NFL 2019: How the Gambling Market Shapes Up
Fans are revving up for NFL kickoff 2019, no longer needing to fill the void of an offseason that for many moved at a snail’s pace. Yet the activity of the NFL never truly rested. Not in the offseason and certainly not now. Rosters are crystalizing and new injuries are cropping up on a daily basis.
The severity of these injuries, or lack thereof, will prove the difference when things get serious. As will the ripple effect of trades, roster cuts and the NFL draft. A missed player or star allowed to leave could result in a disappointing campaign. Conversely, a bargain deal in free agency or shrewd draft pick could turn one team from contenders into champions. As we head toward the season, let’s examine some of the season’s basics from a wagering perspective.
To heap on even more pressure, Super Bowl LIV marks the centenary of the National Football League, being its 100th season. The season kicks off on September 5th when the Chicago Bears welcome the Green Bay Packers to town. At the first whistle, the hype will stop, and reality of players needing to win actual football games will begin. Then we’ll also see which gambles will pay off.
Super Bowl LIV is scheduled to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida on February 2nd 2020. Which side will become the 100th winner of the world-famous Vince Lombardi Trophy? Knowing the answer to that one could land you a tidy profit if backing your opinions with hard cash.
Bookies side with Patriots
Bookmakers aim to capitalize on the ever increasing interest with this season promising to be the tightest race in living memory.
The traders at Coral bookmakers have the New England Patriots – leaders in the early power ranking charts – as the team most likely to taste Super Bowl glory, pricing them as 7/1 favorites. It’s difficult to argue against that stance as the Patriots have made some ambitious moves over the course of the summer, adding fresh talent like WR N’Keal Harry to a system already housing arguably the best quarterback and coach in NFL history. Knowing how to grind out results in difficult matches will be key to the Patriots living up to expectations.
Nice priced upset
Despite the Pats’ popularity, there are many attractive challengers. At + 800, early odds have Kansas City Chiefs as one of the main threats in the outright betting market. They are joined by New Orleans Saints who have the same price tag attached. As evidenced by last year’s playoffs, both teams are more than capable of finishing with the Lombardi Trophy.
Some bettors seeking a hot payoff may find the LA Chargers appealing who can be backed at double-figure odds, with Coral, one of the UK’s largest bookmakers, serving up a hot +1100. Check out Coral review to find out more about bookmaker’s bids and offers.
Now, there’s no doubt the Chargers are more than good enough to go and spring a surprise over the course of the next few months but if they are to get anywhere near winning the Super Bowl they will need a healthy Philip Rivers, a dominant defensive line and a much more creative playbook in the playoffs.
Special markets
There are plenty of markets to bet on in this season’s NFL where you can have a financial interest without even picking sides. The Most Valuable Player market is particularly intriguing. As you’ll know if keeping up with the top stories before preseason, expectations for Patrick Mahomes are sky high. Thus he’s the favorite in the MVP betting. Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees won’t make things easy for him, however.
Offensive and defensive rookie of the year should be fascinating races. Bookies have are pinning their hopes on Kyler Murray being awarded the top offensive rookie prize. The Cardinals quarterback is also a talented baseball player and all eyes will be on him after deciding his future lies in the NFL.
The top defensive rookie of the year list is headed by Steelers LB Devin Bush but it’s a competitive list with nothing between the first three names in the list according to the betting odds, Bush joined by Bucs LB Devin White and 49ers EDGE rusher Nick Bosa at 13/2. The odds will surely move around in what could be a year of shifts for NFL lovers.
