Category: NFL

The Pittsburgh Steelers are riding a 9-game winning streak and I see that continuing today when they face the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game in Foxboro. The Steelers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games and 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall. Big Ben has the league’s best running back at his disposal, Le’Veon Bell, who carved up the Kansas City Chiefs last week for 170 yards. In addition to that, he has one of the league’s top receivers, Antonio Brown, who has 481 receptions over his last 4 seasons. During this 9-game winning streak, the Steelers defense has been stellar, yielding an average of just 16.6 points per game and recording 31 sacks. Steelers get this one.

Today’s pick:

Pittsburgh Steelers +6

The Pittsburgh Steelers will try to get one step closer to their 9th Super Bowl appearance but they will have to get past the Kansas City Chiefs at an always hostile Arrowhead Stadium. The Steelers are riding an 8-game winning streak and are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games, 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall and 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 divisional playoff games. The Chiefs have struggled in post-season play, going 1-7 ATS in their last 8 playoff games, and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home playoff games. When these two teams met on October 2nd, Roethlisberger threw for 5 touchdown passes and Le’Veon Bell rushed for 144 yards on 18 carries in a 43-14 rout at Heinz Field. Roethlisberger has been down this road before, with 18 post-season starts under his belt, as opposed to Alex Smith with just 5. Big Ben and the Steelers are always a good bet in post-season play.

Tonight’s pick:

Pittsburgh Steelers +1.5

The Oakland Raiders can get their first playoff berth in 14 years with a win today however they have to travel to San Diego to face their hated rivals, the Chargers. San Diego would love nothing more than to spoil Oakland’s day. The Bolts are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 against the AFC and 6-1 ATS in their last 7 against the AFC West. I’ll take the home dog here, San Diego Chargers, +3.

Today’s pick:

San Diego Chargers +3

The Buffalo Bills head south today to take on their hated rival, the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings with Miami and the Dolphins are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games against the AFC East. The Dolphins have been sputtering at home, going 3-11 in their last 14 at Hard Rock. The Bills’ LeSean “Shady” McCoy was questionable for today’s game but is expected to play. With the money line at -140, I’m going to skip the -2.5 points and take the boys from Western New York, money line.

Today’s pick:

Buffalo Bills -140

Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills start the 2016 campaign in Baltimore. Rex Ryan was the defensive coordinator for the Ravens for 10 years and was in line for the head coaching job but was passed up for John Harbaugh and that still hurts. Buffalo is 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games in week 1, and they are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games against the AFC. On the flip side, the Ravens are 1-9-1 ATS in their last 11 home games. With the addition of 9-time Pro Bowler and ex-Raven Ed Reed to the Bills defensive coaching staff, who knows Baltimore better than Rex and Ed? No one. I like the Bills, getting 3.

Today’s pick:

Buffalo Bills +3

Take the old man and the points.

Today’s pick:

Denver Broncos +5.5

This could be the swan song for San Diego Chargers, as they potentially play their last game ever at The Murph. Philip Rivers will not let Bolts fans down today.

Today’s pick:

San Diego Chargers