With the AFC and NFC wildcard games looming for this weekend, it is time to start talking about Super Bowl XLIX odds. and take a look at the teams that stand the best chance to get there. The lines for each time in the postseason have been released, and the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks command the odds at +200 (2-1) and +150 (1.5-1) respectively. Both the Seahawks and Patriots have a first round bye and secured the homefield advantage throughout the postseason which plays into their favored odds. The teams are a combined 14-2 at home this season.
Panthers and Cardinals have the worst odds of anyone in the field, listed at +4000 (40-1) and +4500 (45-1). Following Sunday’s 34-3 victory over Atlanta that secured a home wild-card game against the Arizona Cardinals, the Panthers, who opened the season listed at 50-1, improved to 40-1. Despite holding the worst record in the playoffs at 7-8-1, Carolina’s odds are better than the Cardinals (11-5). Arizona began the season with 65-1 odds and is trying to be the first NFL team to host a Super Bowl in their own stadium.
Meanwhile, Packers moved down in their odds despite securing the No. 2 seed. It’s probably because Aaron Rodgers is hurt (Rodgers is dinged thanks to Lions’ Ndamukong Suh stumping on his ankle) and/or the fact that beating the Seahawks in Seattle.
The Bengals odds also dipped after losing the AFC North to Pittsburgh in the Sunday night “title game” in Week 17. They’ve actually got an easier matchup against the Colts, but having to spend the playoffs on the road isn’t ideal for rookie QB Andy Dalton.
NFL Wild Card Weekend
Saturday, Jan. 3
NFC: 4:35 PM (ET) (5) Arizona at (4) Carolina (ESPN)
AFC: 8:15 PM (ET) (6) Baltimore at (3) Pittsburgh (NBC)
Sunday, Jan. 4
AFC: 1:05 PM (ET) (5) Cincinnati at (4) Indianapolis (CBS)
NFC: 4:40 PM (ET) (6) Detroit at (3) Dallas (FOX)
Byes:
AFC: (1) New England Patriots and (2) Denver Broncos
NFC: (1) Seattle Seahawks and (2) Green Bay Packers
Super Bowl Odds:
ARIZONA CARDINALS: +4500
BALTIMORE RAVENS: +2500
CAROLINA PANTHERS: +4000
CINCINNATI BENGALS: +3500
DALLAS COWBOYS: +800
DENVER BRONCOS: +300
DETROIT LIONS: +4000
GREEN BAY PACKERS: +250
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: +2500
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: +200
PITTSBURGH STEELERS: +1400
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: +150
