With a 3-1 finish (1-1 in teasers), we at GNN end the season 67-21-2 on the season – a solid 24-19 in our teaser picks as printed.
The Broncos, Patriots and Bengals performed the best for us, while the Steelers, Giants and Packers were often helping us cash in on the OVER.
Now we turn to the playoffs. Our intrepid forecaster, Ernesto the Prediction Iguana, plans to keep riding the hot hands. After all, “Ya dance with them that bring ya!” So here we go:
[Editor’s Note: We use lines from vegasinsider.com. All picks are based on a 2-team teaser, which moves the line six points either way. HOME TEAM in CAPS.]GREEN LIGHT!
BENGALS (+9) vs. Steelers
The Bengals have lost their last seven consecutive playoff games – including five in a row in the last five years. Those losses were by 16, 17, 6, 21, 10, 14 and 10 points.
Still, with or without quarterback Andy Dalton, this version of the Bengals will be in this game as Pittsburgh has Swiss cheese for pass defense, the most egregious flaw come playoff time. Plus, Pittsburgh’s running game suffered another blow with the ankle injury to running back DeAngelo Williams. Even if Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown and tight end Heath Miller go crazy in a track-meet type of score, the Steeler defense has been exposed by some crappy QBs this season.
Even if Pittsburgh does win – and they make a habit of it in Cincy – the Bengals should cover nine: too big a the big number in this case.
Packers (+7) at REDSKINS
Paper mache – that’s Washington. They can beat up on the putrid NFC East and flaccid teams like St. Louis and Tampa Bay (soft schedule!) but Green Bay is playoff savvy, has explosive weapons and Super Bowl MVP QB Aaron Rodgers, making them too much for Washington.
OVER EASY!
REDSKINS-Packers OVER 40
The Packers should account for the lion’s share of the scoring. Washington’s WR/KR DeSean Jackson and RB Alfred Morris will provide the rest.
VIKINGS-Seahawks OVER 35.5
Wow! And you thought the number was low for the OTHER NFC tilt! Both teams can light it up. Both defenses are good, but not dominant. By halftime, this game should be comfortably headed to an easy over.
