Super Bowl odds update: Pats, Cowboys on the rise
Just two weeks into the NFL season, oddsmakers have already re-evaluated their Super Bowl odds for a number of teams.
Adjustments have been made for the nine clubs that have opened the year at 2-0, while odds have plummeted for a slew of teams with injured quarterbacks. Let's dive in.
Trending up
New England Patriots (3-1)
Opening line: 10-1
Any value to be found in the New England Patriots' Super Bowl odds has been sapped after back-to-back dismantlings of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins. Bill Belichick's defense might be the best in the NFL, and that unit is paired with Tom Brady and his plethora of offensive weapons. Can anyone stop the Patriots from repeating? At 3-1, this line might still be too high.
Dallas Cowboys (12-1)
Opening line: 20-1
The Dallas Cowboys have all the makings of a Super Bowl winner, and they've looked the part through two weeks. However, Dallas hasn't faced tough opponents to date - beating the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins - while the hapless Dolphins are on tap in Week 3. We should find out a lot more about the Cowboys soon, as they'll play the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, and Philadelphia Eagles over the next month.
Unbeaten teams
Seven other teams remain unbeaten through two weeks. The Kansas City Chiefs are down to 5-1 and are viewed as the Patriots' closest competition. The NFC's shortest odds go to the Los Angeles Rams at 10-1, while the Cowboys and Packers are both hot on their heels at 12-1. Despite their 2-0 start, the Seattle Seahawks have been given odds of 20-1, perhaps due to the quality of their first two opponents.
The Baltimore Ravens sit at 20-1 after dipping to 40-1 at some spots before the season. This could be the last chance to hop on their bandwagon. If the Ravens beat the Chiefs this week, expect their number to be cut nearly in half. The biggest risers among the unbeaten teams are the San Francisco 49ers (20-1) and Buffalo Bills (50-1), who've both seen their odds halved since the preseason.
Trending down
Chicago Bears (25-1)
Opening line: 12-1
If not for Miami, the Chicago Bears would have the worst offense in the NFL through two weeks among teams to only start one quarterback. Mitchell Trubisky has the lowest quarterback rating of anyone who's completed both games for their team. He also has the fewest yards per attempt while ranking bottom three in yards and first-down throws. He didn't attempt a single pass on the Bears' only touchdown drive of the season so far (nine rushes, one penalty). Does that sound like a guy capable of leading his team to a Super Bowl?
Carolina Panthers (100-1)
Opening line: 40-1
It's all about the quarterback. An 0-2 start doesn't help, but Cam Newton has struggled mightily through two weeks and oddsmakers have taken note. Newton has completed just 56.4% of his passes and has yet to throw for a touchdown while being sacked six times. Amplifying concerns, Newton's status is up in the air for Week 3 because of a foot injury. Even with Drew Brees' injury blowing the doors open in the NFC South, the Carolina Panthers still aren't getting any love.
Injured quarterbacks
There's a massive difference between ineffective quarterback play and injuries, but the two situations have a similar effect on Super Bowl odds. A season-ending elbow injury for Ben Roethlisberger has seen the Pittsburgh Steelers' line plummet from 14-1 to 200-1, while a six-week absence for Brees has pushed the Saints from 8-1 to 20-1. But if the Saints can stay competitive through Brees' absence - which they should - and still claim the NFC South crown, there's excellent value in grabbing them now at 20-1.
The New York Jets have moved from unlikely underdogs (100-1) to massive long shots (300-1) after losing Sam Darnold for at least a month (as well as backup Trevor Siemian for the season). The Jacksonville Jaguars are on a similar trajectory, having seen their odds fall a long way from 30-1 to 200-1 when Nick Foles was placed on injured reserve.
Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.