NFL’s Plan to Return Boosts Colorado Sportsbooks

The NFL continues to plan to open their season in early September, much to the delight of Colorado sportsbooks. With the state’s casinos preparing for next week’s reopening, bettors will have an opportunity to place NFL futures bets.

But before teams can suit up in September, the NFL needed to decide how franchises can safely reopen their practice facilities. This week, the league released guidelines in the hope to bring football to fans in 2020.

NFL Outlines Steps for Training Camp

Just after the NFL Draft, players looked to the league for direction on access to team buildings. With training camp scheduled for July, the spring is typically reserved for light, no-contact team workouts. But the coronavirus pandemic put a freeze on all official team activities.

This week, the NFL outlined their plan to get players into their team’s facilities in preparation for training camp.

The first step is modifying locker rooms to allow for a minimum of six-feet of distance between players. Also, team areas such as locker and meeting rooms must also follow the six-feet of distance rule moving forward.

Teams must also reduce the potential of face to face contact in hallways and other communal areas. One way walking lanes will be established to prevent close communication between players and team employees.

Another big area of concern for players remains how to safely workout at team facilities. The NFL set a rule that no more than 15 people can join a group training session.

The league also mandated that virtual meetings should take the place of in-person meetings whenever reasonable.

NFL Plans Shortened 2020 Preseason

The league and players association have discussed removing up to two preseason games from the 2020 schedule. Concern about players not having enough practice time due to the coronavirus could force the reduction.

The Hall of Fame Game, set for August 6, will not be canceled under the proposed plan and continue to represent the open of the NFL preseason.

Colorado Sportsbooks Unveil Their NFL Futures Lines

As the NFL solidifies their plans for returning in 2020, Colorado sportsbooks have unveiled their futures lines for the league. Several sportsbooks have set the odds for the NFC, AFC, and Super Bowl winner.

The summer can provide advantages to futures bettors because the sportsbooks’ odds vary dramatically with some teams. Shopping among the Colorado sportsbooks for the best odds can become profitable in early 2021.

AFC Championship Odds

The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens appear as the odds-on favorite to win the 2020 AFC title. The Chiefs, coming off their Super Bowl win, own a slight odds advantage over the Ravens at Colorado online sports betting sites.

Surprisingly, the New England Patriots have the third highest odds among bookmakers despite losing quarterback Tom Brady to Tampa Bay. The Steelers, Bills, and Colts all round out the top six, representing the playoff representatives in the AFC.

The Denver Broncos’ odds stand among the bottom five AFC teams at most of the state’s sportsbooks.

NFC Championship Odds

After blowing their 10-point lead in last February’s Super Bowl, the San Francisco 49ers remain as the odds-on favorite to return to the title game in the NFC

The 49ers hold +350 odds at BetMonarch, but +500 at Bet Rivers. The latter sportsbook provides exceptional value for futures bettors interested in a San Francisco bet to win the NFC.

The new look Buccaneers, with Brady under center, share the next spot with the New Orleans Saints. The always popular Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Green Bay Packers share the final three spots in the top six.

Super Bowl Championship Odds

When it comes to who will take Super Bowl 55, the sportsbooks give the Chiefs and Ravens the best odds. The Chiefs hold +650 odds at BetMGM, while the Ravens also hold +650 odds, but at Fox Bet. Both teams, featuring outstanding young quarterbacks, should provide an entertaining duel throughout the 2020 season to see who represents the AFC in the title game.

Not too far behind the AFC duo sits the 49ers, Buccaneers, and Saints with comparable odds. The focus in the NFC for 2020 will rest on Brady’s debut in Tampa Bay and if San Francisco can overcome the disappointment from last year’s Super Bowl.

The Broncos’ odds to take their fourth Super Bowl vary between +5000 at DraftKings to +6000 at FanDuel.