Welcome back to another fun week of Friday Bet$ For Realz as some of your favorite Pencil Storm characters share actual bets they are making on NCAA and NFL football. Depending on our bank accounts we will be checking in throughout the 2025-26 with our blazing hot takes and sure-fire winners. However, it’s important to remember that sports betting is for suckers, so as long as you are cool with that.. Let’s Boogie!
Brian Phillips (Former Radio Morning Show Host CD101)
LA Rams -10 1/2 over Carolina
The Panthers are the largest home underdog in playoff history, but it's warranted, I think. Their win over the Rams this season was about as flukey as you like. I'm also interested in escalators here. Why not a sprinkle on say... -23 1/2.
Green Bay at Chicago first half under 22.5
Both these teams are slow starters and big finishers.
Jacksonville -0.5 first half over Buffalo
I like the Jags to win outright, but there's this nagging feeling about Josh Allen. How many times have we seen this show? I think this pick at even money is the better way to go. That said, Allen is not close to 100% and the Bills defense is not good.
Philadelphia -5.5 over San Francisco
I know, a big number, but the 49ers have been obliterated by injuries. They're going to suit up two linebackers off the street. McCaffrey looked gassed against Seattle. Left tackle Trent Williams seems unlikely to play and that's the worst of all their problems. Look for the Eagles to wear them out on the ground and pull away late.
LA Chargers +3.5 at New England
The Patriots were great this year but played a cake schedule. This is Drake Maye's first playoff game. History shows experience matters big time. The Chargers' defense is solid. Their offensive line stinks though so for the Pats to have success they have got to make Justin Herbert uncomfortable. I feel decent about a Pats victory, but three and the hook is a bit too much.
Pittsburgh +3 vs Houston
The Steelers as a home dog in the playoffs isn't a bad spot to back. DK Metcalf will be back which is great news for Aaron Rodgers. The weather is going to stink it appears, another advantage to the Steelers. A low scoring snot knocker. This will be at 2 1/2 before too long. The 3 is heavily juiced.
Jeremy Porter (Pencil Storm Co-Editor in Chief, rock and roll musician, Mexican fast-food enthusiast, proudly representing that state to the north in hostile online territory MICHIGAN GO BLUE!)
I love LAR over the Pathers (with their losing record) -10.5.
I like Bills over Jags, -1 on the road. Wish it wasn’t on the road but they’ll probably all be more comfortable in Jax. I was there in November and dragged the band to The Jug, the bar from “Gimme Three Steps,” after the show at midnight on a Monday. I was not the most popular person in the van that night but no regrets.
I like the Eagles -6 over SF, but I’m rooting for SF because enough of the Eagles already. It’s going to be a great game I think.
Pats over Chargers, -3.5.
I’ll be rooting for both teams to lose on Monday night, but I guess I dislike OSU/Stroud less than I dislike Rodgers, so I’ll be rooting for the Texans, but I think Rodgers takes it. I don’t actually dislike Stroud that mutch, but it’s tough for a Michigan fella. I might sit this one out at the sportsbook, but if I bet it will certainly be on Houston.
AND the game of the weekend for us is Green Bay at Chicago. Gotta go Chicago +1.5, but I’ll probably take the money line. If it can’t be the Lions, I hope it’s Chicago, and I’d love to see them up against the Bills.