Sports

It’s a divisional ‘dog’ day

Today

Ravens (+9 1/2) over BRONCOS; Over 46:

You have to remember the Ravens had their January hand largely made and melded, a month out … so they could wait on their healing big names (especially on defense) while absorbing that horrendous Week 15 home loss to the Broncos. Don’t let that no-show throw you off the scent. Now, Ray Lewis, Daniel Ellerbe, Marshal Yanda, Bernard Pollard and Terrell Suggs are back in harness, breathing fire.

Peyton Manning’s hand-picked 2012 vehicle defeated two winning teams all season: these Ravens and the offensively limited Bengals. Outside of their AFC West patsies, they held no one under two touchdowns.

Even in Manning’s nine straight wins over the Ravens as a starter, he never threw for more than 300 yards in a game. Manning is unlikely to be aided by the 20-degree cold. Outdoors in cold weather (sub-40-degrees), he has rung up an 0-3 postseason record, with one TD pass and seven picks. Figuring some of that Lewis emotion/Last Chance Saloon desperation carries over, and Joe Flacco throws the deep ball like we know he can, look out. John Fox, as big chalk?

Ravens, 27-24

Packers (+3) over 49ERS; Under 45:

Sluggish from the gate, the Packers lost their home opener to San Francisco, which set up revenge scenario at which Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy are beyond deadly. California boy Rodgers loved the Niners as a kid, but the 49ers took Alex Smith with their No. 1 pick in 2005. The Packers have made up ground since, and though the home favorite’s pass rush is a huge concern, Rodgers has been triple sharp of late and up to the task.

The healthy Packers are on the glory road (Rodgers 3-1 in previous postseasons away from Lambeau) to redeem themselves after 2011 … against Colin Kaepernick, a big-armed quarterback untested at this level, with only one impressive home win (32-7, over the Bears) all season.

Packers, 24-16

LAST WEEK: 3-1 ATS; 2-2 O/U

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