Odds to Win Super Bowl XLV: Green Bay Packers Favorite to Hoist Lombardi Trophy

The odds to win Super Bowl XLV were released after the conclusion of the divisional playoff games, and the favorite to win the biggest game in football may come as a surprise.

The New England Patriots held the title as favorite to win the Super Bowl, but that was quickly changed after the New York Jets eliminated them from contention on Sunday night. Now that title of favorite belongs to an unlikely team, the Green Bay Packers.

Chicago Bears 5:1

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Israel Idonije #71 of the Chicago Bears reacts after a Bears sack on quarterback Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter of the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Ch

Talk about disrespect. The Chicago bears had a very successful season and finished with the second best record in the NFC, yet they have the highest odds of winning the Super Bowl of any team left in the playoffs.

The latest odds released by Hollywood Sportsbook, have the odds for the Bears to win the Super Bowl at 5:1.

The Bears have one of the most electrifying players in football with Devin Hester and they will have home-field advantage for the NFC Championship Game. They have already beaten the Packers once this year and easily rolled through the Seattle Seahawks to get to this game.  

Jay Cutler and the Bears will be ready for the Packers and the chance to prove the world they have a shot at winning Super Bowl XLV.

New York Jets 4:1

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets celebrates after they defeated the Patriots 28 to 21 in their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty I

The New York Jets were not expected to beat the New England Patriots so it comes as no surprise that they are not the favorites to win the Super Bowl.

The Jets are currently listed at 4:1 to win the Super Bowl, which is not bad considering they are just one game away from advancing to the Super Bowl.

The Jets have already beaten Pittsburgh once this year on the road and are overloaded with confidence as they head into this game. The Jets always seem to play better when everyone counts them out.

Rest assured that Rex Ryan will have the Jets ready to play in this game and go after a Super Bowl ring.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2:1

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 15: Linebacker James Farrior #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts to a play against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field on January 15, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamu

The Pittsburgh Steelers are not the favorites the Super Bowl and they are fine with flying under the radar.

The Steelers are led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on offense and play tough, physical, defense. They are one of the best teams in the NFL, yet Hollywood Sportsbook as them listed at 2:1 to win the Super Bowl.

They proved in the win over the Baltimore Ravens that they can fight off adversity and overcome mistakes to win ballgames.

They host the AFC Championship Game at Heinz field and have a good chance of making it to the big game.  If the Steelers make it to Dallas they have the experience that it takes to win the game, making these odds tempting to take.

Green Bay Packers 1.4 to 1

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates as he walks off the field after the Packers won 48-21 against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta

The latest odds released by Hollywood Sportsbook have the Green bay Packers listed as 1.4 to 1 to win the Super Bowl.

This may not come as a shock to some after the way the Packers carved up the NFC highest seed in the Atlanta Falcons, but just a few weeks back this team was in danger of missing the playoffs.

The Packers had to come from behind to beat the Chicago Bears in the last game of the regular season to get a ticket to the NFL postseason. Then they will have to win three straight road games to even make it to Dallas to play in Super Bowl XLV.

The Packers have a chance to make history. No team has won the Super Bowl after having a losing record on the road and no sixth seed has represented the NFC on the NFL's biggest stage.

The way the Packers are playing right now they deserve to be favorites to win it all.

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail].

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