Posted on
10/20/2007 10:44:51 AM
NFL Betting Odds – Steelers to Win
By Russell Edward
In this battle between two teams who were supposed to be powerhouses in the AFC, only the Steelers remains as such, while Denver is having problems just about everywhere except in passing defense. The Steelers are ranked 10th in offense and 1st in defense.
In the last meeting between these two, Denver won 31-20 in Pittsburgh last November, but the tide had turned and the Steelers are road favorites coming into Mile High.
Pittsburgh Steelers –4.5 at Denver Broncos +4.5
When your defense is ranked number one, you have to think it is your strength, and such is the case with the Steelers, although the only team they have played with an offense ranked in the top half of the league is Cleveland. The NFL betting lines have taken this into account:
Playing against poor offenses means your defense can stop other teams quicker, leading to your offense being on the field with chances to score. The Steelers offense stays on the field for over 35 minutes per game- most in the NFL - giving the defense lots of time to rest and making it tougher for opponents to score. The potent and sometimes explosive running of Fast Willie Parker allows the Steelers to compensate for the lack of greatness they have in the quarterbacking position.
Big Ben gets the job done, but rarely shines, and he plays in a system that is superbly suited to his relative lack of skills. That is not to say Ben is not a good quarterback. He is, in this offense.
The Steelers lost their last road game – against the Cardinals – and Mile High stadium is no easy place to play when it is not your home. It remains to be seen how the return of Hines Ward and Santana Holmes affects the offense, but it is hard to think getting those two back could hurt. Big Ben should start getting the Pittsburgh passing game on track, but probably not this week against Bailey and Bly in the Broncos secondary.
The Steelers will need to establish the running game in Mile High and control the clock. Controlling the line of scrimmage will be key in keeping the Broncos offense on the sidelines. If Parker can get going early, this will be a long day for the Broncos.
> > Check Week 7 Odds Here
The 2007 NFL betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLII and beyond!