Participants,

We have come down to the last 4 teams, with the winners of Sunday’s games in line for a Trip to the Strip and Super Bowl 58!  The Offices of The Commissioner of the NFL have been simulating models all week in preparation for these 2 games and offer you the best, most accurate predictions available!  So, here we go:

#3 Kansas City Chiefs (13-6) @ #1 Baltimore Ravens (14-4)
This shapes up to be a great game with 2 of the best QB’s in the league.  The slightly-favored Ravens feature all-world QB Lamar-velous Jackson, while the Chiefs counter with Mahomes, the Bills killer.  Both teams feature terrific D’s, but the edge here goes to the Ravens.

Several key injuries will hamper the Chiefs and the Ravens get back their All-Pro TE just in time.

Too many commercials, too many distractions and too much Taylor, plus an inconsistent offense will hamper the Chiefs.

Baltimore 33, Kansas City 20
Another 100-yard + rushing performance by the Ravens QB and 2 Raven D picks

#3 Detroit Lions (14-5) @ #1 San Francisco 49ers (13-5)
The weather forecast does not call for a deluge, so a drier surface will be in play for the second Sunday game.  Can the Lions win another one on the road?  They were 6-3 during the regular season.  They have a balanced offense and an opportunistic defense.  They are clear underdogs (7.0 points) and face their sternest test of the season.

The 49ers have all but forgotten that weak showing against the Pack last Saturday night and look to get everything back in high gear.  It looks like their terrific multi-purpose WR (or is he a RB?) Tyshun Raequan Samuel will be back.  Oh, yeah, that’s Deebo’s given name.  QB Brock is looking forward to a Purdy good effort, or least a better one than last weekend.  Add RB McCaffrey, TE Kittle and WR Aiyuk and the offense is loaded.

2 stellar defenses, but the 49ers are much more explosive on offense.

San Francisco 31, Detroit 24
Gotta love the home field advantage

Everyone has been doing a great job in getting their picks submitted on time.  So as a reminder, your picks for BOTH games are to be submitted via the website no later than 3:00pm EST this Sunday.

I’ve got my menu already planned (for some reason it does not include a lot of healthy options) and the beverage options do not include Pepsi.  Have fun watching the games!  Live scoring will be available during each game (just click on the “Standings” tab at the top of our homepage.)  And don’t be a Slacker – get involved with the fun smack on Slack!  Greg the Great can get you set up!

I’ll publish our customary post-game follow-up early next week.

Until then I remain,
The Commish