Participants,

We’ve been waiting since the kickoff of the 1st game of the season (back in early September) for this weekend, when it will be decided which teams go to battle to claim NFL supremacy with a Super Bowl victory.  More importantly, the 2 games tomorrow will play a large part in determining who will be the winner of the 32nd season of the HSBT!

Many of you have been “running the numbers” all week, and at least of 1 of you has been soaking in the sun and enjoying the Caribbean waters.  Clearly, a lack of focus and preparation…  Regardless, both games are shaping up to be full of intrigue and suspense.  My team here at the league offices has completed our evaluations and analysis and offer the following as you prepare to make your game picks, which are due by 3:00pm EST on Sunday.  Not that anyone needs a reminder…

#6 Tennessee Titans @ #2 Kansas City Chiefs
When Titans RB Derrick Henry (all 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds) rushes for 100 yards or more, the Titans are undefeated.  Ever since he joined the league in 2017…  These 2 teams battled it out in Week 10 in Nashville, with the Titans claiming a 35-32 victory and Derrick Henry going for 188 yards.  Advantage Titans?

Can the Titans keep up with the Chiefs offense?  They may need to score more than 50 to do so, and were fully capable of that during the last half of the regular season.  Last week, once the the Chiefs woke up in the 2nd quarter, they put up 42 points in a little more than 30 minutes of football.  They can go 50 yards on any play and their speed is world class.  They also have a TE that can wreak havoc when a linebacker or safety tries to cover him.

Big edge to the Chiefs at (Ma)home(s) in Arrowhead.

Kansas City 41, Tennessee 23

#2 Green Bay @ #1 San Francisco
A real dandy in the nightcap.  The much ballyhooed Niners D will have their hands full with the artful dodger, Aaron Rodgers.  If he plays like he did last week, look for Cheeseheads in Miami in 2 weeks.  If the Packers play like they did against the 49’ers in Week 12, Jimmy G and the west coast gang will be headed to Florida for more than a little sun.

The Packers D has been under-rated all season but are coming into peak form at the right time.  The 49’ers have weapons on offense, but they are not the marquis names of SF teams from the past (e.g., Montana, Young, Lott, Rice, etc.).

The 1 player who will make the difference is SF TE George Kittle, who should have a monster game and will score the tie-breaking TD with under 2 minutes to go.  Don’t worry about cutting your finger nails on Sunday night – this game will have you biting on them pretty much the whole game.

San Francisco 27, Green Bay 24

As for the HSBT, Buffalo Bill is enjoying his almost unsurmountable lead (over 100 points), while everyone else has plans to move up in the standings.  We should have some very interesting picks (and that’s assuming we get picks from everyone!!).

Look for a full recap of the AFC and NFC Championship games and an update on the HSBT early next week.

Until then, I am

THE Commish