This article is part of our Beating the Book series.
Last week didn't go especially well. I was 2-4 overall, and lost my best bet (Steelers), while watching some terrible games. Thankfully, the quarterfinals have much better teams and matchups.
This week, I don't have a huge lean, but if I had to pick, I'd go Rams and then Chiefs, in that order.
SATURDAY GAMES
Bengals +3.5 at Titans
Self-hating Bengals fan Jeff Erickson made a pretty good case as to why the Titans will roll here -- the Bengals are missing key interior linemen, Tennessee is well rested, healthy and should get Derrick Henry back. The Bengals have a puncher's chance against anyone, thanks to their explosive offense, and I was going to take the points, but Erickson (for the first time ever) made some good points. Lay the wood.
Titans 34 - 30
49ers +6 at Packers
The 49ers are stout on both sides of the ball, but they'll need Nick Bosa (concussion) and Fred Warner (ankle) even to slow down a rested Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Whether the 49ers cover comes down to Jimmy Garoppolo not throwing the soul-crushing pick like he did against the Cowboys. They survived it in Dallas, but they won't if that happens in Green Bay. Still, give me the points.
Packers 27 - 23
SUNDAY GAMES
Rams +3 at Buccaneers
The Rams looked great against the Cardinals, and I expect them to handle a banged up Bucs team, missing Chris Godwin, having cut Antonio Brown and possibly without All-Pro
Last week didn't go especially well. I was 2-4 overall, and lost my best bet (Steelers), while watching some terrible games. Thankfully, the quarterfinals have much better teams and matchups.
This week, I don't have a huge lean, but if I had to pick, I'd go Rams and then Chiefs, in that order.
SATURDAY GAMES
Bengals +3.5 at Titans
Self-hating Bengals fan Jeff Erickson made a pretty good case as to why the Titans will roll here -- the Bengals are missing key interior linemen, Tennessee is well rested, healthy and should get Derrick Henry back. The Bengals have a puncher's chance against anyone, thanks to their explosive offense, and I was going to take the points, but Erickson (for the first time ever) made some good points. Lay the wood.
Titans 34 - 30
49ers +6 at Packers
The 49ers are stout on both sides of the ball, but they'll need Nick Bosa (concussion) and Fred Warner (ankle) even to slow down a rested Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Whether the 49ers cover comes down to Jimmy Garoppolo not throwing the soul-crushing pick like he did against the Cowboys. They survived it in Dallas, but they won't if that happens in Green Bay. Still, give me the points.
Packers 27 - 23
SUNDAY GAMES
Rams +3 at Buccaneers
The Rams looked great against the Cardinals, and I expect them to handle a banged up Bucs team, missing Chris Godwin, having cut Antonio Brown and possibly without All-Pro right tackle Tristan Wirfs. Take the points.
Rams 24 - 20
Bills +2 at Chiefs
The Bills won convincingly in the first matchup, but the Chiefs looked like the dominant version from a couple years ago against the Steelers last week. If the Chiefs offense is truly back, and their defense is playing like it did in the second half, they're the best team in the AFC, possibly the NFL. Lay the wood.
Chiefs 30 - 27
I went 2-4 last week and lost my best bet (Steelers.) During the regular season my record was 139-130-3, my best bet record was 12-6 and I finished the Supercontest 46-43-1. In 2020, my record was 118-130-8, my best bet record was 5-12 and I finished the Supercontest 35-48-2. From 1999-2021, I've gone 2,947-2,756 (51.7%), not including ties.
