Welcome back to another edition of Spread ‘Em, sponsored by Hard Rock Bet. If you’ve been following along these past few weeks during the NFL playoffs, you know the competition between us has been heating up. Rory’s sitting pretty at 6-2 with his picks, while Mal is holding it down at 4-4. The spread between us is real—literally.
Now we’re at the AFC and NFC Championships, and things are about to get interesting.
Patriots @ Broncos (+5): The Mile High Gamble
First up: Patriots -5 at the Broncos. On paper, this shouldn’t even be a debate. The Patriots should be -21, honestly. The Broncos don’t have a quarterback, and everyone on earth seems to be taking the Patriots -5. It feels like a lock.
But here’s the thing—we make the rules here, and sometimes you’ve got to take a risk. Sure, Tom Brady’s been teaching Drake Maye to keep his nose down in that Mile High altitude, but every decade you get one of those random games that makes you ask, “How did this happen?”
That’s why Rory is taking the Broncos with the points. It’s a bold move, maybe even reckless, but if there’s ever a time for a miracle in Mile High, this could be it. The altitude factor is real, and while the Patriots are almost certainly going to the Super Bowl, stranger things have happened.
Mal, on the other hand, is playing it smart with the Patriots -5. It’s the sensible pick, and the Patriots should blow them out.
- Rory’s AFC Pick: Broncos +5
- Mal’s AFC Pick: Patriots -5
Rams vs. Seahawks (-2.5): The Real Debate
Now for the more interesting matchup: Rams at Seahawks, with the Seahawks favored by two and a half. The Seahawks came out super hot last week, but there’s something about this Rams team that feels different.
Rory’s taking the Seahawks -2.5, but Mal’s going with the Rams straight up. And honestly? The Rams might just win the Super Bowl. They didn’t look like they were going to beat the Bears, but watching them play, they look like a Super Bowl-winning team. There’s just that it factor.
A Patriots-Rams or Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl would be must-see TV. We’ve had two Patriots-Rams Super Bowls already, so maybe it’s time for a Patriots-Seahawks rematch—even though Pete Carroll’s decision to pass instead of handing it to Marshawn Lynch still haunts us. That was a fluke. Just give it to Beast Mode. What are we doing?
Of course, if the Broncos somehow pull off the upset, we’re looking at one weird Super Bowl. But that’s what makes this fun.
- Rory’s NFC Pick: Seahawks -2.5
- Mal’s NFC Pick: Rams +2.5
Let’s see how this plays out.
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