It has been a wild year in Pennsylvania for Steeler sports fans as they waved goodbye to the 'Bus' Jerome Bettis and hoisted the Super Bowl. Just as fans were recuperating from their hangover, word arrived that Ben Roethlisberger handsome face had collided with a windshield, courtesy of his motorcycle colliding with a car. Once back on the field Big Ben looked smooth and the Steelers were looking forward to frying the fish on opening night of the 2006=2007 season in front of the entire football nation.
I had been looking at the spread months ago at my favorite sportsbook and declared that Miami would be a nice play on Thursday night as the rule of thumb in Vegas when establishing sports betting point spreads is to over-value defending Super Bowl champions. The early line of -4 validated my claims and Miami with former offensive coordinator of the Steelers Mike Mularkey, Caulpepper at QB, and an experienced defense, I had to love the dog.
On the weekend the Steelers got some bad news about their MVP quarterback when word arrived that he had undergone an emergency appendectomy, thus pushing backup Charlie Batch into the fray. As expected, the gamblers rushed to their favorite online sportsbook and Vegas with both hands full of Miami cabbage. There was so much one-way action that the line is virtually a pick-em!
This is where I feel bettors who took the fish as a -4 dog, would be wise to cover their proverbial a''' ss, by now laying a few greenbacks on the defending champions.
Many times over the years whether it be Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Manny Ramirez, or for that matter Big Ben have been forced to sit out a game and the newspapers and public predicted the demise of these star athlete's teams, the home side put their backs up against the wall and their teammates responded with a vengeance.
Let's not forget that we are talking about the defending champions and a coach Bill Cowher who will bait his players that the public thinks Pittsburgh is an average team without Big Ben. Remember Miami QB Daunte Caulpeepper is opening in the road, with a new offense and a suspect offensive line.
Pittsburgh QB Charlie Batch is a nine-year veteran who completed 22-of-37 passes for one touchdown and two interceptions through four appearances in August. He also led the Steelers to the pay window in two games that Roethlisberger missed with a knee injury in 2005.
It's your pick football fans!
Bob Acton
Sports Betting |
