Participants,

After 6 great games last weekend, we now enter the Divisional Round games, where the scores get closer and the potential for HSBT points get higher!  There are 4 games on tap this weekend and all are shaping up to be full of excitement and surprises.  The weather could still be a factor in 2 games and we will keep a watchful eye on any brewing storms (not that it could come into play in Buffalo).

Picks, including your Super Bowl Bonus pick, are all due no later than 4:30pm EST this Saturday.

#4 Houston Oilers Texans @ #1 Baltimore (or Less) Ravens
Will the Texans remain hot and score more than 40 points again, this time against another highly-rated D?  Will NFL MVP odds-on favorite Lamar Jackson strut his stuff and lead the highly favored Ravens to the AFC Championship game?  So many more questions and so few answers.

CJ Stroud is definitely exciting to watch and certainly has shown poise rarely seen in a rookie QB.  Do you want him under center if you are down by 2 with under 2 minutes to go?  Maybe.  And how about the Ravens QB?  You do want him in this situation.  This will be the difference in this game, where the Texans should cover the spread and make the game a lot closer than fans are expecting.  The Ravens starting group has not played in 3 weeks, so a little rust is to be expected early on.

Texans 27, Ravens 31
Lamar does take it in for the game winning TD late in the 4^th quarter

#7 Green Bay Packers @ #1 San Francisco 49ers
Midway through the season who thought the Pack would be playing football now?  And, they could be the hottest team in the NFC!  After plastering the Cowboys last weekend, they are riding an emotional high that might carry over in their role Saturday night as a 9.5 point underdog.  The 49ers are loaded.  Flat out.  Their offense features Mr. Irrelevant at QB, the world’s best RB, a top-notch TE and at least 2 WR’s that can go the distance at any moment.  Their D is stifling, too.

No chance for the Pack in this one, right?  The first upset of the weekend.

Packers 30, 49ers 27
Gotta Love how Packer QB Jordan tosses the game-winning TD late in the 4^th quarter

#4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ #3 Detroit Lions
No, the Lions aren’t on because it’s Thanksgiving Day.  Wow!

Is Baker cooking up another upset recipe?  Will the Lions have to wait 32 more years before winning their next playoff game?  The Bucs literally destroyed the Philadelphia Pigeons last week and the Lions looked like the real deal in defeating the Rams in a very close one.

Hard to believe the Bucs have much juice left to pull off another victory.  The Lions seem to be destined this year.  Is SB 58 on their minds?

Lions 30, Bucs 20
With a new stadium decibel record of 115

#3 Kansas City Swifties @ #2 Buffalo Bills
The big question here is “when will Taylor Swift’s private jet land in Buffalo?”  On the surface (hopefully not covered in snow) this should be the closest and best game of the weekend.  Blizzard conditions are projected to wane by Friday, so fans have an extra day to locate their seat and dig out.

Speaking of dig, Bills star WR Stefon will need to come up huge in this one (like he did last weekend).  Hopefully injuries do not become a major factor, as they did last week.  With their new interim OC, Joe Brady, the Bills are 6-0.  Chief QB Mahomes is playing his first-ever playoff game on the road (not including neutral site games).

Can’t imagine a better way to end the weekend.

Chiefs 31, Bills 34
Josh does it again!!

NOTE:  Your picks for all 4 games this weekend are to be submitted no later than 4:30pm EST.  And – your Super Bowl Bonus Pick also needs to be submitted at the same time.  Everyone was really good about this last week, so keep it up!

I’m planning to hunker down and enjoy 4 great games this weekend.  Hopefully you will be doing the same.

Until then, I remain
The Commish