A 61 point over/under is ridiculous, indicative of a shootout. The funny part is that it may be conservative.
While Green Bay's defense does their level best, both teams are pretty much the easy whore of Mister Touchdown, and will give themselves to him all day. You could very well see more points than a Seurat painting.
That 61 points seems conservative, unless you are betting on Green Bay winning in a rout, 46-14 or something like that.
I don't think Atlanta is all that. I was amazed that they beat Seattle, who I am happy to see out of the playoffs. That was the only game I blew last week.
Thusly, I see Green Bay going way the hell up early, with Atlanta scoring enough to keep you from losing interest. However, the outcome will never be in doubt.
Green Bay, 38-24
1/22 6:40 ETAt New England-6Pittsburgh50.5 CBS
There's a big nor'easter heading towards New England, which I wish would be a foot of snow but will probably be an inch of rain.
(Please note that the Weather Desk and the Sports Desk at Cranberry County Magazine sometimes disagree, and that the Weather Desk thinks that the rain will hold off until the ride home from Foxboro. However, there is a belief at both Desks that, if he really needs to, Bill Belichick can exert some influence on the weather.)
We also have our spies about, and they tell me that the flu/stomach bug is running wild in the Pittsburgh locker room. LeVeon Bell may indeed get 175 total yards, but still have an Uta Pippig ending.
Expect many ROG-ERRRR chants, as the NFL Commish is cowering in Georgia. He is going to hand us that trophy this year, and he's going to learn to like doing it.
Not having Gronkowski is tough, but I get the sense that the Pats are going all the way this year, and Pittsburgh is just the next clown out of the car.
If there's ever a time to bet a Road Dog, it's when Matty Ice is hosting.
If you're betting Seattle to win, it may be wise to bet on the game being low-scoring affair, a dangerous bet with an Atlanta team averaging 30 points a game.
Atlanta has a poor history of defending itself against northern invaders. I do believe that General Sherman (or, to be fair, perhaps beaten rebel troops) burned that ish to the ground in the Civil War.
William Tecusmseh Sherman was confident as he marched into the Peach State, practicing Total War, fully intent on wrecking everything in his path. "I will make Georgia howl," cried Sherman. "My aim then was to whip the rebels, to humble their pride, to follow them to their inmost recesses, and make them fear and dread us. 'Fear of the Lord' is the beginning of wisdom."
Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman, a Stanford man, should feel the same way.
Seattle, 27-13
1/14 8:15 ETAt New England-16Houston44.5, CBS
Let's stick with Civil War generals. General Sheridan was charged with occupying Texas after the Civil War. He hated the climate. When asked how he liked Texas, he replied, "If I owned Hell and Texas, I'd live in Hell and rent Texas."
We took these guys to the woodshed earlier in the season with our third string QB, and- while they have improved- they aren't the team who is going to knock us out of the playoffs.
I wish that the blizzard we got last weekend was happening this weekend instead, but that's the way the rookie rumbles. We don't need the snow to handle these guys... which is a good thing for them, because there are those in the sportswriting community who believe that Bill Belichick is able to exert some form of control over the weather.
It matters not. We will whip them like they were mouthy serfs. They'll wish that their mothers had never met their fathers. I'm betting the Over, and I don't expect one team to even reach double digits.
Pittsburgh walloped KC earlier in the season. Maybe that's how this goes, or maybe KC is in the playoffs for a reason.
I think it's the former. I'm taking the Under in 44 point game, and I expect Pittsburgh to score 31 points. That's what Kansas City gets for not being in Kansas.
Pittsburgh, 31-10
1/15 4:40 ETAt Dallas-4.5Green Bay52.5, FOX
Dallas can slowly run it down the field on anyone. Green Bay is more of an aerial show who can move the ball quickly.
That said, I have great doubts about Dak Prescott needing to move the ball by the air in hurry. If this or any game turns into a shootout, bet on whoever you think can move the ball 80 yards in 80 seconds when they really have to. I don't think that Dallas can do that.
