Defending Super Bowl Champs Not Favored to Repeat

The defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints are preparing for their shot at becoming back-to-back champs, but they certainly aren’t a lock, according to Super Bowl XLV Odds at betED.com.

As NFL training camps heat up this week in preparation for next week’s opening slate of preseason matchups, the Saints find themselves far from being longshots to win the Super Bowl next February, but far from favorites, as well.

betED.com NFL Futures have the Saints at +1100 to win the 2011 Super Bowl, the same as the Minnesota Vikings, but behind the favored Indianapolis Colts (+850) and the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens (both +900)

The Saints are favorites, however, to win the NFC Conference Championship, at +475.

New Orleans had a truly epic season in 2009. The magical offensive attack led by Drew Brees proved to be enough to win a Super Bowl in a season with tons of top level teams. The question is whether or not the Saints will have enough to bring that type of success back to New Orleans again.

Many people wouldn’t agree by looking at the stat sheet, but one of the keys for the offense of the Saints is Reggie Bush. Bush doesn’t get a lot of carries and he doesn’t get all that many yards through the air. Despite this, Reggie Bush is someone that the defense always has to pay attention to when he is on the field. His presence draws attention, opening up running and passing lanes for the rest of the offense.

The Saints will need an encore performance from Darren Sharper if they hope to compete defensively. The team was able to get by in 2009 with a “bend but don’t break” defense.

This style will work so long as they have big production from playmakers like Darren Sharper and Jonathan Vilma. Sharper was huge and forced tons of turnovers in 2009. If he can pull off a similar performance this year the Saints could – could – be on track for another run at the Super Bowl.