As we draw ever nearer to the beginning of another NFL season, betting sites have begun listing the favorites for the Lombardi trophy. Here, we will look at the three favorites for the crown and break down what could lead to them winning the big game while also looking at things that could lead to them falling short. There are reasons these three teams have the best odds to win Super Bowl LVII.
Best Odds to Win Super Bowl LVII (using DraftKings)
Buffalo Bills (+600)
It is very easy to see the strength of this team: their high-powered offense. Firstly, they have MVP favorite, Josh Allen (+700), who has shown his ability to lead this team from under center. Their wide receiver room of Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, and Jamison Crowder might not be the best in the league, but it is deep enough to give them some insurance for injuries.
They also have a legitimate weapon at tight end, with Dawson Knox having played well last season and is primed for a breakout season this year. Their offensive line play is also good, but they are helped supremely by Allen’s style of play that leans heavily on using his running ability to his advantage.
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Josh Allen +500
Justin Herbert +700
Patrick Mahomes +800
Joe Burrow+1000
Tom Brady+1000Looking for a top-rated #PPH?
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While their defense is not as flashy as their offense, it is still among the best units in the league, with superstars scattered throughout the front seven and the secondary. Their safety duo of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer is the best in the NFL, Tre’Davious White is a lockdown corner and will benefit from rookie Kaiir Elam playing alongside him. Finally, the new addition of Von Miller will strengthen a pass rush that already was home to dangerous players such as Shaq Lawson and Ed Oliver.
Despite all the positives, the defense might be their downfall with White out for the first six weeks of the season with a nasty knee injury. This would make rookie Elam their starter for a stretch where he would come up against Cooper Kupp, Tyreek Hill, and Robert Woods, which could prove to be too much for the rookie.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+700)
On the offensive side, a 45-year-old Tom Brady returns after scaring every Buccaneer fan with his “retirement”. Despite losing Rob Gronkowski, the receiving room remains one of the strongest in the NFL with the addition of Julio Jones, and the return of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
The offensive line is still as strong as ever despite the loss of guard Ali Marpet (to retirement) and center Ryan Jensen (to injury) as they traded for guard Shaq Mason (from the Patriots) and drafted center Luke Goedeke. But with an aging Brady, this running back room will probably have a lot more work this season and a combination of Leonard Fournette, Ke’Shawn Vaughn and rookie Rachaad White might not bring the star power that the Bucs need to carry them to the Super Bowl.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bucs have been able to retain the core of their Championship-winning side from two years ago. Their defensive line still has Vita Vea, and they have surrounded him with youngsters in Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Logan Hall. Their linebacker duo of Lavonte David and Devin White is arguably the strongest in the league and provides the Bucs with a strong middle of the field. And their secondary has retained all of their starters apart from Jordan Whitehead who moves to New York to play for the Jets.
All in all, this team remains one of the strongest in the league, just like they have been for the past few seasons and if the veterans they have can be even half of their former selves, they should make it to the Super Bowl. However, they are the only team of these three that have had a coaching change, hiring former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles as head coach but he will be incredibly familiar with the team and the players.
Green Bay Packers (+1000)
It is clear to see why the Packers are rated this highly – their back-to-back MVP Aaron Rodgers. Their receiving room has been severely weakened with the loss of Davante Adams but rookie Christian Watson, Allen Lazard, and Sammy Watkins should be able to make up for his production levels while tight end Robert Tonyan will be given more opportunities to flourish and get more touches in this offense.
Their running back duo of AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones is incredibly strong to the point that this Packers team could lean significantly on their running game and still see success. Their offensive line could be as strong as ever with David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins returning from injuries, but neither of them have official recovery dates and could miss some parts of the season.
Their defense looks just as strong as their offense. Their front seven looks very good despite losing Za’Darius Smith, with Preston Smith and Rashan Gary to fill his boots, while the defensive tackle room looks stronger with rookie Devonte Wyatt starting alongside Kenny Clark. The linebacker room has got an upgrade with rookie Quay Walker able to play right away with breakout star De’Vondre Campbell. However, the crown jewel of this defense is their secondary with Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage forming one of the most scary safety duos in the league and their cornerback room will be revitalised with the return of Jaire Alexander from injury to play across from Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas.
If this Packers team can work through the loss of Davante Adams and the change of offensive philosophy with Nathaniel Hackett out the door, this team could go all the way with the star-studded roster that they have been able to retain.
