PressBox’s Stan “The Fan” Charles, Glenn Clark, Spencer Schultz, Joe Serpico and Ken Zalis recently shared their favorite Super Bowl futures picks and more. All odds are from SuperBook Sports in mid-December.
Stan “The Fan” Charles
Jacksonville Jaguars To Win AFC (+1250)
The winner of a conference will be a contestant in the Big Game. Let’s start with the premise that these futures bets aren’t the way to get rich, but sometimes there can be a method to backing up a bet.
Take the AFC. There probably are just two AFC teams capable of winning it all — the reigning Super bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and the enigmatic Baltimore Ravens. The Chiefs are +285 to win the AFC.
But we also know that a team went into Kansas City last January and nearly pulled off the huge upset. The Jaguars were 9.5-point underdogs going into Arrowhead but gave the Chiefs all they could handle before being eliminated, 27-20.
The Jags had the look of a team putting it together at the right time prior to Trevor Lawrence’s high ankle sprain. After losing to the Chiefs in Week 2 and to an improved Texans team in Week 3, the Jags went 7-3 in their next 10.
Sure, this is a steep hill to climb, especially considering the Chiefs may host a game against these same Jags in the playoffs once more. However, I think the Chiefs can be beaten this year and, if healthy, Lawrence may just be the man to do it, even if it’s on the road.
Baltimore Ravens (+650), Philadelphia Eagles (+900) To Win Super Bowl
Whenever I bet on a team I root for, it adds emotion into the equation. In this case, I see a chance to take advantage of the hometown Ravens being a bit of an overlay at +650. That’s too good an opportunity to pass up.
As you can see with my conference bet, I am not as high on the 2023 Chiefs as I was the past two seasons. I don’t quite see the impact players all over the offensive side of the ball, and while nothing comes easy against them, I’m not seeing enough hunger. As such, the Ravens must be a consideration to win the Super Bowl.
A San Francisco vs. Philadelphia NFC championship game seems almost certain. Yeah, I know Dallas is +700 to win the Super Bowl, but I don’t envision Dak Prescott ever winning the Big Game.
I am going to bet on one of the two NFC teams I like the most, and I am going to make a smaller bet to take a chance on the hometown team.
Glenn Clark
Philadelphia Eagles To Win Super Bowl (+900)
As I write this, the 49ers are the favorites to win the NFC and Super Bowl. I get it. But the Eagles are nearly as complete of a roster as the 49ers and have had a knack to figure out a way to win just about every big game. It almost feels like stealing money to get the team that entered December with the NFL’s best record and the third-best Super Bowl odds.
Green Bay Packers To Win NFC (+4000)
This has the chance to look VERY silly by the time you’re reading this. But as I’m writing this, the Packers are red-hot, Jordan Love is starting to look the part and this number could drop dramatically in short order. So at the moment, it’s at least worth holding a ticket.
Spencer Schultz
Philadelphia Eagles (+900), Jacksonville Jaguars (+3000) To Win Super Bowl
The Jaguars do have a mild Achilles heel with a less-than-stellar offensive line. However, at this value, they check every box if Trevor Lawrence recovers from his high ankle sprain — and their defense is an underrated unit. The Jaguars mounted an incredible comeback against the Chargers last postseason before giving the Chiefs a run for their money. Meanwhile, the Eagles are the most complete team in football, and I trust Jalen Hurts.
Joe Serpico
Philadelphia Eagles To Win Super Bowl (+900)
There’s been no Super Bowl hangover for this franchise, as the reigning NFC champions have the best record in the NFL. The Eagles hadn’t hit their stride entering December, but they had found ways to win in crunch time. If they can round into form in December and January, they will make another run for the Lombardi Trophy. Jalen Hurts is a man on a mission, and it wouldn’t shock me if he wins the regular-season and Super Bowl MVP awards.
Buffalo Bills To Win Super Bowl (+2000)
This is a value-based play. The Bills were 6-6 and 10th in the AFC standings entering December, which explains the inflated number. Josh Allen has been more turnover-prone than ever, but Buffalo is a better team than the Steelers, Browns, Colts, Texans and Broncos, who were ahead of the Bills for the final playoff spots. The schedule-makers did them no favors, but the Bills will make some noise if they can make the playoffs. The odds are too juicy to pass up.
Ken Zalis
Dallas Cowboys To Win Super Bowl (+700)
At +700, I will throw some coin on the Cowboys. Dak Prescott is the best quarterback in the league right now and the defense is solid, so why not? I get it, the Cowboys have been a letdown the last few years, but this team seems different to me and Prescott is the main reason why. Aside from San Francisco, Dallas seems like the best bet out of the NFC.
I’d also bet the NFC in the Super Bowl itself as a pick ’em at -110. If San Francisco or Dallas represents the NFC, I think either will be a three-point or better favorite so why not bet it now as a pick ’em?
Photo Credits: Kenya Allen/PressBox
Issue 284: December 2023 / January 2024
Originally published Dec. 13, 2023