NFL Football
2009-01-18 - Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
A Sports Betting Pick by Bodog
AFC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
Sunday, January 18th, 2009 - 6:30PM ET
Weather Forecast :
40% chance of rain/snow - Low 19°F - High 27°F
The second game of Sunday's championship doubleheader features a nasty, nasty rivalry between two AFC North teams. NFL bettors have been given a matchup that could be one of the hardest hitting and nastiest games of the season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a 6-point favorite over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game as of today. The Steelers beat San Diego 35-24 on Sunday, one day after the Ravens won 13-10 at top-seeded Tennessee.
Baltimore Ravens (13-5 SU, 14-4 ATS)
The Ravens were 2.5-point underdogs at Tennessee, but took their chances in a tough defensive game to win by 3 points.
The Ravens have had a tough season, with an early bye week not helping and they have played 17 straight games without a break and three of the last four have come on the road.
Baltimore has won seven of their last eight games with the only loss coming against the Steelers, the team now standing between the Ravens and a trip to Super Bowl XLIII.
Injuries are piling up for Baltimore now and linebacker Terrell Suggs could miss his first NFL game with a shoulder sprain. Also battling injury are cornerbacks Samari Rolle (groin) and Fabian Washington (neck); safety Ed Reed (knee and hamstring); linebacker Jarret Johnson (calf); defensive tackle Justin Bannan (foot); tight end Todd Heap (back); wide receiver Derrick Mason (shoulder); running back Le'Ron McClain (ankle); and offensive tackle Willie Anderson (stinger).
Pittsburgh Steelers (13-4 SU, 10-7 ATS)
In the divisional round, the Steelers were favored by 6 over the Chargers, and gradually crushed the life out of the visitors to ease to an 11 point winning margin.
Pittsburgh's bye to the Divisional Round, courtesy of winning the AFC North could prove to be the decisive difference in this match as the Steelers come into the matchup relatively healthy for this time of year
Head to Head (since 2006)
Dec 14, 2008 @BAL PIT 13, BAL 9
Sep 29, 2008 @PIT PIT 23, BAL 20
Dec 30, 2007 @BAL BAL 27, PIT 21
Nov 05, 2007 @PIT PIT 38, BAL 7
Dec 24, 2006 @PIT BAL 31, PIT 7
Nov 26, 2006 @BAL BAL 27, PIT 0
Series is tied at 3-3, home teams lead 4-2.
PIT won both games in 2008, by margins of +3 and +4 points.
Week 15, 2008: Steelers 13, Ravens 9
In a battle between two defensive heavyweights, Ben Rothlisberger won it for Pittsburgh, directing a 12-play, 92-yard drive that ended with a controversial touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes with less than a minute left in the game.
Week 4, 2008: Steelers 23, Ravens 20
The Steelers edged Baltimore on Jeff Reed's 46-yard field goal in overtime, besting the Ravens for the seventh time in the last eight games in Pittsburgh. Steelers LB James Harrison recorded 10 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown.
BETTING TRENDS
Despite not winning too many games the Baltimore Ravens are 6-2 ATS in their last eight meetings with the Steelers, and the underdog has gone 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings.
THe Verdict
Divisional rivals can prove tough to beat in the playoffs, and just because Pittsburgh have won twice this season does not make the 3rd game a "gimmie".
But ... home advantage, and a much healthier line-up suggest that THIS AFC Championship might go along the line of the seedings.
The Pick :
Baltimore 13-20 Pittsburgh
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take the PITTSBURGH STEELERS to win the game and also cover the six point start.
