Let's get right to it.
New England (-7) vs. Baltimore
I have less than no idea what to expect in this game. I wouldn’t be shocked by just about anything, except maybe Tom Brady choosing his own clothes for the postgame press conference. We all know Baltimore’s recent history of success in the postseason, particularly against New England. They’ve won two of three, and probably should have won all three if it wasn’t for a missed chip shot field goal. That being said, as much as I’ve called New England overrated for years, this is a different Patriots team than we’ve seen in recent seasons. The defense is legit, and the Ravens struggled mightily against anyone good this season (1-6 against teams with a winning record). Of course, the aforementioned Brady himself as been pretty mediocre in the postseason for oh, the last decade or so. I have no idea what happens, so let’s say the line is a few points too high and cross our fingers.
Pick: Ravens
Seattle (-10.5) vs. Carolina
Seattle is hands down the best team in the playoffs. Carolina is the second-worst (Arizona only because…well, you’re not gonna really make me say it again are you?). But that being said, this may be the toughest matchup Seattle will face the entire postseason. It’s a team that’s a poor man’s carbon copy of themselves. Athletic, mobile quarterback. Strong running game. Underwhelming receivers that sometimes get the job done. Excellent defense. Goofy head coach. We’ve got all the makings of a bizarre playoff game. I know Carolina’s defense is a little bit overrated because of how dominant they’ve looked lately against some crummy offenses. But I still don’t see Seattle hanging some huge number on them either. Just too many possible variables here for me to assume a Seattle blowout.
Pick: Panthers
Green Bay (-6) vs. Dallas
I’m scared by Aaron Rodgers’ injury. I know we’re all anticipating and perhaps even expecting a Herculean effort from him, but let’s remember he is only part cyborg. He’s still mostly just a human man, and human men can’t play as well when they’re injured. It’s science. As for Dallas? We have a thread on our message board featuring nothing but women in yoga pants. Those pants aren’t as tight as Dallas was in the first half of last week’s game. I think they come out a little bit loosey-goosey and feeling pressure free this time around, because they’re supposed to lose. And that’s precisely why they’ll win.
Pick: Cowboys
Denver (-7) vs. Indianapolis
So I still have this theory that if Andrew Luck was an Arizona Cardinal, they’d be gunning for the Super Bowl and if Indianapolis had Ryan Lindley, they’d be a 2-win joke of a team. That’s another way of saying Denver is better in every single way than Indy (we’ll call QB a push). Yes, we’ve seen quarterbacks get insanely hot before and carry their teams on deep playoff runs before. But the Denver defense shuts everybody down, the Indy defense can’t cover anyone, and this game that’s so full of hype and promise might just be over before it starts.
Pick: Broncos
BEST BETS: Again we’re going with the “all best bets” approach
LOCK: Denver Broncos
LAST WEEK
Overall:2-2
Best Bets: 2-2
Lock of the Week: 0-1
YEAR TO DATE (final regular season stats)
Overall: 142-122 (53.8%)
Best Bets: 39-34 (53.4%)
Lock of the Week: 10-8 (55.5%)
POWER RANKINGS
Team Name W/L (Preseason rank)
1. Seahawks 12-4 (1)
2. Patriots 12-4 (4)
3. Packers 12-4 (8)
4. Cowboys 13-4 (21)
5. Broncos 12-4 (2)
6. Colts 12-5 (9)
7. Lions 11-6 (15)
8. Ravens 11-6 (16)
9. Steelers 11-6 (12)
10. Bengals 10-6-1 (10)
11. Panthers 8-8-1 (11)
12. Cardinals 11-6 (13)
13. Eagles 10-6 (6)
14. Texans 9-7 (17)
15. Chiefs 9-7 (18)
16. Bills 9-7 (27)
17. Dolphins 8-8 (28)
18. Chargers 9-7 (5)
19. 49ers 8-8 (3)
20. Falcons 6-10 (24)
21. Giants 6-10 (25)
22. Rams 6-10 (22)
23. Browns 7-9 (30)
24. Saints 7-9 (7)
25. Vikings 7-9 (23)
26. Jets 4-12 (20)
27. Bears 5-11 (14)
28. Redskins 4-12 (26)
29. Raiders 3-13 (31)
30. Bucs 2-14 (29)
31. Jaguars 3-13 (32)
32. Titans 2-14 (19)
