NFL Betting – AFC Long Shot Odds To Win Super Bowl XLV

There are two distinct schools of thought when assessing the AFC postseason and the long shot odds to win online betting Super Bowl XLV from this side of the playoff bracket. On one hand, a long shot can be viewed as a team with a low seed. On the other hand, a long shot could simply be a team that people aren’t paying a lot of attention to.

We tackle both ends of this in a look at two AFC darkhorses.

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1) The Longest Long Shot: Indianapolis Colts

For a No. 3 seed, you might wonder why the Colts would be viewed as the longest long shot with a chance to win the AFC. Aren’t the Baltimore Ravens (more on them in a bit) the longest long shot with a good opportunity awaiting them?

Here’s the rationale: Of course everyone knows about Peyton Manning and the amazing consistency of the Indianapolis franchise. A total of nine straight playoff appearances makes the Colts a veteran team that knows how to handle the playoffs. That doesn’t sound like a playoff long shot to the casual fan. However, when one realizes that Manning’s most trusted new receiver, Austin Collie, is out for the playoffs, and that safety Bob Sanders is also out for the playoffs, one wonders if the Colts will have enough bodies to survive the January wars. This is a shorthanded team that will struggle at times. It’s not a heavyweight this year.

So, under the long shot banner, this team can surprise opponents. For one thing, the No. 3 seed will allow Indianapolis to avoid New England until the AFC title game. It’s very possible that the Colts could surprise Pittsburgh in the AFC divisional round, given the Steelers’ very inconsistent offense this year. Moreover, Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu – who will naturally play in the AFC Divisional Playoffs – is not entirely healthy. If the Colts advance to meet Pittsburgh, Manning will have the opportunity to take advantage of Polamalu’s less-than-optimal speed. A little detail like that could carry the Colts a long way. Then, if Indy can meet New England, one must simply remember that in the regular-season meeting between the two teams, the Colts were driving inside the New England 30 when Manning threw an interception under pressure. Just a few more plays could make the Colts a Super Bowl beeting team once again.

Long Shot Odds To Win Super Bowl XLV: Colts +1600

2) The Second-Longest Long Shot: Baltimore Ravens

If Indianapolis is the long shot with especially daunting odds, why are the Ravens in a comparatively favorable position? Well, for one thing, the New York Jets stand a really good chance of being able to beat the Colts. If the Jets do win, Baltimore gets to play Pittsburgh in the divisional round. Baltimore and Pittsburgh played two dead-even defensive slugfests this season. Even though Pittsburgh would host the game, the Ravens could easily win and not surprise a whole lot of observers. Then consider the fact that Baltimore pounded New England in Foxborough in last year’s AFC playoffs. If any team can go into New England and breathe real confidence, it’s Baltimore. The Ravens have a better shot of reaching the Super Bowl than the Colts.

Long Shot Odds To Win Super Bowl XLV: Ravens +1400

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