NFL PLAYOFF PICKS

It’s playoff time. The NFL Playoffs start today. What better way for Bleeding Sports to celebrate than with a little healthy picks competition.

Bleeding Sports welcomes The PickMeister to challenge the Bleeding Sports Brain Trust in a little NFL Playoff Pick'em. Bleeding Sports will be keeping score throughout the playoffs in this winner take all battle for illegal sports gambling supremacy.

So here we go. It’s the NFL Wild Card Playoffs. Let the games begins!

Home Teams in CAPS.

The PickMeister's Picks

Kansas City +7 over INDIANAPOLIS

Indianapolis has only lost 4 games all year, but 3 of which have come within the last 5 weeks of the season. Indy’s defense has given up over 190 rushing yards in each of these loses, including the 375 they gave up to Jacksonville when they were blown out 44-17. Will this pathetic defense, ranked dead last in NFL against the run, be able to hold up enough against the NFL’s 2^nd leading rusher to cover the 7 point spread? No way! Take Larry Johnson and Kansas City getting the points.

SEATTLE -2.5 over Dallas

Both these teams have been unimpressive in the ending weeks of the regular season, each losing 3 out of their last 4 games. Dallas, however, has not won a road playoff game since 1992. Don’t expect this year to be any different. Look for the Seattle crowd, or speakers, to be extra loud for this game and disrupt Romo and the Dallas offense. Take Seattle to cover the 2 ½ point spread.

New York Jets +8.5 over NEW ENGLAND

Like the Colts, New England has also only lost 4 games this season. But 3 out of these 4 losses were at home and 1 of which was against, you guessed it, the New York Jets. What about the other time these two AFC East teams faced each other? New England won by 7. The Jets have been on a tear since their week 9 bye, winning 6 out of their last 8 and only giving up a little over 12 points per game. Look for Mangenius and the Jets to be prepared for New England’s every move. Take New York getting the points.

New York Giants +7 over PHILADELPHIA

Some may say this is the easiest game of the week to pick, I however find it the most difficult. The Giants have proved to be the most inconsistent team in the league, leaving us all to wonder which Giants team is going show up. The first time these two teams met, the Giants won in overtime 30-24. The second meeting told a different story, with Philadelphia winning 36-22 in a game that was closer than the score suggests. The Giants defense is atrocious, but luckily for them Philly’s offense isn’t very intimidating either. On the other side of the ball, Tiki Barber is one of the best backs in the league and can have huge game against a defensive squad that has struggled all year against the run. I don’t believe Philly will be able to cover the 7 point spread. Take the Giants getting the points.

The Brain Trust Picks

INDIANAPOLIS -7 over Kansas City

The one thing that the Colts have been able to do in the playoffs is crush teams at home in the Wild Card round. Just ask Denver. The Chiefs have a shot by riding Larry Johnson, but it’s tough to see the Colts not winning this game by at least 7.

Dallas +2.5 over SEATTLE

As the PickMeister mentioned, both teams have played poorly as of late. Dallas has played well in Seattle the last couple of years losing last year on a patented Bledsoe interception late and winning 2 years ago in that memorable Monday night affair. In addition, this Seattle team is more like the 9-7 team from 2 years ago than the team that went to the Super Bowl last season. That team 2 years ago won the NFC West then lost at home to the Rams in the playoffs. The same thing will happen this year. Cowboys win outright.

NEW ENGLAND -8.5 over New York Jets

Initially, the Brain Trust thought about picking the Jets. Then the PickMeister took the Jets and the Brain Trust began thinking more clearly. The Jets aren’t a very good football team. Yes, they won at New England this season, but it was their only win all year over a winning team. New England will win the game and cover in the process.

New York Giants +7 over PHILADELPHIA

It’s tough for the Brain Trust to ever pick against the Giants. So why start now! Based on the way both of these teams have been playing there is no reason to think the Eagles won’t cover. However, the first game was close and so was the second game if Tiki bats down the ball on the Cole INT return. It’s tough to see this not being a close game and the Brain Trust still believes the Giants are the better team.