With the 2009 NFL season in the books, we wouldn’t want to waste any of our precious gambling time looking back on a season of ‘what-ifs’ and ‘shoulda-beens’. Instead, we go straight to the 2010 season -since we’re in that year anyway - and look at the current odds of each NFL franchise going to or returning to the Super Bowl. Odds From FootballLocks.com

Colts 6:1 odds

This is a little bit high for our liking. The Colts overachieved this season but the oddsmakers in Vegas obviously see it as Indianapolis reloading. Peyton Manning has made Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie viable weapons in the league, something that nobody could have imagined coming into the season. Joseph Addai proved that he still has some juice left but Donald Brown is going to have to step up and be more of a threat if the Colts want to repeat in the AFC.

Chargers 8:1 odds

Too high. For a team that has never reached the Promised Land, it seems more likely that they will have a hard time finding a replacement for LaDainian Tomlinson and some of their defensive stars. Next season will decide whether Shawn Merriman is a legit threat to be the next Ray Lewis or if he is just another four year star in the NFL. He is a restricted free agent and it will be interesting to see how the Chargers handle his contract situation. DE/LB Larry English will have to step up and become the force San Diego expected him to be when they drafted him.

Steelers 10:1 odds

This is a nice little bet. If Pittsburgh can add some firepower in the backfield through the draft to help Rashad Mendenhall - the most silent 1,000-yard rusher in the league in 2009 - the Steelers could have a dynamic offense to go along with an always steady defense. You come to expect to Steelers to get value out of their draft too, another reason they are a nice little bet in this spot.

Patriots 10:1 odds

New England is another team that has to reload their backfield and figure out some things on defense in order to be a legitimate title contender but as long as Brady and Belichick are together the Pats are a threat to make the Super Bowl. An improving young defense and Wes Welker’s return to health will be the biggest keys to New England’s success in 2010. Nobody would laugh at you if you made this preseason bet.

Saints 10:1 odds

Would anybody be surprised if the Saints went back to being an 8-8 or 9-7 football team next season? The Falcons are going to be better and they will face a tougher schedule, not to mention the Super Bowl champs always have a target on their back the following season. Brees, like Manning, can make athletic receivers stars because he never forces them to make tough plays. The ball is always on the money, the just have to catch it. New Orleans has to make a lot of tough salary decisions in the offseason, the biggest being what to do with Reggie Bush. He fits perfectly into their offense and luckily for them, not too many other NFL franchises can say that. There won’t be as big of a market for Bush’s services as you would expect, considering his athleticism and versatility. New Orleans has 29 players whose contracts expire after this year so there will be a lot of decisions to be made.

Vikings 12:1 odds

You have to love this bet….as long as Brett Favre returns. The Vikings were one game - possibly one play - away from playing in the Super Bowl this year and their roster isn’t going to change much next season. Sidney Rice became a legit number one receiver this season and Percy Harvin is only going to get better next year. Favre doesn’t have any reason to retire football-wise but there is destined to be more drama when it comes to Favre and his return. Minnesota would love to find out early, so they can trade for Donovan McNabb, but Brett won’t be rushed by anyone.

Cowboys 12:1 odds

This is where the Chargers should be. You can make a lot of comparisons between the two teams, with the only glaring difference being the Chargers recent playoff success. They both have coaches that haven’t won the big game throughout their career and are seen as ‘player’s coaches’. The Cowboys have the stars on both sides of the ball to win but they are really going to feel the effects of the Roy Williams trade this season because there is going to be a lack of young stars to go along with the tenured stars that sprinkle their roster.

Packers 12:1 odds

The media is enamored with Aaron Rodgers and his ability to put up numbers but what has he really done in his short career? He took a supposed Super Bowl contender in 2008 and turned them into a 3-13 team. This year he led them to the playoffs only to lose in a shootout to Arizona, 51-45. Granted, he couldn’t have done any more to help the Packers win in that playoff game but we’re not as high on him as most of the media.

Eagles 12:1 odds

These odds can change with an offseason quarterback change. If the Eagles have the mindset of their crazed Philadelphia fans and part ways with Donovan McNabb, these odds should plummet. If McNabb returns and Philly decides to draft focusing on the defensive side of the ball it could be enough to put them over the top in a wide open NFC next season. If McNabb leaves and Kevin Kolb becomes the starter, they’ll be fighting with Washington for third place in the division. If McNabb leaves and they decide to go with Mike Vick as their starter thing could get interesting. When you put an offensive formation that consists of Vick, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy on a consistent basis, explosive plays are bound to happen.

Ravens 15:1 odds

This is another nice bet. A $100 investment on an improving offense and dominant defense can return $1,500 at the end of next season. The front office has to realize that QB Joe Flacco needs some help in the downfield receiver department and that the defense isn’t getting any younger. A lot will depend on the return of Ed Reed, but at 31 it doesn’t feel like it’s his time to go yet, especially with a team that is a legit contender in the AFC.

Jets 15:1 odds

Come on! Sure the Jets were one game away from the Super Bowl this year but in a division with the Pats and the Dolphins, New York will be hard pressed to repeat their great performance in 2009. Let’s not forget, the Jets were all but out of it with three weeks left in the season and they needed two teams - Colts and Bengals - to roll over in order to make the playoffs. The Jets’ defense will be a force as long as Rex Ryan is their coach but they need Mark Sanchez to improve drastically in order to be in the same position in 2010.

Others

Giants 30:1 - This seems like a decent long shot bet as long as they can add some depth to a beat up defensive line and get another offensive weapon, the type they’ve lacked since Plaxico went to prison.
Cardinals 30:1 - Once the offense went into the hands of Matt Leinart the Cardinals went from a Super Bowl-level team to a questionable playoff contender. If they can trade for McNabb in the offseason, they should be a favorite to win the West and be a problem come playoff time.
Falcons 30:1 - This is another decent bet. They play in a tough conference but Matt Ryan should have a better season and if Michael Turner returns to form they will have a chance in the NFC.
Bengals 30:1 - This season seemed like their best shot to make a splash. A locker room that was made up of questionable characters over the years seemed to bond together and a defense that couldn’t stop anybody in previous years became a force. But in a tough AFC North, don’t look for the Bengals to make the same sort of splash.
Titans 30:1 - Can you imagine Vince Young holding the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season? Uh, yeah neither can we! If you want to make this bet give us a call and we’ll take it.
Texans 40:1 - A Pro Bowl quarterback, a Top-3 wide receiver and a dynamic running back combined with a defense that has three legitimate stars equals a really good long shot bet in our eyes.
Bears 40:1 - The Bears need to add a few weapons offensively in order to be considered a threat in their division. You can’t make a run in this league with Devin Hester as your prime receiver and Kahlil Bell as your second leading rusher. Chicago needs offensive depth and they need it fast.
Panthers 40:1 - Carolina has a nice backfield but you can’t go to the Super Bowl when your quarterback position is one of the biggest questions.
Dolphins 40:1 - If Chad Henne steps up and a couple guys step up, the Dolphins will be a good team. But in that conference the Fins aren’t a great bet.
49ers 40:1 - See Panthers.
Seahawks 40:1 - Seattle should have been better this year but Pete Carroll is going to have his hands full in his first season back in the NFL.
Broncos 50:1 - Denver got hot at the beginning of the season but they showed their true colors over the last ten game when they went 2-8. They’ll be lucky to go .500 next year, never mind a Super Bowl.
Jaguars 50:1 - Jacksonville is going to be a train wreck next season. They have questions at quarterback and holes on defense. They’ll be worrying more about Jake Locker than the playoffs toward the end of the season.
Redskins 50:1 - With a uncapped year on the horizon you know Washington will be a player but they have a ton of problems to solve. They’re guaranteed to play in Dallas next year but not in the Super Bowl.
Bills, Browns, Bucs, Chiefs, Raiders and Rams 100:1 - If you want to put $100 or more on any of these teams please track us down and we will happily take your action.