2017 NFL Divisional Playoff Picks

January 12, 2018

By the Football Garbage Time Staff

If you followed last year, you won over 60% of your picks, and we aim to do even better this year.

Without further to do, here are our picks:

Divisional Playoff Games

Ha Kung Wong’s Picks

Ha Kung’s Thoughts:

Last year I ended up with a 62% record for the season, so that’s two years in a row with over a 60% pick rate. Had a so-so Wild Card Weekend, bringing me to 164-96 overall, which is a 63.1% pick rate, so we’re in great shape!

Ryan and I also broke down the Divisional Playoff games in this week’s Podcast, so go check that out! You can also find more detail in my breakdown of the Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles, my breakdown of the Tennessee Titans @ the New England Patriots, my breakdown of the Jacksonville Jaguars @ the Pittsburgh Steelers and my breakdown of the New Orleans Saints at the Minnesota Vikings!

Last week’s Lock of the Week went essentially to plan, as the Jaguars took care of business against the Bill, albeit in ugly fashion. That makes me 5-3 on Locks and 2-5 on Upsets going into the Divisional Playoffs.

Here’s my Lock and Upset for the Divisional Playoffs, just for you folks in survivor pools, or looking to make a bet on that elusive money line!

Lock of the Week – New England Patriots over the Tennessee Titans

Moneyline: Patriots (-1100) / Titans (+700)

Upset of the Week – New Orleans Saints over the Minnesota Vikings

Moneyline: Saints (+190) / Vikings (-230)

I actually don’t feel like I have to explain the Lock of the Week. Tom Brady plays at another level in the postseason, averaging 267.5 pass yards, 1.9 TDs and only 0.9 INTs over 34 postseason appearances. I don’t see how the Titans slow him down, and I suspect the Patriots won’t take their foot off the gas.

The Saints are on a roll, and although the Vikings are the second best defense in the league, the Saints actually have the best pass blocking offensive line in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. Brees locked in last week to beat the Panthers through the air. I suspect he’ll do it again this week. If nothing else, take the Saints with the points.

Also, just because we love competition here at Football Garbage Time, we’re once again going heads up against Wally, Will and Ray at Urban Sports Scene on our NFL Picks.

Urban Sports Scene Episode 315 https://t.co/o8peUfZzrV

— Wally aka Waleo USS (@UrbanSportScene) January 10, 2018

They’re awesome competitors, and they KNOW their sports, so keep it tuned in, to both us and them, because we’ll be picking all season all long.

Joanne Kong’s Picks

Ryan Whitfield’s Picks

ATL / NE / JAX / MIN

Check out Ryan’s breakdown of his picks in this week’s podcast!

Scott King’s Picks

Well, last week was turrible just turrible.

I went 1-4 and missed on the only upset I picked. I was only truly shocked by the Chiefs loss. I was at dinner with my family and told my wife I’d put serious money on the Chiefs to win that game. I looked pretty smart in the first half and I thought there is no way that Tennessee was built for a comeback. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was fine with how the rest of the games played out. A few things stood out to me. The teams that were playing all had a commitment to the run and had above-average to elite RBs. This goes in the face of the current narrative about passing winning games around the league. Defenses were on display as well. Offenses will open up more with games this weekend. We’re looking at several teams that have elite QBs that helped them make the playoffs, including Wentz (who is unfortunately on IR) and Keenum. Let’s see what happens.