NFL Wild Card Picks and Miracle Covers 2019 Playoff Preview
Happy New Year, everybody! First, we have a new podcast out! Lou (@miraclecovers) and Sean (@Seanismoney) reminisce about our best, and worst, bets this 2019 NFL Season, we talk about the Wild Card round and who we like, AFC/NFL Playoff futures, and why we think most of these coaches need an in-game 19 year old who plays Madden to handle the in-game decision making.
https://soundcloud.com/miraclecovers/miracle-covers-nfl-playoff-preview
Now here are Sean’s picks for the Wild Card round…our quest for perfection (undefeated against the spread for all 11 games) begins! Anything in BOLD is something I actually bet, as supposed of just a pick.
Buffalo +3.5 (-125)
This is now at +3. The Bills secondary is exactly the type that can handle this deep Texans WR core, and the Texans’ OL issues may hamper their best way to win this game (and Buffalo’s weakness): running the ball. If you like the Texans, bet the Hyde and/or Duke Johnson props; they should have big games. The Bills have been sound all year and as long as they don’t make mistakes and Josh Allen doesn’t puke himself, it should be close. I also expect the Bills’ edge rushers to not be super aggressive in this game to keep Watson in the pocket and make him throw; he’s banged up and if he could run just a little bit in this game, it will go a long way. There should be a lot of punts in this game; Lou likes the under at 43.5.
Titans +5 (-115)
A Wild Card game in Foxboro….it’s like seeing an eclipse. Yes, its going to snow…and Brady is amazing in the slop. But this Titans team comes in on a high, with Ryan Tannenhill being the 2nd best QB in the AFC in the 2nd half behind Lamar, along with lead rusher Derrick Henry. The Pats’ defense has gotten exposed in the 2nd half as the schedule got tougher, Corey Davis has had CB Gilmore’s number, and I don’t trust the Pats offense to score more than 24 points, they have been so bad and have maybe the worst WR/TE core in the entire NFL Playoff field. Vrabel used to play here, and he knows how Belichick thinks; the Titans pasted the Pats last year in this matchup. In order for the Pats to do well and make it to their 4th straight Super Bowl, they will need to win games 19-16, etc, to survive…especially with Edelman not healthy. I am also taking the under 44.5. This isn’t a self jinx, I swear….this Pats team is not built to win this year, and they will either lose big (like in 2009) or win barely to go into KC next week to lose by 13-17 points IMO.
Saints -8 (-110)
I get to bet against Kirk Cousins and Mike Zimmer on the road in a playoff game? Yay! The Saints offense had looked the most robust coming into the playoffs, and both Vikings’ CBs missed practice today, and Dalvin Cook is banged up. Also revenge factor for the Minnesota miracle a few years ago, Saints should be motivated at home in da dome.
Philadelphia +2.5
Lou might end up talking me into this as he does on the podcast (or I might take ML +120); Philly had the easiest schedule since 1981, and their entire team is on IR. But Doug Peterson still somehow got them here, and they face a flawed but game Seahawks team coming off a stomach punch loss to the 49ers at home. Everyone is betting the Seahawks, and people think it’s an easy W for them. Weather could be a factor as well in this game.
Props:
How Many Special Teams/Defensive TDs this weekend – 1 @ +115
