Conference Championship Round

Divisional Round: 2 – 2

Total: 7 – 4

Kansas City at Baltimore

This game will go down as one to remember. Mahomes played lights out in the Divisional round, playing

within the system and relying on Kelce/Rice in clutch situations. Their defense was able to hold Allen to

a modest stat line, although there were plays to be made that the Bills simply didn’t convert. The Ravens

on the other hand, put on an absolute masterclass defensively. The Texans couldn’t sustain drives all

afternoon. This week, I expect the Ravens to continue to let Lamar run the offense at his will, KC will

struggle to contain and some big plays will be made. The question is, does the Kansas City offense have

enough firepower to keep up? I expect Mahomes to will his team to a one possession game, but

ultimately fall short. Lamar Jackson finally sheds the moniker of not being able to win in the playoffs,

Baltimore punches their ticket to Super Bowl LVIII.

34 – 27 Baltimore

Detroit at San Francisco

Detroit comes into this game with the momentum of seemingly 29 other fanbases behind them, as

everyone loves a good underdog story. They have taken care of business in each previous round,

winning with smashmouth football and some magic route running via Amon-Ra St. Brown. San Fran

showed some cracks in their armor last week against the heavy underdog packers. Brock Purdy seemed

to be confused by the multiple zone looks that were thrown his way. Luckily, they have the best RB in

the NFL, Christian McCaffrey. He steamrolled the Pack all day, and ended their season with a 4 th quarter

TD. This week, I expect Detroit to lean heavily on getting Gibbs the ball in space to try and open up the

interior run game. The 49ers linebackers are very disciplined, Detroit needs to utilize constant motion.

The 49ers on the other hand will learn from the last round and not come out flat against Detroit. Purdy

will be focused and lean on Aiyuk + Kittle early to settle in, and McCaffrey will do the rest. I expect the

score will make this game appear closer than it seems. McCaffrey and the 49ers defense will overwhelm

Detroit and cruise to Super Bowl LVII.

33 – 24 San Fransisco

Divisional Week Picks

Wildcard Round Record: 5 – 2

Divisional Round Predictions

Texans at Ravens

Even accounting for the home/away splits for Cleveland, CJ Stroud was electric against the vaunted

Browns defense last week. I expect him to continue to do so this week. The Ravens have consistently

moved the ball all season long. Do not be fooled by Lamar’s 29 total TDs. If it wasn’t for their dominate

run game in the redzone, Lamar’s stat’s would look much prettier. This game will come down to who

wins the turnover battle, and I expect that to be the Ravens.

27 – 20 Ravens

Packers at 49ers

Green Bay comes into this matchup as the overwhelming underdog, much like last week. The 49ers have

the advantage at most positions across the board… besides quarterback. Jordan Love has been electric

since week 11, and I believe he will continue to show he belongs in the conversation for top QBs in the

league. Once again, the Packers defy all odds and come away with a victory.

27 – 24 Packers

Buccaneers at Lions

The Buccaneers, led by Baker Mayfield, do not know when to quit. They came into Philly and smashed

the Eagles in the mouth, effectively dismantling their coaching staff in the process. On the other hand,

the Lions have taken the monkey off their backs with a playoff win in the Wildcard round, eliminating

their former franchise QB, Matthew Stafford. The Lions will show the league they are ready for the next

step, Amon St. Brown will decimate the Bucs’ defense and Detroit will move on.

37- 27 Lions

Chiefs at Bills.

In recent playoff history, the Bills come into this game seemingly unable to best KC. Patrick Mahomes

knows how to rally the troops and get his squad to perform at a high level when it matters most. Josh

Allen and the Bills have come alive in the latter half of the season, they look to take their momentum

and excorcise their demons this week. Josh Allen plays within the system and shows the NFL why he

should’ve been this season’s MVP. Bills beat down the Chiefs at home, with the score being deceivingly

close.

34 - 27 Bills

WIldcard Week Picks

HOU vs CLE

This game will be more entertaining than most expect. Cleveland's defense has been one of the top units all season long, however, Houston's offense led by CJ Stroud is now clicking on all cylinders, and he has been playing at an All Pro level. Demeco Ryans will have this young team ready for the moment. The first game of Wildcard weekend will end in an upset, with Houston moving onto the Divisional round

33 - 23

KC vs MIA

Kansas City will host Miami in a game with sub zero temperatures, changing the atmosphere of what could have been a high scoring game. We should see a slow paced slugfest, with the winner being the team who can run the ball and control field position. KC moves on.

20 - 13

PIT vs BUF

The Bills are simply a better team than Pittsburgh. With the injury to Watt and uncertainty at QB, the Bills will roll into Acrisure and James will continue to cook. Allen will finish enough drives to put Pit away. Bills move on.

24 - 10

DAL vs GB

Dallas comes into this game with a roster full of talent at most positions, while Green Bay is sporting the youngest roster in the league. Joe Barry will struggle to come up with a game plan to stop Dallas' high powered offense, but this is my homer pick of the week, fuck them boys. Jordan Love shines in a stunner and Green Bay moves on.

27-24

DET vs LAR

This will be one of the more interesting games of the weekend. Detroit has been playing inspired all year, but have continuously struggled against top tier competition. LA has surprised many teams this year with the explosion of Puka Nakua and Kyren Williams, and Cooper Kupp is back on the field to draw defenders away. At the end of the day, the playmakers on the LA will be too much for Detroit to handle. Rams move on.

33 - 30

PHI vs TB

Drama surrounds this game as it appears Siriani may have lost the locker room. On paper, Philly is the much better team. The Bucs have played gritty football all season long, but just do not match up well across the board. Despite the recent struggles, Philly moves on.

20-17