LAS VEGAS — As the playoffs begin, the Ravens have emerged as clear favorites over the Steelers for the wild-card round, which is somewhat unexpected. Typically, postseason betting lines are tighter since AFC North opponents tend to engage in closely contested battles that come down to the wire.
Furthermore, the significance of this game’s point spread has increased, rising from 9 to 10 points at BetMGM Sportsbook. This change reflects the bettors’ sentiments regarding the Steelers’ lack of momentum, particularly after a disappointing season-ending four-game losing streak that included a 34-17 defeat at the hands of the Ravens on December 21. Conversely, the Ravens closed out their season on a high note with four consecutive victories, capturing the division title.
According to Tristan Davis, a senior manager at BetMGM, the betting line emphasizes the Steelers’ struggles this season, asserting, “In my opinion, they’re the worst team in the playoffs and probably playing the second-best team in the playoffs.” This perspective aligns with the betting action observed, where the odds reaffirm the significant gap between the two teams’ current forms.
DraftKings demonstrated a slight shift in the betting line as well, moving from 9 ½ to 10 points. DraftKings’ race and sports operations director, Johnny Avello, expressed concerns regarding Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson’s performance, suggesting that the team is significantly underperforming compared to where they were weeks ago. “The power rating for the Ravens has gone up a bit, and the power rating for the Steelers is going backward,” he noted.
Despite these observations, CBS Sportsline handicapper Bruce Marshall found the betting line surprising. He pointed to the fact that prior to the last game, the teams had consistently played closely contested matches, with many decided by seven points or fewer. He raised questions about whether recent trends might be influencing betting too heavily.
In contrast, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold had been building a strong case for the AP NFL MVP, leading his team toward the NFC’s top seed. However, the Vikings suffered a setback against the Lions in their final regular-season match, where Darnold’s performance did not meet expectations in a lopsided 31-9 defeat. This raises questions about Darnold’s consistency under pressure, with experts pondering if he can maintain his impressive play or if the recent struggles indicate a reversion to his earlier form.
A potential nightmare for BetMGM could materialize if the Lions, along with the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, reach the title game, as both teams present considerable risk for the sportsbook. Davis expressed, “The Lions and Chiefs are the ones we’d rather not see in the Super Bowl this year.” Marshall also shared skepticism regarding the Chiefs, emphasizing their series of narrow victories and expressing doubts about their offensive effectiveness moving forward.
In another development, the game between the Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams has been relocated from Inglewood, California, to Glendale, Arizona, due to the erupting wildfires in the Los Angeles vicinity. Marshall pointed out the potential disruptions this creates for both teams, suggesting it would essentially become a road game for the Rams.
Furthermore, early betting on total scores has shown a downward trend, although Avello clarified that this does not indicate expectations for a slew of low-scoring games. He noted that despite some totals being bet down, the lowest total across games was still set at 42 ½, indicating a general expectation for competitive scoring.
