Super Bowl XLIII betting is preparing to go to the next level as online sports betting players are getting all the information they can as they decide who will win the Super Bowl. Here is a look at the top five (or six) teams that will be looking back and wondering what went wrong, starting with an AFC title-game combatant.

Baltimore

The Ravens reached the AFC championship game on the back of the league’s No.2 defense. The problem is, their rivals from Pittsburgh had the NFL’s top defense, and the Steelers defeated Baltimore three times this season, including the death blow in the conference championship game. Joe Flacco has a spectacular year in his debut season, but he fell on his face against the Steelers, throwing one touchdown with five picks in those three meetings. But he shouldn’t feel that bad: Pittsburgh Steelers odds for Super Bowl betting show that the Pittsburgh defense isn’t to be taken lightly.

New England

11-5 and STILL missing the playoffs? By the end of the season, no one wanted to face Matt Cassel and the Patriots, who won four of their last five games and put up 47 points or more in three of those outings. Had the Patriots made the playoffs, you can guarantee that New England would have great Super Bowl XLIII betting odds. Do you want to bet against Bill Belichick in the “Big Game”?

Dallas

On paper, there is no way this team should not be in the Super Bowl. For the Cowboys not to make the playoffs is a perfect example of the “team chemistry” concept, and this year’s Dallas squad exploded various times during the season, especially over the final few weeks. Terrell Owens is all but gone, Tony Romo is being questioned by Cowboy great Troy Aikman in the press, and Wade Philips shouldn’t feel safe about his job at all. But you watch: Dallas will be one of the top Super Bowl betting contenders again next season in your online sportsbook.

Tennessee

The Titans started the season 10-0, and the talk of an unbeaten season began. But could online sports betting players really trust a young team with Kerry Collins at quarterback? Apparently not, as they lost to Baltimore at home in the divisional round. But the Titans have a solid nucleus, and they should be Super Bowl betting contenders again next season.

Carolina/New York

This was a toss-up, as everyone was awaiting a rematch of their 34-28 overtime battle in Week 16 that was won by the Giants in New York. These two were picked to meet again in the NFC title game, but upset losses at home to Philadelphia (by New York) and Arizona (by Carolina) killed any chance of another bout. The Giants were the bigger Super Bowl betting disappointment as they were the defending champions, but Jake Delhomme’s five-interception performance against the Cardinals earned the Panthers a spot on this dubious list of teams that missed out on the Super Bowl XLIII betting action.