Steelers/Cards, Super Bowl Preseason Re-Match.
How often has last years’ Super Bowl teams met this season in a preseason contest? You might be surprised! I would suggest geography would be a primary factor as preseason schedules are determined long before anyone could predict the outcome of last seasons Super Bowl teams.
This scenario is “live” Thursday August 13 when the Steelers at – 3 (O/U 34) host the Cardinals.
Ø To make a long story short, I revisited my preseason data and took this potential, “That was then, this is now ATS results” back 30 years. This will be the 13th time this Super Bowl/preseason re-match has occurred and the sixth time this Millennium. So, is there an angle here? Did last seasons straight up Super Bowl winner cover the preseason spread, and did the game go over or under the total?
Ø Well, if each team is playing their first preseason game the total is 8 – 4 when betting on the over but a mediocre 4 – 4 the last eight contests. Please note that Green Bay was playing their second game in 1997 as the Packers played in the Hall of Fame game vs. Miami on Saturday July 26 and then hosted New England on Thursday July 31. With only four days off between contests, that re-match was a yawner, as GB won vs. NE, 07–03.
Ø If the home team is a favorite of 3 or less points the host is 04–01–02 ATS and 04–03 to the over.
Ø The straight up Super Bowl winner is also 07–03–03 ATS and 07–02–03 ATS if you “kick-out” that short week Green Bay/New England game.
Ø If the Super Bowl straight up winner also covered the spread they are 06–01–02 ATS. That scenario is not live in this contest as Pittsburgh won but didn’t cover the number.
Ø Teams that failed to cover or pushed ATS in the Super Bowl are 01–02–01 ATS in the re-match.
Ø This isn’t a Monday night affair but one should note that all five prior re-match Monday night games sailed over the total.
Here’s a review of the previous contests. The preseason games are noted in bold and the previous Super Bowl scores are noted in red.
An asterisk next to the home team indicates a Monday night contest.
2009, WK 1, PIT – 3 H. vs. ARI, won ATS 20 - 10 & UN 33. (08, PIT 28 – 24 vs. ARI)
2008, WK 4, GIA – 2½ H vs. NE, won ATS 19–14 & UN 35. (07, GIA 17–14 vs. NE)
2007, WK 2, IND* + 3 H vs. CHI, push 24–27 & OV 37½. (06, IND 29–17 vs. CHI)
2003, WK 3, CAR – 3 H vs. NE, push 20–17 & OV 36. (02, NE 32–29 vs. CAR)
2001, WK 4, BAL – 3½ H vs. GIA, won 38–09 & OV 30½. (00, BAL 34–07 vs. GIA)
2000, WK 2, TEN* – 2 H vs. STL, won 30–03 & UN 41½. (09, STL 23–16 vs TEN)
1998, WK 2, DEN* – 3 H vs. GB, push 34–31 & OV 41½. (97, DEN 31–24 vs. GB)
1997, WK 1 Game 2, GB –6 H vs. NE, lost ATS 07–03 & UN 36½. (96, GB 35–21 vs. NE)
1995, WK 2, SD + 4 H vs. SF, lost 06–17 & UN 41. (94, SF 49–26 vs. SD)
1991, WK 1 GIA* - 1½ H vs. BUF, won 23–17 & OV 35½. (90, GIA 20–19 vs. BUF)
1990, WK 3, DEN* pick H vs. SF, lost 24–27 & OV 37. (89, SF 55–10 vs. DEN)
1984, WK 2, WAS – 4 H vs. OAK, lost 20–21 & OV 35½. (83, OAK 38–09 vs. WAS)
1983, WK 3, WAS – 1½ H vs. MIA, lost 07–38 & OV 38. (82, WAS 27–17 vs. MIA)
