LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Ravens have emerged as heavy favorites over the Steelers in the wild-card playoffs, which is a bit surprising given that playoff point spreads tend to be tighter and These AFC North rivals usually play intense games that go down to the final minutes.
And then the Pittsburgh-Baltimore point spreads increased.
Oddsmakers weren’t impressed with the Steelers’ season-ending four-game losing streak, including one 34-17 loss in Baltimore on December 21. The Ravens, on the other hand, closed with a four-game winning streak to snatch the division.
So the line on BetMGM Sportsbook went from 9 to 10 points for Saturday’s game.
“Probably an indictment of the Steelers,” said BetMGM senior director Tristan Davis. “In my opinion, they’re the worst team in the playoffs and they’re probably playing the second-best team in the playoffs, so the line move makes sense to me.”
The line movement was less dramatic at DraftKings but still notable, going from 9 1/2 to 10.
“I see (Steelers quarterback) Russell Wilson is not playing well,” said Johnny Avello, DraftKings director of sports operations and racing. “The team is just not at all where it was six weeks ago. The Ravens’ power rating increased slightly, and the Steelers’ power rating declined.
That said, CBS Sportsline handicapper Bruce Marshall found the number surprisingly high.
“Up until the last game a few weeks ago, the previous 10 games had all been decided by seven or less, and most of them, by much less,” Marshall said. “Pittsburgh has won a lot of them. I sometimes wonder if they are reacting a little too much to the last few weeks.
Jury on Darnold
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was making a serious case for the AP NFL MVP and had Minnesota on the verge of securing the top seed in the NFC.
Next, the Vikings faced the Lions in the final game of the regular season.
Detroit was dominating and Darnold looked more like Darnold had struggled in previous seasons, failing to capitalize on several opportunities. in the 31-9 defeat.
“How Good Is Darnold Really?” asked Avello. “Is it just an aberration this year, or is he starting to feel (pressure) now?”
Avello also called it “a real emotional success for the Vikings.”
“The question everyone has to ask (about) Darnold is: Did the clock strike midnight for him last week?,” Marshall asked. “For the first time this year, it kind of looked like old Darnold. He had been remarkably composed for most of this year.”
Nightmare scenario
The Lions and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs received first-round byes.
Both teams represent a big liability for BetMGM if they meet for the title.
“The Lions and Chiefs are the ones we’d rather not see in the Super Bowl this year,” Davis said. “If we catch them both, so be it.” But if we take one out of the championship game, we’ll take it.
Marshall is not a buyer for either team.
“Something tells me (the Chiefs) aren’t going to make it this year,” Marshall said. “They had too many – too many – close calls. This offense is so much (Patrick) Mahomes trying to make things happen. The defense is pretty good, but they don’t score a lot of points.
“I still have concerns with (the Lions). This enthusiastic style of (coach Dan) Campbell, I don’t like it. There is a certain arrogance in the way they play. »
Move to a neutral site
The Vikings-Los Angeles Rams game Monday night was moved from Inglewood, Calif., to Glendale, Ariz., due to the situation. wildfires in the Los Angeles area
The Vikings were 1-point favorites at BetMGM before the game was taken off the board.
“It’s a little disruptive in both directions,” Marshall said before the announcement was made. “It’s turning into kind of a road game (for the Rams).”
Totals are decreasing
Early betting has brought down a number of totals, but Avello said that shouldn’t be confused with bettors expecting a run of low-scoring games.
“Yeah, they lowered their stakes a little bit, but the lowest total in all those games was 42 1/2,” Avello said. “There is no 37 or 38. No team systematically stops its opponent.
___
