Over the summer I attended a concert by a mediocre 90s band and was asked by its lead singer whether I believed in science. At the time, I did.
But then I lived through the NFL's wild card weekend and witnessed the clearest evidence to date indicating that we are living in a post-science era of world history.
I returned to my data-driven strategy of picking NFL games which has been proven to predict winners with stunning accuracy—but the results were not the same. The teams I picked last week, all underdogs, didn't even come close to covering the spreads.
This certainly needs more study, so—as any true data journalist would do—I am going back to the well.
Here are my picks for the NFL's divisional round games:
Seattle Seahawks AT Atlanta Falcons
PICK: Falcons -5
Actually, science is going to have to take a backseat on this game. I want to take the Seahawks...but I just can't.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPHO9IjD5qg/?taken-by=ciara&hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPHOGu2DmDE/?taken-by=ciara&hl=en
Once you add Pete Carroll to the mix, it is hard to imagine how any team could be less likable than the Seahawks.
The Washington Free Beacon has been crossed by the Seahawks before, and it is not going to happen again.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNsCUM0BUdJ/?taken-by=atlcheerleaders&hl=en
Go Falcons.
Houston Texans AT New England Patriots
PICK: Patriots -16
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMNE7tcBzaB/?taken-by=camillekostek
I am not entirely sure whether Rob Gronkowski is still dating Camille Kostek—I think he is—but she is still rooting for the Patriots, which should be enough to cover this giant spread.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BN0EZkkhklq/?taken-by=camillekostek
https://www.instagram.com/p/BN5ywYjBDH4/?taken-by=camillekostek
https://www.instagram.com/p/BI5Jv1TDlJe/?taken-by=camillekostek
https://www.instagram.com/p/BAzxoAsQ3kR/?taken-by=camillekostek
Yeah, I think the Pats will be ok.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKwS3y0jJjK/?taken-by=camillekostek
Pittsburgh Steelers AT Kansas City Chiefs
PICK: Chiefs -1.5
Missouri native Angelica Bridges played Taylor Walsh in the original Baywatch.
https://www.instagram.com/p/0f_LqzTNHV/?taken-by=angelicabridges
She isn't slated to appear in the re-make, and that is a mistake. A recent photoshoot shows that she's still got it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BD8NDlwzNAn/?taken-by=angelicabridges
https://www.instagram.com/p/BD1Yw4vTNFa/?taken-by=angelicabridges
https://www.instagram.com/p/BD1YYo7TNE9/?taken-by=angelicabridges
Bring back Angelica, let's go Chiefs.
Green Bay Packers AT Dallas Cowboys
PICK: Cowboys -4
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPG0UizBk9Z/?taken-by=cowboys_hotfans&hl=en
America's team has the most attractive fans in the nation, so it's the easy pick here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMKjG22lC09/?taken-by=erinalvey&hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPDWO3Khagm/?taken-by=cowboys_hotfans&hl=en
Go America. Go Cowboys.
