Ranking NFL Betting Teams from Super Bowl Favorites to Real Underdogs

Look, if you’re an NFL betting enthusiasts, then you already know that, not all teams are created equal. As a matter of fact, every team in the league fits into its own little tier, whether they’re a legitimate favorite, a slightly lesser contender – a longshot hopeful – or a franchise that will be playing for nothing more than pride in 2017. Thankfully, I’ve separated the contenders from the pretenders in five unique tiers from the top favorites to those teams that will be playing the upcoming campaign in hopes of building for a brighter future. Let’s get started with the latest football betting predictions.

Analyzing The Ranking NFL Betting Teams from Super Bowl Favorites to Real Underdogs

   

NFL Betting: Super Bowl Favorites

New England Patriots

Look, I’m not real fond of Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots, but there’s a reason the Pats are the prohibitive favorites to win back-to-back Super Bowls this coming season. Maybe it’s because they have a Hall of Fame quarterback in Tom Brady – or maybe it’s because their defense led the league in fewest points allowed. Then again, maybe it’s because they have a Hall of Fame head coach or maybe it’s because they got better after making a series of smart offseason transactions. Love ‘em or loathe ‘em, you get the idea.

Seattle Seahawks

Despite going a modest 10-5-1 last season, I’m expecting Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks to be one of the top favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl 52 next February. Seattle’s defense is still elite after finishing fifth overall and third in points allowed, but they need to improve an offense that finished 25th in rushing and 18th in scoring. Could the addition of powerful running back Eddie Lacy get them back into legitimate title contention? As the legendary Marv Albert is fond of saying…’Yes!’.

Green Bay Packers

When you’ve got Aaron Rodgers on your side, then you’ve always got a chance…it’s really that simple. If Green Bay can improve a pass defense that finished 31st overall and a rushing attack that ranked a mediocre 20th, I can easily see them representing the NFC in Super Bowl 52.

NFL Betting: The Real Contenders

Pittsburgh Steelers

Let’s be honest for a minute and think of all the teams in the AFC that could potentially deny the Patriots a berth in Super Bowl 52 out of the AFC and Pittsburgh easily comes to mind. The Steelers went 11-5 last season and have an explosive offense and solid defense that finished 11th and 10th in the scoring departments respectively. If they can stay healthy heading into the postseason, Pittsburgh will have a real shot.

New York Giants

If the Giants can improve a rushing attack that ranked a pitiful 29th in rushing and 26th in scoring (19.4 ppg) in 2016 and they play defense like they did in finishing second in points allowed a year ago (17.8 ppg), I see no reason why Eli Manning and the G-Men won’t be real contenders in 2017.

Kansas City Chiefs

Despite posting a fantastic 12-4 record a year ago, the Chiefs just don’t get much respect on a national scale. Still, I love Kansas City’s defense after they finished seventh in points allowed (19.4 ppg) and believe they could surprise if they can improve an offense that finished in the middle third in every meaningful statistical category.

Oakland Raiders

After finishing seventh in scoring a year ago (26.0 ppg), there’s no doubt that the Raiders have a special offense. Unfortunately, it is still defense that wins championships (just ask New England). After finishing in the bottom third in every meaningful defensive statistical category last season, I’m a bit skeptical Oakland’s defense can improve enough to help them reach the Promised Land in 2017, but they should contend at the very least.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos took a slight step backwards to 9-7 last season after winning Super Bowl 50 the previous year, But I think they could get right back to being one of the top contenders in the AFC – depending on what kind of play they get out of either, Trevor Siemian or Paxton Lynch at quarterback in 2017. Lest anyone forget, Denver still has an elite defense that finished fourth in points allowed in 2016 (18.6 ppg).

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons may have fallen apart in Super Bowl 51, but I think Matt Ryan and company could be real contenders again in 2017 simply because they can score the ball like crazy (33.8 ppg). If the Falcons can improve their mediocre defense, it’s possible they could make back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, although right now, I’m going to say it’s a stretch.

NFL Betting: It Could Happen

Houston Texans

Bill O’Brien has pretty much worked a trio of miracles in leading Houston to three straight 9-7 seasons – all without any competent play at the quarterback position. If Tom Savage – or for me, former Clemson superstar, Deshaun Watson can step up and give the Texans some offensive balance, I believe they could really surprise, especially after ranking first in total defense last season.

Dallas Cowboys

Sure, the Cowboys stunned everyone by going 13-3 last season and you’d think they’ll be even better as Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott enter their respective second seasons. Unfortunately, I don’t think the Boys improved their uninspiring 26th ranked pass defense enough this offseason to make the leap to the next level in 2017, not to mention the fact that Elliott is looking at a regular season suspension for some off-field foolishness.

Miami Dolphins

The Fins had a fine season in winning 10 games a year ago to reach the playoffs for the first time in a decade, but I just don’t have any faith in mediocre signal-caller Ryan Tannehill.

Tennessee Titans

Quarterback Marcus Mariota is clearly the real deal and Tennessee has a powerful rushing attack that finished the 2016 campaign third (136.7 ypg). I say, don’t be surprised to see the Titans take another big step forward – if they can improve a defense that finished 20th overall last season, but an impressive second against the run.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikes have an elite defense that finished third overall and sixth in points allowed and that alone means they’ll win their fair share of games in 2017. If Minnesota can improve an offense that finished a pitiful 28th overall and 23rd in scoring, I’m thinking they could surprise in a big way.

Arizona Cardinals

I know the Cards missed the postseason in 2016 after going 7-8-1, but I genuinely believe Carson Palmer and company could not only get back into the playoffs in 2017, but do some damage once they get there. If you didn’t know before, Arizona finished the 2016 season ranked an impressive sixth in scoring (26.1 ppg) and second in total defense.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Birds finished 16th in scoring and 12th in points allowed and clearly have a franchise signal-caller in Carson Wentz. After going 7-9 in Year 1 of the Wentz/Doug Pederson era, the sky’s the limit in the City of Brotherly Love.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs have a legit star in quarterback Jameis Winston and added to their offense in a big way this offseason by signing speedy wideout DeSean Jackson and drafting tight end O.J. Howard. If the Bucs improve a defense that finished a respectable 15th in points allowed last season (23.1 ppg), I say, it could happen in a big way for Tampa Bay in 2017.

Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton and the Panthers fell off in a big way in 2016 after reaching Super Bowl 50 the year before, but I’m thinking the Panthers could get right back into title contention in 2017 if they get back to playing elite defense and give the ball to gifted running back Christian McCaffery early and often.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals could get back in the playoffs in 2017 after seeing their five-year streak snapped a year ago, seeing as how they finished eighth in points allowed last season (19.7 ppg). Then again, Cincinnati could end up as a middle-of-the-pack kind of team if they don’t improve an offense that finished 24th in scoring. Either way. Another one-and-done playoff appearance is probably as good as it could get in 2017.

NFL Betting: They Need a Minor Miracle

Buffalo Bills

The good news is that the Bills parted ways with Rex Ryan. The bad news is that it will take a minor miracle to reach the postseason, seeing as how they reside in the same division as New England.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Bolts have a real gun-slinger in veteran quarterback Philip Rivers and I love their hiring of Anthony Lynn as head coach, but they’ll need a miracle to get past Oakland, Kansas City and Denver in the powerful AFC West in 2017.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens just look like a team stuck in neutral – and no – I don’t really believe in veteran quarterback Joe Flacco.

Indianapolis Colts

Speaking of a team stuck in neutral and it’s the Indianapolis Colts, despite the fact that Andrew Luck is still really talented.

New Orleans Saints

It’s a damned shame that the Saints still don;t have a defense that can match the phenomenal play of future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees and New Orleans’ potent, second-ranked scoring offense (29.3 ppg).

Washington Redskins

The Skins went a solid 8-7-1 last season, but there’s not a lot of good karma when you just keep playing ‘money games’ your starting quarterback.

NFL Betting: Not Gonna’ Happen

Detroit Lions

Barry Sanders and Calvin ‘Megatron’ Johnson both retired early rather than keep playing for the lowly Lions. Need I say any more about dysfunction Detroit?

Chicago Bears

Head coach John Fox probably harbors a secret wish to get the ax by mid-season.

Los Angeles Rams

The young Rams may be headed in the right direction, but it’s going to take at least 3-4 seasons for them to get where they want to be.

San Francisco 49ers

The Niners made some really nice offseason moves, but they’re a few seasons – and a starting quarterback – away from challenging for anything of significance.

New York Jets

The Jets put the ‘D’ in dysfunction. It’s that simple.

Cleveland Browns

I like Hue Jackson and I believe he’s got the Browns headed in the right direction. Then again, I thought the same thing a year ago.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags were smart to bring in Tom Coughlin to run their football operations, but they’re not going anywhere until they part ways with awful quarterback Blake Bortles.