Participants,

And what a Wild Weekend it was!  4 of the 6 games were thrillers, going down to the last possession.  The 2 bookend games were not as close, but did provide some Purdy good entertainment value.  It was also the weekend for comebacks – Comeback Kid, the Jags improbable 2^nd half turnaround, the Fins almost making off-season life in western New York pretty miserable, the New York Football Giants hanging on at the end in a surprise road win, and the Ravens with an upset victory until the late 4th quarter fumble return for a 98-yard TD.

When was the last time you saw a K miss 4 consecutive extra points?  How about Jags QB Trevor Lawrence with his own quartet?  4 picks in the 1^st half and 4 TD passes in the 2^nd half?  Has the GOAT been finally put out to pasture?  Not one of his better playoff performances.

HSBT Update
Comeback Kid came out of the gates fast and furious, with a perfect 6-0 record (also matched by Buffalo Bill and 2023 Winner) and the early, insurmountable lead.  He earned the most points in 3 of the 6 games.

After 6 games and with 7 left to be played, here are the current HSBT standings:

• Comeback Kid – 276 points (2^nd highest for the Wild Card round)
• Buffalo Bill – 201 (his traditional hot start)
• 2023 Winner – 177 (keeping an eye on the lead)
• JTB – 128 (solid start)
• Pete the Terp – 91 (he’s done better)
• HenricoFiveOh – 89 (he knows it’s still early)
• Greg the Great – 48 (looking for a bounce back this weekend, hoping some of Comeback Kid’s magic will rub off as he visits western New York)

Super Wild Card Weekend Games Recap

San Francisco 49ers 41, See (ya) attle Seahawks 23
SF put on an offensive display with all their marquis players contributing.  The Seahawks put up a valiant effort but turnovers cost them in the end.  The 49er D is for real and the offense in Purdy good, too (he’s now 6-0 as a starter).  This looked like a tune-up for the battle against the Cowboys on Sunday night.

HSBT Results
Buffalo Bill jumps out the early lead with 74 points, as all Participants (except Greg the Great, from the Seattle area) pick the 49ers

Jacksonville Jaguars 31, Meltdown Meatheads 30
Are you kidding?  You’re up 27-0 in the 2^nd quarter and find a way to lose?  As mentioned earlier (and predicted before last weekend’s games), Jags QB Lawrence is fully capable of tossing 3 picks or 3 TDs.  Who knew he would get 4 of each in the same game?  Who’s managing the clock in San Diego LA?

HSBT Results
Comeback Kid notches his first weekend victory with 52 points

Buffalo Bills 34, Miami Fins 31
Are turnovers going to catch up with Josh Allen? It seems like every time he makes an ill-advised play, he turns around in the next series and fires a 50 strike for a TD.  He’ll need to clean up those turnovers if they want to keep playing this season. Well, it definitely was a Wild Card weekend, with 4 terrific battles marked by bookend bores on either end of the schedule.  It was also the weekend for comebacks – Comeback Kid, the Jags improbable 2^nd half turnaround, the Fins almost making off-season life in western New York pretty miserable, the New York Football Giants hanging on at the end in a surprise road win, and the Ravens with an upset victory until the fumble return for a TD.

The Dolphins hung in there and almost (well, almost) pulled off a huge upset with their 3^rd string QB.  A very good effort, but now it’s time to go feed Flipper (who will drop less passes than the Miami WRs did last Sunday.)

HSBT Results
Buffalo Bill strikes again, winning this one with 49 points, as all Participants pick the Bills

New York Football Giants 31, Minnesota Vikings 24
How can the Vikes be so good and so bad?  Easy, Kirk Cousins is their QB (he is now 3-8 in prime time or playoff games.)  They go from world beaters to owners of the #1 draft pick during the game.  Inconsistency spelled doom for them.  Bud Grant is still rolling in his grave and in Minnesota the game should be played outdoors.

Giants QB Daniel Jones was great in this game, with his arm and his legs.  The Eagles better get ready.  The kid is for real.

HSBT Results
Comeback Kid (56 points) is back for seconds, while JTB posts the 1st goose-egg of the playoffs

Cincinnati Bengals 17 (plus 7 for that unreal game-changing 98-yard fumble return for a TD), Balti-less Ravens 17
Lady Luck lives in Cincinnati.  The Ravens had the upset all but sealed, until they didn’t.  The Bengal offense sputtered and their O Line is dinged up even more.  Might be an issue this Sunday.  The Ravens D smothered Joe Burrow and his elite receiving corps.  Backup QB Huntley played the game of his career.  Easiest job in the NFL?  Baltimore Ravens WR Coach – since they have none.

HSBT Results
JTB bounces back right away, with 30 points and the win!

Dallas Cowboys 31, Tompa Bay Buccaneers 14
The Bucs played like their 8-9 record.  Dak Prescott played like the league MVP.  Is the GOAT finally done?  Can Dallas K Brett Maher get his head fixed for this Sunday’s game in SF after missing 4 extra points?

The Dallas D is very good and will need to be even better on Sunday night.

HSBT Results
Comeback Kid posts his 3rd victory of the weekend with 45 points, while Pete the Terp doesn’t let JTB be the only Participant with a goose-egg

Stay tuned for the Commish’s expert analysis and Divisional Games predictions later this week.  Start your research and get ready for another great weekend of football!  And – don’t forget to submit your Super Bowl Bonus pick with your game scores.

Until then, I am

The Commish