Not only did I avoid a Week 17 collapse, I snuck out with a winning record for the week, and secured a winning record for the regular season.
Now things get even more difficult with the postseason beginning. Now every game counts the same for every team, and the intensity is amplified. Picking NFL games is difficult, but it’s even harder when the gap between the best and worst team remaining is so narrow.
To the wild-card picks! (Since picks didn’t get in on time, we’re going honor system for Saturday’s games. Here’s the pre-game tweet verifying the picks).
Took both underdogs today. Lets see how it works out for him.
— Kyle Madson (@KyleAMadson) January 4, 2020
Week 17 record: 9-7
Regular-season record: 132-121
Point spreads were provided by Bet MGM. (HOME TEAM in all caps).
HOUSTON (-2.5) vs. Buffalo
Buffalo looked primed to win this one outright, but Josh Allen’s dreadful second half, combined with some heroics from Deshaun Watson pushed the Texans to a win on wild card weekend. If you ask the TV broadcast though, it was JJ Watt and only JJ Watt who won the game for Houston.
Pick: Bills (+2.5)
NEW ENGLAND (-5.5) vs. Tennessee
Derrick Henry is really, really good.
Pick: Titans (+5.5)
NEW ORLEANS (-7.5) vs. Minnesota
The best news for Kirk Cousins and the Vikings is that this isn’t on a Monday night. Dalvin Cook’s presence should make this a competitive contest, but the Saints might be the best team in the NFC. Plus, the Minnesota Miracle definitely still stings. They’re going to want a little payback in the form of a big win on wild card weekend.
Pick: Saints (-7.5)
Seattle (-1.5) vs. PHILADELPHIA
At one point, the Eagles were favored in this one, somehow. Neither of these teams are probably not going to win the Super Bowl, but it would also make a ton of sense if one of them made a run and won it.
Pick: Seahawks (-1.5)