Scott Rickenbach NFL Conference Championship Sunday (2 picks):
NFL Playoff Total of the Year - Rickenbach NFL 10* Top Play OVER the total in Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers @ 3:05 ET - Huge number (60) posted as the total on this game but it is absolutely justified. The Packers have won 8 straight games and have averaged 35 points per game in their last 6 games. The Falcons have won 5 straight games and have averaged 38 points per game. The funny thing about those numbers is the fact that a 38-35 type game would not be a surprise at all. Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers are certainly two of the best QBs in the league and also two of the hottest. I don't see the Falcons as being able to slow down the Packers as Atlanta's pass defense has been exploited in a number of games this season. As for Green Bay, they are so banged up on defense that they aren't going to be able to stop Ryan and Company in this one. Of course another real positive for the over is the fact this game is being played indoors on the fast turf in Atlanta. The Falcons have completed 80 of 106 passes in their last 3 games. The Packers are are well known for the fact that they have allowed ridiculously high completion rates this season. Of course the key for Green Bay staying in this game is their own offensive production and they throw much more than they run (another significant positive for an over). All 11 games that Atlanta has played on turf this season (including their 9 home games) have gone over the total - a perfect 11-0 mark. The over is 7-2 in Packers road games this season. Even though these teams each have some decent defensive numbers in recent weeks, those came against inferior competition and neither defense is built well enough (nor is healthy enough) to stop what they're going to be facing on Sunday. Look for VERY few punts in this one as both teams move the ball quickly up and down in the field in a track meet. 10* OVER the total in Atlanta Sunday afternoon
PA Insider Top Play - Rickenbach NFL 10* Top Play Pittsburgh Steelers (+) @ New England Patriots @ 6:40 ET Sunday - New England knocked off Pittsburgh earlier this season but the Steelers were without QB Ben Roethlisberger in that game. I know it is difficult to knock the Patriots but, one thing I will say is that they sure got a fortunate match-up last week. The only reason Houston was in New England is because Oakland fell apart once they lost their QB. That is what allowed a Texas team with a nightmare (Osweiler) at QB to venture up to Foxboro. Finally, this week, New England will be tested and it could be tough on them as they have had so many easy match-ups since Tom Brady returned early this season after his 4-game suspension. The Pats rarely have been challenged and arguably, their toughest match-ups did not end up impressing. The Patriots, in addition to facing the Steelers at Pittsburgh when Roethlisberger was on the shelf, had only two other truly tough games that were home games this season. In those, they lost to Seattle and they snuck by Baltimore by 7 points as a 6 point favorite. As usual, the Patriots are a public team and very few people will want to bet against Brady and coach Belichick in Foxboro in January. However, if any team can knock them off there, it is this Steelers team and they are healthy again at the skill positions and come into this game having won 9 straight games! Pittsburgh's defense has been phenomenal in their last 6 road games as they've allowed 310 yards or less in all 6 games. Of course the Steelers want revenge badly against the "mighty Pats" who always seem to find their way to the top and that only intensifies the defensive effort here. Keep in mind too that New England was okay without Rob Gronkowski for getting past a team like the Texans but facing the Steelers is a much tougher task! Pittsburgh has faced the tougher strength of schedule this season and the Patriots are in for a war in this one. I do expect the Steelers to win this one outright but I will, of course, grab all the available points as that is where the huge value is in this one, the generous points. 10* PITTSBURGH STEELERS plus the points Sunday evening
NFL Playoff Total of the Year - Rickenbach NFL 10* Top Play OVER the total in Atlanta Falcons vs Green Bay Packers @ 3:05 ET - Huge number (60) posted as the total on this game but it is absolutely justified. The Packers have won 8 straight games and have averaged 35 points per game in their last 6 games. The Falcons have won 5 straight games and have averaged 38 points per game. The funny thing about those numbers is the fact that a 38-35 type game would not be a surprise at all. Atlanta's Matt Ryan and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers are certainly two of the best QBs in the league and also two of the hottest. I don't see the Falcons as being able to slow down the Packers as Atlanta's pass defense has been exploited in a number of games this season. As for Green Bay, they are so banged up on defense that they aren't going to be able to stop Ryan and Company in this one. Of course another real positive for the over is the fact this game is being played indoors on the fast turf in Atlanta. The Falcons have completed 80 of 106 passes in their last 3 games. The Packers are are well known for the fact that they have allowed ridiculously high completion rates this season. Of course the key for Green Bay staying in this game is their own offensive production and they throw much more than they run (another significant positive for an over). All 11 games that Atlanta has played on turf this season (including their 9 home games) have gone over the total - a perfect 11-0 mark. The over is 7-2 in Packers road games this season. Even though these teams each have some decent defensive numbers in recent weeks, those came against inferior competition and neither defense is built well enough (nor is healthy enough) to stop what they're going to be facing on Sunday. Look for VERY few punts in this one as both teams move the ball quickly up and down in the field in a track meet. 10* OVER the total in Atlanta Sunday afternoon
PA Insider Top Play - Rickenbach NFL 10* Top Play Pittsburgh Steelers (+) @ New England Patriots @ 6:40 ET Sunday - New England knocked off Pittsburgh earlier this season but the Steelers were without QB Ben Roethlisberger in that game. I know it is difficult to knock the Patriots but, one thing I will say is that they sure got a fortunate match-up last week. The only reason Houston was in New England is because Oakland fell apart once they lost their QB. That is what allowed a Texas team with a nightmare (Osweiler) at QB to venture up to Foxboro. Finally, this week, New England will be tested and it could be tough on them as they have had so many easy match-ups since Tom Brady returned early this season after his 4-game suspension. The Pats rarely have been challenged and arguably, their toughest match-ups did not end up impressing. The Patriots, in addition to facing the Steelers at Pittsburgh when Roethlisberger was on the shelf, had only two other truly tough games that were home games this season. In those, they lost to Seattle and they snuck by Baltimore by 7 points as a 6 point favorite. As usual, the Patriots are a public team and very few people will want to bet against Brady and coach Belichick in Foxboro in January. However, if any team can knock them off there, it is this Steelers team and they are healthy again at the skill positions and come into this game having won 9 straight games! Pittsburgh's defense has been phenomenal in their last 6 road games as they've allowed 310 yards or less in all 6 games. Of course the Steelers want revenge badly against the "mighty Pats" who always seem to find their way to the top and that only intensifies the defensive effort here. Keep in mind too that New England was okay without Rob Gronkowski for getting past a team like the Texans but facing the Steelers is a much tougher task! Pittsburgh has faced the tougher strength of schedule this season and the Patriots are in for a war in this one. I do expect the Steelers to win this one outright but I will, of course, grab all the available points as that is where the huge value is in this one, the generous points. 10* PITTSBURGH STEELERS plus the points Sunday evening
