Posts Tagged ‘Pittsburgh Steelers’

2011 Superbowl Odds, Free Picks, & Predictions

January 31st, 2011 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in NFL Football   Comments Off on 2011 Superbowl Odds, Free Picks, & Predictions

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Complete List of 2011 Superbowl Odds From Several Sportsbooks Can Be Found Below

And now, we’re down to just two more teams that are left to fight it out for the Lombardi Trophy, as the Green Bay Packers, the champs of the NFC, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the winners of the AFC, are going to fight it out in what should be an epic battle between two of the most storied franchises that professional football has to offer.

We’ll start with the Packers, who are the slight favorites on the Super Bowl betting lines in this one by just 2.5 points. They have already won three Super Bowls in their illustrious history, and they have 11 NFL Championships. The final two of these NFL titles came on the eve of Super Bowl triumphs over the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II respectively. “Title Town” would love to have another Lombardi Trophy to bring back home, especially since the most illustrious prize that the sport has to offer is named after their legendary head coach, Vince Lombardi. Green Bay hasn’t played in a Super Bowl since 1998, and it hasn’t won the title since 1997. That being said, it has very limited experience trying to beat the Superbowl odds in the past, though DB Charles Woodson and DT Ryan Pickett both know what it is like to make it to this game. There are no Super Bowl rings on any of the fingers of any of the players coming into Super Bowl XLV.

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Green Bay brings to the table a risk taking defense and a high octane offense that can throw the ball all over the field. RB James Starks has given the team a bit of a rushing boost of late, but when push comes to shove, the ball is going to be put in the hands of QB Aaron Rodgers and his wide receivers. Back in the divisional round of the playoffs, we saw just how good this passing attack could be. Rodgers threw for 366 yards and three TDs, and he hit WR James Jones, WR Jordy Nelson, WR Donald Driver, and WR Greg Jennings for at least 75 yards apiece. Sure, this unit struggled just a bit against the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game, but when those types of problems happened, the defense really kicked it into gear.

DB Tramon Williams already has three picks, one of which was returned for a TD in the postseason, while undrafted rookie DB Sam Shields has two INTs to boot. DT BJ Raji was arguably the hero of the NFC Championship Game when he picked off QB Caleb Hanie and brought it back 18 yards for the score that effectively put the game away. LB Clay Matthews was one of the top sack men in the NFL with 13.5 this year, and he has his hands in on at least one sacks in all three postseason games, totaling 3.5.

The Steelers have the most Superbowl betting triumphs to their credit with six, and they are now tied with the Dallas Cowboys for the most appearances in the Super Bowl with eight. They have been in the Super Bowl three times over the course of the last six seasons, and because of that, there is already a plethora of experience, most importantly, at the top. QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR Hines Ward, and several of the key cogs on both sides of the ball are already flashing two Super Bowl rings, while Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who is the youngest coach to ever win a Super Bowl, is now the youngest to bring a team to the biggest game of the year twice.

If you love hard nosed action, this is the team for you. The Steelers make no bones about the fact that they are going to run the ball a ton with RB Rashard Mendenhall and play some stout defense. Roethlisberger has no fears about taking hits and still making plays, and he is most likely the man that is going to have to come up with the big plays to tame the Green Bay defense. Big Ben hasn’t always played at his best, but he knows that he can always rely on the rest of his weapons to get the job done when he is in danger or isn’t at the top of his game.

Defensively, there probably isn’t a more feared unit in the game. It’s not always about the stats that the Steelers put up, though they did force five turnovers and account for seven sacks in two victories thus far in the postseason. S Troy Polamalu is always there looking for the high impact play, and if you’re coming over the middle of the field, you’d better figure out where LB James Harrison is before he really comes after you with a hot shot.

Grit, tenacity, and toughness. These are going to be the keys to beating the Super Bowl XLV Odds, which you can find below…


Current 2011 Superbowl Odds @ Bodog Sportsbook (as of 1/23/11):
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Green Bay Packers (-3) +110 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (+3) -130
Over/Under (Total) 45

Latest Odds To Win The 2011 Superbowl @ 5 Dimes Sportsbook (as of 1/23/11):
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Green Bay Packers (-2.5) -110 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (+2.5) -110
Over/Under (Total) 46

 
First Half Super Bowl Lines
Green Bay Packers (-1.5) -110 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Over/Under (Total) 23

 
First Quarter Super Bowl Lines
Green Bay Packers -0.5 (+130) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Over/Under (Total) OTB
 
Latest Odds To Win The 2011 Superbowl @ Oddsmaker Sportsbook (as of 1/23/11):
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Green Bay Packers (-3) +110 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Over/Under (Total) 46

Team Totals
Pittsburgh Steelers 21.5
Green Bay Packers 24.5

First Half Superbowl Odds
Green Bay Packers (-0.5) -115 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Over/Under (Total) 23.
 
1st Quarter Superbowl Odds
Green Bay Packers (-0.5) +135 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
 
2nd Quarter Superbowl Odds
Green Bay Packers (-0.5) +135 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
 
3rd Quarter Superbowl Odds
Green Bay Packers (-0.5) +140 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

4th Quarter Superbowl Odds
Green Bay Packers (-0.5) +135 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

 
Current 2011 Superbowl Odds @ BetUS Sportsbook (as of 1/23/11):
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Green Bay Packers (-2.5) -110 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (+2.5) -110
Over/Under (Total) 44.5

Team Totals
Pittsburgh Steelers 21.5
Green Bay Packers 24

4th Quarter Superbowl Odds
Green Bay Packers (-0.5) +135 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Free Super Bowl Picks: Handicapping the Super Bowl Total

January 24th, 2011 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in NFL Football   Comments Off on Free Super Bowl Picks: Handicapping the Super Bowl Total

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All season long, the NFL has been chock full of high scoring affairs. In fact, this season alone, there have been 147 ‘over’ contests against 114 ‘under’ games with some pushes mixed in, meaning if you bet on the ‘over’ in every single duel, you cashed in 56.3 percent of the time. Will this continue to be the case on the Super Bowl XLV odds, or will we revert back to a lower scoring duel? Check out these three keys that are going to probably be the decisive factors in whether this one goes over or under the posted 46.

Key #1: James Starks needs to keep control of the clock
We’ve already talked about the importance of Starks in the Super Bowl for the Packers to beat the Superbowl XLV odds, but he is going to be very instrumental in the ‘total’ as well. Green Bay has to want to keep feeding him the football to keep this clock moving on a regular basis. It seems to go without saying that the more runs there are in a game, the fewer plays that there are, thus the fewer opportunities there are for points. The good news with Starks for those looking to back the ‘under’ is that he really isn’t all that much of a home run threat. If he’s going to move the ball 60s yards on you, he’s going to do it in 10-12 carries, not just in one pop. As we know, this probably isn’t going to work against the Pittsburgh front seven though, so in a bit of an ironic twist, if you back the ‘over’ on the Super Bowl betting lines, you’re probably more interested in Starks not getting his act together.

Super Bowl XLV Odds at BetUS Sportsbook
Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5
Green Bay Packers -2.5
Over/Under (Total) 46
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Key #2: Teams need to avoid careless mistakes
This is what has really been killing anyone that has backed the ‘under’ in a Pittsburgh game in the playoffs. Dumb, dumb, dumb mistakes. Remember in the duel against the Baltimore Ravens… The visitors picked up 17 points off of a punt return that came all the way back inside field goal range, a 35 yard pass interference penalty, and a fumble out of QB Ben Roethlisberger’s hands that was scooped up and returned for a TD. Green Bay hasn’t been all that swift of late either, as QB Aaron Rodgers coughed the ball up in enemy territory against the Chicago Bears. Of course, we know the importance of flags as well, and the good news is that these teams are very disciplined. There shouldn’t be too many drives that get down to the opposing 30 yard line, only to end in a punt because of a holding penalty or a false start call. However, you must remember that there is going to be rust on both sides, and both defenses are good enough to not just take points away from enemies, but to directly parlays those into TDs, just as both teams did on Championship Game Sunday.

Key #3: Special teams and trick plays will be key
Neither the Steelers nor the Packers really excelled this year in the kick and punt return department, which is really a surprise for two teams that are duking it out to beat the Super Bowl XLV lines. However, we know that both teams are capable of pulling off some big plays, especially via some creativity, especially the Steelers. It was only six years ago that they pulled off the wide receiver pass from WR Antwaan Randle El to WR Hines Ward to help beat the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, and they have enough talented players that can run, catch, and throw to make the Packers shake in their boots. Remember the onside kick that the New Orleans Saints pulled off in last year’s Super Bowl? Gimmicks like that are becoming more and more popular, especially with teams having two weeks to prepare for this game. You can bet that there are going to be at least three or four really tricky plays that are tried out for the first, and probably the only time on February 6th, and when they happen, you if back the ‘over’, you hope they work, and if you are relying on the ‘under’, you hope that they fail and fail miserably.

Free Super Bowl Picks: Packers vs. Steelers Keys to the Game

January 24th, 2011 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in NFL Football   Comments Off on Free Super Bowl Picks: Packers vs. Steelers Keys to the Game
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The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers are already getting set to do battle in the Lone Star State, and in order for you to make your Superbowl XLV picks, we have the three biggest keys to the game that you must remember that will probably determine the outcome of the game.

Key #1: The Steelers have to use experience to their advantage
When you look at the roster for the Steelers, you see a whole slew of men that have already won rings titles, many of which have helped Pittsburgh to two victories over the Super Bowl odds in their tenures wearing black and gold. QB Ben Roethlisberger, the heart and soul of this team, is arguably the most important player on the field, and he not only figured out how to do it as a young buck, who just relied on his defense and handed the ball off a ton, but he also did it in a shootout against a two-time Super Bowl MVP in QB Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals just three Super Bowls ago. There aren’t all that many coaches left in the league that can flash a Super Bowl ring in their locker room, but Head Coach Mike Tomlin is certainly one of them. He was the youngest head coach to lead his team to the Super Bowl, and the youngest to ever win it, and now, he is the youngest to bring a team to the pinnacle of the NFL twice in his career. When the Steelers won their first title in this run with a very young team, Head Coach Bill Cowher had already coached in the Super Bowl once before, and he was able to use that experience to get through to his younger players. Unfortunately for Head Coach Mike McCarthy, he really doesn’t have that to rely on. Sure, DB Charles Woodson played in Super Bowl XXXVII with the Oakland Raiders, and DT Ryan Pickett did so in Super Bowl XXXVI with the St. Louis Rams, but aside from that, there isn’t a single player on this team that knows what it’s like to play in the biggest game of the season. Pittsburgh really needs to exploit that advantage to beat the Superbowl lines on February 6th.

Super Bowl XLV Odds at JustBet
Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5
Green Bay Packers -2.5
Over/Under 46
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Key #2: The Packers need to figure out how to get into the face of Ben Roethlisberger
This is what the New York Jets had success with… sometimes. When Roethlisberger was kept in the pocket in the AFC Championship Game, he frequently made some mistakes. The pressure can really come from the outside, where Pittsburgh is very weak at the offensive tackle position, and this is a great thing for LB Clay Matthews, as these are the men that he is going to be going against. It’s when Big Ben breaks containment that things start to get hairy for the opponents. There might not be a signal caller that is better at escaping trouble and making something out of nothing than Roethlisberger in the entire league, and again, we have to stress the fact that he has really done it at every stage of the game in his career. Green Bay already has six INTs and 10 sacks so far in three playoff games this year. It really needs to make sure that Roethlisberger has hands in his face at all times and that he just doesn’t get to the outside, or these corners, no matter how great they are, just don’t stand a chance to win against guys like WR Mike Wallace, WR Antwaan Randle El, and WR Hines Ward.

Key #3: James Starks has to keep the Pittsburgh defense honest
We can be realistic when we say that Starks isn’t going to rush for 100 yards against the Pittsburgh defense in the Super Bowl, and we’re fairly sure that if he does, the Packers are going to be the champs and will beat the Super Bowl betting lines. However, the role that Starks has played, even though he has only averaged 3.76 yards per carry in the playoffs, is that he is taking some of the pressure off of QB Aaron Rodgers. Where this rookie from Buffalo has been all season long is beyond us, but he is clearly the best running back option that the Pack have had all season since losing RB Ryan Grant to a season ending ankle injury in Week 1. Starks, along with RB Brandon Jackson and RB John Kuhn, have to be able to keep Green Bay in front of the down and distance in this game. Punting is okay, but forcing Rodgers into situations in which he has to pick up third and long on a regular basis is going to create mistakes. The Steelers can overcome blunders every now and again. Odds have it, Green Bay won’t be able to. If Starks can’t at least get something going though, there is just going to be too much pressure on Rodgers, and he is going to be in for a very long game against a defense that just loves to make you one dimensional.

NFL Football Picks: Championship Weekend Props 1/23/11

January 23rd, 2011 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in NFL Football   Comments Off on NFL Football Picks: Championship Weekend Props 1/23/11
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There are only three games left in the entire NFL betting campaign, but before we get ready to make our Super Bowl XLV picks, we have some unfinished business to tend to in the AFC and NFC Championship Games. Check out our NFL prop picks for two of the biggest games of the entire season!

Will There Be a Score in the First 6.5 Minutes of the Game Bears/Packers Game?
We know that the Chicago offense got off to a great start last week against the Seattle Seahawks, but we also have to remember that these two teams have played some absolutely sparkling defense along the way as well. If the Bears get the ball first, there is a decent chance that a scoring drive might take over 6.5 minutes even if it does happen on the opening sequence, believe it or not. We’re believers that points could be at a premium on Sunday, and though that might not necessarily translate into a lower scoring game, we’ll take our chances that the first score doesn’t occur early on. Bank on there being No Score in the First 6.5 Minutes (-110 at Hollywood Sportsbook) between the Bears and the Packers.

Will There Be a Safety in Both Championship Games?
This season, including the playoffs, there have only been 13 safeties. That’s right. Over the course of all of those games in the NFL betting schedule, 264 of them, there have only been 13 safeties. That’s one safety in every 4.9% of games played in the league this year. In 2009, there were only 14 safeties, including the playoffs. Let’s do some simple math here, shall we? Over the last 531 games in the NFL, there have been 27 safeties, or one safety in approximately 20 games (5.08%). If we can hit this prop at -1000 in 94.92% of our games, we’re going to be worth a ton of money. Over 1,000 games, at this price, if we were to bet $1,000 to win $100, we would have a profit of $4,412. Not a bad haul, eh? No Safety in the NFC Championship Game, and No Safety in the AFC Championship Game (-1000 Each Bet at Hollywood Sportsbook).

Aaron Rodgers Over/Under 3.5 Rushing Attempts
Rodgers certainly hasn’t been afraid to tuck it and run when he has to this season, as he was one of the best running options for a team that really didn’t have all that much to work with in that department in 2010. The former Cal Golden Bear took off 64 times this year and accounted for 356 yards in the regular season, but what impressed us the most is the fact that he had seven carries in the 10-3 win over these Bears in Week 17. Rodgers hasn’t gotten to this point yet in the playoffs, as he only has five carries in two games, but we tend to believe that this will be an exception, as the Chicago defense is a lot more prone to sending a lot of men after the quarterback, which could cause Rodgers to have to escape more often than he really wants to. He’ll go Over 3.5 Rushing Attempts (-120 at Hollywood Sportsbook) against the Colts.

Matt Forte Over/Under 16.5 Yards on Longest Carry
It’s only one stroke of luck and one stroke of genius that will get Forte to this type of a number. We’ve seen that the Bears have stayed committed to Forte this season when they have had the chance to, and over the course of the last four games, he has at least 15 carries in all four outings and has averaged 19 carries per game. Forte isn’t really the most explosive runner in the world, but he has had a ton of opportunities, especially when he gets the ball in open space, to be able to take advantage and pick up some huge gainers. Over the course of the second half of the season, Chicago’s top running back has had a long carry of at least 17 yards six times, and we tend to believe that that will continue on Sunday. Forte’s longest carry will be Over 16.5 Yards (-115 at Hollywood Sportsbook).

Total Sacks in the AFC Championship Game
We’re a tad surprised to see Hollywood hang a ‘5’ in this game instead of a ‘5.5’ due to the fact that last week, there were 11 sacks in the duel between the Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. We know that there are a ton of problems right now for the Steelers up front, and the Jets have really yet to show their best pass rush in these playoffs to date. After getting after QB Tom Brady all week last week, we have no doubt that New York can get to QB Ben Roethlisberger in this one, and when it does, it is going to make those opportunities pay off. There is no way, with these two ferocious defenses, that there aren’t Over 5 Sacks (-130 at Hollywood Sportsbook) significantly more often than not.

LaDainian Tomlinson Over/Under 18.5 Receiving Yards
You know that LT is going to get his touches in this game, and you know that the Pittsburgh defense is going to do what it can to make sure that he doesn’t have the same 49 yards on 11 carries that he had when these two squads met last month. We know that Tomlinson hasn’t been used all that much as a receiver of late, but there is a point that QB Mark Sanchez is going to have to realize that he doesn’t have the time to work the ball up the field against this Pittsburgh defense. Last week, it was TE Todd Heap for the Ravens that made all of those catches over the middle of the field, and it is clear that Tomlinson is going to be asked to fill that role as a check down option at times when Sanchez is in trouble. LT will go Over 18.5 Receiving Yards (-115 at Hollywood Sportsbook) against the Pittsburgh defense.

Heath Miller Over/Under 3.5 Receptions
We’ve already talked just a tad about inside routes with Heap and the Steelers defense, but what about the New York ‘D’? This unit really doesn’t give up much of anything to anyone, but if there is a bit of a weakness, it is against teams that really utilize either tight ends or other receiving options to sit down in the middle of the field. Last week, Brady was really forced to do nothing but try to throw balls underneath to WR Deion Branch and TE Rob Gronkowski, while the week before, the Colts did the exact same thing with TE Jacob Tamme. Now, enter Heath Miller, who has had at least four catches in three straight games and is proving to be a great safety net for Roethlisberger when he gets himself out of some trouble in the pocket. Big Ben loves using his big time tight end, as Miller often gets at least a half dozen looks per game. He’s a big play threat up the seams and could be in for a lot of looks on Sunday, especially knowing that WR Mike Wallace and his friends are going to be worked a ton up the sides of the field. This is the man in the middle that should have a great day. Miller will go Over 3.5 Receptions (-115 at Hollywood Sportsbook) against the New York ‘D’.

AFC Championship Game Picks: New York Jets @ Pittsburgh Steelers

January 17th, 2011 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in NFL Football   2 Comments »
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There’s only one game left for all of the marbles in the AFC this year, as the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets will be vying for the last spot in Super Bowl XLV on Sunday night. These two teams play some brutal football, and they are sure to put on a real defensive showcase when they collide in the Steel City. The oddsmakers have given the host Steelers the 3.5 point nod in this one, but is it justified? These three keys to the game should be used to sort out your AFC Championship Game picks for 2011.

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Key #1: Pressuring Big Ben
Here’s the interesting thing about this game and this key in particular. The Jets absolutely cannot beat the Steelers if they don’t figure out how to get in the face of QB Ben Roethlisberger. This doesn’t mean that they need to really get their stats like they did against QB Tom Brady when they brought him down five times on Sunday, but they do need to at least get in Big Ben’s throwing lanes and cause him to take some extra hits and spend some more time in the pocket. For Pittsburgh, it probably isn’t vital that the O-Line keeps men away from Roethlisberger due to the fact that he is a huge man and can shake some tackles. However, no one wants to see their quarterback take a dozen or more shots on the day like the Jets are planning for Pittsburgh’s signal caller in this one. The depth problem for Pittsburgh at offensive tackle has been well documented, as this team is already three deep right now into its depth chart from the start of the year at that position, and there are absolutely no more injuries that can be afforded. The interior line is in fine shape, and this is where New York brings the majority of its pressure, but the whole unit of five, six, or even seven blockers on some plays, really has to be broken down by the Jets if they hope to survive in the Steel City.

Current AFC Championship Game Odds at JustBet
New York Jets +3.5
Pittsburgh Steelers -3.5
Over/Under 38
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Key #2: Sanchez and company have to take care of the football
It really seems like the “Duh” statement of the year to think that the Jets have to keep a hold of the football in order to beat the Steelers, but this is exactly what the problem was for the Baltimore Ravens last week. If RB Ray Rice doesn’t fumble that screen pass or if QB Joe Flacco doesn’t fumble that snap or make that ill advised throw… if any of those things don’t happen, this game is likely being played in Baltimore and not in Pittsburgh. The Jets have just as much firepower on offense as Baltimore does, but they don’t have nearly as much confidence in QB Mark Sanchez as the Ravens do in QB Joe Flacco. However, on Sunday against the New England Patriots, “The Sanchise” was on fire, as he threw three TD passes and was not picked off. In fact, the Jets didn’t turn the ball over once on the day, something that is amazing against a defense that led the league in picks on the campaign. It seems awfully fundamental to think about, but it really is this simple. If the Jets turn the ball over more than once in this one, they’re in a lot of trouble. The Steelers need to make sure that they get the job done and get the ball back in the hands of their offense, where the real damage can be done. Remember when these two teams met the first time that S Troy Polamalu didn’t play. He’s a real difference maker in the center of this defense, and he could be a turnover forcing machine come Sunday.

Key #3: Rashard Mendenhall has to be big
If there’s one player for the Steelers that really has to have an impact game on Sunday, it is RB Rashard Mendenhall. He is the man that is going to keep the pressure off of Big Ben and the passing game, and he is also the one that can frustrate this defense to no end if he can keep the ball moving on the ground and keep that clock going. Mendenhall rushed for 100 yards on 19 carries the first time around when these teams met, proving that New York indeed had a beatable defense this year on the ground. This was still a unit that ranked No. 2 in the AFC and No. 3 in the league at just 90.1 yards per game this year, and the Jets did a fantastic job holding down the Pats, as neither RB Danny Woodhead nor RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis reached the 50 yard barrier on the day on Sunday. When Mendenhall reaches the 100+ yard barrier, the Steelers generally win, though obviously this was a huge exception this year. Pittsburgh was 5-0 when Mendenhall reached 100+ yards in his career prior to this point. You can bet that he is going to get his carries like he did last week against Baltimore, and when push comes to shove, having him make a big impact on this game might be the difference between going to the Super Bowl and watching it on TV for the men from the Steel City.

NFL Football Picks: Carolina Panthers @ Pittsburgh Steelers Props

December 23rd, 2010 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in General Handicapping   Comments Off on NFL Football Picks: Carolina Panthers @ Pittsburgh Steelers Props
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The Carolina Panthers come into this Thursday Night Football duel with very little hope of actually beating the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, there are still some tremendous props on the board for this game that we can profit with, so be sure to check out our Carolina/Pittsburgh prop picks for Thursday!

Jonathan Stewart Over/Under 78.5 Rushing Yards
Let’s just be reasonable here, shall we? You’re asking Stewart to get to 79 yards against a defense which allows less than 65 yards per game on the ground, when Stewart splits his carries with RB Mike Goodson, and when his team is clearly going to be trailing the entire game? C’mon now. Let’s get real here, ladies and gents. Let’s get real. There’s absolutely no way that Stewart is getting to this number unless he busts a tremendous one early in the game. This is Pittsburgh, where the best running backs in the league essentially come to die. Bank on Stewart going Under 78.5 Rushing Yards (-150 at Hollywood Sportsbook) on Thursday Night Football.

Rashard Mendenhall Over/Under 99.5 Rushing Yards
Carolina definitely doesn’t have a strong rush defense, ranking No. 23 in the league at 126.2 yards per game, but asking Mendenhall to get to 100 yards tonight is a tall task for a man that has just four games at the century mark on the ground this year. Though we know that the former member of the Illinois Fighting Illini has carried the ball a ton over the course of the season, we’re not so certain that, especially if this game gets out of hand, that Head Coach Mike Tomlin won’t want to give him a breather and use men like RB Isaac Redman to tote the rock some more. We’ll take our chances that Mendenhall stays Under 99.5 Rushing Yards (-115 at Hollywood Sportsbook).

Ben Roethlisberger Over/Under 1.5 TD Passes
This is perhaps the most interesting prop on the board on Thursday Night Football, as one would figure that there is no way that Big Ben doesn’t throw at least two TD passes against one of the worst teams in football. However, with potentially iffy conditions, we know that there are going to be some longer drives in this game. The Steelers aren’t one of these teams that needs to win games by three or four TDs just to prove a point. Wins are wins. Heck, against the Cincinnati Bengals in a very similar situation, Big Ben didn’t throw a single TD pass and the offense only had one TD. Though Roethlisberger does have three TDs in three games this year and one other game with at least two picks, we’re not so certain that that is going to happen again on this night. Don’t be shocked if the Panthers find a way to keep him Under 1.5 TD Passes (+110 at Hollywood Sportsbook) and gives us a huge cash.

NFL Football Picks: Sunday Night Football Props (12/5/10)

December 5th, 2010 by Adam Markowitz (Bankroll Sports Columnist) | Posted in NFL Football   Comments Off on NFL Football Picks: Sunday Night Football Props (12/5/10)
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First place in the AFC North is going to be on the line on Sunday Night Football when the Baltimore Ravens face the Pittsburgh Steelers. You can bet when these two teams meet up with one another that fireworks are going to fly, so don’t miss out on the action! Check out our NFL prop picks for this Sunday Night Football encounter.

Rashard Mendenhall Over/Under 77.5 Rushing Yards
This is going to be one of the more interesting NFL prop picks this weekend, as Mendenhall probably doesn’t match up all that well against the Baltimore defense. However, the Steelers’ top back is in a great situation for this prop because he is probably going to tote the rock at least 20-25 times, if not more, especially considering the fact that QB Ben Roethlisberger is dealing with a broken foot. Mendenhall has carried the ball at least 22 times in three of his last four overall, and if he does that again, he really should be able to get to this type of a total. We have to be careful, because the Steelers’ back does only have five games this year above that number, but we tend to believe that this will be game No. 6. Mendenhall will go Over 77.5 Rushing Yards (-115 at Hollywood Sportsbook) on Sunday Night Football.

Joe Flacco Over/Under 21.5 Completions
“Joe Cool” completed 24 passes the last time that these two teams met, and he is probably going to be called upon quite a few times in this one. The Steelers are just impossible to run against, and Head Coach John Harbaugh isn’t a dummy. Flacco has completed at least 71 percent of his passes in three of his last four games, and he completed 65 percent against the Steelers on the road. Baltimore quite often uses the pass as an extension of the running game, using short passes to RB Ray Rice and flanker screens that are nothing more than long handoffs. This is also going to be the way to get men like LB James Harrison off of Flacco’s back. The deep game will be there, but we don’t believe that the Ravens are going to have the desire to use it all that often. Back Flacco going Over 21.5 Completions (-115 at Hollywood Sportsbook).

Ray Rice Over/Under 100.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards
Rice is the type of running back that can find a way to get his yards in this game, but this is just that tough of a situation that we aren’t so sure about. We know that Rice isn’t going to beat us on the ground in all likelihood, as the Steelers are allowing just 64 rushing yards per game. The man from Rutgers isn’t going to be an exception to that rule, especially in a situation where RB Willis McGahee will take some of his career. If Rice is going to beat us, he’s going to do so in the passing game, and if he is doing that, we are capitalizing on our QB Joe Flacco completions prop. Rice doesn’t often take passes a long way, so we aren’t worried about taking that screen pass 50 yards. When push comes to shove, Rice should stay Under 100.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards (-115 at Hollywood Sportsbook) in this battle against the Steelers.

Ray Lewis Over/Under 8.5 Tackles + Assists
We don’t normally play these types of props, but this seems to be the right time to back a linebacker to go past his total. We know that Lewis is the heart and soul of this defense, and he usually turns it up even one more notch when playing at home, particularly in big time games like this one. With QB Ben Roethlisberger in some trouble with his foot, we’ve already established that RB Rashard Mendenhall is going to get his carries. Pittsburgh usually doesn’t get all that cute, as most of its carries are right up the gut. That’s where Mr. Ray Lewis is waiting, and he usually doesn’t make mistakes. Lewis had nine tackles in that first game, and he should have no problem going Over 8.5 Tackles + Assists (-115 at Hollywood Sportsbook).