Goldie’s All Time Record: 122-52 Vs. Spread: 85-87
Goldie’s Wild Card Record : 5-1 Vs. Spread: 4-2
Goldie’s Guarantee: 8-5
Goldie’s Upset: 9-4
Crazy Uncle Jeff: 13-1
Goldie’s Guarantee: CLE +10
Cleveland Browns (12-5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (14-2)
Vegas Picks: KC -10
Goldie’s Take: Chiefs Win 30-27
If there were to be an upset this weekend, I think this is the game. The +10 point spread for Cleveland seems absurd to me. The Chiefs haven’t won a game by 10+ points since slaughtering the Jets in week 8. The Browns won 11 games in the regular season and just smacked the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. This Browns team is no joke, they have found their identity. They are going to utilize their top three offensive line and highly talented running back tandem to run the ball and shove it down the Chiefs throat. It’s also worth noting that the Chiefs run D isn’t anything special. In the Chiefs last four games before week 17 (many starters rested week 17), they looked very shaky. They had trouble putting away teams like the Broncos, Dolphins and Falcons. The media is way too high on KC right now and they’re sleeping on the Browns. I like the Chiefs to win the game, but don’t be surprised when this one comes down to the wire.
Crazy Uncle Jeff’s Lock of the Week: GB -6.5
Los Angeles Rams (11-6) @ Green Bay Packers (13-3)
Vegas Picks: GB -6.5
Goldie’s Take: Packers Win 31-23
The Packers enter this game with arguably the most explosive offense in the NFL. Green Bay has put up at least 30 points in 11 of their 13 wins this season. This team scores a lot of points. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams have connected for 18 TDs this season which is absolutely absurd! Also, Jared Goff and the Rams are not used to playing in cold temperatures, Goff has thrown for zero TDs and five interceptions in games under 30 degrees fahrenheit. It is also worth noting that Goff enters this game with a bad thumb, still recovering from surgery just a few weeks ago. The only thing that scares me on the Rams' side is their strong pass rush going after Rodgers, especially with Packers LT David Bakhtiari out for the season. I think the Rams D keeps it interesting, but at the end of the day, there’s no stopping the BAAAAD MAANN that is Aaron Rodgers. Packers win this one at home and advance to the NFC championship.
Baltimore Ravens (12-5) @ Buffalo Bills (14-3)
Vegas Picks: BUF -2.5
Goldie’s Take: Bills WIn 23-20
This game is very interesting because both teams have QBs that have never played in a Conference Championship game. Both teams are operating under inexperienced QBs. Highly talented, but inexperienced in the playoffs nonetheless. Both of these teams enter the game red hot too. This should be a close one the whole way through, but at the end of the day I'm making this one a venue call. Stopping Josh Allen and the high powered attack that is the Buffalo Bills offense is no easy task. Bills circle the wagons at home once again and advance to their first AFC Championship game since 1993.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-5) @ New Orleans Saints (13-4)
Vegas Picks: NO -3
Goldie’s Take: Saints Win 28-27
The New Orleans Saints arguably have the most talented roster in football from top to bottom. Their offense is loaded with weapons and you never know how they are going to try and beat you. The Saints have done well against the Bucs this season by winning both of their meetings against Tampa Bay. That being said, Tom Brady is on the opposing sideline, so I do think this is going to be a game for the ages. Two hall of fame QBs going at it for maybe the final time. Drew Brees really seems to be in the midst of his last dance and I think he goes out on top. Saints beat the Bucs for the third time this season in an instant classic