Earlier today, we took a look at the Miami Dolphins odds to win Super Bowl XVLII, along with the odds of the rest of the NFL. But, the website Bovada.lv did not stop with just Super Bowl odds. They also took a look at odds, by team, to land soon to be free agent Peyton Manning.
Manning is expected to be released by the Indianapolis Colts in the upcoming weeks. Manning, the NFL's only four time MVP, is due a $28 million roster bonus on March8, and the Colts are expected to draft Stanford Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck with the first overall draft choice this April. With both of those factors, along with Manning having had three neck surgeries in the past 18 months, and missing all of the 2011 season, the Colts are thought to be ready to move on to a new era.
But, when Manning is released, many teams are expected to pursue the future Hall of Fame member. Among them, of course, are the Miami Dolphins, who have been searching for a franchise quarterback since Dan Marino retired after the 1999 season.
Earlier today, ESPN's Adam Schefter described the Dolphins as the favorites to land Manning. Asked where he thought Manning would land, and if the Minnesota Vikings or San Francisco 49ers were in play for the quarterback, Schefter responded:
"Minnesota and San Francisco will not be in play. Remember, Manning will pick his team even more than it will pick him. Minnesota can't offer as much as other teams, and San Francisco will not pursue Manning when it wants to re-sign Alex Smith. The team that is the favorite in my mind to land Manning is Miami. The Dolphins can offer warm weather and a favorable contract, and the team has been screaming for a franchise quarterback since Dan Marino left. Make Miami the favorite for now. But we've already seen what being a favorite meant to New England in this Super Bowl."
However, the Bodog odds makers actually place the Dolphins in the third best position to land Manning. The Dolphins are 3:1 to get Manning, while the Arizona Cardinals are 2:1 and the Washington Redskins are 5:2.
The rest of the odds are below:
| Arizona Cardinals | 2:1 |
| Washington Redskins | 5:2 |
| Miami Dolphins | 3:1 |
| New York Jets | 7:2 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 7:1 |