Ravens vs. Steelers, Packers vs. Falcons NFL Spreads for 2011 Playoffs

Saturday in NFL betting should treat us to two very different playoff games: one a smashmouth divisional war in cold weather, the other an indoor showdown between two high-flying offenses. Should be fun.

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Saturday, January 15, 4:30 p.m. ET

Latest odds: Steelers -3

Over/Under: 37

As the Ravens showed last week when they made short work of Kansas City, they're playoff sports betting road warriors. Baltimore is 4-0 ATS over its last five road games and 8-3 ATS over its last 11 playoff road games. The road team is 3-0-1 over the last four meetings between these AFC North rivals.

However, the Steelers have a good recent track record in playoff betting as well. They're 8-0 ATS over their last eight January games and 7-1 ATS over their last eight playoff games. Then again, the Steelers don't always respond well in tight contests. They're just 2-13-1 ATS over their last 16 when favored at home by less than three points.

Baltimore trends toward the UNDER: the under is 5-1 over its last six against AFC opponents. However, nine of Pittsburgh's last 10 playoff home games have trended OVER the sportsbook total.

Baltimore's offense was just 22^nd in the league this season – 20^th in passing and 14^th in rushing. But Joe Flacco moved the ball just fine against the Chiefs last week. The Ravens also bring the league's 10^th-ranked defense to the table. The Steelers were 14^th in offense but didn't have Ben Roethlisberger for their first four games. They also have the league's second-ranked defense and are first against the run with an amazing 62.8 yards allowed per game.

Green Bay Packers @ Altanta Falcons

Saturday, January 15, 8:00 p.m. ET

Latest odds: Falcons -3

Over/Under: 45.5

Are the Pack ready to play giant killer again after upsetting Philadelphia in the road last week? They're 15-5-1 ATS over their last 21 games as a road underdog. They've beaten eight of their last 11 spreads overall. Then again, the Falcons are beasts at the Georgia Dome, 10-4 ATS over their last 14 as a home favorite. While the Falcons have beaten the spread in five of the last six meetings, the underdog is also 5-1 over the last six meetings.

Of Atlanta's last 11 games, seven have gone OVER the betting total, but the UNDER is 8-1 in Green Bay's last nine road games.

The balanced Pack have the league's No. 9 offense and No. 5 defense. Their 24^th-ranked rushing attack was supposed to be their Achilles heel last week but James Starks set a Green Bay rookie playoff record with 123 yards.

The Falcons are fifth in the league in scoring (25.9 points per game) and scoring defense (18.0 points per game). They run a balanced offense featuring Matt Ryan in the 15^th-ranked passing offense and Michael Turner in the 12^th-ranked running game. Atlanta is only 22^nd in pass defense, however, allowing 226.6 yards per game. This is somewhat of a bend-but-don't-break unit.