I'm still bummed that the Titans and Bills made the playoffs, while the Chargers and Ravens fell short.
The plodding, discombobulated Titans have been absolutely painful to watch this season, and the Bills organization -- specifically head coach Sean McDermott -- doesn't deserve to be in the postseason after what it did to dependable starting QB Tyrod Taylor. I'm not going to go down that rabbit hole again, but to bench Tyrod for incompetent rookie Nathan Peterman in the heat of a playoff race is simply unconscionable and unforgivable to me.
Meanwhile, with the exception of Titans and Bills fans, I'm sure we'd all rather be watching Philip Rivers and the Chargers' high-powered offense this weekend. In addition, I'd rather see head coach John Harbaugh, QB Joe Flacco and the Ravens' vaunted D because we know, in the end, that they're a greater possible threat to the perennial safe picks, the Patriots and Steelers.
Lastly, I'm still kind of bummed that my Jets aren't in the playoffs. I know they finished 5-11, but we lost a number of close games -- 24-17 to the Pats after being up 14-0 with the ball, 31-28 to the Dolphins after being up 14-0 and 28-14, 25-20 to the Falcons after being up in the 4th, 15-10 to the Bucs in an ugly slopfest and 35-27 to a tough Carolina team -- and when Josh McCown was healthy, I know we were equal to or better than the Bills and Titans. We smacked the Bills in a convincing 34-21 victory on Thursday Night Football.
Anyyyway, I'm crying over spilt milk as usual. Let's get to the picks...
Date, Time and Network: Saturday, January 6, at 4:35 p.m. on ESPN
Lines and Movement: The Chiefs have moved from -7 to -9.5 (on some sites)
Public Percentage: 57% on the Chiefs
Things can go one of two ways for HC Mike Mularkey, QB Marcus Mariota and the Titans: they can continue sucking and playing sloppy ball while getting demolished by the Chiefs, or the fresh slate of the postseason can clear Mariota's groggy mind and re-energize a player suffering through the worst year of his football life.
I'm going with scenario #1.
Due to Andy Reid's meticulous, next-level game preparation and Alex Smith's ability to maximize scoring possessions without turning the ball over, the Chiefs can outclass lesser opponents in the postseason. Two seasons ago they embarrassed Brian Hoyer, Bill O'Brien and the Texans to the tune of a 30-0 drubbing. This Titans team is awfully similar to that Texans squad.
The lone bright spot for Tennessee is a blessing in disguise: RB1 DeMarco Murray will not play due to a knee injury. That's a win because DeMarco has looked old, slow and unexplosive throughout the 2017 campaign. That opens the door for RB2 Derrick Henry, who is arguably the most gifted offensive player on the Titans' roster. He won't be enough, though.
** Johnny Fro's Prediction: Chiefs 31, Titans 13 **
Atlanta Falcons @ Los Angeles Rams
Date, Time and Network: Saturday, January 6, at 8:15 p.m. on NBC
Lines and Movement: The Rams have moved from -4.5 to -5.5 (on some sites)
Public Percentage: 51% on the Falcons
With the playoffs about to get underway, the Rams are a difficult team to gauge. They've undoubtedly been a feel-good story under young-and-hungry head coach Sean McVay, but will their lack of postseason experience be a deciding factor against a battle-tested Falcons team?
Todd Gurley, at home, against the Falcons' spotty (if I'm putting it nicely) defense sure sounds like a nightmare for Atlanta and its fans. But, while the Falcons are known as an offensive-minded club, let's not forget that HC Dan Quinn was the defensive coordinator for Seattle's "Legion of Boom" in its collective prime. He may not have the personnel anymore, but he's a defensive tactician. Expect the Falcons to load the box like never before, but McVay will still find creative ways to get Gurley the rock in space.
I mean, ultimately, what are we talking about here? Who are you taking in a tight playoff game in the 4th quarter, "Matty Ice" Ryan or sophomore Jared Goff?
I'm not going to overthink this one. I know who I'm taking. Last postseason the Cowboys looked like the "right" play as home favorites over the Packers, but it was rookie Dak Prescott against superstar Aaron Rodgers. Today's scenario isn't exactly the same, but it's awfully close.
Are the Falcons dying to avenge their Super Bowl collapse? I guess we'll find out later today.
** Johnny Fro's Prediction: Falcons 30, Rams 28 **
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