Pretty wild, fun season. A lot of teams rallied to make it in to the playoffs, it's all about when you peak and having patience. Colts, Texans, Ravens, Eagles, Seahawks, Cowboys were all looking very average mid-season yet all made the playoffs. Everyone figured the Rams and Pats would be in the mix, based on last season, but who saw the Saints, Chargers, and Chiefs being as good as they have been? Meanwhile, I was absolutely right about the Vikings taking a step backwards by switching QBs - you don't mess with chemistry.

Should be some exciting round 1 playoff games.

Colts started 1-5,finished 8-2. I might be biased, but I think they are the strongest of the wild card teams. After that,we shall see.

I agree about the Vikings.

[Edited on 1/2/2019 by jszfunk]

Colts started 1-5,finished 8-2. I might be biased, but I think they are the strongest of the wild card teams. After that,we shall see.

They definitely turned it on and rallied. Houston started 0-3 and ended 11-5 - bizarre for 2 teams in the same division to rally like that (with Tennessee on their heals to boot). Can't say I've watched much AFC South football, but both Houston and Indy are 2-3 against teams that made the playoffs, including splitting the regular season series. Luck definitely gives Indy an edge, but it's a nice division matchup to kick things off on Saturday.

So who does everyone like in the playoffs?

Houston -1 Indy
Dallas -2 Seattle
Baltimore -2.5 Chargers
Chicago -6 Philly

The only game I really like is Philly and the points. Bears are good at home but Philly plays in the cold too so that shouldn't matter to them. Plus it's going to be unseasonably warm for January here in Chicago. As long is Foles is playing I will take the points.

All of these teams are incredibly close, I can't remember an opening round being so even. And not just even, but young and on the upswing, so there's less recent history to go by. Also, 3 out of 4 match ups have already met this season (Indy/Hous twice). It's really about who is peaking right now. My picks:

INDY - I'll take Luck over Houston's D
SEATTLE - I'll take Pete Carroll over Jason Garrett
CHARGERS - Ravens just beat the Chargers and are at home, but how far can the Lamar Jackson Train go?
PHILLY - Eagles have momentum

Colts/Texans
OV/47.5

'Boys/Hawks
Seattle + 2.5

Bears/Eagles
UN/41

Ravens/Chargers
Balt -2.5

(These are where I got them at)

Colts +2
Seattle +2
LAC +3

Waiting on the last game, I see it's at Bears -6 1/2. If it hits 7 I'll definitely be on Philly. May not play this one at all.

Whatever happened to football?

Concussions.

(These are where I got them at)

Colts +2
Seattle +2
LAC +3

Waiting on the last game, I see it's at Bears -6 1/2. If it hits 7 I'll definitely be on Philly. May not play this one at all.

These are the Vegas lines at the moment:

Indy +1
Seattle +2
Chargers +2.5
Philly +6.5

Don't care about the Indy game but my wife is a huge fan so I guess I have to root for them.

I hope Dallas loses because well, they're the Cowboys.

I might tease Baltimore and the Eagles.

GO COLTS!

Early line Chiefs -5.

At that, I'd like the Colts.

DanB and Lee forgot the pickem leagues go into the playoffs. Right when Dan was getting close to catching me in the spead league. Still time to get Sunday's picks in if you are out there.

Is their a gene in the Harbaugh family that they have to be idiots? John should be fired after today.

DanB and Lee forgot the pickem leagues go into the playoffs. Right when Dan was getting close to catching me in the spead league. Still time to get Sunday's picks in if you are out there.

Sorry Scott. Unless I receive an email reminder in my inbox I don't worry about the fun leagues. I never got an email.

More concerned with the money pools I am in.

[Edited on 1/7/2019 by Lee]

Early line Chiefs -5.

At that, I'd like the Colts.

The Colts did smack the Texans good yesterday.

Some great wild card football over the weekend.

Houston proved they are still merely The Texans and we can continue remind ourselves, "oh yeah, that team". Cowboys live to play another week. The Chargers almost blew a comfy lead against a green QB in a sloppy game. And the Bears. Still. Suck. But seriously, the Eagles should not be taken lightly. I still think the Saints are the team to beat in the NFC, but Philly has some of that 2011 NY Giants-type sleeper mojo.

Still, I'm picking the Chiefs, Rams, Pats, and Saints. The Chiefs and Chargers have a history of disappearing in the playoffs in the past 15 years or so, but I'm actually hoping we get to watch more Mahomes this season. If I were to pick one upset, I'd say the Chiefs could get a surprise from Indy.

, but I'm actually hoping we get to watch more Mahomes this season. If I were to pick one upset, I'd say the Chiefs could get a surprise from Indy.

I am hoping not. Colts need to go in there and take him out of the equation.
Put pressure on him get him rattled. This is his first playoff game,pressure is on the Chiefs. Colts are playing with house money at this point. Mahomes liked to go big,make him pay for it.Travis Kelce can be dangerous. I am not to worried about KC defense to much. They can get after the qb, so the o line that has been so good needs to keep it up. Colts have a good mix of run and pass so far. I feel they can put points up, just minimize mistakes.

, but I'm actually hoping we get to watch more Mahomes this season. If I were to pick one upset, I'd say the Chiefs could get a surprise from Indy.

This is his first playoff game,pressure is on the Chiefs. Colts are playing with house money at this point.

Agree, that's why I think they have a good chance. Also, KC has blown top seeds before. Also also, Andy Reid.

What's wrong with Andy Reid?

What's wrong with Andy Reid?

Actually Andy Reid has had a nice career resurrection in KC, I've always liked him. When he was with the Eagles he had a rep of blowing close games.

I think the Chiefs have one playoff win in like 25 years.

I think the Chiefs have one playoff win in like 25 years.

Yeah, Chiefs have been terrible in the playoffs - 1 win since they lost the 1993 AFC Championship to the Bills. And 3 seasons they were 13-3 and lost their first playoff game (1995, 1997, 2003 [the no punt game]). Also, there was that 45-44 28-point collapse in 2014 to...the Colts

Actually 5 of their 11 playoff losses since 1994 have been to the Colts.

[Edited on 1/9/2019 by porkchopbob]

Philadelphia will win another Super Bowl this year. Foles has divine intervention and thrives in underdog pressure situations, which is exactly what the Eagles are in again this year. The double doink in Chicago is proof. Last year, Julio Jones couldn’t haul in a catchable ball in the end zone that would’ve sent Philly home.....and that bizarre TD at the end of the Vikings/Saints game that allowed Philly to beat MN......Foles creates it all with his magic. On Sunday, yet again, led a long and steady game-winning drive by absolutely carving up a great Bears defense. BDN! BDN! BDN!

Not sure how serious this is, but Philly sports radio is discussing the scenario if Foles wins another Super Bowl. How could Philly move on from that? If he does, Philly would have to trade Wentz. Who would be a suitor and what would the Eagles get in return?

Philadelphia will win another Super Bowl this year. Foles has divine intervention and thrives in underdog pressure situations, which is exactly what the Eagles are in again this year. The double doink in Chicago is proof. Last year, Julio Jones couldn’t haul in a catchable ball in the end zone that would’ve sent Philly home.....and that bizarre TD at the end of the Vikings/Saints game that allowed Philly to beat MN......Foles creates it all with his magic. On Sunday, yet again, led a long and steady game-winning drive by absolutely carving up a great Bears defense. BDN! BDN! BDN!

Not sure how serious this is, but Philly sports radio is discussing the scenario if Foles wins another Super Bowl. How could Philly move on from that? If he does, Philly would have to trade Wentz. Who would be a suitor and what would the Eagles get in return?

Not sure if they will win another SB, but you can't deny he fits well when he is the qb. If they do win the big one, you almost have to stay with him . He is still somewhat young and barring any injuries he still has some miles left.

Who ya got?

I'll start -

Chiefs
Rams
Saints
Chargers

Colts +5 1/2
Dallas +7 1/2
LAC +4 1/2
First half under LAC/NE
Saints -8

Interesting that you saw the half point on three of the games. Vegas lines don't have the hook on any of them.

I'd like Dallas getting 7.5.

Interesting that you saw the half point on three of the games. Vegas lines don't have the hook on any of them.

I'd like Dallas getting 7.5.

Yeah, Dallas has bumped up twice to +7 1/2 and then back down to 7. The Chiefs at one point dropped to -3. I was thinking of trying an in-between on it but I just like Indy better. Plus, when I rechecked, it had gone back to -5 1/2. I took the Chargers the moment the line came out initially. Now, it's just sitting at +4.

Interesting that you saw the half point on three of the games. Vegas lines don't have the hook on any of them.

I'd like Dallas getting 7.5.

Yeah, Dallas has bumped up twice to +7 1/2 and then back down to 7. The Chiefs at one point dropped to -3. I was thinking of trying an in-between on it but I just like Indy better. Plus, when I rechecked, it had gone back to -5 1/2. I took the Chargers the moment the line came out initially. Now, it's just sitting at +4.

Hmm, interesting. I just checked the main Vegas sports book and the lines are still 5, 7, 4 & 8. The only one I saw move was Saints moving a whole point but that was at the first of the week.

I might buy an extra half point on the Cowboys game. Doesn't really make sense on the other three games. Well MAYBE take The Pats down to 3.5 to perhaps get a win.

At least I was going to. They won't let you buy or sell the extra half point yet. Probably not until tomorrow I guess. That stinks cuz you can't put a teaser in yet. I like the over in the Cowboys game. I can see a fair amount of points being scored in that one.

[Edited on 1/11/2019 by Lee]

FEBRUARY 3rd is Super Sunday from Hot 'Lanta.

Ladies, start planning now to provide a nice spread of food for the guys.

Significant weather in both games today.

Can KC O operate in this weather? Could be a neutralizing factor and tilt to the Colts.

Does Prescott's willingness and ability help the Cowboys given the weather and field conditions? Assuming both passing games might not be as potent as they normally would be. No doubt LA well suited to run with Gurley, but I would think that both front 7s can key on the traditional run game making Dak's running more of an X factor.

Kind of liking both road dogs. Line been moving downward in KC, bounced off of 4, now back up to 4.5.