The two teams slated to battle for the AFC title this year are very similar in many ways and both are defensive-minded teams that don’t manufacture a lot of points. Inclement weather should also play a part in keeping the score down and when the #2 seed Pittsburgh Steelers (13-4) host the #6 seed NY Jets (13-5) the winner will most likely be determined by the team that makes the fewest mistakes in a game where points will be hard to come by.

Kickoff for this Sunday matchup is set for 6:35 Eastern Time and SBG Global Sportsbook opened with the Steelers as a 3.5-point favorite with an over/under total at 38.5. When it comes to defense few teams are better than the than these two and it’s no coincidence that the NFL gambling over/under on this game is less than 40 points. The Steelers have allowed the fewest points all year (just 14.5 ppg) and the Jets held opponents to the 6th lowest point total all year (19.0 ppg).

Both of these teams like to try and establish the run to set up their play action passing game and neither is likely to have much success with this strategy on Sunday. The Jets had the 3rd best rush defense in the NFL this season (90.9 ypg) and the Steelers have been one of the best run defenses in the history of the NFL this season allowing a minuscule 62.8 ypg, nearly 30 yards less than any other team.

This means that the teams are going to have to look elsewhere for points, namely the passing game and the defense. In the passing game the Steelers and 2-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger have the advantage over the Jets and 2nd year QB Mark Sanchez. Although, the Jets passing game seems to be improving every week and Sanchez has a pair of talented WRs in Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, both of whom had TDs against the Pats last weekend.

Still, the Steelers have an edge in almost every statistical category and that should translate into an NFL betting odds Super Bowl berth.

These two clubs first met on the grid iron in 1921 and have been butting heads ever since. This will the 183rd meeting of this teams, but what makes this matchup so fascinating is the fact that despite all the history, this will be just the 2nd time that that these two storied franchises have met in the post season.

In the words of the modern day football poet, T.O.: “get your popcorn ready”. Kickoff for this Sunday matchup is set for 3:05 Eastern Time and SBG Global Sportsbook opened with the Packers as a 3-point favorite with an over/under total at 43.5.

This title game could turn out to be one of the great games in the NFL gambling history with all the tradition and history surrounding this matchup. But more likely than not the Pack will keep on marching towards the Super Bowl and the Bears will get a head start on the offseason, just as the odds NFL bookmakers have released seemingly predict.

Green Bay is the hottest team in the league right now, hands down. Heading into this weekend the Packers have the longest winning streak of any remaining playoff team (4 games); and those wins have been over impressive opponents (Giants, Eagles, Falcons) including the Chicago Bears.

What’s more impressive is the fact that their last two wins were against arguably the two best teams in the NFC (#1 see Atlanta, #3 seed Philly) on the road in playoff atmospheres. Soldier field in frigid conditions should provide little advantage for the Bears for team that’s as focused as the Packers appear right now.

The Bears have a very good defense that’s allowed just 17.9 ppg (4th in the NFL) but they’ll have their work cut out for them against a Green Bay offense that’s averaging 34.5 ppg in the playoffs.

Granted the Bears have been awfully impressive in the playoffs this season as well, but with just one game (a 35-24 victory over Seattle) at home against the worst playoff team in NFL history, the sample size is too small to draw any real conclusion. However, it’s obvious that the Packers are hot team right now, peaking at just right time and that’s why they’ll beat the Bears in this NFL betting odds competition.

But after paying his debt to society Vick has exploded onto the NFL scene this year even better than ever. In just 12 full games he threw for 21 TDs, just 6 INTs, averaged 251.6 passing yards per game along with 56.3 rushing yards and 9 TDs. And he also finished 3rd in the NFL in passer rating (100.2).

He is the principal reason the Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) are hosting an NFC Wild Card game this weekend and he will the man the Green Bay Packers (10-6) must stop.

Kickoff for this Sunday matchup is set for 4:35 Eastern Time and SBG Global Sportsbook opened with the Eagles as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under total at 46.

Vick may be one of the top players in the NFL betting odds action but the Packers defense has proven it’s also one of the top defenses and if anyone can slow Vick down this is the team.

The Packers are 2nd in the NFL in points allowed (15.0 ppg) and 4th in yards allowed per game (309.1 ypg). The team is also tied for 2nd in the NFL in sacks (47.0) and has 38 takeaways this season (24 INTs and 20 forced fumbles).

Led by stars like the 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year CB Charles Woodson and a leading candidate for the award in 2010, LB Clay Matthews, this is a talented group. But it’s going to need all its talent and then some to contain Vick.

No team has been able to shut Vick down yet with the Minnesota Vikings coming the closest in Week 16, but the QB still managed 263 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 63 yards rushing and a TD on the ground.

Nonetheless the Vikings still won the game and if the Packers can hold Vick to similar numbers they’ve got a good chance to win this sports betting matchup as the team’s offense is potent (24.3 ppg) and the Eagles defense is a bit soft (23.6 ppg).

But the 2010 NFL season has been a topsy-turvy one as crazy as it sounds this matchup is actually a game between two division leaders.

At 8-5 the KC Chiefs are atop the AFC West and at 6-7 the upstart Rams are somehow the best of the worst division in the NFL, the NFC West.

So even though this may look like a football afterthought, this game actually has some major NFL playoff implications.

Kickoff for this Sunday matchup is set for 1:05 Eastern Time and SBG Global will have lines available for this and all the NFL Week 15 games.

The Rams will play host to its cross-state rival and playing at home will have a major impact on this game.

It’s easy to overestimate the effect that weather has on a game but in his case, when it’s the difference between a pass-oriented offense playing indoors or in blizzard like conditions, it certainly makes an impact.

Rookie QB Sam Bradford (2,884 yards, 17 TDs, 12 INTs) has the Rams humming along and the passing game has opened up the offense for veteran Pro Bowl RB Steven Jackson (1,081 yards).

St Louis is also much improved on defense. It’s giving up just 20.6 ppg and 333.9 yards which for a Rams team is reason for hope.

The Chiefs’ defensive stats are nearly identical as it’s giving up 20.6 ppg as well and slightly more yardage (341.9 ypg). Both teams are nearly identical in takeaways as well (Rams 28, Chiefs 25).

But on offense the Chiefs separate themselves as this has been one of the hottest offenses in the NFL gambling action over the past month and is averaging 22.7 ppg on the year. The Rams are averaging just 18.8 ppg (25th in the NFL).

But the wild card here is whether or not Chief’s QB Matt Cassel (23 TDs, 4 INTs) is healthy enough to play. If not, you’ve got to like a hungry Rams squad in this must win sports betting matchup.

This will be the first Thursday night game of the season. Fans love the mid-week game, teams hate it. Thursday night games mean a short prep week and little time to game plan for an opponent. That means that little things like turnovers, home field advantage and third-down conversions could play huge roles in a potential win.

Kickoff for this Thursday matchup is set for 8:25 Eastern Time and SBG Global Sportsbook opened with the Falcons as a 1-point favorite with an over/under total at 43.

The NFL gambling lines maker like the Falcons and so should you.

This game is almost too close to call and the small details will be huge in this matchup.

Atlanta has a big edge in takeaways this season (19 vs. 12 for Baltimore) and that is something that could sway the game in their advantage.

Another advantage for the Falcons is the team’s running attack (136.5) which is tied for 6th best in the league going up against the Ravens run defense which surprisingly ranks 13th in the NFL and is allowing 104.8 ypg. If the Falcons can establish the run and control the time of possession they have a very good chance of winning this game.

More likely both teams will have a tough time running the ball and will be forced to pass more than either side would like.

Again, the Falcons would have the advantage as Matt Ryan is a better QB and the Falcons passing game is slightly better statistically. Both Ryan and Ravens’ QB Joe Flacco has been playing well but Ryan has better receivers (WR Roddy White and TE Tony Gonzalez) and even though Flacco will be throwing at a Falcons pass defense that’s given up 350.5 yards passing per game the nod still goes to Ryan who will be playing at home and won’t have to deal with crowd noise.

Baltimore is one of the most complete teams in the league and could very easily win this matchup, but if you’re going to play the sports betting action on this game the home team Falcons seem like the smart pick.

Unfortunately for the Panthers they won’t be playing any of these 0-3 teams this week but rather the defending Super Bowl champion Saints and Drew Brees.

Kickoff for this Sunday matchup is set for 1:05 Eastern Time and sbg sportsbook opened with the Saints as a 13.5-point favorite with an over/under total at 44.5.

As is generally the case after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy the Saints have struggled a bit this year. Granted it’s played some quality competition and 2-1 versus the Falcons, Vikings and Niners on the road isn’t a bad outcome, all things considered. But this team is not the high flying, dominant circus act it was last season –at least not yet.

But the offense should get plenty of opportunities to pad the stats against the Panthers 22nd ranked defense. Brees should pick apart a Panthers secondary that’s only giving up 207 yards per game but has given up 6 passing TDs in just 3 games. The run defense is even worse (111 rushing yards per game) and the Saints will be able to set up their devastating play action with little worry.

The Saints defense, which depends on turnovers to keep execute, will have a feast against the stable of noodle-armed QB on the Panther’s roster. Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen have combined for 6 INTs and 2 TDs through the first three games. New Orleans’ secondary will surely add to that total.

The Saints defense hasn’t been as effective as it was last season but the Panthers offense should be just what the doctor ordered. The secondary should get a pick or two and the interior defense should have little problem shutting down Carolina’s decrepit running game in which talented backs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams are combining for just 82.7 yards a game.

Saints will steam roll the Panthers in this sports betting showdown.

Both of these teams are coming off seasons in which they perform quite as well as they wanted and enter the 2010 NFL betting lines actions with huge expectations. The Ravens are one of the best all-around teams in the NFL right now and after getting knocked out in the second round of last year’s playoff definitely have some unfinished business.

QB Joe Flacco has grown into a very good QB (3,618 yards, 21 TDs, 12 INTs) and his numbers should be even better this year with the addition of WRs Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth. And as the team proved last year its running game has the capacity to run a defense into ground behind third-year stud Ray Rice and bulldozer Le’Ron McClain.

In a strange twist of fate the biggest concern for the Raven’s squad is its once unbeatable defense.

The Giants will be looking to rebound for a disastrous 2009 in which the team finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. But all expectations are that this team should be in the NFC East playoff hunt right down the final day of the season. The team has a terrific group of young receivers who should only be better after another year of work with QB Eli Manning. Manning is the NFL’s highest paid player and will have to play like it if this team is go deep into the postseason sports betting action.

But the biggest weakness of this squad and a very big one indeed, is the defense which finished only ahead awful St Louis and Detroit squads in points allowed last season (26.7 ppg). But if this unit stays healthy this year and can keep opponents out of the end zone a bit better, it should finish much better than 8-8.

Still, look for the Ravens to win this game as Manning’s playing status is in question and backup Jim Sorgi is wounded.

Kickoff for this Saturday matchup is set for 7:35 Eastern Time and sbg global sportsbook opened with the? as a ? point favorite with an over/under total at ?