Patriots’ Super Bowl Odds Listed at +1700 After Signing Cam Newton
- The New England Patriots’ Super Bowl 55 odds have been shortened from +2300 to +1700 after signing former MVP Cam Newton
- Newton played just two games in 2019 due to shoulder and foot injuries
- Read below for analysis on how Newton’s signing impacts New Englands’ Super Bowl prospects
Raise your hand if you honestly thought Bill Belichick was going to enter the 2020 season with only Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer as his potential starting options. The New England Patriots’ coach is in the business of winning, and with a dominant defense at his disposal, he needed to at least shoot for a higher ceiling than what Stidham and Hoyer can offer.
Enter Cam Netwon. The 2015 NFL MVP signed a one-year incentive laden contract with the Pats on Sunday and will now compete for the starting gig.
Oddsmakers clearly believe the addition bolsters New Englands’ championship hopes, and have reacted accordingly.
Super Bowl 55 Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +650 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +700 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +950 |
| New Orleans Saints | +1200 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +1500 |
| New England Patriots | +1700 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +1700 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +1900 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +2100 |
| Indianapolis Colts | +2400 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | +2400 |
| Green Bay Packers | +2500 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +2500 |
| Los Angeles Rams | +2800 |
| Tennessee Titans | +3000 |
All odds taken June 28th.
The Patriots’ Super Bowl 55 odds have been shortened from +2300 to +1700. They now trail just five teams, including the Tampa Buccaneers, who New England legend Tom Brady just joined back in March.
New Patriots’ QB Cam Newton turned 31 years old last month, what for what many quarterbacks is the prime of their career.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 28, 2020
While Brady will turn 43 in August, Newton is just 31 and should be entering the prime of his career.
Newton vs Stidham
The fact that Belichick ultimately decided to sign Newton suggests maybe Stidham isn’t ready for the keys to the franchise just yet. The second-year pro out of Auburn flashed in the 2019 preseason, but threw just three passes all season. His college production was solid, but not spectacular, and only earned him a fourth round draft selection in a QB class that was underwhelming outside of Kyler Murray.
Bill Belichick: “Hey Jarrett, we’ve decided to sign Cam Newton.”
Jarrett Stidham: pic.twitter.com/6hIqlPrstN
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) June 29, 2020
Newton however, can be a game changer. He instantly gives the Patriots credibility at the QB position and has a lengthy track record of success. He led the Carolina Panthers to 11 or more wins in three of his nine seasons, including in 2015 when they lost to the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl.
“All I know is work… they gave up on me…” @CameronNewton is ready for this season 😤 pic.twitter.com/hgdpyKsA8A
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 29, 2020
New England will cater to his strengths and if healthy (more on that later), Newton can certainly reestablish himself as one of the premier dual-threat quarterbacks.
What makes the move especially savvy, is that the Pats have invested very little for a potential star, while other teams like the Chicago Bears, are forking over draft picks and $20 million in guarantees to guys like Nick Foles.
Will Superman Fly Again?
Newton passed his physical in March and is reportedly well on his way to healing shoulder and foot injuries that knocked him out of 14 games in 2019. He recorded the highest completion percentage of his career in 2018, reaching the 20+ TD mark for the third time in four years. His rushing production dipped, but his QBR was the highest it’s been since his MVP campaign.
Cam Newton’s Stats Last 5 Seasons
| Year | Completion % | Pass Yds | Pass TD | Rush Yds | Rush TD | QBR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 56.2 | 572 | 0 | -2 | 0 | N/A |
| 2018 | 67.9 | 3395 | 24 | 488 | 4 | 55.0 |
| 2017 | 59.1 | 3302 | 22 | 754 | 6 | 53.3 |
| 2016 | 52.9 | 3509 | 19 | 359 | 5 | 48.0 |
| 2015 | 59.8 | 3837 | 35 | 636 | 10 | 67.0 |
He’ll also have the luxury of playing for one of the league’s premier play callers in Josh McDaniels. The Pats OC turned Tim Tebow into a serious weapon in their brief time together, and Newton’s skillset is far more versatile than anything he’s ever had to work with.
YESSIR!! https://t.co/dXrDqkqPXg
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) June 29, 2020
Yes, New England’s skilled position players are not elite, but neither were Newton’s 2015 Panthers and they still made the Super Bowl. That year his only 1,000-yard receiver was Greg Olsen and his running backs barely averaged 4.0 yards per carry.
Pats New Price is Still Attractive
Considering New England’s number one rated defense by DVOA is mostly still in tact, and that Newton is a proven commodity, the Pats’ new Super Bowl odds are still appealing.
Patriots fans getting good QB play for the first time since 2016 have to feel ecstatic
— Davis Mattek (@DavisMattek) June 29, 2020
Just five days after Super Bowl 54, New England’s championship odds were +933 with the assumption that Brady was returning. Now they’re still almost twice as long, with a younger, more versatile and more athletic quarterback.
Newton’s resume clearly isn’t as impressive as Brady’s, but at this point in their careers he has significantly more upside. When trying to hit a long shot, we need as much upside as we can get and the Pats certainly now qualify.
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
