2011 NFL Playoff Odds: Ravens vs. Steelers and Falcons vs. Packers

Saturday in NFL betting should treat us to two very different playoff games: one a smash-mouth divisional war in cold weather, the other an indoor showdown between two high-flying offenses. Should be fun.

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Saturday, January 15, 4:30 p.m. ET

Latest odds: Steelers -3

Over/Under: 37

As the Ravens showed last week when they made short work of Kansas City, they’re playoff sports betting road warriors. Baltimore is 4-0 ATS over its last five road games and 8-3 ATS over its last 11 playoff road games. The road team is 3-0-1 over the last four meetings between these AFC North rivals.

However, the Steelers have a good recent track record in playoff betting as well. They’re 8-0 ATS over their last eight January games and 7-1 ATS over their last eight playoff games. Then again, the Steelers don’t always respond well in tight contests. They’re just 2-13-1 ATS over their last 16 when favored at home by less than three points.

Baltimore trends toward the UNDER: the under is 5-1 over its last six against AFC opponents. However, nine of Pittsburgh’s last 10 playoff home games have trended OVER the sportsbook total.

Baltimore’s offense was just 22nd in the league this season—20th in passing and 14th in rushing. But Joe Flacco moved the ball just fine against the Chiefs last week. The Ravens also bring the league’s 10th-ranked defense to the table. The Steelers were 14th in offense but didn’t have Ben Roethlisberger for their first four games. They also have the league’s second-ranked defense and are first against the run with an amazing 62.8 yards allowed per game.

Green Bay Packers @ Altanta Falcons

Saturday, January 15, 8:00 p.m. ET

Latest odds: Falcons -3

Over/Under: 45.5

Are the Pack ready to play giant killer again after upsetting Philadelphia on the road last week? They’re 15-5-1 ATS over their last 21 games as a road underdog. They’ve beaten eight of their last 11 spreads overall. Then again, the Falcons are beasts at the Georgia Dome, 10-4 ATS over their last 14 as a home favorite. While the Falcons have beaten the spread in five of the last six meetings, the underdog is also 5-1 over the last six meetings.

Of Atlanta’s last 11 games, seven have gone OVER the betting total, but the UNDER is 8-1 in Green Bay’s last nine road games.

The balanced Pack have the league’s No. 9 offense and No. 5 defense. Their 24th-ranked rushing attack was supposed to be their Achilles heel last week but James Starks set a Green Bay rookie playoff record with 123 yards.

The Falcons are fifth in the league in scoring (25.9 points per game) and scoring defense (18.0 points per game). They run a balanced offense featuring Matt Ryan in the 15th-ranked passing offense and Michael Turner in the 12th-ranked running game. Atlanta is only 22nd in pass defense, however, allowing 226.6 yards per game. This is somewhat of a bend-but-don’t-break unit.