(Unfortunately, I lost the original, and no longer have the Intro. Will update if I find a copy. I still have the game write-ups though, here they are)

#6 Baltimore Ravens 13 – 5 (+6.0) @ #2 Pittsburgh Steelers 13 – 4 (-6.0)
Hope you like defense. The AFC pits the league’s two best defenses against one another, two smash mouth physical football teams, and division rivals to boot. And I didn’t think I’d see one, especially this late in the season, but I believe we have a philosophy pick on our hands. Now granted, you could argue the spread is what it is because the Ravens did not look very good in their victory over the Titans last week. But still, 6 points? For a team that bettors love so much, a team that has been many people’s chic pick to go all the way this year? Lets look at the reasons why Baltimore +6 looks like an easy bet:

1. They are 14 – 4 against the spread this year, and have only lost 2 games by more than 4 points this season
2. They have played Pittsburgh twice this year and lost both games; by 3 and 4. It is extremely difficult to beat the same team 3 times in the same season in the NFL (which bodes well for the Ravens winning outright), and even if the Ravens do lose, why shouldn’t it be by 3 or 4 again?
3. The #1 defense VS. the #2 defense; doesn’t common sense dictate this will be a close low scoring game that will come down to a late scoring drive or FG?

It seems pretty clear to me that bookmakers WANT you to pick Baltimore this week. I for one will not oblige; and Philosophy Picks have certainly been good to me this year.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^Pittsburgh
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: ^Pittsburgh
OVER/UNDER 38: Under

#6 Philadelphia Eagles 11 – 6 – 1 (-4.0) @ #4 Arizona Cardinals 11 – 7 (+4.0)
Defense defense defense. It is hard to pick against a team like the Cardinals the way they have been rolling, but you could argue the Eagles are running just as hot. But more importantly than running hot, the Eagles are by far the best defense that the Cardinals have faced so far in these playoffs. Atlanta ranked 24th in total yards given up, and 21st in passing yards given up; Carolina was 18th in total yards and 16th in passing yards. Neither team even had a better than average defense. The Eagles? They finished 3rd in both categories. That is a huge difference. Also worth noting, the Falcons and the Cardinals rely on getting their running game going to have success; and since the Cardinals were able to stop the run, they were able to control and win the game. The Eagles DON’T need to establish the rushing game to get the pass going, meaning that even if Arizona can stop the rush, that doesn’t mean they will in turn be able to stop the pass. I have a lot of respect for the Arizona Cardinals, and they certainly have had the look of a “team of destiny” vibe to this point, but I’m going to bank on that being due to the average defenses they’ve been up against. Both defenses are playing at a high enough level to keep this game Under 47, and I believe that the better team in the Eagles prevails by 6 points or more.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Philadelphia
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Philadelphia
OVER/UNDER 47: Under

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