2019 NFL Conference Championship Picks

The matchup of Mahomes vs Brady is the largest age 

difference in NFL history for a conference championship game.

Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, on his son, Wes, who is Washington's tight ends coach: "Wes is a young offensive coach who knows Sean McVay, if anyone is looking for a head coach."

— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) January 17, 2019

LA Rams (+3.5) @ New Orleans Saints  - The last time the Rams were in the Super Bowl was in 2002, although the last time they were the LA Rams was 1980  The Saints in the meantime won the Super Bowl back in 2010.  The Rams running game will likely power the Rams through the game although Brees could do enough to cose out the game if the game becomes close in the 4th quarter. 

Belichick was asked if the Patriots can coach for Tyreek Hill's speed.

"Coach for it? Like, can we make someone that fast?"

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) January 15, 2019

New England Patriots @ Kansas City Chiefs (-3) - The Patriots look like a much better team in the playoffs against the Chargers who laid an egg defensively by not taking away the running nor providing a pass rush as the Patriots picked apart the Chargers zone defense.  Mahomes had 352 and 4 touchdowns in the last matchup against the Patriots. Patriots are only 3-5 on the road and the Chiefs just seem like a more explosive team with their read pass option plays which gave the Patriots problems in the Super Bowl last season. 

2019 Postseason against the spread: 3-2-1

2019 Postseason: 4-4

2018 Season against the Spread- 112-106-7
2018 Season Straight Up- 137-85-2
2018 Locks- 21-16-2

2017-18 Against the Spread- 121-125-7

2017-18 Season Straight Up - 167-92

2016-17 Against the Spread - 141-115-7
2016-17 Straight Up - 101-41

2015-16 Against the Spread - 140-110  

2019 NFL Divisional Round Picks

Andy Reid attempts to get Kansas City to the conference 

championship which it hasn't done since 1993 with Joe Montana

Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas Chiefs (-5) - The Colts can move the ball well but the Chiefs are simply too explosive in this one if this becomes a shootout.  DeShaun Watson simply could not get going for whatever the reason, I feel like Mahomes is playing at another level who is likely going to win MVP after throwing 50 touchdowns.  Marlon Mack ran for 148 last week against a great Houston TEexan's defense which is worrisome.  That being said, the Chief's homefield could give them the advantage in this one against the Colts' who are a dome team. 

DeMarcus Lawrence was asked for his thoughts on Jared Goff: “He’s a quarterback. I don’t like quarterbacks.”

What about Dak Prescott?

“Dak’s my teammate. If he wasn’t, I wouldn’t like him either. He knows it.”

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 10, 2019

Dallas Cowboys (+7)@ Los Angeles Rams - Dallas looks to apply the same formula in stopping the run like they did against Seattle.  The Rams defense may not be great at stopping the run despite all the talent they have along that defensive front.  Todd Gurley is also banged up and the Rams haven't been as explosive without Cooper Kupp.  Plus the Cowboys may have a lot of fans in LA.  Sean McVay may have enough in the bag to pull the Rams out with a win.

Los Angeles Chargers (+4) @ New England Patriots - This is an interesting game as it goes back to the origins of why the Patriots became great in the first place in the tuck game where the Patriots celebrated making snow angels.  In the meantime, the LA Chargers come to town who are actually better on the road this season than at home.  Bill Belichick should develop a good game plan but at the same time on paper, the Chargers seem to have a better running game, better wide receivers and a much better defensive pass rush. 

Eagles have faced Aaron Donald, J.J. Watt and Khalil Mack during their four-game winning streak.

Those three players have combined for a TOTAL of zero sacks and three QB hits against them.

Big credit to the offensive line and coaches for game-planning.

— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) January 7, 2019

Drew Brees held his high school record for passing yards and 

touchdowns until 2006 when it was broken by Nick Foles

Philadelphia Eagles (+8) @ New Orleans Saints - The Saints did beat the Eagles 45-7 earlier this season.  That being said, the Eagles appear to be a differently run team whose secondary has improved enough to slow down the LA Rams and Chicago Bears.  Plus New England might take a while to shake off some cobwebs after not really playing well for the past 3 weeks. The Saints explosive offense and homefield should be enough to carry them to victory but perhaps they do not blow out the Eagles in the same fashion as they did earlier in the season given the nature of the playoffs where the underdogs were 3-0-1 against the spread so far this postseason.

2019 Postseason against the spread: 2-1-1
2019 Postseason: 1-3

2018 Season against the Spread- 112-106-7
2018 Season Straight Up- 137-85-2
2018 Locks- 21-16-2

2017-18 Against the Spread- 121-125-7

2017-18 Season Straight Up - 167-92

2016-17 Against the Spread - 141-115-7
2016-17 Straight Up - 101-41

2015-16 Against the Spread - 140-110  

2019 NFL Wild Card Picks

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans (-1.5) - Two fairly evenly matched teams that each won on the opposing team's stadium.   The Colts have allowed 18 sacks this season and have not allowed a sack in 5 games although they have the 2nd most holding penalties.  The difference in the game could be the Texans receiving depth who are already missing their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th receiver on the depth chart.  That being said DeAndre Hopkins is still a beast- the Colts limited him to 36 yards and a touchdown in the last matchup although Hopkins went off for 136 yards and hasn't recorded a dropped pass.  The last matchup may not be indicative of what happens today given that the Colts needed the win much more at the time.  

Seattle Seahawks(+2) @ Dallas Cowboys - Seattle beat the Dallas earlier in the season 24-13, although this time around the Cowboys have Amari Cooper so the game should be closer.  The Cowboys are also 7-1 at home this season.  While I do think the Cowboys' defense should be menacing, I have more trust in Russell Wilson than Dak Presscott if this game becomes close.  Also, Amari Cooper has seemed to come back to earth.    

LA Chargers (+2.5) @ Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens are 6-1 with Lamar Jackson.  If Jackson played 16 games, he would be second in rushing attempts only behind Ezekiel Elliot.  Jackson already has more rushing yards than Phillip Rivers in his entire career.   That being said, their have been some chinks in the armor exposed by the Browns last week and a healthy Melvin Gordon could be enough to help Phillip Rivers get a passing game going assuming Keenan Allen is healthy.    

Philadelphia Eagles (+6.5) @ Chicago Bears   - Is the Eagles defense back that held the Washington Redskins to lowest yardage for the team in 8 year?  Nick Foles also left the field banged up but his appear to be bruised.  The Bears essentially took care of Cousins in a meaningless game and it makes me wonder if the Bears can take care of another Michigan State quarterback in Foles like they did last week in Cousins.  But the Eagles are the defending the champions and could do enough to keep it close.   

Week 17 Against the Spread: 10-6-
Week 17 Straight Up: 11-5
Week 17 Locks: 3-1

2018 Season against the Spread- 112-106-7
2018 Season Straight Up- 137-85-2
2018 Locks- 21-16-2

2017-18 Against the Spread- 121-125-7

2017-18 Season Straight Up - 167-92

2016-17 Against the Spread - 141-115-7
2016-17 Straight Up - 101-41

2015-16 Against the Spread - 140-110