For the first NFL playoff game this weekend (130 PM PST today) i'm going to go with the Patriots:
"We're going to hear a lot about Baltimore's post-season successes against the Patriots over these past few seasons. It makes for a nice story and an easy sell for those looking to back the Ravens. Unfortunately, those games have no bearing on the impending result for this one. While we admire Baltimore and its gritty accomplishments when cast in this playoff underdog role, this is New England we're talking about here. The Ravens play in what we are realizing is a very mediocre division despite three of its teams going to the post-season. Cincinnati was easily dismissed and Pittsburgh was removed by this Baltimore squad. The win over the Steelers surprised some, but considering the familiarity and history of the two and Pittsburgh missing a key guy, the Ravens' win has to be considered a mild upset at best. Now Baltimore will step up in class and figures to have its hands full. New England was 7-1 here this season, its only loss occurring in the final game when it rested most of its starters against Buffalo. Not counting that irrelevant home loss, the Pats outscored their opposition by a dominant 255-117 at Gillette on the year. The Patriots pulverized the Bengals 43-17 on this field, Cincinnati being the team that won Baltimore's AFC North division. Tom Brady and Co. also clobbered the No. 2-seeded Broncos 43-21 here in a one-sided affair. Are we to expect that much more from this visitor? Not with Baltimore's road record. While 4-4 away in the regular season, the road wins were at Cleveland, TB, Miami and New Orleans -- none being playoff teams. Three of four losses were at playoff-bound opponents' parks. Overall, Baltimore was 1-6 against teams with a winning record. We also have our doubts about Baltimore's 28th-ranked secondary. This New England team is noticeably stronger than in years past with vast improvements in all three phases of the game. There is a solid defence, a healthy Rob Gronkowski and a feisty Brady leading the way. The Patriots also have Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner this time around to patrol their secondary and, with those guys covering Steve Smith, we're not sure that Joe Flacco will have as many outlets as he's grown accustomed to. The Pats are the top seed in the AFC for a reason and they'll remind us why on this day.
TAKING: PATRIOTS -7"
Though if i were a betting man i'd go with Pinnacle sports alternate line of New England -3.5 -165, laying $165 to win $100.
That way i don't need them to win by 2 scores to win the bet.
