentz stays healthy, they will be the class of the NFC. There's some excellent value on Philly to win the NFC East at -112 and the Super Bowl price is even more attractive.
Minnesota Vikings (20-1) - Alex Moretto
OK, 2018 was a bit of a trainwreck for the Vikings, but this remains one of the NFL's most talented rosters. Mike Zimmer's defense is always among the league's best, and there's no shortage of weapons for Kirk Cousins on offense. Cousins will spend a lot less time on his back behind a much-improved offensive line, and new offensive advisor Gary Kubiak will take the pressure off his quarterback by pounding the rock with a healthy Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, the rookie back the team can't stop raving about.
The Vikings fixed the line, added pieces on offense, and brought back Anthony Barr on defense, but their Super Bowl odds moved from 16-1 to 20-1. Don't overreact to a disappointing 2018. The Vikings have all the pieces to win a Super Bowl this season and you can get them at a bargain price.
Los Angeles Rams (12-1) - C Jackson Cowart
I love that Vikings pick, and they're probably the best value on the board. Among the favorites, though, have we all forgotten about the Rams? They opened as the 6-1 title favorite ahead of last year's Super Bowl berth but are now 12-1, tied with three other teams for the third-shortest odds.
These are the same Rams who finished with Pro Football Focus' top-ranked offense in 2018 - over the second-ranked Chiefs - and third in defense, seeming like the NFL's "next great team."
Don't buy into a Super Bowl hangover for the reigning NFC champs. While the names have changed on defense, the talent is still there for a title run. At 12-1, there's too much value to ignore.
Baltimore Ravens (40-1) - Thomas Casale
Going further down the oddsboard, the Ravens offer the best value of any team to win the Super Bowl this year at 40-1. That's pretty good for a club that will likely finish among the top five in both rushing offense and total defense.
Division rivals the Cleveland Browns are 9-1 to win the AFC and 18-1 to win the Super Bowl, and all that hype has created value with the Ravens in the futures market. Baltimore has one of the deepest, most talented rosters in the AFC, yet seven teams have shorter odds to win the conference than the Ravens, who are tied with the Oakland Raiders at 20-1.
When looking at Super Bowl futures, you want a team with a legitimate chance to qualify for the playoffs and the talent to make a run once it gets there. Because of its defense and physical style of play, Baltimore is one of the few teams that can compete with the New England Patriots in the AFC. If quarterback Lamar Jackson becomes even an average passer, the Ravens will be a top contender in the conference. Give me 40-1 with the Ravens all day.