Only 16 Super Bowl XLIV Scenarios Remain, Odds Available On Each

NFL News - January 12th, 2010 - Written By John

Despite a three-game losing streak to close out the season, the New Orleans Saints have the best odds of all remaining teams in the 2010 NFL Playoffs to reach the Super Bowl this February.

So says Bodog, anyway.

After earning the NFC's no. 1 seed for the first time ever, New Orleans is featured in the top-two scenarios in the prop bet page on Bodog, asking gamblers to predict the exact Super Bowl match-up. The Saints were clearly the best team in the league for the first 3/4ths of the season, and finished the year averaging more yards (403.8) and points (31.9) than anyone.

New Orleans had five players selected to this year's Pro Bowl, including quarterback Drew Brees, who tied his season-high with 34 touchdowns.

Four Saints receivers had 500 yards or more this season, and three running backs scored at least five times.

Brees will be the starter in the All-Star game unless the Saints make the Super Bowl. This year's Pro Bowl game is held in Miami on Jan. 31st, a week before the league final, and those who are in the Super Bowl will be allowed to miss it and still receive their bonus pay.

The top-two teams from each conference haven't even played yet, but it appears they are still the favorites to reach the championship game. The favorite is an Indianapolis-New Orleans showdown (9/2) that would feature the top seeds from each conference for the first time this decade. However, the last time a no. 1 seed won the Super Bowl was in 2006, when the New England Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles.

Both teams are riding multi-game losing streaks, which combine at 0-5, so there are certainly some questions heading into even the divisional round. But they did thrill fans by becoming the first teams to start 13-0 in the same year, and it would be eloquent if they finished off the NFL season.

The longshot match-up is the Arizona Cardinals playing the New York Jets because both teams will be on the road, and no team has returned the the Super Bowl after losing it the year before since 1994.

The Jets did look awfully competitive in their first round game against the Bengals, and probably have the best chance to slow down Peyton Manning if they got the chance.

As for the Cardinals, after winning the highest-scoring game in NFL Playoff history, there is little doubt who has the best chance to hang with the potent New Orleans offense.

EXACT SUPER XLIV MATCH-UP

Arizona Cardinals vs. Baltimore Ravens 45/1
Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts 14/1
Arizona Cardinals vs. New York Jets 55/1
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Diego Chargers 17/1
Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens 20/1
Dallas Cowboys vs. Indianapolis Colts 6/1
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Jets 25/1
Dallas Cowboys vs. San Diego Chargers 7/1
Minnesota Vikings vs. Baltimore Ravens 20/1
Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts 6/1
Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Jets 25/1
Minnesota Vikings vs. San Diego Chargers 7/1
New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens 13/1
New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts 11/3
New Orleans Saints vs. New York Jets 17/1
New Orleans Saints vs. San Diego Chargers 9/2