GAME PREVIEWS
<HR>Steelers, Broncos meet in AFC Championship
The Denver Broncos will be looking to extend their home winning streak to nine games when they tangle this week with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game.
Denver brings a 14-3 overall mark into this game versus a Pittsburgh team carrying a 13-5 record. Denver opened as a slight, 3-point favorite at home in this game, while the opening total was set at 41.5 points.
Bill Cowher's team upset Indianapolis 21-18 Sunday as 8.5-point underdogs. Indy had a chance to tie the game, but Mike Vanderjagt missed a 46-yard FG attempt in the final minute. The game was an UNDER play.
Mike Shanahan's team hopes to build upon a 27-13 win over New England. They were 3-point favorites and covered the spread. That game also fell UNDER the posted total.
Denver brings one of the league's best running games into this contest, averaging 158.7 yards per game. Pittsburgh is the first No. 6 seed to advance to a conference championship.
Some trends to consider: Pittsburgh is 2-8-0 OU in its last 10 away Pittsburgh is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games after scoring 21 to 30 points Pittsburgh is 7-3-0 SU in its last 10 games after being 7.5 to 10 point underdogs Pittsburgh is 5-2-0 OU in its last 7 games against Denver Denver is 5-1-0 ATS in its last 6 home games Denver is 10-2-0 ATS in its last 12 games Denver is 5-1-0 SU in its last 6 games after scoring 21 to 30 points Denver is 7-2-0 ATS in its last 9 games after scoring 21 to 30 points.
Panthers, Seahawks square off in NFC Championship
The Seattle Seahawks will be looking to pick up yet another home win this weekend when they play the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship.
Sporting a 13-5 overall record, the visiting Panthers aim to instead knock the Seahawks for a loss. Seattle opened as a 6-point favorite in the NFC title game, while the opening OVER/UNDER was set by oddsmakers at 44 points.
John Fox's team downed the Chicago Bears 29-21 as 3-point underdogs last week. The 50 points scored sent that game OVER the total of 31.5.
Mike Holmgren's team did what they were supposed to do to advance to the conference championship, defeating Washington 20-10 as 9.5-point favorites. The 30 points sent that game UNDER the total of 41.
Expect the league's top offense to put points on the board and generate trouble for the Panthers, who have advanced to the conference title game for the second time in three years.
Some trends to consider: Carolina is 1-6-0 ATS in its last 7 games after scoring 21 to 30 points Carolina is 3-7-0 OU in its last 10 games Carolina is 9-17-0 SU in its last 26 games after scoring 21 to 30 points Carolina is 11-4-0 OU in its last 15 away Seattle is 5-0-0 SU in its last 5 games after scoring 10 to 20 points Seattle is 4-1-0 ATS in its last 5 home games Seattle is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games Seattle is 2-6-0 SU in its last 8 games after being 7.5 to 10 point favorites.
