F&ck! I got to start Osweiler again Houston -3.5 vs Oakland - Oakland finally makes the playoffs after a 14 year drought. The fans get all excited and then Derek Carr gos out and breaks his leg. Then, back up Matt McGloin injures his shoulder. So now it’s up to former Spartan QB Connor Cook to try and win a playoff game for the Raiders for the first time since they were losing Super Bowl XXXVII to Tampa Bay 48-21.
Not only will Cook be the first rookie QB to be making his first start in a play off game but he will be doing it against the NFL’s #1 ranked defense. When informed that Cook will start Houston DT Jadeveon Clowney said “That’s great!, I hope we blitz all the time”
He’ll probably get his chances since Raider OT Donald Penn was last seen clutching his knee last week and hasn’t practiced this week. To take pressure off of Cook, Oakland will need to establish its running game with Latavius Murray and DeAndre Washington. They were quite the tandem as the Raiders were 6th overall in rushing.
The problem is, Houston’s rushing defense gives up less than 100 yards per game on the ground - #1. When these teams last met, the Houston run defense gobsmacked the Raider run game, holding them to 30 yards. And that is when they had to worry about Derek Carr and the passing game.
But it’s not all unicorns and sugar canes on the Houston sideline. They have to start Brock Osweiler as QB again. Osweiler has made a ton of money being a horrible backup. He started for the Broncos last year only to suck so bad they put in a decrepit Peyton Manning for the playoffs. Manning was awful but the Broncos were able to win the Super Bowl despite his play.
Osweiler parlayed that into a big contract with the Texans. They finally gave up on him after a couple of picks against a bad Jacksonville team in week 16. For the year, Osweiler had more picks (18) than TDs (16).
Not only will Cook be the first rookie QB to be making his first start in a play off game but he will be doing it against the NFL’s #1 ranked defense. When informed that Cook will start Houston DT Jadeveon Clowney said “That’s great!, I hope we blitz all the time”
He’ll probably get his chances since Raider OT Donald Penn was last seen clutching his knee last week and hasn’t practiced this week. To take pressure off of Cook, Oakland will need to establish its running game with Latavius Murray and DeAndre Washington. They were quite the tandem as the Raiders were 6th overall in rushing.
The problem is, Houston’s rushing defense gives up less than 100 yards per game on the ground - #1. When these teams last met, the Houston run defense gobsmacked the Raider run game, holding them to 30 yards. And that is when they had to worry about Derek Carr and the passing game.
But it’s not all unicorns and sugar canes on the Houston sideline. They have to start Brock Osweiler as QB again. Osweiler has made a ton of money being a horrible backup. He started for the Broncos last year only to suck so bad they put in a decrepit Peyton Manning for the playoffs. Manning was awful but the Broncos were able to win the Super Bowl despite his play.
Osweiler parlayed that into a big contract with the Texans. They finally gave up on him after a couple of picks against a bad Jacksonville team in week 16. For the year, Osweiler had more picks (18) than TDs (16).
Clowney can't wait to get after Cook The Texans would rather play Tom Savage who has a career 74.9 QBR rating rather than Osweiler. Good money spent there Texans. But Savage is out with a concussion so it’s back to Osweiler.
The Raiders beat Osweiler back in week 11 in Mexico City when they forced two turnovers and stormed back late to win 27-20. They will use the same strategy that worked in that game – stop RB Lamar Miller and force Osweiler to win the game.
Miller should have some success. The Oakland defense has been one of the worse against the run. The Raiders gave up an average of 117.6 rushing yards per game (23rd overall), and surrendered 18 touchdowns on the ground (25th).
If he struggles, Osweiler will be under pressure as the Texans are also missing an OT in Chris Clark. Oakland’s LB Khalil Mack should be able to get to the QB.
Overall, it’s two teams with QBs that didn’t expect to use but one with the better defense – Houston.
People don’t know what to expect from Cook. I do. He’ll do the same as what he did at State – make some brilliant back shoulder throws to move the chains and then, at the worst time, throw a bone head pick.
I hate giving up the hook in a low scoring game but I’ll still go with Houston. And speaking of low scoring the over/under is set at 37, one of the lowest I can recall. I’ll go with the defenses forcing turnovers setting up some short field positions and take the over.
The Raiders beat Osweiler back in week 11 in Mexico City when they forced two turnovers and stormed back late to win 27-20. They will use the same strategy that worked in that game – stop RB Lamar Miller and force Osweiler to win the game.
Miller should have some success. The Oakland defense has been one of the worse against the run. The Raiders gave up an average of 117.6 rushing yards per game (23rd overall), and surrendered 18 touchdowns on the ground (25th).
If he struggles, Osweiler will be under pressure as the Texans are also missing an OT in Chris Clark. Oakland’s LB Khalil Mack should be able to get to the QB.
Overall, it’s two teams with QBs that didn’t expect to use but one with the better defense – Houston.
People don’t know what to expect from Cook. I do. He’ll do the same as what he did at State – make some brilliant back shoulder throws to move the chains and then, at the worst time, throw a bone head pick.
I hate giving up the hook in a low scoring game but I’ll still go with Houston. And speaking of low scoring the over/under is set at 37, one of the lowest I can recall. I’ll go with the defenses forcing turnovers setting up some short field positions and take the over.
The Lions never fail to disappoint in the Playoffs Seattle -8.0 vs Detroit - 9 straight home playoff wins versus 8 straight playoff losses. That, in a nutshell, is all you need to know about this game.
The Lions are reeling. When they started playing football teams with big pants on, they got beat. They have lost three in a row - all to playoff teams.
You can do all the analytics you want, can Stafford pass against a Seahawk secondary missing Earl Thomas, can the Lions contain Russell Wilson after getting torched by Aaron Rodgers, which team’s running game runs more like a bunch of little girls – it’s all irrelevant.
The Lions suck pretty much every year and in the odd year that they actually make the playoffs they lose. This year will be no different. It took the Cubs about 100 years to win the World Series. The Lions are only half way there.
I’m taking Seattle for a Mega Bet.
The Lions are reeling. When they started playing football teams with big pants on, they got beat. They have lost three in a row - all to playoff teams.
You can do all the analytics you want, can Stafford pass against a Seahawk secondary missing Earl Thomas, can the Lions contain Russell Wilson after getting torched by Aaron Rodgers, which team’s running game runs more like a bunch of little girls – it’s all irrelevant.
The Lions suck pretty much every year and in the odd year that they actually make the playoffs they lose. This year will be no different. It took the Cubs about 100 years to win the World Series. The Lions are only half way there.
I’m taking Seattle for a Mega Bet.
Le Veon Bell figures to have a big day in his first playoff game Pittsburgh -10.0 vs Miami – Get ready for a blow out.
Miami is yet another team playing a back up QB. Ryan Tannehill was officially declared out on Thursday so journeyman QB Matt Moore will be making his first playoff start.
Moore is not much of a drop off from Tannehill, but he does lack Tannehill’s mobility. That could be an issue as the Dolphins will also be without Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey. OT Branden Albert isn't 100 percent either.
Therefore, the Fins will try to establish Jay Ajayi. Ajayi was fantastic in the prior meeting against the Steelers, rushing for 204 yards. But the O line is pretty banged up and Ajayi doesn't appear to be completely healthy either. And the Steeler defense isn’t about to allow Ajayi to go offen again.
To add to Miami’s injury woes, a couple of key players in the secondary are hurt also. CB Byron Maxwell is dealing with an ankle, and he's considered questionable. Even if he suits up, the Dolphins will be without Isa AbdulQuddus, meaning both starting safeties will be missing, as Reshad Jones went on injured reserve back in October.
Big Ben to Antonio Brown is going to shred Miami's depleted secondary with ease. Brown is coming off a season where he became the first player to have 100 receptions four years in a row. That said, the game will be officiated by Craig Wrolstad. His squad lets players play as they called the second-fewest penalties for either defensive pass interference, illegal contact or defensive holding (23) in the league. The teams' defensive backs will use to their advantage.
The Dolphins have major issues against the run as well. That's definitely not good news for Fin fans, given that they'll be tasked with containing Le'Veon Bell. Amazingly, it will be Bell’s first playoff game after four years in the pros. After sitting out the first three due to injuries, he is fired up.
I don't see how the Dolphins will stop any facet of Pittsburgh's offense.
10.0 is a ton of points but I’ll lay them and take the Steelers in a revenge game against a hobbling and outmanned Dolphin team.. And for fun, I'll take the over 46.0.
Miami is yet another team playing a back up QB. Ryan Tannehill was officially declared out on Thursday so journeyman QB Matt Moore will be making his first playoff start.
Moore is not much of a drop off from Tannehill, but he does lack Tannehill’s mobility. That could be an issue as the Dolphins will also be without Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey. OT Branden Albert isn't 100 percent either.
Therefore, the Fins will try to establish Jay Ajayi. Ajayi was fantastic in the prior meeting against the Steelers, rushing for 204 yards. But the O line is pretty banged up and Ajayi doesn't appear to be completely healthy either. And the Steeler defense isn’t about to allow Ajayi to go offen again.
To add to Miami’s injury woes, a couple of key players in the secondary are hurt also. CB Byron Maxwell is dealing with an ankle, and he's considered questionable. Even if he suits up, the Dolphins will be without Isa AbdulQuddus, meaning both starting safeties will be missing, as Reshad Jones went on injured reserve back in October.
Big Ben to Antonio Brown is going to shred Miami's depleted secondary with ease. Brown is coming off a season where he became the first player to have 100 receptions four years in a row. That said, the game will be officiated by Craig Wrolstad. His squad lets players play as they called the second-fewest penalties for either defensive pass interference, illegal contact or defensive holding (23) in the league. The teams' defensive backs will use to their advantage.
The Dolphins have major issues against the run as well. That's definitely not good news for Fin fans, given that they'll be tasked with containing Le'Veon Bell. Amazingly, it will be Bell’s first playoff game after four years in the pros. After sitting out the first three due to injuries, he is fired up.
I don't see how the Dolphins will stop any facet of Pittsburgh's offense.
10.0 is a ton of points but I’ll lay them and take the Steelers in a revenge game against a hobbling and outmanned Dolphin team.. And for fun, I'll take the over 46.0.
Rodgers is back!! Green Bay -4.5 vs NY Giants - The coldest game of the week could well be the best.
Green Bay has won six straight since being written off for dead. Green Bay stormed to the NFC title obliterating everyone in their path. The finished on a high note scoring 30+ points in their last four games.
Aaron Rodgers has been stellar and the offense has just one turnover during the winning streak. Rodgers has thrown 18 touchdowns and no interceptions in the past seven games
The defense also has done its part, limiting opponents to 18.7 points per game during the same span.
For the Giants, it’s familiar territory as both of their Super Bowl runs in 2007 and 2011 went through Lambeau at some point. New York has won nine of its last eleven and its defense is second in the league in points allowed (17.8 ppg).
The problem is with the offense that has scored less than 20 points in five straight. Eli Manning has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in five of the last six games.
He should be able to find Odell Beckham for some long throws. He'll be attacking a pass defense that has one starting cornerback on injured reserve. Sam Shields, another in the concussion protocol Quinten Rollins, and another battling a knee injury, Damarious Randall.
The Giants running game has improved with the return of OG Justin Pugh from injury. You know Green Bay is struggling against the run when they struggled to contain the Lion’ s Zach Zenner and Chicago’s Jordan Howard.
This game is a tough one to pick as the Giant’s defense is good enough to finally limit Aaron Rodgers. But Eli is ust too inconsistent. I’ll go with the Packers getting up early and New York having to shut off the running game in order to play catch up. In a shoot out, a finally healthy Rodgers will have the upper hand. I’ll take the Packers and give the 4.5.
Green Bay has won six straight since being written off for dead. Green Bay stormed to the NFC title obliterating everyone in their path. The finished on a high note scoring 30+ points in their last four games.
Aaron Rodgers has been stellar and the offense has just one turnover during the winning streak. Rodgers has thrown 18 touchdowns and no interceptions in the past seven games
The defense also has done its part, limiting opponents to 18.7 points per game during the same span.
For the Giants, it’s familiar territory as both of their Super Bowl runs in 2007 and 2011 went through Lambeau at some point. New York has won nine of its last eleven and its defense is second in the league in points allowed (17.8 ppg).
The problem is with the offense that has scored less than 20 points in five straight. Eli Manning has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in five of the last six games.
He should be able to find Odell Beckham for some long throws. He'll be attacking a pass defense that has one starting cornerback on injured reserve. Sam Shields, another in the concussion protocol Quinten Rollins, and another battling a knee injury, Damarious Randall.
The Giants running game has improved with the return of OG Justin Pugh from injury. You know Green Bay is struggling against the run when they struggled to contain the Lion’ s Zach Zenner and Chicago’s Jordan Howard.
This game is a tough one to pick as the Giant’s defense is good enough to finally limit Aaron Rodgers. But Eli is ust too inconsistent. I’ll go with the Packers getting up early and New York having to shut off the running game in order to play catch up. In a shoot out, a finally healthy Rodgers will have the upper hand. I’ll take the Packers and give the 4.5.
Hmmmm...Looks like I took all the favorites. that's some rookie Bruce betting there. Oh well.
