 |
| Graphic creds to Bradley W. Stewart |
By Joe Smeltzer
The playoffs are here, and this is how the Smeltzer on Sports playoff picks will work.
1. The seeding is done based on regular season standings
2. Since there are five player, only Brad and David will be playing this week.
3. Because the same teams will be picked a lot, total points is are tie-breaker. So whoever's points are closer to the total in the actual game will get the win for that contest.
Seems easy enough. Let's get into it.
Saturday
4:20
Titans (9-7) at Chiefs (10-6)
Line: KC -8.5
 |
| Photo creds to SI.Com |
Kansas City had an hot-and-cold regular season, and unfortunately for Tennessee, the Titans are catching the Chiefs on a hot streak.
KC won it's last four regular season games, and last week, beat Denver despite quarterback Alex Smith and star receiver Tyreek Hill not playing. The Titans are an average football team, and unless Marcus Mariota plays like an early 2000s Mike Vick, I don't see how they upset the red-hot Chiefs in Arrowhead with Smith and Hill back in the fold. If receiver Albert Wilson plays anything like he did last Sunday, the KC offense will be even more to handle.
8:15
Falcons (10-6) at Rams (11-5)
 |
| Photo creds to CBS Sports |
Atlanta's season has been one of unsatisfied hunger. From winning the NFC last season to sneaking into the playoffs in Week 17 this year, the Falcons haven't lived up to their potential yet.
While Atlanta has underachieved, the Rams are possibly the NFL's biggest overachievers, so you could say this is a matchup of contrasting seasons. The Falcons are such an enigma that I see this game going one of two ways; either Atlanta wins by three, or loses by 17. I'm going to take the latter.
Matt Ryan has had trouble with turnovers this year, throwing 12 interceptions. My gut tells me that Wade Phillips' defense is going to exploit those struggles Saturday night. If Ryan throws two or more picks, the Rams will be sitting pretty. If Jared Goff and Todd Gurley have enough chances to make some magic, they'll take advantage, and I think Aaron Donald and the Rams defense will give the offense enough opportunities to do just that.
Bills (9-7) at Jags (10-6)
Line: Jax -8.5
 |
| Cornerback Jalen Ramsey leads a Jags defense that can handle any offense in the league, especially Buffalo's. (photo creds to jaguars.com) |
It sure would be something to see Buffalo get its first playoff win in 22 years, and I think there's an outside chance that it happens.
Led by rookie Tre'Davious White, the Bills defense is talented enough to compete with anybody in the league, and Jacksonville isn't known for its offense. What gives the Jags the edge, however, is that their defense is possibly the best in the NFL, and I just can't see Buffalo's attack, which averages under 20 points per game, getting anything done against that unit unless LeSean McCoy goes bonkers.
I'm expecting a defensive battle that won't be decided until the fourth quarter. But Blake Bortles will make one or two more plays than Tyrod Taylor, and that will be the difference.
4:40
Panthers (11-5) at Saints (11-5)
Line: NO -7.0
 |
| Photo creds to USA Today |
They say its almost impossible to beat the same team three times in a year. I think that when one team is has shown themselves obviously better than the other, it's not just possible, but pretty likely as well.
Not only did the Saints beat the Panthers in both regular season meetings, but they were also obviously the better team in those games. I don't see any reason to expect a much different result Sunday, especially with the game in New Orleans. Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara shredded the Panthers in the last meeting Dec. 3 and I expect them to be on their A-game Sunday. If Ingram and Kamara are factors, goodbye Carolina.
No comments:
Post a Comment