The 2021 NFL season still hasn't officially come to an end. But there is no harm in looking toward the future, and the good folk at the NFL odds are doing precisely that. They already have odds on each NFL team to win next season's Super Bowl.
Here they are:
| Team | Odds as of 2/5/2022 |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +700 |
| Buffalo Bills | +700 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +1200 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +1200 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +1500 |
| Green Bay Packers | +1500 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +1900 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +1900 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +2200 |
| Cleveland Browns | +2200 |
| Denver Broncos | +2200 |
| Tennessee Titans | +2400 |
| Arizona Cardinals | +2400 |
| Indianapolis Colts | +2400 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +2400 |
| New England Patriots | +2800 |
| New Orleans Saints | +3000 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +3300 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +3300 |
| Washington Commanders | +3300 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +3300 |
| Miami Dolphins | +3600 |
| Carolina Panthers | +3600 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +6000 |
| Atlanta Falcons | +6000 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +7000 |
| Chicago Bears | +7500 |
| New York Giants | +10000 |
| Detroit Lions | +10000 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +12000 |
| New York Jets | +15000 |
| Houston Texans | +18000 |
It shouldn't surprise anyone that the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills are high up in the betting market given the offensive firepower they have at their disposal. Both will be looking to build on their successes from 2021 this offseason, while also shoring up their weaknesses.
The retirement of Tom Brady has already affected the perception of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as title contenders. They were second favorites to lift the title before Week 1 of the 2021 campaign. Now, with Brady gone, the Bucs find themselves with the same odds (+2200) as the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos.
Nine teams will be heading into the 2022 season with new head coaches. Nathaniel Hackett of the Broncos has the best odds of winning it all among the neophytes. The Houston Texans are yet to name a replacement for David Culley, but whoever their new coach is will start the season with the longest odds of winning the Super Bowl. Houston is currently +18000. The Jacksonville Jaguars are at +12000, but in Doug Pederson, they have a head coach who already has a ring after his time with the Philadelphia Eagles.
They don't have a new coach, but Washington does have a new name heading into 2022. The Commanders are currently on offer at +3300, joining the Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, and Seattle Seahawks in this tier.
My Pick -- San Francisco (+1500)
It pains me to look past the Chiefs as long as Patrick Mahomes is on their roster. But I find myself increasingly tempted by the San Francisco 49ers at +1500.
The Niners' offense ranked ninth in 2021 in schedule-adjusted Net Expected Points (NEP) per play, while they were also 14th in schedule-adjusted Defensive NEP. With careful offseason additions and tinkering, not least at the quarterback spot with Trey Lance almost certain to be the starter in the new year, the 49ers could make a leap next season.
The NFC West is set to once again be something approaching a street fight. But at San Fran's current odds, I like rolling the dice on Kyle Shanahan's bunch.