Intro by Yank
Day one of Super Wild Card Weekend has come and gone; we’re off to an inauspicious start. It’s rare that the wild card teams we pick actually do their part. As always, keep on reading to find out who we think will win and lose. At a minimum, our picks should help you figure out who you shouldn’t choose.
Recap
Yesterday we liked the Browns defense (gave up 31 points) and the Dolphins offense (scored 7 points). Some days you have it and some days you don’t. In honor of Bill Belichick, we are on to the Sunday action.
Wild Card Picks
The Green Bay Packers @ the Dallas Cowboys-7
Yank: For this game, I am following a philosophy that has worked all season: if the Cowboys (who I despise) are going to be good, I might as well bet as much on them as possible. If they win I win and if I jinx them all the better. Unfortunately, in this case, I also think they’re immune to my jinx. Dak Prescott has been playing at an MVP level. The last time I checked Tommy DeVito moved the ball up and down the field on this same Packers defense so we can confidently say that MVP-level QB play is not required. Dallas likely overwhelms the Packers here, in a way that is becoming common in these 2 vs 7 games.
Sam: I too am going Cowboys here. The Cowboys have demonstrated that they take care of bad football teams, and while the Packers seem to have put together a stretch of better performances as of late, I think the consensus opinion is a little too high on the Packers. Sure they did win their last three games heading into the playoffs but keep in mind that they barely beat the Panthers, dominated a Vikings team that lost all semblance of a defense down the stretch of the season, and snuck out a victory with some help from the refs against the Bears. Should they hang a banner like the Lions? The Cowboys defensive line will make Jordan Love unbalanced in the pocket and if he tries to force things, look out for turnovers. And as Yank points out, that Packers defense hasn’t stopped anyone in years even though we’re told over and over again how good it is. If there is a key for the Packers today, it will be to pound the rock with a finally healthy Aaron Jones against a Cowboys defense that has been susceptible to a good running game. But even with that possibility in mind, I’m still rolling with the Cowboys.
Sam’s Pick: $5.68 on the Cowboys-7 (-115)
Yanks Pick: $5.00 on the Cowboys-7 (-110) and $5.00 on a Cowboys/Eagles ML parlay (+120)
The Los Angeles Rams @ the Detroit Lions-3
Sam: I’ve had a hard time deciphering this one. On the one hand, doesn’t it seem like everyone thinks the Rams are a bad matchup for the Lions? I swear every podcast I listen to or soundbite I hear from ESPN seems to think the Rams are the under-the-radar team heading into the playoffs. But if everyone thinks the Rams are going to win, wouldn’t that make them the favorite? If I were the Lions, I’d be pissed and use that as motivation. On the other hand, I know the Lions’ defense sucks and Kupp alongside Nacua is a mean 1-2 punch for that secondary. That being said, the Lions offense is potent enough to put up points and we know their defense will give points up, so at the end of the day, it feels kind of like this one will come down to who has the ball last.
Yank: I’m with Sam on this, I think the Rams have made their way to fully overrated at this point. In any other matchup I’d love to pick against them. Unfortunately yesterday Cleveland proved what’s happens to certain fanbases once the fans themselves really start to hope. Detroit is in this category. They ALREADY HUNG AN NFC NOTTH CHMAPIONSHIP BANNER. People are way too fired up and can’t see the doom hanging just over their head like the sword of Damocles. Los Angeles has the better QB, the better head coach, and an intimate knowledge of Jared Goff’s weakness. I hope I’m wrong but if we’re picking for money I have to take the Rams.
Sam’s Pick: $6.00 on the Rams ML (+136)
Yanks Pick: $5.00 on a Same Game Parlay of Rams ML+Stafford throws a TD(+207)
The Bank – Super Wild Card Sunday
| Yank | Sam | |
| Risk: | $15.00 | $11.68 |
| Potential Earnings: | $ | $13.10 |
Authors: Sam Mattson and Michael Yanckello
One Last Line 