Super Bowl XLV will be played in Dallas in 2011, just in case Jerry Jones' marketing campaign somehow missed you. The sports betting world was turned on its ear when the heavily favored Indianapolis Colts lost to the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV. The NFL betting gurus have the Colts favored again, and this time Peyton Manning may just get his second Super Bowl ring.
Indianapolis Colts (13/2)
In college football betting, a lot of emphasis is placed on the team rather than one particular player. Peyton Manning forgot about that last season and tried to win Super Bowl XLV himself. Manning made a lot of unforced errors like bad passes, bad play calling and general frustration that caused him to become the focal point of the Colts' chances of winning the big game. When the Colts won Super Bowl XLI, they did it with strong defense and a spread out offensive approach. The chances are pretty good that Manning knows what went wrong in Super Bowl XLIV, and he will probably fix it in Super Bowl XLV.
New Orleans Saints (10/1)
Do not call the Saints Super Bowl XLIV win a fluke. This is a very good football team with a very smart head coach. They are led by one of the steadiest hands in the NFL in quarterback Drew Brees, and they all believe in Brees unquestionably. They are a solid team, and they are all coming back for the 2010 season. Super Bowl XLV could very well be a re-match of Super Bowl XLIV, but with much different results.
Baltimore Ravens (20/1)
In order to choose an AFC team as a Super Bowl contender, you need to determine if they can beat the Indianapolis Colts. The Baltimore Ravens have a long history of beating the Indianapolis Colts, and the Ravens have made some much needed changes on offense that make them a Super Bowl contender. In your NFL week 1 betting keep an eye out for the combination of quarterback Joe Flacco to receiver Anquan Boldin, or receiver Derrick Mason or receiver Mark Clayton. If the Ravens have a weakness on offense it is in their constant reliance on Willis McGahee to supply the yards. The Ravens lack that second running back that all other teams seem to have, and that could hurt them in the big games.
Minnesota Vikings (12/1)
This one is pretty easy. If Brett Favre comes back then the Vikings have the tools to beat the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs. If Brett Favre does not come back, then the Vikings will probably make the playoffs and then bow out in the first round. Since the chances are pretty good that Favre is coming back, you have to consider the Vikings as Super Bowl contenders.
Dallas Cowboys (12/1)
You have to hand it to Jerry Jones and the Cowboys organization; this team is loaded for bear. There are almost no weaknesses on the Dallas defense. The only weakness on offense could be at left tackle where a journeyman is being used to replace Flozell Adams. The other question mark on offense is Tony Romo. He was better last year, but he still fell flat in the playoffs. If Romo can rise to the occasion, then the Cowboys have a good chance at contending.
