Participants,

It’s now that time when the games become more important, there are more points for each game, when all Participants are trying to figure out how on earth they are going to catch the leader (2023 Winner), and when the proverbial noose gets a little tighter around the neck (i.e., are we starting to choke down the stretch?)

Two mammoth games this weekend, with no clear favorite in either – in fact, one game has Vegas confounded with no betting favorite!  It’s a toss-up!

Well, to help with all those questions and to “lighten the noose” you have to come to the right place.  Let’s start:

#2 San Francisco 49ers @ #1 Philadelphia Eagles
Based on their respective performances last week, you would automatically pick the Eagles to win this one in fairly convincing fashion.  They are, after all, playing at home (where they were 7-1) and 2.5 point favorites.  And it appears that QB Jalen Hurts is not, any longer.  A balanced attack, solid D (but a tad suspect against the running game) and a decent kicker.  What could possibly go wrong as visions of Vince Lombardi Trophies dance in their heads?

Hello, 49ers!  After that strange, but true, win against the up and down Cowboys (mostly down last weekend after being on a continual high in their victory the prior week in Tampa), you have to wonder if they have the consistency to pull off a HUGE road win.  They began the season with a 3-4 record, then went on a tear (in conjunction with the acquisition of RB McCaffrey from the Panthers) and won their last 10 regular season games.  Now the streak is up to 12 games.  Will lucky #13 be the curse that sends them back west – to SF, not Glendale, AZ?

Given that you automatically get 3 points for playing at home, the 49ers are actually favored to win this one.  And our analytics team here at NFL Headquarters is able to confirm that.

The 49ers have 1 more marquis star than the Eagles, which plays out to 1 more big play on Sunday in the first of 2 thrillers.

49ers 30, “I’m gonna fly (not) like an Eagles” 27
That was a Purdy nice TD pass late in the 4^th quarter to comeback

#3 Cincinnati Bengals @ #1 Kansas City Chiefs
Yes, the AFC Championship Game should have been played in Atlanta.  At least the Bills Mafia believes so.  We move forward.  The visiting Bengals have beaten the Chiefs 3 in a row at Arrowhead.  Kansas City QB Mahomes has a high ankle sprain.  Cincy is the defending AFC Champion.  All indicators point to a Bengals victory.  Ah, but that 3-point cushion since you are home makes this a Cincinnati win and another shot at the Vince Lombardi Trophy in February.

The Chiefs have been playing inconsistently during the regular season but have consistently won.  Will Mahomes be able to move outside the pocket?  He will have to with the recent play of the Bengals defensive front 7.  Will TE Kelce catch another 15 passes?  He may need to grab 20 to go along with a pair of TDs.  Can the KC defense stack up against the Bengals balanced and potent offense?  That will be the big test.

Either way, Comeback Kid or JTB will still be in contention for the Super Bowl Bonus 100 points.  What?  Who did Comeback Kid pick to win the Super Bowl?  There is no doubt it had to be the Bills.  However, he declined to pick his beloved Bills and rumor has it throughout western NY that this was the cause of the Bills meltdown last weekend in the dead of winter.  Go figure.  And, JTB is a devout Cleveland Browns fan, so picking the Bengals for anything would be blasphemy!!  Go figure, part 2.

By 10:15pm this Sunday night it will be,

Bengals 30, Chiefs 24
Nobody on the KC defense is able to Chase down Ja’Marr, who gets 3 TDs

In closing, it’s interesting to see that the Participant who failed to submit his Super Bowl Bonus pick on time has already submitted his 2 game picks for this weekend.

The games start at 3:00pm Eastern time, so be sure to get those all-important scores submitted before kickoff of the 1^st game!  I’ll be providing real-time scoring updates, so you can keep track of how much further behind 2023 Winner you are.

I’ll provide the customary weekend results early next week.

Until then, I remain,
The Commish