Underdog Steelers Face Unbelievable Challenge Against Ravens in NFL Playoffs
As the NFL playoffs kick off, the Baltimore Ravens enter as substantial favorites against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round. While postseason point spreads are often tighter, this line is somewhat surprising given the heated rivalry between these two AFC North teams, which is known for dramatic, down-to-the-wire games. However, the Ravens’ recent form and the Steelers’ struggles have led to a significant shift in the betting lines.
The Steelers’ Struggles and the Line Movement
Initially, the Ravens were favored by 9 points at BetMGM Sportsbook, but that spread has increased to 10 points ahead of Saturday’s game. Bettors have been unimpressed by the Steelers’ poor finish to the season, which included a four-game losing streak. Their final loss was a 34-17 defeat to the Ravens on December 21. In contrast, the Ravens closed out their regular season with a four-game winning streak, clinching the division title.
Tristan Davis, a senior manager at BetMGM, expressed his surprise at the early betting action: “In my opinion, they’re the worst team in the playoffs and probably playing the second-best team in the playoffs, so the line move makes sense to me.” This sentiment was echoed by Johnny Avello, DraftKings’ director of race and sports operations, who pointed to the struggles of Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson as a primary factor in the line’s movement. “The team is just not anywhere near where they were six weeks ago,” Avello added.
Despite the growing line, CBS Sportsline handicapper Bruce Marshall found the spread surprisingly large. He pointed out that, prior to the Steelers’ recent losses, the previous 10 games had all been decided by seven points or fewer, with many being much closer. “I wonder sometimes if they’re reacting a little too much to the last couple of weeks,” Marshall noted.
The Uncertainty Surrounding Vikings QB Sam Darnold
As the playoffs approach, questions also linger over the performance of Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. After an impressive season, Darnold seemed to be a frontrunner for the AP NFL MVP. However, his performance in Minnesota’s regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions raised doubts. The Vikings were dominated 31-9, and Darnold failed to capitalize on several opportunities.
Avello questioned whether Darnold’s earlier success was a fluke or if he was starting to feel the pressure. “How good is Darnold, really?” Avello asked. Marshall echoed this sentiment, wondering whether the clock had struck midnight for Darnold, who had previously shown remarkable composure throughout the season.
Betting Concerns for BetMGM: Lions and Chiefs
Looking ahead to the Super Bowl, BetMGM sees two teams— the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs— as significant liabilities if they make it to the championship game. Davis mentioned that he would prefer not to see either team in the Super Bowl. “If we get one of them out of the championship game, we’ll take that,” he said, acknowledging that both teams represent heavy betting action.
Despite their impressive regular-season performances, both teams have raised some concerns. Marshall is not sold on the Chiefs, noting that their close games and lack of offensive consistency could be their downfall. “This offense is so much [Patrick] Mahomes trying to make something happen,” Marshall said. “The defense is good enough, but they don’t score a lot of points.”
Similarly, Marshall expressed doubts about the Lions, citing their aggressive style under head coach Dan Campbell. “There’s an arrogance about the way they play,” Marshall said, adding that he wasn’t sure if their approach would translate into playoff success.
Vikings-Rams Game Shifted Due to Wildfires
In a surprising turn of events, the Vikings’ Monday night matchup against the Los Angeles Rams has been moved from Inglewood, California, to Glendale, Arizona, due to the wildfires affecting the Los Angeles area. Prior to the announcement, the Vikings were 1-point favorites at BetMGM, but the game was taken off the board as the shift to a neutral site could alter the dynamics of the matchup. “It turns into sort of a road game for the Rams,” Marshall commented before the announcement.
Movement in Totals Betting
In addition to the changes in point spreads, early betting activity has also caused some movement in the totals. Some totals have dropped, with bettors clearly unsure about the offensive capabilities of certain teams. However, Avello cautioned against interpreting this as a trend toward low-scoring games. “Yeah, they got bet down a little, but the lowest total in all these games was 42 1/2,” he said. “There are no 37s or 38s. There’s no team that consistently shuts down their opponent.”
As the playoffs begin, bettors are keeping a close eye on these key matchups and the betting lines, with some surprising shifts in the spreads. The Steelers will need to overcome their recent struggles if they are to pull off an upset against the Ravens, while questions surrounding Sam Darnold’s performance and the potential liabilities posed by the Lions and Chiefs add intrigue to the postseason.
