Last season’s NFC North had a heck of a lot more downs than ups, but in the end, two of its teams were playing for all of the marbles in the conference. Will things be the same this year? Our NFL betting breakdown of the NFC North odds will show you the way.

We know that the Green Bay Packers (Current NFC North Odds: 1 to 1.85 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) are once again going to be the team with all of the hype around them because of the fact that they are the defending Super Bowl champs. The Pack really return the mass majority of their team from a season ago, and they get back both RB Ryan Grant and TE Jermichael Finley, two key pieces to the puzzle who were injured for the majority of the season. Last year, Green Bay had a ton of hype around it and really failed to live up to that hype… that is, until the very end of the regular season when all of a sudden, there wasn’t a team out there that had a shot of beating it. We’ll see how it translates this year and whether the Packers are really deserving of being the biggest chalks in the conference.

The Chicago Bears (NFC North Lines: 4.50 to 1 at BoDog Sportsbook) are the bunch with all of the question marks this year. QB Jay Cutler and Head Coach Lovie Smith both know that this is a season where they have to perform admirably. No, that doesn’t mean that Chicago has to get back to the NFC Championship Game, but at least it has to show some heart and at least compete for a playoff spot. There’s no doubt that this is a squad taking a step backwards this upcoming season, as no one expects it to even make the postseason. However, if they can get their defense going and Cutler remembers what color his team is wearing, the Bears could be a viable team.

The team that many are expecting to make big time strides this year is the Detroit Lions (Odds to Win the NFC North: 5.50 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). The combination of DT Ndamukong Suh and DT Nick Fairley on the inside is going to be incredibly fun to watch, but the real question is going to be whether QB Matt Stafford can for one stay healthy, and secondly take some big time strides towards leading a playoff team. We’ve seen the potential in the former No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, and we know that he has some great pieces to the puzzle around him, but there is a question as to whether or not it is all going to come together when it needs to in these tight divisional games.

The intriguing side this season if the team can get any quarterback play is the Minnesota Vikings (2011 NFC North Odds: 12 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). It was only two years ago that this team was in the NFC Championship Game and just a matter of a few yards away from having a shot to go the Super Bowl. However, QB Brett Favre reverted from a man who played like an MVP to one who played like he was 40 years old, and that parlayed with injuries and the loss of the Metrodome due to inclement weather really finished off the spirit of the team. The Vikes are going to rebuild around QB Christian Ponder in the future, but adding QB Donovan McNabb this year could be just what the doctor ordered. RB Adrian Peterson is one of the best in the league, and though talents like WR Sidney Rice and DT Pat Williams have moved on, there is still plenty of playoff type talent in here. We may be getting a fantastic price on Minnesota on the NFL betting lines this year.

2011 NFL Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 8/10/11):
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Odds To Win NFC North
Chicago Bears 3.25 to 1
Detroit Lions 5.50 to 1
Green Bay Packers 1 to 1.85
Minnesota Vikings 12 to 1

Odds To Win The 2012 Super Bowl
Chicago Bears 25 to 1
Detroit Lions 45 to 1
Green Bay Packers 8.45 to 1
Minnesota Vikings 42 to 1

NFC North Super Bowl Odds @ JustBet Sportsbook (as of 8/10/11):
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Odds To Win NFC North Division
Chicago Bears 4.50 to 1
Detroit Lions 4.50 to 1
Green Bay Packers 1 to 3
Minnesota Vikings 9.50 to 1

Super Bowl 46 Odds
Chicago Bears 25 to 1
Detroit Lions 35 to 1
Green Bay Packers 3.50 to 1
Minnesota Vikings 35 to 1

NFC North Odds @ Oddsmaker Sportsbook (as of 8/10/11):
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2011 NFC North Odds
Chicago Bears 4 to 1
Detroit Lions 5 to 1
Green Bay Packers 1 to 2
Minnesota Vikings 10 to 1

NFC North Odds To Win the Super Bowl
Chicago Bears 25 to 1
Detroit Lions 45 to 1
Green Bay Packers 5 to 1
Minnesota Vikings 40 to 1

NFL Betting Odds @ BoDog Sportsbook (as of 8/10/11):
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NFC North Odds
Chicago Bears 4.50 to 1
Detroit Lions 5 to 1
Green Bay Packers 1 to 1.90
Minnesota Vikings 7.50 to 1

Super Bowl Odds
Chicago Bears 28 to 1
Detroit Lions 30 to 1
Green Bay Packers 7 to 1
Minnesota Vikings 35 to 1

The NFC East odds are expected to be some of the toughest in the NFL this year, and here at Bankroll Sports, we’re keying in all four teams to make our pro football picks to make the NFL playoffs.

The team du jour right now in the NFC East is the Philadelphia Eagles (Current NFC East Odds: 1.10 to 1 at Oddsmaker Sportsbook). The Eagles are definitely a significantly more talented defense this year with the additions of DBs Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha, but there is definitely a question or two about the other side of the ball. QB Michael Vick had as good of a season as any signal caller could have asked for both running and throwing, but if anything happens to him, the team is stuck with QB Vince Young instead of the traded QB Kevin Kolb.

We know that the Dallas Cowboys (NFC East Lines: 4 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) have to be an improved team this season. This was a team that was devastated by the new salary cap rules, but losing out on players like WR Roy Williams just doesn’t match what the team is going to be getting back with QB Tony Romo. Head Coach Jason Garrett had this team rolling at the end of last season, and we think that this could be the most dangerous team on the board this year in the NFC East.

Don’t forget about the New York Giants (Odds to Win the NFC East: 3.50 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). The G-Men always seem to have a solid team, and this year should be no exception. Losing rookie DB Prince Amukamara to a broken foot will hurt, but Head Coach Tom Coughlin still has a stout unit in his defensive front seven, and he definitely has the talent offensively with QB Eli Manning, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, WR Steve Smith, and company.

Bringing up the rear of the division this year will be the Washington Redskins (2011 NFC East Odds: 20 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Washington has a mess with its position players, as there just isn’t enough talent at wide receiver and running back to help out whomever is going to be playing quarterback. Head Coach Mike Shanahan knows that he has a lot of work to do on this team in a relatively short period of time before Owner Daniel Snyder gets frustrated, and we just don’t think that the combo of QB Rex Grossman and QB John Beck is going to put fear in anyone’s eyes. The Skins should be in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes this year as one of the worst teams in the league.

2011 NFL Odds @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 8/10/11):
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Odds To Win NFC East
Dallas Cowboys 4 to 1
New York Giants 3.50 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 1 to 1.55
Washington Redskins 25 to 1

Odds To Win Super Bowl
Dallas Cowboys 16 to 1
New York Giants 30 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 10 to 1
Washington Redskins 85 to 1

NFC East Super Bowl Odds @ JustBet Sportsbook (as of 8/10/11):
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Odds To Win NFC East Division
Dallas Cowboys 2.55 to 1
New York Giants 2.35 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 1 to 1.55
Washington Redskins 25 to 1

Super Bowl 46 Odds
Dallas Cowboys 16 to 1
New York Giants 18 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 6.50 to 1
Washington Redskins 55 to 1

NFC East Odds @ Oddsmaker Sportsbook (as of 8/10/11):
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2011 NFC East Odds
Dallas Cowboys 2.40 to 1
New York Giants 2.80 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 1.10 to 1
Washington Redskins 12 to 1

NFC East Odds To Win the Super Bowl
Dallas Cowboys 15 to 1
New York Giants 18 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 8 to 1
Washington Redskins 55 to 1

NFL Betting Odds @ BoDog Sportsbook (as of 8/10/11):
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NFC East Odds
Dallas Cowboys 3 to 1
New York Giants 3 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 1 to 1.40
Washington Redskins 20 to 1

Super Bowl Odds
Dallas Cowboys 18 to 1
New York Giants 25 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 7 to 1
Washington Redskins 100 to 1

The odds to win the NFC have been posted for the 2011 – 2012 NFL betting campaign, and here at Bankroll Sports, we’re tearing apart all of the odds to find the best NFC Championship odds for you to bet on!

This season, the teams that are favored to win the NFC odds are nothing like the teams were a season ago. Of course, the defending NFC champs, the Green Bay Packers (Favorites On the Odds To Win 2011 – 2012 NFC: 15 to 4 @ BoDog Sportsbook / Unlimited 10% Bonus if you Click Here) are the favorites to return to the Super Bowl this year, and for good reason. Perhaps in a season with a normal training camp and free agency period, this would be a different story. However, QB Aaron Rodgers and his men were clearly the best team in the league at the end of last season, and they really return the mass majority of the pieces to the puzzle. Both sides of the ball should be fantastic once again for the Pack, and we’d be shocked to not at least see them hosting a playoff game as the NFC Central champs.

The new kids that have come out of nowhere to challenge for the NFC title are the Philadelphia Eagles (Odds To Win the NFC: 17 to 4 @ BoDog Sportsbook / Unlimited 10% Bonus if you Click Here). Adding DBs Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie really have given this team a heck of a lot of hope for the upcoming season, though we’re a bit puzzled as to why this much hype has been given to this club. QB Michael Vick is a fantasy football machine, but that doesn’t mean that he has the ability to really lead a team to the Super Bowl. The NFC East is always a rough and tumble division, and even winning the division likely still requires the Eagles to win two road games to make it to the Super Bowl. Maybe we’re wrong and they’ll be the best team in the conference. We just don’t see it, though.

Last year, the team that came out of nowhere to win the regular season conference crown was the Atlanta Falcons (NFC Championship Odds: 7 to 1 @ BoDog Sportsbook / Unlimited 10% Bonus if you Click Here). This is a team who made some incredible strides from a season ago just by adding a second true threat on the outside in WR Julio Jones. At the outset of the season, there will clearly be a learning curve for Jones, but by playoff time, watch out! The NFC South is there for the taking, and we have no doubt that the boys in black and red are going to be in the postseason once again this year, especially behind an offense which features QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner, WR Roddy White, Jones, and TE Tony Gonzalez.

The team from off of the pace that could get the job done this year was the team that surprised us all two seasons ago to win this conference, the Arizona Cardinals (NFC Championship Dark Horse Odds: 45 to 1 @ JustBet Sportsbook / 100% Deposit Bonus if you Click Here). Someone has to win the NFC West this year, and as we have seen many times before, once you get in the playoffs, anything can happen. QB Kevin Kolb is certainly a whole heck of a lot better than the garbage that the Cards had a year ago, and if the defense can just hang in there and place halfway decent ball, the division title is definitely a possibility. Any time that you can get a team with an offensive talent like WR Larry Fitzgerald with these types of NFL futures odds in a division that is just this bad, you have to take it.

2011-12 NFC Championship Odds @ Bodog (as of 8/6/11)
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Green Bay Packers 15 to 4
Philadelphia Eagles 17 to 4
Atlanta Falcons 7 to 1
Dallas Cowboys 8 to 1
New Orleans Saints 8 to 1
New York Giants 12 to 1
Chicago Bears 14 to 1
Detroit Lions 15 to 1
Minnesota Vikings 15 to 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16 to 1
St. Louis Rams 20 to 1
San Francisco 49ers 25 to 1
Arizona Cardinals 33 to 1
Seattle Seahawks 40 to 1
Washington Redskins 50 to 1
Carolina Panthers 75 to 1

Latest 2012 NFC Championship @ Bet Online Sportsbook (as of 8/6/11):
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Arizona Cardinals 30 to 1
Atlanta Falcons 6 to 1
Carolina Panthers 75 to 1
Chicago Bears 20 to 1
Dallas Cowboys 12 to 1
Detroit Lions 12 to 1
Green Bay Packers 2.60 to 1
Minnesota Vikings 20 to 1
New Orleans Saints 6 to 1
New York Giants 10 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 2.60 to 1
San Francisco 49ers 20 to 1
Seattle Seahawks 50 to 1
St. Louis Rams 30 to 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 15 to 1
Washington Redskins 50 to 1

Current Odds To Win The NFC Title @ JustBet (as of 8/6/2011):
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Atlanta Falcons 6.50 to 1
Chicago Bears 16 to 1
Philadelphia Eagles 4 to 1
Seattle Seahawks 40 to 1
New Orleans Saints 6 to 1
Green Bay Packers 2.25 to 1
New York Giants 9 to 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17 to 1
St. Louis Rams 20 to 1
Detroit Lions 18 to 1
Minnesota Vikings 22 to 1
San Francisco 49ers 13 to 1
Dallas Cowboys 7.50 to 1
Washington Redskins 40 to 1
Arizona Cardinals 45 to 1
Carolina Panthers 70 to 1

The odds to win the AFC have been posted for the 2011 – 2012 NFL betting campaign, and here at Bankroll Sports, we’re tearing apart all of the odds to find the best AFC Championship odds for you to bet on!

It’s really nothing new to think that the New England Patriots (Favorites On the Odds To Win 2011 – 2012 AFC: 3 to 1 @ BoDog Sportsbook / Unlimited 10% Bonus if you Click Here) are the favorites to win the AFC. As long as QB Tom Brady is standing up, the Pats definitely have a chance, and those AFC title odds were only bolstered with the additions of proven veterans, DT Albert Haynesworth and WR Chad Ochocinco. If these two can prove to play the “Patriots Way,” they are sure to have a huge impact. However, when push comes to shove, New England has lost three straight playoff games, and it hasn’t won a postseason game since January 2008. It’s not going to be hard for this team to get back to the playoffs. The hard part is going to be winning playoff games against some rough and tough teams.

We probably look like hypocrites though if we say that the team we’d love to back on the odds to win the AFC are the San Diego Chargers (Odds To Win the AFC: 11 to 2 @ BoDog Sportsbook / Unlimited 10% Bonus if you Click Here). The Bolts didn’t make the playoffs last season, but it is clear that they play in a very weak division against teams that have no business even being in this discussion as Super Bowl contenders. This is a matter of unfinished business for San Diego, knowing that it was embarrassed last season. QB Philip Rivers won’t let his team fail, and this year, this is going to be one of the most talented sides in the conference.

The other team that we’d love to get our hands on right now are the Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC Championship Odds: 13 to 2 @ BoDog Sportsbook / Unlimited 10% Bonus if you Click Here). You want to talk about unfinished business? Talk about this Pittsburgh team, which won the AFC last year, only to end up laying an egg in the Super Bowl. QB Ben Roethlisberger is armed and ready to go this year, and there’s no reason to think that the Steelers shouldn’t at least have one playoff home game on this campaign. You won’t find a more talented defense in the game, and after a very short offseason, this veteran team should jump right back into the mix and contend right away.

The only team that we think could really come from off of the pace this year to challenge for an AFC title is the Houston Texans (AFC Championship Dark Horse Odds: 14 to 1 @ BetOnline Sportsbook / 100% Deposit Bonus if you Click Here). Houston really did a remarkable job in the offseason upgrading its defense, bringing in rookie DE JJ Watt, S Danieal Manning, and CB Johnathan Joseph, and Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips should have this unit vastly improved from a year ago. LB DeMeco Ryans and LB Brian Cushing are both healthy and should make for a dynamic tandem in the middle of the 3-4, and if all of this holds true defensively, the offense should be able to more than make up for the rest. Houston has never made the playoffs in team history, but this is the year that we could have a first timer, not only in the playoffs, but all the way into the Super Bowl as well.

2011-12 AFC Championship Odds @ Bodog (as of 8/6/11)
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New England Patriots 3 to 1
San Diego Chargers 11 to 2
New York Jets 6 to 1
Pittsburgh Steelers 13 to 2
Baltimore Ravens 15 to 2
Indianapolis Colts 17 to 1
Houston Texans 14 to 1
Kansas City Chiefs 20 to 1
Miami Dolphins 28 to 1
Oakland Raiders 33 to 1
Jacksonville Jaguars 35 to 1
Tennessee Titans 35 to 1
Cleveland Browns 40 to 1
Denver Broncos 40 to 1
Cincinnati Bengals 50 to 1
Buffalo Bills 75 to 1

Latest 2012 AFC Championship @ Bet Online Sportsbook (as of 8/6/11):
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Baltimore Ravens 6.50 to 1
Buffalo Bills 75 to 1
Cincinnati Bengals 50 to 1
Cleveland Browns 30 to 1
Denver Broncos 30 to 1
Houston Texans 15 to 1
Indianapolis Colts 6.50 to 1
Jacksonville Jaguars 30 to 1
Kansas City Chiefs 15 to 1
Miami Dolphins 20 to 1
New England Patriots 2.50 to 1
New York Jets 5.50 to 1
Oakland Raiders 20 to 1
Pittsburgh Steelers 5.50 to 1
San Diego Chargers 5.50 to 1
Tennessee Titans 30 to 1

Current Odds To Win The AFC Title @ JustBet (as of 8/6/2011):
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New England Patriots 2.50 to 1
Pittsburgh Steelers 4.35 to 1
Indianapolis Colts 7 to 1
Kansas City Chiefs 20 to 1
Baltimore Ravens 8 to 1
New York Jets 5.20 to 1
San Diego Chargers 5 to 1
Jacksonville Jaguars 25 to 1
Oakland Raiders 25 to 1
Miami Dolphins 30 to 1
Houston Texans 15 to 1
Tennessee Titans 25 to 1
Cleveland Browns 37 to 1
Denver Broncos 40 to 1
Buffalo Bills 75 to 1
Cincinnati Bengals 50 to 1

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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…

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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Team Totals
Pittsburgh Steelers 21.5
Green Bay Packers 24.5

Team Totals
Pittsburgh Steelers 21.5
Green Bay Packers 24

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

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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.

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.

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.