NFL picks – wildcard weekend

Not happy!  A chance to go 20 games over .500 on the season, a chance to go 8 for 8 picking division winners with my pre season predictions, and Tony Romo ONCE AGAIN played horrific in a big spot.  That was his worst performance in a big game.  So he isn’t improving in the clutch, he’s erroading.  He had 2 or 3 chances to take over that game, the Dallas defense did their part.  And he wasn’t facing an elite defense.  Just AWFUL.  But more importantly than Romo’s career or Cowboy fans being crushed were MY feelings!  No 8 for 8 on division winners, no 20 games over .500….YET.  Playoff time folks, and Soups (that’s me, I call myself Soups because my last name is Campbell and the name of a prominent soup company is “Campbell’s Soup”….get it?!) is going to get to that 20 games over .500 mark and beyond…hopefully.  52-34-1 against the spread this season, 7 picks this week, all 4 games and 3 over/unders.

Cincinnati at Houston

Cincinnati +4.5

Over 43.5

I believe this game is more likely to turn into a shootout than be low scoring.  It’s indoors, 2 good QB’s, and neither defense is elite.  The Texans defense started out that way, but the injury to Brian Cushing seemed to change that.  These are the 6th and 7th ranked teams in total defense, but neither defense is scary.  They won’t shutdown just anyone.  Sure J.J. Watt will get to Andy Dalton, but Dalton and Green will hook up more than Chris Brown and Rihanna in this one (oooooooooooooooo see what I did there?!)  The Bengals keeping this one close is a safe bet, they’ve finally started winning some tough games against good teams the last few weeks.  Bengals and the over I really like just make sure you bet them seperately.

Minnesota at Green Bay

Minnesota +8

I don’t see the Packers slowing down Adrian Peterson.  Nearly 200 yards for Peterson last week in a game where the Packers knew he would see the bulk of the carries.  A lot of times when teams play in back to back weeks the team that lost has the advantage.  I don’t see that as the case here.  I believe the game last week will take the Vikings confidence to another level and they’ll really believe they can go into Lambeau and win the game.  I don’t know if they’ll do that, but between Peterson, a great defense and a QB like Ponder who can get a big completion when the Viks need it they have everything you need to keep it tight with the Packers.

Indianapolis at Baltimore

Indianapolis +7

Over 46.5

I think a lot of people will look at this game and say “the rookie QB on the road against a Ravens D that is getting Ray Lewis back, the Ravens will blow them out”.  Indy will come to play, Andrew Luck will rise up, and don’t forget that this is a team that is highly inspired by their coach right now.  The Ravens have really only played 1 good game in the last 2 months or so.  They beat the Giants at home, but the Giants played horrible down the stretch.  They destroyed the Raiders at home, but they’re the Raiders.  They won in San Diego, but were down to a 4th and 29.  Had the Chargers only allowed 28 yards on that Ray Rice scamper then they would have lost that one.  This Ravens team is not hot and Ray Lewis isn’t what he was 10 years ago.  7 points is too many points to give to a highly inspired team with a QB who is unlike any rookie QB we’ve seen.  Luck is fearless, he won’t get rattled, and has shown the ability to rise up at key times this season.  Take the points, and neither defense can shut down anyone so take the over.

Seattle at Washington

Washington +3

Under 46.5

Going with all the dogs this weekend!  Love this pick, I strongly believe that the Skins win this game outright.  Hottest team in football the last 2 months, the defense has improved by leaps and bounds.  Add to this, the Seahawks aren’t anything close to the same team on the road as they are at home.  Take out the win on the road against the Bills which really wasn’t on the road it was on a neutral site in Toronto, their last road win was in O.T. against the Bears who were into collapse mode by then.  They lost on the road against Arizona, St. Louis, Detroit and Miami.  Not exactly the elite of the NFL.  The Rams slowed them down last weekend with the Seahawks still having a legit shot at the division title and a 1st round bye.  Giving the Redskins 3 points in game is too much in my opinion.  Take the points and if you need to take an upset this is it, even though last weekend I suggested the Eagles were a good upset pick and they got destroyed by the Giants.

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