Blazin' 5: Colin Cowherd Gives His Five Best NFL Bets For Wild Card Weekend (January 9th)
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Last Week's Blazin' 5 record: 2-3
2020 Blazin' 5 record: 40-42-2
For 2020 Season Blazing Five Archives Click Here
Colts at Bills (SPREAD: BUF -6.5)
“I’m going to take Buffalo -6.5 here. They’re the hottest team in the league, have a 7-1 record at home, and have won 6 straight games by 6+ points. Teams go in waves – Seattle is struggling right now, but the Bills since Week 12 are number one in the NFL, and have been much better offensively than Kansas City and it’s not debatable. Number one in EVERYTHING: points, point differential, and yards. The Colts worry me. I think they’ll stay close for a while, but in the second half, Philip Rivers when you go off-script and you just need him to make a play has the lowest ceiling in the league. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen can do stuff off-script in the second half. I like the Bills to WIN and COVER, 31-20.”
Colin's pick: Buffalo -6.5
Rams at Seahawks (SPREAD: SEA -3.5)
“Like it? I LOVE IT. I bet this game and got a better number than the number now, but I’ll take LA +3.5. The Seahawks more than any team in the league play one possession games and they’re always close, especially their rivalry games. They have 25 games decided by one possession since 2019 – the most in the NFL. Seattle’s offense right now is STRUGGLING and DK Metcalf has disappeared. No defense gives them more consistent trouble than the Rams. They sacked Russell Wilson 11 times this year, and 16 times the last three games. The Rams defense is number three in yards per play allowed. By the way, Cooper Kupp back, Cam Akers back, and Andrew Whitworth is back. Even if they go to the backup quarterback Seattle is not going to score a lot. John Wolford can have a Jalen Hurts ability and you’re kind of guessing how to defend him. This is my upset of the weekend, Rams 21, Seahawks 20.”
Colin's pick: Los Angeles +3.5
Bucs at Washingon Football Team (SPREAD: TB -8)
“I think Washington is the play +8. I didn’t bet it but I think it’s the play. The Washington Football Team has been 5-2 over their last 7 games, and they’ve held their opponents to 20 points or fewer in all 7 of those games. Ron Rivera didn’t have a preseason, was a little choppy in September and October, but in the last two months Ron Rivera’s defense A. had talent when he got there, and B. now the talent is being well-coached. They’re no fun to play. Alex Smith is 5-0 in his last five starts. The Bucs and Tom Brady have struggled in night games. Tom is a habit guy, and he’s been bad at night and he’s been bad against playoff teams. I don’t love the matchup for Tampa here. I have them winning, but I think it’s choppy. I have upset written all over it, and I would take Washington +8. Tampa wins, 26-20, and does not cover.”
Colin's pick: Washington +8
Bears at Saints (SPREAD: NO -9.5)
“I wouldn’t touch this if you paid me, but I’ll take the Bears side because now it’s up to 9.5 and 10 points. The Saints have the best roster in the league and are going to win this game but there is value. A lot of times I’m not betting a team, I’m just betting a number. Some are going to tease this up to 9, 10, and 11 points. Chicago has a real defense, Trubisky has been in playoffs before, I like the coach, and David Montgomery is now running the football. Since Week 12 the offense for Chicago has at least been ‘something.’ We know the Saints are better, they’re offensive pieces are so good in New Orleans, we haven’t seen Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, and Alvin Kamara all healthy together much this season, and we know the Saints are going to win, but I’m just playing the number here. Plus-nine and a half is way too many to give to ANYBODY, especially when there’s no fans around. If there’s fans I call for a blowout. 28-23, Saints win, but I take the Bears side.”
Colin's pick: Chicago +9.5
Browns at Steelers (SPREAD: PIT -6)
“Like the Steelers? I LOVE THEM. I got this at -4, it’s now -6, but I’m still comfortable with it. I’ll take Pittsburgh -6. Three bad things are happening. First, the Browns have the fewest players with postseason experience – 15, the fewest of any team in the playoffs. That’s BAD and experience matters. Secondly, they’re the only playoff team with a negative point differential – BAD. Third, they don’t have their coach. I don’t think it’s that big, but it’s something. I didn’t like Cleveland to start, and now things are unraveling. Big Ben at home and rested will be the most comfortable of the two quarterbacks. Olivier Vernon is out for Cleveland, a good pass rusher. The Steelers have allowed the fewest sacks in the NFL, and also have the most sacks in the NFL. Translation? Of the two quarterbacks Big Ben at home and rested will be the most comfortable quarterback. I think you’ll feel like Pittsburgh is the better team for three and a half hours, but I do think Cleveland has the ability to score, and I do think Cleveland’s running game will have Big Ben watching some of this game from the sideline, but I’m comfortable with the number. Pittsburgh 28, Cleveland 20, and I don’t think the game will feel that close. It’ll feel like Pittsburgh is the better team with the most comfortable quarterback.”
Colin's pick: Pittsburgh -6
***All point spreads are provided by Fox Bet, and Colin locks in his bets with the current spread at that very time on Friday at 12:00 pm ET/9:00 am PT