Patriots and Packers Top 2017 Conference Futures
Scott Morris | July 25, 2017
With September inching closer the NFL regular season is nearly upon us. That means odds makers have released the conference futures available and two perennial Super Bowl contenders lead the futures of their respective conferences.
No one should act surprised that the New England Patriots top the AFC list to win the conference. The defending Super Bowl champions are loaded with talent there appears only a few teams have any chance of dethroning them in the AFC. The Pats are currently 9 to 5 to win the AFC.
The team with the second best odds to win the AFC is the Oakland Raiders at 7 to 1. Derek Carr has become a prolific passer for the Raiders and the defense is returning to prominence which means the Raiders could sneak up on New England if the Patriots become complacent.
The Pittsburgh Steelers also have 7 to 1 odds to win the AFC. With Ben Roethlisberger under center, Le’Veon Bell in the backfield and Antonio Brown at wide receiver, the Steelers have one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses.
Rounding out the top five best odds to win the AFC are the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans at 9 to 1 each.
The Green Bay Packers were shelled shocked in the NFC championship game last season by Atlanta 44-21. However, sports books have started the Packers off as the favorites to win the NFC but many have their doubts.
Atlanta lost in the Super Bowl to New England and returns almost the exact same roster from last season with the exception of a new offensive coordinator, which should not slow down the point production much.
Nevertheless Green Bay starts out as 9 to 5 favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LII. The Pack is followed by the threesome of Atlanta, Dallas and Seattle all at 6 to 1 to win the conference. All three are considered a value at that price.
Dallas’ talented rookies are now second-year pros and that experience will help signal caller Dak Prescott and last season’s leading rusher in the league Ezekiel Elliott. The only drawback is Elliott may be suspended to start the season but that has yet to be determined.
However, it appears the Falcons will be the team hardest to beat with star quarterback and league MVP Matt Ryan returning to anchor the offense and Desmond Trufant their best defender returning from injury.
Rounding out the top five for the NFC is the New York Giants at 9 to 1.
