Chopping Lines: Ick

READ MORE: Baltimore Ravens, Chopping Lines, NFL Betting, Pittsburgh Steelers

9 p.m.

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)

Best Line: PITT -10, BALT +13

This line is loaded with slop money. It’s moved four points since it first opened and right now, many bookies aren’t planning on touching it. But if it starts to come down, well, then we’ll know that the bookies are praying that Anthony Wright can find some semblance of an offense this evening and actually score points, so they can make some major bank from the overzealous Pittsburgh bettors. Even though the Ravens are missing both All-Pros Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, the total seems to be a little light at 34. But that pretty much shows a complete lack of faith in the Ravens offense, which is laughably awful. However, they still have former big house-r Jamal Lewis and if they can run a little bit, maybe they’ll score. Maybe. For that matter alone will take the Ravens and the points reluctantly because we don’t like seeing all that money being chucked at the Steelers. We’re not seeing a Ravens victory, but we’ll take 13 points and hope Todd Heap will get jealous over Antonio Gates’ and Tony Gonzales’ big days yesterday and score for us. Or we’ll just hope for Kordell to out himself before the game and inspire everybody!

PICK!: BAL +13

All Sorts of Crap About the Ravens/Steelers Match-Up

READ MORE: Baltimore Ravens, NFL Betting, Pittsburgh Steelers

· Covers goes ATS over everything from Big Ben, to Cowher. [Covers]
· Be wary of the Steeler’s run defense if you’re betting the first quarter line. They take a while to lock down. But if your’e betting the first quarter lines with 3-3 ATS, well, you have a fucking problem anyway. [Covers]
· Steelers are 10-0 at home on Monday Night? That should be enough. [ABCNews]
· One-time offensive mastermind Brian Billick is the main reason the Ravens’ offense is putrid, according to this article. We’re sure his ego is nonplussed by things like this, however. [MSNBC]
· This is still the Cleveland Browns versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. [PennLive]
· The Ravens Insider has some enlightening keys to the game for the Baltimore Ravens like “tackle” and “score some points.” [RavensInsider]
· Thirteen points with no Ray Lewis and no Ed Reed for Baltimore is still a tricky play. Rivalry game, et al. [Covers]

Chopping Lines: Mean Machine Invades Bourbon Street

READ MORE: Baltimore Ravens, Chopping Lines, NFL Betting, New Orleans Saints, The Venetian

(Guest selection from The Venetian)

Baltimore Ravens (0-2-0)

Best Line: New Orleans -1

Brian Billick appears to enjoy challenges. The man once considered an offensive guru has seen fit to pair his world-class defenses with quarterbacks that would define mediocrity. Once again, the coach is trying to get us on board the Kyle Boller train, but tickets are definitely available. On the other hand, Boller’s primary duties this season will once again be handing the ball off to Jamal Lewis and driving him to his parole officer, so maybe his Dilfer-esque skills will suffice.

Just as Billick has appeared to lose all sense of offense after taking over a head coaching job, Jim Haslett appears to have forgotten how to coach defense down in Cajunland. Couple that with the enigmatic offense, an immensely talented group that shoots itself in the foot far too often, and you have the recipe for a coach on the hot seat. Aaron Brooks is in year five of the “if he can only cut down on the interceptions, we’ll have ourselves a QB” experiment, Deuce McAllister is running behind a revamped O-line, and Joe Horn is, well, Joe Horn. The talent is there, but it’s been there before and it hasn’t mattered. There is no good reason this team should not win the NFC South. Of course, don’t quote us on that when they finish 8-8.

Watching the Saints offense against the Ravens defense should keep you glued to the seat. Watching the Ravens offense against the Saints defense will make you wish you’d used Elmer’s instead of Super Glue. Who to take? Call Adrian McPherson’s bookie first to be sure, but we like the Saints.

Venetian PICK!: Saints