OK, back to the rest of the Wild Card games this weekend; let’s go!
Buffalo Bills -9.5 vs Pittsburgh Steelers
If you think the weather in Kansas City is going to be bad, let’s check this bad boy out. Yes, the cold, the snow, and maybe most importantly, the wind in Buffalo is an SOB. How does this impact the game? Well, you can’t use the “visitor doesn’t play well in cold weather” argument… In this one, I’m looking at the QB matchup: Josh Allen vs Mason Rudolph. Enough said. The Bills hosting a game? Heck, they weren’t guaranteed a playoff spot until the final week of the season. They stumbled through the first part of the season, and then, with their backs against the wall, they fired their OC, and saved their season. Now, they get to host a team that in some folks’ opinion, shouldn’t even be in the playoffs. Well, what about the Steelers defense? It is very good, but, and this isn’t just a small but, it’s a BIG BUT… no TJ Watt. Now when a star RB or WR is out, everybody gets worried; obviously, the absence of a starting QB is the biggest impact. But what about a defensive player? Well, if there is any defensive player in the league whose absence will impact the game, it’s this guy. I don’t care if the wind is 100 MPH, and actually, the higher the better for the Bills actually… The Bills got this game; question is… will they cover?
Bills -9.5
Dallas Cowboys -7 vs Green Bay Packers
If there are two teams that I hate more in the NFL, I don’t know them. Although the Cowboys are my 2nd most hated team in the NFL, the gap between them and #1 is large, like the state of Texas large. I hate the Packers with every ounce of my being. So yeah, let’s pound the Cowboys here, and hope they pound the Packers; that sounds beautiful. But… maybe I use a little reverse psychology. I haven’t heard many people make the case for Green Bay in this game. How will they stop the Cowboys? The Cowboys are unbeatable at home. Dak to Ceedee Lamb all day. Yada, yada, yada… Nothing is being said about the Packers. Maybe for good reason? I think they’re a fraud, but when it’s these games, and you can’t make a case for the other team, well, let me tell you… it’s probably that team that will surprise you. I’m hoping I get can get my cake and eat it too with this one. A Cowboys win by less than 7. At the very worst, I jinx the Packers and they get smashed. I missed the 7.5… expect to get those points closer to game time… waiting, but the bet will be.
Packers plus the points
Detroit Lions -3 vs Los Angeles Rams
If there was one game that I love more than this one this weekend, I don’t know it. I love, absolutely love Detroit in this spot. Rams one of the hottest teams in the league; Stafford ex-QB… who by the way, will be playing his first game in the playoffs in Detroit… with the opposite team. So yeah, cool Verizon commercial and all, shouting out to Detroit when the Rams won the Super Bowl, but… you did nothing there; Goff has the chance to. The home crowd in Detroit will be absolutely rocking in this one. I don’t even need to dive into further analysis here; I don’t care what any of it says. The only thing I fear is Detroit winning by less than 3; they could screw me there. Maybe I go ML… I’m waiting until game time for this one too… hoping to get a little more Rams money on the game.
Lions minus the points and/or ML
Philadelphia Eagles -3 at Tampa Bay Bucs
There’s no way the Eagles lose in the first round of the playoffs. They were the Super Bowl runner-up. They’re back for blood. They started off that way… 10-1! Yeah, well, they ended up making history. First team ever to have 10 wins in their first 11 games and NOT end up with at least 12 wins. Yes, they lost 5 of their last 6. Should we believe this Philly slide? Are they really going out like that? Well, this is another rematch; they beat Tampa 25-11 back during that 10-1 run. This is a different Eagles team right? What about Tampa? How are you feeling about Baker Mayfield? Speaking about weather, it’s supposed to be bad in Tampa, with rain and humidity. I’m kind of undecided on this one, but for some reason, I’m leaning Bucs… May wait until game time for this one… hope for another point or so…
Bucs plus the points
Back to yesterday’s post for a minute… I went from loving Cleveland, to picking Houston (not placing the bet yet), to now… I think I may be back on Cleveland. If this was a regular season game, it would probably be a no play. But, this is the first playoff game of the year; damn right I’m going to be in on it. As of right now… I’m back on the Cleveland side. More to come… Good luck!
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