NFL 2020 Week 20 Predictions

  

Bills +3 over Chiefs, 35-34

-I am so nervous betting against the Chiefs and Mahomes. But here is why I will do this. Bills are 9-1 against the spread in their last 10 games. They are hot and in rhythm. Beasley is getting healthier. I do think they miss Z. Moss, but otherwise I love the matchups. Tre’Davious White to my eyes is still the best corner in the NFL, and I trust him on Tyreek Hill. 

 

Mahomes looked cleared to play, and I’m glad he is healthy. The league is better with its best players. But to not expect rust and the possibility of inconsistency, especially when KC has had a decent amount of inconsistency this year, would be folly. KC last had a good win I guess week 14 (by 6 over the Dolphins were at the height of their powers). Week 15 they beat the Saints by 3 in Brees first game back, barely beat Atlanta Week 16, rested 17, had a bye 18, and ecked out the game Mahomes got knocked out of last week versus the Browns. And when KC beat the Bills earlier this year, it was a ton of running behind CEH’s season high, but he may not even play or be gimpy if he does. 

 

Now Travis Kelce could murder the Bills across the middle. But I’m going to take the FG, the upstarts, and the very talented Josh Allen and Diggs combination. 

 

 

Packers -3.5 over Bucs, 33-27

-This is very close. And like last week, I am so afraid to pick against Tom in the playoffs. But, the Packers are at home versus a team from Florida. The Packers are playoff tested, and for the Bucs most of them have been there once, this year. The Bucs have no Antonio Brown, a gimpy Ronald Jones, and a newly re integrated Vita Vea (who is amazing, I’ll admit). Aaron Rodgers is at the height of his powers, the Packers are far more balanced, healthy, and consistent. I like that consistency, and will drop the 3.5, which I wouldn’t normally do, for this game. 

 

 

 

Record Last Week: 

Straight Up: 3-1

By Spread: 2-2

 

Record this Year: 

Straight Up: 168-86

By Spread: 129-126

 

Lifetime Record:

Straight Up: 1721-940

By Spread: 1406-1260

NFL 2020 Week 19 Predictions: Divisional Round

  

2020 NFL Week 19 Predictions: Divisional Weekend

Packers -6.5 over Rams, 31-17

-I have a lot of respect for the Rams defense and Sean McVay as well. However, I can’t ignore the fact that their offense has been inconsistent and unable to produce big plays with any regularity. Goff has a broken thumb, Kupp is limping around, and this is in Green Bay. The Packers are rested. They are rolling. It is starting to snow. 

 

Bills -2.5 over Ravens, 30-22

-The Ravens are on a nice roll. And I wish the Bills had been a bit more convincing last week over the Colts. However, I have to reflect that I’ve undersold the strength of the Colts all year in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and how that makes them hard to blow out. The Bills are tested, the Ravens have had a relatively easy schedule in the second half they rightfully dominated. The Titans I still think are a good team, but made horrible decisions in that game last week. The Ravens ran it all over them, dominated the ball, and looked like much the better team by the eye-test….and only won by 7. Lamar Jackson, much like Jared Goff, is going into snow for the first time. I’ll take the Bills, especially under the half point. 

 

Chiefs -10 over Browns, 34-23

-Honestly, I want to support the Browns here. And I will be rooting for them. The script is there: underdog story, blue chip players on both sides of the ball, innovative new coach with a new culture in a football loving city. reminds me a bit of 2001 Patriots playing the Raiders. But there is no snow game, and Mahomes is miles above Rich Gannon. The Chiefs are rested. The Brown’s hope is the running game, controlling the clock, and keeping it out of Mahomes’ hands. However, there are way too many ways for the Chiefs to win this game. If it becomes a shootout with Baker and Mahomes, that’s going to be a disaster. 

 

Saints -3 over Bucs, 31-27

-Listen, I hardly even would or would encourage betting against Tommy in the playoffs. It tends not to go well. But here’s the case for this game. It is in New Orleans, the Bucs tend to go through spells without dominating games, and the Bucs are beat up in several places. The Saints for whatever reason, I’m assuming schematic and continuity based, have thrashed the Bucs twice this year. And, Kamara didn’t have a huge game in either contest. I think that changes for this contest, and the Saints win again. They have been tested this year, withstood injuries, and built depth and experience. Now with everyone back, it is time to roll. 

 

 

Record Last Week: 

Straight Up: 2-4

By Spread: 4-2

 

Record this Year: 

Straight Up: 165-85

By Spread: 127-124

 

Lifetime Record:

Straight Up: 1718-939

By Spread: 1404-1258

NFL 2020 Week 18 Predictions

 2020 NFL Week 18 Predictions: Wild Card Weekend

Bills -6 over Colts, 34-22

-The Colts have undoubtedly been a solid team this year. Their offensive and defensive lines are tough and make room for the players behind them to make plays. However, I think “solid” is their ceiling. They should blow bad teams out more than they do. And in big games, versus dynamic offenses, I’m nervous about their ability to keep pace. And that’s exactly what they’re walking into. A dome team with fleet receivers and a QB who has played in NC, San Diego, and LA for 20 years is going to go to Buffalo in January and try to beat a dynamic offensive team. The Bills are white hot right now and I think this looks more like a blowout than even the final score might dictate. 

 

Seahawks -3.5 over Rams, 31-17

-A few weeks ago, I would’ve been all over the Rams...especially with the half point. However, a few things have changed. Obviously, Goff got hurt and may not play. The Rams have played inconsistent football for more than a month now. Most importantly, it is underrated and underreported how many small improvements the Seahawks have made on defense, culminating in a much more rounded football team. It would take specific circumstances to not take Russell over Goff. To me, the Rams are not providing those circumstances. 

 

Bucs -8 over WFT, 34-10

-Honestly, I think this is going to be ugly. Just everything, other than homefield, is in the Bucs’ favor. And homefield doesn’t matter nearly as much this year. WFT will just not be able to keep pace. Brady gets his first playoff win as a wild card team. 

 

Titans +3.5 over Ravens, 31-30

-I’ve been back and forth on this all week. Far too invested in AJ Brown’s injury status. But, I am taking the extra half point. Baltimore is hot. In another playoff bracket, maybe versus any team but Tennessee, I’d have them advancing. But the Ravens have beat up on lesser competition, and I think the Titans, especially on offense, are more well rounded. The defense worries me, but that’s why my prediction is so high. I think it is a shootout and close, I wouldn’t bet it, but I’ll take the 3.5. 

 

Saints -9.5 over Bears, 31-17

-I don’t trust this Bears’ team, and especially don’t trust Trubisky. Saints are running out of time to put it all together for a long run, even if this feels very Broncos-Super Bowl 50ish. This should give them a chance to get Brees-Kamara-MThomas all on the same page. 

 

Browns +6 over Steelers, 16-20

-I hate this. I really wish, for Cleveland’s sake, they were at full health. I don’t like this Steelers’ team. But they get an easier path than they would have. They are the clear favorite. But in a messy, cold, low scoring physical AFC North playoff game, I’ll take the 6 points. And probably watch very little of this. 

 

 

Record Last Week: 

Straight Up: 13-2

By Spread: 7-8

 

Record this Year: 

Straight Up: 163-81

By Spread: 123-122

 

Lifetime Record:

Straight Up: 1716-935

By Spread: 1400-1256

NFL 2020 Week 17 Predictions

 2020 NFL Week 17 Predictions

Bills -3 over Dolphins, 24-20

-Both teams have something to play for and it is hard to tell if the Bills would take their foot off the gas depending on game conditions. However, Josh Allen is playing so well, it’s in Buffalo in the Winter, and the Dolphins are missing numerous WRs and Fitzmagick.

 

Ravens -14 over Bengals, 33-16

-Bengals made a nice stand last week, but no shot in hell. 

 

Browns -10 over Steelers, 26-12

-I was hoping this would have been for the division, but we saw how that went last week. Steelers are resting everyone, so Browns are the easy play. 

 

Vikings -4 over Lions, 26-19

-Between two teams with nothing to play for, I’ll take the team with more offensive talent, is healthier, and has an actual coaching staff. 

 

Jets +3.5 over Patriots, 17-16

-Honestly? I think Bill wants a higher draft pick. Cam is terrible. He literally has 5 TD passes...how is that possible? I know he has 12 rushing, but 17 TDs in 14 games is...almost impossible to do as a starting QB. The Jets are coming on strong, the Pats are really beat up, and I think Darnold wants to try and save his job in New York. 

 

Giants +3 over Cowboys, 21-20

-The Giants' improvements on defense will make the difference in this game. I will give some respect however to the fact that the Cowboys may somehow end this season with 7 wins. 

 

Bucs -6.5 over Falcons, 30-23

-This one is tough to call. No Julio for the Falcons, but they’re playing really well. The Bucs are a much better team and the 6.5 feels like a free half point. However, at what point are the Bucs just going to pull everyone and rest them for the first round of the playoffs. 

 

Raiders -2.5 over Broncos, 24-20

-I honestly needed to look over the season to figure out how the Raiders finished under 500. But, they have been in competitive games far more recently than the Broncos. 

 

Colts -15.5 over Jags, 31-6

-Colts need this win...the Jags need Trevor Lawrence. Match made in betting heaven. 

 

Chargers -4.5 over Chiefs, 28-10

-With Mahomes, Hill, and several others sitting...the Chargers get a shot at a kind of unthinkable 7-9 record. This will be good for Herbert, who will turn what was a strong statistical season with few wins into something at least close to 500. For the Chiefs, it really just feels like they’ve been prepping for the post season for about a month now.

 

Cards -3 over Rams, 27-13

-I really wish this was a great game, but honestly it feels like one team has most of their talent and the other team...while better...is missing talen in the most key spots. Maybe Wolford and whatever the Rams try out at RB will be okay...but I’d rather bet on Murray and Hopkins. 

 

Seahawks -7 over 49ers, 27-13

-The 49ers are done and there’s no way they will be able to keep pace in this game. 

 

Panthers +7 over Saints, 16-17

-I know RB isn’t as important as QB, but it’s still somewhat important. No Kamara, Murray, or Michael Thomas...with a still gimpy Brees...the Saints probably win, but I’m taking the TD.

 

Titans -7 over Texans, 31-23

-About the only interesting thing for the Texans here is whether Watson gets the 280 yards he needs to lead the league in passing. On the Titans side, Derrick Henry needs 223 yards for the magical 2,000. He’s going to get 35 carries so...let’s go. 

 

WFT -3.5 over Eagles, 20-16

-Jalen Hurts is so much better than anything WFT has on offense. But, the Eagles between injuries, resting, and general ineptitude, are not going to beat this team. WFT has something to play for and should win this contest. 

 

Record Last Week: 

Straight Up: 9-7

By Spread: 7-9

 

Record this Year: 

Straight Up: 150-79

By Spread: 116-114

 

Lifetime Record:

Straight Up: 1703-933

By Spread: 1393-1248