Bettors still love the Pittsburgh Steelers
It looks like rape charges on their favorite quarterback haven’t fazed these guys yet.
It has been a pretty quiet off-season over in the AFC North, as the teams prepared to head for training camp in preparation for the 2009 NFL football season. That all changed when news about Ben Roethlisberger getting accused for rape came out.
The Internet and sports talk radio shows buzzed with the news that Ben Roethlisberger has been named in a sexual assault civil suit. All was no longer quiet on the Northern front.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were coming off a thrilling Super Bowl victory and determined not to have a repeat performance of the last time they headed into the off-season after hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy.
Remember that? After beating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL, Pittsburgh endured a painful spring and summer (among the highlights include head coach Bill Cowher leaving the team, Ben Roethlisberger just about died in a motorcycle accident in which he wasn’t wearing a helmet, Santonio Holmes was arrested and on and on). The team never got on track for the 2006 season, resulting in the defending Super Bowl champs missing the playoffs.
That said, despite this recent news story, don’t look for a repeat of the dreadful 2006 campaign. Physically, Roethlisberger is fine, the coaching staff is back and for the most part, so is every other key starter. And Santonio Holmes wasn’t arrested.
That doesn’t mean some sports bettors weren’t looking for an edge when they heard of the controversy boiling in Steeltown.
Online sportsbook SPORTSBETTING.COM reported seeing wagering action that looks like it was triggered by the news. SPORTSBETTING.COM betting analyst Mike Sullivan said they saw a flurry of money come in on the Baltimore Ravens to ‘’Win the AFC Central Division’’ as the story broke and started to gain momentum. As well, bettors weighed in on the ‘’Under’’ 10.5 wins ‘’Season Win Total’’ for the Steelers.
The current NFL future odds have the New England Patriots as the odds-on favorite to win the AFC championship, listed at +320, followed by the Pittsburgh Steelers at +450. Slotting in behind the top two are the Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers, both at +650.
Looking at the NFL odds for the Super Bowl, Conference Champions and Division winners, Pittsburgh Steelers are near, or at the top of all them. As mentioned, Pittsburgh is getting all their key parts back this season. There is no reason they shouldn’t be better than last year, barring any significant injuries.
Which team will win Super Bowl XLIV? SPORTSBETTING.COM has the odds.
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-1
Arizona Cardinals 25-1
Dallas Cowboys 12-1
Want more odds? Visit SPORTSBETTING.COM for more NFL betting odds. Want to watch the NFL live? Get NFL tickets online now.
Loading ...