Ranking all 49 potential Super Bowl matchups, from Seahawks-Ravens to 1990s redemption (yahoo.com)

Playoffs commence tomorrow!

Deciding still on several games but so far have

SF -9 1/2

NYG +3

Jacksonville +3 (bought 1/2 point early this week)

Bengals -6 1/2 (got that early figuring if Lamar was out, he is, it would climb and it did to -9 1/2.)

Haven't pulled the trigger yet but even at -13 I still kinda like Buffalo too.

Happy playoff day!  If I had a wish I would take 3 games Saturday and 3 games Sunday with no game Monday, but two today will have to do.

San Fran is a beast and really amazing how well Purdy has done.  I remember his last year in college, big games and big moments were not his thing - great story to see him doing well, Mr Irrelevant. I kind of think that Seattle is capable of hanging for a half vs SF.  The last game they had the ball down 3-7 with 1 minute left, could've maybe got a FG out of that possession for a 6-7 HT score, but instead SF D made a great hit forcing a fumble and SF ran it down all the way inside the 5 and instead Seattle would trail 3-14.  Huge swing.  In the first game this year SF D kept them down the entire game.  One of those divisional rival games, just think it might be close for a bit.

I am really unsure of the LAC-Jax game.  Two teams that are hard to trust is what I see in both there.  Should be a good game though and won't be surprised by any outcome.

NFL ratings were down, the Thursday night switch from Fox/CBS/NFL Network to Amazon was to blame.  Just a temporary drop until more people get on board the streaming train?  I don't know.  I am sad because we have had NFL Sunday Ticket on Directv since the first year they ever had it I'm pretty sure, maybe 1995 I would guess.  Next year Google/YouTube won the contract, legacy media companies can't commit the type of dollars to bid on a contract now.  So we'll see ... I for one can't wait to have streams 30 seconds or more behind real time, buffering, having to re-login and authenticate multiple times because I am changing games so often, changing between 3 games a minute during commercial breaks on a streaming device is enough to make you want to throw the remote through the TV.  Streaming is an inferior option to traditional wired cable or satellite or even antenna transmission, but this is what is being forced upon us more and more.  I think about Neil Young's love for high resolution audio compared to mp3, we are getting more mp3 version of TV broadcasts when we could have more high quality, but somebody(s) out there think they know better.  

I like SF a LOT more than being on Jax's side, just a gut feeling there thinking Staley will find a very imaginative way to royally screw up the game for the Chargers.

Posted by: @sang

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Got a NordicTrack bike - maybe it will get me to actually exercise in the winter .... 

So someone will sign you for the playoffs? 😛 

Posted by: @oldcoot

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I like SF a LOT more than being on Jax's side, just a gut feeling there thinking Staley will find a very imaginative way to royally screw up the game for the Chargers.

I think he could be gone if they don't at LEAST win one game. He has made some of the most boneheaded calls/decisions the past two seasons. Why, why why did he play his starters for the whole game last week?

But I think Philly played Hurts the whole game too. I figured one half would be sufficient.

Posted by: @oldcoot

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I like SF a LOT more than being on Jax's side, just a gut feeling there thinking Staley will find a very imaginative way to royally screw up the game for the Chargers.

Supposed to be a big storm in SF. Hope you took the under.

I didn't, I hope you didn't. SF nearly hit the over by themselves.

Miracle cover by the Jaguars, 2-0 on the day.

Shame on anyone who turned off Chargers - Jags @ halftime.  Here's what I want to know:  Is this the first time in history that an NFL team won a playoff game after their QB threw four INT's in the first half?

Posted by: @oldcoot

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I didn't, I hope you didn't. SF nearly hit the over by themselves.

Miracle cover by the Jaguars, 2-0 on the day.

I thought of my bad "advice". Good thing you didn't listen to me! It looked like the skies cleared up and it was a reasonable day. Certainly didn't affect the game. We went out to the local refilling station if you will and there was a buddy of mine who had big dollars (whatever that meant, he wouldn't tell us) on Seattle. He was hooting and hollering on every play. They looked good in the first half. He was trying to explain to me that S.F. would go nowhere in the playoffs and Tampa was the team to beat in the NFC.

Same guy who wanted to bet me 50 bucks that the Bears would win more than the Lions this season. 🙄 

I see all games in halves now.  Every game I play I make a 1H wager and sometimes a full game wager if I want to commit to that team long enough.  It can often be a very different game from one half to the other.  I take a different team in the 2H than I did 1H or even full game a lot depending on the number.  Sometimes you can hit all 3, or go 2-1 instead of 1-1 without HT wagering.  I love this system.  And the ability to live bet in Ohio now that it is legal has also been a wonderful addition to the tool chest.

It's too bad Tua can't go today, but his health and safety need to be a priority.  Miami's D is good enough to hold up for a bit, just not sure how Dolphins score many points with Thompson ... Bills D is good yet not spectacular so there would be opportunity, but can a Thompson led Miami O can do much damage?  Seems doubtful.  Plus the Bills are still riding the emotion of Damar Hamlin's rebound.  If not for those two KO returns last week, NE game might've been different.  Wonder if Josh Allen will throw yet another, I suspect league leading, RZ INT today?

1) LAC, 2) Min, 3) Jax, 4) Dal - teams all very difficult to trust and disappoint with some frequency especially for playoff teams.  Both LAC and Jax proved that point last night at different points of the game.  Chargers blowing that lead was borderline predictable.  Dallas proves their 'untrustworthiness' all the time, I would like them tomorrow because at their best they are very very good team, but they stumble and fall so often - and Dak hasn't been "seeing it real well" as they say.  Today we get the Vikings, also with a good ceiling, but have played more bad football off and on than any other division winner.  Giants have been a fun team, believing in themselves and the coaching staff.  Tough game to forecast.  I'd say A game vs A game it's the Vikings.  C game vs C game, it's the Giants. 

I'm glad Lamar disclosed some of the issues with his injury this week because the rumors were starting to get out of hand, which may be why he felt compelled to address why he hasn't yet been able to return to action.  I like Baltimore D. Don't like Cincy OL, even last week, Ravens were living in the backfield.  That is still a problem for Cincy, but it was last year and they went to the SB.  As with Miami, I'm not sure how many pts Baltimore can score?

Feels like a good 3-team teaser day.

Somewhat reluctantly took Buffalo laying close to two tds. From the looks of things I wish I had more on them! Like "The Bear" says "The less you bet the more you lose when you win."

Probably won't but I could possibly "in between" the Cincy/Baltimore. Burrow is straight money in the playoffs.

And then again maybe it's a good thing I didn't load up the Bills. Fins hang in' tough!

First off, it was a very entertaining football weekend. Why it is still called "Wildcard Weekend" when you have division champs playing makes no sense, but whatever.

The first half of the first game, Seattle/San Fran was good. Rob can shame me for the night game because I did turn it off. I fell asleep watching one of my favorite movies, "Goodfellas". Didn't know Jacks won until the next morning which shocked me. I think Staley might be gone.

Miami played tough, better than I would have thought. Good for them I guess. The last two games were good as well.

Regarding betting, only one favorite covered (SF) and they were losing at the half. Two lost straight up. I think all five overs came in. I guess this makes the playoffs more interesting than say a 10-7 game. I guess the 70s are over.

Tonight should be fun. I am begrudgingly rooting for Dallas, just because I need Tampa out of the playoffs for betting reasons. Plus I can't stand Brady.

Yeah, great weekend of football.

SF might have found their QB. Great season for Gino Smith, though. Always nice to see a player who got stuck on a bad team prove his mettle.

I proudly admit, I turned the LA game off at halftime. Lawrence's INTs became a joke by the 4th one, but once they scored before the half I thought they had settled down and looked good. I said to myself, the Jags can comeback if the Chargers let them, but do I care to watch the Jacksolina Panthaurs comeback? Not really.

Fins did as well as you could ask of Skylar Thompson, on the road no less. Division games are always a dog fight, especially by the 3rd matchup.

How 'bout them Giants? I thought they'd win, but I figured it would be in a more heartbreaking manner, like Cousins throwing an INT or a botched easy field goal. And now I finally am sure which one is Daniel Jones and which one is Mac Jones, so that's good. Daniel Jones is the real deal.

I didn't really have a dog in the late game, but Cincy is such a fun team to watch. Huntley was solid enough until that boneheaded goal line push, you got to take care of the ball. That was the game right there. Not sure what Harbaugh was doing with those timeouts in the last minute. If they had converted in the middle of the field, then he looks smart for having them, but, well, they didn't and had to shoot for the end zone.

I'm not completely certain what scenario puts the AFC Championship in Atlanta, but I hope that doesn't happen.

I've never had anything against Brady, but I can't root for the Cowboys. And Dallas has looked pretty wonky late down the stretch, right when you want to be playing your best football. I'm thinking experience and coaching wins this game. I've seen McC crumble late in games.

Posted by: @lee

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Regarding betting, only one favorite covered (SF) and they were losing at the half. Two lost straight up. I think all five overs came in. I guess this makes the playoffs more interesting than say a 10-7 game. I guess the 70s are over.

Tonight should be fun. I am begrudgingly rooting for Dallas, just because I need Tampa out of the playoffs for betting reasons. Plus I can't stand Brady.

 

Actually, you had to get them early in the week but Cincy covered for me -6 1/2. I could have bet it back the other way on Balt at +9 yesterday and won both ways. Those very rarely work out though so I just stayed on the Bengals.

Tonight I'm probably going under the total.

Early lines for next weekend KC -8 1/2 vs. Jax, Buff -4 against the Bengals and Philly -7 vs. NYG.

Buffalo was so sloppy against Miami and are their own worst enemy, Allen is way too prone to turnovers. I'd be all over Cinn but those further offensive line injuries are a big, big challenge. Right now I'd like the KC/Jax over at 51 1/2 and lean the Giants plus the touchdown.

Went 4-1 so far this week with that freakish Bengals fumble return cover and the Jacksonville miracle comeback.

PCB, it ends up in Atlanta if both KC & Buffalo win next weekend, neutral site because the Cincy/Buff game wasn't completed and Buffalo potentially could have been the #1 seed.

Looks like it's a good thing for nebish that he had a big lead ...  

Well the 'boys finally beat Brady, who never looked worse. Maybe it's time to hang up the cleats.

So I capped off a 5-1 week with the under 45 1/2 last night, it landed at 45 with FOUR missed extra points.  

Add to that the miracle Jacksonville comeback cover win and taking the Bengals early week at -6 1/2 and winning on a 98 yard fumble return.  

I just don't understand why my Mega-Millions billion dollar drawing ticket didn't win last week!!!  

Well guys, who ya got?

I took:

KC - 8.5

NYG +7.5

Buf -4.5 (I might change that though)

Dal +3.5

But I'm much more interested in my pick 'em fantasy thing. You pick one guy from each team so I took:

KC Mahomes at QB

Jax R.Patterson at K

Phil D.Goedert at TE

NYG S. Barkley at RB

Cincy J.Chase at WR

Buf S.Diggs at WR

Dal Prescott at QB

SFran McCaffery at RB

Obviously my guys for teams that lost are no longer in it.

Should be a fun weekend!

I have KC/Jacks over 51 1/2

Kelce over 6 1/2 receptions 

Eagles -6 1/2

Cincy +5 1/2

SF -2 1/2

(bought a point on each of Philly & Frisco

4-1 last weekend, 9-2 in the playoffs so far.

Starting to focus on this weekend's games, don't know what to make of the AFC game due to Mahomes' injury. Drastically reduces his mobility and I guess there's a possibility he only plays a portion of the game (or not at all, but he says he will). Right now Cincy is a 1 1/2 point favorite, it would just seem so odd to lay points to KC at home. Like I said, puzzled by this one. OTOH, every time Burrow and Mahomes have gone against each other the Bengals have won (and covered).

NFC, as much as I'd like to see SF win I really think this is the week that a defense makes Purdy uncomfortable and play like a rookie QB trying to figure things out. Eagles pass rush is topnotch and if they stop the run and then bring the pass rush I think it's a 7-10 point win for Philly.

Those others that dabble in wagering, what are your thoughts?

Posted by: @oldcoot

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Those others that dabble in wagering, what are your thoughts?

In the early game I like Philly. If they can get out to a lead (I know, if?) we don't know what Purdy can do in that situation. Heck maybe he can do it. This season he has been a lot of fun to watch but I have a feeling the bubble is gonna burst.

For the second game I like Burrow and the Bungles. Mainly because of the Mahomes injury. And Cincy seems to have their number. Although KC probably has a chip on their shoulder because of that.

A 6-point teaser could make sense if KC remains the favorite but if it flips back to Cincy -1 then it doesn't. That line has been weird all week.

For entertainment purposes only of course. 😉 

Feeling a little queasy right now, I actually agree with Lee on both games....  

More than likely will play Purdy to throw an INT and take Pachedo over his rushing total but haven't quite decided yet.

Well the stage is set. Andy Reid Bowl. Philly and KC are back in. Impressive run over the past few years by the Chiefs when you look back at it. Should be a really good matchup, I think we are getting the best teams in each conference.

I was bummed for SF losing Purdy so early, you really want to see each team give their best fight. But I don't think SF's D could have stopped Philly even with their offense pulling their own weight.

But my heart broke for Cincy's Ossai. Yes, it was the right call, you have to be smarter even when you're in hot pursuit. But damn if the poor kid didn't feel the weight of the team's entire season right there. Hate to see a game decided like that.

@porkchopbob 

I couldn't believe what a bad silly penalty that was. We see these things happen often and I guess I don't get it. Seems to me when you see a bunch of players standing on the sideline, wouldn't you know it is time to stop? 

You are right, he must feel awful because without that personal foul there probably wouldn't have been a kick attempt. Maybe but even so it would have been much more difficult.

That first game was painful to watch. Just awful. Seemed like San Fran was getting flagged a lot but without a QB it didn't matter. Hopefully Purdy gets a chance next year.

@lee 

Yeah without that penalty KC has :08s and is outside of (reasonable) FG range. Barring a crazy, quick conversion, it felt like we were getting OT. But it's not all on Ossai, Burrow threw 2 INTs. You have to look at all 60 minutes of the game.

Totally agree it wasn't just one play. Never is. But sometimes there IS one play that people remember from a game. Whatever the sport. That kid will still have to live with it.

Super Bowl lines are pretty steady after an early rise in the over/under total. Eagles are -1 1/2 and O/U ~ 50 1/2.

I wouldn't be surprised since it appears that Mahomes' injury isn't as limiting as originally thought if the game drops to Pick 'Em before the kickoff. Leaning toward Philadelphia at the moment and probably couldn't pass them up at even.