Written by :
Published on :
The Carolina Panthers were mentioned as a team that could win the 2009 Super Bowl early on in the season. But this is a low profile team that would not have garnered enough early future bets to cause much damage to the online bookmakers. After all, they were listed with 40/1 odds to win the Super Bowl over the summer.
"Carolina is listed with 5/1 odds and among the favorites to win the 2009 Super Bowl, and with good reason," reports Don Shapiro, sports columnist for the Gambling911.com website. "Even though they lost to the New York Giants last weekend on the road, the Panthers put up a terrific fight. What had looked to be an inconsistent team early on in the season really came together the second half."
Indeed, Carolina won 7 of their last 8 prior to the overtime loss in the Meadowlands last weekend. The Panthers managed to just squeak by New Orleans on the road in Week 17.
John Kasay came through in his last, best chance to guarantee the Carolina Panthers would have a playoff game on their home field, where they are unbeaten.
DeAngelo Williams rushed for 178 yards, Steve Smith had 134 yards receiving, and Kasay's 42-yard field goal with a second left lifted Carolina to a 33-31 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, locking up the NFC South title and the second seed in the conference.
"By God's grace, this one went in," Kasay said of the winning kick, which came a week after his 50-yard miss near the end of regulation cost Carolina the NFC's top seed in an overtime loss to the New York Giants.
Carolina (12-4), the only team to go 8-0 at home this season, still gets a first-round playoff bye and then a chance to extend its perfect record in Charlotte in the divisional round.
Carolina Panthers updated odds to win the 2009 Super Bowl will be available December 29 at Sportsbook.com
Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com
