It’s the Divisional playoffs weekend of the NFL season, which kicks off on Saturday, so it’s time for our weekly look at the point spreads in order to help you win some money.
Last week, Charles Curtis went 1-3 in Wild Card picks (he’s 1-3 in the postseason after going 123-124-1 in the regular season) and Steven Ruiz went 3-1 (3-1 in the playoffs, 122-111 in the regular season).
We now go to each of them for comments before their picks.
Charles: This is what happens when you decide to pick a game in which you’re betting on Josh Allen. And on a bad Patriots team. And a banged up Eagles team.
Steven: I’ve been telling Charles all season to fade this Patriots team. It had been working for me all season. He didn’t listen and now he’s under .500 for the postseason too. SMH.
(All bets courtesy of BetMGM)
Vikings at 49ers (-7)
Charles: Vikings
The Niners’ defense hasn’t look otherworldly as of late, and even though they got a week off and will get back Dee Ford, Kwon Alexander and Jaquiski Tartt, I still see the Vikings covering while losing on the road. Dalvin Cook will see to that even if Kirk Cousins falls back to Earth.
Steven: 49ers
Whew. That’s a big line. But I’m laying all those points. I think the 49ers have the coaching AND talent advantage on both sides of the ball. Kyle Shanahan is going to get any matchup he wants against the Vikings defense, which definitely has some weak links in the chain.
Titans at Ravens (-8.5)
Charles: Ravens
Lamar Jackson will pile up the points, the defense will take care of the rest and keep Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill bottled up. I could see this being a 35-10 kind of blowout.
Steven: Titans
I fully expect the Ravens to win this game, but I can see the Titans hitting a backdoor cover. I do think Baltimore will have a ton of success on the ground, but Tennessee’s defense could force some dangerous throws by Lamar Jackson, as I wrote about earlier in the week.
Texans at Chiefs (-9.5)
Charles: Texans
I just don’t think playoff games with two terrific quarterbacks should have a spread THIS large. I’m a believer in Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ much-improved defense. But I can’t imagine Deshaun Watson lets this one become a blowout … and yes, I’m aware the Texans nearly lost to Josh Allen and one of the wackier games we’ve seen in the past 20 years.
Steven: Chiefs
I want to bet on Deshaun Watson. I really do. But I just cannot trust that Texans defense against the NFL’s most explosive passing game. This defense almost made Josh Allen look like a competent passer. Imagine what Patrick Mahomes will do now that he’s healthy and has a healthy receiving corps.
Seahawks at Packers (-4)
Charles: Seahawks
I was debating this one earlier in the week when I saw it at minus-3.5, but that little movement somehow has me convinced — I think the Hawks are too good to be as big of an underdog as they are here. The Packers will win at very cold Lambeau, but by just a field goal.
Steven: Packers
If this wasn’t in Lambeau, I’d take the Seahawks. Mostly due to the fact that they have the better quarterback. But Russell Wilson doesn’t play well in bad weather and the Packers have the talent advantage at just about every spot on the field. Lay the points.
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