What do my top 7 contenders for Super Bowl LVI (56) have in common?
They all have kick ass quarterbacks.
Point is, if you want to go to the Super Bowl these days you better have a superstar QB. Long gone are the days when journeymen like Joe Flacco, Trent Dilfer or Brad Johnson could lead you to the Lombardi trophy.
The fan bases of my top 7 all strongly believe this is their year to win the Super Bowl. (Listed alphabetically)
* Odds listed are as of November 1, 2021
Arizona Cardinals (+1000)
Everybody in Arizona is jumping for joy and not just because the Cardinals are 7-1 and have a super stud and No. 1 ranked QB in Kyler Murray. As you might have heard by now, regulated sports gambling is legal in Arizona, – here you can learn more about it – this might be good news for inhabitants of the State as after losing their undefeated status against the Green Bay Packers, the Arizona Cardinals odds were set at +1200 moving from the 3rd and 4th favorite to win the Super Bowl to 5th place today meaning a better payout for sports bettors. With all of Murray’s electric playmaking, what’s often overlooked is Arizona’s fourth ranked defense that gives up only 17.3 points per game. Arizona’s offense is averaging 30.8 points per game.
Baltimore Ravens (+1200)
Everything with the Ravens revolves around Lamar Jackson and he’s having another stupendous regular season. Nobody seems to get a good hit on him when he runs and he’s improved as a passer with a 2021 completion percentage of 64.9. Problem is, D coordinators have been able to contain and stop him in the playoffs so that’s why I, like so many others, are leery about the Ravens making it all the way to L.A. Right now, Baltimore seems to be on a collision course with the Bills for the AFC Championship game. If Regular Season Lamar shows up for that game, this might be the year for the Ravens to hold the Lombardi Trophy.
Buffalo Bills (+500)
Just the stats, please. The Bills have compiled some eye-popping numbers in the first 8 weeks of the season. They’re only giving up 15.6 points per game (first in the NFL) and they’re scoring at 32.7 points per game, also the best in the league. Josh Allen is the real deal with a rifle arm and the ability to scramble and extend plays. Allen has a top flight arsenal of weapons, too, with receivers Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders and running back Devin Singletary. Their road to the Super Bowl is much easier than their NFC counterparts since there just a few AFC teams to cause them trouble in the playoffs.
Dallas Cowboys (+1000)
There are lots of reasons to like the 2021 version of the Cowboys. The offensive line is healthy and back to pancaking people and opening big holes for Zeke Elliott and Tony Pollard. Two new studs on defense, LB Micah Parsons and DB Trevon Diggs, have energized a much improved defense and Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP caliber level. The Cowboys can flat out put up points with all of their offensive weapons clicking, and if the defense can stay healthy they’ll have a great chance to reach the Super Bowl. Dallas is scoring a whopping 32.1 points per game
Green Bay Packers (+900)
Everybody thought the Packers would crumble after all the off season turmoil with their part-time Jeopardy host quarterback Aaron Rodgers. For whatever reason, Rodgers and the Pack have answered the critics with a 7-1 record and first place in the NFC North division. They have impressive wins over the Cardinals, Bengals, 49ers and Saints. WR Davante Adams is arguably the best in the league and Aaron Jones is a top flight running back that helps Rodgers greatly on play action. The big regular season game to watch is when they play the L.A. Rams at Lambeau on November 28th. The rumors of Rodgers demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Los Angeles Rams (+750)
QB Matthew Stafford is having an off-the-charts year with a 68.9 completion percentage and 22 TDs. WR Cooper Kupp is putting up spectacular numbers. Check out this mind-boggling stat: His 214.9 PPR fantasy points through eight games are the second-most by any wide receiver through that stage of any season since the merger. Only Torry Holt (215.3 in 2003) scored more. The Rams offense is putting up 30.6 points per game and only giving up 21 with a defense anchored by DT Aaron Donald and DB Jalen Ramsey. The Rams have a physical defense with a nasty attitude and an offense that can put up points in a hurry as they did earlier in the year when they put 34 on the Bucs in an impressive victory,
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+600)
The Bucs have the G.O.A.T. and nobody else does. The ageless 44-year old Brady looks in form again this year and he always delivers in the playoffs. Last year, he beat Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers in the playoffs and Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl. Everybody from last year’s starting 22 returned and Brady, Gronk, Evans and Fournette are all much more familiar with Coach Bruce Arians offense so the Bucs are going to be very tough to beat. Bottom line is if you don’t get pressure on Brady you can fuhgetaboutit, he’s gonna win trophy number 8.
