Week 1 of the NFL season is set to kick off Thursday night. The New England Patriots will open the new campaign as the favorites on the Super Bowl 53 odds.
Patriots Top Super Bowl 53 Odds; Eagles, Rams On The Move
On the eve of kickoff, the Super Bowl 53 futures have New England planted on top as a +550 favorite. Those are slightly better odds than they were getting during the preseason when they were listed at +650.
Also on the rise heading into the new season are the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Carson Wentz starting the season on the sidelines for the Eagles hasn’t dissuaded bettors at all. Philadelphia has gone from +1000 a few weeks ago on the Super Bowl futures, to their current spot at +850. Philadelphia gets the season started Thursday night in a playoff rematch against the Atlanta Falcons. It will be interesting to see what happens to their odds if Nick Foles can’t match last year’s late-season magic.
Also occupying +850 odds are the Los Angeles Rams. With Aaron Donald finally signed and ready to terrorize opposing offenses again, the Rams look set to take a run at the Lombardi Trophy. The Rams and Eagles enter the season near the top of the NFC conference odds, as well.
Steelers, Vikings, Packers Next At Top of Super Bowl 53 Odds
Rounding out the top of the Super Bowl 53 odds are the Pittsburgh Steelers at +1000. The Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers are both at +1100.
The Le’Veon Bell situation hasn’t impacted the Steelers’ odds yet. They hold steady at the +1000 odds they held in the preseason. If Bell starts missing regular season games that could quickly change.
The Vikings and Packers are both favored to start the season on a winning note in Week 1, which should keep them safe on the Super Bowl futures. That will change in Week 2 when the two NFC North heavyweights face off in Green Bay.
Falcons, Bears are Making Moves on Super Bowl 53 Futures
A couple other teams making notable moves on the Super Bowl 53 futures heading into the season include the Falcons and the Chicago Bears.
Atlanta has jumped up to +1500 after holding steady at +2000 through much of the preseason. The Falcons were in the Super Bowl just two years ago, and would have won if they could hold a lead. Still led by former NFL MVP Matt Ryan, the Falcons could have a tougher time in the NFC South this season with a strong New Orleans Saints squad that is getting better Super Bowl odds than them at +1400. The underrated Carolina Panthers could also make some noise as a +4000 Super Bowl longshot.
The Chicago Bears made a splash last week by trading for, and then paying, Khalil Mack. The oddsmakers must see Mack as a game-changer for Chicago as they moved them from +8000 to +6600 in the Super Bowl futures following his acquisition. The Bears are still a huge underdog, especially playing in the NFC North with the Vikings and Packers. However, their days as a pushover could be behind them if quarterback Mitchell Trubisky truly arrives this season.