When the season opened for the Pittsburgh Steelers, they were stuck in the middle of pack when it came to Super Bowl XLV odds simply because Ben Roethlisberger was serving a four-game suspension for a summer of bad decisions. Then they defiantly marched out to a 3-1 SU record thanks to some incredible play by their defense, revitalizing the faith in their Super Bowl XLV odds and hopes.

The Green Bay Packers suffered through a different type of letdown. Opening as one of the NFC’s favorite teams at the beginning of the season, the Packers saw one player after another fall prey to the injury bug. Most importantly, they lost their running back Ryan Grant and that in itself seemed like an injury that they wouldn’t be able to bounce back from.

Both conference champions, however, are living proof that winning isn’t about how many times you get knocked down – it’s always about how many times you can pick yourself up off the turf and get back in the game.

Green Bay has not only overcome adversity, they’ve overcome the odds. As the sixth seeded team in the NFC, they had to play the top-3 seeds in their conference on the road. They’re now not only 3-0 SU and ATS in the playoffs, they’re also the favorites in Super Bowl XLV odds and lines in the sportsbook.

Which you should’ve seen coming if you’ve been tracking the NFL futures market. Before Championship Sunday, the Green Bay Packers had thundered to the top of the list as +175 favorites to win Super Bowl XLV. Now those odds are simplified.

As -3.0 points favorites, the Packers are also -140 favorites in the sportsbook to win Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Perhaps the only difference between these two teams is that the Steelers have had the comfort of playing at home. There’s also no telling how healthy their offensive line will be for the big game in Dallas.

The Steelers are getting an attractive +3.0 point cushion and are also +120 to win Super Bowl XLV outright. Do you think they have a chance to overcome the Super Bowl XLV odds? Then it’s time to put your money where your mouth is.