A 4-2 week and a 3 for 3 start to the Travman Teasers has us riding high into Week 20. I feel like I only picked the ’Dogs a few times this year but they sure seemed to come through every single time. I am so happy to see someone who was looking for their first championship since the 80’s come through. Let’s hope some others are soon to follow (cough cough).
Speaking of ‘dogs, Week 20 is the official start of the NFL Playoffs and underdogs are an unfathomable 15-3 against the spread the past four years in the wild card round. Something to keep in mind this weekend for sure. Or something to ignore which is also fun. Unfortunately last weekend’s Ravens’ loss marked the end of our Ravens-Rams future Super Bowl prop bet. Yet, I love how the sportsbooks leave those things in your pending bets as if the Ravens are gonna miraculously somehow still make it. It’s almost just begging me to place another one. (Note: It worked.)
A six rack of NFL playoff predictions (sure to go wrong) including a futures Super Bowl matchup:
- Tom Brady has a shitty game and the Bucs don’t even make the NFC Championship game.
- After failing to make the playoffs for 31 years, the Bengals make the AFC Championship game.
- A piss poor offensive performance by the Bills is preceded by the Dolphins hiring Brian Daboll as their next head coach.
- Big Ben leaves Steelers-Chiefs game with an injury and does not completely rule out a return next season in his post-game interview.
- JJ Watt fires off some douchey cryptic tweet prior to returning to action this weekend against the Rams and then totals 2 tackles and 1 QB hurry the entire game.
- The Chiefs and Packers meet in the Super Bowl, I bitch about how disappointing that is, then bet too much on the team that loses.
Now for the recap:
WEEK 19 RE$ULTS
1. Georgia Bulldogs -2.5 (vs. Alabama) ✅
Never a doubt. Let’s queue it one last time, ladies!
2. Ravens -3.5 (vs. Steelers) ❌
Just a stunner. I think if these teams play 10 more times, the Ravens win by double digits more times than the Steelers win.
3. 49ers +4.5 (vs Rams) ✅
I think I’m falling in love with the 49ers. I’m not sure if it’s the “second half team” mantra the past two weeks after the Titans did it to them, but something tells me these guys get red hot.
4. Colts -15.5 (vs. Jaguars) ❌
5. Colts vs. Jaguars UNDER 44 ✅
If only I had the under and Jags -14, we could have made some SERIOUS money last weekend.
Dolphins +6.5 (vs. Patriots) ✅
There’s a pick I make once every few weeks that makes me feel (illegitimately) smart and this was one of those. If I’m a shitty NFL team shopping for a new coach (i.e. Giants, Texans, Jaguars), I would take a good, long look at Brian Flores. Might not have fit well in Miami but he seems to be the first Belicheat disciple that can be successful.
Week 19 Travman Teaser:
- ‘Dogs -6.5 +150 (vs. Alabama) ✅ Woof.
- ‘Dogs -9.5 +200 (vs. Alabama) ✅ Woof!
- ‘Dogs -13.5 +290 (vs. Alabama) ✅ WOOF!
Usually this is where I’m like the old lady from Looney Tunes shoveling my cash into the fireplace to use as firewood, but look at what we have here!
Now for this week’s winners:
WEEK 20 WINNER$:
1. Bengals -4.5 (vs. Raiders)
This spread seems weirdly small and I’m hoping the Vegas bookies do not know something that I don’t. These two teams faced off earlier this year and the Bengals won by 3 scores. I feel confident the Bengals win by multiple scores again.
2. Bills Team Total OVER 23.5 (vs. Patriots)
As bad as they have looked at times, the Bills have scored 27+ in each of the last 7 games except for the MNF game in a blizzard. They scored 33 in Foxboro the last time these two faced off a few weeks ago. 30+ points seems fairly reasonable with New England facing some lingering injuries. I think Buffalo’s O inevitably may struggle at some point in the playoffs but I don’t think it’s this weekend.
3. Bucs vs Eagles OVER 46
The Eagles have surprisingly hit 8 of their past 11 overs with opponents. Besides the Week 15 shutout, the Bucs scored 28+ in the other 7 games played (including 30+ in 6 of those 7). 30+ points leaves us with three Eagles scores which I think is more than reasonable.
4. 49ers +3 (vs Cowboys)
49ers have covered 4 of 5 and 7 of past 9. More importantly, Dan Quinn wears a backwards hat. I think this game is a coin flip and I lean towards the 49ers winning it outright.
5. Rams -3.5 (vs. Cardinals)
6. Cardinals team total UNDER 23
After opening with 6 of their first 7 games with 30+ points, the Cardinals have struggled to score points due to injuries. DeAndre Hopkins remains out. Both James Conner and Chase Edmonds would be playing injured if able to play at all. Kyler Murray seems to either be really on or really off and I’d anticipate the latter making his playoff debut.
Travman Teaser:
- Bengals -9.5 +160
- Bengals -13.5 +250
- Bills -6.5 +125
- 49ers -2.5 +165
Let’s hope we keep things rolling. Good luck in Week 20!