Pittsburgh hasn't had a losing pointspread season since 2002 and Baltimore was one of the league's best against the spread last year, trends that NFL betting devotees undoubtedly will be monitoring this season. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with 2008 regular season records and pointspread results in parentheses:
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (12-4 SU, 9-7 ATS, 8-8 O/U): The defending Super Bowl champions will have a shot at back-to-back titles, especially if the running game improves now that Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall are healthy. The passing attack, paced by QB Ben Roethlisberger and Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes, is solid. Pittsburgh's defense, led by pass-sacking linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, is the best in the league. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 15/2; AFC Championship 4/1; AFC North 5/7; Over/Under regular season wins 11.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2008)
SU: 106-69-1
ATS: 90-82-4
HF:38-40-1
HD:6-3
AF:23-19-2
AD:22-21-1
Sportsbook Buster: Since 2003, the Steelers are 25-13 ATS in division play.
Sports Betting Angle: Pittsburgh has covered its last eight visits to Cincinnati.
BALTIMORE RAVENS (11-5 SU, 12-4 ATS, 9-6-1 O/U): The Ravens overcame a rookie head coach and rookie quarterback before losing to the Steelers in last season's AFC Championship game. Quarterback Joe Flacco will have to continue to improve and the aging defense, led by intimidating linebacker Ray Lewis, must hold together over 16 games. Baltimore also needs to figure out a way to beat Pittsburgh, something it failed to do three times last season. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 15/1; AFC Championship 15/2; AFC North 9/5; Over/Under regular season wins 10.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2008)
SU:97-79
ATS: 94-76-6
HF:41-19-2
HD:11-13-2
AF:13-20-1
AD:29-24-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Ravens are 41-19-2 as home favorites, the last 11 seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Baltimore is 9-3 ATS at home versus Cincinnati, the last dozen meetings.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (4-12 SU, 6-9-1 ATS, 6-9-1 O/U): The Browns cleaned house, firing their GM and head coach so it will be a new era on Lake Erie, especially if Brady Quinn wins the starter's job at quarterback. Cleveland doesn't have great personnel but a change in attitude, particularly on defense where new coordinator Rob Ryan will be very aggressive, could help. The Browns finished next to last in total offense and 26th in defense last season so there's plenty of room for improvement. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 50/1; AFC Championship 25/1; AFC North 5/1; Over/Under regular season wins 6 1/2.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1999-2008)
SU:54-106
ATS: 76-81-3
HF:15-16
HD:22-25-2
AF:5-1
AD:34-39-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Browns are 1-8 ATS the week before playing their Ohio rival, the Bengals.
Sports Betting Angle: Cleveland has covered four of its last five home games against Baltimore.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (4-11-1 SU, 7-9 ATS, 5-10-1 O/U): A Pro Bowl quarterback when healthy, Carson Palmer will have to have a big year for the Bengals to have any chance at improvement. Even that may not be enough now that wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh has fled to Seattle and the offensive line and running game are suspect. The defense, which produced just 17 sacks last season, isn't very good either. Looks like a tough year in Cincinnati. Future Book Odds Profile: Super Bowl 75/1; AFC Championship 40/1; AFC North 9/1; Over/Under regular season wins 6.
By the Numbers (Regular Season, 1998-2008)
SU:65-110-1
ATS: 73-98-5
HF:15-23-3
HD:19-28
AF:11-8
AD:28-39-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Bengals are just 34-51-3 ATS at home, the last 11 seasons
Sports Betting Angle: Cincinnati is 10-0-1 ATS the week after playing Cleveland.
Legend:
SU= Straight Up
ATS = Against the Spread
HF= Home Favorite
HD= Home Underdog
AF= Away Favorite
AD= Away Underdog
O/U = Over/Under
This is the second of an eight-part NFL preview series.
