Super Bowl odds show the undefeated New England Patriots as about a two touchdown favorite over the New York Giants. If the Patriots win they would complete a perfect season and be arguably the best team in NFL history. How does New England compare to other great teams in Super Bowl history?
Super Bowl have the Patriots as a prohibitive favorite for good reason. The Patriots set a NFL record for scoring this season with over 36 points per game and most of their games were not close. Super Bowl have come down a bit since bettors are trying to find reasons to bet against New England. How do the Patriots compare with some of the greatest teams in NFL Super Bowl betting history?
The team that compares most favorably with this year’s Patriots in Super Bowl odds is the 1994-95 San Francisco 49ers. Experts that look at Super Bowl remember that the 49ers also had one of the best offenses in NFL history and the defenses were comparable. The difference according to Super Bowl betting experts is that New England went undefeated and San Francisco did not. The 49ers were an 18 point favorite in Super Bowl odds that year and rolled over San Diego.
Experts that look at Super Bowl know that the team that will get mentioned with New England is the 1972 Miami Dolphins simply for the fact that they went unbeaten. That team scored the most points in the league and allowed the fewest as Super Bowl betting experts remember. The reality is though that Miami played a soft schedule, won their three playoff games by a total of 17 points and were underdogs to Washington in Super Bowl odds.
Experts that look at Super Bowl odds believe two teams that could be mentioned as being better than New England but still lost a game were the 1962 Green Bay Packers and the 1985 Chicago Bears. The 1962 team was the best of many Vince Lombardi teams. They outscored opponents by 19 points per game. Experts at Super Bowl odds remember that the Bears went 18-1 and had perhaps the best defense ever in 1985. Super Bowl betting experts remember that they brutalized teams and if not for a loss to Dan Marino and the Dolphins would have gone unbeaten.