I know what you’re thinking. This is the place you come to laugh about someone else’s pain in making picks against the spread. This isn’t where you come for actual advice on where to lay your money in the playoffs. And I get it, our overall records would prove you right.
But hear me out!
The FTW crew is going into the postseason with some solid momentum after everyone went at least .500 in Week 18. I finished the week 9-7 (112-135-9 overall), while Caroline Darney (102-117-6) and Charles Curtis (109-138-9) each went 8-8.
I don’t know about them, but I feel good about Wild Card weekend.
1
Seahawks at 49ers (-9.5)
Prince: 49ers
The Niners have all their playmakers back on offense, and their defense is humming. Seattle has been a nice story all year, but it won’t end that way.
Charles: 49ers
That feels like a large spread for a playoff game and one between two divisional rivals. But the Niners have the defense to clamp down and the Seahawks didn’t exactly inspire confidence with the way their regular season turned out. Niners by 10.
Caroline: 49ers
NO ONE CAN STOP BROCK PURDY!!
2
Chargers at Jaguars (+2)
Prince: Chargers
I don’t think one of these teams is significantly better than the other. I just think the Jaguars are a little ahead of schedule, so this is probably where they start to fold.
Charles: Chargers
I love what I’ve seen out of the Jags, but I think the Chargers are the better team on paper, plain and simple.
Caroline: Jaguars
I’m going to give the Jags the nod at home. The Chargers may not have Mike Williams after he was inexplicably in a game that did not matter last week, and that’ll make that offense just a little bit less dynamic.
3
Dolphins at Bills (-13)
Prince: Bills
It sounds like Skylar Thompson is playing quarterback for the Dolphins. So yeah, give me the Bills by a lot.
Charles: Bills
No way I can bet on Thompson on the road in Buffalo. Nooooope.
Caroline: Bills
This is a hefty spread, but I think the Bills can handle a Skylar Thompson led Dolphins team.
4
Giants at Vikings (-3)
Prince: Giants
New York almost beat the Vikings the first time they played, and I think (or hope) they will beat them this time around. Minnesota’s defense is awful.
Charles: Giants
Big Blue is going to win this game. THERE I SAID IT. But the Vikings can’t stop the run and the thing the Giants do best is run the ball. Don’t over think it.
Caroline: Vikings
My wonderful colleagues here are both Giants fans. Because I’m a nice co-worker and don’t want to ensure a Minnesota win by having all three of us go with the underdogs, I’ll pick the Vikings.
5
Ravens at Bengals (-8.5)
Prince: Bengals
Baltimore’s defense has been solid down the stretch, but eventually the Bengals will find a way to score points. And when they do, the Ravens won’t have an answer.
Charles: Bengals
Who’s starting at QB for the Ravens? Yep.
Caroline: Bengals
Sadly, it feels like the list of who is healthy for the Ravens is shorter than the list for who is injured. Going with Joey B and the Bengals at home.
6
Cowboys at Buccaneers (+2.5)
Prince: Buccaneers
I don’t know man, I’m just having a hard time picking against Tom Brady. Especially with how shaky the Cowboys have looked lately.
Charles: Buccaneers
The “Oy, both teams are kind of flawed so I’ll take the home team who still employ the greatest clutch QB of all time” pick.
Caroline: Buccaneers
I didn’t want to pick either of these teams. The Cowboys looked utterly LOST last week, so now that I’m picking against them I’m sure they’ll look like Super Bowl contenders.
