While there’s no Las Vegas Raiders football this weekend, we do have some NFL playoff games to watch with the Divisional Round on deck. Also, we’re reaching the final stretch of the Silver and Black Pride
Pick’em competition with just seven games left!
Odds below are provided by FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change.
Divisional Round Picks
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos
- Spread: DEN -1.5
- O/U: 46.5
- DEN ML: -116
- BUF ML: -102
Holder’s picks: DEN -1.5, DEN ML, Under 46.5
The Raiders homer in me wants to take the Bills, but Buffalo is running out of wide receivers since nearly the entire unit is injured. That’s going to make it tough for Josh Allen and Co. to move the ball on Denver’s stingy defense.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Spread: SEA -7
- O/U: 44.5
- SEA ML: -350
- SF ML: +280
Holder’s picks: SF +7, SEA ML, Over 44.5
I’m going with a hedge here because while I think Seattle is the better team, I’ll take my chances that this is a one-possession game between two bitter rivals. I think we’re in for another classic 49ers-Seahawks matchup on Saturday night.
Houston Texas vs. New England Patriots
- Spread: NE -3
- O/U: 41.5
- NE ML: -174
- HOU ML: +146
Holder’s picks: HOU +3, HOU ML, Under 41.5
I got doubted and got burned by the Texans last week, so I’m hopping on the bandwagon for the Divisional Round. Drake Maye got sacked five times against the Los Angeles Chargers, and things won’t get any easier for New England’s offensive line with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter coming to town.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
- Spread: LAR -3.5
- O/U: 48.5
- LAR ML: -200
- CHI ML: +168
Holder’s picks: LAR -3.5, LAR ML, Under 48.5
Chicago’s slow starts and fourth quarter comebacks are going to catch up to them eventually, and I think that’s this week against Los Angeles. Granted, the Rams did leave the door open and played a close game with Carolina Panthers last Saturday, but I’ll put my money on the team that has more playoff experience in this matchup.
Pick’em Competition
Moving on to S&BP’s Pick’em competition, below is a look at how our writers finished in Wild Card Weekend.
- Matt Holder 185-92-1 (67%)
- Bill Williamson 181-96-1 (65%)
- Ray Aspuria 173-104-1 (62%)
Have a week, Ray! He crushed it during the Wild Card games, going 5-1. However, Ray still trails me by 12 games for the writer’s lead, meaning he’s getting hot at the wrong time! Consider Ray the Atlanta Falcons of this competition. Bill and I both went 4-2, so there’s no movement there and I can clinch this weekend by maintaining the four-pick lead.
Community Standings
1. JeepRaider 186-91
t-2. Freddy B Good 184-93
t-2. Bower rangers 184-93
t-4. ColoRaider 183-94
t-4. Alaskan Raida 183-94
t-6. Dafe2cat 182-95
t-6. Tennessee Raider Fan 182-95
8. Vila41 181-96
t-9. Sci-Town MA Raiders 180-97
t-9. Pick’em Pro 180-97
t-9. NC Hell Razors 180-97
Wild Card Top Pickers
- Maxximum Overdrive 6-0
- Renaissance man 6-0
- Freddy B Good 6-0
- Jimmy the Greek 6-0
- Stirston 6-0
Shoutout to the community as we had five people start the playoffs with perfect predictions! We also had 13 folks go 5-1, so keep up the good work! As for the standings, Freddy B Good managed to close the gap on Jeep Raider, with Freddy and Bower rangers sitting within two games of the top spot. ColoRaider, Alaskan Raida and myself are within striking distance so Jeep better be careful!
Best of luck with your picks, and let’s enjoy some playoff football!
