Way Too Early Super Bowl Odds w/ Predictions (NFL)

With the NFL releasing the official league schedule last Thursday, people are excited for many matchups of the 2019 season. The official start of the NFL season is now four months away, and with that much time, there will be changes to every NFL team between now and then. Last year was one of the most exciting years in recent memory and created many exciting moments that will be remembered for a long time.

Many changes have already happened throughout the league with big free agency signings such as Le'Veon Bell, Trey Flowers, and Earl Thomas leaving their teams. As well as free agent signings big name players like Rob Gronkowski, Julius Peppers, and Max Unger have ended their amazing careers by retiring. All of these changes around the league could cause for differences in several teams success for the upcoming season.

Vegas gives the reigning champion New England Patriots the best odds of winning Super Bowl LIV with odds of 6/1. Following the Patriots are the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams with odds of 8/1. The list continues as such:

New Orleans Saints 11/1

Cleveland Browns 15/1

Indianapolis Colts 16/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

Chicago Bears 20/1

Green Bay Packers 22/1

Minnesota Vikings 22/1

Dallas Cowboys 25/1

San Francisco 49ers 30/1

Los Angeles Chargers 30/1

Atlanta Falcons 30/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 30/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 40/1

Baltimore Ravens 40/1

Seattle Seahawks 40/1

Houston Texans 40/1

Carolina Panthers 50/1

Denver Broncos 60/1

New York Jets 65/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 70/1

Tennessee Titans 70/1

Oakland Raiders 80/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Buffalo Bills 125/1

Arizona Cardinals 125/1

New York Giants 125/1

Cincinnati Bengals 150/1

Washington Redskins 150/1

Miami Dolphins 250/1

These odds will change with the draft and as the season progresses. Many times the Vegas odds this early are off by quite a bit, but they can be spot on, only time will tell how accurate they really are. Here's my take on the odds and my predictions.

On a scale of 1-10 I would give these Vegas odds a 7/10. I believe that many teams are in the general area of where they should be, but I would make some changes. Many people are buying into the hype of the Cleveland Browns. They are the feel-good story of the NFL and now have a legit chance at making the playoffs, but I still believe that their odds are a little bit too high as they are unproven so far. I would move some teams down the list such as the Falcons, Jaguars, Eagles, and Vikings, while I would move teams like the Texans, Chargers, and Ravens up the list. Overall the teams are places well for the time being and the current state of their rosters. Every single year there are teams that impress and disappoint fans around the league, for example the success of the 2018-19 Chicago Bears, or the disappointment of the 2018-19 Jacksonville Jaguars going 5-11 after going to the AFC Championship game the previous year. Let's get to the part that everyone wants to read, the record predictions!

AFC EAST

1. New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are back and looking for Super Bowl number seven. Once again the AFC East is weak and the Patriots should easily win their division.

My Prediction: 13-3

2. New York Jets

The Jets added some key free agents including star running back Le'Veon Bell and have the chance to acquire some more talent through the draft. The Jets should be average but have some hope for the future.

My Prediction: 7-9

3. Buffalo Bills

The Bills have an exciting future with Josh Allen as their quarterback, but have many holes to fill before they become a threat to win this division.

My Prediction: 6-10

4. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are now in "Tank Mode" and should be looking to the NFL Draft to acquire talent for the future. This season does not have to be a waste if they can secure a top 5 draft pick.

My Prediction: 4-12

AFC North

1. Cleveland Browns

With the addition of Odell Beckham Jr., Kareem Hunt, and Sheldon Richardson, along with the development of other key players will lead to a good year for the Browns and I believe a playoff berth for the first time since 2002.

My Prediction: 10-6

2. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens lost some key players due to free-agency but with Lamar Jackson gaining experience and additions like Earl Thomas should keep them above 500.

My Prediction: 9-7

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that there has been loads of drama with the Steelers over the past year. With Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell gone, as well as other holes on the team, a down season is ahead for the Steelers.

My Prediction: 8-8

4. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals need to move on from Andy Dalton, tanking is their best option, but I don't think they will do that. Once Dalton is gone, a rebuild can begin, but in the meantime players like A.J. Green and Joe Mixon are being wasted on a below-average Bengals team.

My Prediction: 6-10

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have found success through the draft, another great one could propel them ahead of the competition. Super Bowl contention is in sight for the Colts in this season.

My Prediction: 11-5

2. Houston Texans

The Texans could win several other divisions, but with the Colts in the AFC South as well, they may be stuck with a Wild Card spot. Deshaun Watson has been a huge hit for the Texans and seems to be the answer to the Texans previous quarterback problems. If the team stays healthy, they could have Super Bowl aspirations this upcoming year.

My Prediction: 10-6

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

The signing of Nick Foles could be the answer the the Jaguars quarterback struggles over the past years with Blake Bortles. I do not believe that the addition of Foles will be able to push the Jaguars back into the playoffs yet with such a competitive division.

My Prediction: 7-9

4. Tennessee Titans

The Titans have been fairly quiet this offseason with their biggest moves being the signing of Kenny Vaccaro, Cameron Wake, and the trading for Ryan Tannehill. Mariota needs to live up to his number two overall pick expectations of the Titan may need to move on from him. This year should be disappointing for Titans fans, maybe next year.

My Prediction: 5-11

AFC West

1. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs were an overtime away from making the Super Bowl, and will look to finish the job this year. Patrick Mahomes should have another great year and the Chiefs may have the best record in the AFC or even the whole league.

My Prediction: 12-4

2. Los Angeles Chargers

Just like the Texans, the Chargers could win several other divisions around the league, but are stuck in a division with the Kansas City Chiefs. Last year the Chargers impressed many people with a playoff berth and a win against the Ravens. If Philip Rivers can perform well once again this year, I would not be surprised to see the Chargers in the AFC Championship game.

My Prediction: 10-6

3. Denver Broncos

The Broncos added Joe Flacco this off-season and should be the starting quarterback for the team next year. Since Peyton Manning, the Broncos have struggled to find their quarterback of the future. They need to find one in this year or next draft. With Flacco at the helm, a repeat of last year is in store.

My Prediction: 6-10

4. Oakland Raiders

It seems as if there hasn't been a week where the Raiders were not in the headlines for something, whether it be a good something or not. Adding Antonio Brown and paying him so much money is not a good idea in my opinion. He is on the wrong side of 30 and will be 33 by the time his enormous contract expires. First Gruden's contract, not Brown's, the Raiders need to look to the draft for help, and their three first round picks should help. If they do make the playoffs in the time Brown is with the team, it would change my mind on his trade and signing.

My Prediction: 6-10

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles

After an almost disappointing season for the Eagles, they managed to make it into the playoffs and upset the Chicago Bears. With Carson Wentz back the Eagles will look to make another run like their 2017-18 Super Bowl season, will it happen? I'm not so sure about that, but playoffs? There's a good chance.

My Prediction: 9-7

2. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have made the playoffs three of the past five seasons and will try to improve off of last year's NFC East leading 10-6 record. I think the key to the Cowboy's success will be up to Dak Prescott and how well he performs. If he can get the offence going every game, they could have close to a repeat of their 13-3 season in 2016.

My Prediction: 9-7

3. Washington Redskins

The Redskins had terrible luck at the quarterback position last season, leaving them with no certainty of who will start for them this upcoming season. Case Keenum looks to be in the lead but with rumors of drafting a QB, he may only start for part of the season. Redskins fans should look to the future for success.

My Prediction: 5-11

4. New York Giants

Another season with Eli Manning at the helm. What else can I say? A lackluster roster starting with a 38 year old Eli Manning without his top wideout, Odell Beckham Jr. This year should be a struggle for the Giants, but the future is bright with Saquon Barkley, Sterling Shepard, and Jabrill Peppers on the team.

My Prediction: 4-12

NFC North

1. Chicago Bears

The Bears have had a fairly quiet offseason, highlighted by the signing of Haha Clinton-Dix. If the bears defence can play anywhere near the quality of how they played last year, they will be in a good position.

My Prediction: 10-6

2. Green Bay Packers

The Packers made some big signings this off-season with Adrian Amos, Preston Smith, and Za'Darius Smith to add to their defence. If Aaron Rodgers can produce on offence, the Packers could even win the NFC North.

My Prediction: 9-7

3. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are heading into the second season of the Kirk Cousins era in Minnesota, he needs to perform. Last year was not what the Vikings had in mind after signing him coming off of a 13-3 season. If he can get hot this year and do what he was expected to do, the Vikings could make a playoff push.

My Prediction: 8-8

4. Detroit Lions

Another lackluster season for the Lions? Maybe not. The Lions have a decent roster, especially with the big free agent signing of Trey Flowers. If the Lions can get hot in the beginning of the season, Stafford has a good year, and no injuries occur, I could see the Lions slip into the playoffs as a Wild Card.

My Prediction: 6-10

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints have been knocked out of the playoffs the past two years by a miracle play and a "missed" pass interference call. Either the Saints bad luck will continue, or they'll be in the Super Bowl. I think another great year for a Drew Brees led Saints team, and another NFC South division title are in store.

My Prediction: 10-6

2. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons can be one of the most inconsistent teams in the NFL with an offence that can burn anyone or be shut down and not produce at all. There are lots of questions about how good their defence can be, and if it performs, they may just get back to the playoffs.

My Prediction: 9-7

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jameis Winston has not been able to deliver on his #1 overall draft pick expectations so far. The Buccaneers have failed to reach the playoffs with him, but this year could be different. If Winston can produce with his weapons on offence, this could be a dark horse for a Wild Card team.

My Prediction: 8-8

4. Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have not been able to get back to the level of play during Cam Newton's MVP season when they went 15-1. The Panthers do not have enough weapons on offence and too many holes on defence, as well as Cam Newton struggling with injuries.

My Prediction: 7-9

NFC West

1. Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams should have expectations of making it back to the Super Bowl, and anything less would be a failure of a season. Coach Sean McVay has proven to be one of the best coaches in the NFL and should have no problem coaching this talented Rams team back to the promised land.

My Prediction: 12-4

2. San Francisco 49ers

Get excited 49ers fans, Jimmy Garoppolo will be back for this next season. The 49ers could have been a playoff team last year if Jimmy Garoppolo did not get hurt, with his return, a good free-agency, and the number two overall pick, the 49ers should have their sights set on the playoffs this year.

My Prediction: 9-7

3. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks "Legion of Boom" era is officially over with the departure of Earl Thomas, but could have a second version of their Super Bowl level defence with the Griffin brothers as well as Bobby Wagner leading the front seven. If Russell Wilson can get some weapons on offence, the Seahawks could be dangerous.

My Prediction: 8-8

4. Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals were the worst team in the NFL last year, and could be one of the worst this next year as well. A young core and a defence that has lost some key players over the past few seasons is in for another season with a low win total, but can look forward to the future.

My Prediction: 3-13