NFL Futures Spotlight Highlights: Updated Super Bowl LI Odds

If you’re in the process of formulating your Super Bowl 51 options and you’re looking for value, then you’re going to enjoy my expert analysis on the favorite, my smart pick and top longshot to cash in on their Super Bowl 51 futures odds.With four weeks remaining in the 2016 NFL regular season and Super Bowl 51 approaching much faster than you imagined, let’s get started.

NFL Futures Spotlight Highlights: Updated Super Bowl LI Odds

  

The Favorite – New England Patriots 7/5 16/5

The New England Patriots (10-2 SU, 9-3 ATS) have won three straight and seven of their last eight games heading into Week 14, but trouble is brewing thanks to the loss of perennial Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski for the remainder of the season.I know the Patriots are ranked an encouraging sixth in scoring at 26.5 points per game and an even more impressive second in points allowed defensively (17.2 ppg), but right now, I’m thinking the Pats could be ripe for a postseason upset, especially if they have to hit the road to play a team like Oakland or Kansas City to name two.The Patriots may still be the overall favorite to win Super Bowl 51, but I’d be a bit wary right now and would have to wait just a bit to see how they perform without Gronk, before I back them to win it all.

Seattle Seahawks 5/1

I went with the Dallas Cowboys (7/2) as my smart pick last week after backing Seattle (8-3-1 SU, 6-5-1 ATS) the previous few weeks, but I’m back on the Seahawks after watching them demolish Carolina 40-7 this past weekend and seeing Dallas struggle to get past defensive-minded Minnesota in their narrow 17-15 win.For me, Seattle looks like the only team in the NFC capable of overpowering the Dallas Cowboys thanks to a defense that ranks first in points allowed (16.1 ppg) and a quarterback that knows how to win in the postseason in Russell Wilson. Call me crazy, but if I had to bet on an NFC team to win it all, it would be the Seahawks.

The Longshot: Oakland Raiders 12/1 and Kansas City Chiefs (12/)

I won’t lie…I’m completely torn when it comes to the Oakland Raiders (10-2 SU, 8-4 ATS) and Kansas City Chiefs (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS) as my longshot selection to win Super Bowl 51.The Raiders have an explosive offense that ranks third in the league in scoring at 28.7 points per game but a mediocre defense that gives up 24.9 points per contest (22nd). Oakland has an MVP-caliber quarterback in Derek Carr and the best duo of starting wide receivers in the league in Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree.Kansas City is a little more balanced on both sides of the ball  in ranking 15th in scoring (23.4 ppg) and ninth in points allowed (20.1 ppg). The Chiefs have a steady veteran quarterback in Alex Smith that doesn’t make mistakes very often and a defense that has four Pro Bowlers and at least three other Pro Bowl-caliber performers.Both teams have their issues, but they both appear to be capable of winning the AFC Championship and quite possibly, Super Bowl 51.