The new NFL season is almost upon us and with it comes the blind optimism that our favorite team can defy the Super Bowl odds and win the Super Bowl.
That promise of a championship is the reason why there’s been a bottle of champagne (disgusting vinegar by now) at the back of my fridge for the past 15 years, awaiting the Dallas Cowboys’ return to Super Bowl prominence.
Whether you’re a Kansas City Chiefs fan pulling for a three-peat or a Carolina Panthers backer beating the drum for unlikely Big Game glory, the 2024 NFL odds give you a chance to put your money where your Sunday obsession is.
And who am I to say you’re wrong? I’m perpetuating that unwavering hope — at least until after Week 1 — giving a reason why every NFL team could win Super Bowl LIX.
Dream on you beautiful dreamers. Dream on.
Favorites
Kansas City Chiefs (+500)
Frig off Kansas City Chiefs fans. If you’re coming here for validation, you have a self-confidence issue that Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and Steve Spagnuolo’s defense can’t help you fix. And there’s almost nothing those guys can’t accomplish together in 2024.
San Francisco 49ers (+600)
A talent-rich roster on both sides of the ball and a hot ball of rage deep down inside after getting oh-so-close to Lombardi in four of the past five years. No sudden moves around San Francisco 49ers fans come January.
Baltimore Ravens (+1,000)
Lamar Jackson is the MVP and a one-man offense when things go sideways. Even though Mike Macdonald is gone, the Baltimore Ravens defense will continue to haunt the dreams of rival QBs. Sacks, pressure, and pick-offs will still be there in 2024.
Detroit Lions (+1,200)
The Detroit Lions not only play with more passion than any other team in the NFL, but they patched their defensive holes and have an offense ready to explode in 2024. Detroit was a 24-7 collapse away from a Big Game appearance last year.
Cincinnati Bengals (+1,400)
Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow…
Philadelphia Eagles (+1,400)
When the going gets tough, the tush gets pushed in Philly. The Philadelphia Eagles are going to win the war in the trenches and convert on those crucial downs. The run game chews the clock and forces rival offenses to be one-dimensional when they do get the ball.
Contenders
Buffalo Bills (+1,500)
Josh Allen has the biggest arm in the NFL and now has a big receiving corps. The Buffalo Bills could bully its way to the Big Game and no one wants to come to Orchard Park in the middle of winter for a playoff game.
Green Bay Packers (+1,600)
This is another team you don’t want to visit in the playoffs. The young Green Bay Packers have a taste for postseason blood and were 15 minutes away from the NFC title game last year. If Jordan Love & Co. continues to grow at that rate, watch out.
Houston Texans (+1,600)
C.J. Stroud is giving off Mahomes, Wilson, and Roethlisberger vibes (on-field Big Ben, not the creepy other stuff) as potentially the next QB to win the Big Game early into their career. The Houston Texans pushed all the chips to the middle of the table for 2024.
Dallas Cowboys (+1,800)
As mentioned above, the Dallas Cowboys hold a special place in my heart (and refrigerator). Dallas still has Dak Prescott and a dangerous defense thats continued to make game-changing plays over the past three years.
New York Jets (+2,000)
The New York Jets don’t need Aaron Rodgers to be at MVP levels with the way this defense gets after it. Hell, 21 points per game might be enough for the Jets to get to double-digit wins and a playoff home game.
Miami Dolphins (+2,200)
Year 3 under Mike McDaniel’s schemes sees the Miami Dolphins continuing to pour on the points but also play a smarter pace, leaving foes fewer touches with the football and throwing into a talented secondary.
Sleepers
Atlanta Falcons (+3,000)
Kirk Cousins gives the Atlanta Falcons’ young skill players their best QB and Arthur Smith is no longer gumming up the works replaced by the defensive ferocity of Raheem Morris. Atlanta could walk into the playoffs due to a soft schedule and then anything can happen.
Los Angeles Rams (+3,000)
Sean McVay is one of the best coaches in recent history and knows what it takes to win the Super Bowl. His offense can go toe-to-toe with anyone as long as Matthew Stafford is still standing.
Chicago Bears (+4,000)
The Chicago Bears are all in on rookie Caleb Williams, giving him plenty of top targets. The Bears' defense is very opportunistic and creates chaos and game-changing plays that fuel upsets.
Cleveland Browns (+4,000)
The defense is legit, headlined by Myles Garrett — the best defensive player in the land. If Deshaun Watson can play anywhere near his former highs, the Cleveland Browns could shut down the “Factory of Sadness” for good.
Los Angeles Chargers (+4,000)
Jim Harbaugh brings championship-caliber coaching to the Los Angeles Chargers and Justin Herbert is still an elite passer. That’s all I got.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+5,000)
The AFC South is still a craps shoot and the Jacksonville Jaguars showed they can contend with a 9-2 start to 2023. If the Texans trip up, Jacksonville is almost guaranteed a postseason ticket.
Pittsburgh Steelers (+5,000)
Mike Tomlin’s defense has the Pittsburgh Steelers competing every Sunday, regardless of opponent. The Steelers offense is in a better spot at QB than recent years, which isn’t saying much, with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Long Shots
Indianapolis Colts (+6,600)
Shane Steichen was hired to create Philly 2.0 in the AFC. Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor are a handful, and the Indianapolis Colts always seem to be in the playoff hunt come December.
Seattle Seahawks (+6,600)
Lots of talent on both sides of the ball and Mike Macdonald brings his dynamic defense to the Pacific Northwest, rekindling the championship reign of “The Legion of Boom”.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+8,000)
Honestly, I’m a little surprised to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this far down the list. Tampa Bay will compete for the NFC South crown and let’s not forget it won a playoff game last year and put a scare in the Lions.
Arizona Cardinals (+10,000)
Kyler Murray is healthy for Year 2 under Rich Gannon, so positives are expected. The Arizona Cardinals will have an above-average offense, anchored in the run, which limits how long its defense is on the field for. Less is more from that group.
Las Vegas Raiders (+10,000)
The Las Vegas Raiders roster looks nice, except where it matters most: Quarterback. But hey, if that training montage set to Creed showed us anything, it’s that there could be magic left in Gardner Minshew’s mustache.
Minnesota Vikings (+10,000)
At least the Minnesota Vikings won’t have the pressure to play rookie QB J.J. McCarthy hanging over them. Veteran QB Sam Darnold is better than you think and has a bevy of skill players there to help him out, including WR Justin Jefferson.
New Orleans Saints (+10,000)
Could you imagine the New Orleans Saints playing in a Super Bowl… in New Orleans?! Livers across the Crescent City just quivered. The Saints could surprise the NFC South with a competitive defense that creates takeaways.
Pipe Dreams
Denver Broncos (+15,000)
Sean Payton has things the way he wants them in Denver (more specifically without Russell Wilson) and the Denver Broncos defense was Top 3 in the league from Week 6 to Week 14 last season.
New York Giants (+15,000)
If Daniel Jones can thirst-trap Kay Adams, there’s no limit to what he can achieve in 2024. That new beard is giving me Captain America “Infinity War” vibes.
Tennessee Titans (+15,000)
The Tennessee Titans’ big-name offseason adds make them a fun team to play with in “Madden 25”. New defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson could make them fun in real life.
Washington Commanders (+15,000)
I love the coaching hires in D.C. even if their “Big Game” experience is blowing a 21-3 lead in the Super Bowl.
Carolina Panthers (+25,000)
Maybe the Carolina Panthers’ piss-poor 2023 can catch 2024 opponents off guard… for 17 straight games … and the playoffs.
New England Patriots (+30,000)
If Bill Belichick can suddenly seem human off the field, even the worst of the worst has a shot at redemption.
