The NFL playoffs kick off this weekend with four wild card games split between Saturday and Sunday. The AFC side of the bracket features the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday and the Indianapolis Colts hosting the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The lowest remaining seed will travel to face the New England Patriots the following Saturday, while the highest remaining seed will travel to face the Denver Broncos the following Sunday.
Pittsburgh opened at even against Baltimore, but the line has climbed to make the Steelers a four-point favorite at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. This marks the third time these division rivals will face off this season. They split the first two games straight up and against the spread, with each team winning at home by 20 points and covering a spread under a field goal. The Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against Baltimore.
They have also faced off four times in the playoffs. The Steelers are 4-0 SU and ATS in those four playoff games, dating back to 1995 when Baltimore was still in Cleveland.
The total is set at 46.5 points. The total has gone over in four of Baltimore?s last five games and in six of Pittsburgh?s last eight games. It has also gone over in six of the last nine meetings between these two teams and 11 of 16 in Pittsburgh. The OddsShark Computer predicts a 33-29 Steelers victory. That would provide for a Pittsburgh cover and the over.
The most notable injury to track is Pittsburgh running back Le?Veon Bell. He suffered a hyperextended knee Sunday, but head coach Mike Tomlin said it is not major.
Indianapolis opened as a six-point favorite against Cincinnati, but the line has come down to 3.5 points. This marks their second meeting this season, as the Colts shut out the Bengals in Indianapolis 27-0, covering the field goal spread, and going over.
Indianapolis has won five of six SU heading into the playoffs, while Cincinnati has won five of seven. The Bengals are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games at Indianapolis, according to the OddsShark NFL Database, and 0-5 SU in their last five.
The total is set at 49.5 points. The total has gone under in six of Cincinnati?s last eight games, and five of Indianapolis? last six games. It has also gone under in four of the last six between these two teams. The computer predicts a 27-26 Colts victory, which would provide for a Bengals cover and the under.
The most notable injury is Cincinnati wide receiver A.J. Green, who suffered a concussion in the Sunday finale and is going through the league protocol. Indianapolis wide receiver Reggie Wayne is dealing with a groin injury but expects to play.
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