I’m fully invested in all of these games coming up this weekend. And I want to make picks, but my feelings are getting in the way of what I know to be true on the field.
I like who I like, and most of these teams are full of players who I want to support. So picking against them is going to be hard, but a baby’s gotta do what a baby’s gotta do, I suppose. So let’s get into it.
Bengals @ Titans
I love Joe Burrow and Ja’marr Chase. They are exciting to watch, and I want them to get as much credit as they possibly can. But on the other side, we have the Titans, and they are the #1 seed for a reason. They have been in the playoffs before, they know how do handle themselves deep into January.
I imagine this game being low scoring, with Tennessee using as much clock as they can with that running game, who could have Derrick Henry back. And doing enough on defense to make Burrow uncomfortable.
And there’s the fact that I think no one really wants to see Tennessee represent the AFC in the super bowl, so that just generally gives them a better shot of doing it somehow.
But seriously, this is a good team, that has battled hard all season, and they have good wins against playoff teams.
But they did look shaky against the Texans in week 18, when they needed a win to get the #1 seed. They won of course, but that was cause for concern.
And Joe Burrow has been playing so well, that he cannot be written off in any game that he plays in.
Plus, Derrick Henry may play, but is he 100 percent?
There’s the smallest bit of a limp there, and that gives me just enough confidence to go with Cincinnati, in a game that likely comes down to a field goal either way.
Winner: Bengals
49ers @ Packers
It’s going to be freezing at Lambeau Field on Saturday night, and windy. That bodes well for a team that loves to run the football right? That would favor the 49ers.
But the Packers have Aaron Rodgers.
The Green Bay defense has not played well down the stretch, and when they played a run heavy team like the Cleveland Browns, it took a turnover late for the Packers to win. The 49ers have a running game that is just as dynamic as the Browns.
But the Packers have Aaron Rodgers.
Deebo Samuel has been on a tear since missing a game with an injury, and there is no one in the NFL playing like him right now. Lining up outside, in the slot, in the backfield, no one can get ahold of this guy. He presents a mismatch no matter where you put him.
But the Packers have Aaron Rodgers.
And not only do the Packers have Aaron Rodgers, the 49ers also have Jimmy Garoppolo. And sometimes it’s just that simple. San Francisco has a blueprint to win this game. I will not be shocked if they win this game, but they won’t.
Because the Packers have Aaron Rodgers.
Winner: Packers
*****EDIT*****
EXECUTIVE DECISION – WINNER: 49ERS
I am changing my mind. I am going heart over head with this pick, just because I do truly believe in the rest of San Francisco’s team other than the quarterback.
Rams @ Bucs
The Rams looked like the best defense in football against the Cardinals last weekend. But is that because the Cardinals were that bad, or are the Rams this good?
I have no idea. But if this defense plays like they did on Monday, they can beat any team at any time. Including Tom Brady’s team in the playoffs.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hurt. No Godwin, Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones are banged up, and most importantly Tristan Wirfs, the best player on their offensive line, is hurt too. You are crazy to bet against Tom Brady in the postseason, but he is not unbeatable. Especially if he doesn’t have his full compliment of weapons at his disposal.
The Rams are balanced on offense, have great playmakers on both sides of the ball, and can get home against the other team with 4 rushers. That is the formula to beat Tom Brady, and that’s what it will take to beat him.
I believe the Rams can, and will, do it on Sunday. They have no one to stop Cooper Kupp, and if you commit to stopping him, Odell Beckham Jr. will gladly step right up and make plays. Cam Akers looks like he never was injured, and if they stop him, Sony Michel is right there behind him.
And it only takes one mistake for the Rams’ defense to score a touchdown on any given play. Could be a pick-6, could be a strip sack fumble, but it’s very possible. There’s too much going the way of Los Angeles, and call me crazy, but I’m taking them to win.
Winner: Rams
Bills @ Chiefs
This is hard, because last week I said if we get Super Saiyan Josh Allen, the Bills will win. And that’s what happened. And that’s what will happen Sunday.
At his absolute best, no one in this league has any chance of stopping Josh Allen on defense. He’s too big, too strong, and too talented. He can make any throw on the field, and he can’t be sacked unless he doesn’t see you coming, or you have three players to bring him down.
I don’t care how good the Chiefs’ defense has been, they have nothing for Super Saiyan Josh Allen. But if they get regular person Josh Allen, then we have a game on our hands.
These teams can score with the best of them, and it is not outrageous to believe both of these teams could score 35+ on Sunday.
Both Allen and Patrick Mahomes are prone to mistakes. Mahomes is the more consistent of the two, but he has parts of his game that are not the most polished. He finally decided to start taking checkdowns midseason, but he will sometimes get impatient and try to force something that isn’t there. It has worked multiple times for him before, but you can’t keep testing these defenses.
The Bills have two playmaking safeties that will make Mahomes pay for any mistakes. The Bills have also started to run the ball, which is terrifying.
I love the Chiefs, I love a lot of their players, but when it comes down to it, I have to trust my gut, and my gut says it’s Josh Allen’s time right now.
Winner: Bills
*****EDIT*****
EXECUTIVE DECISION – WINNER: CHIEFS
Again, heart over head here. It’s the Chiefs, it’s Patrick Mahomes. I’m betting that Josh Allen does not get to the level that we saw him at last week.
Wow, I feel a lot better now.
Brandon Jackson 
Leave a comment