Making some playoff picks
While the Las Vegas Raiders’ season is over, we get to watch some playoff games as Super Wild Card Weekend kicks off on Saturday! Also, this is the final push to gain some traction in the Silver and Black Pride Pick’em competition.
To get things started, let’s take a look at the lines for the Wild Card matchups, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook, and make some picks.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans
Spread: LAC -2.5
Holder’s pick: LAC -2.5
Houston might be the worst team in the playoffs and Los Angeles is playing well, having won three in a row to end the regular season. I’m nervous about putting faith in the Chargers not Chargering in the postseason, but Jim Harbaugh might be the perfect antidote for that disease.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Spread: BAL -9.5
Holder’s pick: PIT +9.5
I like the Ravens to win outright, but I’m not taking a two-possession spread between AFC North rivals. Plus, Zay Flowers being out could impact Balitmore’s offense, leading to a low-scoring game.
Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills
Spread: BUF -8.5
Holder’s pick: BUF -8.5
I’m buying stock in the Bills this postseason as they’re my pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Denver limped into the playoffs.
Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Spread: PHI -4.5
Holder’s pick: PHI -4.5
Jalen Hurts is back and the Packers aren’t good against teams above .500 this season. Philadelphia has been a juggernaut for most of this season, so I’ll take them to cover at home.
Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Spread: TB -3
Holder’s pick: TB -3
Jayden Daniels has been fun to watch and exceeded my expectations this season. But I just can’t bet on a rookie quarterback in his first playoff start, especially against a blitz-happy coach like Todd Bowles.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams
Spread: MIN -1.5
Holder’s picks: LAR +1.5
I had faith in the Vikings to win the NFC North last week, but they disappointed me. While the Rams’ offense has been struggling recently, I think taking last week off by resting the starters will help the unit get back on track for the playoffs to at least win this one.
Pick’em Competition
Moving onto S&BP’s Pick’em competition, below is a look at how our writers have fared through the regular season.
- Ray Aspuria 198-73 (73%)
- Bill Williamson 192-80 (71%)
- Matt Holder 191-81 (70%)
Last week was a rough one for me. I was barely above .500 at 9-7 while Bill led the writers at 12-4, forcing me to slide into last place. So, I need to hit my picks this weekend to make up some ground before it’s too late.
Community Standings
t-1. Running With the Night 199-73
t-1. The Assassin 199-73
3. Bodega Bay Raider 198-74
4. Kid Dynamite 197-75
5. Roosky Raiders 196-76
6. dafe2cat 193-79
t-7. NC Hell Razors 192-80
t-7. Raider Nation 192-80
t-7. DARTH RAIDER 192-80
t-10. Ozdity 191-81
t-10. Kaneohe raiderdogs 191-81
t-10. Tyree for Prez 191-81
t-10. Gabe’s pickems 191-81
t-10. Mooniac191191-81
Week 18 Top Pickers
ColoRaider 13-3
Gunslinger 13-3
SirPicksALot 13-3
Alaskan Raida 13-3
We have some movement at the top of the leaderboard with Bodega Bay Raider falling out of the tie for first place by one pick. Still, it’s a tight competition heading into the playoffs as Running With the Night and The Assassin are tied while Kid Dynamite is in the mix, behind by just two games. So, this one is coming down to the wire!
Remember to get your picks in and may your picks be good!
