Post Superbowl Analysis

Pittsburgh won a record equalling fifth Super Bowl by beating Seattle 21-10 in a game that barely lived up to expectations. The Steelers are a best price 10/1 to retain their world champion title in twelve months when the greatest showpiece moves to Miami. Although the AFC champions may have come out on top regardless, Seattle ought to feel hard done by a very iffy performance by the zebra. They had an apparent touchdown brought back when Darrell Jackson was called for offensive pass interference - when his contact was absolutely minimal and would have struggled to squash a fly. The first Steelers TD came from Ben Roethlisberger who appeared on the replays to come up short yet was still awarded the six points after a booth referral. It didn't get much better in the second half for Seattle when a pass down to the 1 yard line was brought back for yet another marginal call. If Matt Hasselbeck felt robbed before, he would have been seething when his pass was intercepted and ran back to the Pittsburgh 25 yard line, only then for the Seahawk signal caller to be called for a fifteen yard penalty. Is it any wonder the NFC champions looked totally lost late in the game? The Seahawks are available at 12/1 to return to the Super Bowl next year, although recent history would suggest the runners-up often struggle the following season. What is at least in their favour is arguably weakest division in the NFL. Whether that remains the same will depend on the off-season moves made by the Rams, Cardinals and 49ers. Favourites for Super Bowl are Indianapolis at the ludicrously short price of 6/1. At this very early stage, glancing down the list and there may be some mileage in backing Miami at a very tempting 40/1. With a storming end to the regular season, the Dolphins will fancy overturning the Patriots for the AFC East, and with the added incentive of the Super Bowl on their own patch could make a serious run for the major honour.