So we’ve got the New England Patriots in their usual position as the preseason Super Bowl favorites at 7-2. They’ve won three championships in seven years of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, which makes these odds a steal if they can keep up this pace. Then again, three years have passed since their last one.

Here are the odds for the guys that have won the Super Bowl since 2005:

Pittsburgh Steelers: 18-1
Indianapolis Colts: 15-2
New York Giants: 20-1

The salary cap has done a real number on the idea of a “dynasty” in the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys (6-1) won three in four years back in the 1990s and haven’t won since. The Denver Broncos (50-1) haven’t been the same since John Elway led them to back-to-back championships. Especially in this ultra-competitive league, past results are not necessarily indicators of future success.

Except when they are. Damn, those Patriots are a good football team.