NFL training camps begin to open today, with rookies reporting in some camps and veterans following next week. Storylines abound, as new rookies, free agent signings, and newly-minted coaches find their way with their new clubs.
With that in mind, we’ve prepared a quick breakdown of five teams to watch this season based on what we know now. Which teams are best positioned to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the 2014-2015 season? Which NFL futures odds are the most favorable for teams?
Read on for more on these intriguing betting options and start to get yourself set for the season with our complete set of NFL team previews.
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High-Value NFL Team Odds for 2014 Season
Favorites: Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos
It’s no wonder that the Seattle Seahawks are favorites to win Super Bowl XLIX at +550 after thoroughly dismantling the Denver Broncos 43-8 to win last year’s championship. Seattle managed to keep most of the team intact including cornerback Richard Sherman, safety Earl Thomas and wide receiver Sidney Rice.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Sherman and Thomas were key contributors to Seattle’s vaunted defense last season. Sherman had 48 combined tackles and eight interceptions while Thomas finished with 105 combined tackles. On the other hand, Rice will do his best to open up quarterback Russell Wilson’s passing offense. Wilson threw 257 completions for a career-high 3,357 yards last season.
However, the Seahawks aren’t without key departures with their top receiver Golden Tate (898 yards) and defensive linesmen Red Bryant, Chris Clemons and Clinton McDonald all leaving. You can view the Seattle Seahawks 2014 preview and prediction here.
The Denver Broncos (+500), meanwhile, are poised for another record-breaking season led by quarterback Peyton Manning. The Broncos set new records last season including most points (606), touchdowns (76), and 50-point games (3), while Manning’s new NFL records of most passing yards (5,477) and passing touchdowns (55) earned him his fifth MVP trophy.
The Broncos made an investment in their defense, which was torched by the Seahawks, by signing defensive end DeMarcus Ware. Ware is a seven-time Pro-Bowler and will be a formidable pass rusher for the Broncos. With Ware taking care of the defense, expect a Peyton Manning-powered offense to lead Denver to a stellar season.
High-Value Pick: Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals (+4,000) have been building momentum season-by-season. The Cards turned some heads in 2013 after beating three division leaders including the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
With Larry Fitzgerald (954 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns) heading the Cards’ offense, they added a couple of veterans to bolster their secondary. Arizona signed Antonio Cromartie, a capable number two cornerback with 28 career interceptions to his name. Long-time Steeler linebacker Larry Foote will join an Arizona defense that ranked first in the NFL in run defense last season, allowing just 84 yards per game.
The Arizona Cardinals will have the added challenge of being in NFC West with the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. Despite the challenge, Arizona looks good to go over their season wins total of over/under 7.5 wins. In one of the toughest divisions in football we may see a third contender rise to the top.
Long Shots: Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars
The Minnesota Vikings (+8,000) were the doormats of NFC North last season, and the team went on an overhaul this offseason, adding several highly-touted draft picks that suit their team well in one of the best draft performances of 2014.
Working on the defense, the Vikings signed cornerback Captain Munnerlyn. The cornerback is a welcome addition to Minnesota’s secondary after posting career-high numbers last season with 74 tackles and 3.5 sacks for Carolina. The Vikings also used a first-round pick to draft Anthony Barr of UCLA. Barr is an imposing linebacker and finished his final year of college with 66 combined tackles and 10.0 sacks.
And then there’s Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville. Bridgewater completed 303 passes for 3,970 yards with 31 passing touchdowns to end his final college season, and fell farther than most were expecting in the draft. Make not mistake: Teddy could be the wave of the future for the Vikings, and in a division that did not have a team put up 9 wins in 2013, there is room for a new challenger.
The Jacksonville Jaguars (+15,000) had another start to forget last season, losing their first eight games. They had one of the weakest running games in the NFL ranking 31st with 4,701 yards. However, the Jags are determined to improve this season after bolstering their offense.
The Jags had the luxury of drafting quarterback Blake Bortles as the third pick overall. Considered the safest QB pick of the draft, Bortles should help the Jags’ passing game which finished with 3,441 yards in 2013. To give the touted quarterback some weapons, wide receivers Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee were also drafted. Last year, Robinson had a total of 1,432 yards for Penn State, while Lee recorded 791 for USC.
The Jacksonville Jaguars would need some pieces to fall their way if they were going to challenge for the Super Bowl, but in one of the weakest divisions in the league they are worth a look at +2,000.
Prediction
With the Denver Broncos becoming more well-rounded in the offseason, expect them to come after the Seahawks strong and capture Super Bowl XLIX.
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