For 10 weeks here at SB Nation Chicago, I let Random.org's random number generator pick the results of upcoming NFL games.
Last week was one of the worst of all. Despite having the random number generator pick games that seemed like no-brainers (Vikings over Lions, Eagles over Cowboys, Chiefs over Raiders, all of which went the other way), the random numbers were 4-12 in Week 17, making the overall record for the 10 weeks of picks 68-84.
This proves nothing other than that random numbers are, well, random. Doing this again for the same 10 weeks might have produced a record of 84-68. Or 124-28. Or 28-124. I'll do it again next year, for the full NFL season, to see if that makes any difference.
In the meantime, I am retiring the random picks for the playoffs and making actual selections by a human being (me). Your mileage, as they say, may vary.
Saturday, Jan. 8, 3:30 p.m. CST, Saints at Seahawks. On any given... yada yada, you know the drill. The Seahawks are playing at home, where they have played well this year. But they simply are not a good football team. The Saints are. New Orleans is a 10.5 point favorite. It won't be that close. Saints 31, Seahawks 3.
Saturday, Jan. 8, 7 p.m. CST, Jets at Colts. Last year, the Colts bounced the Jets out of the playoffs. This year, the Colts aren't as good and the Jets are better. It's hard to take Rex Ryan's boasting at times, but he'll get one more chance after this week. Indianapolis is a three-point favorite at home, but I see it this way: Jets 19, Colts 17.
Sunday, Jan. 9, noon CST, Ravens at Chiefs. The Chiefs have not been in the playoffs since 2006 and haven't won since 1993. Baltimore is a three-point favorite. Sounds about right. Ravens 24, Chiefs 21.
Sunday, Jan. 9, 3:30 p.m. CST, Packers at Eagles. Tough call. Both teams have looked really good and really bad at times this year. Philadelphia is a 2.5 point favorite, but I think the Packers will take it. Packers 21, Eagles 20.