Wild Card Weekend

I failed to write my picks last week because the holiday threw off my schedule. So to look back, I had a terrible week 16, going just 3-13 for my worst week of the year by far. I didn’t have a chance to attempt to get my season record back up to .500 in week 17, but I assure you I would not have gone 14-2, which I needed to end at .500. All of this is okay, because now it is the playoffs and it is time to make money.

Well, it is time to bet more on games and potentially lose money. My over confidence in Alabama beating Ohio State didn’t really pay off, but I don’t even pretend to know anything about college football. I do pretend to know stuff about the NFL.

Last week: 0-0
Week 16: 3-13
Lock of the Week: 9-7
Season: 111-125-3
Home team in CAPS

PANTHERS (-6.5) over Cardinals

Yes, the team with a sub-.500 record is favored by the most points of anyone this weekend. But, as a fellow sub-.500 season, the Panthers are my spirit team. We can still achieve success despite past failures, this is America damnit!

More importantly, the Panthers are hot and will be playing against Ryan Lindley on the road. The Cardinals defense is great, but better against the pass than the run and the Panthers have been running the ball well to close the season. My only question is will the Panthers score enough to cover a spread that is nearly a touchdown? I believe it will be close.

Final score prediction: Panthers 20, Cardinals 13


STEELERS (-3) over Ravens

Last time these two played Big Ben threw for 340 yards and six touchdowns, while I don’t expect a repeat of that performance, it is clear that the Ravens weakness is their secondary and Pittsburgh can pass all over them.

Additionally, the Steelers have covered in their last four games while the Ravens have failed to cover in three straight and four of their last five. Baltimore certainly has the talent to win this game and Bell’s injury status is a bit of a concern, but not enough to sway me away from the Steelers.

Final score prediction: Steelers 31, Ravens 23


Bengals (+3.5) over COLTS

I know the Bengals don’t win playoffs games and Andy Dalton on the road, etc., etc. But Cincinnati is a superior team across the board. They should manhandle the Colts offensive line and shut down the running game completely. On the other side of the ball, Hill and Bernard should both have solid games against the Colts weak front seven. If Dalton can avoid giving the game away, the only way the Colts win is with a HUGE game from Luck. Of course it is entirely possible that Luck does have a huge game and the Bengals lose in the first round again, but I think Cincy finally gets a win.

Final score prediction: Bengals 20, Colts 17


Lions (+6.5) over COWBOYS

Detroit is the only defensive line in the league capable of standing toe-to-toe with the Dallas offensive line. If they can find a way to minimize the Cowboys run game and keep pressure on Romo, they will have every chance to win.

I know the Cowboys ended the season hot and I fully believe they are the only NFC team capable of winning in Seattle, but they’ll need to get past the Lions first and it is going to be harder than most people believe it will. Of course the Lions are the Lions and Jim Caldwell is coaching on the road. Still, it stays close.

Finals score prediction: Cowboys 26, Lions 24