January 2, 2015: Calling All Bets

As we sit on the eve of the NFL playoffs, it’s time to give a potential new feature a test run.  I will be picking each game of the NFL playoffs against the spread.

I have a little experience doing this, not all of it good.  You see, I have a serious problem of picking my heart over my head.  If you know anything about me, or read any of my fantasy picks this year, I tend to let my emotions come into play anything sports related.  If you know anything about gambling, you know that usually spells disaster.  My biggest loss occurred in the NFL playoffs back in 2005.  It was then that our beloved Bears were hosting the Carolina Panthers.  I was sure that the Bears would beat them (and cover) that day.  I was so sure that I did a long write up on the game on covers.com… ahhh, the good old days.  I was so sure, that I doubled my original game bet, and took the Bears at the half.  Mind you, I barely remember making that bet since I was half in the bag.  Later on that game, someone threw up in a bowl of popcorn…. I’m not mentioning any names.  And NO, it wasn’t me… you think I was the only one getting tanked up during the game?  Needless to say I lost my arse on that one, and validated another important lesson, don’t mix drinking and gambling… although I have made that work a few times…

So we’ll try to keep the emotion (and alcohol) out of it as we look at this year’s matchups.  I left my anger about the Bears season in 2014, and now, I’m ready to enjoy the NFL playoffs.  I’m going to use the current lines as of this post on Vegas Insider.  I’m going heads up with you Papa Vegas!  Let the games begin!

Arizona Cardinals +6 over Carolina Panthers

This game was maybe the most difficult for me to pick.  You have a team that has been great all year relying on their 3rd string QB going on the road to face the only playoff team under .500 that has won 4 straight games.  My initial thought was to ride the hot hand, but something tells me the Cardinals and Bruce Arians will be ready in this one.  The Arizona defense is superb, and will have to carry the Cards as far as they go in this postseason.  What better team to start against then these Panthers out of the hapless NFC South division.  Yeah, Carolina beat up on Atlanta in the Georgia Dome last week, but that’s buying me some more points here.  A spread that opened at 4.5 has moved 1.5 towards Carolina.  I think this line comes down closer to game time, but… it would be great to have a full TD here.  I’ll take the 6, and root for the overall better team, regardless of their QB situation.

Baltimore Ravens +3.5 over Pittsburgh Steelers

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Indianapolis Colts -3.5 over Cincinnati Bengals

The Colts were my preseason Super Bowl pick… you don’t want to know my NFC pick.  At this point, I have to stick with them, although the Patriots really look like the team to beat.  This game line moved in a big way to Cincy.  This game opened at -6; all of that “smart” Cincy money is the cause of this?  Papa Vegas, you messing with me on this game?  I seem to remember the Colts pummeling the Bengals earlier this year in Indy, which makes this line even more fishier.  Now Jeremy Hill will be the feature back in this one, over Giovanni, but I still don’t think it matters.  I’m taking the bait, and laying the points here, although for some strange reason I’m thinking Colts by 3…  buy that hook to play it safe!

Detroit Lions +7 over Dallas Cowboys

Possibly a contest between the 2 teams I hate worst after the Pack (I hate the Seahawks a lot too).  OK, I said I would keep my emotion out of it.  That being said, I think this is a close game.  I still think Dallas pulls it out, but the Lions may have the run defense to limit the Boys run game.  It was nice that the suspension for Suh was reduced to a fine.  For the record, I definitely think what Raiola did was more dirty than what Suh did this past Sunday.  Raiola was looking right at Ego’s leg, while Suh kind of was feeling out where he was… trying to find that injured Rodgers leg.  And since it was Rodgers that he stepped on, I can’t be that mad at him…  After all, he may be playing DL for the Bears next year…  Back to this contest, so Tony “Brokeback” Romo will be forced to throw more…  Against anybody else, I predict the Cowboys collapse, but against the choke artist Lions, I still think they pull it out, and maybe this close win actually sparks a run for the Boys in these playoffs.  Still have to favor Seattle and Green Bay over them in the NFC, but I may find myself rooting for the Cowboys in the NFC if they can get past the Lions… That’s scary.

So there they are.  3 road teams and 1 home team.  3 underdogs and 1 favorite.  Follow these picks at your own risk.  You got some better picks?  Lets hear them. Enjoy the playoffs!