What a record-setting weekend!!  Henrico FiveOh sets a new standard with 422 points in the Divisional Playoff games (surpassing Pete the Terp’s total of 383 in 2010) and an 8-game total of 497, eclipsing the mark of 472 set by Ben the Butler during the 2008 campaign.  Needless to say, Henrico FiveOh is our leader with an almost unsurpassable lead of 85 points over 2014 Winner, who earned 356 points over the weekend.

So, here is where we stand with only 3 games (and the majority of the points) remaining:

• Henrico FiveOh – 497 points
• 2014 Winner – 412
• Comeback Kid – 325
• Pete the Terp – 316
• Greg the Great – 253
• Ben the Butler (our leader after the Wild Card games) – 245
• Buffalo Bill – 182 (even after going 4-0 last weekend)

The official analysis of the games just played (my expert predictions for the Conference Championship games will be forthcoming this weekend):

Seattle 23, New Orleans 15
The Saints went marching in and left limping after getting beat up by the decibels and  Seahawk relentless defense.  Seattle RB Marshawn was in Beast Mode the entire rainy afternoon and Saint QB Drew had so much trouble with the Brees that he passed for only 38 yards in the first half.  A minor comeback in the 4^th quarter made this a little more interesting.  If all it took was a great D to win the Super Bowl, the Seahawks would be celebrating.  Too bad WR Percy Harvin will most likely be missing this coming weekend.  All 7 participants correctly picked Seattle in this one Pete the Terp earned 139 points with a season-low variance of 3.

New England 43, Indianapolis 22
While the Seahawks were not Sleepless in Seattle, the Colts were Luck-less in Foxboro, with a massive dose of turnovers (including 4 INT’s) sealing their fate early and often.  Credit goes to the master of Spygate and his ability to continually win games win QB Tom Brady and anyone else who is healthy.  The Colts were never in this one and the Patriots were never out of this one.  4 TD’s for LaGarrett Blount?  Go figure.  Pete the Terp came back to earth as the only participant to choose the Colts (chalk up a goose-egg) and Greg the Great and Ben the Butler shared honors for the most points, with 77.

San Francisco 23, Carolina 10
Speaking of good D, the 49’ers also seem to have a dandy, as they completely shut down the Panthers on their home field.  QB Kaepernick called a conservative but effective game that started with enough hostility to fuel several dumb penalties (mostly by the adrenaline-fueled Panthers).  Surprisingly, only Comeback Kid thought the Panthers would win.  Henrico FiveOh leads the way with 107 points.

Denver 24, San Diego 17
Hope you didn’t take a snooze during the 4^th quarter of this one, as the Chargers stormed back.  Ultimately they fell to the superior Broncos, who were once again led by a loaded offensive arsenal.  Henrico FiveOh ruled again with 159 points and ended the weekend with a 4-game variance of 9.75.

2 HUGE games this Sunday afternoon/evening.

All but Ben the Butler (San Diego) and Pete the Terp (late) are still in the running for the Super Bowl Bonus points, but keep in mind that only 24% of the time does a participant actually get to enjoy those extra 100 points.

Stay tuned for my expert analysis and game score predictions this weekend.  And please – submit those scores prior to the 3:30pm EST kickoff!

~~ The Commish