With just two teams remaining in the NFC Playoff picture, odds makers have no choice but to give the Arizona Cardinals a little bit of respect. Prior to their divisional game in Carolina, the Cardinals were listed at +3000 money line odds to win Super Bowl XLIII. Sportsbook.com now has the Arizona Cardinals odds to win Super Bowl 2009 at +500 on the money line.
Arizona wrapped up the NFC West title in week 11 of the regular season and seemed to put it in cruise control after that. The Cardinals lost four of their last six games to finish at 9-7, giving them the number four seed in the playoffs. Their lack of momentum had many people anticipating an early exit from the post-season, but Arizona will now host the NFC Championship Game.
The Cardinals opened the playoffs playing host to the upstart Falcons, and beat Atlanta 30-24 as a home underdog. Arizona's defense limited Mike Smith's team to just 250 total yards and forced three turnovers. Their Wild Card victory earned them a trip to Carolina to play the number two seeded Panthers.
Ken Whisenhunt masterfully prepared his club for their divisional showdown in Charlotte, a place they had fallen 23-27 earlier in the year. Arizona absorbed an opening drive touchdown by Carolina's offense before tacking on 33 unanswered points. Again, the Cardinals defense showed up big, holding the Panthers to 269 total yards and picking off quarterback Jake Delhomme five times in the 33-13 win.
The stunning road victory (Arizona was a +10 dog), coupled with the Eagles upset of the Giants, assured the Cardinals of the franchise's first home conference championship game. Arizona will get a rematch with Philadelphia, a team they lost to by a score of 20-48 on Thanksgiving night at Lincoln Financial Field.
Sportsbook.com's Arizona Cardinals Odds to Win Super Bowl 2009: +500 (Money line).
