Ian Nikkel's Pick Six: NFL Wild Card Edition
Six games. More than six picks.
Hello everyone and happy Friday.
The football season is almost over. Michigan cheated and won a national championship and now the NFL postseason is about to begin. This is where we get wacky and add props into the equation which include anytime touchdown scorers and over/under on yardages. We’re gonna have fun here. With the Washington +5.5 loss, our record here is now 57-46, let’s get wild for Wild Card weekend.
All odds are from DraftKings
Browns at Texans (Saturday at 3:30 p.m. CT on NBC/Peacock)
The picks: Browns -2 & Over 44.5 points
The prop: Amari Cooper anytime TD (+150)
Browns and Texans, the matchup that we all predicted at the beginning of the season. Flacco vs Stroud is a matchup now that I think will have a lot of points, at least by NFL standards. I’ll take the Brownies to get it done in Houston again, I don’t think a ton has changed for these teams in three weeks. I think we see a similar 36-22 type game in Houston on Saturday. I also like Amari Cooper to score a touchdown here. He’s had 265 yards and two touchdowns on Christmas Eve against the Texans in Houston, maybe history repeats itself.
Dolphins at Chiefs (Saturday at 7 p.m. CT on Peacock)
The pick: Chiefs -4.5
The props: Isiah Pacheco anytime TD (-120)
It’s gonna be cold in Kansas City. Very cold. At the moment the high for Saturday in Kansas City is 7…
SEVEN!
Dolphins just aren’t built for that cold. Chiefs -4.5 feels like free money. Running is how you win in the cold, so I’ll take Isiah Pacheco anytime touchdown as well.
Steelers at Bills (Sunday at 12 p.m. CT on CBS/Paramount+)
The picks: Steelers +9.5
The prop: Jaylen Warren over 35.5 rushing yards
I know TJ Watt is out. But I still have a weird feeling about the Steelers covering this game, it’s somehow going to warmer in Buffalo than it is in Kansas City. I’ll take the Steelers to cover and Mason Rudolph to mess around and keep it close. I’ll also take Jaylen Warren to rush for over 35.5 yards too. Go Pittsburgh Pokes!
Packers at Cowboys (Sunday at 3:30 p.m. CT on FOX)
The pick: Cowboys -7
The props: Brandin Cooks anytime TD (+165) & Micah Parsons over 0.75 sacks (-200)
Quite simply put, The Dallas Cowboys are going to blow out the Packers on Sunday afternoon. As much as I hate to admit that the Cowboys are going to blow them out. But, the Packers aren’t ready for this just yet. Packers are hot now but beating the Cowboys at home is no easy task. Also give me Micah Parsons over 0.75 sacks and Brandin Cooks to get a touchdown too. This game is not going to be pretty.
Rams at Lions (Sunday at 7 p.m. CT on NBC/Peacock)
The pick: Lions -2.5 (First Half)
The prop: None
I really want to pick the Lions for the full game. But man, first playoff game since 1993. I’m worried what will happen is the Lions get off to an electric start, just to falter in the second half and blow it. This is the brand new Lions but this is Dan Campbell’s first playoff game as a head coach. I’ll take the Lions -2.5 for the first half and just enjoy the second half.
Eagles at Buccaneers (Monday at 7:15 p.m. CT on ESPN/ABC/ESPN+)
The picks: Buccaneers +3
The prop: Chris Godwin over 54.5 receiving yards
The Eagles are a dumpster fire. Sure, the Buccaneers aren’t the best team, but the Eagles just have slopped and slogged their way to blowing the NFC East and securing a Wild Card spot. Gonna take the over on Chris Godwin’s receiving yard total too. He’s had 50 or more yards in his last five games so if he doesn’t get it, he’ll be close.