Early Line has Pittsburgh favored by 4 1/2
 

Interesting...

Damn I'm good - I guessed 4.

Is that a surprise? Everyone's in love with the Steelers right now.

That just seems a bit high

SI

I was going to say interesting too. I figured Seattle would get more love given the better record and convincing playoff run. So much of line setting is based on trends and obviously what Pittsburgh is trying to do is unprecedented. But I have no doubt the emotional bettors will be on the Steelers, and their defense is hot.

Be interesting to see how this line moves. I think it's definitely bad news for Pittsburgh; Cowher's had too much success getting his team to thrive in the underdog role, and being the favorite has never been a good role for his teams.

Well, I've learned my lesson about underestimating Seattle. We are talking a number 6 seed vs a number 1 seed in the playoffs right?

Don't get me wrong, I think Pittsburgh will win. I'm just surprised the line started off that high.

Pittsburgh will be the only team that Seattle has faced in the playoffs that is complete in terms of offense and defense.

I agree - but that's because, contrary to what astrosfan has been saying, the Seahawks are actually underrated.

Yeah, I learned my lesson.

I think the line is about right, given the (perceived) disparity between the two conferences, the fact that Pittsburgh has gone on the road against 3 good teams and kicked ass, and that Seattle won't have their home field advantage. I think Cowher is the better coach, Roethlisberger the better QB. Seattle's strength is their offensive line, but I don't think Pittsburgh's is any worse. I think the line will be 5 or more by gametime.

Now that's true.

I'm not so sure about the line moving, I think right now it's a very attractive bet on Seattle, and if anything I think it might move towards -3. We'll see though!

I agree. I think people will jump on this bet and it will close up as the game gets closer.

Seattle +3.5

The line is set based on what people are willing to bet, not on what is really going to happen. It seems like most of you guys understand this, but I don't know that anyone at ESPN seems to get it. Vegas isn't disrespecting Seattle they are setting a line that will allow them to get 50% of the people to bet on each team. Apperently according to Desnudo it has corrected itself to 3.5 now. I personally think Pittsburgh is the popular choice and the line is screwing a little bit, but I also hate Pittsburgh.

AFC >> NFC this season. I think you could make a pretty reasonable argument that all six AFC playoff teams plus KC and San Diego were as good as or better than the best NFC team this year.