Only 363 More Days Until the Next Super Bowl!

Ergo, what better time to start laying some money down on the 2010-2011 Super Bowl Champion?

Vegas odds have already been released here, amongst elsewhere. The Ponies are the favorite, because...I'm not totally sure. But go ahead and peruse the lines. Since I'm lazy (and so are you), I've got no interest in analyzing every team's odds. Instead, we'll just pull a few that seem interestingly high, interestingly low, possible money-makers, and those I have some sort of reaction to. You go ahead and give yours (reactions, thoughts, arguments, bias) in the comments.

Gambling is Fun! Weeeeee!

New Orleans Saints: 10-1

Go ahead. Lay some chedda down on them. Dare you.

29 free agents. The pressure and rarity of repeating as Super Bowl champions. The fact that this hangover may very well last 363 days. 31 other teams spending a whole lot of time scheming on how to break Drew Brees at the fibula. Sean Payton's inevitable cockiness resulting in more idiotic double reverses and up-the-gut handoffs to Reggie Bush.

Plus, no longer will they have the motivation of Hurricane Katrina. This Super Bowl win clearly makes that silly disaster an afterthought. Too high!

New England Patriots: 10-1

I'm not sure if this is too high or too low, which probably makes it just about right. Randy Moss' petulance has finally started to rear its head in this formerly healthy relationship, the running game is a carousel (and not the good, Baltimore/New Orleans kind) and the defense...yikes. Outside of Meriweather, there are NO playmakers here.

Gun to my head? I probably put this line too high, since their are so many holes on the roster and the mystique and aura of Belichick seems to have evaporated. But isn't that when he's his most dangerous? And do you really doubt Tom Brady? Tracking...

Pittsburgh Steelers: 11-1

I'm still not totally sure why this team sucked so hard. The 09-10 Steelers' season felt an awful lot like waking up in the middle of the night feeling like someone slammed an aluminum bat into your stomach. You KNOW that there is a miserable, horrible, burning poop package in there just yearning to get free. You perch yourself on the john, ready to realize your full potential...but nothing. Just a lot of pain and sphincter tension and disappointment. Some moaning, a few reflexive leg jerks and IF YOU'RE LUCKY a tiny rabbit-size nugget or two. But overall, and completely underachieving and unsatisfying shit based on the amount of pain and instinct letting you know otherwise.

The Steelers should have been that great, relieving shit that puts you right back to sleep; rather than the absence thereof that gives flashes of dominance only to leave you sweaty and confused.

Either way (that analogy really snowballed, huh?) I find it hard to believe the Steelers aren't a playoff team next year. Big Benski always gives them a puncher's chance with his play-making ability and their receiving corps is underrated, particularly with the emergence of Deep Ball Wallace. Their defense is obviously frightening (most of the time) and Mendenhall should continue to progress.

If they can find some pass protection up front, keep Punxatawney Polamalu on the field and maybe NOT give up a kick return TD every game, $10 to win a cool $110 sounds tasty.

Dallas Cowboys: 12-1

Too high. At least, I hope those odds are too high. The circus caused by the Dallas Cowboys playing in a Super Bowl in their own IMAX Theatre Stadium could very well result in Deuce skipping his first EVER Super Bowl.

Also, they've managed to destroy Marion Barber's career and for that they should be punished. And we know the annual "coach on the hot seat" discussions, Tony Romo assbaggery and Jerry Jones meddling will provide obstacle enough.

Minnesota Vikings & Green Bay Packers: 12-1

If BFF doesn't play next year, I think the Vikings odds oughta plummet to about 40-1, while the Pack move up a few notches. Green Bay has a much better shot at home field next post-season without the 2 games they are forced to throw to the Vikings by Roger Goodell.

Aaron Rodgers' nose = Drew Brees' mole. Deformities give them strength.

Seriously though, if Favre is back this is a pretty good wager. I'm still not convinced they weren't the best team in the NFL this year. Just the most unlikable.

NY Jets: 25-1

Intriguingly low for a team that played in the AFC championship game, whose young QB will have year of maturation, a promising young running back and still gelling tougher than shit defense.

Oh wait. Braylon Edwards. Right. Tempting, but I ain't bitin.

Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears: 35-1

Or in other words, oddsmakers have as much faith in Matt Leinart to win a Super Bowl as they do Jay Cutler.

/tazes own nutsack.

Plus points for AZ being loaded with talent around Matty Bro, and a solid and smart coach. Minus points for Chicago being devoid of talent on both interior lines and in the secondary. And a lame duck coach/future defensive coordinator for the Rams, again.

Unless you're a fan of one of these teams, run away.

Bawlmer Ravens: 20-1, Atlanta Falcons 30-1, Houston Texans 35:1

In terms of pure "bang for your buck", I like these three quite a bit. None of them will probably win next year's Super Bowl (and possibly not make the playoffs), but they have enough talent and balance and "upside" that they COULD.

Cincinnati Bengals: 30-1

My least favorite line. You think there is ANY chance this group of misfits and assholes can stay out of trouble, and out of their own way enough to win anything meaningful? Plus their coach/QB combination is both severely overrated and severely wrongfully employed. Boooo!

Tennessee Titans: 25-1

Jackpot. My favorite bet outside of the clear favorites. Revitalized offense built around VY and Cop Speed? Check. Long-term coach whose imprint is on every player on the team? Check. Potential for growth amongst young, athletic wide receivers? Check. Enough talent on defense to, with proper practice and training camp devotion and maybe some FA pick-ups, could return to an elite level? Check.

I like it, a lot. Or maybe I just love Chris Johnson and Jeff Fisher's 'stache. Either way, good vibes from this line.


Buffalo Bills: 100-1


So0000, you're telling me there's a chance? Bwa...

Bah..bwahahaha

HAHA!