Steelers get little love, could be lost at home

The Pittsburgh Steelers have won five Super Bowls and own a rich history of NFL playoff success, yet they are not getting much love for today’s NFL wild-card game against Jacksonville.

The Steelers, who won the AFC North with a 10-6 record, are 2 1/2-point underdogs even with the game being played at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field.

According to the betting chart on theSpread.com, the Jaguars have received 70% of the bets against the spread.

Why the disrespect? Let’s start with key injuries for the Steelers, who will play without Pro Bowl running back Willie Parker, defensive end Aaron Smith and two offensive tackles.

Pittsburgh also has a few negative betting trends to overcome. The Steelers are 1-4 against the spread in their last five home playoff games and are 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games vs. AFC teams.

Then there are the streaking Jaguars, who have won seven of their last eight games, including a 29-22 victory at Pittsburgh on Dec. 16. In that game, Jacksonville pounded the Steelers on the ground, rushing for 224 yards behind Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew.

The Jaguars, who are 11-5 and finished behind Indianapolis in the AFC South, also have a couple of positive betting trends working. Jacksonville has won three in a row over the Steelers and covered the point spread in each game, including the last two played at Heinz Field.

And during the regular season, the Jaguars were 11-5 against the spread, including an 8-2 mark over their final 10 games. Jacksonville is also 5-0 against the spread in its last five games against teams with winning records, and is 6-0 against the spread in its last six games as a favorite.

Last note: The Steelers are 4-0 against the spread in their last four playoff games -- all played in their run to the Super Bowl title in 2005.

The Seattle Seahawks are 3 1/2 -point home favorites over Washington in today’s other wild-card game, which features two teams riding strong betting trends.

The Redskins, who were 9-7 during the regular season but won their last four games with Todd Collins at quarterback, are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games as an underdog of 3 1/2 to 10 points.

Seattle, which won the NFC West with a 10-6 record, is 5-0 against the spread in its last five games as a home favorite.

College football

Ray Rice is Rutgers’ all-time leading rusher and Ball State’s defense finished the regular season ranked 99th in the nation against the run, giving up nearly 200 yards a game.

That’s the key reason why the Scarlet Knights are listed as 10 1/2 -point favorites for today’s International Bowl in Toronto. According to Wagerline.com’s betting trend, Rutgers has picked up 70.45% of the bets against the spread.

lonnie.white@latimes.com