Oddsmaker Bovada released odds for week 7 of the NFL season and the New England Patriots remain the favorite to win Super Bowl LII with 4/1 odds. The Patriots edge out the Pittsburgh Steelers (7/1) and Kansas City Chiefs (15/2) for the best odds in the league.
For those keeping track, that means that the top three Super Bowl favorites are all in the AFC.
This isn’t because the three best teams are in the AFC- although I’d certainly listen to that argument- but because the AFC is much more top-heavy than the NFC. The Denver Broncos have the next-best odds in the conference at 25/1, tied for 9th best in the NFL.
The NFC has the Eagles (8/1), Seahawks (14/1), Falcons (14/1), Packers (20/1), Vikings (20/1), Panthers (25/1), Cowboys (25/1), and Rams (25/1) all congested towards the top of the rankings and any of those teams could take down another on a given week. In other words, every game in the NFC playoffs is expected to be a hard-fought contest.
Oddsmakers expect just three teams to really have a shot in the AFC and it’s hard to argue with that sentiment.
The MVP race is now different with Aaron Rodgers likely out for the season and the new favorite is Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz with 7/4 odds. Wentz has been outstanding in his second season in the NFL, leading the Eagles to the best record in the NFC. Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith is second with 2/1 odds, while Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is third with 4/1 odds.
Personally, I think if any other quarterback was dealing with such a poor defense as the Patriots and led their team to a 4-2 record with league-best production despite losing their #1 receiver would be the MVP favorite, but because it’s Brady he doesn’t receive that benefit. He’s supposed to do what he’s been doing.
Bovada also released three prop bets for Sunday’s game between the Patriots and the Falcons:
Will the Patriots be trailing at any point in the 4th Quarter and come back to win Week 7?
Yes (3/2)
No (1/2)
Will the Patriots mount a comeback? Based off of how the Patriots played this year, it wouldn’t be out of the question.
Will the Patriots Falcons game go to OT Week 7?
Yes (9/1)
No (1/35)
I wouldn’t expect this game to go to overtime.
Will Matt Ryan record 300 or more Passing Yards vs the Patriots Week 7?
Yes (2/3)
No (11/10)
Every quarterback that has faced the Patriots in 2017 has thrown for 300+ yards. I don’t see why Matt Ryan and the high-flying Falcons offense would be any different.