This article is part of our Beating the Book series.
A 6-9-1 week was a fitting end to a bad year (118-130-8), I lost my best bet (Cardinals), and I don't even remember who we took in the Super contest as Dalton Del Don never texted me the final week's picks. But will that deter me from picking playoff games? Of course not.
SATURDAY GAMES
Colts +6.5 at Bills
The Bills are one of the top four teams in the league and have been better on defense in the second half of the year. The Colts offensive line and defensive could keep them in it, but if they get behind and have to rely on Philip Rivers, I think they're in trouble. Lay the wood.
Bills 30 - 20
Rams +4 at Seahawks
Jared Goff is iffy with a hand injury, which means John Wolford might have to make another start. Russell Wilson hasn't done much the last half of the year, given a more run-heavy scheme and bad pass protection by the offensive line. If Goff were playing, I'd snap call the plus four, and if he were out I'd lean slightly toward Seattle, but not as strongly. As such I'll take the points.
Seahawks 20 - 19
Buccaneers -8.5 at Football Team
I must be missing something here because I had this line at 3.5, and I wasn't remotely close. The Bucs are obviously the better team, but the Football Team gets to the quarterback and defends the pass, so this strikes me as a massive road
A 6-9-1 week was a fitting end to a bad year (118-130-8), I lost my best bet (Cardinals), and I don't even remember who we took in the Super contest as Dalton Del Don never texted me the final week's picks. But will that deter me from picking playoff games? Of course not.
SATURDAY GAMES
Colts +6.5 at Bills
The Bills are one of the top four teams in the league and have been better on defense in the second half of the year. The Colts offensive line and defensive could keep them in it, but if they get behind and have to rely on Philip Rivers, I think they're in trouble. Lay the wood.
Bills 30 - 20
Rams +4 at Seahawks
Jared Goff is iffy with a hand injury, which means John Wolford might have to make another start. Russell Wilson hasn't done much the last half of the year, given a more run-heavy scheme and bad pass protection by the offensive line. If Goff were playing, I'd snap call the plus four, and if he were out I'd lean slightly toward Seattle, but not as strongly. As such I'll take the points.
Seahawks 20 - 19
Buccaneers -8.5 at Football Team
I must be missing something here because I had this line at 3.5, and I wasn't remotely close. The Bucs are obviously the better team, but the Football Team gets to the quarterback and defends the pass, so this strikes me as a massive road number. Take the points.
Buccaneers 24 - 20
SUNDAY GAMES
Ravens -3 at Titans
I made this line exactly three, so I'm on the fence. I want to root for the Titans and their smash-mouth style of football, but their defense is terrible, and their offensive line is banged up. Give me the Ravens who are peaking at the right time.
Ravens 33 - 27
Bears +9.5 at Saints
I made this line 10.5, so I'm on the Saints, who are arguably the best team in football when they have everyone healthy. The Bears were on a nice run down the stretch, but came up small in what could have been a must-win home game last week. Lay the wood.
Saints 31 - 17
Browns +6 at Steelers
I made this line seven after the Steelers' backups nearly won in Cleveland last week, and now head coach Kevin Stefanski has tested positive for COVID and won't be on the sidelines. Moreover, I don't like Baker Mayfield facing a good defense. Take the Steelers.
Steelers 27 - 20
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I went 6-9-1 last week to bring my season-long record to 118-130-8, lost my best bet (Cardinals 5-12) and probably did poorly in the Supercontest to go 35-48-2 overall. Last year, I finished 127-123-6 on the regular season, 8-9 on best bets and 43-40-2 in the Super Contest. In 2018, I went 141-106-9 on the season, 10-7 on best bets, 48-36-1 in the Super Contest. From 1999-2020, I've gone 2,808-2,626 (51.7%), not including ties.
