Just a quick post here in the dogdays of the offseason about how the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to be an afterthought for the most part as legitimate contenders in 2010. I say that based on what odds they're currently getting to win the 2010 Super Bowl. I was initially surprised when Frank posted in one of his six packs that the Steelers were ranked 19th in ESPN's mid-may Power Rankings. That's of course largely a product of Ben Roethlisberger being suspended for the first four to six games of the year. But I think that the departure of Santonio Holmes is being perceived as too big of a loss than it really is by many. And I think that most fans and media members think back to Pittsburgh's struggles defensively last season and immediately come to the conclusion that they'll likely struggle again in 2010. Losing Holmes does hurt, but I strongly believe that the Steelers still have more than enough talent of offense to make up for the loss of his productivity. The pass defense is still a concern, but if Troy Polamalu can somehow stay healthy and if Bryant McFadden can play better than William Gay did a year ago, the pass defense should improve, even if not to its 2008 level.
Power Rankings are just one man's opinion though, so I decided to check the NFL betting lines and look at if there'd been any movement in the Super Bowl odds since I last checked after the draft. As you'll see, the Steelers, once 11:1 favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy next February, have continued to slide down the board as likely champions.
Let's take a look.
Team | Odds (Feb.) | Odds (post Draft) | Odds (mid-June |
Arizona Cardinals | 35/1 | 40/1 | 40/1 |
Atlanta Falcons | 30/1 | 25/1 | 30/1 |
Baltimore Ravens | 20/1 | 18/1 | 14/1 |
Buffalo Bills | 100/1 | 100/1 | 100/1 |
Carolina Panthers | 40/1 | 30/1 | 35/1 |
Chicago Bears | 35/1 | 35/1 | 35/1 |
Cincinnati Bengals | 30/1 | 30/1 | 30/1 |
Cleveland Browns | 100/1 | 80/1 | 80/1 |
Dallas Cowboys | 12/1 | 11/1 | 12/1 |
Denver Broncos | 50/1 | 50/1 | 50/1 |
Detroit Lions | 100/1 | 80/1 | 90/1 |
Green Bay Packers | 12/1 | 14/1 | 14/1 |
Houston Texans | 35/1 | 28/1 | 28/1 |
Indianapolis Colts | 13/2 | 8/1 | 9/1 |
Jacksonville Jaguars | 50/1 | 70/1 | 70/1 |
Kansas City Chiefs | 100/1 | 100/1 | 90/1 |
Miami Dolphins | 45/1 | 30/1 | 30/1 |
Minnesota Vikings | 12/1 | 14/1 | 12/1 |
New England Patriots | 10/1 | 9/1 | 12/1 |
New Orleans Saints | 10/1 | 9/1 | 9/1 |
New York Giants | 20/1 | 25/1 | 25/1 |
New York Jets | 25/1 | 12/1 | 10/1 |
Oakland Raiders | 100/1 | 80/1 | 80/1 |
Philadelphia Eagles | 16/1 | 18/1 | 18/1 |
Pittsburgh Steelers | 11/1 | 18/1 | 20/1 |
San Diego Chargers | 8/1 | 10/1 | 11/1 |
San Francisco 49ers | 45/1 | 30/1 | 30/1 |
Seattle Seahawks | 45/1 | 40/1 | 40/1 |
St. Louis Rams | 100/1 | 100/1 | 100/1 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 100/1 | 100/1 | 100/1 |
Tennessee Titans | 25/1 | 28/1 | 28/1 |
Washington Redskins | 50/1 | 28/1 | 25/1 |
Again, all just for fun and nothing here, just interesting in my mind watching the lines move as the public's perception shifts throughout the calendar year.