2009 NFL Playoff Pick’em

2009 NFL Playoff Pick’em

Welcome to year three of the Bleeding Sports annual NFL playoff pick’em. This year the competition between the Pickmeister, J. Daniels, and the BS CEO, G. Francis, is a best of seven. The battle begins this week with the divisional round. To start it off, we’ll look at the Saturday games. Let the fight for NFL spread picking bragging rights begin!

Home team in CAPS.

G. Francis – BS CEO

TENNESSEE (–3) over Baltimore

It seems that the public has fallen asleep on the Titans, which is only natural since they haven’t had much to play for since taking out Pittsburgh in Week 16. The Ravens meanwhile have been rolling and have had some high profile wins that have garnered them some added attention. Looking at the game realistically, the Ravens defense is solid, but the Titans defense has been better this season. Offensively, the Ravens are still starting a rookie QB in Joe Flacco with a mediocre running game while the Titans feature a seasoned QB in Kerry Collins and a strong running with Chris Johnson and LenDale White. It is also worth mentioning that the game is in Tennessee. The Ravens run ends today and while the game will be close Tennessee wins by more than a field goal.


Arizona (+10) over CAROLINA

Every prognosticator in world loves the Panthers in this game and with good reason. The Cardinals are awful on the road and there is a good chance the star WR Anquan Boldin will miss the game with a hamstring injury. However, to me, Carolina is overrated especially defensively. The weather may be a factor, but the Cardinals should still be able to move the ball just like they did when playing in Carolina earlier this season. The first meeting between these two teams was a close game and this game will be closer than all those experts out there believe.


J. Daniels – The Pickmeister

TENNESEE (-3) over Baltimore

Three points doesn’t seem enough here for to go with Baltimore. When these two teams met earlier this year Tennessee edged out the Ravens by, you guessed it, 3 points. But Tennessee is home this time and this is the Playoff. Kerry Collins wants revenge for his abysmal performance in the 2000 Super Bowl, and Joe Flacco will likely play worse than he did in the Wildcard round. Take TENNESEE to cover the spread.


Arizona (+10) over CAROLINA

Carolina WILL win this games, but its hard to not to take a team who’s getting 10 points in the playoff. Yes, Arizona can’t play on the road but I don’t think the weather in Charlotte will make a difference in this game. On he down side, Anquan Boldin most likely will not be playing, but Fitzgerald and Breaston should be able to pick up the slack enough to keep them within 10 points. Take Arizona with the points.