Now that we’re in Week 11 of the NFL season, people across the world are planning Christmas shopping preparing their Super Bowl parties and studying up on NFL football lines to lay down Super Bowl futures bets as soon as possible. Sure, it’s not as awesome as picking the champion from the start of the season, but “I called it! I told you (insert team here) would win it, way back in Week 11!” is still a verbal knockout when comparing sporting wits with your friends. Depending on the NFL football odds, there’s still a killing to be made on NFL props and futures - however, maybe not as much as my 100-1 pre-season bet that nearly panned out on the Tampa Bay Rays.

In any event, don’t come up short - check out our list of 2009 Super Bowl picks, and cash in on those bragging rights!

5. Carolina Panthers

A rugged defense and a high-octane offense have the Panthers sitting at 8-2 in a tough NFC South. In that respect, Carolina is very unconventional. Tough defensive teams generally utilize clock control and run methodical offensive schemes, however the Panthers love to take to the air. Quarterback Jake Delhomme is regarded as the least accurate pivot in the NFL, but that’s because he hurls the ball 60 yards downfield so darn often. When he’s feeling tame, however, Delhomme has a stellar running back duo of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams to fall back on.

The Panthers will remain significant underdogs on NFL betting lines to win the Vince Lombardi trophy, however they certainly have all the tools to pull off an upset.

4. Dallas Cowboys

After a Week 1 injury to the New England Patriots’ Tom Brady, the Cowboys became the de facto Super Bowl favorites on NFL lines. However, ‘America’s Team’ suffered a crushing injury of their own - Jessica Simpson-courting Tony Romo went down as well, leaving the fearsome duo of Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger to take the reins. Now that Dallas is 6-4, this could be a big underdog play - Romo is back, his hand is healthy, and he has a new target in Roy Williams to throw to.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

An injury to running back Willie Parker mid-season was supposed to be the end of the road for the Steelers, however, they have actually improved because of it. Sex Boat Scandal veteran Mewelde Moore stepped in and filled Parker’s shoes perfectly, and has now been integrated into the offense as an effective flex back. Pittsburgh might not have the world’s best receiving corps, but it could run the ball down team’s throat en route to another Super Bowl this season.

2. New York Giants

Offshore sportsbooks gave the Giants very little respect by not making them pre-season Super Bowl betting favorites, however the G-Men have clawed their way near the top of that list anyways. New York has dominated teams with an efficient offense and suffocating defense. Many pundits are suggesting that quarterback Eli Manning may be better than his brother Peyton - and if he can defy the NFL betting odds and take home a second consecutive title, that would be 100% true.

1. Tennessee Titans

If defense wins championships, then you might as well hand the Tennessee Titans the Super Bowl hardware right now. To put it into perspective how good the Titans ‘D’ is, old man Kerry Collins has led the team to an undefeated start to the season. The 1996 Pro Bowler just might be in line for his very first Super Bowl championship - go out and bet on the 2009 Super Bowl!