Packers and Steelers NFL betting favorites for Super Bowl XLV

Four teams remain in the hunt for Super Bowl XLV glory and online sportsbooks BetUS, Bodog and Bookmaker are forecasting some exciting conference championships, with both games posting pointspreads of 3.5 – and sinking – going into the weekend.

On Bookmaker’s most popular bets list, punters picking the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets have vaulted these offers to the top two spots.

For those that couldn’t get enough with last week’s two division rivalry games, the one to watch will be Green Bay at the Chicago Bears. Though the visiting team rarely gets the handicap at the bookmakers, particularly deep in the playoffs against a division mate, Bookmaker and the rest have the Packers giving 3.5 points.

The argument for Green Bay is twofold: Their starters are more rested after playing half a game in the Seattle Seahawks blowout victory while the Bears had their “A” team on the field for most of 60 minutes. Point no. 2 for the Packers is simply that Aaron Rodgers is playing out of his mind right now.

Much of the limelight in the buildup to Sunday is on the New York Jets, who pulled off a decisive victory over former prohibitive Super Bowl favorites the New England Patriots. The Jets are nevertheless a 3.5-point underdog as of Friday, surely due to the stifling Pittsburgh Steelers defense.

Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson may have given the New York running game new life, but they’re looking across at the NFL’s no. 1 rushing defense (by far). And while the Jets have the no. 5 pass D, Ben Roethlisberger’s capacity for punishment requires a better pass rush than New York may be capable of. The online sportsbooks nevertheless figure on a defensive struggle (or a secret Pittsburgh blowout), with Bodog’s over/under at 38.5 points (it’s 43.5 on the Green Bay/Chicago game).

Also of note are the updated proposition bet offers at BetUS. Punters can already wager on the Super Bowl MVP, exact result, the matchup in the big game, conference vs. conference pointspreads and more.

For NFL football betting action on this weekend’s conference championship games, visit JackpotFinder-recommended sportsbooks Bodog, Bookmaker or BetUS!