One year ago Seahawk Nation was basking in the glory of thoroughly pissing off the national media by hosting a playoff game and then going out and taking care of business against the Saints. Unfortunately, 7-9 wasn't good enough to win the division again this year so we're stuck having to watch it from the couch this year. But let's bring back the picks column and see if we can win a little fake money and/or help those of you winging your way to Nevada to make some real money. For the fake money part, I'll start with a bank of $1,000. As always, the odds are from the USA Today this morning and the home team is in bold caps.
NEW ORLEANS -10.5 vs. Detroit: I know, I know, we all saw what happened last year when the Saints were double digit favorites in the first weekend of the playoffs. However, they obviously don't have to deal with the 12th Man since they'll be at home. The Lions haven't been in the playoffs since 1999 so you know there's a little bit of "we're just happy to be here" syndrome that could creep into their locker room. Drew Brees in that dome with that crowd for a playoff game is a recipe for a big Saints win. Let's put $400 of the bank on it.
NEW ORLEANS -10.5 vs. Detroit: I know, I know, we all saw what happened last year when the Saints were double digit favorites in the first weekend of the playoffs. However, they obviously don't have to deal with the 12th Man since they'll be at home. The Lions haven't been in the playoffs since 1999 so you know there's a little bit of "we're just happy to be here" syndrome that could creep into their locker room. Drew Brees in that dome with that crowd for a playoff game is a recipe for a big Saints win. Let's put $400 of the bank on it.
Cincinnati +3 at HOUSTON: It's rare, but we have a game here where both teams could have that "we're just happy to be here" syndrome. Houston has never been in the playoffs in their existence. The last time we saw Cincy in the playoffs, they had to trot out Jon Kitna 3 plays into the game. Normally when picking these games you'd go with the better QB. How are you supposed to choose between Andy Dalton and TJ Yates? On the one hand, you have a 3rd stringer in Yates. On the other hand, it's a rookie ginger in Dalton. But I go with Cincinnati on this one for one reason. Yates is a hard sneeze away from getting injured again and then who would trot on to the field? Your favorite and mine, Jake Delhomme. If there was ever a QB you want to bet against in the playoffs, it's Delhomme. I'm putting $200 on this one since I'm saving some for the other games.
DENVER +8.5 vs. Pittsburgh: This pick is under the heading of "don't bet against the streak". I'm not talking about Tebow's 3 game losing streak though. I'm talking about the streak that the last 4 teams who were 8-8 or worse going into the playoffs each won their wild card round game. Pittsburgh is a little hobbled coming into this game with Big Ben's nagging ankle injury, the loss of Mendenhall, and one of their starting DB's being out due to a sickle cell condition that gets worse at altitude. Also, don't under-estimate the "Nobody Believes In Us" theory. The Seahawks used that to perfection in the Saints game last year. Nobody is giving Denver a chance in this game. Everyone's waiting to stick the fork in Tebow. The Broncos may not win, but this should be a fairly low scoring game, making that 8.5 point spread a little high. I'm plunking down $300 on Horse Face Elway's team.
NY GIANTS -3 vs. Atlanta: In my opinion this is the biggest coin flip game of the weekend. On the one hand, you have New York which has been the textbook definition of a Jekyll & Hyde team this year. Then you have Atlanta who look like they're still hung over from that beating Green Bay gave them last year in the playoffs. New York hasn't been all that good at home. But then you have Atlanta and we all know dome teams have trouble on the road in cold weather cities. It's supposed to be sunny and in the 40's in the swamps of Jersey on Sunday so that may be a moot point. Thus, the term coin flip. So the deciding factor for me is the playoff experience of the coach and QB. That makes the pick the Giants, but they're only a $100 pick.
DENVER +8.5 vs. Pittsburgh: This pick is under the heading of "don't bet against the streak". I'm not talking about Tebow's 3 game losing streak though. I'm talking about the streak that the last 4 teams who were 8-8 or worse going into the playoffs each won their wild card round game. Pittsburgh is a little hobbled coming into this game with Big Ben's nagging ankle injury, the loss of Mendenhall, and one of their starting DB's being out due to a sickle cell condition that gets worse at altitude. Also, don't under-estimate the "Nobody Believes In Us" theory. The Seahawks used that to perfection in the Saints game last year. Nobody is giving Denver a chance in this game. Everyone's waiting to stick the fork in Tebow. The Broncos may not win, but this should be a fairly low scoring game, making that 8.5 point spread a little high. I'm plunking down $300 on Horse Face Elway's team.
NY GIANTS -3 vs. Atlanta: In my opinion this is the biggest coin flip game of the weekend. On the one hand, you have New York which has been the textbook definition of a Jekyll & Hyde team this year. Then you have Atlanta who look like they're still hung over from that beating Green Bay gave them last year in the playoffs. New York hasn't been all that good at home. But then you have Atlanta and we all know dome teams have trouble on the road in cold weather cities. It's supposed to be sunny and in the 40's in the swamps of Jersey on Sunday so that may be a moot point. Thus, the term coin flip. So the deciding factor for me is the playoff experience of the coach and QB. That makes the pick the Giants, but they're only a $100 pick.
