The ticker-tape is still being readied for the parade, and the newsprint is barely dry on those championship newspapers -- but the betting community is already preparing for the 2013 season. As expected, the 7-9 Carolina Panthers aren't being given very good odds to take home the Lombardi trophy in a year's time.

With all due respect to Ryan Kalil, I'm siding with the bettors on this one. No one in Vegas is out to lose money, and while you could have made a tidy sum placing an early bet on the Baltimore Ravens last year (they were 20-1 in February 2012), it's rare that you see a dark horse make a meteoric rise all the way to the championship.

In February of 2012 the 6-10 Panthers were given the long odds of 50-1 that they would take the Lombardi trophy in New Orleans. A tough schedule, a sub-500 record, and shaky depth didn't give gamblers much motivation to believe in the team like fans did.

This year is no different. Over at OddsShark, the Super Bowl futures for 2014 are in, and once again the Carolina Panthers are coming in a 50-1. Only six teams have worse odds, and four others are tied with Ron Rivera's team. That being said, I still think they're better bet than the New York Jets (40-1), or Philadelphia Eagles (33-1) -- but what do I know?

Better odds in Vegas than the Carolina Panthers

- Putting it all on '00' at the roulette table (36-1)

- Getting 'three of a kind' at the poker table (46.3-1)

- Rolling double-sixes in craps (35-1)

Is anyone out there willing to put their money where their fan hood is and put some money on the 7-9 Panthers as long-shots to win Super Bowl XLVIII?