NFL – Wildcard Playoff Picks

15-17 last week.  Brings the regular season to a close at 239-215-38.  At $100 per game, you’d be out exactly $130.  Less than $10 a week to bet every side and every total for every regular season game.  What a bargain.  Things I learned:

1.  It’s a bitch making picks every week.  Especially if you’re out of the country or your router breaks or if the game is meangingless and both teams stink.  Excuses, excuses.

2.  It’s a lot easier to make picks when actual money isn’t on the line.  Sunday mornings, as I lined up my actual bets, I’d look back over my picks and cringe at the thought of actually betting on the Dolphins or the Panthers or the Rams.

Now they all matter.  To the picks…

Washington +3.5 at Seattle (40.5) – Under

Washington has some serious mojo going.  And Seattle’s not as tough at home as they used to be.  Three and a half is such a creepy number.  21-17 or 17-14 – that half point comes in to play more than you think.  I’ll be honest.  I don’t love this game.  I’m taking an unproven quarterback (Collins – below) on the road in the playoffs in a hostile environment.  Five minutes before I typed this, I had Seattle and the over.  Don’t bet with confidence.

Could you pick him out of a lineup?  I couldn’t, but I’m taking the points.

Jacksonville at Pittsburgh +2.5 (40) – Over

Crazy to think Pittsburgh is getting points at home.  But Jacksonville has had success at Heinz Field, winning the past two times they’ve played there.  I’m playing Pittsburgh on principle and the fact that they’re “due.”  This is a very dangerous thing to do.  I am confident in the total play.  Roethlisberger has been there and done that.  As you can see here:

I’m jealous for all sorts of reasons.

Giants at Tampa Bay -2.5 (39.5) – Over

This line and total haven’t moved an inch since they opened.  I’m not sold on either team.  Tampa has been burning me all season and Jeff Garcia should be relatively fit.  I have a mental picture of Eli on the sideline with flies buzzing in and out of his mouth after he just threw his second pick-six in the first quarter.  That’s what I’m betting on. 

Take away the beer, the sports jacket, and the girl and this is what you’ll see Sunday afternoon.

Vince and the Titans +10.5 at San Diego (40) – Over

Everything, I mean everything, points to a San Diego blow out.  Vince and Albert Haynesworth, far and away the two most valuable players for the Titans, aren’t healthy.  San Diego has been a cover machine the past few weeks, regardless of the line.  The Titans could barely handle Indy’s second team.  But I’m sticking to my guns.  Vince lives for situations like this.  He’s been doubted the majority of his college and pro career.   Keep doubting him.  It makes Coach money.

Wish I could have found a bigger picture.