The NFL playoffs begin today in the wild card round. It is unique this weekend because all four road teams are favored to win by Vegas. We have two AFC games on Saturday and two NFC games on Sunday. Here I give you my picks against the spread, but not only that, you get our staff picks for the weekend and you can make your score predictions as well.
First the Vegas stuff.
On the season, I finished 129-124-5 after a 7-9 showing the final two weeks of the season. Very average, if you ask me.
But here are my wild card Vegas picks.
Chiefs (-3) at Texans: The one thing about all these games this weekend is, as noted, all four road teams are favored. That has never happened. But historically, home playoff underdogs do well. They are 12-8 ATS and 13-7 straight up in the playoffs. This is one of those games where I like the home team. The Chiefs have won 10 straight, but they haven't beaten anyone worth a damn. In their 10-game streak, they have beaten two winning teams and the last win over a team with a winning record was November 15 against Denver, when Peyton Manning was benched after throwing four interceptions. Houston won seven of nine and hasn't really beaten anyone either since they got consecutive wins over the Bengals and Jets. Losing Duane Brown is very tough for Houston, especially since Justin Houston comes back for the KC defense. This will be a defensive battle and should be kept very close. Texans +3.
Steelers (-2.5) at Bengals: The Steelers' inability to guard the pass is mitigated by the Bengals having A.J. McCarron as the starting quarterback for Cincinnati. But while the history of home dogs says pick Cincy, there is more history -- the Bengals haven't won in the playoffs since I was a teenager. You can't bet on Marvin Lewis or the Bengals, at least to win. That said, with a line less than a field goal, I can't say the Bengal will cover. You have a playoff-tested Ben Roethlisberger against Cincy. Steelers -2.5.
Seahawks (-4.5) at Vikings: No Marshawn Lynch for the Seahawks, who destroyed the Vikings recently. But the weather is expected to be the coldest ever for a playoff game -- a high of 1 degree Fahrenheit. The revenge factor and weather say this will be a close game, but because of the inexperience of Teddy Bridgewater, I can't take the Vikes outright. I will take the points, however. Vikings +4.5.
Packers (-1) at Redskins: This playoff game is destined to be fun, but awful. Washington is playing very well, but has played exactly no one and barely won a terrible NFC East. Green Bay, on the other hand, is playing terribly, getting beaten handily each of the last two weeks. I'd normally say you have to give the edge to the better QB, and Aaron Rodgers is that guy. But he is getting no help. Redskins +1.
Now for staff picks:
|
Wild card games |
KC/HOU |
PIT/CIN |
GB/WAS |
SEA/MIN |
|
Jess Root |
HOU |
PIT |
WAS |
SEA |
|
Seth Cox |
KC |
PIT |
WAS |
SEA |
|
Randy Fields |
HOU |
CIN |
GB |
MIN |
|
Jesse Reynolds |
KC |
PIT |
WAS |
SEA |
|
Robert Norman |
KC |
PIT |
GB |
MIN |
|
Delilah Cassidy |
HOU |
PIT |
WAS |
MIN |
|
Alex Mann |
KC |
CIN |
WAS |
MIN |
|
Michael Ferguson |
KC |
PIT |
WAS |
SEA |
|
Tyler Derby |
HOU |
PIT |
GB |
SEA |
|
Shaun Church |
KC |
PIT |
WAS |
SEA |
|
Skii |
KC |
PIT |
GB |
SEA |
As you can see, the only game where most agree is Steelers/Bengals.
If you were wondering, in Week 17, I went 10-6 and Jesse Reynolds was 8-8, meaning we both tied for the "win" in picking NFL games for the season. Both of us finished 158-98 in all games this year -- a .617 winning percentage.
Now you can make your predictions. Use the widget below and share in the comments.