SANTA CLARA, CA – After a thrilling and eventful opening Wild Card weekend of playoff football, now is the time to shift things to the Divisional Round, with some old-school matchups such as the Niners and Cowboys and ancient division feuds such as Giants vs. Eagles.
Let’s go!
NFC
Dallas Cowboys (4) vs. San Francisco 49ers (2): Hard to believe it’s been a year since the now infamous slide by Dak Prescott in the closing moments of last year’s latest classic between these bitter old rivals. And if the ninth all-time meeting between these two storied franchises is anything like the previous eight, then NFL fans are in for a treat.
America’s Team rides into Silicon Valley with a swagger as big as their state after defeating the G.O.A.T. in possibly his last-ever NFL game and a renewed vigor in winning their first road playoff game since the 90’s, while the Niners’ hopes rest on The Boy Wonder in Brock Purdy and that relentless pass rush.
While the game is in Santa Clara and not Arlington, look for a motivated and in-rhythm Prescott to finally come up big when it matters most and exact some ol’ cowboy justice in The Bay.
Pick: Cowboys 31-27
New York Giants (6) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (1): Hard to believe that Daniel Jones has posted the second-best QB passer rating after Joe Burrow over the last month, and has completed 70 percent (70.3) of his passes, passed for 1,141 yards and thrown six touchdowns and one interception during that span.
If he hopes to continue that hot streak, he will need to lean heavily on the quads of Saquon Barkley once again, as well as his own in extending plays against an always aggressive Eagles pass rush. While the eagles are vulnerable with a compromised Jalen Hurts, they will still be a tough matchup for a surging Giants team, that is beginning to peak at the right time.
Pick: UPSET! Giants pluck Eagles 24-21
AFC
Jacksonville Jaguars (4) vs Kansas City Chiefs (1): The Jags are not who we thought they were in their shocking upset win over the Chargers. Make no mistake the Chiefs are not the Chargers, and they have Patrick Mahomes, while Jacksonville has an ascending Trevor Lawrence.
It just won’t be enough on this day.
Pick: Chiefs win 34-21
Cincinnati Bengals (3) vs. Buffalo Bills (2): Let’s call this the Damar Hamlin Game. With their last meeting being called a no contest between both, both teams get a fresh and clean slate up in Orchard Park. Both teams come in looking shaky in putting away pesky division rivals in the Ravens and Dolphins respectfully.
People tend to forget that Joey B is not even a year removed from being an Aaron Donald sack away from being a Super Bowl champion, and it would be wise to not bet against an always dangerous Bengals team.
Buffalo looked less like the proverbial world-beaters they were supposed to be in escaping Skylar Thompson, 34-31. And Burrow is no Thompson.
That being said, look for Bills Mafia to break some tables Sunday evening!
Pick: Buffalo 34-31