posted October 6, 2007 at 17:41 in NFL Free Picks

NFL bettors and non-bettors alike are billing it as a Super Bowl rematch, and indeed it is - one season removed. The Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers once again find themselves very much in the hunt for a berth in the Big Game. On Sunday at 1 PM (Eastern time) on the grass surface at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, these two participants in Super Bowl 40 will hook up once more. The NFL betting odds at BetUS have Pittsburgh listed at -5.5, with an over/under line of 39.5 (odds obviously are subject to change).

The Seahawks have seemingly had to deal with injury problems of one kind or another ever since their Super Bowl appearance. Last year it was the offensive line, and star running back Shaun Alexander. This year it has been the receiving corps and Alexander again; this time, Alexander, the former NFL MVP, is playing with a cast on his wrist. Seattle has a 3-1 SU (straight-up) record and is 2-1-1 ATS (against the spread). In their last game, the 'Hawks blasted San Francisco 23-3, easily covering the 1.5-point spread and out-gaining the Niners to the tune of 371 yards to 184.

Pittsburgh is 3-1, both SU and ATS. The Steelers tore through their first three opponents, winning all three by 20 points or more. Last weekend Pittsburgh traveled to Glendale, Ariz. and lost by a 21-14 score to the Cardinals as a 5.5-point road favorite. Ironically, Seattle's only loss is to Arizona as well, a 23-20 decision in Week 2.

The last meeting between these two non-division rivals was indeed Super Bowl 40, which was won by Pittsburgh 21-10 as a three-point favorite. The game fell under the posted total of 47.

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD football betting trends (which may not carry a lot of meaning in this case).......

* Seattle has covered 6 of the last 8 meetings with Pittsburgh

* Seattle has won four of the last six games SU

* Seven of the last 10 meetings have gone under the total

Pittsburgh is averaging five yards a carry on the ground, led by Willie Parker, the hero of Super Bowl 40, who is totaling 405 yards for the season. The Steelers have had great balance in their offense, with 186 passing yards and 168 rushing yards (third in the NFL) per game. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has completed 58% of his passes with 8 TD's and three interceptions (throwing two of each against Arizona). Pittsburgh has registered 14 QB sacks, allowing 3.8 yards per rush and 11.8 points per game. Also......

* Pittsburgh has covered four of its last five games

* Pittsburgh is 5-1 both SU and ATS in its last six at home

* Pittsburgh has gone over the total 16 of the last 21 home games

* Pittsburgh is 8-1 ATS vs. an opponent who allowed less than 10 pts. the week before

Matt Hasselbeck has been steady for Seattle this season after suffering nagging injuries last year. He has hit 67% of his passes for 1032 yards and seven TD's, with three pickoffs. Alexander is averaging 3.9 yards a carry with 353 yards on the ground. Seattle averages 250 yards through the air and 107 on the ground. The 'Haws have sacked the quarterback 13 times, and surrendered 13.3 points a game. Also...

* Seattle has gone under the total in six of the last eight games

* Seattle is 4-2 ATS its last six on the road

* Seattle is 4-9-1 ATS in its last 14 on the road

* Seattle has gone over the total of 15 of its last 21 road games

* Seattle is 2-9 ATS on the road against non-conferences foes

* In the month of October, Seattle is 2-14 ATS coming off back-to-back SU wins

The technical edge here may go to Pittsburgh, the 5.5-point favorite in the football betting odds at BetUS, because of Seattle's struggles on the road. But certainly the trends point toward a total over the posted over/under of 39.5.

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!

(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com is a member of the NFL too – which means "not for long" if you don't get results. He is now a regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room)