The playoffs are here. I don't have to think about the Cowboys anymore (that sound you just heard was Jerry Jones laughing) and the annual playoff challenge is go!! Last year I went 11-2 against the spread in all the playoffs, marking my best challenge to date. My only losses were the Joe Flacco Browns and the Cowboys because of course they were. Without my favorite team here to screw all up, I think I have a good chance to go 13-0 which has been the goal for almost a decade now. Also, this time I don't get to bet against Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers who went 1-3 against the spread last year and STILL made the Super Bowl. Here are the games and their opening lines: Chargers vs. Texans (+3) Steelers vs. Ravens (-9.5) Broncos vs. Bills (-8.5) Packers vs. Eagles (-4.5) Commanders vs. Buccaneers (-3) Vikings vs. Rams (+1.5) So right out of the bat we have 2 home underdogs. That's intersting. You know at least 1 underdog is winning alright. Maybe even 2 now that there are 6 games. I'll be analyzing this during the week, talking about it to myself, and will post the picks by friday...maybe thursday. Fridays can get busy around here. So here we go. Good luck to the surviving GIF teams, the Bucs and the Eagles (but not really).
The picks are in. I don't want to think about it anymore...at least until saturday XD. All home teams in caps: Chargers (-3) over TEXANS If anyone can fight off the Charges playoff curse, that's Jim Harbaugh. Now that he coaches a team I don't hate, I can really appreciate what he does and how he does it, and I really like it. I feel like the Texans regressed a little this year, alongside CJ Stroud. Justin Herbert would be the best QB in the world if he played in the NFC but here he's not even the best in his division. He's still great, though. I expect the Chargers to take care of business. Steelers (+10) over RAVENS This line is too high!! TOO DAMN HIGH!!! Have you ever watched these teams play each other? Have you ever seen a third match-up in the playoffs? Have you seen Lamar's playoff record? Don't get me wrong, I still expect the Ravens to win, but it will be close. Maybe even in overtime. The Steelers just won't quit...and they could even surprise everyone. Sorry, two digits is too much. Can't do it. BILLS (-8.5) over Broncos Don't overthink this. The Broncos are this year's "we're just happy to be here" team. Sean Payton did an amazing job with this team, and I'm sorry if I ever said outloud that he was washed...because I know I thought it. Josh Allen is my MVP pick because Lamar stole the award last year and they shouldn't give him another one. This might be this round's blow out. Lay the points, thank me later... EAGLES (-4.5) over Packers The Packers as the 7 seed, on the road, against the 2 seed and NFC East champion. Why does it sound so familiar? Well...the Eagles are not the Cowboys. Jordan Love is banged up. Lightning doesn't strike twice, right? The Eagles should take this one, even easily, but I feel uneasy about it. Nah...like I said, don't overthink it... BUCCANEERS (-3) over Redsk...I mean Comamanders Speaking of "happy to be here", the Commanders got rid of Dan Snyder and look happy for the first time in decades. Look at their fans. I know a few...we talk a lot of thrash...they're happy, man!! They got rid of the owner, found their QB, found their coach...maybe they're a year or two away, and will just enjoy the ride for as long as it lasts. I'm picking the Bucs with Baker Mayfield and his never ending revenge tour. They might win the NFC south and be the 3 or 4 seed every year for the next decade. RAMS (pick'em) over Vikings I went back and forth with this one a dozen times during the week and looks like the books did too. It has settled as a pick'em game. When in doubt, look at the QB match-ups. Cinderella Darnold vs. Super Bowl Champion Matt Stafford. A well rested Rams team vs. a Vikings team that played late in the last week. Sean McVay black magic. Yeah...I'll go with the Rams. I'm just not sure about the Vikings... Last year: 11-2
My rooting interests this weekend: Chargers at Texans - I don't care much about who wins this one. I just hope the game is entertaining. Steelers at Ravens - I really would like to see the Steelers pull off the upset. The Ravens are such a dangerous offense that I would like to see eliminated. Broncos at Bills - I would like to see the Broncos at least make a game of it. The Bills advancing would make the next round more interesting though. Packers at Eagles - I think the Eagles will win, but I think it may be tough. With Hurts playing for the first time in 4 weeks and AJ Brown not practicing this week, I'm worried about how they start the game. The defense will probably have to carry the team early. I think we are better along both lines and that should be enough to eventually come out on top. Commanders at Buccaneers - I am so torn on this one. The Bucs have owned the Eagles so I kind of would like them get knocked off. It's tough for me to root for Washington though. I guess I'll just hope both teams look sloppy. Vikings at Rams - I don't care who wins this game. I would hope that it's a close game but I won't be able to watch anyway.
I think they already moved the game to Arizona. The situation in California is absolutely awful. Many changes are going to come of this. Such incompetence by the government.
Alrighty, boys and girls... My official NFL playoff preview, in the form of a draft. Happy gambling, boys! The Most Important Football Draft Ever: A Playoff Contest - Sports Chump
Jordan Love has thrown 2 picks and the Packers are only down 10-3. Last year Dak threw 2 picks by this same point in the game and already was in a 38-7 hole. It's a team sport.
Eagles defense won the game for an inconsistent Hurts. Packers injuries during the game were a shame. Survive and advance. Bills-Ravens is going to be a fun one next week.
Stupid Commanders pulling the road upset. I knew it was coming when all the home teams were winning but I kinda hoped it could be the Vikings. I'm 2-3, my challenge is in ashes (bad choice of words, sorry) and need a Rams win to at least break even...
I have no idea what these people are doing. They let a week of interviews go by, deny a request to interview McCarthy (24 hours after it was done), and now they're letting him walk?!?! Jerry Jones is either incompetent or just an a$$hole. An incompetent a$$hole. This organization, man...who in their right minds would accept this job? Are we heading to another Dave Campo or Wade Phillips?!?!
Best 8 teams are left (excluding tonight's game) Bucs just couldn't put it together. Lost the TOP battle and that was all she wrote. Grrrrr!
The name that repeats a lot in the "who will be the next Cowboys coach?" conversation is Kellen Moore. Like it was always intended. I said Campo of Phillips but didn't even consider the worst possible outcome: a new Jason Garrett. Why can't we be a normal team, man?
Philly sports radio keeps talking about it with varying opinions if we want him to leave or not. It's pretty much 50/50 with fans.
Deion Sanders seems to be the leading candidate for the Cowboys job and I just hope I fell for a fake news tweet. Or...several fake news tweets.
