2011 Super Bowl Odds: Which Teams Are the Best Bets to Make It to Indy?

There were 12 and now there are eight.

If you are keeping score at home, the numbers are getting smaller and smaller on the road to Indianapolis. And this past weekend proved that even the mighty (the Pittsburgh Steelers) fall from time to time.

This coming week should provide more drama, high scoring and a ton of question marks.

If you look at it from a seeding standpoint, each of the higher seeds in the league won their games, which means all division winners are left.

There is a chance for every team here to make it to the final game (including the Denver Broncos).

Here is a look from last to first of who has the best chance to get to the Super Bowl.

8. Houston Texans

They are last, but that does not mean they are out of this.

T.J. Yates is a heck of a rookie. The running game with Arian Foster and Ben Tate is pretty good. Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones are a nice threesome at receiver, and the defense is one of the best in the league.

But I believe the sand runs out of the hourglass against the Ravens.

7. Denver Broncos

OK, here is the skinny.

Tim Tebow and the Broncos looked good in beating the Steelers. Tebow had a "defining" game.

They proved they could score. They proved they could play defense.

But they are young, and the passing game in New England is better.

How does a team that was sky high this week handle the top seed in the conference?

6. San Francisco 49ers

OK, this one I have to explain.

Yes, they are the second seed in the NFC, but it is clear New Orleans and Green Bay are better.

They are young, the quarterback play of Alex Smith—even though he had a good year—worries me, and this team is better at stopping the run than the pass.

And they face Drew Brees this week.

If Frank Gore can run, they have a chance. However, despite the fact John Harbaugh did a great job this season, the dream comes to an end this weekend.

5. New York Giants

Never count a Tom Coughlin team out.

The Giants are built for the playoffs.

With Eli Manning behind the offense and the defense looking like it was on all cylinders last week, this could make for some interesting work over the weekend.

The Giants played the Packers tight in the their contest during the regular season and could prove to be the team to knock off the defending Super Bowl champions.

4. New England Patriots

They are truly the best passing team in the AFC, though their defense doesn't do enough to rush the passer. Patrick Chung's return helps them, but does the defense stop Tebow?

If they stop the Denver offense and can score 41 points with ease like last time, this could be over by halftime.

But if the Broncos hang around this time, look out!

3. Baltimore Ravens

I think not having Pittsburgh in the party anymore helps this team.

The Ravens have all the right pieces except for maybe quarterback. And while Joe Flacco has been erratic throughout the season, he came up huge in the second contest against the Steelers.

Can he find his "mojo" and win a game for this team in crunch time?

The defense is still solid, Ray Lewis is back from injury and, of course, there is Ray Rice to carry the load.

2. Green Bay Packers

Yes, they are second.

They score at will. The defense gives up points. But they will face some major issues with the New York Giants this weekend.

How will their offensive line play against the Giants pass rush? How will the receivers play against the secondary?

They are 15-1, but I still think there are the second-best team in the NFL.

1. New Orleans Saints

In Drew Brees We Trust.

It is the mantra of the entire state of Louisiana.

Brees is the best passer in the NFL. The offense is the best in the business. The defense plays better than the numbers indicate.

I don't seeing anyone stopping them.