The undefeated Carolina Panthers picked up some company atop the Super Bowl 50 odds this week, with the New England Patriots gaining ground following their 27-6 win over Houston to join them as 15/4 favorites to win the championship.
The victory over the Texans was a much-needed shot in the arm for the 11-2 Patriots, who came up short in their two previous outings against Denver and Philadelphia, ending a 13-game straight-up winning streak and temporarily knocking them from their familiar perch as Super Bowl betting favorites.
Injuries continue to be a concern for the Patriots, who return home this weekend to take on the struggling Tennessee Titans.
While tight end Rob Gronkowski returned to action against the Texans, New England will still be without receiver Julian Edelman and rusher LeGarrette Blount for Sunday afternoon’s Titans vs. Patriots betting matchup at Gillette Stadium.
The Panthers are contending with injury issues of their own following last weekend’s 38-0 rout of the Atlanta Falcons, with tight end Greg Olsen and rusher Jonathan Stewart both considered questionable for Sunday’s clash with the New York Giants.
But the Panthers look to be gaining momentum down the stretch, going 4-1 against the spread in their past five games, including two ATS wins while favored by seven or more points.
The NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals remain close on the favorites’ heels, holding steady with 13/2 Super Bowl odds.
The 11-2 Cardinals have won seven straight SU, and can clinch the division crown with a win in Philadelphia on Sunday night. However, Arizona has struggled at the sportsbooks of late, with just one ATS victory in their last four overall, and a 1-4 ATS record in their last five when favored by seven points or more.
Winners of four straight, the resurgent Seattle Seahawks join the Cardinals at 13/2 on the updated Super Bowl betting lines, followed by the resilient Pittsburgh Steelers at 15/2, while the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers round out the top teams, unchanged at 10/1 following their second straight win.
The AFC West-leading Denver Broncos follow at 12/1, ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs at 16/1, and the Cincinnati Bengals, who have tumbled to 20/1.
Losers of two straight, the Indianapolis Colts have fallen to 50/1, joined by the Giants, Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Jets, and ahead of the Texans at 100/1, the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys at 150/1, and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Buffalo Bills at 300/1, while the Falcons and Oakland Raiders pull up the rear, each sporting distant 500/1 odds.