Participants,

The football world is still reeling after those 4 outstanding games last weekend.  Especially The Greatest Playoff Game in NFL History.  While the Buffalo Bills fans are still reeling from the devasting pain of that loss, we are committed here at the league offices to evaluate the overtime rules going forward.  As it stands right now, we agreed to the current OT rules several years ago to accommodate the all-important TV network ratings.  Seriously, who would want to watch a lengthy overtime playoff game instead of a second rerun of NCIS Miami?  More to come as we gear up for next season.

Turning our attention to the 2 games at hand this weekend that will decide who plays in SB56, let’s look at the matchups:

Wincinnati Bengals @ Buffalo Bills Kansas City Chiefs
Lucky #13 (as in the last 13 seconds of the 4th quarter last Sunday night) propelled the Chiefs to this game, and on paper it looks like a cakewalk for them against an outmanned Bengals D.  The Bengals also have an exciting young QB and a solid group of difference makers on offense, but that D will need to do something special or the offense will need to outscore the Chiefs (highly unlikely) for them to advance.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, are looking for a “wash, rinse and repeat” performance Sunday afternoon to secure a spot in their 3rd consecutive SB appearance.  They come in as 7-point favorites it what could be the biggest blowout of this year’s playoffs.  While their staunch defensive line was unable to get to the mobile Josh Allen last weekend, they will have no problem helping Bengals QB Burrow set a new mark for the most times sacked in a playoff game.  Look for a double-digit sack total.  Adding to the misery for the Bengals will be the offensive firepower of the Chiefs, who may set a new record for points in a conference championship game (currently stands at 51, by the Buffalo Bills).

This game will be exciting until the opening kickoff (which the Chiefs will return for a TD to set the stage for the rest of the game).

Kansas City 54, Limping Tigers 16

San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams
The betting line is telling us that this will the best game to watch on Sunday.  The #6 seeded 49ers have won 2 tough road games in which they were the heavy underdogs.  The Rams almost squandered a massive lead last weekend, only to be bailed out in the end by Tampa Bay miscues.  Let’s take a closer look:

The 49ers come in as 3-point underdogs, meaning this game is a toss-up.  The last time a #6 seed made it to the SB was in 2011 (Green Bay, who did end up winning the SB!).  This team is hot and finds ways to win.  Also on their side is the fact that they have beaten the Rams the last 6 times.  Will this be Lucky #7?  A strong D (especially the front 7) and a few key playmakers on offense (“wide back” Deebo Samuel and TE George Kittle come to mind) should be enough to boost San Francisco to come right back to Sofi Stadium again on Feb 13 for the SB game.

The Rams are looking to be the 2nd team to host the SB on their home field (Tampa Bay did it last year for the first time in NFL history).  A lot of marquis names, especially on D.  Is there a better player in the NFL than #99 DT Aaron Donald? He even gets past the triple-team.  The Rams spent one-half of the U.S. economy national deficit to attract some big names in hopes of winning the Super Bowl – QB Matthew Stafford, RB Sony (Playstation) Michel, LB Von Miller and CB Jalen Ramsey are names that come to mind.  Sunday will determine how that investment has panned out.

Look for a few surprises, including a 49er upset.

San Francisco 24, LA Rams 23

HSBT Thoughts
It is a very tight in the race for the coveted Hewes Super Bowl Trophy, with last year’s winner (Comeback Kid) holding on to a slim lead.  These thoughts must be running through each participants minds as they prepare to make their picks:

• Comeback Kid – Let’s just pick the 2 winners and I’ll be in a great position to take the trophy back for engraving my name again. I have a comfortable 62-point lead over 2022 Winner, so what could possibly go wrong?
• 2022 Winner – Smelling trophy victory #7. What more needs to be said?
• Pete the Terp – It’s great to be this close at this juncture. Those 2 guys ahead of me will make a fatal prediction and I’ll jump into an insurmountable lead with my picks this weekend.
• Buffalo Bill – I trail Pete the Terp by only 1 point and have amassed the most points in Conference Championship games in HSBT history (5,632) while winning the most games, too (a record of 44-22). What could possibly go wrong this weekend?
• Henrico FiveOh – I’m only 15 points behind Buffalo Bill and am confident my picks will set a new record with a zero variance in both Conference Championship Games! Greg the Great’s record 401 points in a game and 521 points in the Conference Championship Games (both set in 2015) will be shattered this weekend.  Hello, trophy #9!
• JTB – I’m only 9 points behind Henrico FiveOh and have a master plan to win my 2nd trophy.  And it doesn’t include the Cleveland Browns.  Matching The Commish’s expert analysis and predictions, I will also have 2 games this weekend with a zero variance, then will repeat it for the SB!  In the process I’ll set a new total points record (currently held by Pete the Terp with 1,322) on my way to trophy #2.
• Ben the Butler – Everyone is looking past me right now, but it will be a bigger surprise when I capture my very first trophy this year! After the Super Bowl, I’ll see all the other Participants in the rearview mirror!
• Greg the Great – Comeback Kid’s greatest league comeback (356 points last year) will be shattered by my performance in the last 3 games. Am I nervous about my chances?  The other Participants should be.  ‘Nuff said!

Be sure to get your game picks submitted before the 3:00pm kickoff the first game on Sunday.  Everyone has done a great job so far this year.

Enjoy the games!
~~ The Commish