Home Dawgs sports betting: What a time to be alive – the playoffs roll on

By BRANDON HURLEY
sports@beeherald,com
@DawgsHome

Let’s take a moment to step back and appreciate what we witnessed a few days ago. We experienced one of the most tremendous Wildcard weekends in recent memory. If this is any indication of what the 2020 NFL playoffs have in store, sign me up a million times over.
A pair of overtime games, thrilling upsets and incredible highlights – we were truly blessed. I’m ready for more. This NFL season has been for the history books, and it’s more than likely only going to get better.
Well, it’s been awhile since we’ve done one of these (thanks, holidays), but our record still sits in great shape – we are nine games over .500 – which means my fellow haters and supporters have won a decent amount of money. Bowl season was nice to us, and we just missed on a couple others (Minus the Iowa blowout). Shall we get it going yet again? Time to check out the four divisional games.
They should be fun. But, interestingly enough, three of those games have spreads exceeding six points, which is mind-blowing to me. Are we all going to get suckered in to taking the underdogs? Something is a little fishy here. Or, maybe the answer is staring us in the face – perhaps the NFL’s top dogs really are that much better than the Wildcard winners. Either way, these point spreads are really tough to swallow.
Oh, let’s not forget, there’s also a huge battle in college football Monday. I’ll have a pick for you there, too.

• B-Hurl’s Season Record ATS: 37-28-1
    Last week: 3-2
        - Lines courtesy of Draftkings Sportsbook (Jan. 7)
    - Winners in bold

1. Vikings at 49ers (-7) (3:35 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11)
The Vikings are the most confusing team in the entire league. One minute they look like legit title contenders, and then the next they lay an absolute stinker. It must be frustrating as a fan of the purple and gold. I mean, the Vikings entered the playoffs having lost two straight, not even scoring above 19 points in either contest. Then they go out and not only grab a big lead in New Orleans, but bounce back from a massive body blow to steal victory. I just don’t get it.
The 49ers played in three of the best regular season games this year, so they are certainly battle-tested. And they’ve got a ferocious defense. I can’t see the Vikings sticking with the Niners. San Francisco pulls away late. I’d feel a bit more comfortable if this was -6.5, but that extra half point has me a bit nervous. I guess we shall see.

2. Titans at Ravens (-9.5) (7:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11)
The Tennessee Titans have been sneaky good all year long. The defense is absolutely legit, and they’ve got one of the best running backs in the game. Their quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, hasn’t really made many mistakes this year with only six interceptions in 12 games. That was good enough to pull the upset over New England and it may be solid enough to stay close to the Ravens, but I don’t think they’ll last for long. The Ravens are just too loaded, and they are playing an overmatched team. Baltimore has won 12 straight and possess the league’s best-rated offense with the game’s most athletically impressive player in Lamar Jackson. The Titans keep it within two touchdowns, but not under the nine points bettors are looking for.  
Also, it looks like it’ll be 65 and rainy on Saturday in Baltimore, which plays into the hands of both teams, as they each offense likes to run the ball (A LOT), but the Ravens are better at it. And, if it becomes a shootout, the Titans definitely don’t have the firepower to hang.

3. Texans (+9.5) at Chiefs (2:05 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12)
I’m finally jumping on board with an underdog. I can’t believe it took this long into this week’s column. I firmly believe the Kansas City Chiefs are the superior team, but boy, are we blessed with one heck of a quarterback duel. This has the chance to be an all-time classic, with lightning fast offenses featuring tendencies for the unthinkable. With all that being said, I see the Texans being able to stay within 9, but not close enough to win the game. I see this more as a seven point game, if we are being honest. And I’m absolutely shocked this opened at +10. If you’re feeling a bit saucy on Sunday, don’t be afraid to hit the OVER as well. The total is set at 50.5, as of Tuesday.

4. Seahawks at Packers (-4) (5:40 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12)
This is the toughest game to pick out of all the divisional matchups. The Seahawks QB, the ever elusive Russell Wilson, has never won a game in Green Bay in three tries. He’s tossed an uncharacteristically bad six interceptions in those losses to go with just a 60 passer rating, per Sports Illustrated. If you weren’t paying attention, those aren’t very encouraging numbers. That certainly doesn’t bode well for the Seahawks, a team that struggled to put away a Eagles squad relying on a 40-year old quarterback making his playoff debut. Adding to that, the Seahawks were forced to turn to a retired Marshawn Lynch at running back, and the Packers defense is actually pretty solid this season. In one of Aaron Rodgers’ final chances for another Super Bowl, I see the Pack handling this one easily. Also, Aaron Jones is an absolute beast. Move over, Marshawn.

5. Clemson (+6) vs. LSU College football national championship (Monday, Jan. 13)
I have a strong feeling that LSU is far and away the best team in college football, but Clemson has proved many times over the last few years that they should never be taken lightly. And giving the orange and blue Tigers 6 points is almost stealing money. We may be in store for one of the best championship games in recent memory. I’m ready to buckle in. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawerence is gunning for back-to-back titles (He’s still never lost a college game), but reigning Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow may have something to say about it. LSU wins in a tight one, though Clemson covers. Book it.

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