Do I smell Wild Card upsets? You bet! (I know I will.)
2018 was another good harvest on the NFL Pick ‘Em Farm!
I capped off the regular season by going 26-6 over the final two weeks (14-2 last week) to finish 161-93-2 (.633). That’s four wins more than last year and only eight wins off my all-time record (in 2011).
Now the Playoffs are here and both of my predicted Super Bowl entrants (from last August, I might add), are still alive. (Rams v. Ravens.)
*****Saturday*****
Indianapolis at Houston
4:35p, ESPN, Houston -2
Courtesy: Stampede Blue
The poor Texans. They have neither franchise longevity nor respect. Both conspired to keep them from getting a coveted prime-time Sunday playoff spot. The consolation prize? The team’s best season in its short history (since 2002). And they still get to play at home.
Meanwhile, the Colts–an up-and-down outfit before they got Luck back–have reversed fortunes. Put another way, Indy is hot, and ‘hot’ is what I look for in making playoff picks.
So, riding the hot hand, I’ll take the Colts and watch Houston suffer yet another postseason heartbreak.
Indianapolis 26, Houston 20
Seattle at Dallas
6:15p, FOX, Dallas -1.5
Want predictability? Well, consider this. These two teams have met three times since 2015, twice in Dallas, and the Seahawks have won all three games. The Seahawks aren’t intimidated by cavernous AT&T Stadium, probably because their home, CenturyLink Field, is even noisier.
Courtesy: Bloggingtheboys.com
But those things aside, there’s free agency, injuries, and the salary cap. All three have conspired against Seattle’s defense and offensive line. Dallas is now stronger in both areas, particularly the former. On offense, the Cowboys are doing much better these days: Dak Prescott is more accurate and ‘Boys traded for the electrifying Amari Cooper. The return of the speedy Tavon Austin will help the Dallas cause, as will Cole Beasley’s continued development.
The Cowboys are better on both sides of the ball even though, per history, Seattle always gives them a battle.
Dallas 30, Seattle 17
*****Sunday*****
Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore
1:05p, CBS, Baltimore -2
Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson will become the youngest signal-caller to ever start a playoff game. And he’ll do it by leading a team that hasn’t hosted a postseason contest since 2012, and he’ll be seeing an opponent in a return match for the very first time.
Courtesy: ChatSports
The teams met in Week 16 in Los Angeles when the Chargers had some of their offensive weapons just returning from injuries. I expect wideout Keenan Allen and running back Melvin Gordon to have better games this time, but it probably won’t be enough against an aggressive Ravens’ defense.
Of course, LAC will have Philip Rivers and they’ll try adjusting to Jackson’s mobility, but…. The Ravens’ run attack is dynamic and its defense strong.
Baltimore 23, Los Angeles Chargers 16
Philadelphia at Chicago
4:40p. NBC, Chicago -6
Baltimore and Indianapolis aren’t the only hot teams now. So are the Eagles.
Courtesy: Business Insider
It won’t be easy for Philadelphia, though, to be playing on the road in a cold-weather city with rabid fans. But that describes the Eagles’ home, too. Besides, something happens to this team when Nick Foles gets under center. He transforms a seemingly average bunch into a Super Bowl-caliber team. Heck, he might not even notice that Khalil Mack is on the other side of the ball.
The Philly defense has been riddled with injuries, but can the Bears take advantage? QB Mitch Trubisky will be playing in his first playoff game.
The Eagles haven’t played like defending Super Bowl champs for most of the season. But, just at the right time, they are now.
Philadelphia 17, Chicago 13
