2022 NFL Week 21 Predictions: Championship Round

 2022 NFL Week 21 Predictions: Conference Championship Round

49ers +3 over Eagles, 24-23

-By far and away the tougher game to predict (give everyone the four teams in September and surprise them with that assertion). Both teams are super tough, well built, and have turned unexpected QB situations (that are cheaply paid) into major successes. But SF has better health and consistency going into this game. Philly had bigger heights this season, and can absolutely reach them again and win this game. But SF is in the midst of their roll, with slightly better defense, special teams, and coaching. I would bet on it to continue. 

Bengals +2 over Chiefs, 31-20

-This is only somewhat about Mahomes's health. I think he likely will be either ginger on the ankle, or will grow worse during the game. But either way, the Bengals have had their number. 3 wins in two years. Absolutely "don't give a shit" attitude about facing the Chiefs. Reid+Mahomes have the skill and mystique versus most teams to out execute and pull off close wins. This year, with a more limited Chiefs team, that has been enough. But the Bengals are not given to becoming lost in the mystique, and have enough skill and experience to overcome. This team is young and hungry and filled with vitriol. At some point attribution catches up with KC, and I think it's here. 

Record Last Week:

Straight Up: 3-1

By Spread: 4-0

Record This Year:

Straight Up: 168-95

By Spread: 133-130

Lifetime Record:
Straight Up: 2055-1132
By Spread: 1678-1603

2022 NFL Week 20 Predictions: Divisional Round

 2022 NFL Week 20 Predictions: Divisional Round

Jags +9 over Chiefs, 27-31

-I wish I had the guts to pick a full upset, but having the underdog to cover is as far as I am willing to go. The Jags can score and move the ball and the Chiefs, while still the Chiefs, haven’t quite been at that elite level this year. 

Eagles -7.5 over Giants, 30-22

-I honestly don’t know what to do with this game. Any more points, and I’d probably take the Giants. One of two things could happen. The Eagles could be flat, injured, and still rusty from the bye week and lose this game. However, I think it’s more likely that they’re healthy and closer to the team that they were for the first 12 weeks of the season.

Bengals +5.5 over Bills, 27-30

-I honestly don’t know who wins, so the score prediction is a toss up. I am taking the Bengals and the 5.5 for a couple of reasons. First, they are the reigning AFC champions, with Joe Burrow, and have honestly looked like a better team than the Bills over the past 2 months. Second, I have no idea what to make of the Bills. The combination of Allen’s performance since his elbow injury and the general weirdness of their past 2 months makes it kind of impossible to predict whether this (admittedly more talented team) will win or by enough.

49ers -4 over Cowboys, 31-20

-I truly think the Cowboys are fake. What happened to Tampa was sad, because it really wasn’t against a good team. Maybe it will be proven wrong and they will beat San Francisco. However, San Francisco matches Dallas’s flashy talent on defense, but raises it with better coaching and consistency. On offense, they are slightly more skilled at each skill position. And the head coach matchup isn’t even close. 

Record Last Week:

Straight Up: 3-3

By Spread: 2-4

Record This Year:

Straight Up: 165-94

By Spread: 129-130

Lifetime Record:
Straight Up: 2052-1131
By Spread: 1674-1603

2022 NFL Week 19 Predictions: Wild Card Round

 2022 NFL Week 19 Predictions: Wild Card Round

 

49ers -9.5 over Seahawks, 27-10

-The Seahawks have had a nice season. But they are running into the big physical monster team. 

 

Chargers -2 over Jaguars, 27-20

-I know a lot of people are going the other way with this pick. And believe me, I am frustrated that Staley played his starters last week for so long. However, I think Mike Williams will be more missed next week versus Kansas City. There are a lot of similarities between these teams and the Jaguars do have an experience advantage at head coach. However, the Chargers have an experience advantage across the defense and skill positions.

 

Bills -13 over Dolphins, 34-6

-I think this is going to be an absolute butt-whooping. Skylar just can’t keep up with Josh. 

 

Vikings -3 over Giants, 27-23

-It comes down to whether you believe winning close games is random or a skill. In this case, that means you either believe regression is coming or a skill will be in repeated use. I’m leaning toward the latter. The best player in this game (Jefferson) also happens to represent the Giants’ biggest weakness: they cannot produce points or yards dynamically. 

 

Bengals -8.5 over Ravens, 31-13

-I almost feel bad for the Ravens, because I would love to see this contest at full strength. Almost.  

 

Bucs +2.5 over Cowboys, 24-23

-Thomas. Edward. Patrick. Brady. The Cowboys lost badly to them in Week 1 and while that’s a long time ago, the Bucs are restarting their season right now and none of the rest of it matters. Are they a perfect team? No. But they have enough with a lot of SB champions on the roster. And these Cowboys are fake. I would even celebrate the Cowboys winning. While that would make this selection wrong, it would set up an even bigger fall for Dallas next week.

 

Record Last Week:

Straight Up: 12-4

By Spread: 10-6

 

Record This Year:

Straight Up: 162-91

By Spread: 127-126

 

Lifetime Record:
Straight Up: 2049-1128
By Spread: 1672-1509

2022 NFL Week 18 Predictions

 2022 NFL Week 18 Predictions 

Chiefs -9.5 over Raiders, 37-27

-Chiefs need this to get the #1 seed as much as I wish it wasn’t so.

 

Jaguars -6.5 over Titans, 31-17

-I actually feel super confident about this. The Titans are just in shambles. 

 

Colts -3 over Texans, 16-10

-Bryce Young, baby. 

 

Vikings -6 over Bears, 31-10

-One team that needs it and one team that isn’t playing Fields. 

 

Bengals -9 over Ravens, 31-13

-Hard to gauge the emotional impact for Cincinnati and Buffalo this weekend. However, Cincy probably wants to secure a home game in the playoffs and get sharp again.

 

Dolphins -3.5 over Jets, 24-16

-Flacco is involved…but so is Skylar. So, yeah I don’t know. 

 

Panthers +3.5 over Saints, 17-16

-Yeah, I have no idea so I am just going to take the 3.5.

 

Patriots +7 over Bills, 21-24

-I’m just taking the points for a team that needs to win to get into the playoffs. 

 

Falcons -4 over Bucs, 20-12

-The Bucs don’t need this game and they have shown the ability to lose a ton of games even when trying. 

 

Steelers -2.5 over Browns, 17-13

-Considering Pittsburgh needs to win this game to have a shot at the playoffs, this line makes no sense. 

 

Seahawks -6 over Rams, 24-6

-Two teams just going in different directions. 

 

Broncos -3 over Chargers, 16-10

-Chargers don’t have a lot to play for, so I wouldn’t put any stock in this game at all. 

 

Eagles -10 over Giants, 28-6

-This line is probably going to move radically, but the Eagles should destroy what should be mostly 2nd unit players from New York. 

 

49ers -14 over Cardinals, 33-3

-see (Eagles vs Giants). 

 

Cowboys -7 over Commanders, 31-10

-It’ll be nice to see Sam Howell and then it’ll be nice to see Sam Howell throw the ball to the other team. 

Packers -4.5 over Lions, 31-24

-I have no idea why this game isn’t being played concurrently or preceding the Seattle game. It’s a huge disadvantage for Seattle. However, I will say if there was a team to still try hard even though they know they’ve already been eliminated, it is the kneecap-biting Detroit Lions. Oh, and I still have Aaron Rodgers winning this game.

 

Record Last Week:

Straight Up: 10-4

By Spread: 7-7

 

Record This Year:

Straight Up: 149-87

By Spread: 117-120

 

Lifetime Record:
Straight Up: 2037-1124
By Spread: 1662-1503