Early odds and leans for Super Bowl 55

As we prepare to watch the Chiefs and 49ers clash in Super Bowl 54, we can already wager on what teams will matchup in Super Bowl 55. Last season at this time, the Chiefs were coming off a tough loss in the AFC Championship. At +800 before the season started, they were one of the favorites while the 49ers were coming off a 4-12 season with their starting quarterback injured for most of the season. Going into this year, they had +3300 odds to win it all.

Favorites

Chiefs +600
Ravens +800
49ers +1000
Saints +1200

The Top-4 favorites going into next season all have strong coaching and a solid base of talent to repeat their respectable 2019 seasons. All four are worthwhile wagers, with the Ravens likely to have the most room to improve. Lamar Jackson still has room to grow and he also needs help at receiver, which, if the Ravens can make some good choices and get a healthier Mark Andrews and Marquise Brown in 2020, they have a great chance to beat all comers. You can’t dismiss Sean Payton, Andy Reid, and Kyle Shanahan, so they are just behind the Ravens for my Super Bowl winner next season.

My pick: Baltimore Ravens

Getting close

Seattle Seahawks +1800
Dallas Cowboys +2000
Houston Texans +3300
Buffalo Bills +3500

These four teams are my favorites at mid-range odds. The Seahawks have some offensive coaching decisions I would like to see fixed and maybe they will be, but if you have Russell Wilson, you have a shot at winning the whole thing. Dak Prescott showed last season that he is a top talent at the position, which is enough for me to like them at these odds. A change in coach, even if it’s to Mike McCarthy, can only help and the Cowboys had one of the best offenses in the league.

The Texans and Bills have pieces I like for them to be able to make a run. Bill O’Brien is the only thing that keeps me from going all in on DeShaun Watson, and Josh Allen is why I can’t go all in on the Bills. Nonetheless, they both have a solid base and off-season moves could solidify them as contenders.

My pick: Dallas Cowboys

Long shots with upside

Tampa Bay Buccaneers + 5000
Las Vegas Raiders +5000
Carolina Panthers +6600
Detroit Lions + 6600

At this point in the season, it’s hard to project which teams will make the best moves in the off-season, but of the teams with long odds to win the 55th Super Bowl, these four have my attention in January.

Tampa Bay’s offense, even with 30 interceptions from Jameis Winston, was powerful and had them on the edge of a playoff spot. But, they likely wouldn’t have been close to the playoffs without a defense that stepped up more often than not, especially against the run. Seeing any semblance of a defense with Bruce Arians’ offense clicking is something I want some cash on.

The Raiders need a lot of help on defense and I don’t buy Derek Carr taking the team on his shoulders, but I’m starting to have a bit more faith than “that guy” Jon Gruden. A Super Bowl is a bit much to ask in 2020, but I do think he gives them a shot next season.

The Panthers quarterback situation is one that will give us a much better read on their chances next season, but I have a good feeling about Matt Rhule and there is a core in Carolina that can win now.

Matthew Stafford looked great while healthy last season and I think Matt Patricia might not be as awful as I first thought. They’re in a tough division, but I expect a good year from their offense in 2020 with Kerryon Johnson and Kenny Golladay at full speed.

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