Super Wildcard Open Thread 2
Podcast here! Brief picks:
Titans (+3) over RAVENS Very close matchup. I can see a good case for the Ravens, who finished the season strong, particularly given the weak Titans defense. OTOH the Titans match up better with the run-heavy Ravens than they would against the Chiefs of Bills, and have the better passing game and the rare running back that has to be strongly considered when evaluating a game. Between the Titans being a live dog and the possibility this comes down to the last possession, I’ll take the points.
SAINTS (-10) over Bears The Saints are better not only offensively but defensively, and it would be shocking if they lost. 10 points is a lot, especially with Brees in rapid decline, but against this defense Trubisky seems more likely to commit some late turnovers than get a backdoor cover.
Browns (+6.5) over STEELERS The Steelers are better and I expect them to win, but that’s a lot of points in a game I don’t expect to be a blowout, so I’d take the points and hope that the sharp late-season decline of the Steelers isn’t purely an aberration.