NFL Playoff Breakdown – AFC Props
The Ravens’s defense looks ravenous. The Titans and Kerry Collins look nearly unstoppable in every phase of the game. Pittsburgh has the moxy to repeat as Super Bowl Champions within a three year span. And then there’s the San Diego Chargers and they’re upstart nature. So who’s the big AFC juggernaut you want to be backing heading in to this weekend? The answers may surprise you…
Ok they probably won’t, but whatever. I’m trying to build some drama here! Drum roll!
HOW EXACTLY DID YOU GET INVITED? – San Diego Chargers (+450 To Win AFC)
The Chargers stole a playoff spot from the New England Patriots this season, and are making the most of it by surviving their Wildcard Matchup with the Colts. Now the Chargers, who won the AFC West to gain entry, will lock horns with the Steelers. Despite a myriad of injuries, the Chargers are gaining momentum as one of the hotter betting tickets in the NFL. Are you on board? More importantly – should you be?
Strengths: Uhhh…the fact that they play in a craptastic division? I’m really stretching here. Beaches in their home city? Surfing? Yeesh.
Weaknesses: At the end of the day, Norv Freaking Turner is still their head coach. And they have the majority of their starters banged up and injured. I can not stress this enough – NORV TURNER IS WEARING THE HEADPHONES. HIDE THE CHILDREN!!!
DANGER! DANGER! – Baltimore Ravens (+350 To Win AFC)
The last time Baltimore won the Super Bowl in 2001, it was against Kerry Collins and the Giants. Well guess who’s back in the crosshairs! Is there an O/U on Tony Saragusa running on to the field and pancaking poor Kerry again? There should be.
The Ravens are dangerous. They can score on virtually any phase of the game, and their ball hawking defense is led by one of the best defensive players I have ever seen in my life on this planet. The Ravens have been a sports betting delight too, going 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games. But really, how good are they?
Strengths: Ed Reed. Ed Reed. Ed Reed. With 9 picks in the bag and two touchdowns coming as a result of them, no quarterback fears anybody more than Ed Reed. If there’s a loose ball bouncing around, there’s Ed Reed. If there’s a baby that needs coddling, Ed Reed is there. If there’s a cow stuck in a bell tower, there’s Ed Reed. It’s a common scientific fact that Ed Reed is the answer to nearly 78% of all of man’s problems…unless you’re playing against him.
Weakness: Offense. Baltimore is 18th in total yards on offense, 28th with the pass at 175.5 yards per game, and 11th in points per game. If you have confidence in Joe Flacco through the entirety of the playoffs, you’re dreaming.
REMEMBER THE NAME – Tennessee Titans (+210 To Win AFC)
Nobody expected Tennessee this good. Nobody expected Vince Young to fall off the wagon and have his mother come screaming to his aid. Nobody expected LenDale White to play as if they were hording cheeseburgers in the end zone. Nobody expected Kerry Collins to be at the helm of an undefeated team at mid-season. Simply put – doubting the Titans is hazardous to your health.
Strengths: Controlling the line of scrimmage. They say the game is won in the trenches. If that’s the case, the Titans are the team to bet on. They open up running lanes like cans of tuna, they stuff the run harder than a Thanksgiving turkey in the hands of a drunken, bitter housewife and they protect the quarterback at all costs. This is what you look for in a team.
Weaknesses: Cortland Finnegan. If you want a defensive player to cost you a game with a stupid personal foul penalty in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter, he’s your man!
DON’T SAY WE DIDN’T WARN YOU – Pittsburgh Steelers (+110 To Win AFC)
Strong rushing defense and passing defense? Check.
Proven winner at quarterback? Check.
Defensive player of the year? Check.
All the pieces are in place to have the Steelers return to glory in the NFL postseason. All of them. NO team looks more complete. Without reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the Steelers, lets’ just compare there key contributors.
Troy Polamalu won’t cost you a game. Ever. Cortland will. Ed Reed may miss a step in search of an interception.
Hines Ward plays hard on every play, has reliable hands and is a huge team player. I can’t figure out who the number one is in Tennessee. The receiving corps for San Diego is cycling through injuries. Oh and Derrick Mason celebrate his 93rd birthday the other week. Advantage Steel Town.
Ben Roethlisberger has won a Super Bowl and has a huge arm and is nearly impossible to sack when he gets moving. Rivers is erratic. Kerry Collins is old. Joe Flacco is a rookie.
The only question mark is coaching, and Mike Tomlin is a steady coach that preaches basic. Norv Turner is a loser, I don’t even know who’s coaching in Baltimore, and the only coach who can stand in line with Tomlin is Jeff Fisher who has yet to win the big one.
You feel that draft? It’s the cold winds rustling a steel curtain that is about to slam the door of opportunity shut with a defensive ferocity that will burn the betting detractors that dare to stray against the Steelers. Don’t say we didn’t warn you…
