Betting Enthusiasts Strongly Favor Bears, Optimistic About Fields' MVP Prospects for 2023 Season
In the betting sphere, the Chicago Bears seem to be the sweetheart team.
The Super Bowl LVIII odds opened with the Bears at 100-1, which quickly shortened to a 50-1 shot at the title. Bettors, it seems, see great potential in the Bears, according to Adam Pullen, the Assistant Director of Trading at Caesars Sportsbook. "At this stage, they're one of our largest Super Bowl liabilities," says Pullen, suggesting that bettors are overwhelmingly favoring the Bears.
The additions that GM Ryan Poles orchestrated during the offseason have only intensified the pro-Bears sentiments. Justin Fields' dynamic performance in the 2022 season has also added fuel to the Bears' fire.
With a predicted regular season win total set at over/under 7.5, Caesars reports a considerable amount of betting action leaning towards the 'over'. A similar trend can be seen for the Bears' chances of making the playoffs.
Pullen notes that every offseason, there's usually one team that people are extraordinarily enthusiastic about - this year, the Bears are that team. The NFC North, meanwhile, seems to be in a flux. The Detroit Lions, who closed the 2022 season with an impressive 8-2 run, are the betting favorite to top the division at +120. The Vikings sit at +300, the Bears at +400, and the Packers at +420, as per the latest odds at Caesars.
The NFC North seems up for grabs after Green Bay's star quarterback Aaron Rodgers switched teams to join the New York Jets. Jordan Love, Green Bay's new starting quarterback and their first-round draft pick of 2020, remains a mystery.
"The Packers having the highest odds to clinch the division might catch you off guard," says Pullen, pointing to the odd sight of the Lions being the favorites.
In recent seasons, underdogs have consistently made it to the Super Bowl - Joe Burrow's Cincinnati Bengals two years ago, and Jalen Hurts' Eagles last season. Despite bettors' enthusiasm, it's unlikely that the Bears will pull off such a dramatic turnaround - the biggest one-year Super Bowl champion turnaround was achieved by the 1999 Rams, coming from a mere four wins the previous year.
Justin Fields' MVP odds at Caesars currently stand at +2500, tying him with Dak Prescott at 10th place. The usual suspects - Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen - lead the pack. Fields is one of the biggest risks for Caesars in the MVP betting, much like the Bears in the Super Bowl. Bettors are drawn to the high potential payout if Fields were to make a significant leap this season.
Pullen explains, "It's all about the team's performance. If Fields takes the Bears to the playoffs, his MVP chances will certainly skyrocket. Of course, he'll have to deliver the stats, but it's all relative to the team's success." However, in terms of Fields' total season rushing yards (over/under 875.5 yards) and total passing touchdowns (over/under 18.5 touchdowns), more bets are leaning towards the 'under', though these props generally see less action than MVP odds.
There's been talk about limiting Fields' running game compared to last season when he clocked up 1,143 rushing yards. Fields ended the 2022 season with 17 touchdown passes and 2,242 passing yards.
As the NFL training camps commence later this month, Pullen anticipates an uptick in public betting. The season kicks off on September 7, with a prime-time showdown between the Lions and the Chiefs.
| POLL | ||
10 JUILLET | 51 ANSWERS Betting Enthusiasts Strongly Favor Bears, Optimistic About Fields' MVP Prospects for 2023 Season Will Justin Fields win an MVP ? | ||
| Yes | 31 | 60.8 % |
| No | 20 | 39.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
