Only 3 weekends of football left…
There’s no Las Vegas Raiders football this weekend but we could be watching the Raiders’ future head coach as Ben Johnson, the current Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, heading to Las Vegas seems to be picking up steam. Also, we’re in the last stretch of our Silver and Black Pride Pick’em competition as there are only three weekends of NFL football left!
To get things started, let’s take a look at the lines for the Divisional Round matchups, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook, and make some picks.
Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Spread: KC -8.5
Holder’s pick: KC -8.5
I went against the Texans last week and got burned, but I’m crazy enough to do it again! Unfortunately, the Chiefs looked like they were hitting their stride at the end of the regular season and should be well rested after sitting the starters in Week 18 and having the bye week. Kansas City is just the better team and should be able to win by two possessions.
Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions
Spread: DET -9.5
Holder’s pick: DET -9.5
I guess I’m making picks out of stubbornness as I doubted Jayden Daniels and the Commanders last week, and I’m doing it again. The bigger factor here though is I don’t think Washington’s defense is good enough to keep Detroit and offensive mastermind Johnson (*wink*) in check. So, Saturday’s slate might be a snooze fest.
Los Angeles Rams vs Philadelphia Eagles
Spread: PHI -6.5
Holder’s pick: LAR +6.5
I like the Eagles to win outright here but the Rams are good enough to keep this one close and it wouldn’t be totally surprising to see them pull off the upset. Led by Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite Jared Verse, I’m excited to watch Los Angeles’ young defensive line go up against one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills
Spread: BAL -1.5
Holder’s pick: BUF +1.5
I’m conflicted on this one as the Ravens looked really good in their dominant win over the Steelers last week. But the Bills were also a force against the Broncos and I said ahead of the Wild Card Round that they’re my pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, so I’m sticking to it. No way Buffalo loses at home in front of Bills Mafia, right?
Pick’em Competition
Moving onto S&BP’s Pick’em competition, below is a look at how our writers have fared through the regular season and Wild Card Round.
- Ray Aspuria 203-74 (73%)
- Bill Williamson 195-83 (70%)
- Matt Holder 195-83 (70%)
Ray just keeps trucking along and building his lead as he led the writers last week, going 5-1. That officially clinches the crown for Ray as he has an 8.5-game lead with just seven games left. Meanwhile, I just edged out Bill—4-2 versus 3-3—in the Wild Card Round to tie things up for second place.
Community Standings
1. Bodega Bay Raider 203-75
t-2. Running With the Night 202-76
t-2 The Assassin 202-76
t-4. Roosky Raiders 200-78
t-4. Kid Dynamite 200-78
t-6. Gabe’s pickems 196-82
t-6. NC Hell Razors 196-82
t-6. Raider Nation 196-82
t-6. DARTH RAIDER 196-82
t-6. dafe2cat 196-82
Wild Card Top Pickers
Hot Mo 5-1
Redlady 5-1
Stirston 5-1
Gabe’s pickems 5-1
NJRaiders 5-1
21Lefty21 5-1
Gunslinger 5-1
SR Stallions 5-1
MichaelMatto 5-1
Scifigeek 5-1
First of all, the community crushed it with 12 people getting five out of six picks correct and another 20 with four winners. But the biggest winner from last weekend was Bodega Bay Raider. A week after falling out of the lead, Bodega Bay made a strong comeback to not only get back to the top of the standings but also own sole possession of first place! The Assassin and Running With the Night are still in the running though, sitting just one pick behind.
Remember to get your picks in and may your picks be good!