People often debate whether a single player can lead the team to a championship. Same will say yes, some say no, some say you need a player and chemistry. While many seem divided over the issue, the betting public seems to lean to one side when it comes to this.

Last season the Dallas Cowboys finished 9-7 and out of the playoffs despite having coaching legend Bill Parcells, Drew Bledsoe at QB, upstart RB Julius Jones, and a good crop of rookies from the draft. As odds for Superbowl futures bets opened, the Cowpokes were listed at 10-1 to take home next year’s Lombardi trophy.

On the 18th of March 2006, Dallas owner Jerry Jones decided to take gamble on controversial WR Terrell Owens, signing him to three year deal. The signing caused waves not only in the NFL but in the betting world as well.

The Dallas Cowboys, 10-1 when original futures odds were set, now sit as 7-1 favorites to win Superbowl XLI. Dallas’ futures odds to win the NFC championship have shot up as well. Originally listed as 6-1 favorites, Dallas now sees their odds listed at 7-2 to win the George S. Halas trophy.

A similar trend is occurring in the AFC conference. The Miami Dolphins made great strides in 2005. They bounced back from a horrible 4-12 record in 2004 and finished with a 9-7 record. Still questions at the QB position dogged them going into the offseason and as early futures odds were set, the Fish found themselves at 30-1 to make the big game.

Then the Dolphins made a trade for injured and disgruntled QB Daunte Culpepper and saw their futures odds shoot up to 18-1 for the Superbowl.

Odds for an AFC title have, of course, improved as well, with sportsbooks listing Miami at 10-1, up from the 15-1 that the Dolphins opened at.

Chances are that a player probably won’t be able to lead a team to the Superbowl by himself, but we do know that a single player signing can change futures odds for a team drastically.