Super Bowl XLV between the Pittsburgh

Steelers and Green Bay Packers is almost here and movement of the betting line has been eerily quiet of late.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants (LVSC) sent out an opening line of Green Bay minus 1 ½, which quickly went to 2 ½ at most Las Vegas and offshore sports books. It was thought that heavy betting on Pittsburgh would move the line down, but that hasn’t happened yet and the Packers have become even slightly stronger.
Looking at the DonBest.com NFL odds, the three Las Vegas books listed (Hilton, Mirage and Palace Station) all have Green Bay as 2 ½-point favorites (minus 120).
The offshore sports books fluctuate more with SBG Global having the best odds for Green Bay as 2 ½-point favorites (minus 110). Other shops like Bookmaker.com have Green Bay as three-point ‘chalk’ (plus 110).
The total opened at 44 ½-points, moved up to 45 ½ at many places and is now back to 44 ½ almost everywhere. Pittsburgh’s average total during the regular season was 37.9 points, 49 points in its two playoff wins.
Green Bay average total during the regular season was 39.3 points, 47 points in its three playoff wins. That playoff number was skewed by the 48-21 win at Atlanta in the Georgia Dome. The roof will be closed Sunday in Dallas for perfect conditions again.
Latest Injury News
There hasn’t been a lot of breaking news coming out of ‘Big D’ this week. The media tried to make Ben Roethlisberger going to a Piano Bar with his linemen into a controversy, but that quickly fizzled.
Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) did not practice again on Thursday and appears questionable at best. Backup Doug Legursky could get his first career NFL start for an o-line that already lost both starting offensive tackles earlier this year.
Defensive end Aaron Smith (triceps) has had some limited practice, but is still considered doubtful. He last played in October.
Green Bay has some recent injury news with receiver Donald Driver dealing with a quad. He’s considered probable. Starting linebacker Erik Walden (ankle) is questionable and his backup Frank Zombo (knee) could return to replace him for his first game since December.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was rumored to have a sore shoulder and/or possible concussion from the NFC title game. Those are non issues.
Unique props draw interest
There are literally thousands of different props available on the Super Bowl, but some stand out for their uniqueness and humor. For example:
Will Aaron Rodgers pass for 29.5 yards more than Brett Favre did (246 passing yards) in Super Bowl XXXI versus New England? Yes is minus 120, No is minus 110. Odds are courtesy of Bodog.com.
What will Fergie’s outfit be at the halftime show? A Bodysuit (plus 100), Skirt or Dress (plus 135), Pants (plus 175), Shorts (plus 400) and Thong (plus 1500) are the choices. Odds are courtesy of BetUs.com.
What color will the Gatorade shower be that is dumped on the head of the winning coach? Yellow (minus 110), Clear/Water (plus 200), Red (plus 300), Orange (plus 400), Lime Green (plus 500) or Blue (plus 1200)? Odds are courtesy of EasyStreetSports.com.
Will a Steelers player do the Aaron Rodgers’ Championship Belt Celebration during the game? Yes is plus 115, No is minus 155. Odds are courtesy of Bodog.com.
Trending in the right direction
There are several betting trends surrounding this game. For example, the ‘under’ is 5-1 in the last six Super Bowls. Here are some more pertaining directly to Pittsburgh and Green Bay.
Trends favoring Pittsburgh:
Pittsburgh is 3-1 ATS as an underdog this year.
Pittsburgh is 6-1 SU and 4-2-1 ATS all-time in Super Bowls.
Super Bowl underdogs of three-points or less are 6-4 SU all-time.
The underdog is 7-2 ATS in the last nine Super Bowls.
Trends favoring Green Bay:
Green Bay is 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS in its last five games (all facing elimination).
The NFC is 3-0 ATS in the last three Super Bowls and 6-2 ATS in the last eight.