Super Bowl Odds for All 32 NFL Teams

First off, I should note that there is a 37.5% chance that a team will make the playoffs, based on a 12/32 ratio. Talent, experience, and coachability are factors to consider, as well as what the team has done over the last year to base predictability on making the playoffs and winning a Superbowl. All in all, 20 teams stay home for the playoffs, 12 teams move on at the end of the regular season, with two of the 12 going to the big show. The following are the thoughts of Evan Adrian, afterwhich are my thoughts. Enjoy!

32. Rams

Steven Jackson is a great player, but no running back could carry this train-wreck of a team to the playoffs. Odds to win it all: 100 to 1

31. Bucs

Get your Heat tickets before they sell out, Buc fans. Odds to win it all: 90 to 1

30. Bills

Training camp is right around the corner, and we still don’t know who the Bills’ starting quarterback or running back is. Odds to win it all: 85 to 1

29. Brownies

But in the uber-competitive AFC North, it won’t even be close to enough to sniff a playoff berth. Odds to win it all: 80 to 1

28. Lions

I LOVE the Lions’ 2010 draft class, especially Ndamukong Suh, who will undoubtedly be a better pro than first overall pick Sam Bradford. Overall, this teams stinks, though. Odds to win it all: 75 to 1

27. Chiefs

This is a team that could sniff .500 in 2010, but a playoff birth seems to be out of the question. Odds to win it all: 60 to 1

26. Raiders

Oakland finally seems to be getting personnel moves right, thanks to Al Davis reportedly relinquishing some control. The Raiders have a talented backfield, a stud tight end in Zach Miller, an underrated offensive line, and a punishing defense. Odds to win it all: 50 to 1

25. Broncos

Denver got rid of Brandon Marshall this off-season, who was hands down their best play-maker. Rookie Demaryius Thomas will try to pick up the slack, but he won’t come close to Marshall’s numbers. Odds to win it all: 45 to 1

24. Seahawks

I don’t know how much Matt Hasselbeck really has left. And with Seattle’s acquisition of Chargers’ QB Charlie Whitehurst, I don’t think Seattle’s front office has much of an idea, either. Odds to win it all: 40 to 1

23. Cards

Losing Kurt Warner hurts. A lot. Arizona’s QB depth chart now looks like this: 1. Matt Leinart 2. Derek Anderson 3. John Skelton 4. Max Hall. Let the QB controversy begin! Beating out the 49ers for a playoff spot would be reason to celebrate. Odds to win it all: 38 to 1

22. Da Bears

I’m not saying that the Bears will be the greatest show on turf 2.0, but they will certainly be better with Mike Martz calling the shots. Devin Hester, Johnny Knox and company seem to fit the prototypical small receiver build that Martz does well with. If Matt Forte can return to 2008 form, Chicago’s offense could take flight. Odds to win it all: 36 to 1

21. Jags

If Garrard can play game-manager relatively well in 2010, the Jaguars have a legitimate shot at the playoffs (as long as Jones-Drew stays healthy). Super Bowl aspirations,though, are on hold for the time being. Odds to win it all: 35 to 1

20. 'Skins

Mike Shanahan has taken over as Washington’s head coach, and he seems to have taken the 2006 Pro-Bowl roster with him (Willie Parker, Donovan McNabb, Larry Johnson, and incumbent Clinton Portis). Can Washington compete in the East Beast Division? Odds to win it all: 32 to 1

19. Dolphins

Is Henne good enough to lead Miami to the postseason? He very well might be. Can he carry them to a Super Bowl? Certainly not. Odds to win it all: 30 to 1

18. 49ers

I like this team, but I don't love them. Winning the NFC West really amounts to nothing once the playoffs start. The 49ers are a young, growing team, but expect some serious growing pains once the playoffs start. Odds to win it all: 30 to 1

17. Mighty-Mighty Boss Cats (Panthers)

Carolina is handing the reigns over to Matt Moore this year after cutting Jake Delhomme in the offseason. If Moore can manage the game well and limit his turnovers, Carolina’s run game and defense could carry them to the playoffs. But a Super Bowl? No. Odds to win it all: 28 to 1

16. Eagles

Their defense and improved run-game could take them to the playoffs, plus they have that DeSean Jackson guy, who seems to make the occasional big play. I sort-of like the Eagles, but I don’t trust them farther than I can throw them. Odds to win it all: 28 to 1

15. Texans

Schaub played an entire season for the first time in 2009, and he was simply amazing. He racked up 29 touchdowns, 4,770 yards, and a QB rating of 98.6 (healthy temperature and QB rating). Houston’s offense was prolific last season, and I expect more of the same in 2010. If the Texans’ defense can keep up, the Houston Texans could get to the playoffs for the first time ever. Anything beyond a playoff berth would be a miracle. Odds to win it all: 26 to 1

14. Bengals

The Bengals seem to be in the news for all the wrong reasons this offseason. This is a team with too many questions, so here’s my answer: steer clear of Cincinnati. Odds to win it all: 25 to 1

13. Falcons

10 wins would be tremendous for this team, and it’s easily within reach. A deep playoff run, however, seems to be out of reach. Odds to win it all: 22 to 1

12. Giants

Eli Manning is better than you think he is, and so are New York’s receivers. Don’t sleep on the Giants, but don’t bet on them either. Odds to win it all: 20 to 1

11. Titans

Young was great as a starter last season, taking over for Kerry Collins and leading the Titans to an 8-2 record down the stretch. With a full season as a starter on the horizon,the sky is the limit for Young. Odds to win it all: 18 to 1

10. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers crack my top ten despite trading away their best receiver and being forced to play 4-6 games without their starting quarterback. If Pittsburgh can manage to win at least half of their games without Big Ben, they’ll be in good shape to make the playoffs. Willie Parker is gone, meaning 2010 is Rashard Mendenhall’s time to shine. And I think he’s more than capable of carrying the load. If Pittsburgh’s receivers can make up for Santonio’s absence, I can see the Steelers making a serious run at the Lombardi Trophy. Good coaching and good defense will get you a long way in the playoffs, and Pittsburgh has both. Odds to win it all: 15 to 1

9. New York Jets

I love me some Rex Ryan. He’s exactly what a New York NFL coach should be. He’s transformed the Jets from New York’s other football team into the headliner. The Jets had the loudest offseason in the NFL, picking up LaDainian Tomlinson, Santonio Holmes, and Jason Taylor, to name a few. Quarterback Mark Sanchez now has a year of experience under his belt, not to mention 2 playoff victories. I like what they’re building in New York, but I don’t see it all coming together as well as last season. Odds to win it all: 12 to 1

8. San Diego Chargers

Hey look, it’s the Chargers! The team everyone thinks has a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl every year, but seems to come up short. Well guess what? I’m not buying San Diego in 2010. When your team is only in the news for the wrong reasons, things aren’t exactly great. The Chargers ditched the best player in the history of their franchise (LaDainian Tomlinson) and replaced him with a rookie (Ryan Mathews). Their best offensive lineman (Marcus McNeill) is holding out for more money. Their best receiver (Vincent Jackson) is too, plus he’s suspended for three games. Ouch. I will give them this, though: their head coach (Norv Turner) is underrated, Philip Rivers might be a top-5 QB, and their defense is better-than-good. So they’ve got to be a top-ten team on this list. If I were a betting man, though, I wouldn’t touch the Chargers with a ten-foot pole. Odds to win it all: 11 to 1

7. Green Bay Packers

After a heartbreaking end to their 2009 campaign, Green Bay should be hungry, mad, and ready to get at it in 2010. Aaron Rodgers has been better than good since Brett Favre left, retired, signed with the Jets, left, retired, and signed with the Vikings. Rodgers' receivers are solid, he has an emerging tight end in Jermichael Finley, and I think Ryan Grant is due for a huge season in 2010. Green Bay’s defense really is underrated. Their linebacking corps is full of playmakers, and their secondary was good in 2009, with the obvious exception of their wild-card meltdown. A spot in the playoffs should be a given, and a Super Bowl victory is not out of this team’s reach by any means. Odds to win it all: 21 to 2

6. Minnesota Vikings

First things first: Brett Favre is going to play in 2010. Ok? Settled? Good. Second, he’s not going to be as good as he was last year. I don’t think anyone can reasonably expect him to be. But their run game shouldbe better. Adrian Peterson wasn’t as good as you think he was last year. Sure, he scored 18 touchdowns and ran for nearly 1,400 yards, but his YPC was a career-low 4.4, and he lost a career-high 6 fumbles. I’m not saying he’s not great, I’m just saying there’s room to improve. With their talented group o fpass catchers (Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, Visanthe Shiancoe, Bernard Berrian) and their punishing defense, a playoff berth for this squad is a given, but a Super Bowl is probably just out of reach (again). Odds to win it all: 10 to 1

5. Dallas Cowboys

First off, I’m not a Cowboys fan. I know they’re America’steam, and I live in America, but that still doesn’t make me a fan. However, I am buying the Cowboys as NFC East champions, and the odds-on favorite to win homefield in the NFC. Tony Romo seems to keep getting better and better, Miles Austin has emerged as a legit number one receiver, and Jason Witten is arguably the best pass-catching tight end in the NFL today. Not to mention that loaded backfield of Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice. Their defense is solid too, and they do a tremendous job getting in the backfield and making plays. Oh, and if that Dez Bryant guy turns out to be decent, we may see Dallas playing for Super Bowl XLV in their own stadium in February. Odds to win it all: 10 to 1

4. Baltimore Ravens

Ah yes, the Baltimore Ravens. Seems like they’re the chic pick to take home the Lombardi Trophy in 2010. And why not? Baltimore’s backfield could be the best in the NFL, with Ray Rice leading a three-headed charge that also includes Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain. Plus, Joe Flacco has another year under his belt and a new stud receiver in Anquan Boldin (if he can stay healthy). And don’t get me started on their defense. The Ravens added Sergio Kindle and Terrence Cody in the 2010 Draft, two first-round caliber players that should thrive in Baltimore’s 3-4 scheme. I like the Ravens a lot,and wouldn’t be too surprised to see Ray Lewis hoisting that Lomardi Trophy for the second time. Odds to win it all: 19 to 2

3. New England Patriots

Don’t let last year’s putrid playoff performance fool you. Despite what you may read, the Patriots are not declining. Bill Belichick is still the coach he’s always been. Tom Brady isn’t a step slower. Yes, Randy Moss is a year older, but this is a contract year. And we all know what that means. New England’s defense may be young, but they’re good, and they’re fast. We know how good this team can be. I think they’ll be that good in 2010, and maybe even better. Brady has a real good shot at a fourth ring. Odds to win it all: 19 to 2

2. New Orleans Saints

Sorry Saints fans, but I can’t put your team first. I just can’t. History tells us that in today’s NFL, a repeat is nearly impossible.Truth of the matter is I love this team. Drew Brees is an elite QB who can succeed with any group of receivers. That’s not a shot at New Orleans’ receiving corps, but does one guy emerge from that group as something truly special? Didn’t think so. New Orleans does have a strong 1-2 punch at running back though, with Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. And New Orleans’coaching staff might be the best in the NFL. I would love to see them prove me wrong, but I don’t see the Saints repeating this year. A Super Bowl berth, though, doesn’t seem too far fetched. Odds to win it all: 8 to 1

1. Indianapolis Colts

Quick, who’s the NFL’s best quarterback? If you said anyone other than Peyton Manning, you’re kidding yourself. QBs handle the football more than anyone else on the field, so I’ll put my money on the team with the best one. I put my money on Peyton last year and it didn’t exactly work out,but I’ve still got faith. Nobody works harder than Peyton. Nobody leads better than Peyton. But most importantly, nobody cares more than Peyton. The rest of the offense is pretty loaded, too. Peyton has two solid veteran pass-catchers in Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne, as well as a couple of talented up-and-comers in Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. Peyton's backfield (Joseph Addai and Donald Brown) is better than you think. So is the defense. But it all starts with Peyton, and come Super Bowl XLV, I think it will end with him, too. Odds to win it all: 7 to 1

OK, so my thoughts. I think in the top ten, I almost agree. Jets are ranked too high, as are the Patriots. In my opinion, the boat is sailing on the Patriots. They may have another playoff appearance, but I think playoff wins are going... going... I would have put them fifth TOPS. Important, I do agree with the top two. I like the Colts and the Saints in the top two spots, however, I honestly think the two can be interchangable. I would have put the 'Boys at third, bumped up the Vikes to fourth... and I do expect Farve to play and I do expect him to do exceptionally well, as we expect Farve to always perform to the Farve level. The only knock I have against Farve is that he tends to not just play football, but play with people's minds on whether he will or won't play. Man up and give an answer straight out.

Ankle Still an Issue for Favre

Brett Favre said during the ESPY awards show on Wednesday night in Los Angeles that he would "love to play" for the Minnesota Vikings this season but still hasn't decided if he will return because his surgically repaired left ankle continues to give him problems.

"I still have a little bit of time, and believe it or not, (I'm) not completely healthy," Favre said during a backstage interview at the Nokia Theatre that was aired on the ESPN3 website after the show ended. "I guess at 40 I may never be. I'm not getting any younger, but I am working hard trying to feel as best I can. Last year, I felt great. My arm was totally different than it was the year before (in 2008 with the Jets) and that made my decision a little bit easier. But we'll see."

Favre, who was honored with the "Best Play" award for his last-second touchdown pass to Greg Lewis that lifted the Vikings over San Francisco in Week 3 last season, underwent surgery to repair a partially torn biceps in May 2009 and eventually decided to end his retirement and sign a two-year contract with the Vikings. This spring, Favre underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle and has been throwing with receivers at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Miss., as he tries to decide whether to play a 20th season.

Favre made it clear in his interview that he has the desire to play but wants to make sure physically he feels all right.

"It starts with the ankle," he said. "This coming Friday will be eight weeks (since the surgery), and I had hoped it would be a little bit better at this point. I can walk fine, but you don't walk in football.

"Then it kind of works from there up. If you wake up in the morning and your feet hurt, it kind of makes the rest of your body hurt, and if you've been sacked 700 times, that usually adds to it."

Favre did not mention his future while making two appearances on stage during the program, once to present the Arthur Ashe Courage award and the other time to receive the "Best Play" honor.

In addition to his appearance at the ESPYs, Favre also will be in the spotlight for a wide-ranging interview he did that will appear in the upcoming edition of Men's Journal. Favre talked to the reporter from the magazine in April.

Included was Favre's first in-depth explanation about the interception he threw late in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game in New Orleans. The pass - on which Favre said receiver Sidney Rice didn't do what he expected - ended the Vikings' drive in Saints territory with the score tied. New Orleans won, 31-28, in overtime.

"Playing another year probably isn't going to make a difference (for his body); the damage has already been done," Favre told Stephen Rodrick of Men's Journal.

Taylor Teagarden Could Be an ALL-STAR!

Taylor Teagarden was fourth among catchers in American League All-Star voting last week. Which resulted in Bob Molinaro of the Hampton Roads Virginian-Pilot writing: "Never heard of him? That's because when the Texas Rangers sent him down to Double-A, he was batting .037, with one hit. But before his demotion, Rangers fans flooded the ballot box. One more example of why fans don't deserve the vote. Stupidity shouldn't be encouraged."

Dwight Perry, in the Seattle Times: "Former USC star Reggie Bush denied any wrongdoing but said he'll do whatever he can after the Trojans got tossed into the NCAA hoosegow. O.J. Simpson, profoundly touched, immediately applied for work-release just so he can help Reggie find the real program-killers." One more from Perry: "Coincidence? NFL suddenly realizes it needs two fewer preseason games at exactly the same time it realizes it needs two more in the regular season."

Ron Judd, in the Seattle Times: "Those vuvuzelas are making some of us sports fans rethink 30 years' worth of assuredness that nothing could possibly be worse than listening to three solid hours of the droning of Brent Musberger." Judd, once more: "The Mariners say they are ready and willing to trade starting pitcher Cliff Lee for any combination of players who can maintain the franchise's rich history of failing to live up to even marginal expectations."

By Gregg Drinnan, sports editor of The Daily News.

NFL Notebook for May 1

Cowboys' Bryant is Over Interview Controversy

IRVING, Texas - Dallas Cowboys rookie receiver Dez Bryant says he's done talking about being asked by Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland in a pre-draft interview if his mother was ever a prostitute.

After his first workout with the Cowboys during a rookie minicamp Friday, Bryant repeatedly said he didn't want to talk about his interview with Ireland and the controversy that has followed.

"I don't want to talk about it. I just want to talk about the Cowboys and what I'm doing. I put that in the past," Bryant said. "I'm just going to move on, I really don't even want to speak on it anymore. I feel fine, things are great. I'm just looking ahead now."

Game 14: Bears vs. Saints

Both the Bears and the Saints are 7-6 coming into this game. This is the toughest game for the Bears for the rest of this season... at least until they get to post-season, which may or may not happen for the Bears depending on how this game goes.

Quarterback Comparrison

Name	QB Rating	Comp-Att	Comp %	Yards	TD-Int	Fumbles
Drew Brees	96.2	329-503	65.4%	4,100	26-14	6
Kyle Orton	83.5	212-361	58.7%	2,414	15-8	5

The Saints have the upper hand on the Quarterback situation.

Rushing Comparrison

Name	Carries	Yards	TDs	Catches	Yards	TDs
Pierre Thomas	94	461	7	21	199	2
Matt Forte	269	1,081	6	53	395	4

The Saints use a tandem of three running backs, with Thomas being the consistent leader for the Saints. Forte is still the better choice between the two teams, so the Bears win running game.

Receiving Comparrison

Name	Catches	Yards	TDs	Fumbles
Lance Moore	62	774	8	0
Devery Henderson	28	668	3	1
Marques Colston	25	454	1	1
Devin Hester	39	522	3	0
Greg Olson	37	450	3	2
Rashied Davis	33	410	2	0

The Saints have better numbers on the receiving side, which isn't too much of a surprise since their QB is better. Saints own the edge here.

Defense Comparrison

Name	Tackles	Sacks	Ints-TD	Deflections
Jonathan Vilma	104	1.0	1-0	5
Bobby McCray	24	6.0	0-0	0
Jason David	17	0.0	4-0	8
Lance Briggs	92	0.5	3-0	9
Charles Tillman	72	0.0	3-1	15
Adewale Ogunleye	46	5.0	0-0	3

I like the Bears numbers here. They actually have three players tied with the team lead of 5 sacks, Kevin Payne has four Ints., and Ogunleye has a safety to his name. The Bears defense is what has given them the seven wins this season, since the offense is off and on, with a stronger emphasis on the off.

Forecast: The Bears seem to choke against the bigger offensive teams. They can handle the close games pretty well, but give them a strong offense team and they wilt away. Yet, for whatever reason, my gut is saying to think "Bears"... And this time, I will go with the ol' gut. Bears surprise everyone (except diehard Bears fans) with a victory over the Saints. Score: 20-17.

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