NFL Rankings 2016: Patriots, Cowboys, Seahawks Among Top Super Bowl Contenders Ahead Of Week 8

Tom Brady Patriots — Tom Brady drops back to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on Oct. 23, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Getty Images

There’s more parody in the NFL than there has been in recent years, but one team stands far and away above the rest. The New England Patriots have established themselves as the league’s clear No. 1 team through Week 7 of the 2016 season.

Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, the world’s largest sportsbook, lists New England as 2/1 favorites to win the 2017 Super Bowl. The Patriots’ betting odds are three times better than any other NFL team, and their championship odds are seven times better than any AFC team.

Even after missing Tom Brady for the first four games of the season, the Patriots have the NFL’s best record at 6-1. The team’s only loss came when third-string quarterback Jacoby Brissett was forced to start, and Brady has arguably been the league’s best player with a 132.6 passer rating. Four of New England’s wins have come against teams that made the playoffs a year ago.

The Denver Broncos might be New England’s biggest competition in the AFC, but the defending Super Bowl champs are contending with a few teams to be the conference’s No. 2 contender. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs and Broncos all have 20/1 Super Bowl odds or better.

SB updated

NE 2/1
Sea 6/1
Min 8/1
Dal 8/1
GB 10/1
Den 14/1
Pit 16/1
Ari 16/1
KC 20/1
Oak 25/1
Atl 30/1
Ind 30/1
Cin 40/1
NYG 40/1
Phi 40/1
— Jeff Sherman (@golfodds) October 24, 2016

The NFC is much tougher to call with a few teams fighting for the conference’s top spot. The Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys are tied with the best record at 5-1, but neither of them has the best Super Bowl odds in the NFC. That honor belongs to the Seattle Seahawks, who are 4-1-1 after the team’s Week 7 tie with the Arizona Cardinals.

Dallas has had the most success of any team that didn’t reach the postseason a year ago, going 5-1 after a bye in Week 7. They’ll host the 4-2 Philadelphia Eagles in an important NFC East matchup in Week 8.

Despite Aaron Rodgers’ struggles, the Green Bay Packers are among the NFC’s top contenders. They are one of four NFC teams with Super Bowl odds of 10/1 or better.

Most of the NFC teams appear to be legitimate playoff contenders. Only five of the 16 teams are not within at least 1.5 games of first place in their respective divisions, and the Vikings are the only division winner from last year that is in first place after Week 7.

National Football League

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