Super Bowl Betting Tips

There have been seven AFC Super Bowl victories in the past nine years. The NFC might or might not reverse the Super Bowl flow this season, but what can be forecasted with a degree of certainty is an evening up of the two conferences. A look at interconference games shows the NFC is gaining on the AFC. In 2004, the AFC won 44 of the 64 games between the teams. As last year, only two games separated the conferences. NFC teams actually won 20 of the first 38 interconference games last season. In the final two months, some NFC teams began to wear down, in part because they were hit harder by injuries. It also can't be too helpful with such intense competition in the NFC East and South divisions. This season will interestingly see several former AFC pro Bowlers cross conferences, including Edgerrin James Drew Brees, John Abraham, Charles Woodson, Sam Madison, Tony Richardson and Mike Vanderjagt. For the NFC to take the next step and produce a SuperBowl winner, however, some of its young quarterbacks will have to step up. And there is evidence that could happen. Chris Simms of the Bucs has the pedigree, the receivers and the coaching to become a star this season. Two former No. 1 overall picks in the draft, the Giants' Eli Manning and the 49ers' Alex Smith, could be ready to break out. It is though the fortunes of Rex Grossman that most interest us for the purposes of this preview. Two years running has the Chicago QB suffered long term injuries leaving the Bears in the hands of sub standard signal callers. Despite not playing well in pre-season, whatever Grossman can bring to the team is going to be an upgrade on Kyle Orton. The rookie remember won 11 games last season thanks in main to a championship level defense. Even if Grossman does go missing for whatever reason, the Bears do have a reliable backup in Brian Griese who impressed greatly in Tampa Bay before succumbing to injury. There is also intense competition at running back, which should ultimately in the long-run only benefit the offense. If a reliable receiver can emerge to complement to Muhsin Muhammad, the offense ought to be strong enough to convert the Bears into a major contender for Super Bowl honours. An unproductive area for the defense in recent years has been at tightened. However, there are a few indications coming out the Bears camp that Desmond Clark is set for a major role. An extra offensive weapon at their disposal is only going to make the Bears an even more dangerous proposition. Should the Bears roll through the NFC North while the teams in the stronger NFC East and NFC North beat one another up for 17 weeks, the path to Miami next February will become much clearer. A best price 25/1 looks well worth backing. Another NFC candidate for Super Bowl are Seattle who of course fell at the final hurdle against Pittsburgh a few months ago. While it is tough to argue the Seahawks were in the same class at the Steelers, some of the referee decisions in Jacksonville were questionable. Expect the 2006 Seattle Seahawks to go against recent NFL history and stake a major claim for a postseason berth. It has of course been common for recent NFC Conference winners to fall by the wayside the following season. Last year the Eagles finished bottom of the NFC East, the Panthers previously didn't make the play-offs, Oakland have done little since losing to Tampa Bay, while the Rams lost their first five games the season after losing to the Patriots. To be fair to those organisations, many events conspired against them in making realistic postseason bids. Barring a spate of injuries to key players, Seattle look virtual certainties to win the NFC West. The Seahawks have a vast array of talent on both sides of the football. Offensively, any drop off from Shaun Alexander should be more than made up by the ever improving Quarterback play of Matt Hasselbeck. The defense promises to continue its improvement over the past few seasons. While the other NFC West teams have made a number of offseason improvements, none of them will be as settled as the Seahawks who will be going all out to banish the bitter memories of SuperBowl XL. Most firms go around 11/1 on Seattle, although Bluesq do offer a standout 12/1. Turning our attention to the AFC and there is really only one team worth bothering with - Indianapolis Colts. Indy started 2005 by winning their first thirteen games. Unfortunately tragedy hit the organisation late in the regular season, and the wheels began to fall off with the eventual Super Bowl winners coming away from the RCA Dome with a 21-18 loss. With the exception of Peyton Manning suffering a long term injury, the Colts are going to win the AFC South and most probably secure a top seed. Apart from a couple of noticeable offseason moves including Edgerrin James and kicker Mike Vanderjagt the roster largely returns most of the starters. It is hoped Dominic Rhodes or first-round draft choice Joseph Addai can easily step up. As for replacing the hugely unpopular kicker, two-time Super Bowl hero Adam Vinatieri isn't a bad replacement. The defense can only be better after another twelve months learning the Dungy system, while the offense is unlikely to miss a beat even without the Edge. Again Bluesq are taking a risk by going a best price 13/2 on the SuperBowl favourites. The odds aren't the greatest but this team is surely now due.