NFL 2011 Playoffs: Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs Betting Odds and Pick

OK, going two for two: I’m off to a red-hot start betting on this year’s NFL Playoffs. Next up: the Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs.

Online betting giant Sportsbook.com recently altered the Ravens-Chiefs point spread to the Ravens -3 points. Meanwhile, the total is down to 40.5 points after opening at 41.

Shocker alert: the Baltimore Ravens have one of the top defenses in the NFL; yea, I know it’s hard to believe. Led by future Hall-of-Famer Ray Lewis, Baltimore gave up just 16.9 points per game this season—good enough for third lowest in the entire NFL.

While they aren’t considered one of the top defenses in the league, the Chiefs defense did a decent job this season, allowing 20.4 points per game. However, playing in front of their rabid home crowd, the Chiefs defense was a whole different beast, surrendering a very low 14.7 ppg. Not surprisingly, football bettors cashed on the Under in four out of the last five times the Chiefs played at home.

The NFL betting crowd or at Sportsbook.com has obviously noticed these numbers as the majority of the money is on the Under.

The Chiefs offense is led by quarterback Matt Cassel and 27 touchdown passes. However, it’s the running game that really makes the Chiefs tick. With the rushing duo of Jamaal Charles (1467 yards) and Thomas Jones (896 yards), K.C. led the entire NFL in rushing; churning out 164.2 yards per game.

Stopping the run is what the Ravens do best. Since Week 4, Baltimore allowed just two 100 yard rushers and one of them was the NFL’s leading rusher Arian Foster. Additionally, over the same time period, only one opposing running back was able to make it into the end zone.

The Ravens’ defense received some good news as safety Ed Reed will be suited up and ready to go. Despite missing six games this season, Reed led the entire NFL in interceptions (eight). He has been particularly hot as of late, hauling in four over the last two weeks.

Although Cassel threw just seven picks all season, he has three over the last three weeks.

Finally, the Ravens veteran defense raises their level of intensity under adversity. Need proof? Think about these football betting trends:

The Under is 5-2 in the Ravens last seven playoff games.

In their last eight games versus a team with a winning record, the Under covered six times.

The last 15 times the Ravens were away from home, the Under was 10-4-1.

Oddsauthority.com Ravens-Chiefs Pick:

I guess it’s not hard to figure out where I’m going with this. The Ravens defense will step up, while the Chiefs defense will also compete. If you are betting on the Ravens vs. Chiefs game, take the Under at Sportsbook.com.