Championship Weekend: Need We Say More?
We could all be witnessing history this weekend.
NFL Quick Hitters:
Cowboys are in huge trouble - Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer as their head coach. He doesn’t inspire confidence. He wasn’t a hot prospect and hasn’t been a hugely successful assistant. He is well known to Jerry. Probably not anyone that will cause problems inside the building. Jerry will run the show. The media, the players, and even the assistant coaches will know Jerry is the boss. Big trouble. And in addition they’ve hired Eberflus as the DC. Eberflus is fresh off of his disastrous coaching stint at the Bears. This is not a staff to inspire confidence. So, they have a questionable roster, they have two loaded teams in their division that are still young, and a average at best coaching staff. This could be the beginning of the long ride down.
Are the Chiefs villians? - I get the Chiefs fatigue but I’m not part of the group. I love watching them. They are entertaining and play smart, exciting football. Mahomes and Kelce are all-time greats that will end up in the HOF. Do they get breaks? Maybe. But so does every team. Josh Allen has received almost twice as many QB roughing calls as Mahomes has this season. They don’t make mistakes. You have to beat them. They are the best situational team ever. Better than the Patriots. What’s not to love? I want to see a 3-peat. So I’m pulling for the Chiefs. And win or lose their not going anywhere. They’ll be competing for Super Bowls as long as Mahomes is healthy.
3-peat - Only three NFL teams have played in 3 consecutive SB’s. The Miami Dolphins were the first to do it. However, they had lost their first appearance to the Dallas Cowboys, so they won 2 out of 3 games. The Buffalo Bills were in 4 straight Super Bowls but lost them all. And the Patriots were in 3 straight but also lost one game and were 2 of 3 in the games. The Patriots lost the second of teh three games to the Giants. Notice that only AFC East teams have made it to three straight SB’s. Usually, the repeat champions have lost in the championship weekend. Will the Chiefs get by this weekend and give themselves a chance? I hope so. But it’ll be a very tough game. And if they do, they will be the first team to be in the Super Bowl with a chance to 3-peat.
NFL Games: Divisional Weekend
Last week’s totals: 2- 2: Normally, I nail the playoffs. Not so much this year. I’m batting .500. Commanders were great in their win but the injuries and the questionable game calls finally caught up to Lions. It was a bit of a surprise that the Ravens lost. Bills are great Season’s totals: 186 - 76
Survivor pick/Lock of the week: (current streak 3) Eagles - Would love to see the Commanders win this one but just think the Eagles defense is too good. And one thing the Eagles can count on is the running game. Barkley dominates this and scores at least twice.
(Oh, and if you use these picks - or the fantasy lineup at the bottom - to gamble do so at your own risks. I’m a ‘gut feel’ type of picker. I don’t do a computer analysis.)
Divisional Weekend
Saturday Games:
Commanders vs. Eagles - Run. Run. Run. This is all they need to do to win this game. Don’t see the Commanders stopping Barkley or the Eagles line. And the Eagles defense is playing the best in the league and at the perfect time. Don’t believe this one will be close unless the Eagles turn the ball over. Good luck Commanders but Eagles soar. Eagles win.
Bills vs. Chiefs - Anyone betting on this game is likely just betting with their hearts. This game can’t be picked. It’s that close. My heart says pick the Chiefs so I will. But I think the Bills will take this one. Josh Allen has always played well against the Chiefs and in the playoffs. It’s taken Mahomes magic to beat him. Bills don’t make mistakes. Bills don’t turn the ball over. Bills don’t give up big plays. My head says Bills win. My heart says Chiefs. Chiefs win.
My FanDuel lineup: Championship Weekend: Last week: -$15 (Allen, Barkley, Cook, Coleman, Hopkins, Worthy, Goedert, Kelce, Eagles. Season score: +$80
If you want to check out some great reading list and see which books have influenced, surprised, educated, and entertained me, check out my book shop here. The lists grow monthly and I don’t recommend any books I haven’t personally read. Or use my book recommendation engine and specific author chatbots. Check it out. It’s fun.