Super Bowl LIII Odds: Most Likely and Least Likely Matchups

Now that we’re approaching August, it’s time for sports betting enthusiasts to start thinking about who will make it to the most watched sports event in the world — the next Super Bowl. Of the 32 teams in the National Football League, there are only a few who have a realistic chance to reach the sport’s biggest contest. We’ve put together a list of the most and least likely matchups for you to consider, with Super Bowl LIII odds on the ones that are available.

Super Bowl LIII Odds: Most Likely and Least Likely Matchups

Who will play in @SuperBowl LIII?@tonyromo makes his #SBLIII prediction! (via @NFLTotalAccess) pic.twitter.com/maa3f48WrN

— NFL (@NFL) July 12, 2018

New England vs Philadelphia

• Super Bowl LIII Odds: 17/1

Oddsmakers have this as the likeliest outcome, but there has only been one instance when the two teams in a Super Bowl also met in the previous one, and that was in Super Bowl XXVIII, when the Dallas Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills had a rematch. The Cowboys won both in part of a run that saw them win three Super Bowls in four seasons. However, New England has become a regular participant in the Super Bowl, and they have an easy division, with the Jets, Dolphins and Bills all in turmoil. The question is whether Tom Brady can put together another terrific year even with some of the drama coming from the team. On the Eagles’ side, Carson Wentz’s repaired knee remains a question. For both teams, it is worth asking whether there is the hunger to work through this marathon of a season and postseason again.

New England vs L.A. Rams

• Super Bowl LIII Odds: 20/1

The Rams led the National Football League in scoring offense last season but quickly wilted in the wild card round, losing at home to an Atlanta team that had to travel three time zones to the west for the game. Quarterback Jared Goff has another year of experience under his belt, and new wideout Brandin Cooks, who came over from New England, will join Todd Gurley in the offense. Ndamukong Suh joins a defensive line that was already intimidating. If the Rams can avoid those postseason jitters this time, they could make a deep run.

New England vs Minnesota

• Super Bowl LIII Odds: 22/1

Minnesota barely escaped New Orleans to make it to the NFC Championship before getting dismantled by Philadelphia. However, the Vikings may well have upgraded their quarterback position, as Kirk Cousins comes in and Case Keenum heads to the Denver Broncos. Cousins holds several Washington records for passing, and now he gets to play for a team that has a terrific defense — and wideouts like Stefon Diggs to catch the ball.

New England vs Green Bay

• Super Bowl LIII Odds: 24/1

Aaron Rodgers is back from his collarbone fracture, and the Packers signed tight end Jimmy Graham in free agency to give him another target. Muhammad Wilkerson joins the defensive line to give the Packers a real pass rush. The real question is whether Green Bay can get by Minnesota in the divisional race.

Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia

• Super Bowl LIII Odds: 30/1

The Steelers have a terrific offense, with Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. It looked like the Steelers might roll to a Super Bowl a year ago until their defense absolutely fell apart against a Jacksonville team that barely held off Buffalo at home in the wild card round of the playoffs. This would be the first all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl, but it would require that the Steelers polish off the Patriots.

San Francisco vs New England

• Super Bowl LIII Odds: 35/1

Jimmy Garoppolo headed to San Francisco in a bizarre trade from New England that saw the Patriots get basically nothing in return, and then he won his first five starts for the team — and received a $137.5 million contract as a reward. The 49ers are hungry to win, but I wonder if they can even get past the Rams in their division. Now, down to one of the less likely outcomes…

Dallas vs New England

• Super Bowl LIII Odds: 50/1

Dallas still has one of the top offensive lines in football, provided that Tyron Smith stays healthy at left tackle. However, they don’t have a top-tier wide receiver or tight end, and their defense, with some improvements, is still quite raw. Dallas would have to get by Philadelphia for this to happen, and I don’t see that occurring the way things are now.