The New York Giants are the champions but it’s that other team from the NFC who is favored to win Super Bowl XLVII. Hard to believe a month ago we were talking about the 15-1 Green Bay Packers' chances of nabbing the Lombardi Trophy for a second straight year.

Well, Las Vegas and offshore oddsmakers’ memories aren’t as ours. The books list the Packers as the faves to win next year’s Super Bowl at +500, with the AFC champion New England Patriots right behind at +550.

Betting a favorite this far out is never fun and not all that practical either, seeing as the last few champions all had 10/1 or longer odds at the start of the season.

Here are two middle-of-the-road teams and three long shots worth betting to win the Super Bowl XLVII:

REASONABLE SHOTS

Detroit Lions (+2400)

What’s not to like about the Lions? They’ve got a franchise quarterback (Matt Stafford), they’ve got the best receiver in the game (Calvin Johnson), and their defensive line is young, talented and improving.

Plus they get the AFC South, which should stink again outside of Houston, and the always easy NFC West in their 2012 schedule.

Chicago Bears (+3200)

Yeah, I’m picking two teams from the same division, so what? Did you not hear what I said about the NFC North’s schedule? It’s easy.

The Bears defense is still nasty and adept at creating turnovers, and Jay Cutler is an elite quarterback. Don’t forget, this team was 7-3 before Cutler went down last season.

LONG SHOTS

Cincinnati Bengals (+4000)

Andy Dalton didn’t look like a rookie quarterback until the final few weeks of the season. Ginger Spice looks like a decent prospect and he’s got some weapons on the outside in A.J. Green and Jerome Simpson.

The defense is in good shape and should be bolstered with Cincy’s four picks in the first two rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft. (Thank you, Hue Jackson).

Kansas City Chiefs (+4000)

This defense is legit. The corners are fast and physical, and the linebackers are good in run and pass coverage. Oh yeah, and that guy Tamba Hali? Yeah, he’s pretty good at getting to the quarterback.

Matt Cassel is average at best under center, but he’s got some playmakers if Dwayne Bowe and Jamaal Charles are both healthy next season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+8000)

Two years ago this team, with Josh Freeman running the show, went 10-6. Sure, things got ugly last season, but the Bucs have an inexperienced defense that should improve under a new coaching staff.

OK, this is a stretch, but we had to include one really huge long shot. An 80/1 payout would be nice, right?