Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos
Saturday, 1/12/12, 4:30 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Denver -9.5
Current Betting Line: Denver -9
Opening Total: 45.5
Current Total: 45
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Baltimore lands in this spot after picking up a 24-9 victory over the Indianapolis Colts as 7.5-point home favorites in the opening weekend of the NFL playoffs, while going UNDER the posted total of 47.5. “We all have a goal in mind, and we’re focused in on that goal,” commented Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin. The Ravens set a single-season franchise record by scoring 398 points, but 254 of those came at M&T Bank Stadium, as they now travel west. Baltimore is 2-4 ATS as an underdog this season, which can’t be ignored when making your NFL picks against the spread Saturday.
The Ravens defense is the healthiest its been in awhile, but it still allowed 350.9 yards per game, which ranked 17th in the league. Baltimore did a tremendous job of protecting the football this year, surrendering just 16 giveaways, which could be a key statistic to focus in on when looking over the pro football odds page. The offense is also explosive at times—producing 72 offensive plays of 20-or-more yards this season.
Denver is the top seed in the AFC and will play until getting knocked out at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, as it compiled a 7-1 record at home during the regular season, while going 10-1 ATS as favorites. “It’s been quite a year for me,” stated Broncos signal-caller Peyton Manning. He finished the year with a 105.8 passer rating, while also throwing 37 touchdowns. Denver is 19-6-1 ATS after a bye week in its last 26 opportunities, with the UNDER going 14-12 in that situation.
The Broncos closed out the regular season with 11 consecutive wins, but they’ll need to start fast against a veteran-laden squad, especially with frigid temperatures expected for this affair. Denver’s defense may be good enough to win this game on its own, allowing just 237.3 total yards and 13.5 points during its six-game win streak in front of the home fans. It will need to focus on stopping Ravens running back Ray Rice, who totaled 1,621 yards from scrimmage this season.
Sports bettors will likely back the Broncos due to their 6-1 ATS mark in home playoff games, while the Ravens are 1-5 ATS in divisional playoff games.
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