Since the odds are posted now, I thought I'd help myself out a bit by posting my initial leans on each game and total. Obviously, I'm not going to play them all, but here's why I am doing this:
During Wildcard week, I sent a text during the week to my brother (we normally discuss the games before either of us bets...horrible idea) with what I liked for the weekend and then I over analyzed everything hours before kickoff and changed way too many of my bets. I told him I liked Seattle and the over, Jets and the under. I ended up fading myself on most of them. So, I am putting these down now without doing massive research and reading first. Seems like I find ways to argue both sides and end up tricking myself off of my first instinct, which for me, tends to be right more than not. Here we go.
Saturday, Jan. 15, 4:30 p.m. ET
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3, 36.5)
Big Ben is 6-2 against the Ravens and and gets an extra week to continue to get healthy, as does Polomalu. Ravens got smoked in this round last year without that week off. 5 of last 6 regular season games decided by a FG, the other by 4. Pitt 24-17
Saturday Jan. 15, 8:00 p.m. ET
Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons (-2.5, 45.5)
I think this one's a defensive battle. The offenses basically wash each other out. Different styles, but equally effective. Atlanta is much better at winding down the clock, but I think early defense by Green Bay keeps this chess match on their side. Atlanta will have a tough time with a late comeback on this D. Green Bay 20-17
Sunday, Jan. 16, 1:00 p.m. ET
Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears (-10, 40)
I'm not sure that Chicago is 10 points better than anyone with a pulse. None of their wins are mind blowing. I could see the possibility of all the commotion and the travel (West Coast team playing at 10 a.m. their time) tiring out Seattle, but Chicago off their bye squeaked one out against Buffalo, so I think the same happens here. The Seahawks season ends here (I read somewhere that the team that takes out the defending SuperBowl champs has NEVER won their next playoff game, so even that fits), but they don't go out without a fight. Chicago 38-31
Sunday Jan. 16, 4:30 p.m. ET
New York Jets at New England Patriots (-8.5, 45.5)
The AFC playoffs really got lucky with the two games they have. A season split here already so we know these teams know how to beat each other. I see an exciting game with Fat Daddy throwing the kitchen sink at Old Bill. But just like the Chicago game, the Jets won't have enough to beat Brady. I'll take the points with the Jets in what will be a shootout. New England 35-31
Pittsburgh and over
Green Bay and under
Seattle and over
Jets and over
Still going to study these throughout the week and as always will read some posts of whom I see as quality cappers, but this is what I have as of now.