An NFL betting online underdog could theoretically win the Super Bowl – not unlike Leicester City won the Premier League in England, though of course having just written that it strikes one that fans who bet on NFL have no idea what the words Leicester or Premier League even mean – which is not the same to say that any of them will. But for the sake of argument, how could they go about it to win the big championship game?
Cleveland Browns. Odds to win the Super Bowl 51: +35000
It’s not just enough for the Browns to play well; the Ravens, Bengals, and Steelers have to play badly as well. The latter part is out of head coach Hue Jackson’s hands. The former is possible of Jackson can come up with a playbook tailored to the strengths of a healthy Robert Griffin III. RG3 has fallen on hard times, but he would do well to channel his inner Kurt Warner – a second-string QB in all senses of the word who caught his big break when the 1999’s St. Louis Rams’ starting QB Trent Green tore his ACL. That season, Warner threw 325 of 499 for 4353 passing yards and 41 TDs and led the battered Rams to a Super Bowl win.
San Francisco 49ers. Odds to win SB51: +21000
The Niners would need two favorites – Seahawks and Cardinals – to not live up to their NFL betting online odds. New head coach Chip Kelly put together adequate offenses in Philadelphia even with lousy QBs, but he would also have to improve the 49ers’ defense and running game. San Fran can draw inspiration from the 1981 Niners, who went from 26th in points allowed to second, and featured Bill Walsh’s groundbreaking offensive scheme. Then again, they also had Joe Montana.
Tennessee Titans. Odds to win SB51: +17500
Unlike the Browns and the 49ers, the Titan’s division does not conspire against their NFL betting online odds. The trio of QB Marcus Mariota – if healthy –, and running backs DeMarco Murray – if he plays like in his last season with the Cowboys – and Derrick Henry could help boost a sagging offense, though they could do with a better O-Line. The Titans would not be the first to build a Super Bowl-winning team around the running game. A nice precedent would be the 1987 Redskins, though they had a much more successful previous season than the 2016 Titans.
Miami Dolphins. Odds to win SB51: +12500
New head coach Adam Gase should be able to build a serviceable offense around QB Ryan Tannehill, a proficient offensive line, and a batch of young wide receivers. Like the aforementioned ‘81 Niners, the Dolphins could turn around the defense if they can manage to remain healthy.
Chicago Bears. Odds to win SB51: +11500
The Bears boosted their rickety defense with LBs Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan, and head coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio are defense savants. The offense is in pretty much the same state as last season with Jay Cutler under center, though they will have wide receiver Kevin White, who missed his entire rookie season due to injury.
