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With the NFL regular season approaching its final week, the San Francisco 49ers (12-4) are the bookies' favourites to win Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium, Nevada on Sunday, February 11.
The NFC's #1 seed is priced at 9/4, slightly ahead of the AFC's #1 seed the Baltimore Ravens (16/5), even though the Ravens defeated the Niners in Week 16 33-19.
San Fran boasts the #4 scoring offense coupled with the #2 scoring defense, a stunning combination that has helped lead the NFC West champions to comprehensive wins this season over fellow playoff contenders Dallas, Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Seattle and Tampa Bay.
Led by 28/1 MVP candidate Brock Purdy and the 40/1 priced Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers have all the weapons on offense to cause destruction in the playoffs. Their defense is led by Defensive Player of the Year (DPOTY) candidate Nick Bosa, who is priced at 80/1 to win that individual award.
Baltimore, meanwhile, is led by MVP-favourite Lamar Jackson at quarterback – he is priced at 1/80 to take the crown. The Ravens host the #1 scoring defense anchored by linebacker Raquon Smith who is 125/1 to win DPOTY.
Given the performances in recent weeks, few would bet against a #1 seed v #1 seed Super Bowl for the second successive year – with the Ravens to beat the 49ers (15/2), and the reverse result in Super Bowl LVIII (7/1).
Next in the betting are the Dallas Cowboys (8/1) and Buffalo Bills (8/1).
Dallas looks set to secure the NFC East crown in Week 18 along with the #2 seed. They are powered by 16/1 MVP candidate Dak Prescott and 13/5 DPOTY contender Micah Parsons. They are unbeaten at home this season, so should breeze through to the Conference Championship game – essentially the semi-finals.
Buffalo, meanwhile, is yet to secure its playoff berth. Quarterback Josh Allen is 35/1 in the MVP stakes after the Bills fought back from a 6-5 start to win five games in a row. However, defeats to non-playoff sides New England, New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals should be a worry for fans.
Midway through the 2023 season, a Super Bowl LVII rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs (9/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (11/1) seemed likely. However, the Chiefs have struggled on offense all year, while the Eagles have lost four of their last five outings.
An outsider to consider may be the Cleveland Browns, headed by DPOTY front-runner Myles Garrett (2/5). Cleveland has wins over Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis and San Francisco this season and at 28/1 is certainly worth considering.
Another outsider that could threaten is the 50/1 LA Rams. The NFC West outfit have won six of their past seven games to earn a playoff berth, with their lone defeat a 37-31 reverse to Baltimore. They will likely head into the postseason with a win over a San Francisco unit that will rest starters in Week 18.
