Greg's 2022 NFL Picks: Championship Round Edition

 Well that didn't go well.

I went 1-3 in the Divisional round and the Rams nearly sent me to an 0 for, with as close to an epic choke job as you can get. Oh well.  Only 2 games on docket this time around so let's get right to it.

Bengals @ Chiefs: I honestly think that the Bengals will start out fast in this game. The Chiefs might be lagging after an epic OT battle with Buffalo the previous game. However, I still can't get past the Bengals OL. At some point, they are going to really crack and destroy Burrow. I think they will be slowed down because of that, allowing the Chiefs to catch up and win in the end. The Chiefs will go to the Super Bowl for the 3rd straight year.

Victory: Chiefs

49ers @ Rams: My brain is screaming Rams but there's something holding me back. First, the home field really doesn't mean much in this game because Sofi Stadium is usually middling anyway. Secondly is the streak. The Niners have beaten the Rams six straight games and they had to beat the Rams to get into the playoffs. They remind me ALOT of the 2009 Jets. The Jets that year had to beat the Colts (who controversially rested their players) to make the playoffs and then lost to the Colts in the AFC title game. At the end of the day, I think the Rams win, but I wouldn't bet the house.

Victory: Rams

Greg's 2022 NFL Picks: Divisional Round Edition

 So in the wild card round, I went 3-3. Not much to say about that. Dallas is annoyed about the refs, but they deserved to lose that game; lock, stock and barrel. Now onto the divisional round where all the teams are of very good quality. LET'S DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bengals @ Titans: I did not love the way the Bengals performed against the Raiders. They should have beaten them up and instead had to hang on for dear life. Tennessee, meanwhile, gets Derrick Henry back at last and the key way to stop a high scoring offense is to run the ball and keep it away from the opposing offense. I LOVE the Titans in this matchup. I think the spot is too big for Cincy.

Victory: Titans

49ers @ Packers:  The tundra of Lambeau Field should be frozen for this game; it's scheduled to be in the teens and lower at gametime. Niners can run the ball effectively to slow down Rodgers, and their defense has risen up, but Jimmy G still scares me. That Dallas game should have been over and he let them back in the game. Can't do that against Green Bay. And I think he will end up making a big mistake that will allow Rodgers to win the game. Packers, in a close one.

Victory: Packers

Rams @ Buccaneers: This game comes down to the offensive lines which are both hurting. Whitworth is out for the Rams and Wirfs plus Jensen are questionable for Tampa. I'm going to take a stab in this game. I think the Rams are going to win. Donald is going to have a field day rushing Brady which is the one way to get him, and the Rams are going to prove a much tougher challenge for the Tampa defense than Philly. Cam Akers looked great running the ball and I think he will again. Rams in an small upset.

Victory: Rams

Bills @ Chiefs: The Bills did something last week that I haven't seen them do in a long time. They ran the football effectively with running backs. Devin Singletary looked as impressive as he has ever has in that New England game. If the Bills continue to do that, they're going to the Super Bowl. Will they do it? I think they do. Both teams have been up and down all year but I think the Bills unlocked who they can be last week. And now nothing will stop them. Outside of Mahomes being brilliant. But I don't think he's brilliant enough. Bills get revenge.

Victory: Bills

Greg's 2022 NFL Picks: Wild Card Edition

 Well it's playoff time, so let's do some final accounting. The final week of the NFL season was wacky to say the least and the same goes for my standings. This is the 3rd NFL season I've done these picks and thanks to some nice splits, I achieved a better record against the spread vs wins. I don't think I've done that before. 11-5 against the spread vs 10-6 in the victory column. That brings my final regular season total to:

Points: 104-115

Victories: 161-97

Glad I got over the 100 wins mark against the spread. Now, the playoffs: I don't go with point spreads in the postseason because as Herman Edwards would often remind you:

So let's get down to it. All the marbles on the line.

Raiders @ Bengals: Raiders are a nice story but the Bengals are itching for this. They have not won a playoff game since the 1990-1991 season. They have several heartbreaks. If they can't win this... I don't know what to believe. I think the Bengals will win handily over the Raiders

Victory: Bengals

Patriots @ Bills:  I'm going to roll the dice here with no regret. Buffalo disgusted me last week against the Jets. They did not play well at all offensively. AT ALL. IN addition, Josh Allen has had a history of struggling in cold weather games and it's going to be 0 degrees at kickoff. Buffalo has to show it to me that they are ready for this. So if they do, good for them. I'm picking New England to upset them. Prove me wrong, Buffalo.

Victory: Patriots

Eagles @ Buccaneers: I think the Bucs will eventually win this game, but it's going to be closer than people think. The weather is projected to be very poor in Tampa and the Eagles have the personnel to run the ball consistently. That's why I think they stay close. But the Bucs, I predict, will have Fournette back, meaning they will run the football as well. Give me the Bucs.

Victory: Bucs

49ers @ Cowboys: I'm surprised this is not the Sunday night game. Marquee matchup with franchises and intriguing matchups. The Niners defense has gotten better over the year. But Jimmy G comes in injured and the Cowboys defense is ready to pounce. I think this game stays close but the Cowboys pull away late.

Victory: Cowboys

Steelers @ Chiefs:  I mean, I'm sorry Pittsburgh, this is going to be somewhat ugly.

Victory: Chiefs

Cardinals @ Rams: This is a coin flip to me. Cardinals struggled down the stretch but the Rams and Matthew Stafford have a reputation for coming up small in big moments. I'm going to take a shot and say the Cardinals march into a neutral field, at best and get the road upset of the Rams.

Victory: Cardinals

Greg's 2022 NFL Picks: Week 17

 Now for those astute readers, I goofed. I missed the Monday night game between the Browns and the Steelers. The Steelers were favored by 2.5 points so it was a pick'em (the only one from last week). I went on Twitter with my compadres and said I would take the Steelers, who won. So thanks to that, I rounded off a surprisingly good week. I went 8-7 against the spread and a fantastic 12-4 in the victory column. That brings my season total to:

Points: 93-110

Victories: 161-91

So for the last time in the regular season, with the help of the DraftKings Sportsbook, let's play:

Chiefs (-10.5) @ Broncos: The Chiefs will need the game in order to keep their hopes for a 1 seed alive, so they will go all out. Denver is in an interesting position with Vic Fangio in a little jeopardy. I think the Chiefs win. The hook is a bit scary, but I can see a 12-13 point win. 

Points: Chiefs   Victory: Chiefs

Cowboys (-4) @ Eagles: Neither team has much to play for here. The Eagles have not beaten a team that currently has a winning record (best win is against New Orleans 8-8). However, the Cowboys need to get their offense in gear because they have been stagnant for the last month or so. No Michael Gallup doesn't help either. I think the Cowboys win and I think they win by more than a FG so I will give the points away.

Points: Cowboys    Victory: Cowboys

Colts (-15) @ Jaguars: I don't care if the Colts haven't won in Jacksonville in forever. This to me is a layup. This would be an all timer if the Jags won. I don't think they have a prayer. Give me the Colts

Points: Colts   Victory: Colts

Titans (-10) @ Texans: Titans are getting Derrick Henry back and looking to clinch the one seed. Texans are playing out the string a little bit. Same situation like Chiefs/Broncos. Give me the Titans

Points: Titans   Victory: Titans

WFT (-7) @ Giants: Giants are the worst team in the NFL right now. Give me Washington who are lucky to be out of that hellhole of a stadium for this one

Points: Football Team    Victory: Football Team

Packers (-3.5) @ Lions: This one is interesting. It has been reported that Rodgers will start the game for Green Bay and LaFleur has decided to take it from there. The Lions get Goff back which will help them. I think I'm going to split on this one. Lions have played hard all year and I don't know what the motivation will be for Green Bay. 

Points: Lions   Victory: Packers

Steelers @ Ravens (-3.5): UPSET PICK OF THE WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKK!!!!!

The Steelers are simply healthier and I believe are more motivated than the Ravens. I just don't trust Baltimore. They've been so weird this season, and they're really banged up too. Give me the Steelers on the road.

Points: Steelers   Victory: Steelers

Bengals @ Browns (-6): Give me Case Keenum over Brandon Allen. Enough said.

Points: Browns   Victory: Browns

Bears @ Vikings (-5.5): The "Pink Slip" bowl is here with one coach that is sure to be fired and another one that might be facing elimination. In this case, I trust Kirk Cousins moreso than Andy Dalton. Give me the Vikings

Points: Vikings   Victory: Vikings

Jets @ Bills (-16.5): The line is very tough. How will Buffalo play this? At the end of the day though, I don't if it will matter. Injuries have wrecked the Jets again, and I just don't think they can score enough. 

Reluctantly, I will take the Bills.

Points: Bills     Victory: Bills

Panthers @ Buccaneers (-8):  You might think the Bucs have nothing to play for, but don't you think that the Bucs want to eliminate the crap with AB. And blowing out a hapless Carolina team might be the way to go. Give me the Bucs, easily.

Points: Bucs    Victory: Bucs

Niners @ Rams (-4.5):  I know Shanahan and crew have had a hold on McVay, but I don't like their chances. Rams need this game to clinch the division. Jimmy G will play, but he's banged up. Give me the Rams.

Points: Rams    Victory: Rams

Patriots (-6.5) @ Dolphins: This game will be somewhat determined by what happens in the Buffalo/New York game. If the Bills pull away early, the Pats may pull their players. And Miami needs this game for a winning record. I don't think they get it, but I will take the points and split in this situation.

Points: Dolphins     Victory: Pats

Saints (-3.5) @ Falcons: Saints need this game and a Niners loss to reach the playoffs. But I'm wary about them and their lack of a QB. The hook scares me, but I will take the Saints.

Points: Saints     Victory: Saints

Seahawks @ Cardinals (-6.5):  I think the Cardinals will win the game, but if this is the last hurrah for Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson, I expect them them to fight hard for it. That is why, combined with the Cardinals wishy washiness, I'm going to split this game 

Points: Seahawks    Victory: Cardinals

Chargers (-3) @ Raiders:  My heart wants to pick the Raiders so very much for a few reasons. But I just can't do it. This is going to be the early touchstone on the legacy of Justin Herbert. This will be the biggest game he's played in his young career. And I think that his greatness or potential will lead the Chargers to the playoffs. Heart says Raiders but the brain says Chargers

Points: Chargers    Victory: Chargers

Greg's 202(2) NFL Picks: Week 16

 You will notice I am doing these picks a little later than I usually do them. Well, there were no Thursday or Saturday games this week, so I was able to wait a little bit and see what injuries could come about. Last week, I fell victim to some of those injuries and last second decisions, as well as a few surprises. I went only 4-7 in the points category and 10-6 in the victories column. That brings my season total to:

Points: 85-103

Victories: 149-87

So without further fuss, let's do it:

Buccaneers (-13.5) @ Jets: Motivation is tough to gauge, but I think Todd Bowles wants to stick it to the Jets. Close because of the health situation, but I will take the Bucs to cover.

Points: Bucs     Victory: Bucs

Chiefs (-4.5) @ Bengals: Love this line. I just don't know if the Bengals defense is up to the challenge of slowing down Mahomes. I will take the Chiefs

Points: Chiefs    Victory: Chiefs

Rams (-5.5) @ Ravens: Lamar Jackson is questionable, but I don't know even if he plays if he will be enough. But for some reason, I think the Ravens keep this close, like they did with Green Bay. I will take the points here.

Points: Ravens    Victory: Rams

Falcons @ Bills (-14): Give me the Bills. Nothing else to say here

Points: Bills   Victory: Bills

Jaguars @ Patriots (-16): High number but given the Jags run defense against the Jets last week, imagine what the Pats can do to them. Give me the Pats

Points: Pats   Victory: Pats

Eagles (-4.5) @ WFT: Give me the Eagles, Washington has to be demotivated by last week's Dallas massacre. And as long as the Eagles aren't playing the Giants, they will be fine

Points: Eagles   Victory: Eagles

Raiders @ Colts (-8.5): I have to play this one cautiously because Carson Wentz is scheduled to come back off of COVID and play. It looks like he's good to go, but I think the game is going to be close so I will split.

Points: Raiders    Victory: Colts

Dolphins @ Titans (-3.5): I know the Dolphins are on a roll, but they haven't really played a murderers row of a schedule. I will take the Titans to derail the Dolphins comeback

Points: Titans    Victory: Titans

Giants @ Bears (-6.5): Probably one of the only teams I would take the Bears with these odds against. The Giants are bad.

Points: Bears    Victory: Bears

Texans @ 49ers (-12): UPSET PICK OF THE WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKK!!!!!

Jimmy G is doubtful for this game and Davis Mills has impressed in recent weeks at QB. Can Trey Lance do enough to score the Niners a win? I don't believe so. I think the Texans come in and shock the Niners

Points: Texans    Victory: Texans

Broncos @ Chargers (-7.5):  Don't think the Cbargers will be caught on the off foot again, but that hook scares me. I will take the Broncos with the hook.

Points: Broncos   Victory: Chargers

Cardinals @ Cowboys (-6): This is a show me game for the Cards. They have to prove to me they can come back against a game opponent in Dallas. So I will put the onus on Arizona and take Dallas.

Points: Cowboys    Victory: Cowboys

Lions @ Seahawks (-8.5): Think the Seahawks win, but that spread's too big for the clawing Lions. Give me the points

Points: Lions   Victory: Seahawks

Panthers @ Saints (-6.5): Saints defense will set the template in this one. I will take the Saints.

Points: Saints    Victory: Saints

Vikings @ Packers (-13): No Kirk Cousins means trouble for the Vikings. Packers will roll.

Points: Packers   Victory: Packers.