The NFL is without a doubt the most popular sport in the nation along with college football, and the ratings simply don’t lie. Even with lockouts, concussions and other storylines dominating the headlines over the last two years, the NFL continues to grow in numbers and continues to set ratings records almost on a weekly basis.
Why is that? For the most part it’s the storylines and the hype. If the Denver Broncos and the Indianapolis Colts had matched up in the postseason this year, the ratings would have been through the roof as Peyton Manning took on his former squad. But as we near the championship weekend, the NFL eyes will be on potential Super Bowl storylines and ratings busters. The question, however, is which Super Bowl matchup would create that? Let’s take a look.
Patriots vs. 49ers
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will always collect a crowd. The only issue with those two is that they won’t be partaking in a bunch of talk leading up to the game, unless they allow Chad Ochocinco to come back as the team spokesman. The San Francisco 49ers bring with them an intriguing amount of buzz, especially under head coach Jim Harbaugh who doesn’t care to speak his mind. Colin Kaepernick is a great story for the 49ers, taking the reins under center after an Alex Smith injury, only to keep the job once Smith was healthy. The 49ers are scoring offensively and it’s due in large part to Kaepernick. Should the NFL root for this matchup? I’d give it an A for being the best two teams, but a B+ for overall storylines.
Patriots vs. 49ers Super Bowl XLVII Odds – bet these at Bovada
Matchup – 5 to 6 (-120), risk $1.20 to for $1 profit
Result – Patriots over 49ers: 11 to 5 (+220) / 49ers over Patriots: 3 to 1 (+300)
Ravens vs. 49ers
I don’t even have to explain this one. You can decipher the connections for yourself. As for the game, I’d give the matchup a B, as I think the 49ers are better than the Baltimore Ravens. The storylines will have to get an A+, as much as I hate to do it. People will simply watch a brother vs. brother Super Bowl.
Ravens vs. 49ers Super Bowl XLVII Odds – bet these at Bovada
Matchup – 5 to 1 (+500), risk $1 to for $5 profit
Result – Ravens over 49ers: 12 to 1 (+1200) / 49ers over Ravens: 8 to 1 (+800)
Patriots vs. Falcons
If the Falcons have to make it to Super Bowl XLVII, the NFL would at least hope for the New England Patriots to supply the star power. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will help the ratings with this one, but nothing really excites NFL fans about the Atlanta Falcons – a team that many termed as being “overrated” during much of the regular season. As for the actual game, I think the Falcons could without a doubt hold their own against the Patriots, making the matchup earn a B overall. The issue would be storylines, outside of Tony Gonzalez getting a chance for his first ring. There’s only so much of that the NFL audience could take, earning it a C+ for storylines.
Patriots vs. Falcons Super Bowl XLVII Odds – bet these at Bovada
Matchup – 5 to 2 (+250), risk $1 to for $2.50 profit
Result – Patriots over Falcons: 7 to 2 (+350) / Falcons over Patriots: 8 to 1 (+800)
Ravens vs. Falcons
And finally there’s this one. The Ravens vs. the Atlanta Falcons in a game centered around two old guys looking to collect a nice piece of jewelry before they ride off into the sunset. Obviously we’re talking about Ray Lewis and Tony Gonzalez. This would supply the two weeks’ worth of storylines, making it a little bit better than the Patriots vs. Falcons, simply because America loves old guys about to retire. I give it a B+ for storylines. As for the matchup, not much is going on in this one. I’ll give it a C-.
Ravens vs. Falcons Super Bowl XLVII Odds – bet these at Bovada
Matchup – 10 to 1 (+1000), risk $1 to for $10 profit
Result – Ravens over Falcons: 16 to 1 (+1600) / Falcons over Ravens: 14 to 1 (+1400)