Participants,

If this weekend is anything like last weekend’s nail-biter games, then we’re in for a real treat!  The 2 games on Saturday and 2 on Sunday will determine who plays next weekend for the right to go to Super Bowl 57!  Let’s get right into the games and predictions, as supported by the countless hours put forth by the analytics team here at NFL headquarters:

#4 Jacksonville Jaguars @ #1 Kansas City Chiefs
Did you know that Jags QB has NEVER lost a Saturday football game?  Not middle school, high school, college or in the NFL.  Did you also know that he has NEVER played the Kansas City Chiefs (favored by 8.5 points) on a Saturday?  These 2 teams tangled in Week 10 at Arrowhead, with the Chiefs narrowly escaping the #2 overall AFC seed in a 27-17 victory.

What Jags team will show up?  The team that gave up 27 points, to accompany 4 turnovers, in the first half last week, or the team that scored 28 points in the second half last week in a come from behind thriller?

The Chiefs had the benefit of a bye, so they are primed to start their journey back to the Super Bowl.  Can anything slow them down?

Kansas City Chiefs 31, Jacksonville Jaguars 14 (4 more picks for Trevor Lawrence!)

#6 New York Football Giants @ #1 Philadelphia Eagles
The ever-improving Giants are hitting their stride and are primed for the big upset over the NFC #1 seed (like the 49ers did to the Packers last year in the Divisional Round game in Green Bay).  Their clobbering of the Vikes last weekend solidified that improvement.  Can their WR’s produce to provide some balance the strong running game (Saquon Barkley and QB Daniel Jones)?

The Eagles seem to be pretty cocky, led by 2^nd year QB Jalen who has put the Hurts on most opponents this season.  Their D could be the best in the NFC.  And the game is in Philly, known for fanatical fans that (unfortunately) go above and beyond in their support.

New York Football Giants 24, Philadelphia Eagles 23 (with 3 in-stadium court convictions for rowdiness, drunkenness and fighting)

#3 Cincinnati Bengals @ #2 Buffalo Bills
We certainly expect that this game will go for a full 4 quarters, unlike the previous meeting almost 3 weeks ago.  This could be a shootout featuring 2 great offensive teams.  The Bengals, however, are without 60% of their starting O Line, which will definitely allow Bills DC Frazier to dial up some blitzing and pressure schemes.  They have 3 terrific WR’s and a strong running game.

On the other side, the Bills are at home and have found a way all season (well, at least for most of it) to eke out the close games.  QB Josh Allen needs to stop making sloppy throws (which he typically offsets during the next series with a 75-yard TD strike).  The Bills are 4-1 this season when Josh Allen has 3 or more turnovers.  Go figure.

This should be the most entertaining game of the weekend, and if you are a fan of either team you can throw away those nail clippers.

Buffalo 33, Cincinnati 31 (oh my, that 47-yard FG by Tyler Bass as the clock struck 00:00 was sweet!!)
And just like that, the Bills are off to Atlanta!

#5 Dallas Cowboys @ #2 San Francisco 49ers
After you get your heartbeat back to normal, tune this game in.  It, too, should keep you on the edge of your seat.  The Cowboys thoroughly drubbed the Bucs in Tampa on Monday night and have a ton of momentum, with a QB that literally dazzled last week.  The 49ers are super-solid on both sides of the ball and have a few marquis players that the Cowboys will have to figure out how to stifle.  Good luck.

Will the 49ers QB continue to be more than Purdy good?  Which Dak will show up?  Another thriller to wrap up the weekend.

Dallas 20, San Francisco 17 (still avenging that Dwight Clark TD pass from Joe Montana)

Be sure to submit your game picks AND YOUR SUPER BOWL BONUS PICK before 4:30pm EST.  Rumor has it that Greg the Great will be joining forces with Comeback Kid this weekend.  We will keep an ever watchful eye open for any potential collusion.

Get those weekend chores done early, get to the store for NFL Playoff nourishment (the usual array of junk food and adult beverages), and then kick back for 4 great games!

Until then, I remain
The Commish