Participants,

Welcome to the 35^th Edition of the Hewes Super Bowl Trophy!!  We finally have determined the 14 teams that will compete for this year’s Super Bowl (SB57), and the playoffs start this Saturday with the 2 of the 6 Super Wild Card Weekend games!  Get your naps in early in the day this weekend, because the schedule has late games (i.e., kickoff around 8:15pm EST or so) on Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights.

We’re disappointed to learn that Ben the Butler has once again landed on IR and will miss this playoff season.  We hope he has a speedy recovery and is in prime form to compete next year.

We also know that everyone is licking their chops in anticipation of wrestling away the coveted trophy from Comeback Kid, who has had it in his possession for the past 2 years!  He did mention to The Commish recently that he’s going for an unprecedented “3-peat” and plans to keep the trophy in the south suburbs of Buffalo.  The smack talk has already started!!

A few reminders before the real action begins as the 7 participants prepare to battle it out.

RULES
Please read the “League Rules” (found on our home page at www.hewessbt.com) to become reacquainted with all you need to know.  I’m available to answer any questions.

MAKING YOUR PICKS
All picks are officially submitted on our site, using the “Submit Picks” tab.  Enter the team names and respective score you believe will be the final game score for each game.  Once you have submitted your scores, they will be time-stamped and sent via email to The Commish, who will load them to the site.  The Commish will not look at any game score submissions until he has submitted his scores in the same manner.  Please – no last minute frantic text messages with your scores.

KEEPING TRACK
Visit the “Standings” tab to get real-time updated game scores and your points as games are played.  This interactive feature was implemented several years ago and has received numerous kudos from the serious game watchers (that have a strong correlation to the eventual HSBT winners).

In-game, real-time smack talk will also be available using the Slack app from your device.  For more details on how to get in on the action during the games, please contact Greg the Great.

REMINDERS (As I Do Every Year)

1. Picks for ALL 6 Super Wild Card Weekend games are to be submitted no later than 4:30pm EST on Saturday, January 14 (which is just prior to the kickoff of the 1st playoff game).
2. Any pick not submitted on time will result in a 25-point penalty for that game (meaning you will get -25 points for those games).
3. No “partial scores” are to be submitted.  We did have this occur several years ago and it went something like this:  “Chicago 24, SF”.  This will also result in the aforementioned -25 points.

It’s shaping up to be another great year, with maybe 11 or 12 teams thinking they have the inside track on winning the Super Bowl.  The highly-anticipated Commish’s expert in-depth analysis and predictions for each game starts below.  Use this information wisely to solidify your thoughts before submitting your picks.

With 7 participants and a total of 13 games in the 2^nd year of the expanded playoff format, will it be a record-setting year for the HSBT?  Pete the Terp set the benchmark with 1,322 points in 2016 (with a 10-1 record).

Let the week of “3’s” begin:

#7 Seattle Seahawks (9-8) @ #2 San Francisco 49ers (13-4)
It’s been raining in the Bay area for the past several days, so the field is going to be a slippery and muddy one (yes, they play on real grass).  However, the field conditions should not matter that much, as the heavily-favored 49ers should have no problem winning the weekend kickoff game.

The Seahawks were supposed to be in a rebuilding mode this season, having traded away longtime QB Russell Wilson to the Broncos for about 50 future draft picks.  Heck, Sports Illustrated projected the Hawks to finish the regular season with a 3-14 record.  So much for the football “experts.”  And would you have guessed that Seattle QB Geno Smith would lead the NFC in TD passes?  He did, with 30.

The 49ers also had some QB issues of note this season, as heir apparent Trey Lance went down early in the season and backup Jimmy Garoppolo also succumbed to injury later in the season.  Enter their 3^rd QB, Brock Purdy, Mr. Irrelevant from the 2022 NFL Draft.  He has fit in well with the 49ers offensive scheme and will be dangerous, assuming he has all his weapons available.

The 49ers beat the Seahawks both times during the regular season and this game will be the 3-peat for them.  Too much firepower on offense and the leagues #1 rated D.  Will a 3^rd string QB win a playoff game?  Yep, and it will be done in Purdy good fashion.

San Francisco 23, Seattle 13

#5 San Diego Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) @ #4 Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
The Jaguars?  They weren’t supposed to make the playoffs this year and waited until the final regular season game to do so (by drubbing division foe Tennessee).  The Chargers?  They were supposed to make the playoffs and are planning on a deep run.  This game will feature 2 young QB’s who are upcoming AFC stars.

The visiting Bolts feature an explosive offense, but are down a key player (WR Mike Williams, who the coach decided to play last week in a totally non-relevant game).  Their D is solid and should make some big plays against a young and inexperienced Jags offense.  QB Justin Herbert (who has never lost a Saturday NFL game) could throw for 3 TD’s or have 3 picks.  Ditto for Jags QB Trevor Lawrence.

Turnovers will dictate who comes out on top in this Saturday night game.  This was a close game earlier in the season.  Go with the experience to even up the season record against each other.

Bolts 30, Jags 26

#7 Miami Dolphins (9-8) @ #2 Buffalo Bills (13-3)
Oh my, the Fins are staring at high tide.  Similar to the 49ers, they will be starting their 3^rd string QB.  The oft concussed starting QB is out, meaning there will be no Tu(n)a fish sandwiches on the menu, and his backup Teddy has been suffering like a Bridge (over troubled) water with injuries.  Enter Skylar Thompson.  Who?  Almost as relevant as Mr. Irrelevant.  And their starting RB is most likely out, as well.  Turning up the pressure while they are on D may be their only hope.

The biggest risk for the heavily-favored (almost 2 TDs) Bills is looking ahead to another home game next weekend.  Get ready for the onslaught, and for KR Hines to get his 3^rd kickoff return for a TD this season.

Too many weapons for the Bills, too many injuries for the Fins, too many Mafia in the stands.  And continuing emotional play in support of #3.  After this game, 3 more wins (all for Damar, the Bills fans and the City of Buffalo) and the season will be complete for the Bills.

Buffalo 43, Miami 17 (not in OT)

#6 New York Football Giants (9-7-1) @ #3 Minnesota Vikings (13-4)
Sunday’s kickoff game will be interesting.  The Vikes snuck past the Giants a few weeks ago, 26-24, courtesy of a 61-yd FG in the waning seconds at home.

The Giants over-achieved this season and appear to be ready to make a statement.  Their D has been really coming to life in the past month and RB Saquon Barkley (not to be confused with Charles) is ready to breakout with 150 total yards and a pair of TDs.  Bet on it.

The Vikes, haven’t been the same team since they beat the Bills midway during the season.  QB Kirk Cousins is 3-7 in prime time and playoff games.  Even with that WR group, featuring standout Justin Jefferson.  I see a couple fumbles and possibly a pick 6.

The Vikes are tired and the Giants are hungry.

New York Football Giants 23, Minnesota 20

#6 Baltimore (or Less without Lamar) Ravens (10-7) @ #3 Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
There will be no coin toss to decide if this game is played in Baltimore or Cincinnati, as the Bengals won last week’s matchup of these 2 AFC North contenders.

The big news for this game, of course, is that Ravens starting QB Lamar Jackson will not play.  Backup Tyler Huntley is questionable, which leads us to – for the 3^rd time in the Super Wild Card Weekend games – another 3^rd string QB (this time, Anthony Brown) starting a playoff game!  Game over?  Not so fast.

The Bengals are looking forward to returning the Super Bowl.  They may also be looking forward to next week’s (presumably) clash with that team from western New York.  If they look to far ahead, they will be looking at the rest of the playoffs from their living room sofas.

The Bengals are loaded with offensive talent and big play makers.  The D is getting better.  The O line is banged up and the Ravens should get their fair share of sacks.

The Ravens recent playoff record is less than impressive.  However,

Ravens 30 (good thing Lamar is playing), Bengals 29
Cincinnati 27, Baltimore 20 (Oops, Lamar is not playing)

#5 “America’s Team” (12-5) @ #4 Tompa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
Brady is 7-0 lifetime vs Dallas.

The Cowboys have lost 8 road playoff games in a row, and their offense has recently been a Dak-saster.  Long flight home for Jerry’s team and another early exit from the playoffs.

The Brady Bunch 30, “At the Intersection of Preston Rd and Alpha Rd in North Dallas’ Team” 28

I hope you’re as excited for the playoffs as The Commish is.  Rumor has it that 2023 Winner is bringing his ‘A’ game to the competition yet again.

Get ready for good football and get those 6 picks submitted Saturday afternoon before kickoff of the first game!  I’ll be in touch next week with the results of Super Wild Card Weekend and the HSBT!

Until then, I remain

~~The Commish