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John Halpin

Carolina Panthers Radio Network

Against the Spread: Super Bowl Picks
Thu, Feb 1
Against the Spread: Super Bowl Picks
Game: Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots (-4.5)
Pick: New England Patriots (-4.5)
The Eagles can win this game if their front four gets pressure on Brady (think Giants) and their excellent O-line helps them run the ball well. However, I think the Pats will try to make Nick Foles beat them, and Foles won't be able to do it.

Game: Will the combined score be over or under 48 points?
Pick: Under

Game: What will the total combined points be at the end of the game?
Pick: 41

Against the Spread: Conference Round Picks
Thu, Jan 18
Against the Spread: Conference Round Picks
Game: Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots (-9)
Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars (+9)
Blake Bortles is such a wildcard. He has played two mistake-free playoff games that were preceded by five INTs in his final two regular-season contests. The Jaguars' offensive gameplan works better the less we hear Bortles' name.

Since the Pats will be hell-bent on stopping Leonard Fournette, Bortles will need to contribute for the Jags to have a chance. I think he'll do OK, and make a few plays to extend drives with his legs. The Jags' defense is certainly good enough to keep Tom Brady in check. Will it be enough? To cover, but probably not to win at Foxborough.

Game: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles (+3)
Pick: Minnesota Vikings (-3)
The Eagles could follow the same formula as they did in their divisional round win over the Falcons: Dominate on defense, control the ball, and score just enough to eke out a win. The over-under here is 38.5, and I like the under.

Unfortunately for Philly, the Vikings' defense is far superior to the Falcons' unit that visited Philly last week. I won't be surprised if the Vikes shut them out, and I might grab the +195 prop odds on a defensive TD. There's a limit to how much the Eagles can overcome Carson Wentz's absence, and I think we're about to see it.

Which game pick are you most confident with?
Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles (+3)

Against the Spread: Divisional Round Picks
Thu, Jan 11
Against the Spread: Divisional Round Picks
Game: Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles (+3)
Pick: Philadelphia Eagles (+3)
Nick Foles' shakiness makes the Eagles an easy out. Done deal, right?

Seems too easy. The Philly defense is still very good, as is their O-line. I know the Falcons seem to be peaking at the right time, but I think we're writing off the Eagles too quickly.

Game: Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots (-13.5)
Pick: New England Patriots (-13.5)
I hate giving two TDs in a playoff game as much as the next guy, but last week's surprising win by the Titans didn't really change my mind about them. They're an average team with shaky coaching, and I'm not betting on them against a good opponent, even with this spread.

Game: Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers (-7)
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers (-7)
If Jesse James had caught that pass in Week 15, the Steelers would likely be riding an 11-game winning streak. As much as I like the Jags' defense - we obviously have to take their Week 5 rout at Pittsburgh into account - I don't think their offense will score enough. 20-10, maybe?

Game: New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings (-4.5)
Pick: Minnesota Vikings (-4.5)
Want to take the superior quarterback? I won't blame you. However, the Saints lost three of their final six regular-season games, and they were closer than you think to getting eliminated by the Panthers. Keep rolling toward that home Super Bowl, Vikes.

Which game pick are you most confident with?
Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles (+3)

Against the Spread: Wild Card Picks
Fri, Jan 5
Against the Spread: Wild Card Picks
Game: Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs (-8)
Pick: Kansas City Chiefs (-8)
I don't trust the Chiefs, but I hate the Titans. They're a below average team, a paper tiger. How in the world would anyone bet them at Arrowhead, even with eight points?

Game: Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams (-5)
Pick: Los Angeles Rams (-5)
This spread disrespects the Rams, who are one of the NFL's four or five best teams. They're strong in all aspects of the game - as good as Todd Gurley has been for the offense, Aaron Donald is a monster. They should roll the Falcons.

Game: Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars (-8.5)
Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars (-8.5)
I'd bet the Jags even if LeSean McCoy was at full strength. The Bills are 29th against the rush, while the Jags run as well as any team in the NFL. A shutout wouldn't be the least bit surprising.

Game: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-6)
Pick: Carolina Panthers (+6)
I'm a homer, OK? I think the Panthers will keep things close, even if they probably won't win. Think back to the Saints' Week 13 win. The yardage, TOP, etc., suggested a decisive Saints' victory, but two special teams turnovers changed everything for the Panthers. This should be the best game of the weekend.

Which game pick are you most confident with?
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars (-8.5)

Trey Burton (TE - PHI)
Thu, Dec 7
Player Note on Trey Burton (TE - PHI)
Top 10 if Ertz is out
Jamaal Williams (RB - GB)
Thu, Nov 16
Player Note on Jamaal Williams (RB - GB)
Will drop if TyMont is active.
Ezekiel Elliott (RB - DAL)
Thu, Nov 9
Player Note on Ezekiel Elliott (RB - DAL)
We should know by Friday if he'll play.
Kenny Stills (WR - MIA)
Thu, Oct 26
Player Note on Kenny Stills (WR - MIA)
Will rise a handful of spots if Parker is out.
Buffalo Bills (DST - BUF)
Thu, Oct 19
Player Note on Buffalo Bills (DST - BUF)
Higher if Winston is out.
Miami Dolphins (DST - MIA)
Thu, Oct 5
Player Note on Miami Dolphins (DST - MIA)
This ranking assumes Cassel instead of Mariota
Trey Burton (TE - PHI)
Thu, Dec 7
Player Note on Trey Burton (TE - PHI)
Top 10 if Ertz is out
Jamaal Williams (RB - GB)
Thu, Nov 16
Player Note on Jamaal Williams (RB - GB)
Will drop if TyMont is active.
Ezekiel Elliott (RB - DAL)
Thu, Nov 9
Player Note on Ezekiel Elliott (RB - DAL)
We should know by Friday if he'll play.
Kenny Stills (WR - MIA)
Thu, Oct 26
Player Note on Kenny Stills (WR - MIA)
Will rise a handful of spots if Parker is out.
Buffalo Bills (DST - BUF)
Thu, Oct 19
Player Note on Buffalo Bills (DST - BUF)
Higher if Winston is out.
Miami Dolphins (DST - MIA)
Thu, Oct 5
Player Note on Miami Dolphins (DST - MIA)
This ranking assumes Cassel instead of Mariota
Geronimo Allison (WR - GB)
Thu, Oct 5
Player Note on Geronimo Allison (WR - GB)
Will move up if Adams is out.
Ty Montgomery (RB - GB)
Wed, Oct 4
Player Note on Ty Montgomery (RB - GB)
Assuming for now that he'll be out.
Marcus Mariota (QB - TEN)
Wed, Oct 4
Player Note on Marcus Mariota (QB - TEN)
For now, assuming he won't play.
Jordan Reed (TE - WAS)
Fri, Sep 22
Player Note on Jordan Reed (TE - WAS)
GTD
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