Colts heavy favorites to win Superbowl

The confetti had yet to settle in the RCA Dome on Sunday night and the experts in Las Vegas were down to their most serious business of the year.

Before Peyton Manning and the rest of the Indianapolis Colts got their hands on the Lamar Hunt Trophy, casinos up and down the Vegas strip were taking Super Bowl wagers.

As it always should be when something looks too easy, this year's offering is a classic case of bettor beware.

The Colts were established as a healthy seven-point favourite over the Chicago Bears, the hook by linemakers to have you believe the AFC champs are headed for a blowout win.

By the time we get to the kickoff, there will be volumes of analysis and hundreds of millions wagered legally in Vegas and questionably otherwise.

With that in mind, the following analysis is offered for entertainment purposes only. We'll have more tangible advice to part with your money in 12 days or so.

First up, the seven previous times a team has been favoured by an even touchdown for the Super Bowl, the favourite has covered exactly once.

That was back in 1992, when the Washington Redskins knocked off the poor old Buffalo Bills, who neither won nor covered in any of their four Bowl appearances.

The next closest a seven-point pick came to getting the money was the St. Louis Rams of 2000, who survived a late scare by the Tennessee Titans to win on the number and force a push, or tie, for bettors.

Most recently, the New England Patriots of 2004 and 2005 won by a field goal, letting the dogs have their day at the windows at least.

Next up, even with a passable performance in Sunday's NFC Championship, Bears quarterback Rex Grossman will be one of the biggest reasons critics dismiss the underdogs.

Manning vs. Grossman? A knockout waiting to happen.

Again, gambling history has another lesson as it relates to mediocre quarterbacks. Trent Dilfer (Ravens, 2001) and Jeff Hostetler (Giants, 1991) have Super Bowl rings for their victories both straight up and against the line.

Some will have no opinion on the seven-point spread this year, figuring it is right where it should be. Linemakers are professionals, after all, and with such high stakes are pretty tough to beat.

A record $95 million US was wagered in Vegas on last year's Bowl, the fifth consecutive season Nevada's legal sports books set a new high. Gaming analysts are predicting that figure will top $100 million for the first time for Super Bowl XLI.

The Bears are a classic "public" team, meaning they have a loyal fan base throughout the U.S. They also will be a classic "sharp" team as bettors who like to think they know a thing or two love to play against the favourite on Super Bowl Sunday.

The Colts, because they have been high-profile for the past several years with name stars such as Manning and Marvin Harrison, also will be a hit with bettors.

The combination means money should flood in on both sides, getting the even action bookies desire.

Finally, we present the over/under line of 49 points with this question: Since when did the NFL become the CFL?

The Colts put up 38 points in the AFC Championship, while the Bears scored 39 in the NFC game, the latter matching the combined score of the B.C. Lions and Montreal Alouettes in the most recent Grey Cup.

Remember that the next time a CFL fan suffering from an inferiority complex tells you that the NFL game lacks excitement.

News Source: Winnipeg Sun