Well that Wild Card round was a real dumpster fire eh. Four games, four blow-outs. I picked all the winners anyway, but that wasn't hard to do. This week for the divisional round I'll throw down a score and make a selection against the spread too. Plus, for some fun, I'll include some Trump prop bets from the UK, where those degenerates will bet on anything.
(Trump lines courtesy of Paddy Power.)
Saturday January 14
Seattle at Atlanta
4:35PM/Fox
Atlanta -4 1/2
Trump to be impeached within 6 months: 4/1
A classic match up of a great Atlanta offense and the always stout Seattle defense. Back in week 6 the Seahawks held off the Falcons at home 26-24, but Atlanta will point to a late non- pass interference call that cost them a chance at a game winning field goal.
It was a strange game to be sure. The Falcons erased a 17-3 halftime deficit with three third quarter touchdowns to take the lead at one point. On the sidelines they had the Seattle defense screaming at each other.
This time Atlanta's number one offense gets Seattle at home, and the Seahawks will have to go without injured safety Earl Thomas (out for the season with a broken leg). Running back C.J. Prosise has been upgraded to questionable after missing several weeks. He was huge in wins at New England and home to Philadelphia before getting knocked out against Eagles.
Seattle's terrible offensive line had a good game against Detroit because they could run the ball. If they fall behind and have to throw it's probably over. They literally cannot protect Russell Wilson.
I'll take Seattle and the points, but Atlanta 28-26
Saturday January 14
Houston at New England
8:15pm
CBS
New England -16
Trump paints the White House gold 500 to 1
Vegas can't make this playoff record setting line high enough, and it's not hard to grasp why. If you want to bet against the Pats be my guest, but a lot of people have died on that mountain. Not me. Sure Houston's defense is capable of putting up a decent showing, but once the terrible Brock Osweiler turns the ball over three or four times this baby will turn into a massacre real fast.
Here enjoy this instead.
I'll give you all of those 16 points and more in taking the Pats.
Patriots 38 Texans 13
Sunday January 15
Green Bay at Dallas
4:40PM
Fox
Dallas -5
Trump says "I'm very rich" during address. 25 to 1
Remember the last time these two met in the playoffs?
Who could forget! Skip Bayless is probably still talking about it. Anyway things are different two years later. The Cowboys have those rookies... Zeke and Dak, and together with that behemoth offensive line Dez Bryant no longer has to do everything.
I would have picked the Packers here actually as they've looked so good of late, but Jordy Nelson, with his two broken ribs, has been ruled out.
Brutal man. Yes the rest of the receiving corp has some talent, but are not terribly reliable when you need them most. Green Bay will miss Nelson greatly as they did last season. Meanwhile Dallas fielded the number one defense against the run in 2016 so this is all on Aaron Rodgers.
Want a blueprint for Dallas success Sunday? Look to their regular season tilt at Lambeau this season. Prescott was a tidy 18-27 for 247 yards and three touchdowns and Zeke Elliott rushed 28 times for a 157 yards in a 30-16 victory. That's it, that's the plan.
Green Bay won't turn it over four times as they did that day so I expect this to be a lot closer.
I'll take the Packers and the points, but Dallas 27-24.
Pittsburgh at Kansas City
Sunday January 15
8:20pm
NBC
Kansas City -1
Trump "Golden Shower" footage shows up online: 5/1.
You're not crazy. This game was scheduled for 1pm on Sunday, but the K.C. area is expecting a rather nasty ice storm Sunday To give everyone more time they've moved this one to prime time.
The Chiefs would get more credit here from the bookmakers at home, but the Steelers are a "public team." What that means basically is they have fans all over America and when those bros go to Vegas they get hammered and put their hard earned dough down on their favorite team God damn it!
The sports books know this. The sharp money meanwhile will flow to the Chiefs. As we get to the weekend more drunk Steelers fans will pour into the casinos... That line will probably move in KC's favor. If I were a gambling man I'd be all over that shit.
The weather is going to be terrible and Big Ben has sucked on the road all year. This has officially become a thing. For whatever reason, he's great at Heinz Field, and almost Brock Osweiler on the road.
The Chiefs have their own problems. Alex Smith is... Alex Smith. You can only go so far with this guy. KC will try to get things going on the ground with Spencer Ware, and of course a lot of all world tight end Travis Kelce.
For Pittsburgh they have to give the ball to Le'Veon Bell... 30 times at least. That weird hesitation thing he does is really starting to mess my head up.
I'll take the home team with the sharp guys in lousy weather and a push on the -1.
KC 21 Pittsburgh 20.
Brian Phillips hosts the morning show on CD1025