Crazy NFL Playoff Gambling Column Part Deux

Well, if you listened to my advice last week and did the opposite of me, you are a happy person.

Yes I had an awful week, but my Broncos won and at the end of the day isn't that all the really matters..? Ya, guess not.

I am going to quickly give my picks, giving you the opportunity once again to do the opposite and make some real money this weekend.

1. The game that is starting in about 15 minutes excites me for one reason, and that is I absolutely love New Orleans. I put a wager on them weeks ago to win the Super Bowl, and I am feeling incredibly good about this. I understand Jim Harbaugh has his guys playing phenomenal defense and timely offense, but they haven't ran into the offensive juggernaut that is the New Orleans Saints. If this game was being played in a cold, frigid environment, I might think about SF, but unfortunately they play in beautiful California.

I'm taking the Saints -3.5, and I feel good about it.

2. I love my Broncos, I love Tebow, I love the magic that comes with this team. I can't pick them straight up, but I see this game closer than their first meeting.

Denver +14 sounds good to me.

3. This Texans team has been a great story.

Unfortunately, I think they are really going to miss Matt Schaub tomorrow. The Ravens eat rookie QB's for dinner, and I just can't envision a scenario that has T.J. Yates overcoming the nerves of a road playoff game and the tough Ravens D. I think Joe Flacco knows what playoff football is about, and I think he knows that means to get the ball to Ray Rice and get the hell out of his way.

I like the Ravens -7.5.


4. Biggest game of the weekend. Upset special for many as well.

The Giants have proven that they need to be taken seriously. I think Jacobs and Bradshaw will show up big time in this contest, and make a major difference for the Giants. I have a tough time picking the Pack to lose at Lambeau, but I think this game is close just like their first meeting.

Giants +7/5, with GB winning.

Good Luck to everyone this weekend, and most important.. GO Broncos!

-John

Crazy NFL Playoff Gambling Column

I don't know which is more to blame for not posting on this blog for a while. I could use my laziness as an easy and passable excuse, but that's just too obvious. Or I could say I was busy, but that is just a full fledged lie.

Let's just go with laziness. Something that we all seem to have problems with. It is also something we will not be seeing on the field this weekend during the NFL Wild Card playoff round (how about that god awful transition).

I enjoy to do a little gambling from time to time, and while I absolutely do not consider myself an expert, I do like to believe that I have a reasonable idea of what I am doing. Then again when it comes to gambling, no one really knows what they are doing. 

If there is one thing we learn every year from Wild Card Weekend, it is that all 4 favorites rarely cover, let alone win and advance. We always seem to see an upset or two. Last year alone, 3 of the 4 winners were road teams, while the lone home winner, Seattle at +10, was the biggest underdog of all. We also know that how a team finishes the season does matter when it comes to making a playoff run. Teams like the 2007 Giants and 2010 Packers ended their seasons on winning streaks in order to get a playoff birth, and both came away winning the Super Bowl.

Anyways, here are my picks for this weekend, which will inevitably be wrong and cost me money that I do not have.

Saturday 1/7

Bengals +4 @ Texans

I really think the Bengals win this game outright. It took an amazing 2 minute drill by T.J. Yates and co. to beat Cincy during the regular season, and I honestly can't see the Bengals letting that happen again. Expect Arian Foster and Ben Tate to run the ball like crazy, but this Bengals defense is good enough to keep them in check. I can't trust Yates nearly as much as I can Andy Dalton, who has shown to be a very promising young quarterback in this league. Bengals find a way to pull this one out in a close one, and those taking the Moneyline bet are very happy. Bengals 20 Texans 17

Lions +10.5 @ Saints

I think this game is incredibly interesting. The Saints come in as the hottest team in Football, but the Matthew Stafford led Lions are no joke offensively. I see a lot of points scored (even though I love the under of 59.5 points, which is the highest O/U in the history of the Wild Card round) and both Quarterbacks will play well. The Saints will absolutely win this game in my opinion, but I have a hard time seeing this Lions team going down without a fight. Even if this game is out of hand, expect Detroit to throw the rock until the clock reads 0:00. I take the crazy amount of points, but pick the Saints to win straight up. Saints 30 Lions 24

Sunday 1/8

Falcons @ Giants -3

A classic game involving a team coming off a huge win to get into the playoffs. The Giants had to fight and claw to get themselves into this Wild Card round, and I think that gives them a great advantage. The home field factor will be difficult for Matt Ryan and his offense, especially outdoors in the New York (very un-January like) weather. Expect Eli to have another big day throwing the football and the Giants win this one and win it easily. Giants 27 Falcons 17

Steelers -8.5 @ Broncos

This one hurts. I love my Broncos, I love Tim Tebow, I love the home field advantage in Denver, but I just cannot see how this game is won by Denver. The key to this game for Denver is 3rd and shorts. They have to limit the 3rd and 7s,8s,9,s etc. to give #15 a chance to somehow keep this thing close. Big Ben is suffering with a high ankle sprain, making him much easier for Von Miller, Elvis Dumervil and co. to put a hurting on the Miami Ohio grad. At the end of the day though, Pittsburgh has been here before, Ben has played hurt and played well when hurt, and the Denver Broncos are backing into the playoffs after losing their last 3. I think Tebow plays better than most think, but it may come after the game has already been decided. Pittsburgh takes this game and cover the spread, but barely. Steelers 20 Broncos 10

If anything, do the exact opposite of these picks and you will be sure to win some money! Good luck to everyone and enjoy the football!

-John

NFL Playoff Extravaganza

It is playoff time in the NFL, and this means I am ready to give you all my input whether you want to see it or not. Many moons ago, I wrote a Halfway Home post and ranked all 32 teams and gave my playoff seeding predictions. I figure now is as good a time as any to get back on the writing and make my playoffs predictions and crown a Super Bowl Champion. So without further adieu, here it goes.

Winners in Red
Wild Card Weekend

Cincinnati vs. Houston
   Houston has had a great year, but I cannot see them getting by the Bengals in the first round. This game is certainly a one and done game in my eyes anyway. I just don't see Yates (or possibly Jake Delhomme) carrying the Texans to a win.

Detroit vs. New Orleans
   New Orleans won't fall victim to a first round exit like last year. Plain and Simple.

Pittsburgh vs. Denver
   I cant pick a NFL quarterback who has a hard time completing 10 passes in a full game come playoff time. The magical season ends here for the Denver Tebows.

Atlanta vs. New York (Giants)

   Giants played a very tough second half schedule this year, lucky for them Eli Manning came to play this year. Don't be surprised if he leads them very far.

Divisional Playoffs

Cincinnati vs. New England
   Patriots defense has been atrocious this season, but that should not stop them from coming away with a win against the Bengals.

New Orleans vs. San Francisco
   This game is sure to be exciting. Having said that, I am taking Drew Brees.

Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore
   Steelers have suffered too many injuries to play in a third game with their most hated rivals. No running game now that Mendenhall is out, and a shaken up Big Ben, does not make the Steelers very appealing for me.

New York (Giants) vs. Green Bay
   Giants/Packers Round 2. Should be the same outcome. Although I would expect a great game. Once again, I will not be surprised to see Eli lead the Giants to a victory.

Conference Championships

Baltimore vs. New England
   Can't see "Joe Cool" leading the Ravens past the Patriots. Ravens defense might slow down Brady, but they won't stop him. The Patriots offense should do its part to once again get the win.

New Orleans vs. Green Bay
   This is one rematch the Packers play this year that I can see them losing. Which is why I am choosing the Saints over the Packers. Expect a shootout, with Brees coming out on top.

Super Bowl

New England vs. New Orleans
   The good ole phrase, "Defense wins championships" will not apply in this years Super Bowl. Im taking Brady over Brees in a Super Shoot-Out (See what I did there??).

It's been a great season, and I expect nothing less from the playoffs. Enjoy!

--Nick