The Super Bowl futures market is reaching an unprecedented level of competitiveness as the 2021-22 NFL season moves closer to its conclusion.
The AFC Championship and NFC Championship games, taking place on Sunday, will determine the teams advancing to Super Bowl LVI on Sunday, Feb. 13.
There are four teams left, with one being a clear favorite while another is considered the underdog. Consequently, the NFL futures market at VA sportsbooks has adjusted their prices to reflect this.
As we prepare for the NFL’s equivalent of the “Final Four,” it’s crucial to select your team. To maximize your potential earnings from Super Bowl bets, it is advisable to place them before the upcoming week’s games.
Super Bowl futures heading into NFL Conference Championships
“Futures” bets can be described simply by their name. Instead of placing a bet on a game or event taking place on the same day, you are instead wagering on an outcome that will occur at a later date.
Prior to the commencement of the NFL season, avid football bettors eagerly placed their wagers on the victors of divisions, conferences, and the highly anticipated Super Bowl. In certain states with favorable sports-betting legislation, these enthusiasts could even venture into predicting the total number of wins a team would achieve throughout the season, identifying potential recipients of major awards, and even speculating on a team’s draft picks.
Despite initially having 32 contenders, we are now left with only four as the season progresses. These four teams will clash on Sunday, January 30. The following is the broadcast schedule for the NFL Conference Championship weekend.
- The AFC Championship game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs will kick off at 3 p.m. and will be broadcasted on CBS.
- The NFC Championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams will take place at 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcasted on FOX.
These were the most favorable Super Bowl futures odds for each team as of Wednesday afternoon.
- Chiefs: +130
- Rams: +210
- 49ers: +475
- Bengals: +850
If you were to wager $100 on the Chiefs (+130) and they emerge victorious in the 2022 Super Bowl, you would receive a profit of $130. On the other hand, if you bet on the Rams, your winnings would amount to $210.
On the other hand, the 49ers would earn you $475, while the Bengals, considered a less likely bet, would bring you $850.
NFL futures throughout 2021-22 season
This season, the Chiefs’ chances of winning the Super Bowl never fell below +1300.
The Rams? Just +1500.
However, the Bengals’ odds skyrocketed to +18000 (equivalent to 180-to-1) following their defeat against the Chicago Bears in Week 2.
After a Week 9 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the 49ers’ chances of winning significantly increased. Their record of 3-5 for the season caused their Super Bowl odds to rise to +12000.
To clarify, given that 28 teams have been eliminated, the futures market is currently experiencing an unparalleled level of competitiveness.
After the conclusion of Sunday’s games, the NFL futures market for the current season will disappear, along with the aforementioned odds. Once the official Super Bowl LVI matchup is determined, there will likely be a slight favorite and an underdog in the mix.
If you want a slightly larger payout with your Super Bowl prediction, then it would be wise to place your bets this week.
Previewing AFC and NFC Championships
The action starts on Sunday afternoon when the Bengals (10-7), winners of the AFC North, travel to Arrowhead Stadium to face off against the AFC West champions, the Chiefs (12-5).
Earlier this month, the Bengals emerged victorious in their regular-season clash against the Chiefs with a score of 34-31. However, as they prepare to travel to KC, they anticipate a more challenging encounter. QB Patrick Mahomes, along with Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill, clearly demonstrate their exceptional skill, resembling their performance in the Super Bowl.
However, the Cincinnati defense has played a crucial role in the postseason. In order to achieve an unexpected victory, the Bengals and their talented quarterback, Joe Burrow, will heavily rely on their defense to deliver another outstanding performance this weekend.
Do they have what it takes? The odds makers and bettors seem skeptical. By Wednesday afternoon, the majority of Virginia sportsbooks had the Bengals listed as seven-point underdogs. On the moneyline, the Bengals were at +275, while the Chiefs were at -350. Additionally, the game’s total was set at a robust 54.5.
The 49ers, with a record of 10-7, aim to prolong their extraordinary playoff journey as they face off against the Rams, the reigning NFC West champions, who hold a record of 12-5.
Despite the 49ers winning their last seven games against the Rams, Los Angeles is now the favored team for this upcoming match.
Matthew Stafford, the quarterback of the Rams, has skillfully avoided throwing any interceptions during the postseason, displaying great efficiency. On the other hand, the 49ers have been dependent on their defense and special teams in recent weeks.
As of Wednesday, the Rams were favored by 3.5 points in all Virginia sports-betting apps, with the moneyline ranging from -175 to -190. The game’s total score prediction was set between 45.5 and 46.
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