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| Matchup: Baltimore at Cincinnati Time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sun) Play: Under (45 -110) Line Source: CarbonSports Posted on: December 27, 2013 @ 2:43:28 PM EST The playoff scenarios are much more complicated this week for the Ravens after Baltimore failed last week at home against the Patriots in a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship. Baltimore needs to win and have San Diego or Miami also lose or they can get in with a loss if all of the other three teams in the AFC playoff picture lose. The division rival Bengals certainly won’t be interested in helping out and the Bengals have a lot at stake as well. Cincinnati has won the NFC North but they can earn a first round bye if they win and the Patriots lose to Buffalo. While that may not seem likely, the Bengals also will see an incentive in staying ahead of the Colts in the playoff picture and avoiding a potential first round game with a dangerous Kansas City team. The Ravens own a negative point differential on the season in part thanks to last week’s misleading final score. While the Ravens were not a threat to win the game last week they were down just 13 before New England scored three touchdowns in the final 125 seconds, actually out-gaining the Patriots as a very good Baltimore defense allowed just 300 yards. If you take away that game and the opening defeat to the Broncos the Ravens have one of the best scoring defenses in the NFL. Cincinnati is 7-0 S/U and ATS at home this season and the Bengals will be seeking to avenge an overtime loss in Baltimore from earlier this season. The Ravens posted just 189 total yards in that game but three Andy Dalton picks paved the way for the narrow win. Cincinnati has scored at least 41 in each of the last four home games, which inflates this total, and the Bengals should be up for this opportunity but those types of numbers are not likely given the intensity and importance of this division rivalry finale. The ‘under’ is 6-3 in the last nine meetings in this series and these are two of the best defenses in the NFL. |
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| Matchup: Cleveland at Pittsburgh Time: 1:00 PM EDT (Sun) Play: Over (44 -110) Line Source: 5dimes Posted on: December 27, 2013 @ 2:43:28 PM EST The Steelers are 7-8 despite a 0-4 start to the season and while it is an extreme long shot, Pittsburgh is alive in the playoff race. They obviously need to win this week and they must have Baltimore, Miami, and San Diego all lose in week 17. If all four of those games go their direction, Pittsburgh will be in, likely facing division rival Cincinnati again though they could be headed to Indianapolis or New England depending how things shake out. A promising start to the season for Cleveland has soured with six consecutive losses and the Browns have only covered in one of those games. A defense that had great early season numbers has allowed an average of almost 32 points per game over the last six weeks. Cleveland has been productive on offense in recent weeks behind Jason Campbell although the numbers were down last week with just 13 points in New York. Despite the 4-11 record the Browns are in the top half of the league in total yardage on both sides of the ball as the statistics have been much more promising than the record. The Steelers won by 16 in the first meeting of the season between these teams but the Browns had a massive yardage edge, passing for 312 yards but with turnovers playing a big role in the defeat, keeping points off the board for Cleveland. The Steelers are known for defense but this team has allowed 107 points in the last four games despite facing marginal opposing offenses and despite the defensive reputation of the AFC North this could be a higher scoring game to close out the season with both teams attacking in the air. This is certainly one of the highest totals in the recent history of this series but the last three Steelers games have featured an average of over 60 points scored and that included games against excellent defensive teams Miami and Cincinnati. Cleveland has won just three of the last 27 meetings S/U in this series but the Browns are a much more formidable offensive team than credited and there will be scoring on both sides in this game as the Browns will be motivated against a division rival even in another lost season. |
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| Matchup: St. Louis at Seattle Time: 4:25 PM EDT (Sun) Play: Seattle (-11 -110) Line Source: Caesars/Harrah's Posted on: December 27, 2013 @ 2:43:28 PM EST For a Seattle squad with Super Bowl aspirations, losing last week at home and getting a bit of a wake-up call might actually prove beneficial. The Seahawks will still have the NFC’s top seed with a win this week and they could even hold on to the top spot with a loss if Arizona beats San Francisco. The urgency and intensity that was missing last week may return off the home loss and with more at stake and with the team knowing they can get an off week next with a win. The Rams played Seattle tough in St. Louis in a 14-9 defeat earlier this season; a game the Seahawks produced a total of 135 yards and just seven first downs in. Seattle was actually a bigger favorite in that meeting in St. Louis than in this week’s game despite it being a critically important game for the Seahawks and a meaningless game for the Rams. The Rams have won the last two games with solid wins over the Saints and Buccaneers but both games were at home and the Rams have lost by double-digits in three of the last four road games. Statistically the Rams are a below average team on both sides of the ball despite the near even record and a slightly positive point differential and while getting to .500 provides some measure of motivation this will not be an easy place to pick up a win. Seattle has allowed just 14 points per game at home this season while scoring nearly 30 points per game at home despite the low output last week. St. Louis won’t play with the same urgency as Arizona did last week and the Seahawks will get the job done even with a steep price on the home favorite. Seattle is still on a 33-14-3 ATS run as a home favorite since 2005 and St. Louis is just 4-9 ATS in this series since 2007. |
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