
Here's to us old guys! The five oldest QBs in the NFL are still standing in the playoffs. This weekend's games will mark the first time that five QBs (Brady, Brees, Rivers, Roethlisberger and Rodgers) age 37 or older will start in the same playoffs in NFL history. Amazingly, The five "old guys" have made a combined 107 playoff starts, but this is the first time all five have been in the playoffs in the same year.
They have combined to win 10 of the past 20 Super Bowls although, other than Brady, none has made it to the Super Bowl since Rodgers and Roethlisberger faced each other in 2011.
Of course the best and youngest, Patrick Mahomes will be watching from home. Damn kids these days.
When the NFL expanded the playoffs this year, adding two more teams, they took to calling this "Super Wild Card Weekend" They may not all be super but there sure are some dandies
Here's the Super picks!
They have combined to win 10 of the past 20 Super Bowls although, other than Brady, none has made it to the Super Bowl since Rodgers and Roethlisberger faced each other in 2011.
Of course the best and youngest, Patrick Mahomes will be watching from home. Damn kids these days.
When the NFL expanded the playoffs this year, adding two more teams, they took to calling this "Super Wild Card Weekend" They may not all be super but there sure are some dandies
Here's the Super picks!

Buffalo -7.0 vs Indianapolis - The Bills are the hottest team in the league. They have won nine of their last ten games and covered their final eight games. Only a Cardinal Hail Mary pass keeps them from a ten game winning streak.
QB Josh Allen came into his own this year, setting franchise records of 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns. He ran for an additional 421 yards and 10 TDs. His development has helped make Buffalo the second-best offense in the NFL.
Houston’s blunder was Buffalo’s gain when they picked up Stefon Diggs. All he did this year was lead the NFL with 127 grabs and 1,535 yards. Cole Beasley nearly topped 1,000 yards this season too.
Indianapolis went 6-2 over the second half of the season to grab the last playoff spot over Miami. They have the best OL in the business, one of the reasons that QB the immobile Phil Rivers was only sacked 19 times vs 34 last year. His pick total dropped too from 19 to 11 this year.
QB Josh Allen came into his own this year, setting franchise records of 4,544 yards and 37 touchdowns. He ran for an additional 421 yards and 10 TDs. His development has helped make Buffalo the second-best offense in the NFL.
Houston’s blunder was Buffalo’s gain when they picked up Stefon Diggs. All he did this year was lead the NFL with 127 grabs and 1,535 yards. Cole Beasley nearly topped 1,000 yards this season too.
Indianapolis went 6-2 over the second half of the season to grab the last playoff spot over Miami. They have the best OL in the business, one of the reasons that QB the immobile Phil Rivers was only sacked 19 times vs 34 last year. His pick total dropped too from 19 to 11 this year.

The OL opened up holes for rookie RB Jonathon Taylor as he finished 3rd in the league with 1,169 yards. He should get some yards in this game as Buffalo was 26th against the run this year. But the OL is missing their best player in OT Anthony Castonzo who is on IR. His backup Will Holden was hurt too and is also out.
The Colts secondary is also reeling as CB Rock Ya-Sin is out and safety Khari Willis missed last week under the concussion protocol. Even when they were playing the secondary was a liability as it finished 20th against the pass.
I’m going with Buffalo and laying the points. The Berj angle is to take the hot team to cover. Phil Rivers has never played well in the cold, the OL is dinged up and the secondary was not too good to begin with. The Colts will get behind quick, limiting Taylor and the Bills will cruise to an easy win.
The Colts secondary is also reeling as CB Rock Ya-Sin is out and safety Khari Willis missed last week under the concussion protocol. Even when they were playing the secondary was a liability as it finished 20th against the pass.
I’m going with Buffalo and laying the points. The Berj angle is to take the hot team to cover. Phil Rivers has never played well in the cold, the OL is dinged up and the secondary was not too good to begin with. The Colts will get behind quick, limiting Taylor and the Bills will cruise to an easy win.

Seattle -3.5 vs LA Rams – These two NFC rivals are meeting for the third time this season. They split their first two meetings with the home team holding serve.
Starting Rams QB Jared Goff suffered a fractured right thumb in a 20-9 loss at Seattle on Dec. 27 and had surgery the following day. So the Rams scrounged up John Wolford from the Alliance for American Football, starting him against the Cardinals. The stats were fine but in the end he never got them into the end zone. Goff is questionable but even when he is in he has struggled against the Seahawks.
The Rams did get some good news when they announced WR Cooper Kupp and DL Michael Brockers will be back this week. The Rams also expect to get LT Andrew Whitworth back, which would be a major boost for the offensive line.
Of course, it’s the defense that got the Rams into the playoffs. The ranked No. 1 in total defense, No. 1 against the pass, and third against the run this season.
Starting Rams QB Jared Goff suffered a fractured right thumb in a 20-9 loss at Seattle on Dec. 27 and had surgery the following day. So the Rams scrounged up John Wolford from the Alliance for American Football, starting him against the Cardinals. The stats were fine but in the end he never got them into the end zone. Goff is questionable but even when he is in he has struggled against the Seahawks.
The Rams did get some good news when they announced WR Cooper Kupp and DL Michael Brockers will be back this week. The Rams also expect to get LT Andrew Whitworth back, which would be a major boost for the offensive line.
Of course, it’s the defense that got the Rams into the playoffs. The ranked No. 1 in total defense, No. 1 against the pass, and third against the run this season.

Remember when the Seahawks were going to let Russel Wilson “cook” this year. It started out fantastic as the Seahawks won and covered the number in each of their first four games. Wilson led this offense to at least 30 points each time out.
Then for some reason, the stove was turned off and the pilot light blown out as Wilson’s numbers declined, and he became more turnover prone. Fortunately the defense completely turned it around by allowing 17 points or less in five of Seattle’s last six games.
So what happened? The OL kept getting injured. They were a missing blocker every single week, except for when they crushed the Jets, 40-3. The good news is, they are all expected to play this week.
So who would you rather have? The Rams with an AAF player or an injured Goff? Or Seattle and Wilson able to cook again.? And with the Seahawk defense, while not at the Rams level, still playing the best they have since the Super Bowl years.
I’ll take Seattle, at home, and lay the points for a quatloo.
Then for some reason, the stove was turned off and the pilot light blown out as Wilson’s numbers declined, and he became more turnover prone. Fortunately the defense completely turned it around by allowing 17 points or less in five of Seattle’s last six games.
So what happened? The OL kept getting injured. They were a missing blocker every single week, except for when they crushed the Jets, 40-3. The good news is, they are all expected to play this week.
So who would you rather have? The Rams with an AAF player or an injured Goff? Or Seattle and Wilson able to cook again.? And with the Seahawk defense, while not at the Rams level, still playing the best they have since the Super Bowl years.
I’ll take Seattle, at home, and lay the points for a quatloo.

Tampa Bay -8.5 @ Washington – Here’s the angle all the talking heads go on about – the way to beat Brady is with a pass rush. Washington has a pass rush! They have 5 former #1 draft picks. They had 47 sacks (6th in the league)! Remember how the NY Giants won the Super Bowl? They pressured Brady.
Washington’s pressure being tied for the second-most interceptions (16) during the regular season, limiting opposing quarterbacks to an 81.4 passer rating, and allowing the fewest pass plays of 20 yards or more.
Yea, I get it. The formula is there. But what you don’t hear is that the Bucs have have one of the best pass-blocking offensive lines in the league. They allowed just 22 sacks during the regular season, fourth-fewest in the NFL.
And what you don’t hear is - how do you expect the Redskins to score? The whole Alex Smith coming back from a horrendous injury to start again in the NFL is a great story. It makes me feel good all over.
But he is awful since returning. In eight games, he's thrown just six touchdown passes against eight interceptions with a dismal passer rating of 78.5. Its part of the reason that the Skins have only beaten one team with a winning record. Smith is currently nursing a calf injury that could limit him on Saturday night as well. Which means backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke (who?) and Smith could rotate as QB.
Washington’s pressure being tied for the second-most interceptions (16) during the regular season, limiting opposing quarterbacks to an 81.4 passer rating, and allowing the fewest pass plays of 20 yards or more.
Yea, I get it. The formula is there. But what you don’t hear is that the Bucs have have one of the best pass-blocking offensive lines in the league. They allowed just 22 sacks during the regular season, fourth-fewest in the NFL.
And what you don’t hear is - how do you expect the Redskins to score? The whole Alex Smith coming back from a horrendous injury to start again in the NFL is a great story. It makes me feel good all over.
But he is awful since returning. In eight games, he's thrown just six touchdown passes against eight interceptions with a dismal passer rating of 78.5. Its part of the reason that the Skins have only beaten one team with a winning record. Smith is currently nursing a calf injury that could limit him on Saturday night as well. Which means backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke (who?) and Smith could rotate as QB.

They will be the ones getting pressured. The Washington OL sucks in pass protection, surrendering 50 sacks (2nd most). The Tampa Bay pass rush racked up 48 sacks during the regular season (4th). To score the Redskins will need to run the ball. OK, Tampa Bay has the #1 rush defense and has allowed the fewest rushing TDs.
What you don’t want to do against Brady is poke the bear which is exactly what DE Chase Young (a rookie no less) did after winning last week. He called out "Tom Brady, Tom Brady, I'm coming! I want Tom!" and doubled down on the comments later this week. Brady is going to go scorched earth on Young and the Redskins in a game that will turn heads in the playoffs.
I’ll lay the points for a Mini Mega.
What you don’t want to do against Brady is poke the bear which is exactly what DE Chase Young (a rookie no less) did after winning last week. He called out "Tom Brady, Tom Brady, I'm coming! I want Tom!" and doubled down on the comments later this week. Brady is going to go scorched earth on Young and the Redskins in a game that will turn heads in the playoffs.
I’ll lay the points for a Mini Mega.

Tennessee +3.0 vs Baltimore – Baltimore is back baby! After struggling through most of the season (they were 6-5 to start the season), the Ravens bounced back, winning their final five regular season games. Their offense has found last year's rhythm during the winning streak, racking up 37.2 points per game. That five-game winning streak makes them the hottest team in the AFC this side of the Buffalo Bills.
But look a little further, four of their five opponents have been the Cowboys, Jaguars, Giants and Bengals. The last time Lamar Jackson battled a tough opponent was Week 11. Oh yeah, that was a game a loss to the Titans, who did a great job limiting Jackson. They held him to 17-of-29 passing for 186 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
Hardly anyone has been able to slow down Tennessee’ Derrick Henry this year. Henry became the eighth back in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards. Henry's historic season made Tennessee (11-5) the first team to boast two 2,000-yard rushers. Chris Johnson accomplished the feat in 2009
But look a little further, four of their five opponents have been the Cowboys, Jaguars, Giants and Bengals. The last time Lamar Jackson battled a tough opponent was Week 11. Oh yeah, that was a game a loss to the Titans, who did a great job limiting Jackson. They held him to 17-of-29 passing for 186 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
Hardly anyone has been able to slow down Tennessee’ Derrick Henry this year. Henry became the eighth back in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards. Henry's historic season made Tennessee (11-5) the first team to boast two 2,000-yard rushers. Chris Johnson accomplished the feat in 2009

The Titans rely on them to set up play-action passes and give Tannehill options when he drops back to throw to AJ Brown. Brown leads the Titans in all major receiving categories: catches (70), yards (1,075), touchdowns (11),
But what about the Titans defense? Tennessee has one of the NFL’s worst defenses, and yes, it gives up way too many yards and doesn’t take the ball away enough. But it’s biggest issues are with the high-powered passing teams. That’s not Baltimore.
Since the 2011 playoffs, the Wild Card round team that the shortest favorite is 3-6 SU and ATS. Since 2013, it’s1-6 SU and ATS. That team this year is Baltimore.
Tennessee just seems to have Baltimore’s number and the Ravens are getting too much credit for beating up bad teams. I’ll take the Titans and the points for a quatloo.
Of course Joe likes to point out that the Titans only got here because of a doink
But what about the Titans defense? Tennessee has one of the NFL’s worst defenses, and yes, it gives up way too many yards and doesn’t take the ball away enough. But it’s biggest issues are with the high-powered passing teams. That’s not Baltimore.
Since the 2011 playoffs, the Wild Card round team that the shortest favorite is 3-6 SU and ATS. Since 2013, it’s1-6 SU and ATS. That team this year is Baltimore.
Tennessee just seems to have Baltimore’s number and the Ravens are getting too much credit for beating up bad teams. I’ll take the Titans and the points for a quatloo.
Of course Joe likes to point out that the Titans only got here because of a doink

New Orleans -10.0 vs Chicago – The Bears backed into the playoffs too. They were on a three-game winning streak before getting thumped by Green Bay 35-16. Despite losing, the Bears qualified for the final playoff spot due to Arizona losing 18-7 to the Los Angeles Rams.
During that late winning streak, the Trubisky and the Bears averaged 31 points per game. But a deeper look at the schedule shows the Bears beat a cupcake schedule that included three of the worst defenses.
Trubisky managed just 16 points against the Packers’ average defense in Week 17, and now has to deal with a Saints defense that finished No. 2 overall. Chicago played four Top 10 defenses this year and averaged just 16 points and 256 yards of total offense per game.
Trubisky will likely have an ill timed turnover too. The Saints were the fourth-best team in the NFL in turnover margin this season, while the Bears ranked 23rd.
During that late winning streak, the Trubisky and the Bears averaged 31 points per game. But a deeper look at the schedule shows the Bears beat a cupcake schedule that included three of the worst defenses.
Trubisky managed just 16 points against the Packers’ average defense in Week 17, and now has to deal with a Saints defense that finished No. 2 overall. Chicago played four Top 10 defenses this year and averaged just 16 points and 256 yards of total offense per game.
Trubisky will likely have an ill timed turnover too. The Saints were the fourth-best team in the NFL in turnover margin this season, while the Bears ranked 23rd.

Not only will New Orleans be able to stuff the Bears, but Alvin Kamara is expected back after missing the game last week due to the Covid. The last time Kamara played he tied the record for TDs in a game (and killed my fantasy matchup) by scoring 6 TDs.
Despite missing the team's regular-season finale, Kamara set career highs this season in rushing touchdowns (16) and receptions (83) and was just 68 yards away from his first 1,000-yard rushing season. With the Bears missing two players in the secondary, Brees and Kamara are going to roll.
The Bears are the worst team in the playoffs. They got lucky during the year, from the comeback versus the Lions in Week 1, to the Golden Tate's drop versus the Giants on the final play in Week 2, to the comeback against the Julio Jones-less Falcons in Week 3, the ball has continued to bounce their way. But playoffs have a way of putting a stop to these things.
Since 2011, there have been three teams favored by double digits. All three, including the Saints in 2011, covered. I’ll go with that trend and lay the points for a quatloo.
Despite missing the team's regular-season finale, Kamara set career highs this season in rushing touchdowns (16) and receptions (83) and was just 68 yards away from his first 1,000-yard rushing season. With the Bears missing two players in the secondary, Brees and Kamara are going to roll.
The Bears are the worst team in the playoffs. They got lucky during the year, from the comeback versus the Lions in Week 1, to the Golden Tate's drop versus the Giants on the final play in Week 2, to the comeback against the Julio Jones-less Falcons in Week 3, the ball has continued to bounce their way. But playoffs have a way of putting a stop to these things.
Since 2011, there have been three teams favored by double digits. All three, including the Saints in 2011, covered. I’ll go with that trend and lay the points for a quatloo.

Pittsburgh -6.0 vs Cleveland – Talk about backing into the playoffs, Pittsburgh started out 11-0 and then lost four of their last five to finish 12-4, yet still winning their division. The Browns went 2-2 down the stretch to finish 11-5 and are in the playoffs for the first times since 2002.
Baker Mayfield had a terrific season, accumulating over 3500 passing yards with a superb 26:8 TD to INT ratio. The Browns running game is among the best in the NFL and will play a key role in this game. Nick Chubb has established himself as one of the better running backs in the league, finishing with 1,067 yards on an average of 5.6 yards per attempt. Kareem Hunt is also a threat, collecting over 800 yards.
The Browns should contain the Steelers on the ground with a rush defense that ranks 9th. Too bad the Steelers don’t rely on the run. James Conner is fairly average, cracking 100 yards on only three occasions this season, finishing with just over 700 yards.
Baker Mayfield had a terrific season, accumulating over 3500 passing yards with a superb 26:8 TD to INT ratio. The Browns running game is among the best in the NFL and will play a key role in this game. Nick Chubb has established himself as one of the better running backs in the league, finishing with 1,067 yards on an average of 5.6 yards per attempt. Kareem Hunt is also a threat, collecting over 800 yards.
The Browns should contain the Steelers on the ground with a rush defense that ranks 9th. Too bad the Steelers don’t rely on the run. James Conner is fairly average, cracking 100 yards on only three occasions this season, finishing with just over 700 yards.

Pittsburgh passing game is what got them the division crown. Juju Smith-Schuster receives most of the attention but it was Diontae Johnson leading the team with over 900 yards followed by rookie Chase Claypool with 873. JuJu was third with 830 yards. They are going to run rampant over Browns’ secondary, which ranks 22nd.
The Pittsburgh defense is solid. They rank 3rd against the pass and 11th against the run which will be challenged in a big way in this game. Unfortunately, #1 cornerback Joe Haden is not expected to play due to the Covid.
But the Covid has really racked the Browns. They could be without multiple offensive linemen and their top three cornerbacks, even their head coach and play caller Keven Stefanski. Playoff preparations are hard enough without having to deal with who’s playing and the head coach unable to participate.
The spread for this game continues to grow as more bad news comes from the Mistake by the Lake. I’ll take the Steelers and lay the points for a quatloo.
I'm also going to lay a Mini Mega on a money line parlay of
Buffalo
Tampa Bay
New Orleans
Pittsburgh
And I'll take a flyer on the Bucs to win the NFC at 4/1 for a quatloo
Remember the 2021 GO JUMBO trip is November 13, 2021
And don't forget your drink coupons!
The Pittsburgh defense is solid. They rank 3rd against the pass and 11th against the run which will be challenged in a big way in this game. Unfortunately, #1 cornerback Joe Haden is not expected to play due to the Covid.
But the Covid has really racked the Browns. They could be without multiple offensive linemen and their top three cornerbacks, even their head coach and play caller Keven Stefanski. Playoff preparations are hard enough without having to deal with who’s playing and the head coach unable to participate.
The spread for this game continues to grow as more bad news comes from the Mistake by the Lake. I’ll take the Steelers and lay the points for a quatloo.
I'm also going to lay a Mini Mega on a money line parlay of
Buffalo
Tampa Bay
New Orleans
Pittsburgh
And I'll take a flyer on the Bucs to win the NFC at 4/1 for a quatloo
Remember the 2021 GO JUMBO trip is November 13, 2021
And don't forget your drink coupons!