NFL Futures Do Not Include Broncos

As I headed across the desert to Las Vegas Sunday morning I had an awful premonition that I should not be doing this today. This meaning I should not be shopping for NFL futures odds on a busy Sunday in all the sports books. My first stop at Stateline proved my premonition correct when the young man behind the counter informed me that he could not print out the “current odds” because they are “locked up” while the games were being played. You see I have been playing the NFL futures in Las Vegas since 1972 and had never encountered this situation but then again I can’t ever remember trying to gather said odds on a Sunday during game time. I was aware that most books update their odds on Monday mornings and often times they are not available until 11:00 AM or so. This was another dilemma because previous commitments required my return to Southern California early Monday AM. I did try some of my normal haunts early that morning and had no luck gathering any suitable odds on the teams I liked. I am happy to say that after arriving at the LVH (Former Hilton) around 9:00AM I found the numbers I wanted was more than happy to wager on them. I put 100 units each on four teams that I believe have a very good chance of playing in next February’s first snowy Super Bowl. Remember I always throw out the repeating champions (Ravens) and this year’s favorites Broncos (2/1) and refuse to accept less than 5 to 1 odds. Below are the four teams that I believe will bring a decent ROI this year:

• Seahawks 5 to 1
• 49ers 8 to 1
• Colts 15 to 1
• Chiefs 20 to 1

I couldn’t believe the number of people lined up in the $1,000 minimum line to wager on the Denver Broncos to win the Super Bowl at 2 to 1 odds. I guess I shouldn’t be shocked because in forty plus years of wagering the futures I have seen just about everything. Those same Broncos gave up 48 points to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and according to my five game NFL numbers they may not even be the best team in their division. Yes, the Kansas City Chiefs could very well be better at 20 to 1 odds. Of course that is my opinion and only time will tell but that is what makes playing the futures so much fun for this handicapper.