NFL Divisional Picks

Atlanta (-3) @ Eagles

I do think that the Birds have a legit shot at beating the other Birds at home in an ugly game. The defense is really good and proved a year ago they can hang with this offense. We could get pressure, keep the game ugly and get a win behind our home crowd. The Eagles are certainly due for a playoff win. 

I like the “nobody believes in us” angle, but I’ve also heard basically everybody talk about how nobody believes in us and that could be a mistake so is it really an angle at this point?

Ultimately, I just have a hard time believing a battle tested, experienced team with a strong playoff quarterback is going to be toppled by Nick Foles. I’m sorry, Nick, I’m just not a believer. Plus, our secondary has been exploited the last few weeks. I’m terrified of Julio.

I think it’s a coin flip personally. So I’ll try and help out the Eagles with a reverse jinx and pick the Falcons to sneak out a cover.

Titans @ Patriots (-13.5)

The Titans are not good. I don’t think I’m being hyper critical. It’s been pretty clear all season. They beat Andy and Kansas City (which I completely whiffed on), but this is Bill and Brady. This is a whole other level. I think the Pats will shut down leading Titans receiver Marcus Mariota, score a ton of points and roll. They can’t possibly make this line high enough. I remember Kelce dominating that Chiefs game and am just picturing Gronk in his place this weekend.

Jaguars @ Steelers (-7)

At first, I went back and forth on this line. I was worried about the Jags potential to cover. It wasn’t that long ago that Timmy Tebow went against Pittsburgh and pulled off the upset-Bortles can be Tebow, right?

No, I really don’t think so. Also, can we give Tebow some love? I was a big Tebow guy. Like I didn’t think he was good, but at least the guy was a gamer who won and was respected. Literally every defensive player in the league hates Blake. He compared himself to Lebron, but honestly I’d feel more confident with Lebron at QB this weekend.

Saints (+5) @ Vikings

My one upset pick of the week. I was lower on the Saints than most last week I would say, mostly because I doubted Drew Brees. Whoops. I think Carolina’s defense was pretty solid and, even if they aren’t Vikings level, I just don’t see how you are gonna be able to contain all those New Orleans weapons.

And I apologize, but I’m not on the Keenum bandwagon just yet. I’d rather see him in the NFC Championship if we somehow get there. By a lot. I may be underestimating the guy, but I need him to prove me wrong like Drew did last week.

The Vikings are playing with a back up QB and a back up RB with receivers who are real good but not household names for the average fan. It just feels like that offense shouldn’t be good enough. Of course defense wins championships and they’ve got the best one in the league (sorry Philly).

Minnesota may win this one, but I get 5 extra points the Saints direction if I go with them, so to me this isn’t that difficult.