PIGSKIN 2020: Divisional Round Sunday

PIGSKIN

DIVISIONAL ROUND

SUNDAY

RESULTS

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Week Five

Week Six

Week Seven

Week Eight

Week Nine
Week Ten

Week Eleven

Thanksgiving Day

Week Twelve

Week Thirteen

Week Fourteen

Week Fifteen

Week Sixteen

Week Seventeen

Wild Saturday

Wild Sunday

Divisional Saturday

Regular Season

Overall Record ATS:  120-94-8 (+18)

Schmear of the Week:  4-13-1 (-30)  <--- *&%$#@!

Bagels in the Basket:  -12

Playoff Record ATS:  3-5 (-6)

Schmear of the Day:  1-1 (flat) ... uh, I forgot to pick a Saturday game .. just forgot.

Bagels in the Basket:  -6

DIVISIONAL ROUND SUNDAY

Friday Line ~ NYP/MGM

CHIEFS -10 Browns  🥯🥯🥯

If nothing else, the Browns last week proved they are a legitimate contender and not just some flash in the pan.  But I also believe teams on the rise; burgeoning contenders; also must first learn how to lose.  The Browns played a sound game against the Steelers, but there's an argument to be made PITT did more to lose than the CLE did to win.  Whatever the case, the Chiefs are coming off a bye week.  Coach Andy Reid and his staff no doubt have dissected hours of game-film like frogs in biology class.  They'll devise something clever to get Baker Mayfield out of his element, but can the Chiefs stop the Browns running game, which ranks third in both total yards and average yards per game.  Previous K.C. performances against the Raiders say no, but the way they bottled up Christian McCaffery, and Alvin Kamara says maybe.  The Chiefs do not rush nearly as well as the Browns but still average a strategically useful 112 yards per game.  Kansas City's advantage is clearly at quarterback, as they've thrown for the NFL's most yards and average the most passing yards per game.  Defensively, these teams are middle tier and statistically near even, which always makes for fun games.  This is my long way of saying I have no freaking idea.  Who do you trust more to get things done?  Is Patrick Mahomes ten points better than Baker Mayfield?  The backs of their baseball card say yes.  Mahomes has thrown for over 4.700 yards with 38 TD's and only six interceptions; Mayfield has thrown for 3,500 yards with 26 touchdowns and eight INT.  Mahomes has a full complement of weapons at his disposal; without Odell Beckham, the same cannot be said of Mayfield and the Browns.  The trick will be making the Browns play from behind.

Loss 22-17 Chiefs

Buccaneers +3 SAINTS  🥯🥯🥯

This game has PUSH written all over it.  In the much-anticipated third battle between ancient quarterbacks, I expect a defensive battle.  These teams have met twice this season, with the Saints taking both contests and scoring at least 34 points each time.  The Bucs were limited to just three points during their November meeting.  But I think it unlikely this game follows a similar pattern, and even more unlikely the Saints win a third straight game against the Bucs.  In fact, Tom Brady has never lost to the same team three times in one season.  Tampa, week after week, has done nothing but improve.  Regarding the Saints, who shows up, the team that won nine in a row, or the team that finished 2-2 with losses against the Eagles and Panthers?  The Saints know they can't over-blitz Brady without getting burnt.  Therefore, the question is, can the Saints front four pressure the pocket.  If they can't, Brady and his plethora of receiving weapons pick New Orleans apart.  At the same time, the Bucs secondary sucks compared to that of the Saints.  But if Brees is playing from behind, aggressive calls increase the risk for turnovers.  It's difficult picking against the Saints' defense, but I trust Tom Brady more than Drew Brees.

WIN  30-20 Bucs

Schmear of the Day  -  🥯 x10

Bucs +3

WIN

PLAYOFF RECORD ATS:  4-6 (-6)

SCHMEAR of the DAY:  2-1 (+10)  

BAGELS in the BASKET:  +4