Houston @ Baltimore

It just feels like Baltimore is too good, and Houston’s fairly tale will run out finally. From what I’ve read/listened to this week, each of CJ Stroud’s biggest strengths are negated by Baltimore also being strong against them. If you care, head to this link and read up. Or just listen to the Mina Kimes Show.

I don’t buy the ‘Lamar Jackson is bad in the playoffs’ nonsense. Each season is new. The players and coaches turnover every offseason. Lamar is the MVP (even if it is only because half the leagues QBs got hurt–looking at you, Joey B.). The entire team was awesome all year long. Until further notice, it’s SF and BAL on a crash course for the Super Bowl.

The pick: Baltimore -9.5

Green Bay @ San Francisco

Speaking of San Fran, these two teams meet for the tenth time in the playoffs. Doesn’t this just feel like a classic NFL matchup? Green and yellow versus red and gold. It should be beautiful. The final score? I am less certain that will be pretty.

GB is susceptible to the run. They are facing a coach named Shanahan. Good luck.

Expect at least three of the following to have a huge fantasy game: Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle. Picking the correct three? Let me know, please.

For Green Bay, apparently Aaron Jones is the most likely to have a decent day. SF allowed both the Browns and Bengals to run on them. But we are picking nits here. SF dominated all season outside of about three games. Jordan Love is a bit of a wild card–he could continue his hot streak or be harassed all night long by Jeffrey Dah–excuse me, Nick Bosa and co. Am I the only person skeptical that Love is the next great Packer QB?

It’s been just two months of high performance. Before November 9th or so, I’m not sure anyone was shouting “Oh no, Green Bay did it again!” the way that narrative has been shoved down our throats since Thanksgiving.

The pick: San Francisco -10

Tampa Bay @ Detroit

It was that beautiful Thursday afternoon of gluttony, football, and drinking-to-put-up-with-your-family that put Jordan Love firmly on the map and inserted some doubt as to whether the Lions would hold onto the NFC North or capitulate as they have so many times before.

Now they get to host a second playoff game in less than one week and are favored to make the NFC Championship. All they have to do is defeat former Cleveland Browns number one overall pick Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers. Doesn’t seem too challenging, right? Just in case Detroit tries to, ya know, pull a Detroit… I’ll grab the points.

The pick: Tampa Bay +6.5

Kansas City @ Buffalo

Ah, get the popcorn ready– er… buffalo wings? BBQ ribs?

No matter your choice of cuisine, this one should be fantastic. I will enjoy very much watching Josh Allen plow over Chris Jones and running for triple digits. I’d like Buffalo to win about 50-0. Of course, I doubt that will happen and I’m super biased.

Kansas City has been way too successful as an underdog for Mahomes’ entire career. Per that link, Kansas City is 9-2-1 against the spread (81.8%) and 8-4 straight up in over 90 NFL games with Mahomes starting. Clearly, it’s not often that KC is an underdog since Mahomes took the reins.

Counter point! I think we can all agree that buffalo wings are far superior to BBQ ribs or burnt ends, right?

The pick: Buffalo -2.5