5 underdog Super Bowl LII matchups worth placing a bet on

While we still have plenty of time before the 2017 season starts, and even more before it ends, it's never too early to start predicting which teams are in for a big year.

The Golden Nugget Casino released its odds for which two teams will be meet in Super Bowl LII this week, calling a matchup between the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys the most likely to occur with 7-1 odds.

Betting on teams like the Patriots, Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Seattle Seahawks at this point may not be worth the risk with such favorable odds, but there are a handful of dark horse contenders worthy of an early wager.

We take a look at five potential matchups that have a real opportunity to turn a small bet into a big win.

Eagles vs. Ravens - 250-1

Carson Wentz enters his second NFL season with one of the most loaded sets of offensive weapons in the league and five seasons of FCS national championship-winning experience under his belt from college. Getting to the Super Bowl would certainly be ahead of schedule for the Wentz era, but if he makes a big jump and the defense continues improving under Jim Schwartz, a trip to Minnesota isn't out of the question.

The Ravens still have several members of their Super Bowl XLVII team on the roster and coaching staff, including head coach John Harbaugh and game MVP quarterback Joe Flacco. While they've one had one winning season since raising the Lombardi Trophy, the Ravens could be in for a big year as they've reloaded their defense and are assembling an offense not too different from 2012's.

Saints vs. Colts - 300-1

Two great quarterbacks. Two new-look defenses. Two teams who have met in the Super Bowl before.

Both the Saints and Colts are coming off a streak of disappointing seasons, but have high hopes for 2017, as Chuck Pagano needs a good year to secure his job and Drew Brees is running out of time to win New Orleans a second championship.

Related - Irsay: 'I'll be damned' if Colts don't win multiple Super Bowls in Luck era

The defenses would have to catch fire somewhat quickly in order to pull even with the potency of their offenses, though their star quarterbacks can each steal a few games here and there. The odds are affected by the mediocre seasons each team just finished, but if either starts playing to their full potential to start the year, 300-1 won't be available for long.

Cardinals vs. Bengals - 300-1

If you don't believe Andy Dalton and the Bengals are capable of winning a playoff game, that's a fair take. There's little evidence to suggest they can win in big games, but if they're going to break through, this is the year it happens.

Related: Bengals' Dalton, Lewis face make-or-break seasons in 2017

Dalton can easily be cut after this season and head coach Marvin Lewis could be gone too. The Bengals invested in surrounding Dalton with weapons this offseason, pouring on the pressure to either get over the hump or find a new job.

The Cardinals had a bad year in 2016, but they look poised to refocus and return to their 2015 division-winning form as they hope to get Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald rings before they retire.

Lions vs. Chargers - 400-1

The Lions made their second playoff appearance in three years last season despite an injured Matthew Stafford toward the end of the campaign, and made noticeable upgrades to the offensive line and defense this offseason.

In their first season in Los Angeles, the Chargers will field a much healthier squad than last year and won't need to wait four games to get Joey Bosa on the field. Philip Rivers is due for a postseason return after watching the last three playoffs from home, and he may have a running game to balance things out in 2017.

While neither quarterback has been able to get all the way to the big game before, there's a first for everything, and 400-1 odds for Stafford and Rivers to make a Super Bowl is a pretty good payout for two players who have won Comeback Player of the Year.

49ers vs. Browns - 3000-1

This may be just throwing money away and you shouldn't bet anymore than five bucks on this one. However, on the off chance the league's two worst teams in 2016 are the two best in 2017, 3000-1 is tough to pass up putting a small wager on.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)