Shed a tear, with the Conference Championships this Sunday, we only have three football games left and two weekends of the NFL playoffs before we embark on the long offseason. Granted, that is when the news surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders gets interesting, but we also only have a handful of opportunities to close out this year’s Silver and Black Pride Pick’em competition.
Odds below are provided by FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change.
Conference Championship Picks
New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos
- Spread: NE -5.5
- O/U: 42.5
- NE ML: -245
- DEN ML: +200
Holder’s picks: DEN +5.5, DEN ML, Over 42.5
Call me crazy, but if any team can overcome losing their starting quarterback in the playoffs, it’s the Broncos. Denver has an elite defense, a good offensive line and a good coach/offensive play caller in Sean Payton. Plus, it’s not as if Bo Nix was lighting it up all season, as many felt he could be the Broncos’ Achilles’ heel in the postseason. I hate to say it, but Denver is built to withstand this type of adversity, so I’ll take the Ponies as home dogs.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Spread: SEA -2.5
- O/U: 46.5
- SEA ML: -154
- LAR ML: +130
Holder’s picks: LAR +2.5, LAR ML, Under 46.5
The dog in me is coming out this weekend, going with both underdogs in the Conference Championships. Apologies for the bad dad joke, but the Rams are the best team left in the playoffs, in my opinion. This game would be in Southern California if it weren’t for a fluke two-point conversion in Week 16, as Los Angeles won the first matchup and held a late two-possession lead in the second. While Sam Darnold turned it on in the fourth quarter of game two between these clubs, Darnold has struggled in seven out of nine quarters (including overtime) against this Rams’ defense and pass-rush.
Pick’em Competition
Moving on to S&BP’s Pick’em competition, below is a look at how our writers finished in the Divisional Round.
- Matt Holder 188-93-1 (67%)
- Bill Williamson 182-97-1 (65%)
- Ray Apsuria 175-106-1 (62%)
The writer’s standings are locked into place, as I went 3-1 last weekend to hold a five-game lead and take home the crown. Also, Bill is eight games ahead of Ray, so there’s no drama at all among the writers while we finish up the playoffs. Congrats to me! I’ll be partying like Fernando Mendoza after the National Championship this weekend.
Community Standings
1. JeepRaider 189-92
2. Freddy B Good 187-94
t-3. Vila41 185-96
t-3. Dafe2cat 185-96
t-3. Tennessee Raider Fan 185-96
t-3. Alaskan Raida 185-96
t-3. ColoRaider 185-96
t-8. Pick’em Pro 184-97
t-8. Bower rangers 184-97
10. NC Hell Razors 183-98
Divisional Top Pickers
- Soul patrol 32 4-0
- Pick’em Pro 4-0
- Professor 4-0
- RaiderRich25 4-0
- Busby79 4-0
- Vila41 4-0
The community crushed it last weekend as we not only had six people with perfect picks, but we also had 22 go 3-1! However, it’s officially just a three-person race for the overall championship between JeepRaider, Freddy B Good and me. Everyone else is at least four games behind with only three to play. Also, Jeep can clinch at least a share of the title by getting both games right on Sunday, which would also eliminate Freddy.
Best of luck with your picks, and let’s enjoy some playoff football!
