Turn On The Jets - Divisional Weekend Picks

The Race for Steak continues. Only 7 games to go…

CURRENT STANDINGS

1. Rob Celletti (138-115-7)

2. Chris Gross (131-122-7)

3. Mike Donnelly (132-123-5)

4. Chris Celletti (127-127-6)

5. Joe Caporoso (117-136-7)

Joe Caporoso

Last Week (3-1)

Denver (-9.5) over Baltimore - The best team in football over the past two months is well-rested, well-rounded and led by likely NFL MVP Peyton Manning. It is hard to see Joe Flacco out-gunning Manning in his own building because the Broncos will put up points on a Ravens defense that is far from elite. Baltimore will keep this competitive into the fourth quarter but eventually Denver will pull away for the win and the cover.

Green Bay (+3) over San Francisco - The 49ers smacked around the Packers way back in week one. Yet, Colin Kapernick is making his first playoff start. Aaron Rodgers is Aaron Rodgers and the 49ers are going to miss Justin Smith being at 100%. This could end up being the best game of the entire playoffs but ultimately the Packers will prevail late.

Seattle (+3) over Atlanta - Despite their final regular season records, Seattle is a better team from top to bottom than Atlanta. This is also a good match-up for them with their speed on the turf and their physical secondary against Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. Is it weird to trust Russell Wilson more in this game than Matt Ryan?

New England (-9.5) over Houston - Manning vs. Brady feels kind of inevitable, no? I know we are hearing comparisons to the Jets upset back in 2010 but the Jets had beat the Patriots earlier that season (which many people forget) and Rex Ryan scripted the defensive game plan of his life. Houston isn’t pulling this off…I hope they do but they aren’t.

Mike Donnelly

Last Week (3-1)

Baltimore (+9.5) over Houston
Green Bay (+3) over San Francisco
Atlanta (-3) over Seattle
Houston (+9.5) over New England

Rob Celletti

Last Week (1-3)

First off, I’d like to say that it’s been a blast participating in the Race for Steak this year. As you all know, I’ve spent the majority of the year occupying the top spot. I wish there was some secret to my success that I could share, which might in turn lead to some of you winning a bunch of cash via illegal online sports betting. Unfortunately, there is no secret. The only thing I’ve done consistently week to week is make these picks as quickly as possible, without thinking too much about them. Having said that, here are my picks, ironically presented with a sentence or two about each game! I’m looking forward to locking up the top spot this week, and thereby winning a free steak dinner at Peter Luger (or other comparable high-end NYC steakhouse) courtesy of my TOJ colleagues.

Ravens (+9.5) over Broncos – I’m not a believer in Flacco, but the Ravens are playing good ball. Considering all of the blowouts last week, these games have to start getting close right? Broncos win, Ravens cover.
Packers (+3) over 49ers – The Packers had the quietest 12-4 season in the history of mankind. This is also Colin Kaepernick’s first playoff game. It is not Aaron Rodgers’ first playoff game.
Falcons (-3) over Seahawks – I’ve had quite enough of Russell Wilson.
Patriots (-9.5) over Texans – UUUUUGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Chris Celletti

Last Week (1-3)