The insanity that occurred throughout late Sunday afternoon and night of the NFL’s Week 18 prolonged from the enjoying fields in Los Angeles and Las Vegas to the ultimate standings right here within the Put up’s Bettor’s Information.
I entered the weekend with a five-game lead within the total standings, however approaching 7 p.m., it was trying as if the most effective I may do can be a tie for first place. Then, the Buccaneers pulled away from the Panthers, the Payments acquired a late overlaying landing towards the Jets and the 49ers completed an enormous comeback to permit me to clinch the title by a closer-than-it-appears 4 video games over Brian Costello.
There was much more drama within the Greatest Guess race. Howie Kussoy wanted a Chargers cowl as three-point favorites on the Raiders. However when Daniel Carlson drilled the extra time subject aim for Las Vegas, it handed the title to Steve Serby, who completed the season with a extremely worthwhile 61.1 profitable proportion.
On to the playoffs!
Sunday
Philadelphia Eagles (+8.5) over TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS; Over 45.5
First, I’d prefer to pubically thank Nick Sirianni for my favourite cowl of the 2021 season. On Oct. 14 in Philadelphia, the Eagles had been 6.5-point underdogs to the Bucs and had been down 28-14 halfway by way of the fourth quarter. Jalen Hurts scored on a 2-yard run to make it 28-20, after which when each different coach in historical past would have kicked the PAT, Sirianni went for 2 and acquired ’em … and the quilt!
This unfold’s a bit lighter than I hoped for, however I’m anticipating this to be considerably of a avenue battle. Earlier than resting many gamers in Week 18, the Eagles had received 4 video games in a row, and had a streak of permitting 13, 18, 17, 10 and 16 factors. As well as, a robust inside defensive position is often the most effective protection towards Tom Brady.
Buccaneers, 27-20
San Francisco 49ers (+3) over DALLAS COWBOYS; Below 50.5
For a staff that went 13-4 ATS, the Cowboys have an unusually excessive variety of crimson flags at house this season. They’ve misplaced at Jerry World to the Broncos, Raiders and Cardinals, and their total staff stats have been inflated by wins of 56-14 towards the decimated WFT and 51-26 towards the resting Eagles.
The comeback final week, from a 17-0 deficit towards the Rams, informed us the whole lot we have to know concerning the 49ers, who're 8-3 SU and ATS of their previous 11 video games. Their offense can rating in a variety of other ways — with Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and others — and Kyle Shanahan is aware of use all of them. As for the whole, I’m pondering the 49ers will do sufficient of their injury on the bottom to roll clock, and that Mike McCarthy will mismanage his timeouts and quick circuit one scoring alternative.
49ers, 24-23
Pittsburgh Steelers (+12.5) over KANSAS CITY CHIEFS; Over 46.5
I’m fairly conscious I’m siding with a fairly unhealthy staff, and one which misplaced to this opponent, on this stadium, by a 36-10 rating three weeks in the past. I do know Ben Roethlisberger is appropriate when he says, “I might assume, as a gaggle, you perceive that we in all probability aren’t speculated to be right here. We in all probability are usually not an excellent soccer staff. Out of 14 groups I believe are in, we’re in all probability quantity 14.” However that is the half I like: “We’re double-digit underdogs within the playoffs. So, let’s simply go play, have enjoyable and see what occurs.”
Certainly, the Steelers are enjoying with home cash, and catching a variety of factors from a Chiefs staff that's recognized for profitable and never overlaying. They really did cowl 5 in a row as favorites late this season, however turned again round in Week 18. That is additionally the most important unfold Kansas Metropolis has been requested to cowl all season. Lastly there’s the trusty Mike Tomlin underdog angle — 46-23-2 ATS by my unofficial working rely.
Chiefs, 33-21
Monday
LOS ANGELES RAMS (-4) over Arizona Cardinals; Below 49.5
Right here’s a matchup of a first-time playoff quarterback, Kyler Murray, towards one who's 0-3 in his postseason profession, Matthew Stafford. After all, Stafford now has the Rams surrounding him as a substitute of the Lions. Stafford has been shaky of late, however he has essentially the most unstoppable weapon on this recreation in Cooper Kupp, and likewise has been making nice use of Tyler Higbee.
Every staff received outright on the opposite staff’s subject within the common season, and the Cardinals are literally 8-1 SU on the street in 2021. However that one loss was a nasty one, an inexplicable 30-12 rout by the Lions, and up to date losses versus the Colts and Seahawks additionally had been unpleasant.
Rams, 30-17.
Lock of the week: 49ers (Locks 10-7 in 2021).
Final week: 8-8 total, 1-2 Greatest Bets.
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