Sports betting

NFL Future Odds, Betting Lines, 2010 Superbowl Future Lines, NFL Betting Lines

by SPORTSBETTING.COM staff | May 29 2009

Sports betting and looking for an edge with NFL Future Odds

As the 53 players on the Steelers active roster took their turns hoisting the Lombardi Trophy following Super Bowl XLIII, online sportsbooks throughout the industry scrambled to finalize new Super Bowl odds on which teams would be battling it out next year in Miami.

Of course several events that take place throughout the year will have an impact on how that list shapes up with the NFL draft, training camps and the exhibition season topping the chart. But NFL Free agency is here, which has the NFL sports betting community keen to keep tabs on everything, as they look for an edge. The free agency season is upon us.

It's not surprising to find that this year's list of favorites for the NFL future odds consists mostly of playoff teams from the previous season. Only two squads (New England, Dallas) that crack the Top 10 were absent from the 2008-09 post-season and one of them had an excuse (Tom Brady).

The Cowboys are already sitting at 10-to-1 odds along with Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and the New York football Giants and if you're going to bet Dallas you might as well do it now. America's team always attracts action from longtime fans, no matter who the projected starter is at QB or which controversial superstar is signed in the off-season. When team owner Jerry Jones puts a so-called gag order on current operations it just adds to the intrigue and this year with the Cowpokes moving into their new, yet to be named stadium, it's just extra gravy for the juice.

New England (6-to-1) is the overall favorite to bounce back from their first non-playoff appearance in six years and have already cheated (sorry, wrong choice of words), by tagging QB Matt Cassel in case Brady's rehab gets off track.

For the record, we wouldn't put our money on either Dallas or New England because there are simply far too many unrelated factors driving up the price.

Green Bay and New Orleans share the 11-spot with Minnesota, all three offering 25-to-1 payouts. Obviously the risk-reward ratio needs to be carefully considered when betting futures but depending how the Saints handle the loss of RB Deuce McAllister, they could be considered a strong contender from the teams on the outside looking in.

The Saints had one of the most potent offensive attacks in the league last year and by releasing McAllister the team is demonstrating a sound, forward thinking strategy. McAllister is the all-time franchise leader in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and total TDs but underwent multiple surgeries on both knees in the past five years. Even HC Sean Payton, who has clearly shown an ability to score points regardless of how many monkey wrenches are thrown into his offensive gameplan, knows he needs a ground game he can rely on deep into a playoff push.

Improvements on the defensive side of the ball are critical if New Orleans is to have any real hope going forward and newly hired co-coordinator Gregg Williams has been charged with that duty. Injuries plagued the Saints on that side of the ball in 2008 but right now the team is in need of some new personnel and a different scheme. If Williams can produce the right combination, opponents may find it very difficult keeping pace with the team's dynamic offense.

And what of the three playoff teams from `08 that have fallen by the wayside? Atlanta, Arizona and Miami were three of the best feel-good stories all year! Michael Vick was replaced by Michael Turner, the Tuna helped the Fish turn a 1-15 record into a division title and Capt. Kurt breathed new life into the desert.

Future Odds on the Falcons and Cardinals are currently sitting at 30-to-1 and the Dolphins are paying as high as 40 on the dollar so the Vegas theory seems to be that lightning doesn't strike in the same place twice.

We will follow the NFL odds on a weekly basis throughout the off-season and will keep readers posted on money moves in all of the futures from online sportsbooks right up until kickoff of NFL Week 1.

For now, grab some popcorn and settle in. It looks like NFL free agency in 2009 could be one of the most exciting ever!