As the preseason comes to an end, I wanted to revisit my NFL playoff picks for the year. Since I did this over a month ago, how do I feel about my picks? Have I changed opinions? Curious…
Here’s what it looked like back on July 14th: AFC division winners– Chiefs, Dolphins, Texans, and Ravens. AFC wild cards– Bengals, Bills, Titans. NFC division winners– Niners, Eagles, Falcons, and Lions. NFC wild cards– Cowboys, Bucs, and Bears. Let’s take a look at the teams that are NOT included in this group; do I feel that should change?
I want to start at the very bottom of the barrel, the New England Patriots; they are going to be dog-shit… pretty sure of that. Can’t say I’m upset about that; hope it lasts a couple decades. Staying in the AFC, teams that I think have no shot this year are the Raiders, Chargers, Broncos, Colts, and Steelers. Yes, the Broncos have some steam coming out of the preseason… I’m just not buying it. The Steelers? Woof. The Chargers… may be good in a year or two. The Raiders and Colts… not a fan. That leaves a few teams in the middle: the Jets, the Browns, and the Jags. The Jets are a crap shoot; they could catapult into the playoffs. IF that was the case, maybe the Bills are the odd team out. If the Jags and/or Browns were to jump up, maybe my upset playoff pick of the Titans would fall out, although even a month later, I still feel good about the Titans this year. This is why I worry about the Week 1 matchup vs the Bears.
On the NFC side of things, I think the bottom of the barrel starts with the Carolina Panthers. I don’t doubt they’ll be better; how much better? Not much. Some folks are talking them up; I like their new head coach too, but… still at the bottom of the conference IMO. Other teams that I think have zero shot are the Vikings and Saints. This leaves a little bit more of a middle in the NFC. The Packers, Rams, Seahawks, and Cardinals are left. Of course, the Packers could get in over the Bears, or WITH the Bears, but I’m not buying Jordan Love and this team in general. Hard to say I’m not biased here, but… they certainly overachieved last year; I don’t think they improve upon that performance. The Rams I think will decline, while the Seahawks and Cards get a bump up; what will that mean at the end of the day? I don’t think any of them surpass the Niners, but maybe the NFC West does get a wild card entry. Shit, what about the Giants and Commanders? Hmmm…
I think based on all of this, I should go back and play some win totals; add some long term bets to my portfolio… since it has worked so well in the past. This is my only hesitation in doing so… THAT and the fact that my bankroll is limited. Still, I do have some opinions… I have done my homework. I will return with my season win total plays, if/when I do make them. Until then, patience… opening day of the NFL is almost here, and all of this will get sorted out.
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