I ran into former Chronicle freelance writer and New Orleans Saints fan Robert Gabriel at the UT vs. UConn basketball game last Saturday, and we thought it would be fun to publicly go head-to-head for the remainder of the NFL playoffs picking teams against the spread. So let’s do this.
In the first game on Saturday we have the Ravens plus 3 visiting the Steelers (3:30pm, CBS). I’m gonna go with Baltimore and the points since this is going to be a tough, close game. The kind of playoff match-up missing in last week’s wild card schedule that should be fun to watch for all NFL fans regardless of team affiliation.
Later in the evening, it’s Green Bay and the Packers’ newfound running game plus 3 in Atlanta vs. the Falcons (7pm, Fox). Give me the Falcons at home, please. I could see the Falcons winning it all this year.
Sunday features the worse team to ever to make the playoff, the Seattle Seahawks, plus 10 in Chicago vs. the Bears (noon, Fox). I don’t feel good about this but Seattle burned me last week so I’ll take the 10 points vs. a team they beat (and sacked six times) earlier in the season.
The weekend’s finale is the New York Jets plus 9 on the road vs. the Patriots (3:30pm, CBS). Man, what a tough game to call. The Pats destroyed the Jets in their last meeting, but I feel the Jets can cover the spread, if not win this game outright. With much hesitancy I’ll take the Jets and the nine points.
After completing my picks, I compared them to Robert’s, and it appears, for the most part, that we are on the same page. He picked all the same teams that I did (Ravens, Falcons, Seahawks) except in the New England/New York game, for which he’s taking the Patriots minus 9. It’s tough to disagree with that pick. Go Jets!
Area Bars and the Football Teams/Fans They Cater To:
Aussie’s catered to Browns fans last year but is focusing more on the Texans and Cowboys this season. 306 Barton Springs Rd., 480-0952.
Bagpipes Pub & Eatery supplies the setting for Alabama Crimson Tide football fans. 9070 Research, 467-8700.
B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub is the place to go if you’re a fan of Tom Brady’s tresses or his football team, the New England Patriots. Fittingly, the pub is also home for Notre Dame games. 204 E. Sixth, 494-1335.
Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill (both locations) is a straight-up Steelers bar. 6901 N. I-35, 454-2247; 214 E. Sixth, 469-0001.
Billy’s on Burnet is the “unofficial Packers bar of Austin.” 2105 Hancock, 407-9305.
Black Sheep Lodge has a good contingent of Saints, Redskins, Vikings, Texans, and Titans fans. USC and Ohio State lovers cheer on their teams on Saturdays. 2108 S. Lamar, 707-2744.
Cedar Door hosts USC and TCU supporters. Second & Brazos, 473-3712.
Cool River Cafe is the place for Nebraska Cornhuskers fans. 4001 W. Parmer, 835-0010.
Hog Island Italian Deli hosts Philadelphia Eagles watch parties. 1612 Lavaca, 482-9090.
Joe’s Bar and Grill Attention Colt McCoy lovers, Joe’s hosts fans of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. 506 West Ave., 473-0885.
Mangia Pizza Mesa is the official home for Auburn football. 8012 Mesa, 349-2126.
Pluckers North Austin is the official home of the Arkansas Razorbacks. 9070 Research, 533-9464.
Pluckers South Lamar is the official place to be for Michigan Wolverines games. 3909 S. Lamar, 443-9464.
Shoal Creek Saloon is the home of the Saints. 909 N. Lamar, 474-0805.
The Tavern sees a lot of Steelers and Ravens fans show up for NFL Sundays. 922 W. 12th, 320-8377.
Third Base Round Rock caters to Giants, Chargers, and Steelers fans. Arkansas Razorbacks lovers meet there on Saturdays. 3107 S. I-35, Round Rock, 512/388-2273.
Third Base Southpark Meadows is the place to be for Saints, Vikings, and Steelers supporters. In the NCAA, it’s Oregon State, Minnesota, and Texas Tech territory. 9600 S. I-35, 381-2273.
Third Base Downtown has a good following for the Texans, Saints, and Vikings and generally a “pretty mixed” crowd. As far as college goes, it’s the official home for Illinois Fighting Illini and Florida Gators fans, as well as followers of Maryland, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Kansas. 1717 W. Sixth, 476-2273.
The Warehouse Saloon & Billiards sees a lot of Vikings fans, among others. I’ve also heard Dolphins and Bears fans have been known to congregate there. 509 E. Ben White, 443-8799.
Weirdos is a Chargers bar. 12408 MoPac N., 291-6703.
Hit me up at gameplans@austinchronicle with additional info.
This article appears in January 14 • 2011.