Super Bowl 2011: Steelers-Packers Point Spread and Pick

Both Vegas and online betting joints alike are expecting Super Bowl XLV betting to be bigger than ever.

And why shouldn’t they? After all, two classic powerhouses with monstrous fan bases will take the field Sunday evening as the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Green Bay Packers.

Both franchises are no strangers to winning Super Bowl rings as the Packers go for their fourth, while the Steelers search for their seventh.

And by looking at the Super Bowl XLV betting odds at online betting giant Bodog.com, it appears as if their odds-makers believe the Packers will raise the Lombardi Trophy Sunday night.

Bodog opened and currently has the Steelers/Packers pointspread at Green Bay minus three points.

As discussed earlier this week, the Steelers-Packers over-under is at a seemingly high 45 points. Click here to see my write-up and free pick on the Super Bowl XLV total.

So are the Packers worthy three-point favorites? Let’s take a deeper look and try to uncover another winning NFL pick. By the way, my NFL free picks are now a documented 9-3 for the postseason.

Two of the best quarterbacks in the game will be on display; however, one has definitely outplayed the other during the playoffs.

In his three playoffs games, Packers’ Aaron Rodgers has a QB rating of 109.2 with six touchdowns to just two interceptions. 

Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger, on the other hand, has been mediocre. In his two games his QB rating is just 75.5 to go along with two scores and two picks.

But I wouldn’t be too worried about Big Ben; he always seems to find a way to come through in the clutch when the game is on the line.

It’s not a coincidence that the Steelers are 9-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 postseason games.

But this game will come down to who will be more successfully putting pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback.

Both defenses love to put pressure on the quarterback. Led by the outside line-backing tandem of James Harrison and Lamar Woodley, the Steelers were first in the NFL with 48 sacks.

However, the Packers were right on their tails ranking second with 47 QB captures.

On the other side of the ball both teams gave up their fair share of sacks. Pittsburgh’s offensive line gave up 43 sacks; while Green Bay’s front five gave up 38.

During the playoffs, Roethlisberger has been getting pummeled – getting sacked eight times. Green Bay’s Clay Matthews has to be licking his chops.

Rodgers, on the other hand, has been taken down only five times in three games.

What makes matters worse for Pittsburgh’s hopes to protect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is the fact that they lost their best offensive lineman.

Rookie center Maurkice Pouncey has been ruled ‘out’ with a broken ankle. The Florida Gator product will be replaced by the unproven Doug Legursky.

Oddsauthority.com Super Bowl XLV free pick

The loss of Pouncey is huge. Don’t be surprised if there is a botched snap or two. As I mentioned, I believe this game comes down to who gets to the quarterback with more success.

My crystal ball says Green Bay will put Roethlisberger on his back a couple more times than Rodgers.

Finally, Green Bay’s playoff run has been more impressive, they seem to be playing like a team on a mission.

With two Super Bowl rings over the last five years, is Pittsburgh as hungry?

Get over to Bodog.com and take Green Bay minus three points (even).