2012 NFL Season – Division Round

Last Week: 2-2 (.500)  Playoffs: 2-2 (.500)

You win some, you lose some.  The ones I lost (Minnesota and Baltimore) came close to covering the point spread.  But close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and with impatient people who just want to go home.  Once again I will give insight into the games.  Please don’t laugh.

1/12 4:30 ET Baltimore (+9.5) at Denver
Thirty years ago, John Elway had an opportunity to play for Baltimore (Colts). He demanded to be traded and was traded to the Denver Broncos. There was what seemed to be an annual tradition of the Broncos playing the Browns for the AFC Championship. The Broncos won all those games and the-then Browns soon after moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens. None of this has anything to do with Saturday’s game, except that John Elway is now the Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Broncos and Art Modell (former owner of the Browns/Ravens) recently passed away and the current Ravens have a “Art” patch on their uniforms in his honor.  The Broncos will continue to be a pain to Art Modell post-mortem.  Take the Broncos and give the points.

1/12 8:00 ET Green Bay (+3) at San Francisco

This would have been the rematch of last year’s NFC Championship game, except that the Packers somehow lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champion New York Giants.  While the stats would suggest to take the 49ers and give the points, I have a feeling that Aaron Rodgers and the Packers find a way to win this one.  Or maybe not.  Take the 49ers and give the points.

1/13 1:00 ET Seattle (+2.5) at Atlanta

I’ll keep my logic simple.  This will be a hard fought defensive battle.  In battles like these, the team with the better running game usually wins.  Few things are harder than tackling Marshawn Lynch.  Here is a video of him in the 2010 Wild Card game against the New Orleans Saints:

Take the Seahawks and the points.

1/13 4:30 ET Houston (+9.5) at New England 

Once upon a time, this game would have been a close game and it would have been in Houston because they had the best record in the NFL for most of the season.  But football is a 16-game season and the Texans fell apart after their twelfth game.  The Patriots have been on a roll aside from a hiccup against the 49ers a few weeks ago.  Take the Patriots and give the points.

 

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2012 NFL Season – Wild Card Round

Week 17: 11-5 (.656) Best Bets: 2-1 (.688)
Season to Date: 123-130-3 (.486) Best Bets: 26-24-1 (.520)

The hot last two weeks was not quite enough to bring me ro the ,500 mark.  There’s always next year.  But this year is the playoffs and a new chance to show my smarts (or lack thereof).   For the playoffs I will give insight as to how each game is going to go.  This is a chance to see how a real life presidential candidate thinks.

Date & Time     Favorite          Spread          Underdog

1/5 4:30 ET         At Houston          -4.5                Cincinnati

The Texans are reeling, having lost three out of the last four games.  The Bengals look impressive against the Browns and Chiefs, but not as impressive against playoff-caliber teams.  Houston survives this game only to get slapped around next week.  Take the Texans and give the points.

1/5 8:00 ET        At Green Bay       -7.5               Minnesota

The temperature in Minnesota will be around 20 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff.  This would be good news if Minnesota played outdoors and was at home.  It will be about the same temperature in Green Bay, where they do play outdoors.  The Packers should win, but Adrian Petersen should keep it close.  Take the Vikings and the points.

1/6 1:00 ET       At Baltimore         -7                   Indianapolis

Once upon a time, the city of Baltimore would love nothing more than to see the Colts win a playoff game.  The city will be bumming after the Colts win in Baltimore this Sunday.  Mainly because the Colts are Indianapolis’s team while Baltimore has the original Browns team (now called the Ravens).  Take the Colts (Indianapolis) and the points.

1/6 4:30 ET       Seattle                     -3                 At Washington

Seattle fans see “Seattle at Washington” and wish this game was being played in the state of Washington and not the District of Columbia.   Unfortunately, this is the end of the road for my Washington Redskins.  😦  The Seahawks will run and throw all over the ‘Skins and win easily.  Take the Seahawks and give the points.

2010 NFL SEASON – CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Last week 1-3 Playoffs 3-5

Best Bets 0-1 Playoffs 0-2

Meh.  Just meh.  I will not be predicting the Pro Bowl because it is but an exhibition.  It would be liking betting on figure skating’s grand finale after the medals have been handed out.  If you find yourself compelled to bet on the Pro Bowl or on figure skating, call 1-800-GAMBLER and seek help.

Date & Time	Favorite	Spread	Underdog
1/23 3:00 ET	Green Bay	-3.5	At Chicago
1/23 6:30 ET	At Pittsburgh	-3.5	NY Jets

It should be a good weekend for football.

2010 NFL SEASON – DIVISIONAL ROUND

Last week: 2-2 Best Bets 0-1

As the Washington Redskins enjoy another bye week and The Broncos and Browns welcome new coaches, there are still games to be played.

Date & Time	Favorite	Spread	Underdog
1/15 4:30 ET	At Pittsburgh	-3	Baltimore
1/15 8:00 ET	At Atlanta	-2.5	Green Bay
1/16 1:00 ET	At Chicago	-10	Seattle
1/16 4:30 ET	At New England	-8.5	NY Jets

 

I have a weird feeling that the Seahawks will win outright. But maybe it’s just gas.

2010 NFL PLAYOFFS – WILD CARD ROUND

Last Week:   7-9 (.438)  Best Bets 2-1 (.667)

Season:  124-126-4  (.496) Best Bets 33-18 (.647)

I was crushed by games with nothing on the line, thus causing me to end the season with a losing record.  It will be at least another season before the Las Vegas thingie becomes a reality.  (At least until I become President).

Date & Time	Favorite	Spread	Underdog
1/8 4:30 ET	New Orleans	-10.5	At Seattle
1/8 8:05 ET	At Indianapolis	-2.5	NY Jets
1/9 1:00 ET	Baltimore	-3	At Kansas City
1/9 4:30 ET	At Philadelphia	-2.5	Green Bay

 

 

Note: Only one best bet pick this week and next week.

NFL 2009 Division Round Playoffs

I actually had a good week picking last week’s games, going 3-1.  After getting the Jets-Bengals game wrong to start the weekend, I rung up three consecutive wins.  If I keep this up, I could replace Frank Caliendo on Fox’s Pre-Game show or Elinor Clift on The McLaughlin Group.

Arizona Cardinals (+7) at New Orleans Saints

What happens when two high-powered offenses collide?  The game usually becomes a defensive struggle.  The Saints will probably win it, but it will be low scoring enough for the Cardinals to cover.  Take the Cardinals and the points.

Baltimore Ravens (+6.5) at Indianapolis Colts

The focus will be on the Colts’ high octane offense against the Ravens’ stifling defense.  The game will be decided though on the Colts’ unheralded defense stopping Ray Rice and flustering Joe Flacco often enough to force him to turn the ball and the Colts defense scoring a touchdown.  Take the Colts and give the points.

Dallas Cowboys (+3) at Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings struggled at the end of the season while the Cowboys picked up steam.  The football gods will rub more salt into Redskins’ fans wounds and make the Cowboys win in a laughter.  Take the Cowboys and the points.

New York Jets (+7) at San Diego Chargers

Both teams come into this game as hot as global warming the sun.  Mark Sanchez returns to the state where he was born and raised.  He’ll do the things that need to be done to allow the Jets to win. (Hand the ball off to Thomas Jones, throw a screen pass to Thomas Jones, etc.)  Take the Jets and the points.

Last week: 3-1  Playoffs: 3-1