It’s Championship weekend. We’re really getting into the thick of it here. There really isn’t much to say. The playoffs are intense and there is going to be some good football this afternoon. So just take a look at BrendawnoftheDead’s, Concret3Cowboy’s and my picks for the two biggest games of the year. Then kick back with your favorite beverage, a few snacks and simply enjoy.
Divisional Records:
Blind Owl: 3-1
Concret3Cowboy: 3-1
BrendawnoftheDead: 2-2
Playoff Record:
Blind Owl: 5-5
Concret3Cowboy: 6-4
BrendawnoftheDead: 4-6
Message from Concret3Cowboy: More of the same, Cowboy in first. Could lock it in this week.
SF @ PHI: PHI -2.5
Blind Owl: Philly is the obvious favorite here. They’ve dominated their way through the Giants and really enjoyed that first week bye. What really worries me is the total lack of playoff battles they’ve been in. Brock Purdy has only had 3 playoff games and is more battle tested than Jalen Hurts. San Fran’s defense is just so damn good. Couple that with the fact that they also beat the Cowboys who the Eagles lost to down the stretch. Hurts didn’t play in that game, but I’ve said before that it is more the talent around him than him being great. No matter who is at QB for San Fran, they just keep winning. With all that being said, great defense beats great offense almost every time. For that reason I’ll take the 9ers with the points.
Concret3Cowboy: Philly looked like the best team in the NFL (like they have for a good portion of the season), it was also against the worst team on the NFC side left in the tournament. I can’t say I know much about Philly, besides their coach is a jackass but they are just as much of a complete team as the Bengals (who I consider the most complete team in the league) are. I don’t think San Fran can compete in a shootout solely because Purdy hasn’t done it yet. San Fran can get their run game on, but if they lose control of the game at any point they won’t be able to keep up. I’m leaning Philly here.
BrendawnoftheDead: I'm expecting a shootout, please don't disappoint. Sam Francisco has an excellent defense, but you can throw on them. Philly has a lot of weapons to throw to. This will be the week where Purdy looks like a rookie because the Eagles have an unreal pass rush. Philly wins by at least three.
CIN @ KC: KC -1
Blind Owl: Well here we go again. A rematch from last year. When I first started to look at these games, the Bengals were road favorites at -2.5. I was salivating at the thought of the Chiefs getting some points at home. I knew the Cowboy was going to pick Cincy, so I was begging for the spread to stay still. Then it went to even in the middle of the week and I was less enthused. I knew that was more like it, but the Mahomes ankle injury had people skittish, but they’ve come to their senses. Unfortunately, the same thinking that I had about KC getting points is applicable to Cincy getting anything. The spread has even moved a half point towards KC since I put them on the template. Mahomes ankle must be fine. It would be dumb not to take the points here. So as much as I despise Joe Burrow and his super confidence and dumb “stylish” thing everybody is frothing at the loins about, I have to be smart and take the Bengals. I already differ from the other guys in the NFC title game, so I have to keep it close before the Super Bowl. Hopefully the Bengals can cover and lose at the same time.
Concret3Cowboy: The Owl has been nagging me to do my picks so he can be the one who sees what Brendawn and I have written before he throws his hat in but I digress. I like Cincy here but there’s a couple of things making me nervous. A) The chiefs are pissed. B) The Mayor of Cincy got in on the fun of poking the red kingdom. C) Andy Reid and Mahomes will get theirs against Cincy. When will they do that? Who knows, but it could very well be this game. The Bengals dominated the Bills last week with a withered offensive line. We’ve been saying the Bengals line has been bad all year but so did everyone last season. Fuck the Chiefs.
BrendawnoftheDead: Burrow just seems to get it done vs the Chiefs. Mahomes is hobbled and it couldn't come at a worse time. The Bengals made the Bills look bad last week and the Chiefs struggled with the Jaguars. I believe in momentum, Bengals by a touchdown.
