Roethlisberger, Steelers overcame impossible path to reach Super Bowl XLIII

Steelers Super Bowl betting: Football's worst schedule couldn't stop the Steelers from reaching Super Bowl XLIII

• Mike Tomlin has kept Steelers’ successful formula intact
• Toughest schedule in the NFL didn’t slow AFC Champion
• Steelers aim to win franchise’s sixth Super Bowl

After the Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XL, there was some trepidation as to how much the franchise might change after head coach Bill Cowher and running back Jerome Bettis retired.

The answer has been straightforward: not much.

With Mike Tomlin running the show, the Steelers have maintained their winning model and if you’re betting on Pittsburgh in the Steelers Super Bowl odds, you’re betting on the team expected to win.

It wasn’t that way at the beginning of the season as the Steelers were handed the NFL’s toughest schedule. Their path to Super Bowl was the most difficult and even the most optimistic Steelers Super Bowl betting handicappers didn’t think Pittsburgh would be one of the last two teams standing.

The Steelers won 12 games this season and their only four losses came in Philadelphia, at home to the New York Giants, at home to Indianapolis and on the road in Tennessee. All four teams made the playoffs and combined for a 46-17-1 record.

The Steelers Super Bowl odds have them listed as a seven-point favorite and it’s hard to argue against them not paying off on the 2009 Super Bowl odds.

They’ve endured all the toughest teams in the NFL while their opponent mowed through the easiest division in football, then capitalized on turnovers and home-field advantage to qualify for the Super Bowl.

The Steelers lines on both side of the ball are much stronger than what the Cardinals offer in Super Bowl betting. The offensive line, which was weak early on in the season, has gelled and is now cohesive. The Steelers’ defensive line is as strong as any in the league and helped generate an 51 sacks in the regular season -- second-best in the NFL.

According to the Steelers Super Bowl odds, you’ve had to lay points with them virtually all season if you’ve wanted to bet them. The good news: if you’ve backed them when they were a favorite of 3.5 to nine points, you have yet to lose (8-0).

The Steelers have had a long and arduous path to Super Bowl XLIII but from injuries to opponents, there is nothing they haven’t seen.

Who will win the Super Bowl? Keep your eyes on the BetOnline.com Betting Edge as we provide a new Super Bowl preview article every weekday all the way up until the kickoff of Super Bowl XLIII.

Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.