Vegas odds are always fascinating because there are many different factors that play a role. Take the Dallas Cowboys, who are now the No. 2 team when it comes to 2017 Super Bowl odds. Are the Cowboys the second-best team in the NFL? Maybe. It's probably close.
But they run the ball really effectively, they don't have to beat the Patriots to get into the Super Bowl and the defense is playing better than anyone expected. Also, Dak Prescott has been outstanding as a rookie. He struggled pretty badly during much of Sunday night's win over the Eagles, but largely he's been tremendous, including down the stretch Sunday and in overtime.
You have to think those odds also factor in the possibility of Tony Romo returning. With the Cowboys at 6-1 now and about to face the Browns, there is a very strong likelihood of Dallas making the playoffs.
Football Outsiders pegs the Cowboys as having a 94.5 percent chance of making the playoffs (and a 64.3 percent chance of landing a bye).
Assuming they get there, they'll have a difficult decision to make if they haven't already when it comes to Prescott and Romo. But the reality is Romo can take the Cowboys to even greater heights offensively and they can absolutely win a Super Bowl with him under center. Maybe they can with Prescott too.
Regardless, the fact that the Cowboys are rolling right now with the potential to get even better makes them an easy choice for that No. 2 slot.
1. New England Patriots (8-5, Previously 2-1): What else can you do with these guys? They're almost 1:1 odds TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL at midseason. It's unprecedented but it's a pretty fair reflection of how the entire NFL is viewed.
2. Dallas Cowboys (7-1, Previously 8-1): Would be fascinating to see what the odds for this would be based on whether or not Tony Romo or Dak Prescott was under center.
3. Seattle Seahawks (8-1, Previously 6-1): The offense didn't get going against a bad Saints defense and that's a concern given Russell Wilson's struggles lately.
4. Minnesota Vikings (8-1, Previously 8-1): This offensive line is a major red flag for the Vikings.
5. Denver Broncos (12-1, Previously 14-1): The quiet red flag here is the Broncos run defense not being as stout as it was a year ago.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (16-1, Previously 16-1): Ben Roethlisberger gets hurt every year. They're lucky it happened on their bye.
7. Green Bay Packers (16-1, Previously 10-1): They lost against the Falcons but at least the offense is starting to get going a little bit. Aaron Rodgers can get hot at any time.
8. Kansas City Chiefs (20-1, Previously 20-1): There isn't a more consistent team in the NFL, and Andy Reid has won more regular-season games than anyone else since the start of 2015.
9. Atlanta Falcons (20-1, Previously 30-1): Huge come-from-behind win over the Packers, but the defense definitely gives cause for concern.
10. Oakland Raiders (20-1, Previously 25-1): Is there a more fun-to-watch team than Oakland? Every week is a thrill ride.
11. Arizona Cardinals (25-1, Previously 16-1): The offensive line got exposed by the Carolina defense. Horrible outing for Carson Palmer and Co.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (40-1, Previously 40-1): Kiss your sister, Andy Dalton.
13. Houston Texans (40-1, Previously 40-1): Still the best (?) team in a terrible division currently.
14. New York Giants (40-1, Previously 40-1): The worst (?) team in a very good division currently.
15. Carolina Panthers (50-1, Previously 80-1): The defense finally showed up on Sunday against the Cardinals and Carolina looked like a playoff team. Too little too late?
16. Philadelphia Eagles (50-1, Previously 40-1): Carson Wentz was not exactly throwing down the field in the overtime loss to the Cowboys.
17. Washington Redskins (60-1, Previously 60-1): Kiss your sister, Kirk Cousins.
18. Indianapolis Colts (80-1, Previously 30-1): They just get whipped up on by anyone who is remotely decent.
19. Baltimore Ravens (80-1, Previously 80-1): Somehow about to battle the Steelers for first place in the division.
20. Tennessee Titans (80-1, Previously 100-1): They are such a physical team and still somehow in a dogfight for the AFC South.
21. Miami Dolphins (100-1, Previously 80-1): These odds fell but another 200-yard game from Jay Ajayi might get these guys in the AFC conversation.
22. Buffalo Bills (100-1, Previously 80-1): Rex Ryan ran into a buzz saw in the Patriots.
23. Detroit Lions (100-1, Previously 80-1): Outmuscled at home and didn't end up in a close game for the first time in a while.
24. New Orleans Saints (100-1, Previously 200-1): A huge home win against Seattle suddenly has New Orleans back in the mix for a playoff run.
25. San Diego Chargers (100-1, Previously 60-1): Now the greatest 3-5 team in NFL history.
26. Los Angeles Rams (100-1, Previously 300-1): Massive game against the Panthers for a couple of would-be contenders.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (200-1, Previously 200-1): Brutal loss late to Oakland might have wrapped up the season in this division.
28. New York Jets (300-1, Previously 500-1): Soft schedule here could give them a look at making some noise.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars (1000-1, Previously 300-1): This is too low for how terrible this team looked on Thursday. Blake Bortles is broken.
30. Chicago Bears (2000-1, Previously 2000-1): Jay Cutler showed some life Monday! Kudos to the Bears for not folding up shop.
31. San Francisco 49ers (9999-1, Previously 9999-1): Couldn't even trade any of their players at the deadline.
32. Cleveland Browns (9999-1, Previously 9999-1): Somehow traded for someone else's player at the deadline.
