The NFL kicked off less than a month ago and it is still early to say which franchises are going to compete in the playoffs, come January. However, we have already seen some really good teams and can make some predictions based on these first exits. Suggestions and advice are already available on which teams to bet on to reach the final stages of the competition. Will your team make it to the playoffs? Just see the odds here to check if your favorite franchise is believed to be among the possible contenders for the title or whether it is better to wait for next year. In this league, winning windows open and close pretty quickly, so the true supporter never loses hope, even during the darkest seasons.

The favourites in the NFC

The National Football Conference hosts the undefeated world champions, and frontrunner favourites, Philadelphia Eagles. They won the Super Bowl last February and are moving towards another meaningful season. They won all their three games in the early stages of this season, often  by sheer luck, but showed poise, determination and grit. 

The Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams are another two very good franchises. LA is coached by an offensive genius like Sean McVay, and won a Super Bowl in 2022, while Green Bay is a young team that became extremely talented some weeks ago, after the signing of arguably the best linebacker in the league, Micah Parsons.

There are also the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders to consider. Washington began the season with an injury to his young superstar, the quarterback Jayden Daniels, but his backup, Marcus Mariota, showed he can win whenever he’s called up to compete. The Lions had some problems in week 1, when they missed their offensive and defensive coordinators, who moved away to becoming head coaches elsewhere, but then found their moxy and dominated in week 2, while defeating the mighty Baltimore Ravens in week 3.

AFC contenders

Let’s switch conferences and check who the favourites are in the American. The first franchise to nominate are the Buffalo Bills. The Atlantic powerhouse can count on the reigning MVP, Josh Allen, a couple of offensive playmakers like James Cook and Keon Coleman, a solid defence and, obviously, a pretty easy schedule which puts them against good franchises only from November onwards. Buffalo can clinch the playoffs by Halloween and then focus only on achieving the top AFC seed.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens were among the absolute favourites to make the playoffs, during the offseason, but they are sitting at an ugly record of 1-2 and will face each other in Week 4. It means that one of these two franchises will be 1-3 at the end of September. WIth that record, the chances of entering the playoffs are slim. We are talking about two rosters full of talent and extremely well coached, but they are not winning right now.

From what we are seeing at the moment, the best AFC team plays in Los Angeles. The Chargers are displaying a formidable defence, a great quarterback and several playmakers all over the field: Keenan Allen, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston are a great receiver core; Omarion Hampton can run heavily and Asante Samuel is a shutdown corner, on defence. If you add their QB Justin Herbert to the mix, you don’t need much more to be a top contender in a loaded AFC.

It is more than possible that some players from these franchises will end up in Canton’s Hall of Fame. In that case, we will cover their story, before they receive the iconic golden jacket, on our pages. So keep in mind to regularly check our website.

Some casino games have earned legendary status through decades of popularity and innovation. These games changed how people think about gambling entertainment and set standards that modern titles still follow.

From classic slot machine games to revolutionary table games, certain titles deserve recognition for their lasting impact. Many of these games influenced entire generations of players and developers. Their contributions to casino culture make them worthy of Hall of Fame consideration.

Classic Slot Machine Legends

The Liberty Bell slot machine launched the entire slot industry in 1895. Charles Fey's invention used three spinning reels and automatic payouts. This simple design became the template for millions of slot machines worldwide.

Bally's Money Honey introduced electromechanical features in 1963. The game offered the first bottomless hopper and automatic payouts up to 500 coins. Players could finally win big jackpots without waiting for attendants.

Revolutionary Features:

• Automatic payout systems
• Multi-line betting options
• Progressive jackpot networks
• Bonus round mechanics

Table Game Innovations

Blackjack earned its place through perfect mathematical balance. The game offers skilled players real chances to beat the house edge. Card counting strategies made blackjack famous in popular culture and movies.

Craps brings unmatched excitement to casino floors worldwide. The social aspect creates energy that live music events and other entertainment venues try to replicate. Multiple betting options keep players engaged for hours at a time.

Roulette combines elegance with straightforward gameplay that appeals to players of all skill levels. The spinning wheel creates suspense that no other casino game matches.

Video Poker Pioneers

Jacks or Better became the foundation for all video poker games. The 1979 release combined poker strategy with the convenience of a slot machine. Players could make decisions that affected their chances of winning.

Deuces Wild added wild card excitement to video poker. The game created new strategies and higher payout possibilities. Skilled players found ways to achieve positive expected returns with perfect play.

Video Poker Milestones:

• First skill-based slot games
• Player decision impact
• Strategy chart development
• Tournament format creation

Progressive Jackpot Giants

Megabucks changed slot gaming forever with linked progressive jackpots. Multiple casinos connected their machines to create million-dollar prizes. The first jackpot winner received over one million dollars in 1987.

Wheel of Fortune slots brought the excitement of the TV show to casino floors. The familiar theme attracted players who had never tried slot machines before. Bonus wheels created interactive gameplay that kept players engaged.

Modern Digital Innovations

Gonzo's Quest revolutionized slot gaming with cascading reels. Winning symbols disappeared and new ones dropped down for additional chances. The avalanche feature has become a standard in modern slot design.

Book of Ra created the explorer theme that hundreds of games copied. The expanding symbol bonus round influenced countless slot developers. The game remains popular across multiple global casino markets.

Digital Game Features:

• Cascading reel mechanics
• Expanding wild symbols
• Multi-level bonus rounds
• Interactive storylines

Live Dealer Game Evolution

Evolution Gaming transformed online casino gaming with live dealer technology. Real dealers streaming from professional studios brought authenticity to digital gaming. Online players could conveniently interact with dealers and other players in real-time.

Dream Catcher introduced game show elements to live casino gaming. The money wheel concept created exciting new gameplay possibilities. Television production values raised the bar for online casino entertainment.

Cultural Impact Recognition

These legendary casino games have had a profound influence on popular culture, extending far beyond the gambling venues themselves. Movies often featured blackjack card counting and poker tournaments. Slot machine sounds became recognizable audio signatures worldwide.

Game shows adopted casino game formats for television entertainment. The crossover appeal helped legitimize casino gaming in mainstream culture.

Cultural Influence Areas:

• Hollywood movie plots
• Television game shows
• Mobile app gaming
• Social media content

Conclusion

These casino games earned their legendary status through innovation, popularity, and lasting cultural impact. They set standards that modern game developers still follow today in both land-based and online casinos.

Their influence extends far beyond gambling into entertainment, technology, and popular culture. Each game contributed something unique that changed how people experience casino entertainment forever.

These titles deserve recognition in any hall of fame that celebrates gaming innovation and cultural significance.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the top 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we maintain and update our existing Top 50 lists annually.  As such, we are delighted to present our pre-2025/26 revision of our top 50 Colorado Avalanche.

As for all of our top 50 players in hockey, we look at the following: 

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the National Hockey League.

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles that are not reflected in a stat sheet.

Last year, the loaded Avalanche team cruised into the playoffs but was eliminated in the first round.  There were no new entrants but multiple elevations..

As always, we present our top five, which remain unchanged. 

1. Joe Sakic
2. Nathan MacKinnon
3. Peter Forsberg
4. Michel Goulet
5. Peter Stastny

You can find the entire list here.

Nathan MacKinnon, who was fourth in Hart voting last year, was #2 last year, and still has years to go to overtake Joe Sakic.

Mikko Rantanen, who was shockingly traded to Carolina (and then to Dallas) was not able to advance past #8.

Two-time and defending Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar, moved from #12 to #10.

Defenseman Devon Toews went up six spots to #24.

Another Defenseman, Samuel Girard, climbed two rungs to #34.

Right Wing Valeri Nichuskin went up three spots to #37.

We thank you for your continued support of our lists on Notinhalloffame.com.

In sports betting, certainty is rare—but a few legendary athletes offer exactly that. You’re not betting on potential. You’re betting on proven greatness, already worthy of Canton, Cooperstown, or Springfield.

In sports betting terms, these athletes represent the rare “sure things.” Futures markets for MVPs and championships constantly shift, but when the subject is a generational player, prices often move like blue-chip stocks. For reference, a line of +1400 means a $100 bet returns $1,400 profit if successful, while -10000 means risking $10,000 to win just $100.

Whether it’s Patrick Mahomes, LeBron James, or Shohei Ohtani, these superstars have already secured their Hall of Fame legacies. The smart play? Finding current markets where you can still capitalize—before oddsmakers catch up.

Mahomes Sets the Quarterback Standard

Patrick Mahomes has secured his Canton spot several times over. He's already collected two NFL MVP trophies and three Super Bowl MVP awards. His baseline level of play secures his position in all discussions about the greatest quarterbacks ever.

But the current season has been a challenge for the Chiefs, who sit at 2-2 as of Week 5. After a Week 4 blowout win, his MVP odds shortened significantly. You're seeing prices ranging from +560 to a pretty high +2000 (per BetMGM and FanDuel odds as of October 3, 2025). This spread reflects market indecision. His Super Bowl LX odds remain a strong +850 across major books (according to DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook futures lines). His capacity to deliver a rebound MVP season makes the current +2500 price a solid value play.

LeBron James' Age Defying Value

LeBron James entered the 2025-26 season at 40 years old. The market must reckon with the fact that he's priced as a major factor in the NBA Finals futures. His sustained excellence makes his Hall of Fame induction a simple formality as his statistical outputs remain astonishing (per NBA.com player stats, 2024–25 season). James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game last season, as he jokingly looks into a new fitness routine. Betting the Lakers to win the Western Conference at +800 is a calculated investment (FanDuel odds, October 3, 2025).

The Lakers' odds to win the NBA Finals currently stand at +1400. That's a high-risk, high-reward scenario, betting on the King defying age for one more ring. As with any futures bet, timing and bonus selection matter just as much as the odds themselves. If you’re backing today’s stars who are on track for Canton or Cooperstown, check out the latest sportsbook promos at this link. According to expert analysis from Covers, sportsbook promos change often. You have to pay attention to terms and conditions, claim new bonuses, and compare deals across brands. 

Michael Duchesne, Managing Editor, explains, "Doing so ensures our sportsbook bonus recommendations are fresh. In October, BetMGM holds serve atop our list with its $1,500 sports betting promo that carries an additional $50 bonus bet, win or lose."

Ohtani and The Certainty Wager

The case for Shohei Ohtani’s Hall of Fame spot closed the moment he simultaneously proved his value as an elite hitter and an elite starting pitcher. The uniqueness of his career translates directly into the lowest-risk betting opportunity available.

But his market reflects this certainty aggressively. Ohtani’s closing odds for the 2025 NL MVP award were an astronomical -10000 on BetMGM. That's a price reflecting a 99.01% implied probability of him winning the award. You must risk a massive amount just to win a small profit.

Better payouts were available away from the MVP market. Ohtani’s odds for the NL Home Run Title were +1000 late in the season. He finished with 55 home runs, just one shy of taking the title (according to MLB.com 2025 season statistics). His return to the mound was spectacular.

Market Dynamics and Price Volatility

A betting market narrates a specific story about risk and certainty. The prices on Mahomes, James, and Ohtani illustrate the wildly different forces governing their respective sports. Ohtani’s negative odds show the static certainty of a finished MLB individual award.

Mahomes’s widely ranging odds illustrate mid-season NFL chaos. His MVP viability is tied directly to the team’s current 2-2 record. This volatility presents the best chance to find value. You should invest when the team's down, trusting the elite track record for the rebound.

LeBron’s +1400 is based on a longer-term, more complex calculation. It's a bet on his ability to perform at a historical level through the NBA playoffs. You have to assess the league's timing against the player's track record. 

The Hall of Fame certainty surrounding James just got official confirmation on a new front. The entire 2008 Olympic "Redeem Team," which included James, is being inducted into the Class of 2025. It's official recognition of one of the most dominant periods of his career. That squad's 8-0 record, with a massive 27.8-point average victory margin, further solidifies his legacy. 

The Risk to Reward Spectrum

These three markets create a distinct spectrum of risk and reward for bettors. Ohtani’s MVP award sits at the lowest-risk position. You trade significant capital for minimal profit. It's a statistical confirmation bet.

Mahomes’s MVP odds provide the moderate middle ground. He's a high-floor player who consistently finishes top three in voting. His current +2500 price offers a strong payout if he wins MVP. (Like this, it's a pretty low risk for a potential high reward.)

LeBron’s +1400 Championship odds represent the highest risk but offer the largest reward. A Finals win for a 41-year-old requires near-perfect execution. How can you weigh a 99% probability against a 6.7% probability? That comparison highlights the bettor’s eternal trade-off: certainty limits profit, while volatility invites both value and risk. That's what makes staying up-to-date on the latest sportsbooks' odds important.

Statistics Always Justify the Price

The betting markets don't operate on sentiment. They adjust constantly to recent, hard data. Mahomes's three Super Bowl MVPs and two 5,000-yard seasons justify his relatively short MVP number. Why would the market suddenly discount the player who has surpassed 5,000 passing yards in two of his MVP seasons?

But LeBron’s 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game last season aren't the numbers of a player in decline. These are the figures of an elite distributor and scorer. This sustained excellence justifies the Lakers holding those +1400 title odds.

Ohtani’s final 2025 stats confirm his value. He's, by many metrics, the single most valuable player in baseball. His nearly insurmountable MVP odds reflect the market acknowledging that unparalleled production.

Future Hall of Famers

You're not just waiting for some Hall of Fame committee to give its verdict. You're betting on a game that wrapped up yesterday or a championship kicking off today. These athletes really shake things up in the betting scene. Their proven track record gives you a solid foundation while the odds might bounce around. By checking out the current odds for Mahomes, James, and Ohtani, you’re spotting some mispriced bets. Basically, you're grabbing a piece of something reliable in sports with a chance to win big future bets.

Betting on proven greatness isn’t about chasing hype—it’s about timing. When the market doubts legends like Mahomes, LeBron, or Ohtani, value appears. The key is recognizing when odds temporarily misprice inevitability—and acting before they correct.