Rams Favored to Win the Super Bowl, Las Vegas Oddsmakers Say

[clevfan]

Fri Sept 6
Rams Favored to Win the Super Bowl, Las Vegas Oddsmakers Say
By Pete Coates

Las Vegas, Sept. 5 (Bloomberg) -- The St. Louis Rams are favored to win the Super Bowl this season, although as many as a dozen other National Football League teams have a legitimate shot at winning the championship, Las Vegas oddsmakers said.

The Rams, upset by the New England Patriots in last season's Super Bowl, are listed as 7-2 favorites by Caesars Palace to win the title this season.

Other teams are attracting money too, as the favorite sport of U.S. gamblers begins its 83rd season tonight with a game between the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants. Among the other contenders drawing wagers are the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said Chuck Esposito, sports book manager at Caesars.

``The Rams are a very talented team on offense and can put a lot of points on the board,'' Esposito said. ``But I think the rest of the pack has caught up with them.''

Esposito said the Steelers are listed at 6-1, followed by the Eagles at 7-1 and the Patriots, Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers at 8-1. The Washington Redskins, under new coach Steve Spurrier, are 10-1, followed by the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos at 12-1.

``I really think it's wide open,'' Esposito said. ``There's an opportunity for a lot of teams this year.''

About $560 million was wagered on NFL games in Nevada last season, according to Las Vegas Sports Consultants, a company that helps sports books set their betting lines. Nevada is the only U.S. state where sports gambling is legal.

Bet on Offense

At the Palms Casino Resort, the Rams are listed as a 4-1 favorite, ahead of the Steelers at 8-1 and the Eagles, Packers and Buccaneers at 10-1.

``The biggest thing people like to bet on is offense, and the Rams are clearly the team with the most explosive offense,'' said Jeff Sherman, the casino's race and sports book manager.

St. Louis, with two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Kurt Warner at quarterback, led the NFL is scoring the past three seasons.

The Rams are listed as 7-2 favorites at the Hilton Race & Sports Book, followed by the Steelers at 6-1, the Eagles and Buccaneers at 7-1 and the Patriots and Raiders at 8-1. A successful bet at 7-2 would pay $7 for every $2 wagered.

Esposito said at least a dozen teams have a good shot at winning the Super Bowl, which will be played in San Diego on Jan. 26. The last three teams that represented the AFC in the Super Bowl -- the Titans, Ravens and Patriots -- started the season as 50-1 shots or better, he said.

``There could be a surprise again this year,'' Esposito said. ``That's what is great about the NFL -- the parity.''

Long Shots

He said the Kansas City Chiefs, currently listed at 25-1, would have a good chance this year playing in the newly formed AFC West division with the Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers and Raiders.

Sherman said the Atlanta Falcons, at 50-1, are a good long shot with former No. 1 draft pick Michael Vick at quarterback.

``They are in a very weak division,'' Sherman said. ``I think it's a two-team race with Tampa Bay, and if Atlanta has a good enough year, there's no reason why they can't win that division and make the playoffs.''

[jdog]

titans not a bad pick at 50-1 if i read your article right