Why the Chargers 2020 Super Bowl odds mean absolutely nothing

The Los Angeles Chargers are not viewed as a championship contender in 2020.

In 2020, the expectations for the Los Angeles Chargers are pretty broad. Most wouldn’t be surprised if the Chargers came up short of a playoff berth once again while some could still see them contending for a spot in the 2020 postseason.

Now, qualifying for the playoffs and contending for a Super Bowl are two very different things. The ceiling for Los Angeles this year seems like it would be to get in the postseason and maybe get a win or two. Earning a spot in the Super Bowl is not something that most feel like is a legitimate possibility for this team.

At the same time, the upcoming season is probably going to be unlike anything we’ve seen before from the NFL due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Who knows how the league could be impacted by the virus and what under-the-radar teams could end up benefiting from all the changes that are expected to happen.

Los Angeles Chargers not being viewed as a Super Bowl contender by oddsmakers

Following the conclusion of the 2019 season, no time was wasted when it came to oddsmakers releasing their initial Super Bowl odds for 2020.

The Action Network was among those to release their 2020 Super Bowl odds this offseason and prior to this year’s NFL Draft, they had the Chargers with 33-1 odds. Since then, however, Los Angeles has seen these odds move in the wrong direction.

In their latest odds adjustments following Cam Newton’s decision to sign with the New England Patriots, the Action Network now has the Chargers with 50-1 odds to win Super Bowl 55.

As for the other teams in the AFC West, the Kansas City Chiefs have the best Super Bowl odds in the NFL at 5-1 while the Denver Broncos are tied with Los Angeles at 50-1 and the Las Vegas Raiders have the worst odds in the division at 55-1.

Obviously, the Chargers’ current Super Bowl odds aren’t the greatest, but it should just be more motivation for them if anything.

Having 40-1 odds prior to the start of the 2019 season didn’t mean anything to the San Francisco 49ers, who went on to represent the NFC in Super Bowl 54. Back in 2017, the Philadelphia Eagles also took their 40-1 preseason Super Bowl odds and turned it into a Vince Lombardi trophy.

So while the confidence from oddsmakers might be low right now for Los Angeles, it shouldn’t say much about their actual chances to succeed in 2020.

Things might be wild and crazy in the NFL this season due to the pandemic and it might turn out to be the perfect opportunity for the Chargers to earn their first Super Bowl appearance since 1994.