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NFL Playoffs 2016 Predictions: Championship Picks Against the Spread

By Dan Salem

Nov 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) reaches out to pressure New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) reaches out to pressure New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Only two games remain before the Super Bowl and these are your Best Picks Against the Spread (ATS) for the Championship round. NFL Playoffs 2016 Predictions. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.

TODD:

It took some crazy comebacks and wild finishes, but, miraculously, we both managed to hit on our three-team, six-point teasers from the divisional round! Even though we picked opposite sides of a pair of games, the final scores were close enough that we each found success.

My risky, triple underdog parlay hit as none of the favorites won by more than a touchdown over the weekend. You grabbed mostly favorites, and since all four favorites advanced, that wasn’t a bad strategy either. Things will surely be more difficult this coming round.

With only two games being played, we would hypothetically get poorer odds on our six-point teasers, but let’s stick with that type of bet for the conference playoff round.

New England Patriots +3 (from -3) at Denver Broncos
Arizona Cardinals +9 (from +3) at Carolina Panthers

I’m going with both road teams to cover again heading into the Super Bowl. New England looked exceptional in the previous round, unlike Denver. I like the Patriots to win outright in Denver. Getting the extra field goal is just gravy.

With the way the Broncos offense performed against Pittsburgh, I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking them against the Pats even getting a large swath of points at home. They could be blown out too easily.

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As for the NFC matchup, both Arizona and Carolina had worrying displays at points of their divisional round wins. Arizona was fortunate to advance at all as it couldn’t run the ball or generate much offense against Green Bay. As for the Panthers, they got shut out in the second half against Seattle.

Maybe that was just them taking their foot completely off the pedal, but it didn’t instill me with overwhelming confidence. I like Arizona getting nearly double digits in what seems like an even game.

Jan 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) reacts after an interception during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers free safety Tre Boston (33) reacts after an interception during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

DAN:

I realize these six-point teasers are usually difficult bets to win, especially as a three team parlay. But getting an extra six on top of the current line feels like an awful lot. Case in point, as we both won last week picking opposite sides of the same games. Needless to say, unless we have two very close games in the Championship Round, one of us is going home a loser.

New England Patriots +3 (from -3) at Denver Broncos
Carolina Panthers +3 (from -3) vs Arizona Cardinals

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I’m rolling with both favorites in the championship games. Starting in the AFC, while I’d love to see Peyton Manning return to the Super Bowl and go out on top as a champion, I saw nothing in last week’s win to give me confidence in such an outcome. Manning managed the offense well. He moved well and didn’t make mistakes. Yet after standing on the sidelines for several weeks, he appeared out of sync with his receivers. They kept dropping his passes, crushing all offensive momentum. Ultimately the defense made the play to win.

New England is not allowing Denver’s defense to beat them. Furthermore, the Patriots looked great against Kansas City. Despite being on the road, they are not about to get blown out by the Broncos. I like New England to win, so getting three points is a sweet deal.

In the NFC the story is quite similar. Carolina destroyed the Seahawks to begin last week’s game, then played prevent for two full quarters of football. I was both hoping they got shut out in the second half, so I won my parlay, as well as expecting it. The Panthers are legit, and hopefully making the Super Bowl will finally legitimize this team in the eyes of the public. Take the three points and rest easy.

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Carolina’s competition looked excellent all season. Its true last week was Carson Palmer‘s first playoff victory. Maybe he was just playing tight. But nothing about how the Cardinals escaped against Green Bay makes me think they can keep up with Carolina. Arizona will make it interesting, like Seattle did, but end up losing none the less.

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