Pittsburgh Steelers Now the 2009 Super Bowl Favorite
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the new favorite to win the Super Bowl according to our good friends over at Sportsbook.com
With the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers and Tennesse Titans eliminated this weekend, Sportsbook.com has updated its odds-to-win the 2009 Super Bowl as well as the Early Super Bowl line with the AFC favored by three points over the NFC.
Pittsburgh is a +150 favorite to win the whole thing as they get ready to host the Baltimore Ravens as six-point favorites on Sunday.
If that spread seems a little high to you, then you're in the slim majority as 55% of the early bettors are backing the Ravens. Note the Over/Under has been set at a low 33.5 points and a whopping 76% are jumping on the Over.
These AFC North rivals have played twice this year already and the one thing you know about this game is that it will be very physical. Both teams want to run the ball early and often and each thinks it has the best defense in the NFL with some merit on both sides.
The first meeting between the teams came on September 29th in Pittsburgh and the Steelers were able to survive 23-20 in overtime. Note that Willie Parker was not able to play in that game due to a knee injury and the Steelers only managed 69 yards on the ground.
The second game came on December 14th in Baltimore and Pittsburgh won 13-9 after Santonio Holmes caught a controversial touchdown pass with just under a minute remaining.
That victory sealed the AFC North title, but it's the Ravens who feel like destiny is on their side this time around as they have already beaten Miami and top-seeded Tennessee on the road and they provide great value to win the Super Bowl at +300.
The NFC title game has the Arizona Cardinals getting three-points from the Philadelphia Eagles. That number isn't scaring off Eagles backers as 75% are firmly behind them right now.
Philadelphia keeps getting comparisons to the 2007 New York Giants who had three road wins before shocking New England in the Super Bowl.
Philly easily dispatched Minnesota in the first round this year and then out-muscled the New York Giants in the Meadowlands on Sunday. They're +200 to win their first Super Bowl in team history.
Arizona has had an equally exciting run to the NFC Championship game. They first took care of a favored Atlanta team in the desert, as the Cards were able to play great run defense and get their running game going with Edgerrin James.
Arizona continued its hot play as they ventured into Carolina last Saturday night as 9 ½-point dogs. The big factor in that game was Jake Delhomme's six turnovers, including five interceptions.
They can't count on turnovers again this week so they must be able to run the ball effectively with James to keep the Philly blitzes somewhat in check.
This is a major revenge game for the Cardinals who got embarrassed in Philly, 48-20 on Thanksgiving night. The Cards are the long shot to win their first Super Bowl at +500.
Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
