I firmly believe adding a third wild card team cheapens this weekend. Nobody wants to see the Dolphins fly to Buffalo and lose, but the NFL is a money-hungry business, so we’re stuck with this.
SEA @ SF -9.5: I’m genuinely impressed with what the Seahawks did this year. Pete Carroll and John Schneider deserve a ton of credit for not only trading Russell Wilson but for getting a king’s ransom for a QB that’s clearly over the proverbial hill and is not only on the back 9 of his career but looks only to have a few holes left. They deserve even more credit for rolling with Geno Smith under center all year and making it work to the tune of 9-8 and an improbable playoff berth.
The 49ers went all in on Trey Lance while treating Jimmy G like an outcast all off-season. Lance lasted 5 quarters before suffering a season-ending injury, and Jimmy G got hurt, again, so they are now playing Brock Purdy at QB…and it doesn’t fucking matter. Their offense is loaded and their defense is the best in the league by a wide margin.
Simply put, the Seahawks had a nice, surprising season and seem to be building something but the 49ers are on a whole different level. 9.5 points is a lot, but it sure feels like we’re headed for a 49ers vs. Eagles NFCCG, and I don’t think Seattle has anywhere near enough to make this a game. Pick: 49ers
LAC @ JAX +2.5: I’m loving what Trevor Lawrence and the Jags are doing. When the season began, the Chargers were supposed to be in this position while the Jags were picked to improve but not to compete, so all the pressure here is on the Chargers, who are on the road. I’m still not sold on Justin Herbert when it counts, and I think Lawrence is showing that he didn’t leave his “it” factor at Clemson. I’ll take Jacksonville to not only cover but win, both in part because of their offense, but also because of that defense. Pick: Jaguars
BAL @ CIN -9.5: No Lamar means no shot for the Ravens. Again, 9.5 points is a lot, but I think the Bengals are playing pissed off, are completely healthy, and have a ton of weapons on offense. Pick: Bengals
BIA @ BUF -13: The Dolphins can’t score with Skylar Thompson under center. They managed 3 field goals last week against the Jets and scratched out a garbage-time touchdown against the Patriots the week before to account for their only points with Thompson wearing the green dot. The Bills are on another fucking level. The two TDs that Josh Allen threw last week, on broken plays, were throws that Josh Allen and only Josh Allen can make. The dichotomy between these two offenses is breathtaking. I hate large spreads, but I’ll take Buffalo to ride the Damar Hamlin wave and absolutely trounce the Dolphins. Pick: Bills
NYG @ MIN -3: This is a tough one. The Giants have all of the intangibles and swagger, but the Vikings have a ton more talent. I’m not a believer in what the Vikings are doing this year, and I quite honestly can’t figure out how they finished the season with a 13-4 record, but here we are. I think the Vikings will win this game by a TD or so, then get destroyed next weekend, but Kirk and Co. get another playoff win this week. Pick: Vikings
DAL @ TB +2.5: What the FUCK happened to the Cowboys last week. ESPN loves the Cowboys, so I’ve heard a lot this week about how Dak has been a bad QB over the last 7 weeks and how he lead the league in interceptions despite missing 5 games.
All of that can be taken with a grain of salt, but the QB on the other sideline is a cold-blooded assassin. Brady is 3-0 against the Cowboys since joining the Bucs, and I think he’s going to make it 4-0. He’s the boogeyman for Dallas, and I don’t trust Mike McCarthy as far as I can throw him and, buddy, I don’t think I could throw him very far. Pick: Bucs
