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Introducing the most unlikely of scenarios, at least in the eyes of oddsmakers both in Vegas and offshore - an Arizona Cardinals vs. Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl in 2009.
While the Cardinals were given decent odds early on in the season (the result of a weak NFC West division), the Ravens were one of only a handful of teams given triple digit odds to win the 2009 Super Bowl. The payout - if you got them early enough - $10,000 for every $100 bet; $100,000 for every $1000 bet at betED.com.
The Cardinals vs. Ravens Super Bowl line should be Baltimore -7 ½ and quite possibly -8. In fact, the Ravens are widely given a slight edge over the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers in terms of NFL power rankings these days. Although it is conceivable we will see a line of Baltimore -6 ½ (just under the touchdown line) since the Ravens are not as big a "public" team as Pittsburgh.
The Baltimore Sun asked the question: "Who's picking the Ravens?"
Evidently, not too many people since the odds of Baltimore winning the 2009 Super Bowl were at +325 at betED.com for a payout potential of $325 on every $100 bet. Arizona had odds of +550 for a payout potential of $550 on every $100 bet.
Well, there are people picking the Ravens to win, according to the Sun.
- Four out of six NFL analysts on CBSSportsline.com choose the Ravens to upset the Steelers and advance to the Super Bowl.
- Cris Collinsworth of Showtime's Inside the NFL thinks the Ravens will win, but Warren Sapp is choosing the Steelers.
- ESPN.com's Bill Simmons doesn't think it will be a close game. He believes the Steelers will head to Tampa with an easy victory over the Ravens.
"The Ravens probably have the best value," said Don Shapiro of Gambling911.com. "Mainly because they have the best chance for an upset. I don't see Arizona winning even though the payout odds are enticing."
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
