I know you have been anxiously awaiting for this all week.  Hopefully Comeback Kid has a chance to peruse this before leaving western New York for the warmth of a well-deserved winter trip.  One omission from last week’s Wild Card Recap related to the Buffalo vs. Houston game.  It was almost a mini trip down memory lane; more specifically to Super Bowl XXV.  In that particular game, a Buffalo kicker was wide right from 47 yards to win the game.  Last weekend, the Bills K Steven Hauschka was in an identical situation — a 47-yd FG attempt (this time to send the game into OT).  Fortunately, it was true and the rest is history.

We’ve been crunching numbers and debating the pro’s and con’s of each of this weekend’s games.  It’s been an exhaustive effort, to say the least.  Here is what we have come up with for your consideration before submitting your 4 game picks (plus your Super Bowl Bonus pick) in advance of the 4:30 kickoff on Saturday:

#6 Minnesota Vikings @ #1 San Francisco 49ers
This is shaping up to be a very close contest.  Will a 47-yd FG make the difference?  The Vikes put a whooping on the Aints in New Orleans and are poised to continue, especially with the return this weekend of a few key players that missed last weekend’s tussle.  The 49ers had an extra week to rest and heal (i.e., all-world TE George Kittle is now healthy), while the Vikes have a new injury to be concerned about (i.e., WR Adam Thielen, who suffered a severe ankle cut in practice 2 days ago).

49er’s QB Garoppolo is not playoff tested and the Vikes Kirk (kissing) Cousins appears to be peaking at the right time.  The 49ers have the home field (sporting a 6-2 record during the season) and a D that was outstanding during the 1st half of the season, but have struggled down the stretch (like giving up 46 points the Aints late in the season).

Oh, boy — get ready for a real nail-biter that will result in the 3rd OT game of this year’s playoffs.

Minnesota 26, SF 23

#6 Tennessee Titans @ #1 Baltimore Ravens
Thank you, Titans, for eliminating the Patriots last weekend in Foxborough.  Too bad you now get to play catch-up to Lamar & Company, who are riding a 12-game winning streak.  A quick look suggests this will not even be close, but that’s what many thought about Tennessee last weekend.  Can anyone stop the Ravens offense when they really want to crank it up?  Maybe Pete the Terp (Baltimore area resident and avid Ravens fan) can lend some insight.  The Titans face the polar opposite style of Pats QB Brady in this game.

Tennessee will put up another great effort and RB Derrick Henry may explode again for a 200-yard game.  While the Titan D is more than sufficient, the combination of home field and the elusive Lamar Jackson will be the winning ticket for the Ravens.

It will be closer than you think…

Baltimore 33, Tennessee 27

#4 Houston Texans @ #1 Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are starting to run on all cylinders, with QB Mahomes playing like he did last season.  Texans QB Watson showed his skills last weekend.  So this one will be a great QB contest.  Can the Texans put up more than 22 points?  They better put up at least 38 if they plan to advance.

This will be a fun one to watch, but in the end it will be the Kansas City BBQ tasting better than the Texas BBQ.  Put another lathering of that Patrick Sauce on your KC ribs and get ready for next week’s Conference Championship at Arrowhead.

It will not be as close as you think…

Kansas City 37, Houston 24

#5 Seattle Seahawks @ #2 Green Bay Packers
The most intriguing game of the weekend, featuring 2 outstanding QB’s.  Is either team really that good?  It will be tundra-like conditions at Lambeau Field for the 6:40pm EST kickoff Sunday night, with an expected high of 22 during the day.  Seattle QB Russell Wilson needs to be the best QB on the field by a large margin if the injury-riddled Seahawks plan to play next weekend.  The O-line is very suspect and the Green Bay D-line is one of their strengths.

Time for another “discount double-check” and a classic game… in the 2nd OT game of the weekend (can you stay up past 11pm?)

Green Bay 27, Seattle 24

Don’t forget to get your scores (plus Super Bowl Bonus pick) submitted on time!  Expecting a great weekend of football.  I will be at a function Saturday night (starting around 6pm) and unable to provide the live scoring that you have come to appreciate.  If Greg the Great is available, I’d ask that he take over the reigns on this for everyone’s enjoyment.

Until next week, I am
THE Commish