I Call Him SON OF GAMBLOR! Divisional Playoffs

Ah, the divisional playoffs.  Which is a bit more interesting than usual because with the AFC West, AFC South, and NFC East divisional already eliminated, only five of the eight divisions are still represented.  And even that’s a bit of a surprise, because nobody expected the Seahawks to be playing this weekend.  As I will continue to mention throughout the playoffs, Gamblor and Son of Gamblor’s picks are purely theoretical at this point.  The computer was actually 3-1 last week, thanks to some pretty impressive performances by underdogs, and is once again recommending underdogs across the board.

BALTIMORE RAVENS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS Computer’s Pick: Baltimore (+3) Bet Amount: $0.23 (Gamblor only)

COMMENTS: This game seems like quite a toss-up to me.  It should be a close contest, and the only reason the Steelers have an edge is due to home-field advantage.  I like their chances to win, but Baltimore is certainly capable of keeping this one close enough for the spread to factor in.  I actually think this one might come down to an early injury or two that shift the balance, otherwise I wouldn’t be surprised to see this one turn out as a push.

GREEN BAY PACKERS at ATLANTA FALCONS Computer’s Pick: Green Bay (+2.5) Bet Amount: $9.25 (Gamblor only)

COMMENTS: Atlanta managed to sneak up on a lot of people, but they seemed to falter a bit during the end of the season when they lost at home to the New Orleans Saints in a pretty important game.  Obviously the playoffs are different, but Green Bay has already got plenty of playoff experience in contrast to the budding Falcons.  I think that will make a big difference.  Last week I was happy to get points with the Packers; I feel exactly the same way this week.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at CHICAGO BEARS Computer’s Pick: Seattle (+10) Bet Amount: $10.67 (Gamblor only)

COMMENTS: I like this bet a lot.  Despite beating the defending Superbowl champions last week, Seattle still isn’t getting any respect.  That’s got to needle them quite a bit.  And with Jay Cutler at the helm, Chicago is certainly capable of blowing what should be an easy victory.  I don’t think they will, and I don’t think that Matt Hasselbeck will deliver the same kind of performance against the Bears’ overachieving defense, but I do think this will be a more interesting game than the spread suggests, the spread will factor in.

NEW YORK JETS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS Computer’s Pick: NY Jets (+8.5) Bet Amount: $36.74 (Consensus)

COMMENTS: I’ll pass on the Jets in this one – I think Belichick has got them all figured out, and there’s no way they’ll be able to shut Tom Brady down.  The Jets perform well against a team with ONE wideout star, but the Patriots have too many weapons and spread the ball out as a matter of policy, so Revis Island won’t be as big of a factor as it was against the Colts.  I think the Patriots will run away with this one.