Like some of the NFL teams did with their players, I rested last week. That awful showing you saw with my picks came from my backup. It wasn’t me. Blame the backup. He was terrible. I was getting ready for the postseason.
OK. It was me. I played, and I got abused. LOOOOOOSER.
That certainly is not the week I wanted heading into the playoffs. I went 7-9 ATS, 8-8 straight up and 2-4 with my Best Bets as part of the Pick Six Podcast. That brings my season records to 144-125-3 ATS, 168-103-1 straight up and 59-54 with my Best Bets.
I do like the Super Wild Card Weekend games this week, so I am getting back on track.
My backup did a terrible job last week when I sat out, so I am ready to go.
Bring on the playoffs.
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
Latest Odds:
Cincinnati Bengals
-5.5
The Raiders got into the playoffs by beating the Chargers on Sunday night, while the Bengals are coming off a loss where they rested most of their top players. That’s an edge to the Bengals. Cincinnati has an explosive offense, but the Raiders counter with a wicked pass rush. This will be decided by how well the Bengals can protect Joe Burrow. I think they do it well enough to win the game, but it will be close. The Bengals win their first playoff game since the 1990 season.
Pick: Bengals 27, Raiders 24
Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Latest Odds:
Buffalo Bills
-4.5
This is the third game featuring these two this season, with each winning on the other’s field. New England won the first meeting in a wind storm in early December, while the Bills dominated the Pats at their place in late December.