In his first year as head coach, Mike Tomlin took the Pittsburgh Steelers to the postseason. Is there more on the horizon for 2009? Oddsmakers have established the Steelers as 16/1 long shots to win the 2009 Super Bowl.
The Steelers didn’t make a ton of moves this offseason, but they did re-sign some of their own talent when they brought back Max Starks, Chris Kemoeatu, Travis Kirschke, Greg Warren and Nate Washington. They also signed center Justin Hartwig, formerly of the Panthers.
Football enthusiasts like the Steelers again this year, if nothing else because history proves they should be competitive. Pittsburgh often finds a way to put a winner on the field and this year should be no different as they welcome back several key starters. Although they lost Alan Faneca to free agency, the Steelers look solid across the board.
Odds for the Steelers are pretty consistent at the major sports books. Current prices on the Steelers’ chances to win the 2009 Super Bowl range from 15/1 at Sportsbook.com, 16/1 at Bodog, and 20/1 at SBG Global.
Oddsmakers have also set the Steelers’ over/under total for wins in 2008 at 9, but clearly think Pittsburgh will win more than 9 games considering the over pays out at –140 compared to +110 for the under.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is back. Running back Willie Parker is back. The defense is back. The Pittsburgh Steelers should be back. Tomlin made some rookie mistakes last year in the postseason, but he’s a year wiser and even if Parker isn’t fully recovered from his late season knee injury, the team added powerful back Rashard Mendenhall in the draft. There’s no reason not to like the Steelers this year, even though they play in a tough AFC. In fact, they might be a solid Super Bowl value bet at 20/1 odds.
Pittsburgh Steelers Odds to Win 2009 Super Bowl
SBG Global 20-1
Bodog 16-1
Sportsbook.com 15-1
Pittsburgh Steelers 2008 Regular Season Win Totals Odds
Pittsburgh Steelers Over 9 Wins (-140)
Pittsburgh Steelers Under 9 Wins (+110)