NFL Wild Card Weekend Games

[listen2me 23 1,825]

1 hour ago, Maximum Overkill said:

I think it'll be the Bills and Lions. 

And I think the Lions smoke them on a fast track. 

The potential for Ravens Bills second round is intriguing in WNY.   (Im not overlooking KC Toof.  Sit back down and relax)

People thought Josh should have won MVP last year.  He didnt Ravens were a tank in the regular season.  This year, at least the talking heads all hail Lamar because of his stats.  So which is it?   There will be high pressure in that game not only for Allen and Lamar...neither have won a ring nor been there.   Loser goes home with what was a good shot of doing it this year.   Again all due respect to thr Chiefs.  Wouldnt be surprised if they do it again.  But they obviously seem vulnerable this year.  But playoffs are different.  

And dont get me wrong.  SB is the goal in WNY.  Its not lost on some MVP.  Bills fans just feel Allen gets slighted by media.  Foxworth or whoever said straight out he roots for Allen to fail at one point.  They all love Lamar.  Obviously Mahomes deserves the praise.  So it would be a huge game within the game.  Last thing even maybe more than losing to the Chiefs again, is losing to Lamar in the divisional.   

And even outside of those fanbases that should be a big story.  Chiefs maybe vulnerable.   Ravens and Bills both cooked this year.  Lamar and Allen are 2 top QBs chasing a ring.  Or hell to beat the Chiefs to get there.  

My pick is also Bills Lions.   Lions are impressive.   Now get them at their place inside for all games?  Good luck.  I could see any of those top 3 AFC teams coming out of there.  But if any year, Chiefs seem gettable.   And Lamar can sort of do thr playoff Lamar.  Bills defense has be blah lately tho.  

[listen2me 23 1,825]

With all due respect to Lamar and Pat....there isnt a QB in the league that does what Josh does.  Ive never seen someone hero ball at the QB position like he does.  He wills his way down the field.   I hope he can get at least 1.  I dont know if you guys watch enough Bills games but the guys ceiling is wild.  There is a curse in Buffalo tho.  But if anyone can break it, its Josh.  

This was supposed to be a step back year for thrm remember.  Phins and Jets were both basically same odds to win division.  

[listen2me 23 1,825]

Also to go back to max there.  I do think Detroit would take that superbowl.  And fast track agree too.  But Josh Allen doesnt get smoked.  It was something crazy like 40 games straight not losing by more than 1 score.

[listen2me 23 1,825]

Bills did just beat Detroit a few weeks ago.  So I dont know.  I do give thrm advantage inside and Lions are very good even through injury.  I gotta tip my cap to those guys.   Maybe ill hate the Lions one day here soon.  

[edjr 6,578]

50 minutes ago, Maximum Overkill said:

Yeah, something is fishy there. It's not looking good. 

https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/the-best-sign-yet-for-jalen-hurts-availability-heading-into-eagles-playoffs/640907/?amp=1

[Voltaire 5,202]

 

On 1/6/2025 at 9:41 AM, cmh6476 said:

Saturday, Jan. 11

#5 LA Chargers (-2.5) @ #4 Houston Texans, 4:30 pm ET CBS 

#6 Pittsburgh Steelers @ #3 Baltimore Ravens (-8.5), 8:00 pm ET Prime Video

Sunday, Jan. 12

#7 Denver Broncos @ #2 Buffalo Bills (-7.5), 1:00 pm ET CBS

#7 Green Bay Packers @ #2 Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5), 4:30 pm ET FOX

#6 Washington Commanders @ #3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3), 8:00 pm ET NBC

Monday, Jan. 13

#5 Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) @ #4 LA Rams, 8:00 pm ET ESPN/ABC

Best bet is Chargers to cover at only -2.5. LAC has their act together while Houston is the tallest midget in the AFC South that would have trouble hitting .500 anywhere else.

I like the Ravens and Bills but 8.5 and 7.5 respectively both seem too rich for me so I'm out. I'll take the underdogs and their points to keep it competitive.

The Bears are much better than their record so getting bit in the ass by them is no embarrassment for Green Bay. Its more that the Packers haven't played competitive ball vs the elite teams. I like Philly to cover.

Redskins vs Bucs is essentially a coinflip IMO so I just took the 3 points.

Granted the Vikings just got embarrassed by the Lions, but I still think of them as the 3rd elite NFC team. The Rams truly are the best of the very good NFC  one step ahead of the Pack, Redskins, and Bucs but are still a tier down from the top three and 2.5 is too low.

[listen2me 23 1,825]

5 minutes ago, edjr said:

https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/the-best-sign-yet-for-jalen-hurts-availability-heading-into-eagles-playoffs/640907/?amp=1

Dude hes going to play.  Whether hes f'd up or not.  I get thr concerns come playoffs.  But hes playing....

[listen2me 23 1,825]

One of the Bills or Ravens are going to blowout their opponent.   I get that its division and thats real....but Pittsburgh sucks.   Ravens may run that score up on them.   34-14

[listen2me 23 1,825]

7 minutes ago, Voltaire said:

 

Best bet is Chargers to cover at only -2.5. LAC has their act together while Houston is the tallest midget in the AFC South that would have trouble hitting .500 anywhere else.

I like the Ravens and Bills but 8.5 and 7.5 respectively both seem too rich for me so I'm out. I'll take the underdogs and their points to keep it competitive.

The Bears are much better than their record so getting bit in the ass by them is no embarrassment for Green Bay. Its more that the Packers haven't played competitive ball vs the elite teams. I like Philly to cover.

Redskins vs Bucs is essentially a coinflip IMO so I just took the 3 points.

Granted the Vikings just got embarrassed by the Lions, but I still think of them as the 3rd elite NFC team. The Rams truly are the best of the very good NFC  one step ahead of the Pack, Redskins, and Bucs but are still a tier down from the top three and 2.5 is too low.

Its all very easy if u go by records

[Voltaire 5,202]

13 minutes ago, listen2me 23 said:

Its all very easy if u go by records

What does that mean?

The Dolphins would be in the playoffs if Tua didn't miss so many games. The Steelers look exposed as pretenders but are still a division rival with excellent coaching. Houston sucks, The Rams should have more Ws but lost a lot of games early with the injury bug riding them. I gave Chicago credit for being better than their record.

Am I over-ranking Minny? As a Lions fan, I'd much rather play them than the Rams but I think they are better than the Rams.

[cmh6476 1,010]

1 hour ago, listen2me 23 said:

The potential for Ravens Bills second round is intriguing in WNY.   (Im not overlooking KC Toof.  Sit back down and relax)

People thought Josh should have won MVP last year.  He didnt Ravens were a tank in the regular season.  This year, at least the talking heads all hail Lamar because of his stats.  So which is it?   There will be high pressure in that game not only for Allen and Lamar...neither have won a ring nor been there.   Loser goes home with what was a good shot of doing it this year.   Again all due respect to thr Chiefs.  Wouldnt be surprised if they do it again.  But they obviously seem vulnerable this year.  But playoffs are different.  

And dont get me wrong.  SB is the goal in WNY.  Its not lost on some MVP.  Bills fans just feel Allen gets slighted by media.  Foxworth or whoever said straight out he roots for Allen to fail at one point.  They all love Lamar.  Obviously Mahomes deserves the praise.  So it would be a huge game within the game.  Last thing even maybe more than losing to the Chiefs again, is losing to Lamar in the divisional.   

And even outside of those fanbases that should be a big story.  Chiefs maybe vulnerable.   Ravens and Bills both cooked this year.  Lamar and Allen are 2 top QBs chasing a ring.  Or hell to beat the Chiefs to get there.  

My pick is also Bills Lions.   Lions are impressive.   Now get them at their place inside for all games?  Good luck.  I could see any of those top 3 AFC teams coming out of there.  But if any year, Chiefs seem gettable.   And Lamar can sort of do thr playoff Lamar.  Bills defense has be blah lately tho.  

There isn't a team left that can't beat the Chiefs.  You're right, at times they've looked vulnerable.  They also have three weeks to gameplan for the divisional round, and to get fully healthy while the team they will play will likely be coming off a brutal game the week before.  I could see them slipping up, but I have a more confidence in them getting past the divisional round without much trouble, and then it's probably the Bills or Ravens after that likely game you speak of, just happening the week before in the divisional round for the chance to play KC in KC for the AFC Championship.  

[cmh6476 1,010]

45 minutes ago, Voltaire said:

What does that mean?

The Dolphins would be in the playoffs if Tua didn't miss so many games. The Steelers look exposed as pretenders but are still a division rival with excellent coaching. Houston sucks, The Rams should have more Ws but lost a lot of games early with the injury bug riding them. I gave Chicago credit for being better than their record.

Am I over-ranking Minny? As a Lions fan, I'd much rather play them than the Rams but I think they are better than the Rams.

That's a good point.  As people have brought up with Hurts, or how the Chiefs likely would have went to the Super Bowl in 93 or whenever it was if Montana didn't get knocked out during the game.  A lot can change the momentum of a game, even one in-game snap.

[cmh6476 1,010]

We may see more of DHop in the playoffs, since his snap % impacted the trade and draft pick in return. 

https://x.com/ChiefsBlitz/status/1876676675020423649?t=LTGFoTzpsbWRb6-lYbqeCg&s=19

[BeenHereBefore 1,467]

I been hot lately and over the weekend I hit a 8 team spread parlay $5 for $512, Let me take a stab at this weeks games.

Houston +3

Steelers + 10

Bills - 9

Eagles - 4.5

Redskins + 3

Vikings -1

Placed now on FD $7.73 to win $386.68

 

[supermike80 1,804]

On 1/6/2025 at 10:41 AM, cmh6476 said:

Saturday, Jan. 11

#5 LA Chargers (-2.5) @ #4 Houston Texans, 4:30 pm ET CBS

#6 Pittsburgh Steelers @ #3 Baltimore Ravens (-8.5), 8:00 pm ET Prime Video

Sunday, Jan. 12

#7 Denver Broncos @ #2 Buffalo Bills (-7.5), 1:00 pm ET CBS

#7 Green Bay Packers @ #2 Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5), 4:30 pm ET FOX

#6 Washington Commanders @ #3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3), 8:00 pm ET NBC

Monday, Jan. 13

#5 Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) @ #4 LA Rams, 8:00 pm ET ESPN/ABC

Supermikes picks (probably be good to do opposite of what i pick) imma add confidence level of my pick.  6 games. 6 being most confident, 1 least.

Rams 6

Chargers 5

Skins 4

Eagles 3

Bills 2

Ravens 1

 

 

[BeenHereBefore 1,467]

Skins will make it to round 2 and they are the underdog team everyone is rooting for. NFL will want them around for another week.

[Maximum Overkill 1,740]

11 hours ago, listen2me 23 said:

The potential for Ravens Bills second round is intriguing

Can you imagine the hype around that one? I don't think I'd trust Lamar to go into Buffalo late January and win. But it will be a hell of a game. 

[cmh6476 1,010]

sounds like the Vikings/ Rams game could be moved to Glendale if needed

[Hardcore troubadour 14,940]

NFL ratings down this year. I think the biggest reason for that is the NFL right now is a league of haves and have nots. Major media markets teams were awful this year. Giants done by Halloween and the Jets not long after. NE fans are fair weather like they were pre Brady.  

[RaiderHaters Revenge 4,238]

5 minutes ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

NFL ratings down this year. I think the biggest reason for that is the NFL right now is a league of haves and have nots. Major media markets teams were awful this year. Giants done by Halloween and the Jets not long after. NE fans are fair weather like they were pre Brady.  

cowgirls and 49ers too, and people are sick of the NFL Chiefs

 

[WhiteWonder 2,677]

Has Lamar ever even been to an AFC title game?  Very overrated.   Probably smoke everyone on the way to the SB now 

 

 

[BeenHereBefore 1,467]

11 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

Has Lamar ever even been to an AFC title game?  Very overrated.   Probably smoke everyone on the way to the SB now 

 

 

I already like the Steelers and the points this week, like them even better with Flowers out. Should be a close game if they focus on shutting Henry down.

[Fnord 2,051]

5 hours ago, cmh6476 said:

sounds like the Vikings/ Rams game could be moved to Glendale if needed

Cool. That could be a defacto home game for the Vikes. 50/50 crowd at best for the Rams. I still like the Vikings this postseason even after being demolished in Detroit. I have more faith in KOC than I have ever had in a Vikings coach. Though I'm too young to remember Bud Grant other than the very end of his career.

I am all in for any game featuring Josh Allen. He's my favorite NFL player atm. Games between the Bills and either Baltimore or KC are must-see. Hoping strongly for a MIN-BUF SB. One team would finally exorcise some demons. But the pragmatist in me thinks Det-Bal for all the marbles. While I really like the Lions, as a Viking fan I'm not sure how I would feel if they got to or won the SB. That would be kind of a kick in the nuts.

@supermike80 I am willing to place a non-fungible bet on the Rams-MN game, but haven't come up with any good ideas for the stakes. You?

[supermike80 1,804]

54 minutes ago, Fnord said:

Cool. That could be a defacto home game for the Vikes. 50/50 crowd at best for the Rams. I still like the Vikings this postseason even after being demolished in Detroit. I have more faith in KOC than I have ever had in a Vikings coach. Though I'm too young to remember Bud Grant other than the very end of his career.

I am all in for any game featuring Josh Allen. He's my favorite NFL player atm. Games between the Bills and either Baltimore or KC are must-see. Hoping strongly for a MIN-BUF SB. One team would finally exorcise some demons. But the pragmatist in me thinks Det-Bal for all the marbles. While I really like the Lions, as a Viking fan I'm not sure how I would feel if they got to or won the SB. That would be kind of a kick in the nuts.

@supermike80 I am willing to place a non-fungible bet on the Rams-MN game, but haven't come up with any good ideas for the stakes. You?

I mean bragging rights is fine with me.   I still stand by the Rams winning....regardless of the change of venue

[Fnord 2,051]

4 minutes ago, supermike80 said:

I mean bragging rights is fine with me.   I still stand by the Rams winning....regardless of the change of venue

I was hoping for something that would provide a few more chuckles. Like the loser has to quote the winner in threads with a response of "this guy is right about everything he says and whoever disagrees is a..."  or maybe something even more ghey. You are more convinced than I am about the result, but I'd still do something like this.

[supermike80 1,804]

6 minutes ago, Fnord said:

I was hoping for something that would provide a few more chuckles. Like the loser has to quote the winner in threads with a response of "this guy is right about everything he says and whoever disagrees is a..."  or maybe something even more ghey. You are more convinced than I am about the result, but I'd still do something like this.

I can get behind that.  

LOL start every post with  "Even though Supermike is smarter than me......"  Or some variation where the winner gets mentioned positively.

[Fnord 2,051]

1 minute ago, supermike80 said:

I can get behind that.  

LOL start every post with  "Even though Supermike is smarter than me......"

Nice. I'm in. We can workshop the quote for maximum entertainment value, but maybe every time the loser comes across a post from the winner, they have to quote it and say something like "Supermike/Fnord is the best poster here, smart and eloquent. I only wish I could live up to the standard that they set every day. I apologize to everyone here for being such a moronic windbag." Begin Tuesday morning and end the following Sunday night. Minimum one quote per day (negotiable), in case the loser decides to "take a break" from the GC next week.

[cmh6476 1,010]

Vikings/ Rams to be played in Arizona. 

I saw the giants whoop the Chiefs ass after 9/11.  There's something about a team rallying for their community in the face of adversity.  I'm in on the Rams now if I wasn't before. 

[supermike80 1,804]

14 hours ago, Fnord said:

Nice. I'm in. We can workshop the quote for maximum entertainment value, but maybe every time the loser comes across a post from the winner, they have to quote it and say something like "Supermike/Fnord is the best poster here, smart and eloquent. I only wish I could live up to the standard that they set every day. I apologize to everyone here for being such a moronic windbag." Begin Tuesday morning and end the following Sunday night. Minimum one quote per day (negotiable), in case the loser decides to "take a break" from the GC next week.

Done.  

Minny now a 2.5 favorite after the move

[dain11279 963]

On 1/7/2025 at 7:33 PM, listen2me 23 said:

With all due respect to Lamar and Pat....there isnt a QB in the league that does what Josh does.  Ive never seen someone hero ball at the QB position like he does.  He wills his way down the field.   I hope he can get at least 1.  I dont know if you guys watch enough Bills games but the guys ceiling is wild.  There is a curse in Buffalo tho.  But if anyone can break it, its Josh.  

This was supposed to be a step back year for thrm remember.  Phins and Jets were both basically same odds to win division.  

I honestly believe in the curse thing as well. I know I shouldn't. Even when something good happens on the field for the Bills I expect the worst, a flag, a turnover, a bad call. It's a miserable way to watch sports and root for your team. Until the Bills or Sabres (bahahahaha) actually win a 'ship I'll forever think Buffalo sports are cursed. Josh is so focking good (even better in the playoffs) and his defense fails him every year.

[Fnord 2,051]

1 hour ago, dain11279 said:

I honestly believe in the curse thing as well. I know I shouldn't. Even when something good happens on the field for the Bills I expect the worst, a flag, a turnover, a bad call. It's a miserable way to watch sports and root for your team. Until the Bills or Sabres (bahahahaha) actually win a 'ship I'll forever think Buffalo sports are cursed. Josh is so focking good (even better in the playoffs) and his defense fails him every year.

You'd also be a perfect Minnesota sports fan. We all feel the same way with the added bonus of being able to watch professional basketball and baseball teams torture us. Over 140 consecutive seasons without even an APPEARANCE in a championship game or series.

[posty 2,612]

1 hour ago, Fnord said:

You'd also be a perfect Minnesota sports fan. We all feel the same way with the added bonus of being able to watch professional basketball and baseball teams torture us. Over 140 consecutive seasons without even an APPEARANCE in a championship game or series.

The Lynx won WNBA titles in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017…. Your statement is not complete accurate…. Yeah I know what you will say, but it is a professional sports team…

[cmh6476 1,010]

2 hours ago, dain11279 said:

I honestly believe in the curse thing as well. I know I shouldn't. Even when something good happens on the field for the Bills I expect the worst, a flag, a turnover, a bad call. It's a miserable way to watch sports and root for your team. Until the Bills or Sabres (bahahahaha) actually win a 'ship I'll forever think Buffalo sports are cursed. Josh is so focking good (even better in the playoffs) and his defense fails him every year.

I remember those days

[Fnord 2,051]

12 minutes ago, posty said:

The Lynx won WNBA titles in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017…. Your statement is not complete accurate…. Yeah I know what you will say, but it is a professional sports team…

Ask any MN sports fan if they GAF, and 90+% will say no. The Univ. of MN hockey team has won a couple of titles in that time as well, but niche sports aren't the same. WNBA and NCAA hockey are niche sports that the average sports fan completely ignores. I'm nothing if not average.

[DonS 3,292]

3 hours ago, dain11279 said:

I honestly believe in the curse thing as well. I know I shouldn't. Even when something good happens on the field for the Bills I expect the worst, a flag, a turnover, a bad call. It's a miserable way to watch sports and root for your team. Until the Bills or Sabres (bahahahaha) actually win a 'ship I'll forever think Buffalo sports are cursed. Josh is so focking good (even better in the playoffs) and his defense fails him every year.

THIS

I'm trained like Pavlov's dogs to not celebrate any positive play for a good 5 seconds as I wait for that inevitable flag. 

 

[dain11279 963]

2 hours ago, cmh6476 said:

I remember those days

When you guys beat us in that crazy divisional game a few years back I saw a different angle replay of Butker’s kick to tie it up in regulation somewhere once. Ed Oliver missed blocking it by less then a foot, no shiot. Like his hand was high enough to block but it missed just to the right or left of his hand by inches. I feel like those are the breaks you need as well as playing great football. Little things like that make me feel like I’ll never see a Bills championship. 

[WhiteWonder 2,677]

On 1/7/2025 at 7:33 PM, listen2me 23 said:

With all due respect to Lamar and Pat....there isnt a QB in the league that does what Josh does.  Ive never seen someone hero ball at the QB position like he does.  He wills his way down the field.   I hope he can get at least 1.  I dont know if you guys watch enough Bills games but the guys ceiling is wild.  There is a curse in Buffalo tho.  But if anyone can break it, its Josh.  

This was supposed to be a step back year for thrm remember.  Phins and Jets were both basically same odds to win division.  

I will only disagree with you in terms of Pat. 

I do agree that Josh Allen embodies "hero ball" a little more than Pat... but I also don't think hero ball is what you really want to bank on, and it may be indicative of why Buffalo has been unable to beat KC in the playoffs despite regularly beating them in the regular season. 

As much as people can be tired of Mahomes and his commercials, etc, it's hard to deny his leadership, savvy, ability to make all the throws and his penchant for the big play in the right moment. 

As for a step back year, maybe. People were saying that because of his weapons... the loss of Diggs, no true #1, Keon Coleman possibly being a reach... I never bought that. Diggs has become a bit of a cancer and Josh Allen doesn't need a pro bowl WR to make him. He's capable of making a pro bowl WR. I think the bigger issue was the Jets on paper with a heathy Rodgers and the idea that the Dolphins would at least stay the course, if not improve. 

[Fnord 2,051]

2 hours ago, dain11279 said:

When you guys beat us in that crazy divisional game a few years back

That was one of, if not the, very best football games I've ever watched. Felt like every play was epic.

[cmh6476 1,010]

16 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

I will only disagree with you in terms of Pat. 

I do agree that Josh Allen embodies "hero ball" a little more than Pat... but I also don't think hero ball is what you really want to bank on, and it may be indicative of why Buffalo has been unable to beat KC in the playoffs despite regularly beating them in the regular season. 

As much as people can be tired of Mahomes and his commercials, etc, it's hard to deny his leadership, savvy, ability to make all the throws and his penchant for the big play in the right moment. 

As for a step back year, maybe. People were saying that because of his weapons... the loss of Diggs, no true #1, Keon Coleman possibly being a reach... I never bought that. Diggs has become a bit of a cancer and Josh Allen doesn't need a pro bowl WR to make him. He's capable of making a pro bowl WR. I think the bigger issue was the Jets on paper with a heathy Rodgers and the idea that the Dolphins would at least stay the course, if not improve. 

He also has yet to beat Pat when it matters.  He may eventually get that monkey off his back, but there's no guarantee.  Pat never accomplished that very thing he sought against Brady.  

I don't care how much better of a pocket passer or scrambler you think Josh Allen is than Mahomes.  The true measuring stick is Super Bowls, and there's no way I'd trade our QB for any other option out there.

[WhiteWonder 2,677]

1 minute ago, cmh6476 said:

 

I don't care how much better of a pocket passer or scrambler you think Josh Allen is than Mahomes.  The true measuring stick is Super Bowls, and there's no way I'd trade our QB for any other option out there.

I don't really think either. Josh Allen scambles more than Pat because he has to. Pat has seemingly scrambled less and less each season... I think mostly because he doesn't really need to. He can extend plays with his legs, but he doesnt need to rush it in near the goal line. That's what Pacheco is there for. 

Better pocket passer? I would have never thought of Allen above Mahomes as a pocket passer. There may be numbers to support it, I'm just going with my eyes.