Seattle Seahawks (+1) vs. NE

Deflategate is somewhat behind us and the Super Bowl is here. The sports books have this game very evenly matched, although late money this week was going on the Patriots.

When New England has the ball. Look for the Patriots to work in their TEs into the match-up. Rob Gronkowski needs to be a major target and the wild card is backup TE, Tim Wright. The Patriots know they’ll have limited success attacking the Seahawks outside.

They also won’t be able to run the ball. Therefore, the attack must run through their TEs which is a position that has given the Seahawks trouble this year. However, that will be a difficult strategy to keep up over four quarters and against a relentless Seahawks D. The lack of a run threat means Brady will have pressure in his face much of the evening and will be forced to get rid of the ball earlier than he would like.

When Seattle has the ball. They will pound the rock. Justin Forsett had a lot of success against the Patriots run D and Marshawn Lynch is significantly better than Forsett. Seattle will pound the ball but New England will know this and load up the box. CB Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner can lock up the Seahawks outside threats pretty well so Belichick will not have to double anyone.

TE Luke Willson could be a nice sleeper because he has a knack for getting open and making big plays. The Pats Safeties are good, but not great. Expect things to start slow for the passing game but pick up when Wilson incorporates his version of the read option. His ability to make plays out of the pocket and extend them is uncanny and will give the Patriots D all sorts of problems in the 2nd half.

It’s a fairly even matched game but when the clock hits 0:00, look for Seattle to repeat as champions with a 24-14 or 27-17 win. Brady will have trouble with the Seahawks pass rush and Seattle is the more physical team.

Top Pick

1. New England Patriots (-6.5) vs. Ind – I get it, Andrew Luck is a beast, the Colts are starting to figure things out and are coming off a great road win in Denver. It still won’t matter. New England should win this by double digits. The Colts don’t stop the run very well so you can expect a heavy dosage of RB LeGarrette Blount and even Jonas Gray, who ran for 199 and 4 TDs against Indy the last time they played.

Defensively, New England doesn’t have to worry about a running game so you can expect a scheme heavily intent on defensing the pass. The Colts continue to take steps to reach the top of the mountain but will fall short once again.

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2. Green Bay Packers (+7) vs. Sea – The Seahawks are a good bet to win. But not by a TD. Green Bay will be the most complete team they’ve faced on their winning streak and the 1st legit QB outside of Cam Newton, who is not near Rodgers’ class. Russell Wilson’s offense struggled down the stretch (minus the Cards game) and the Packers bring in a pretty good D.

Expect the Packers to keep the Seahawks under 21. On the other side of the ball the Packers will have some success and hit on a big play here and there. We think the Packers could pull off the upset (money line bet is +225) but will certainly cover the point spread.

Top pick

1. Denver Broncos (-7) vs. Ind – The Colts are playing on house money in the 2nd round. They can’t run the ball nor defense the run very well, and beat an undermanned Bengals team to get here. Their season will end this weekend. Denver is well rested, gets some key members back on D (LB Brandon Marshall), and will destroy Indy’s defense with its run / pass attack. Look for the Broncos to easily cover the point spread.

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2. Seattle Seahawks (-10.5) vs. Car – These teams have met each of the last two seasons and each contest has been close. Each contest has also been in Carolina. This one moves to Seattle. Look for the Seahawks D to bear down on Newton all evening and force mistakes while limiting points. Seattle will win by more than two TDs.

3. Baltimore Ravens (+7) vs. NE – The Patriots will win this game. The success Baltimore had against New England in the playoffs came before the Patriots went out and got a legit D. They have one now and CB Revis lets Belichick do a lot of things. But Baltimore matches up well against the Patriots strengths and this should come down to the wire again.

4. Green Bay Packers (-5.5) vs. Dal – The only way this should remain close is if Aaron Rodgers injury is worse than the team is letting on. Otherwise, this is a mismatch. The Packers offense will dominate the Cowboys D and control the clock. On the other side of the ball while the Cowboys will have success on the ground, Green Bay’s D is opportunistic – especially at home, and will force one or two key turnovers.

Top pick

1. Arizona Cardinals (+6.5) vs. Car – The Panthers should win and enter the game in pretty good shape health-wise. The Cardinals are forced to play QB Ryan Lindley which is a depressing thought. However, Arizona’s D will be ready to play and will force Cam Newton into mistakes. Expect a close game which Arizona may pull out in the end. Either way, Carolina won’t be covering the point spread.

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2. Detroit Lions (+7) vs. Dal – The Cowboys come in strong, finishing 8-0 on the road. They haven’t fared as well at home. The Lions D will challenge Romo and this running game all afternoon. Matt Stafford is good for a few mistakes but this will be close throughout and could go either way. If Stafford shows some maturity then the Lions may steal one on the road.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) vs. Bal – The loss of RB Le’veon Bell is big, but Pittsburgh still has enough firepower to beat the Ravens at home. Baltimore does not enter this game playing their best ball and will go out in round 1.

4. Indianapolis Colts (-3) vs. Cin – The Bengals will likely be without WR AJ Green who has a concussion. That is a huge loss. They’ll pound the rock with RB Jeremy Hill but will face another aggressive defensive plan like they faced earlier when shutout 27-0 to the Colts. Expect QB Andrew Luck and Co. to get the job done again.

Top Pick

1. Minnesota Vikings (-6) vs. Chi – The turn back to Jay Cutler means nothing. Chicago is in a state of turmoil and can’t wait to get the season over with. Minnesota has grown under 1st year HC Mike Zimmer and will finish out the season with a bang at home. Look for the Vikings to win by 10 and cover the point spread.

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2. Green Bay Packers (-7.5) vs. Det – Some may call last week a trap game for the Lions, but not us. That’s typical Matt Stafford being unable to capitalize on things given to him. The Packers will be ready in a game with a ton of meaning and look for a double digit win.

3. New York Giants (-3) vs. Phi – The Eagles three-game losing streak knocked them out of playoff contention and means this game has little meaning. Well, it has more for the Giants who are playing a number of young players on their three-game winning streak. Look for that to move to four as the Odell Beckham Jr. show continues against a horrendous secondary.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (+3.5) vs. Pit – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Carolina Panthers (+4) vs. Atl – This will be close but Cam Newton will be the difference.

San Diego Chargers (+3) vs. KC – Win and they’re in. Look for the Chargers to beat their rival.

Dallas Cowboys (-5.5) vs. Was – Dallas needs to win first and then get a lot of help for a No. 1 or 2 seed. There will not be a letdown here.

Money Line Bet

Cincinnati Bengals (+170) vs. Pit – The Steelers are very talented on offense but erratic. This is a game which could catch them by surprise. The Bengals move to RB Jeremy Hill as the starter has been a boon to the offense and they will continue to ride their young horse Sunday. Everything else feeds off of this. The Bengals D is also much improved since their last contest after getting a few guys back.

Detroit Lions (-8.5) vs. Chi – The complete implosion in Chicago makes this the top pick of the day. QB Jimmy Claussen will start in Jay Cutler’s place and the Lions D will be ALL over him. Detroit will blowout the Bears and easily cover the point spread.

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Carolina Panthers (-3) vs. Cle – Sorry Johnny, it’s a steep learning curve in the NFL. The rookie QB will struggle again mightily against a subpar D.

Philadelphia Eagles (-7.5) vs. Was – RGIII is a welcome sight for an Eagles team reeling after two losses. The Eagles will win by double digits.

Indianapolis Colts (+3.5) vs. Dal – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Seattle Seahawks (-7.5) vs. Arz – Bruce Arians can only pull so many rabbits out of his hat. Ryan Lindley vs. a HOT Seattle defense is a scary proposition.

Denver Broncos (-3.5) vs. Cin – The Bengals have been embarrassed in primetime the entire year.

Oakland Raiders (+7) vs. Buf – Crazy things happen in the black hole. Expect the Raiders to play better than many expect.

Money Line Bet

Indianapolis Colts (+164) vs. Dal – The Cowboys are coming home after an emotional win against the Eagles. Home has not been their friend. On top of things, DeMarco Murray now has a broken hand and his ability to play is to be determined. Look for Andrew Luck and Co. to come into Dallas and win a high scoring game. The Cowboys D will have their hands full with the Colts passing game.

Top Pick

1. Seattle Seahawks (-10) vs. SF – It’s over in San Francisco for Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll’s squad will put the final nail in the coffin. It’s fitting with their rivalry over the years. QB Colin Kaepernick is struggling horribly as is the entire offense. Expect the Seahawks to roll and easily top the point spread.

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2. Detroit Lions (-7) vs. Min – Teddy Bridgewater is improving, but still a rookie. The Lions D is legit. Matt Stafford may make a few mistakes but the Lions will win by double digits at home.

3. New York Giants (-6.5) vs. Was – If RGIII gets the call this could be a blowout. The Giants will still cover with Colt McCoy behind center.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (+1) vs. Cle – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Denver Broncos (-4) vs. SD – Denver is getting a few key pieces back.

Tennessee Titans (+2.5) vs. NYJ – It’s Geno Smith and the Jets.

Philadelphia Eagles (-3) vs. Dal – The Eagles are slightly ahead of the Cowboys and Dallas’s D is wearing down.

Money Line Bet

Cincinnati Bengals (+105) vs. Cle – Johnny Manziel brings a lot of hype but little experience. The Bengals D will have a few tricks that will force turnovers. Expect a close affair which the Bengals pull out in the end.

1. Green Bay Packers (-13) vs. Atl – Until the Patriots, the Packers were putting up an insane amount of points at home and blowing teams out. That will happen on Monday Night. Look for Green Bay to put up 40+.

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2. New England Patriots (-3.5) vs. SD – The Pats have been on fire before meeting Aaron Rodgers and Co. a week ago. They still had a chance to pull that out in the end too. Look for New England to head into San Diego and win by a TD. Their D is playing very well and offensively, Brady and Co. will prove too much for the Chargers.

3. Denver Broncos (-10) vs. Buf – Mile High is a very difficult place to play and it won’t be any easier for a Kyle Orton led team.

4. Baltimore Ravens (+2.5) vs. Mia – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Cincinnati Bengals (-3) vs. Pit – The Steelers struggle on the road and are catching Cincinnati as they get healthy on D.

New Orleans Saints (-10) vs. Car – Brees and Co. will run it up on their division foe.

Detroit Lions (-10) vs. TB – The Lions have been very tough at home.

Money Line Bet

Baltimore Ravens (+125) vs. Mia – The Fins come off a short week in which they pulled out an underwhelming win over the Jets. They catch a break with DT Haloti Ngata out but the Ravens match up well against Miami and will eek out the close win.

Top Pick

1. Cincinnati Bengals (+2) vs. Hou – See money line bet.

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2. San Francisco 49ers (-9) vs. Was – RGIII is horrible and will find the going that much tougher facing a stingy 49ers D in San Francisco. The 49ers have offensive troubles of their own but this will not be much of a contest.

3. Arizona Cardinals (+7) vs. Sea – The Seahawks should win, but their strength – running the ball – plays directly into the hands of Arizona. The Cardinals stop the run with the best of them. Look for a low scoring affair that is close throughout.

4. St. Louis Rams (+4.5) vs. SD – The Rams defense, which entered the season with so much promise, is now starting to realize it. They played lights out against the Broncos a week ago. They face a beat up Chargers team and a hurting QB. Look for the Rams to pull off the upset in SD.

Rounding things out

New England Patriots (-7) vs. Det – The Lions D always keeps things close but there are real issues along their offensive line. Look for New England to exploit this.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6) vs. Chi – Lovie Smith and Josh McCown will come back to Chicago and give their former team a run for their money.

Minnesota Vikings (+10) vs. GB – The Pack crushed Minnesota last time in Lambeau. It’ll be closer this time.

Money Line Bet

Cincinnati Bengals (+110) vs Hou – Cincinnati’s problems stemmed from some key injuries on D. They’re starting to get healthier on that side of the ball and will cover the point spread and beat the Texans this week. Ryan Mallett will struggle on this day.

1. Detroit Lions (EVEN) vs. Arz – The Cardinals have performed amazingly this season despite so many players hurt. QB Drew Stanton went 2-1 in his earlier stint but now gets a top defense that has made the lives of opposing QBs miserable. Expect the Lions to cover the point spread and pull out a close one on the road.

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2. New England (+3) vs. Ind – The Colts are favored because this is at home. New England’s hot on both sides of the ball and their D will be the deciding factor.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (+7.5) vs. NO – The Bengals are banged up on the offense line and at the LBer position. They could be getting help this week and will put on a better showing than last Thursday Night.

4. Minnesota Vikings (+2.5) vs. Chi – See money line bet.

Rounding Things Out

Kansas City Chiefs (-2) vs. Sea – Arrowhead is a tough place to play. Look for the Chiefs D to smother Russell Wilson and force a few turnovers.

Carolina Panthers (+1) vs. Atl – Both teams are down but the Panthers will do just enough to pull out the home win.

Oakland Raiders (+10) vs. Den – The game last week was actually close for much of the 1st half. Then Peyton Manning went crazy. The Chargers are not the Broncos and are still pretty banged up. Expect a close game between these rivals.

Money Line Bet

Minnesota Vikings (+128) vs. Chi – The Bears are going nowhere fast. The issues they are experiencing are more systemic and there’s not a simple fix. Expect the Vikings, who are playing better defensively over the past month, to come into Chicago and pull out the win.