Participants,

Just as we prepared for the start of the NFL Playoffs last season, we find Ben the Butler on the sidelines once again – this time in recovery from his recent ICL (Interior Cranial Ligament) surgery.  We wish him the best and hope for a speedy recovery.  For the remaining 7 participants, this merely means you have to beat out only 6 others to win the HSBT Trophy.

As we embark upon HSBT 31 (dating back to 1989), we begin with our usual slate of 4 games that create havoc and remind (most of) us that we need to sharpen our skills and take The Commish’s observations to heart.  Too many trophy aspirations have vaporized over Wild Card Weekend.

Before launching into The Commish’s expert analysis and game predictions, it is always good practice to remind all participants of the following:

RULES
Please read the “League Rules” (found on our home page at www.hewessbt.com) to become reacquainted with all you need to know.  I’m available to answer any questions.

MAKING YOUR PICKS
All picks are officially submitted on our site, using the “Submit Picks” tab.  Enter the team names and respective score you believe will be the final game score for each game.  Once you have submitted your scores, they will be time-stamped and sent via email to The Commish, who will load them to the site.  The Commish will not look at any game score submissions until he has submitted his scores in the same manner.  Please – no last minute frantic text messages with your scores.

KEEPING TRACK
Visit the “Standings” tab to get real-time updated game scores and your points as games are played.  This interactive feature was implemented 3 years ago and has received numerous kudos from the serious game watchers (that have a strong correlation to the eventual HSBT winners).

REMINDERS (As I Do Every Year)

1. Picks for ALL 4 WildCard Weekend games are to be submitted no later than 4:30pm EST on Saturday, January 5 (which is just prior to the kickoff of the 1st playoff game).
2. Any pick not submitted on time will result in a 25-point penalty for that game (meaning you will get minus 25 points for those games).
3. No “partial scores” are to be submitted.  We did have this occur several years ago and it went something like this:  “Chicago 24, SF”.  This will also result in the aforementioned -25 points.

KUDO’S TO…
da Bears, who are back in the playoffs for the 1^st time in 8 years, when they made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game.  One of the many young and talented QB’s behind center and an awesome D.

da Ravens, who are led by the youngest QB to start an NFL playoff game.

da Patriots, who did not miss the playoffs for the 11^th consecutive time.

WILDCARD WEEKEND PREDICTIONS
As JTB starts his trophy defense, I will toss in a kind word for his beloved da Browns, who almost had their 1^st winning season since 2007.  Another young QB leading the way.  Will they be in the playoffs next year?  A great weekend in store for residents of Texas, with both teams at home to kick things off on Saturday in the warm confines of domed stadiums.  But is that where the warmth ends?

#6 Indianapolis Colts (10-6) @ #3 Houston Texans (10-6)
Speaking of warmth, both teams are taking it up a notch (hey, Emeril) and will provide some real heat in the 3^rd tussle of the season for these divisional foes.  Houston won the 1^st, 37-34 and the Colts bounced back towards the end of the season with a 24-21 victory.  Both games were won by the visiting team.  The Colts are 9-1 over the final 10 games of the season, while the Texans were 8-2 over that same stretch.

With a lot more than a little (Andrew) Luck, the super-hot Colts should prevail in the rubber match game.  However, Texans QB (elementary, my dear) Watson is undefeated in national televised games this season (and this one will be unless you’re a poor Charter Communications customer…) and has put up some staggering numbers over the past 10 weeks, with 17 TD passes and only 2 INT’s.

It’s going to come down to who has the ball last.

da Colts 24, da Oilers 23 (where’s Earl Campbell when you need him?)

#5 Seattle Seahawks (10-6) @ #4 Dallas Cowboys (10-6)
The top rushing team (Seahawks with 160 yards per game) vs. the top running back (Ezekiel Elliott with 1,434 rushing yards) match up in the evening tilt in Jerryworld.  2 QB’s with similar playing styles, but 1 has a Super Bowl ring and the other has yet to win a playoff game.  Bet on the former in this see-saw battle, as QB’s with a Super Bowl ring are 11-1 in Wild Card Weekend games.  Plus, “America’s Team” has a rich history of flops in prime time.  Seahawks Russell Wilson reminds us once again that he’s the best scrambling QB in the league.

Seahawks 26, dem Boys 20

#5 San Diego Chargers (12-4) @ #4 Baltimore Colts (10-6)
When was the last time a 12-4 team didn’t win their division?  Even though I typed in LA Chargers, my computer auto corrected to San Diego Chargers…  Ditto on the Ravens…  OK, so Charger QB Philip Rivers has over 54,000 passing yards in his career and no SB appearances.  This can be the revenge playoffs for him and the super-charged Chargers.  Plus, da Chargers are 3-0 in games this year that start at 1pm Eastern time (which is 2^nd cup of coffee time in LA).  da Ravens will feature the youngest QB to ever start a playoff game in 21-year old Lamar Jackson.  How will he do on the big stage?  Me thinks pretty darn well.

A rematch of their December 22 game in LA, when the Ravens dominated 22-10.

Baltimore 22, Chargers 10

#6 Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) @ #3 da Bears (12-4)
The Eagles swooped into the playoffs on the final weekend of the season, and will have Nick Foles handling the QB duties like last year, when Carson Went(z) on the injury report.  Don’t be concerned if you’re rooting for the Eagles, as Foles owns the highest postseason completion % (71.9) and passer rating (113.2) among QBs with 125+ attempts in the Super Bowl era. He has posted a passer rating of 100.0 or higher in each of his first four career playoff starts (only player in Super Bowl era to do so).

But how will he do against a totally rejuvenated Bears D and the Kahlil Mack Attack?

Go with the home team and D in this one.

Chicago 26, Eagles 17

Participants – remember to submit your picks FOR ALL 4 GAMES no later 4:30pm Eastern time this Saturday.  Kick back and enjoy the games!  I’ll be updating everyone with my post weekend synopsis early next week.

Until then, I am
~~ The Commish