Sunday, January 21, 2018

NFC and AFC Championships Preview 2018

NFC starting quarterbacks 
Case Keenum and Nick Foles 
are both former Rams


Minnesota (-3) @ Philadelphia - Both teams have had great seasons and have exceeded most people expectations after losing their starting quarterbacks.  The Vikings also lost their starting running back Dalvin Cook for the season but have rushed the ball well despite his absence.   

Minnesota been the more potent team on offense not only indicated by the heroics of Steffon Diggs in a buzzer beating win but Adam Thielen who always seems to find the openings which made him fifth in receiving yards in the 2017-18 regular season .  The Vikings may be a tougher test for the Eagles than the Falcons, who never seemed to find their consistency week to week after the departure of Kyle Shanahan.  The Vikings and Eagles both have both have good defenses and while the Eagles secondary isn't as stout, they do have the advantage of playing at home.

I am leaning more towards the Minnesota here because of what Case Keenum has done this season including a 12-3 record in games where he has more than 20 passing attempts.  Nick Foles in the meantime has a 3-1 record as a starter for Philadelphia but the sample size is smaller and the margin of wins have been relatively thin.

Jacksonville @ New England (-7.5) - Jacksonville looked formidable against Pittsburgh.  There is a roadmap for the Jaguars to win this game by pressuring Tom Brady into mistakes.  That being said, Tom Brady has been pretty mistake free this season compared to Big Ben and the Steelers.  Brady had less interceptions (4) the entire season then Ben Roethlisberger had against the Jaguars during the regular season (5).

The cold weather as well as Tom Brady's hand injury could have an effect but we should not forget that Leonard Fournette is also banged up and playing with an ankle injury.   

Saturday, January 13, 2018

NFL Divisional Playoffs

Italicized for win


Bolded for spread



Atlanta (-2.5) @ Philadelphia- This could be a close game because the Eagles still have a solid running game and decent defense.  That being said, Matt Ryan is the superior quarterback to Nick Foles and the Eagles's secondary has had trouble containing deep passing threats like Julio Jones.

Tennessee @ New England (-13.5) - Provided that Marcus Mariota hasn't perfected the pass to himself, the Patriots find themselves in a good position to cover here.  Derrick Henry's size could give the Patriots defense problems but the Patriots have been taking care of business lately.

Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh (-7)  - While the Steelers lost to the Jaguars earlier this season, this should give them the added motivation to take the Jaguars more seriously.  The Jaguars' offense has been sputtering behind Bortles who only threw for 87 yards last week against the Bills and could get worse for him from a karma standpoint after comparing himself to LeBron James.

New Orleans (+5.5) @ Minnesota -  This is a tossup game.  The Vikings have a better defense and playing in a dome should give them the advantage.  That being said, it would not surprise me if the Saints make it close especially with all the offensive weapons they have. 

Last Week Against the Spread - 0-4
Last Week Straight up - 2-2
2017-18 Against the Spread- 219-220-7
2017-18 Season Straight Up - 164-88
2016-17 Against the Spread - 141-115-7
2016-17 Straight Up - 101-41
2015-16 Against the Spread - 140-107