Super Bowl LI Odds Expect Patriots vs. Seahawks Rematch

Will the Seattle Seahawks get another crack at the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl?

One of the best Super Bowls ever was XLIX at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The New England Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 thanks to an interception of a Russell Wilson pass near the Patriots end zone in the final seconds. People are still wondering why Seattle coach Pete Carroll didn’t run the ball there with bulldozer Marshawn Lynch. Sports Interaction’s NFL odds currently like the chance of a Patriots-Seahawks rematch in Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston. Both teams are +700 favourites to win it. They also play one another in the regular season, Nov. 13 at New England.

Super Bowl LI Odds

Tom Brady Suspension Could Hamper Patriots

When Super Bowl odds were released at Sports Interaction shortly after Denver upset Carolina in Super Bowl 50 (no Roman numerals used by the NFL for that game but they are sadly back now), the Patriots were +650 favourites. I’m a bit surprised they haven’t risen a bit higher since future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady will miss the first four regular-season games. The U.S. Court of Appeals reinstated his four-game Deflategate suspension, which was originally overturned for the start of last season by a lower court ruling. Brady is still appealing but it’s expected to stand.

Not having Brady for the first four games — Sept. 11 at Arizona, Sept. 18 vs. Miami, Sept. 22 vs. Houston and Oct. 2 vs. Buffalo — could affect whether the Patriots get the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. Jimmy Garoppolo, a second-round pick in 2014 out of Eastern Illinois who has thrown 31 career regular-season passes, will be Brady’s replacement. The Patriots will still likely be favoured in three of the four games, only underdogs on NFL odds against the Cardinals.

Seattle has taken plenty of action since February as the Seahawks were +1000 back then. They have lost Lynch to retirement and their offensive line looks like a huge question mark. Seattle has made the playoffs four straight seasons, winning Super Bowl XLVIII over Denver in a blowout.

The defending champion Broncos were +1000 to repeat in February but are now +1800 largely because of quarterback Peyton Manning’s retirement. Oddsmakers clearly don’t trust Mark Sanchez very much as he’s the likely Week 1 starter under center. Nor should they. The runner-up Panthers were +1000 after that loss and are now +1100. The last team to lose a Super Bowl and then win it the next season was the perfect 1972 Miami Dolphins. No team since the 1993 Bills lost the Super Bowl and made it back to the following year.

AFC Easier Route To Super Bowl?

If you are looking for a longer-shot bet, I’d stick in the AFC. Why? I believe it’s the much weaker conference, especially with Manning retiring. The NFC has five potential powerhouses in the Seahawks, Panthers, Packers, Cardinals and Vikings. Maybe the Cowboys if Tony Romo can stay healthy. I’d consider only the Patriots and Steelers as  potential AFC powerhouse teams right now.

The Baltimore Ravens were a chic Super Bowl pick of many experts this time last  season. But they were destroyed by injuries and an incredibly bad run of luck in close games. They should be a title contender assuming the return to health of guys like quarterback Joe Flacco, receiver Steve Smith and linebacker Terrell Suggs. The Ravens are currently +3300 to win the Super Bowl in NFL betting.

I also am intrigued by the Houston Texans at the same price. They already possess the biggest defensive difference-maker in the NFL in three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt. So Houston focused on improving its offense this offseason in landing free-agent quarterback Brock Osweiler (from Denver), running back Lamar Miller (Miami) and using a first-round pick on Notre Dame speedster receiver Will Fuller. If Osweiler can blossom in his first year as a full-time starter, then look out. No team has ever played in a Super Bowl it hosted, but the Texans have that potential.