NFL 2022 Super Wild Card Weekend Picks

 Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming upon us yet again. The regular season is over and the pretenders are at home watching while most of the contenders will be playing this weekend. The Wild Card playoffs are usually the weirder week of the playoff echelon of the NFL playoffs but they are still worthwhile to watch. In this post I'll do my picks to the Wild Card matchups and a look back at my picks for the 2012 Wild Card round from my wordpress days. Let's get to work! 

Wild Card Weekend Picks

Note: Game times are in US Eastern. TW is me and CV is Cardinal Viking, my former roommate.

Seattle @ San Francisco (FOX; 4:30 pm): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
The Seahawks beat the Rams and the 49ers beat the Cardinals last week. If this game was played 10 years ago, this game would be a big one. The Seahawks-49ers rivalry has simmered down a lot since then. Seattle isn't a great team but they do have a nice looking offense with a defense that is average at best. San Francisco is to me the scariest team in the NFC. They got everything going right for them. A running game that can beat you with multiple runners. A defense that is just as good. What I question is how well Brock Purdy can do in this game. Whether if the quarterback will have jitters playing in his first playoff game will remain to be seen. Despite his inexperience I think he'll do fine. It's not like he has a team that will back him up. I'll take the 49ers. 

LA Chargers @ Jacksonville (NBC; 8:15 pm): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
The Chargers lost to the Broncos and the Jaguars beat the Titans last week. A rematch of a game where the Jaguars humiliated the Chargers at their home stadium. The 38-10 win for the Jaguars spelled doom for them as they would go on a 2-6 mark and then make a great run to get here. The Chargers had been an up and down team with a solid passing game but could use a boost from their running game. If Joey Bosa can come alive and cause havoc in the Jaguars passing game. I think the game will honestly come down to who can be the more aggressive and the team that gives away the ball the less amount of times. I'll take the Chargers. 

Miami @ Buffalo (CBS; 1:00 pm): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Dolphins beat the Jets and the Bills beat the Patriots last week. We likely won't get a Tagovailoa vs Allen matchup in the playoffs in this one. Tua Tagovailoa will be out for this game as he hasn't passed concussion protocol. I can't really blame Tua as he has had 2-3 concussions in a 3-4 month span. Skylar Thompson will get the start if Teddy Bridgewater isn't available. For Buffalo, they have their starter Josh Allen in good spirits and good health. While you can't truly count out the Dolphins in the matchup as it is the playoffs, anything can happen, I just don't see them hanging around. 

NY Giants @ Minnesota (FOX; 4:30 pm): TW: Giants; CV: Vikings
The Giants lost to the Eagles and the Vikings beat the Bears last week. A rematch of a Christmas Eve matchup. The Vikings needed to hit a field goal to win it at the end of regulation. If they let the Giants hang around, watch out as the same result might not happen. In the playoffs, the more aggressive team will put forth an effort that wants to put touchdowns instead of field goals will win I think. I think it'll be a different outcome than the previous matchup. 

Baltimore @ Cincinnati (NBC; 8:15 pm): TW: Bengals; CV: Bengals
The Ravens lost to the Bengals and the Bengals beat the Ravens last week. It will come down to the health of Lamar Jackson. If he can go he has a decent shot of winning this game and end the Bengals hopes of a return to the Super Bowl. If he doesn't, he would have to lean more on their running game to carry the offense. You can't be one-dimensional in this day and age in football. Cincinnati seems to be the better team as they do have a good quarterback in Joe Burrow. A long as he stays upright, I think he'll guide the Bengals to a win. 

Dallas @ Tampa Bay (ABC/ESPN; 8:15 pm): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The Cowboys lost to the Commanders and the Buccaneers lost to the Falcons last week. The wild card rounds finishes up with an interesting matchup on Monday night. Both teams come into this game with a rough game to end their regular season. Dallas had the opportunity to get some momentum into the postseason but they played a lackluster game. The offense went into hibernation and Dak Prescott wasn't spectacular. Tampa didn't look that great either against Atlanta but at least they're in it I suppose. Tom Brady hasn't looked that great all season and has had to utilize some luck and some defensive mishaps to get this far. For example, the Monday night comeback against New Orleans. I don't really trust either team but I can't go wrong with Tom Brady and company. 

NFL 2012 Wild Card Predictions: A look back

So I've briefly mentioned that I used to have a wordpress blog that I used to do for NFL pick'ems in 2012 through 2014. In the posts I was showing a rather amateur feel to it when I look back on it. The blogs themselves were fairly small in word count compared to these. I feel my word craft has improved since then. Let's take a look: 

Hello folks, it is the eve of one of the best parts of the year in the sports world: NFL playoffs. First week is full of some intriguing match ups now that the games that don't really matter turn to the games that do matter. Win or go home. Simple as that. I will also do the divisional predictions as well as the Super Bowl as well, just on a different column after the wild-card weekend is over. I know this could bite me in the ass early in the playoffs but at least I give out my opinion on it. Here we go:

Cincinnati @ Houston: Tale of two different seasons for these teams. Last season was the same matchup. Bengals haven't won a playoff game since I was 2-3 years old in 1990. Time is now right for them to end the drought and bring Marvin Lewis his first playoff win. I'll go with the Bengals.

Minnesota @ Green Bay: The second all-time playoff matchup between these two teams. Vikings won the first game back in 2005. Different cases for both teams. I still believe that Christian Ponder will not be the elite quarterback that people expect him to be. He's played well I will agree to a point, but taking my girl Samantha Steele away from me loses all respect for him. I have since ended my pursuit of the girl. She needs a brain. Go Pack Go.

Indianapolis @ Baltimore: A lot of people not believing in the Ravens in what could possibly be the great Ray Lewis' last game. I believe the Ravens will win it based on the fact that they're inspired by him and they will win it for Ray who deserves it. I'll go for the Ravens.

Seattle @ Washington: Obviously the best game of the wild-card weekend. RGIII vs Russell Wilson. Two of the best rookie QB's in the NFC. This game will easily be a high-scoring affair. I like Washington being them the home team and Seattle on the road hasn't been that great as it should. I like RGIII more than Wilson because I feel Robert Griffin has more speed in his legs and certainly more accurate as a passer. Also because I still won't get over the Fail Mary. Go Washington! Hail to the Redskins!

Seeing this now I kind of realize that I didn't discuss a lot of the Bengals-Texans game. Obviously the Bengals have since then ended that playoff drought. I feel the animosity towards Christian Ponder was that he stole my celebrity crush at the time, Samantha Steele (now Ponder). Obviously I'm a bit mature and over it. Safe to say the Ravens did win one for the "gipper" and carried Ray Lewis into his last season with a win against the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. Interestingly enough that Seahawks-Redskins game was the game where Robert Griffin III suffered that horrific leg injury and was never the same after that. For some odd reason, I never did posts on that wordpress account past the Wild Card round. Darn shame too because that Ravens-Broncos divisional playoff game was one of the best games ever. 

2022 Pick ‘Em Records

My record:

Week 1: 8-7-1
Week 2: 8-8
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 11-5
Week 5: 10-6
Week 6: 8-6
Week 7: 9-5
Week 8: 12-3
Week 9: 11-2
Week 10: 8-6
Week 11: 8-6
Week 12: 10-6
Week 13: 11-3-1
Week 14: 7-6
Week 15: 8-8
Week 16: 9-7
Week 17: 12-3
Week 18: 11-5

Total: 166-103-2

Cardinal Viking's record:

Week 1: 6-9-1
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 6-10
Week 5: 9-7
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 8-6
Week 8: 9-6
Week 9: 9-4
Week 10: 8-6
Week 11: 8-6
Week 12: 9-7
Week 13: 8-6-1
Week 14: 9-4
Week 15: 13-3
Week 16: 10-6
Week 17: 9-6
Week 18: 11-5

Total: 157-112-2

Previous Picking Records:

Cardinal Viking:

2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1
2021: 167-104-1

My record: 

2012: 164-90-2

2013: 162-92-1

2014: 172-83-1

2017: 164-92

2018: 156-98-2
2019: 161-94-1

2020: 167-88-1 

2021: 173-98-1

See you all after the Monday night game for the Wild card recap post! Enjoy the games and the rest of the week!

-Tom

NFL 2021 Super Wild Card Weekend Picks

 Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming upon us yet again. The regular season is over and the pretenders are now at home while the contenders are now playing in the 2nd season, playoff season. The 14 teams that remain now will play for a chance to go on to a win the exclusive Super Bowl Championship. The sad thing is only 13 of them won't hoist the trophy in the end. In this post I'll do a preview of the weekend and Monday's games and my picks for the games. Let's get to work!

Super Wild Card Weekend Preview

The Super Wild Card Weekend will start in Cincinnati, Ohio and finish up in Inglewood, California. There will be 12 teams playing in the six games. The week features two games on Saturday, three games on Sunday and one game on Monday. The Saturday games will be on NBC and CBS. The Sunday games will be on FOX, CBS, and NBC. For the Monday night game, it'll be on ABC/ESPN/ESPN2. Let's get to the picks!

Super Wild Card Weekend Picks

Note: TW is me and CV is Cardinal Viking, my former roommate. All game times are in US Eastern.

Las Vegas (10-7) @ Cincinnati (10-7) (NBC; 4:30 pm): TW: Bengals; CV: Bengals
The Raiders beat the Chargers and the Bengals lost to the Browns last week. It all starts in Cincinnati where the worn out Raiders take on the better rested Bengals. It'll be a shorter week for both teams but the Bengals did rest Joe Burrow and had Joe Mixon on COVID protocol. They'll be ready to go. Las Vegas had to literally go to the final seconds of overtime to beat the Chargers to just get to the playoffs. The Bengals haven't won a playoff game since 1990 when Sam Wyche's Bengals beat Jerry Glanville's Houston Oilers. Maybe the weight of the drought could affect them but I don't think so. I really am risking a lot by going with the Bengals but I'll take them.

New England (10-7) @ Buffalo (11-6) (CBS; 8:15 pm): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Patriots lost to the Dolphins and the Bills beat the Jets last week. The primetime game on Saturday features two AFC East heavyweights in the Bills and Patriots. Both teams have beat each other on the road. The Patriots were tabbed to be the representative for the AFC in the Super Bowl. I just have to say is "not so fast" as my preseason pick to represent the AFC was the Buffalo Bills. The playoff experience could be a bit much for Mac Jones to handle. Buffalo is the more experienced team to handle the pressure. I'll go with the Bills. 

Philadelphia (9-8) @ Tampa Bay (13-4) (FOX; 1:00 pm): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The Eagles lost to the Cowboys and the Buccaneers beat the Panthers last week. It's a rematch of a Thursday night game that happened on October 15th. The Eagles gave the Bucs some fits but the defending champs would beat the Eagles 28-22. Sunday's game will have a different feel to it as the Eagles are a different team that has a solid offense going for them. Tampa had some fits in the previous matchup as Tom Brady had an interception. Tampa also doesn't have some key players in Antonio Brown is gone and their running game is a bit limited. The game could have the feeling of an upset but I wouldn't count out Tom Brady like ever. 

San Francisco (10-7) @ Dallas (12-5) (CBS/Nickelodeon; 4:30 pm): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
The 49ers beat the Rams and the Cowboys beat the Eagles last week. The old 49ers-Cowboys rivalry renews as the two franchises meet for the 8th time since 1970 in the playoffs. The Cowboys somewhat hold the edge at a 7-2 advantage over their rivals. So far I have been picking the home teams and if there was a potential upset it would be this one. San Francisco has quite a plethora of weapons to them. Dallas does as well but their head coach is not known to be a quality one at that. I'll go bold and take the 49ers to beat the Cowboys. 

Pittsburgh (9-7-1) @ Kansas City (12-5) (NBC; 8:15 pm): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
The Steelers beat the Ravens and the Chiefs beat the Broncos last week. Pittsburgh got through the regular season with a little luck on their side. What they face next is the lions den. Kansas City is looking to make it back to the Super Bowl and still have a solid team to do it. Their defense is better than last year's team. The Steelers will need to really play error-free football to have a shot to win this game. That meaning not to turn the ball over and to sustain drives. That and only then will they have a shot to win. I don't see it happening sadly but a upset would be interesting.

Arizona (11-6) @ LA Rams (12-5) (ABC/ESPN; 8:15 pm): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The Cardinals lost to the Seahawks and the Rams lost to the 49ers last week. The first round of the playoffs finishes up with a NFC West clash between the Cardinals and Rams. Matthew Stafford hasn't had a lot of luck in the playoffs as he is 0-3 in his career. Granted he was with the Lions at those three losses. The Rams will need him to play great as this is their "Super Bowl or bust" season as a lot of talent has been invested into both sides of the ball. Arizona has no DeAndre Hopkins as the wide out is out for the rest of the season while going through surgery. The one upside is that the Cardinals will be getting JJ Watt back. If he can be a factor in the game and not be limited the Cards could be interesting team to keep an eye on to see if they can slay their bigger brother. I don't see it happening but it is any given football game. 

2021 Pick'em Records:

My record:

Week 1: 7-9
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 10-6
Week 4: 9-7
Week 5: 12-4
Week 6: 11-3
Week 7: 10-3
Week 8: 7-8
Week 9: 7-7
Week 10: 5-8-1
Week 11: 8-7
Week 12: 8-7
Week 13: 10-4
Week 14: 10-4
Week 15: 13-3
Week 16: 12-4
Week 17: 13-3
Week 18: 11-5

Total: 173-98-1

Cardinal Viking's record:

Week 1: 6-10
Week 2: 12-4
Week 3: 13-3
Week 4: 10-6
Week 5: 10-6
Week 6: 12-2
Week 7: 10-3
Week 8: 7-8
Week 9: 8-6
Week 10: 5-8-1
Week 11: 10-5
Week 12: 9-6
Week 13: 7-7
Week 14: 9-5
Week 15: 10-6
Week 16: 11-5
Week 17: 10-6
Week 18: 8-8

Total: 167-104-1

Previous Picking Records:

Cardinal Viking:

2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1
2020: 163-92-1

My record: 

2012: 164-90-2

2013: 162-92-1

2014: 172-83-1

2017: 164-92

2018: 156-98-2

2019: 161-94-1

2020: 167-88-1 

See you all after the Monday night game for the Super Wild Card Weekend Recap post! Enjoy the games!

-Tom

NFL 2020 Wild Card Picks

 Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is coming upon us! The regular season is over and 14 of the 32 teams remain in contention for the Lombardi Trophy to be hoisted come February 7th. It's the first round of the NFL playoffs, also called the Wild Card round. In this post, I'll make my picks for who moves onto the next round. Let's get to work!

Wild Card Picks

Wild Card weekend starts in Orchard Park, New York and finishes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There will be six games shown this round with three games on Saturday and three games on Sunday. Game times will be in three timeslots: 1:05 PM, 4:40 PM, and 8:15 PM (US Eastern time). Each of the NFL's television partners will have at least a game to air. Television networks CBS, FOX, and NBC will have the Saturday games and ESPN, CBS and NBC will have the Sunday games. Let's get to the picks!

Indianapolis (11-5) @ Buffalo (13-3) (CBS): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
Both teams won last week as the Colts beat the Jaguars and the Bills beat the Dolphins. Both teams head into this matchup with heads high. They're evenly matched despite that Philip Rivers is not a mobile quarterback compared to Josh Allen. For Rivers' sake, he does have a legit talent in Jonathan Taylor behind him in most snaps. Indy will need to do is to not have any turnovers and no costly penalties. If you give Josh Allen any advantage he will do it via his legs and arm. Buffalo will need to get its running game going and prove to the world that they belong and that their AFC East crown means something. I think the Bills get it done and get their first playoff win since 1995. 

LA Rams (10-6) @ Seattle (12-4) (FOX): TW: Seahawks; CV: Rams
Both teams won last week as the Rams beat the Cardinals and the Seahawks beat the 49ers. For the 2nd time in two weeks, these two teams will duke it out. Los Angeles comes into this game with a question at who will start for them at quarterback. Two weeks ago, Jared Goff injured his thumb against these same Seahawks. Or will it be the fairly decent John Wolford? These questions make me hesitant in thinking the Rams have a large chance of winning. They'd have to have a great game against these Seahawks. Seattle will need to get better protection of Russell Wilson and keep him upright. Offensive line issues have been a problem and the last thing you'd want is your quarterback to get injured. 

Tampa Bay (11-5) @ Washington (7-9) (NBC): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
Both teams got wins last week as the Buccaneers beat the Falcons and the Football Team beat the Eagles. If you wanted Tom Brady, Chase Young, you're gonna get him. Tampa Bay seems to have the advantage in this game due to better quarterback play and a solid running game to match. The Buccaneers defense isn't that bad as well. I'd like to pick the underdog in this one but Washington could barely beat an Eagles team that benched its young star quarterback in the 4th quarter. Sorry but I'm going with Brady and the Bucs. 

Baltimore (11-5) @ Tennessee (11-5) (ESPN/ABC): TW: Ravens; CV: Titans
Both teams won last week as the Ravens beat the Bengals and the Titans beat the Texans. Round #2 in the Music City. Both teams will make it obvious on where they stand on offense: pounding the rock! Derrick Henry maybe the best running back in the NFL but the Ravens have three legit running backs plus Lamar Jackson to contend with. Both teams defenses will need to step up big in this one if they want any shot to play next week. Better defenses seem to lean towards the Ravens in the game. I'd personally take the Ravens. 

Chicago (8-8) @ New Orleans (12-4) (CBS/Nickelodeon): TW: Saints; CV: Saints
The Bears lost to the Packers and the Saints beat the Panthers last week. Chicago comes into this game lucking their way into the playoffs. Their defense has been pretty good this season and their offense well has been inept in doing what it needs to do. Mitchell Trubisky will need to play out of his mind against one of the better defenses in the NFC in New Orleans. I like the Saints in the game based on what the Bears don't have. Seems pretty simple on who I like. I'll take the Saints.

Cleveland (11-5) @ Pittsburgh (12-4) (NBC): TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
The Browns beat the Steelers and the Steelers lost to the Browns last week. It'll be the 3rd meeting between these two rivals. Both teams really feeling lucky to be in it for the long haul. Cleveland is ending its 18-year playoff drought while the Steelers finished 12-4 when they had a 11-0 start this season. Cleveland had trouble stopping the Steelers backups. Cleveland will need to play error-free football and keep their emotions in check as if you give the Steelers any leg up, they will be in your face all day. I like the Steelers but they need to get their running game going. 

2020 Week by Week Record: 

TW's record:

Week 1: 8-8
Week 2: 15-1
Week 3: 9-6-1
Week 4: 11-4
Week 5: 9-5
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 12-2
Week 8: 7-7
Week 9: 10-4
Week 10: 10-4
Week 11: 7-7
Week 12: 11-5
Week 13: 10-5
Week 14: 7-9
Week 15: 12-4
Week 16: 8-8
Week 17: 14-2
Total: 167-88-1

Cardinal Viking's record:

Week 1: 10-6
Week 2: 11-5
Week 3: 8-7-1
Week 4: 7-8
Week 5: 8-6
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 11-3
Week 8: 7-7
Week 9: 9-5
Week 10: 11-3
Week 11: 8-6
Week 12: 9-7
Week 13: 11-4
Week 14: 11-5
Week 15: 13-3
Week 16: 9-7
Week 17: 11-5
Total: 163-92-1

Previous Picking Records:

Cardinal Viking:

2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019: 151-104-1

My record: 

2012: 164-90-2

2013: 162-92-1

2014: 172-83-1

2017: 164-92

2018: 156-98-2

2019: 161-94-1

I'll see you guys on Monday for the Wild Card Recap post! Enjoy the games!

-Tom