The NFL season has served up a real treat for fans of the sport so far but with the all-important stage of the campaign approaching and a number of teams vying for the Vince Lombardi Trophy, the American football season is about to get even better.
Super Bowl LIII will be played on February 3, 2019, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, in what promises to be an amazing spectacle.
Below is a lowdown and look at the odds of the main contenders for the prize as we approach the business end of the season:
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans came so close last season. But for a missed Marcus Williams tackle, they would have been in the reckoning for the NFC Championship and a possible Super Bowl date with the Patriots. The Saints will certainly be using that as their motivation this season as they look to make up for their showing last campaign. In Alvin Kamara, Melvin Ingram, Drew Brees and Michael Thomas, to name just a few, they possess real quality in their ranks. That, alongside their undoubted motivation to right last season's wrong, means they could be a real force to be reckoned with in the Super Bowl. Odds on them winning it are currently priced at 10/3, which represents decent value despite the 'favourites' tag not always working out for NFL teams.
Los Angeles Rams
Speed is the Rams' main weapon and they dominated 2017 with it. Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald has added key strength in that area also. Sean McVay, their young coach, is highly thought of in the game and is developing a reputation for himself, but the Super Bowl challenge is where we'll really see what him and his Rams side are made of. There are a number of NFL odds available for you to take a look at nearer the time but currently, the Rams are priced at 4/1 to win the Super Bowl. However, should they be so tight in the odds to the Saints considering only one NFC team can reach the Super Bowl?
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are looking good heading into this crucial period of the season. Form can be crucial heading into these huge contests and the Chiefs certainly have that. In Kendall Fuller the Chiefs possess one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Alongside the likes of Kareem Hunt, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce - players capable of stepping up when it matters - the Chiefs could be a decent outside bet for the Super Bowl prize. Odds of 9/2 (bet365) certainly represents solid value. However, the same criticisms remain – great offence, terrible defence.
New England Patriots
Probably the team everyone will be wanting to beat and many pundits' pick for the Super Bowl prize this season, the New England Patriots are in with a strong chance of winning it. Despite question marks over star player and NFL legend Tom Brady's age and whether he is still capable of delivering the performances we've got so used to seeing from him, the Patriots are still very much a dangerous proposition. Despite question marks over Brady – and anyone who has doubted him before has ended up looking foolish – there's still bags of talent in a side capable of stepping up a couple of gears. In addition, Brady himself will be determined to prove his recent critics wrong and bring the Super Bowl LIII home to New England. Odds on the Patriots to do just that are priced at 7/1 (Unibet), which represents superb value for a side more than capable of coming out on top.