2019 Divisional Round Playoff Picks

January 11, 2020

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.

And if you’ve been following us, you know that we here at Football Garbage Time have gone head to head against Wally, Will and Ray at Urban Sports Scene on our NFL Picks for the last 4 seasons. Why? Because they’re awesome competitors, they KNOW their sports, and, heck, they’re just good guys! This year we’ll have their picks up right HERE, so keep it tuned in, to both us and them, because we’ll be picking all season all long.

Without further to do, here we go:

Divisional Round Playoff Games

Ha Kung Wong’s Picks

Ha Kung’s Thoughts:

Last year I ended up with a 66% record for the season, so that’s four years in a row with over a 60% pick rate. I had a decent week 16, going 10-6, leaving me in 2nd place and only three picks off 1st with a 165-90 record (64.7%).

Plus, I had a 94% record on Locks of the Week last year. This year, I’m 15-2 (88.2%) for Locks of the Week, and I’m now 11-6 (64.7%) on Upsets of the Week.

Let’s get to that Lock and Upset for Wild Card Weekend…

Lock of the Week => Baltimore Ravens (-9.5) over Tennessee Titans

Check out my breakdown of why I think the Ravens will beat the Titans in my game preview!

Upset of the Week => Seattle Seahawks (+4.0) over Green Bay Packers

The Seahawks win close games. They arguably won in Week 17 too, but that aside, we all know that Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson can always find a way. And Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been Aaron Rodgers this year with his 2nd lowest TD percentage (4.6), 2nd lowest yards gained per attempt (7.0) and lowest QBR of his career as a starter in 2019 (53.5). Part of the problem is the lack of receiving options past Davante Adams, and the Seahawks are still 15th defending the pass. But aside the pass game, the Packers defense is just 23rd against the run, and although Travis Homer hasn’t consistently impressed, there’s some passing down upside there along with Marshawn Lynch rounding into form. I think it’ll be close, but an upset is looming in Lambeau.

Joanne Kong’s Picks

Scott King’s Picks

Scott’s Thoughts:

Divisional round, now we’re getting serious. It’s not often we see two upsets in the wildcard round but we did this year. While those games were exciting, it’s setting up for some pretty large mismatches this weekend. I like Seattle as the only upset this weekend, even though it’s pretty much a toss up. Good luck.

Wole’s Picks

Wole’s Thoughts:

Check out Wole’s thoughts on this week’s Football Garbage Time Podcast!

And also check out the Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

Ray’s Picks

49ers / Ravens / Chiefs / Packers

Ray’s Thoughts:

Check out Ray’s thoughts on this week’s Football Garbage Time Podcast!

And also check out the Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

George’s Picks

George’s Thoughts:

Taking 4 home teams with some trepidation this week.

Minnesota at San Francisco: Can Kirk Cousins do it again? I doubt it against that fearsome front line. For the Vikings they must lean of Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison to control the clock, slow down the 49ers pass rush and set up play-action pass opportunities where Cousins thrives. But that won’t happen and San Francisco’s inexorable march to Miami will continue.

Tennessee at Baltimore: This might be the quickest playoff game ever played because both teams will run early and run often. Why couldn’t the Titans pull it off again, they managed to win with Ryan Tannehill playing by far his worst game for them. But he has to do better than 72 yards, 1 interception and 1 TD pass. Can Derrick Henry continue to be a throwback and go 30+ carries again? Ravens win but close.

Houston at Kansas City: Yes the Texans won at KC earlier this year. Yes DeShaun Watson is a magician capable of winning playoff games by himself like last week. But seriously he is going to need help against a healthy Pat Mahomes and Andy Reid in his favorite element, with 2 weeks to prepare. At the risk of tempting fate, not even Watson’s greatness will be enough here. Chiefs win by double digits.

Seattle at Green Bay: I have by far the least confidence in the Packers. Aaron Rodgers threw for 26 TDs this year, 9 of those came in 2 games (Oakland, N.Y. Giants). Take out the Raiders game and Rodgers’ numbers are average. Packers will win with defense and there two-headed monster at running back, Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. I hate going against Russell Wilson. And Seattle is 8-1 on the road this year! But Wilson is not only the QB he’s the Seahawks best running back. Travis Homer and Marshawn Lynch combined for 17 carries, 19 yards and 1 TD last week. I can’t pick a team that has zero running game on the road. I just can’t do it. Packers win by a field goal.