Now that the appetizer that was wild card weekend as behind us, it's time to settle in for the real meat of the NFL playoff schedule. This weekend has a first, in that all four games is a rematch of a game earlier this season. In addition, there are two top-notch legitimate rivalry games in Ravens/Steelers and Jets/Patriots. Last week, I somehow managed to pick all four games correctly against the spread, so let's see how long that perfect record can last.
Here is a rundown of this weekend's NFL playoff schedule, with the point spreads provided by the good people at Odds Shark:
Saturday, January 15
1:30 p.m.: Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5): The two bitter rivals continue their feud at Heinz Field, after each winning at the other's home stadium this season. In five of their last six meetings, the margin of victory has been exactly three points, with a four-point game mixed in, which means take Baltimore and the points.
5 p.m.: Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons (-1): Everybody and their brother is on the Green Bay bandwagon, including me, if only because Bears vs. Packers to go to the Super Bowl sounds enticing. Take Green Bay and the point.
Sunday, January 16
10 a.m.: Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears (-9.5): I think the Bears will win, but I don't feel comfortable with Jay Cutler laying nearly 10 points, even at home against an under-.500 team. Take Seattle and the points, again.
1:30 p.m.: New York Jets at New England Patriots (-9): Both teams split this season, but the Patriots seem to have another gear that the Jets do not possess. Feel comfortable taking New England and laying the points.