Boxing Betting Strategies
October 19, 2021
College Football Week 9 Opening Line Report
October 27, 2021
By Phil Simon
It’s still early in the 2021 NFL season, but after six weeks we are starting to get a clear picture of what the clubs look like. Only one team remains unbeaten and the Arizona Cardinals aren’t getting a lot of respect for their torrid start. Oddsmakers have them pegged as the sixth-favorite along with Dallas and Baltimore at +1200. The defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers have emerged as the betting favorite with only four teams listed with shorter than 10/1 odds.
It’s not easy going back-to-back with the New England Patriots the last to do it in 2004 and 2005. The common denominator between those teams and the current favorite is Tom Brady. There are reasons why Brady is the GOAT and his seven Super Bowl rings are among them. The championship window remains open in Kansas City, though the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes look beatable.
A big mover on the odds board is the Los Angeles Rams, who opened at +1200 and are currently +800. There was some skepticism surrounding the Buffalo Bills, but their hot start has them moving up to the second favorite. Also keep in mind that these odds are fluid and will change week to week. An example is the Green Bay Packers, who opened at +900 and went to +1400 after their season-opening debacle against New Orleans. Stringing together a number of wins has them currently at +1000.
Odds to win Super Bowl LVI
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +500 |
| Buffalo Bills | +550 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | +750 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +800 |
| Green Bay Packers | +1000 |
| Arizona Cardinals | +1200 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +1200 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +1200 |
| Cleveland Browns | +1400 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +1400 |
| Tennessee Titans | +3500 |
| New Orleans Saints | +3500 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +3500 |
| Denver Broncos | +5000 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +5000 |
| New England Patriots | +6000 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +6000 |
| Carolina Panthers | +8000 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +8000 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +8000 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +8000 |
| Indianapolis Colts | +10000 |
| Washington Football Team | +10000 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +1500 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +20000 |
| Chicago Bears | +20000 |
| Miami Dolphins | +20000 |
| New York Giants |
+50000 |
| New York Jets | +150000 |
| Houston Texans | +200000 |
| Detroit Lions | +250000 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +250000 |
It’s called a futures bet for a reason. We don’t have a crystal ball and can’t see results of games that haven’t been played. And while a team may look like a sound bet now that can all change with one injury. Even if a team doesn’t look like a contender at this point the season can turn around. We saw the Buffalo Bills go on a massive run last season riding the momentum into the playoffs. They didn’t win the bet, but it shows what can happen when a team gets hot. And odds fluctuate depending on how a team is performing and the amount and length of injuries among other things.
So, is there a team you can focus on at this point that has some value moving forward? It’s hard not to like the Cardinals, who remained unbeaten with a Week 6 win over Cleveland. They have an electrifying player in Kyler Murray leading the offense and invested heavily on the defensive side during the offseason. Their plus-85 point differential is second only to Buffalo and four of their wins have been by 12 points or more. At +1200 you better buy now before the betting markets catch up.
The Baltimore Ravens have gotten better as the season progressed. Saddled with a number of injuries before they even played a game, the Ravens are tied with the best record in the AFC. Former MVP Lamar Jackson has the offense operating at a high level with an all-star backfield that’s getting acquainted with the system. And with so much drama in the early part of the season it almost feels like Baltimore is a team of destiny.
A little further down the odds board the Tennessee Titans stick out. They’ve been to the postseason the last few years and they have the advantage of being the best team in a bad division. And as we know getting to the playoffs is half the battle. Once there anything can happen and the Titans are good enough to not only win the AFC South but make noise once they get to the playoffs.
There are a number of teams that right now I can say have a chance at winning the Lombardi Trophy. And there are several that I can cross off the list. I would like to see the Detroit Lions win a few games because I like their head coach, but don’t waste your time and money on a team that’s yet to win a game. The Texans are a mess and the Jags are right along with them, and football in New York is going to be tough to watch for another season.
