What a start to the NFL playoffs!!  The home team manages to win only 1 of the 4 tussles, and that’s with the help of the largest non-OT playoff comeback in league history.

Indianapolis Colts 45, Kansas City Chiefs 44
So, you lose your star RB Jamaal Charles after 6 plays from scrimmage and the rest of your D starts falling like flies.  The end is in sight, right?  Nonetheless you build up a 38-10 lead in the 3^rd Quarter, only to see it evaporate faster than a drop of water in the Sahara Desert.  Hopefully you stayed tuned (instead of taking down the Christmas tree) to witness an amazing comeback that was aided by a few key bounces of the pigskin on the carpet.  Last play FG puts the Colts into the Divisional Round next weekend.  Wow!!

Only 1 participant had a variance under 40 and 2014 Winner started out win a win, but only 42 points.  Hey, it’s a start…

New Orleans Saints 26, Philadelphia Eagles 24
A second game on Saturday that isn’t decided until the final play.  The Saints get the “never won on the road in the playoffs” monkey off their backs, despite missing their top RB.  The Eagles had more than enough chances but to put this one away, but could not get it done.  The Saints are very business-like and are rewarded with a game next weekend on the other coast.

The highest game variance is 12 and Comeback Kid is the only one to smartly pick the Saints, resulting in 45 points.

San Diego Chargers 27, Cincinnati Bungles 10
The three-peat is official as Andy Dalton leads the Bungles to another Wild Card defeat, this one at home.  Way too many turnovers and bad play calls result in at least 17 Charger points.  Are the Chargers destined?  The Bungles sure made them look like it…

Ben the Butler is the only wise sage in this one and earns 74 points, as the 3^rd goose-egg of the weekend is registered.

San Francisco 49 (below zero) ‘ers 23, Green Bay Packing their uniforms 20
The final Wild Card game lives up to expectations on the frozen tundra.  Packer QB Aaron Rodgers showed why he’s the best playoff QB on the planet and almost pulled off this one.  In the end, however, it was a last play FG that won again.  Look out for the 49’ers as they head off to balmy Charlotte, NC next weekend.

Henrico FiveOh and Greg the Great each earn 31 points, as the 4^th and final goose-egg of the weekend is posted.

Here is where we stand after the Wild Card round:

• Ben the Butler – 110 points
• Comeback Kid – 102, with an average variance of 18.5
• HenricoFiveOh – 75 points
• Greg the Great – 62 points
• 2014 Winner – 56 points
• Pete the Terp – 55 points
• Buffalo Bill – 38 points

We have 4 great matchups next weekend, so be sure to GET ALL 4 GAME PICKS SUBMITTED PRIOR TO THE SATURDAY AFTERNOON KICKOFF.  Plus, don’t forget your Super Bowl Bonus pick when you submit your weekend picks.  I’ll have a gentle reminder on this when my Divisional Round analysis is published next weekend.

Stay warm!!

~~ The Commish