The NFL playoffs are here and the excitement is real. I’ve experienced one post season as a Cleveland Browns fan, and it was beautiful and tragic. I’m excited to experience those feelings yet again, hopefully without the tragedy.

While I’m excited about the Browns, I’m also excited to gamble on every single wildcard game. We have a few more chances to sweat out NFL football and I don’t want to waste a single opportunity.

Let’s begin

Browns -2

I know. I know. Feels like bad luck betting on my own team, but I feel very good about the Browns as they head into Houston.

Flacco is undefeated in his lifetime during wildcard weekend. He’s been there. He’s done that. And he will go head to head with a rookie QB who hasn’t.

On top of the major gap in experience from the signal callers, I think the Browns defense will give Stroud trouble in this win or go home game. We’ve seen this defense step up in the biggest moments this season, and this will be the biggest moment to date.

I expect they deliver.

Chiefs -4.5

It feels almost criminal to have to play football in -15 degree weather. Especially in a fun matchup like this.

While Mahomes and the Chiefs don’t have the same feel that they have had in prior seasons, they’re still a contender in my eyes. Anytime Mahomes is on a field, the Chiefs have a chance to win.

I’m rolling with the defending champs in the Frostbite Bowl.

Steelers +9.5

On the podcast this week I said I liked the Bills -10 in this. With news on the weather and the likelihood that this is a low scoring, won in the trenches type game, I think it plays in the Steelers favor.

Do I think the Steelers win? Absolutely not. But wouldn’t be shocked if this is a closer game than people think.

Cowboys -7

Cowboys at home against a young Green Bay team feels like a no brainer to me.

ThE cOwBoYs AlWaYs ChOkE tHoUgH

I get it. But this is a good matchup for The Boys in front of their home crowd. If Jaire Alexander is hobbled due to the practice injury, Dak could be in for a massive game.

HERREEE WEEE GOOOO *In Daks presnap voice*

Lions -3

I’ll be honest, I’m betting this with my heart. Detroit deserves this. Stafford moved on and got his ring and the city of Detroit, for the most part, was happy for him.

The mood will quickly change if Stafford knocks out one of their most promising teams since, well, Stafford was there.

Dan Campbell. Biting kneecaps. Eminem. Cars. Detroit -3. America.

Eagles -3

Another flip from the podcast. I’ll be honest, the picture of Baker with the Zynn in his pocket almost had me sold.

But then I remembered that the Buccs really haven’t been good. They had to scratch and claw to fend off the Carolina Panthers in a 9-0 win and their most notable victory is against the Packers.

The Eagles are struggling, but I believe that a struggling Eagles team is more than capable of fending off the Buccaneers and Baker Mayfield in the wildcard game.

Wrapping Up

I need the Browns to find a way to win. I can’t take much more pain at the expense of a football game. Give me more Flacco magic and find a way to survive.

Let’s lock in. #DawgCheck *barks like a f****** maniac*