There are not many things in this world that NFL QBs enjoy less than playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers (14-4) defense, and especially not in Super Bowl betting situations.

Let us count the ways in which the Steelers terrorize their opponents: 1st in the NFL in Sacks (48.0), 1st in yards lost on Sacks (319), 1st in the NFL in takeaways (41), 2nd in INTs returned for TDs (3), 3rd in TD passes allowed, 3rd in INTS (21), and definitely the front-runner it in the unofficial stat column of offensive coordinator nightmares.

But as impressive as the Steelers D is on paper, and on the field (1st in the NFL in points allowed: 14.5 ppg) it’s not without its weaknesses. Read more

The Green Bay Packers (13-6) have a very rich tradition at the QB position (Bart Starr, Brett Favre) and anyone who’s betting on the Super Bowl this year is certainly aware of the riches the team currently posses behind center. Aaron Rodgers is coming off a tremendous regular season in 2010 (3,922 yards, 28 TDs, 11 INTs and a 101.2 passer rating) but it’s what he’s done in the postseason that has been so impressive for most fans.

After making his 1,500th pass attempt late in the season Rodgers quietly became the highest rated passer in NFL history (98.4) –that is not a typo. For an encore, upon completing his 150th pass attempt in the NFL postseason he also became the highest rated QB in NFL playoff history as well (134.5) prior to the NFC Championship game. Read more

The best time of year for football fans has rolled around and the Super Bowl betting for the biggest sporting event in 2011 has officially begun.

After the Pittsburgh Steelers (14-4) defeated the New York Jets (13-6) last week at Heinz Field they earned a trip to Arlington Texas and a spot in the big game. Likewise, the Green Bay Packers (13-6) made quick work of the Chicago Bears (12-6) and booked a ticket to the Super Bowl XVL as well.

Within minutes of the final whistle in the AFC Championship the betting lines for Super Bowl XVL were released and the Packers are unanimous favorites in the early line action. Read more

When it comes to handicapping NFL betting odds matchups or football games in general the most reliable indicators to study are obviously statistics. This can be an abstract process as the stats are derived from a variety of competition against a variety of opponents and perhaps a few common opponents but rarely are we able to extract the data from a head to head matchup in the relatively brief 16-game NFL season.

That’s not the case in this weekend’s AFC Championship game which features two teams, the New York Jets (13-5) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (13-4), which have not only already met once this season but played each other less than a month at the exact same field they’ll meet on Sunday.But those results, a 22-17 Jets win, are unlikely to be duplicated, as the statistical evidence would point to that result being an aberration of the norm rather than a likely outcome of this matchup. Read more