SPORTS BETTING

• NFL Super Bowl Futures Update

  Posted on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT by GetChalk

  
  

  Quarterback has always been the most important position on the field, and a look at the top two pivots in the league will lead you to this year's favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees have their teams rolling at 5-0 heading into Week 7 and priced at +375 to win the 2009 championship.
   
  Indianapolis Colts (+375)
   
  It all starts with Manning. In a season where people doubted the weapons around the Colts’ MVP quarterback, Manning has proved he is the best player in the NFL by making everyone around him better. Indianapolis has the top-ranked passing attack, averaging 326 yards through the air, and is scoring more than 27 points per game. The Colts’ defense has also been a surprise this year, sitting seventh in the league in total yards against and boasting the second fewest points allowed heading into the weekend.
   
  New Orleans Saints (+375)
   
  Everyone expected Brees and the Saints’ passing attack to put up big numbers, but the big question heading into the season was if New Orleans' defense would continue to spoil the party. The stop unit has answered that question with the ninth-best total yards against in the NFL. Another pleasant surprise has been the effectiveness of the Saints' rushing game; running backs Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, and Reggie Bush have rumbled for an average of almost 160 yards.
   
  New England Patriots (+475)
   
  Sure, the Patriots looked a little rusty in Tom Brady's first couple games back from knee surgery. However, New England put the league on notice that it is still the team to beat in the AFC with a 59-0 demolition of Tennessee last Sunday. Brady passed for six touchdowns and 360 yards – and didn't play the final quarter and a half. The Patriots’ defense, which lacked leadership earlier in the schedule, is finding its stride and sits sixth in the NFL in yards against while giving up under two touchdowns per game.
   
  Denver Broncos (+575)
   
  The Broncos appear to be cut from the same cloth as the Ravens and Buccaneers title teams from earlier in the decade. Denver is anchored by an athletic defense which leads the AFC in sacks with 21 and has forced 10 fumbles heading into a Week 7 bye. Hopefully, the week off doesn't disrupt what first-year head coach Josh McDaniels has going. With all the attention the defense is getting, the Broncos’ offense, which ranks ninth in total yards, has quietly put together some impressive performances to get the team off to a 6-0 start.
   
  Minnesota Vikings (+675)
   
  With all the headlines Minnesota's offense gets, the real heart and soul of the Vikings can go unnoticed. Tell that to vocal defensive end Jared Allen, who has helped make Minny into the premier pass rush in the NFL. The Vikings lead the NFC with 21 sacks and have forced nine fumbles to start 6-0. Of course, some guy name Favre and the league's best rusher may also have something to do with the team's early success.
   
  New York Giants (+675)
   
  The Giants would have been higher on this list if it wasn't for their 47-28 beating at the hands of the Saints last weekend. New York's defense, which still ranks first in total yards against, was left flat-footed. However, this team knows how to win football games and, better yet, Super Bowls. Eli Manning is putting together a great year despite a mish-mash of receivers. The G-Men can still pound the ball with a stellar running back tandem of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs.
   
  Pittsburgh Steelers (+690)
   
  The defending champs can't be counted out in the AFC. The Steelers got off to a rough start but have won three straight games heading into this Sunday's monster matchup with the Vikings. Their trademark defense hasn’t been playing at a Super Bowl level in recent weeks; however, Ben Roethlisberger and the offense are putting up big numbers. The pass attack ranks second in the NFL, but Pittsburgh has still not figured out how to open the rushing game week after week.