The lines are from Vegas and the home teams in CAPs.
KANSAS CITY -8 over Tennessee
The Chiefs are a team with speed and some weapons on offence that can break a game open. The Titans have a dynamic, young quarterback that is being stifled by an uninventive style which bogs down the game. Quite simply, the Chiefs are a team full of potential while the Titans should just be happy to be here. Tennessee will also without 1A running back DeMarco Murray, while K.C. is fully rested after taking Week 17 off. The fact that Andy Reid, a notorious playoff choker, is at the helm for the Chiefs doesn’t really matter either, considering Mike Mularkey is an average coach at best.
L.A. RAMS -6.5 over Atlanta
We keep thinking that the Falcons offence from last year is going to show up, but it never does. Kyle Shanahan isn’t walking through that door to reinvigorate Matt Ryan. The weapons are all there but they’ve been directionless all season. The Rams, on the hand, have become the offence that the Falcons’ once was. While Atlanta’s defence has improved, it’s not the type of unit to win a game by itself. After L.A. rested its stars in Week 17, Todd Gurley should be ready to roll and Aaron Donald should be able to cause some destruction against am Atlanta line that will be missing key cog Andy Levitre.
JACKSONVILLE -8 over Buffalo
While we hate to rain on the Bills’ parade after the team ended its 19-year playoff drought, their time in the post-season won’t last long. The Jaguars, particularly on defence, are the much better team. Buffalo has trouble stopping the run and Jacksonville just so happens to pound it down opponents’ throats. While this is a big number for the Jags to cover, the Bills offence will have a ton of trouble putting points on the board, even if LeSean McCoy can suit up.
Carolina +7 over NEW ORLEANS
It’s hard enough to just beat a team three times in a season, but how about doing it by more than a touchdown? The Saints are a Super Bowl contender, but this will be a tough matchup with a lot of familiarity on both sides. Not helping New Orleans’ case is that top receiver Michael Thomas is banged up and might not be able to play. While the Saints running game has carried them this season, will it be enough to run away with this one? It hasn’t hurt us too often to bet on the Cats whenever all-world linebacker Luke Kuechly is healthy, so that’s what we’ll do here and take the points.
Last week: 6-10
This season: 127-107-10