The Steelers is the odd team out.

How come? The Pittsburgh Steelers is the only team in the NFL playoffs’ final four that doesn’t have a bird for a mascot; with the Eagles, the Cardinals and the Ravens each advancing to the conference championship game for a chance to play for the Super Bowl XLIII title.

Does that mean lady luck will be favoring the Pittsburgh Steelers to win their second Super Bowl title in four years? Hardly. After all, all four teams remaining are playing terrific football the last few weeks that all four each have an equal shot of winning the big one.

Of course, Pittsburgh will also be facing a very tough opponent in the Baltimore Ravens for the 2009 AFC championship. The Steelers already defeated Baltimore twice this season. However, trying to beat the Ravens thrice IS a different story.

Especially if you probably just got lucky last weekend that the team you defeated was missing one of the league’s top running backs. Yes, LaDainian Tomlinson, as expected, sat out last Sunday’s game and the San Diego Chargers suffered because of it.

With LaDainian Tomlinson out, the Steelers took advantage of the Chargers en route to a 35-24 win in the AFC divisional game. The team with the NFL’s best home-field record since the 1970 NFL merger shook off a 7-0 deficit barely two minutes into the game, shutting down San Diego’s pint-sized playmaker Darren Sproles in his futile attempt to fill in Tomlinson’s absence.

Willie Parker ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns for the Steelers with Ben Roethlisberger shaking off his late-season concussion to lead what turned out to be an efficient offense. Now, it’s time for Baltimore Ravens - Pittsburgh Steelers III next Sunday as the two AFC North rivals renew their heated rivalry in the 2009 AFC championship.

Pittsburgh won the two regular season games against the Ravens. The Steelers won the first one in Pittsburgh, 23-20 in overtime when the Ravens supposedly put bounties on several Steelers players before winning the second one, 13-9 during the Dec.14 rematch in Baltimore that secured the divisional title for Pittsburgh.

The games were two of the most physical games played this season. Playing for a chance to go to Super Bowl XLIII will only ratchet up the intensity, physicality and, no doubt, the dislike.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Arizona Cardinals 7.00

Baltimore Ravens 5.00

Philadelphia Eagles 7.00

Pittsburgh Steelers 5.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog sportsbook for more football betting odds. Want to watch the NFL live? Get NFL tickets online now.

Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl XLIII