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Dawg Pound Daily bettor’s guide to the NFL – conference championship edition

By Roger Cohen

Jan 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

It is conference championship Sunday in the NFL and our fearless prognosticator needs a big weekend to keep hope alive for a winning record.

With Snowmaggedon 2 hitting Washington, D.C., I’ve got to write these picks quickly otherwise the world might end before I get back to .500 with my predictions.

Of course, our expected 18-inch snowfall would be called “June” back in Cleveland.

Our NFL Division Playoff picks split last weekend as the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers both lost, but each covered their seven-point spreads.

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The Seattle Seahawks (+3) couldn’t overcome a 31-0 first-half deficit, and Andy Reid must have taken clock management lessons from Pat Shurmur and Mike Pettine as the Kansas City Chiefs (+5.5) took their sweet time driving for a fourth quarter score in their loss to the New England Patriots.

Our playoff record stands at 3-5 and combined with our regular-season work we currently sit at one game under break even. We need to sweep this weekend and the SuperBowl to finish above water for the 2015 NFL season.

Truth be told, I’m not feeling great about my chances, but here we go for today:

  • Everyone, including me, thinks Peyton Manning’s arm is toast at this point, but Tom Brady always struggles in Denver, as does Bill Belichick going back to his pre-genius Cleveland days. Denver Broncos (+3.5) over New England.
  • The Arizona Cardinals are better-balanced and Bruce Arians is a better coach than Ron Rivera, but Carson Palmer’s coach is about to turn into a pumpkin as Cam Newton’s got something special going this season. Carolina Panthers (-3) over the Cardinals.

Playoff Record 3-5. Regular Season 37-36-2.

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