2024 Super Bowl Pick

Former Coaches of RG3 Kyle and Mike Shanahan 

have a chance to win a Super Bowl this Sunday 

Kansas City Chiefs (+2) vs San Francisco 49ers (@ Las Vegas) -  Kansas City was the worse team for most of the regular season but the Chiefs have been playing much better in the last few weeks including wins against he Dolphins, Bills, and Ravens.  Granted the Dolphins were short handed and playing on the road in freezing temperature but nonetheless the Chiefs have been much more formidable in the last few weeks.  In the meantime, the 49ers may have been considered the stronger team with a higher quality roster for most of the regular season but the NFC overall has been weaker at the top than the AFC.  Also, the 49ers struggled against two NFC North opponents- granted both of them beat the Chiefs but the 49ers have started off these halves slow and their defense has not looked as dominant.   For now, I will favor Mahomes over Purdy in close games although as being the last pick of the draft, Purdy may keep proving people wrong.

Last Week Against the Spread- 2-0

Last Week Straight Up - 2-0

2023 Against the Spread - 137-126-1

2023 Locks - 29-17

2023 Straight Up - 175-106

Playoffs Against the Spread- 9-3

Playoffs Straight Up- 10-2

2024 NFL Conference Championship Picks

Travis Kelce told Justin Tucker he needed to move because their QB Patrick Mahomes had to warm up. So Kelce kicked his ball away and threw his helmet.  

Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) @ Baltimore Ravens - The body of work of the season suggests the Chiefs aren't going to be able to pull through.  Still, the Chiefs are coming in strongly.  The Chiefs will have to limit the Ravens better than the Texans did the previous week.  The weather is warmer than when the Chiefs just won on the run.  Governor Wes Moore is chugging beers with the fans which should create a favorable home atmosphere.  Taylor Swift did cancel a tour date in Tokyo to be in this game to see Travis Kelce.  

Detroit Lions (+7) @ San Francisco 49ers - Detroit Lions have been playing well although the 49ers have thwarted Jared Goff in the past.  Brock Purdy was limited by a Packers defense for most of the game due to an injury to Deebo Samuel.  For now I am predicting that the 49ers get back on track after a relatively poor showing against the 

Last Week Against the Spread- 3-1

Last Week Straight Up - 4-0

Last week Locks - 1-0

2023 Against the Spread - 135-126-1

2023 Locks - 29-17

2023 Straight Up - 173-106

2024 NFL Divisional Round

Detroit's Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson has already interviewed with the Panthers and Commanders and sources consider him the favorite to land the Washington job

Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens (-9.5) - CJ Stroud and the Texans have had a surprising season although it could be tough for the Texans to win on the road.  The cold weather and a bye could make the Ravens favorites here although CJ Stroud has been playing well, perhaps the cold weather could slow down the Texans

 Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5) (LOCK) @ Buffalo Bills - This is a rematch of an earlier matchup of a controversial ending.  Either team could win this one, while the Bills will have homefield, the Chiefs will have Isiah Pacheco who did not play in the first meeting.   The Bills are also playing with 2 days less rest.

Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers (-9.5) - The Green Bay Packers are the youngest team to win a playoff game in NFL history.  The 49ers are coming off a bye and Kyle Shanahan usually has the 49ers prepared.  

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions (-6.5) - The Lions homefield could be a bit much for Baker Mayfield who looks like he isn't 100%.  The Lions didn't look to sharp in the 2nd half although the Rams look like they were a much tougher opponent than the Eagles.  

Last Week Against the Spread- 4-2

Last Week Straight Up - 4-2

Week 17 Locks - 1-0

2023 Against the Spread - 132-125-1

2023 Locks - 28-17

2023 Straight Up - 169-106

2024 NFL Wild Card Round

According to heavy.com, Tua is 0-4 under 40 degrees. Tonight game is expected to be -7. 

 Cleveland Browns @ Houston Texans (+2) -  The Browns took care of the Texans fairly easily although they were missing CJ Stroud.  While Joe Flacco has been great, I see this as more of a toss up game.  It could be difficult for the Browns to win in the same manner twice in a row.  Even though the Texans are shorthanded.  The Texans even beat the Ravens earlier in the season.

Miami Dolphins @ Kansas City Chiefs (-4) - The Dolphins are dealing with several injuries and the weather could limit Tyreek Hill's effectiveness through the air.  The Chiefs are vulnerable due their lackluster regular season but typically pull it together at home.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+10) @ Buffalo Bills - Perhaps the Steelers can hang around in Buffalo due their running game and the Bills rush defense has been not as strong during times in the regular season.  Plus the Bills have managed to keep their games close against below average teams like the Patriots and Chargers.  Mason Rudolph isn't exactly a great quarterback but he is an upgrade over Mitch Trubisky.  The weather is not as terrible

Green Bay Packers (+7.5) @ Dallas Cowboys- The Packers are the youngest team to make the playoffs since the 1984 New England Patriots.   Jordan Love has closed the season strong.  Aaron Jones has been playing better.

Philadelphia Eagles (-3) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers -  The Eagles are going to be without AJ Brown.   Baker Mayfield is also banged up.   The Bucs may be a poor matchup for the Eagles given the blowout that happened earlier in the season although with the way the Eagles are playing, an upset could also happen.  

Los Angeles Rams (+3)(LOCK) @ Detroit Lions - Mathew Stafford returns home.  OC Ben Johnson has the Lions with a great offense but somehow I feel that Sean McVay can win the coaching matchup here.  

Week 18 Against the Spread- 13-3

Week 18 Straight Up - 13-3

Week 17 Locks - 4-0

2023 Against the Spread - 128-124-1

2023 Locks - 27-17

2023 Straight Up - 165-104

2023 Week 18 Picks

The Browns are scheduled to pay Watson a fully guaranteed contract and

 are likely stuck with him until 2026

Pittsburgh Steelers (-5.5) @ Baltimore Ravens - The Steelers need a win to get in while the Ravens have nothing to play for.  Pittsburgh already beat the Ravens earlier this season.  Huntley is a solid backup and the Ravens will likely try to play spoiler.

  

Houston Texans (-1) @ Indianapolis Colts - One should favor CJ Stroud in the clutch.

Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals (-6) - The Browns are resting all starters of consequence.

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions (-3) - The Lions do not have much to play for but the Vikings appeared to have mailed in the season.

Jacksonville Jaguars (-5.5) @ Tennessee Titans - The Jaguars could get Trevor Lawrence back and they already blew out the Titans earlier in the season. 

New York Jets (+2.5) @ New England Patriots-  The Jets have slightly better skill position players.  The Patriots may want to lose this game on purpose to secure the #2 pick.

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints (-3) - The Saints have won 3 of their past 4 and the Falcons have lost 3 of their past 4.   Derrick Carr will try to keep it together one more week after an impressive performance against the Bucs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5.5) @ Carolina Panthers - The Bucs will try to keep their playoff hope alive while the Panthers failed to score last week.

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers (-3)(LOCK) - The Packers have won 5 of their past 7 games while the Bears are also playing well.  The Packers are looking to complete the season sweep.

Denver Broncos @ Las Raiders (-2.5)(LOCK) - The Broncos do not appear to be that much worse without Russell Wilson but the Raiders are playing harder under Antonio Pierce.

Philadelphia Eagles(-5.5) @ New York Giants - The Giants did play the Rams tough but the Eagles are looking to get back in rhythm after a bad loss to the Cardinals plus keep their slight hope of a playoff hopes alive.  Although one can't rule out the Eagles letting their gas off the pedal if they see that Dallas is taking care of business.

Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals (+3) - It looks like the Cardinals are finally playing well with Kyler Murray back plus Kenneth Walker is banged up.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Los Angeles Chargers (-3) - The Chiefs will be resting their starters.

Los Angeles Rams (+3.5) @ San Francisco 49ers - Both teams are resting their starters .

Dallas Cowboys (-13)(LOCK) @ Washington Commanders - Dallas is looking to secure a division title.  If Ron Rivera wins this game he will have one more win than loss for his career.  However, Washington is incentivized to lose to secure a chance at the #2 pick.

Buffalo Bills (-3)(LOCK) @ Miami Dolphins-  The Dolphins have less incentives to win this game than Buffalo.  Plus Miami is dealing with more injuries as Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert is ruled out.  

Week 17 Against the Spread- 9-7

Week 17 Straight Up - 11-5

Week 17 Locks - 1-2

2023 Against the Spread - 115-121-1

2023 Locks - 23-17

2023 Straight Up - 152-101

2023 Week 17 Picks

The NFL and the Broncos could face legal action arbitration from 

the NFL Players association for benching Russell Wilson

according to the Washington Post

New England Patriots (+12) @ Buffalo Bills - The Bills did not take care of business completely against the Chargers.  The Patriots may have mailed in most of the season but they are coming off a win against the Broncos.

Atlanta Falcons @ Chicago Bears (-3) -  Perhaps the cold weather will favor the Bears even though the Falcons are coming off an impressive win against the Colts.

Las Vegas Raiders (+3) @ Indianapolis Colts - The Raiders are playing well and perhaps can exploit Minshew and the Colts who only put up 10 points last week.

Los Angeles Rams (-6)(LOCK) @ New York Giants - The Rams have taken care of business down the stretch as they are looking to keep their playoff hopes alive.  A loss to the giants here would be deflating.

Arizona Cardinals (+10.5) @ Philadelphia Eagles- The Eagles may miss their defensive coordinator who is now the head coach of the Cardinals.  

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)- A division game where Tampa may win although it should be an evenly matched game plus Derrick Carr may struggle.

San Francisco 49ers (-13.5) @ Washington Commanders- Chase Young makes his return back to Washington.  Jacoby Brissett is a late scratch meaning the 49ers are poised to have a bounce back game.  

Carolina Panthers (+7) @ Jacksonville Jaguars - The Panthers kept it close against the Packers and Trevor Lawrence is banged up.

Miami Dolphins @ Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) - The Ravens struggle a lot against Tyreek Hill although their defense is playing well.  

Tennessee Titans (+3.5) @ Houston Texans - These two teams just played perhaps the Titans can even the series.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (-5.5)- The Chargers will be without Keenan Allen and Joshua Palmer while Russell Wilson is benched.

Cincinnati Bengals (+7) @ Kansas City Chiefs- Browning did struggle last week although he had played well in his previous 4 outings.  The Chiefs will look to back on track or could be in jeopardy of missing the playoffs.  Jamarr Chase returns.

Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings (-2) - The Packers barely held on against the Panthers.  Chandler looked explosive in the backfield last week.

Week 16 Against the Spread - 5-9

Week 16 Straight up - 8-8

Week 16 Locks - 0-3

Week 17 Against the Spread- 2-0

Week 17 Straight Up - 2-0

Week 17 Locks - 1-0

2023 Against the Spread - 108-114-1

2023 Locks - 23-16

2023 Straight Up - 129-94

2023 Week 16 NFL Picks

 

Brock Purdy thinks that Christian McCaffrey should be MVP

Washington Commanders(+3) @ New York Jets - Neither team inspires any confidence.  Sam Howell was benched in his last game but makes his return against the Jets who have benched Zach Wilson yet again.  Perhaps the Commanders can get some momentum against the Jets if they go back to Brissett but their offensive line has struggled all season.  The Commanders defense has been unable to generate a pass rush.  The winner of this game also gets a worse draft pick meaning there isn't much to play for other than pride.

Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings (+3)-  The Vikings looked much better changing quarterbacks while the Lions have managed to take care of bad teams.

Cleveland Browns (-2.5) @ Houston Texans - Both teams are still succeeding despite their high profile quarterbacks going down.   

Green Bay Packers (-4.5)(LOCK) @ Carolina Panthers- The Panthers season has hit the tank.  Jordan Love has shown more than the Bryce Young this season.

Seattle Seahawks @ Tennessee Titans (+2.5)-  The Titans will likely have the upper hand just since Seattle is traveling from the West Coast.  Although Kenneth Walker does suit up against a Titans team that has struggled holding down the run.

Arizona (+4.5) @ Chicago Bears - The Bears should take care of business at home but consistency has been a problem for them plus Kyler Murray tends to keep games close against lesser teams.  

Indianapolis Colts (-1) (LOCK) @ Atlanta Falcons- The Falcons go back again to Taylor Heinickie but the Colts may get Jonathan Taylor back meaning they are poised to keep their playoff hopes alive.  

Jacksonville Jaguars (-1)(LOCK) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Bucs have at times been resilient with Mike Evans helping the passing game but it looks like the Jaguars will have an edge as Trevor Lawrence returns. 

Dallas Cowboys (+1.5) @ Miami Dolphins - The Cowboys looked terrible in their loss against the Bills.  The Dolphins looked sharp against a poor Jets team.  It is hard to determine which version of each team shows up.  For now, the Cowboys could be due for a bounce back after a poor showing otherwise people will begin to criticize Dak's performance in December.

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos (-6.5)- The Patriots typically struggled in Denver even with Brady and the Broncos have been playing well recently.

Las Vegas Raiders (+10) @ Kansas City Chiefs - The Chiefs typically beat up on the Raiders although the Raiders have been a bit feisty since Antonio Pierce has taken over as head coach.

New York Giants (+12) @ Philadelphia Eagles-  The Devito Hype train hit a bit of snag against the Saints last week.  The Eagles look to get back on track against a Giants team they have kind of owned.  Perhaps the Eagles 'can hid their weakness of their weak secondary against the Giants.  Although Barkley is due for a big play or two and Waller returns, it could get ugly for the Giants if the Eagles can regain some of their form as we inch closer to the playoffs   

Baltimore Ravens @ San Francisco 49ers (-5.5)- In what is the game of the week, the 49ers go against a Ravens team that struggled a bit against their division rival Rams in a shootout.  For now the 49ers may try to send a message to a another potential Super Bowl contender.  This will be a big test for Lamar Jackson.  The 49ers freight train could continue although if the Ravens keep it close it also would not be that surprising.

Week 15 Against the Spread- 4-12

Week 15 Locks - 0-1

Week 15 Straight up - 9-7

Week 16 Against the Spread - 1-2

Week 15 Straight up - 2-1

2023 Against the Spread - 102-105-1

2023 Locks - 22-13

2023 Straight Up - 121-87