Welcome to another playoffs edition of SLICED SPREAD.
I can’t believe it’s already Conference Championship weekend. It’s been a roller coaster season to say the least, and anything can happen this Sunday in what has been one of the most unpredictable years to date.
Last Week ATS: 3-1
Last Week H2H: 3-1
Playoff Record ATS: 6-2
Playoff Record H2H: 5-3
AFC Championship, Sunday 3:00 pm ET
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots:
Of the four remaining teams, the New England Patriots are my favorite pick to make it through to the Super Bowl. No one has had an answer for the Brady-Gronkowski connection all season, and that will continue on Sunday. Joe Flacco just won’t be able to play from behind and/or match Brady point for point, and honestly the Ravens were lucky last week when they faced a third-string quarterback they made enough mistakes to cloak Baltimore’s own offensive woes.
To me, this will all add up to a New England route, with the Patriots pulling away in the third quarter and coasting in the fourth.
CB’s Prediction: Patriots win 34-13
CB’s Picks: Patriots -7.5, Under 50.5
NFC Championship, Sunday 6:30 pm ET
New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers:
There are monsoon-like rains in the forecast this weekend in San Francisco, so we may be in for a very muddy and wet showdown come kickoff time. The Niners surprisingly out-paced the Saints last week, while the Giants simply stuffed Green Bay. I think this game will be much different than both of those affairs: it will be sloppy, it will be close, and points will be precious.
In the end, the Giants’ pass rush out-flexes SF’s stout defense and New York survives (and thrives) yet again to face what will be a very angry Patriots team with vengeance on its mind come Super Bowl Sunday.
CB’s Prediction: Giants win 19-16
CB’s Picks: Giants +2.5, Under 42.5
That’s all for this special playoffs edition of SLICED SPREAD.
See you next time – CB.