With almost a third of the NFL season in the books, the NFC is an even bigger favorite to top the AFC in these updated Super Bowl LIII odds.
A few weeks ago on the “Who Will Win Super Bowl LIII” prop odds, the NFC was the favorite at -125, while the AFC was a -105 underdog. The latest odds now have the NFC pegged as a -170 favorite. Meanwhile, the AFC has sunk to a +130 underdog.
The rise of the Los Angeles Rams likely has something to do with that. The Rams have risen quickly up the Super Bowl LIII futures. They are currently the favorites at +295 after starting the season 5-0. The Rams offense has looked lethal behind Jared Goff and Todd Gurley. But they did get a scare this week after wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp both went down with concussions.
Chiefs, Patriots Follow Rams on Super Bowl LIII Odds
Curiously, when you consider the NFC’s odds improving, the Rams are followed by a pair of AFC teams on the Super Bowl futures. The Kansas City Chiefs sit at +600 and the New England Patriots are next at +650. The Chiefs are also undefeated so far. They have displayed an offense equally as impressive as the Rams behind new quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
As long as the Patriots have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, they’ll be in the Super Bowl conversation. Playing in the AFC East also helps.
What is surprising about the NFC’s improving odds is the recent faltering of three NFC Super Bowl contenders. Namely, the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons.
The Eagles, the defending Super Bowl champs, are off to a disappointing start at 2-3. All three losses have come as the favorite. The Philadelphia running game was dealt a blow this week after Jay Ajayi was lost for the season with a knee injury. The schedule for the Eagles doesn’t get any easier with three road games against the New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars and the Rams coming up.
The Vikings upset the Eagles last week, but their 2-2-1 start is not what anyone was expecting. Back-to-back games against the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets should help Minnesota get back on the winning track. But they also have tough matchups against New Orleans, Green Bay, New England and two games against the improved Chicago Bears.
The Falcons need to worry more about getting to .500 than the Super Bowl after dropping three straight. Atlanta has fallen to +6600 on the Super Bowl futures and may be seeing their contending window shut.
Saints, Bears on the Rise on Super Bowl LIII Odds
Making up for the fall of the Eagles, Vikings and Falcons in the NFC is the rise of the Saints and Bears.
New Orleans has bounced back quickly from their upset loss in Week 1 with four straight wins. Record-setter Drew Brees is leading the highest scoring offense in the league. We’ll really get to see how good New Orleans is later this month when they face Minnesota, the Rams, Cincinnati and Philadelphia in four straight weeks.
Chicago was on nobody’s Super Bowl contender list entering the season. However, acquiring Khalil Mack seems to have propelled them into the conversation. Chicago has moved up to +2000 on the Super Bowl futures ahead of Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Green Bay. Not bad for a team that was once listed at +10000.