Wild Card Weekend continues people and even though not all our bets hit it’s hard to deny that we’ve gotten off to an entertaining start. Somehow both games on Saturday ended up being close contests that came down to the final possession. Now I say “somehow” because honestly despite being entertaining games in the end they probably both should’ve been blowouts. However thanks to gross turnovers, head scratching play calls, ill-advised 4th down attempts and some truly egregious clock management we got some close ones. Thankfully some of these shenanigans worked out in our favor as we started the playoffs 1-1 here at Bick’s Picks. For the first game the Rams playing with their food and letting the Panthers hang around made the -10 a bad bet that some of you were all too quick to point out. As for the night game even though the Bears won and my write up was spot on, it’s hard for me to be too cocky because holy hell did the Green Bay blow it. Chicago had absolutely no business winning that game but I suppose nonsense like this defined the regular season so why wouldn’t it carry over into the playoffs. That’s enough about yesterday though we’ve got arguably an even better slate of games today and Brady’s Parlay of the Day is making their postseason debut so let’s get into it.

Bills (ML) @ Jaguars

Unlike yesterday where I thought we were starting off with the worst game, today I think we’re getting the best game out the gate. Of course now that I say that this will end up being our first blowout because that’s the kind of unpredictable season that it’s been. Now for the pick itself it simply comes down to one thing for me: postseason experience. Josh Allen and Buffalo have been here and they’ve got their sights set further than the Wild Card round especially since most of the usual suspects aren’t standing his way. Now I don’t wanna whistle right past the Jags entirely because they’re one of the hottest teams in football and that defense is scarier than they get credit for. However I’ve called Trevor Lawrence a drunken baby giraffe too many times to back him against my supposed doppelganger so let’s circle the wagons and hope to start the day with a win for Bills Mafia.

Bills ML (+102)

49ers @ Eagles (-6)

Fuck the Eagles. Okay now that I got that out of the way I’m gonna choose to hate myself today because I’m still picking them. Safe to say I have no love for Philly and frankly I’m a tad surprised this spread is so big given their inconsistency this year. During the regular season a spread like that might give me pause but as I’ve been saying it’s all plums in the playoffs and I can’t shake the feeling they’re gonna make Purdy look like butt. Maybe it’s a little recency bias with how the Niners looked against Seattle but I think the Iggles defense can do something similar. And that’s it. I’m not gonna say any more kind or positive words about the team I’m picking because it hurts my soul and goes against every fiber of my being. So let’s bet these illiterates to cover and if they don’t maybe they’ll just lose outright instead because I wouldn’t mind that either.

Eagles -6 (-108)

Brady’s Parlay of the Day

The Parlay: Bills ML, Saquon Barkley 90+ Rushing Yards, Patriots ML

Well we almost got back in the win column in the regular season finale as Isaiah made it likely for us to cash with his incredible grab on 4th down to set up the Ravens with an easy FG attempt to win the game, the division, and hit our parlay. It was all for not though as Tyler Loop did his best Billy Cundiff impression and wasn’t even close with his kick. If only the Ravens still let their scum bag players stick around Justin Tucker would have nailed it for sure but they had to turn over a new leaf and start doing the right thing I guess. Anyways it’s time for the playoffs and a clean slate so let’s try to get that win that’s been dodging us on Wild Card weekend.
Leg 1- The Bills and Jags meet in Jacksonville in the early game on Sunday. The Jags have been on fire lately but the playoff experience of Josh Allen makes me think the Bills should win this one. I expect it to be close but take the Bills moneyline.

Leg 2- The defending champs host the 49ers at home and the weather is looking bad for this one. To me that translates into a lot of running and we are going to take Barkley to finally breakout this year in the biggest game for Philly. Take Saquon to go over 90 rushing yards.

Leg 3- After 3 long years of misery the Patriots are back in the Playoffs! We get to host the Chargers at home to kick off our run and I expect the home team to get the job done in this one. Drake Maye is going to show the world why he is the MVP and lead the Patriots to their first postseason win since 2018. Take the Pats moneyline.

Brady’s Parlay of the Day: Bills ML, Saquon Barkley 90+ Rushing Yards, Patriots ML (+568)

Chargers (+3.5) @ Patriots

I’m just gonna say this felt like a lose-lose pick for me. For better or worse a large portion of our readers are Pats fans and you often like to give me grief no matter which way I bet you guys. I’m vilified for going against you or scolded for being a mush when I back them. A coward might avoid picking the team all together but honestly I embrace the criticism and complaints as they fuel the fire of my hot takes and biased opinions. That said I watch my fair share of New England football and that’s what influenced my pick. I won’t call them paper tigers or say this season is fool’s gold BUT I do think they have a tendency to keep things close against better competition. No denying they showed they can beat the bag out bad teams but that’s not what they face today. Sure the Chargers have their flaws but they have enough weapons on both sides to make this a game. Am I bold enough to say they’ll win outright? Of course not, but I could easily see this coming down to an Aurora Borealis field goal. So don’t worry Pats fans you got someone to yell at tonight because I’m backing the Bolts.

Chargers +3.5 (-105)