Broncos Post-Super Bowl Outlook

 With Super Bowl LIX over and the 2024 season officially in the books, the attention turns to the Broncos and the offseason. Everyone is back to 0-0 and in two weeks the NFL Scouting Combine will take place in Indianapolis with free agency starting the second week of March, and the NFL Draft in April. The offseason will be up and running very soon. This offseason will be very exciting for the Broncos and their fans. We are coming off a playoff berth, and we have our young QB in Bo Nix in place. Now, it is about adding pieces to this team's core and taking the next step. Bronco fans can watch the combine, draft prep, and free agency with a sense of optimism and hope that we can add to this roster and continue to build the team. Every year on the day of the Super Bowl, I think about how close the Broncos are to actually getting back to the Super Bowl. Last year, at this time it felt like we were so far away. The Broncos were going to be moving on from Russell Wilson and Sean Payton was going to have to find that next QB. We were also about to move on from key veterans. It felt like the Broncos were in a bad place. Fast forward a year and the Broncos are closer to the Super Bowl than they have been since 2015. That is a good thing and makes this offseason fun and exciting. 

Super Bowl LIX Recap and Reaction

 The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl champs after dismantling the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Sunday. The Eagles completely dominated the game and it was a blowout from the very beginning. Philly won their second Super Bowl in franchise history and avenged their loss to the Chiefs two years ago. Kansas City was denied a three-peat as they fell short of winning three straight Super Bowl titles. Here are my thoughts and reactions to the game....

1) This game was a complete domination by the Eagles. Their defensive line completely destroyed Patrick Mahomes and that KC offensive line. The Chiefs couldn't do anything. They couldn't block the Eagles, and Mahomes got sacked six times and was running for his life throughout. It was also the worst game I have ever seen Mahomes play.

2) When Mahomes got intercepted by Cooper DeJean and he returned for a touchdown to make it 17-0 in the second quarter, I felt like the game was over at that point. I didn't think KC was coming back. After Philly made it 24-0 right before the half, it was really over. 

3) As much as I was rooting for the Eagles to win, the game was never close and it was a blowout-which is a bummer. You want the Super Bowl to be a close game no matter who is in it, and this was a complete demolition by the Eagles. It was 24-0 at halftime and 40-6 in the 4th quarter before the Chiefs got garbage time touchdowns. We usually get close games in the Super Bowl, but every once in a while you get a blowout. This game reminded me of the Seahawks-Broncos game in Super Bowl XLVIII. It was over from the get-go.

4) Give the Eagles credit. They collapsed last season, and there was a lot of heat on head coach Nick Sirianni, but after starting this season 2-2, they righted the ship and went 14-3. They dominated both Washington and Kansas City in the NFC Championship and Super Bowl respectively. GM Howie Roseman deserves a lot of credit for building this team and retooling the roster for this year. No one thought that QB Jalen Hurts would develop to be this good of a NFL quarterback after being drafted in the second round in 2020, but he has exceeded expectations and was named Super Bowl MVP. The Eagles now have their second Super Bowl title, and they look to be a force for years to come in the NFC.

5) As far as KC is concerned, I think this will just make them adjust and restock their roster in certain ways. Look, they still have Patrick Mahomes. He is only 29 years old, so no matter what, he is still going to be back and will give the Chiefs a really good chance at getting back to many more Super Bowls in the future. I don't think this will affect them too much in the AFC. The conference still runs through Kansas City. This is a setback, but the Chiefs are going anywhere. 

6) The loss does quiet the whole "Patrick Mahomes is the greatest QB ever" talk for a little while. That title still belongs to Tom Brady. Mahomes will take a backseat on that for a while. Plus, I also think it quiets the discussion for Andy Reid being the greatest coach in NFL history. Both of those discussions took a hit on Sunday and for the time being are not a conversation. 

7) For the past three years, every time we thought the Chiefs could get beat the argument against it was that they have Pat Mahomes and he will find a way to win-even if the other team is better. Well, now going into next year, we can stop using that theory when we are analyzing the Chiefs in big games. The Eagles put an end to that in dominating fashion and showed that Mahomes and the Chiefs are vulnerable in big games.

8) It was a Super Bowl that really didn't have a lot of storylines or hype going into it, and the game fell flat because it was such a blowout. The legacy of this game will be the Eagles and their dominance of the great Patrick Mahomes. The Eagles defensive performance is right up there with other great defensive efforts in the Super Bowl like the 2000 Ravens, 2002 Bucs, 1985 Bears, and 2015 Broncos. 

9) The Super Bowl is over and the Eagles will have their parade in a few days and that puts a wrap on the 2024 NFL season. I'll have some thoughts on the Broncos going into the offseason in a few days, but it is always sad when the NFL season is over. It will be quiet here for a few weeks and then we will turn our attention to free agency and the draft in March and April. 

Super Bowl LIX Preview and Pick

Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans features the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. It is a rematch from Super Bowl LVII which the Chiefs won 38-35 two years ago. The Chiefs are going for their third straight Super Bowl, which has never been done before. The Eagles are in the Super Bowl for the third time in eight seasons but have an overall record of 1-3 in the Super Bowl. Both the Chiefs and the Eagles were two of the top contenders in the entire NFL this year, so it is not a surprising Super Bowl matchup- at all. As I always like to do, I'll first take a look at the storylines that surround the game, then give a preview and make a pick.

Super Bowl LIX Storylines:

I) The Chiefs Three Peat: The Chiefs are looking to do something no team has done in the Super Bowl era: Complete a three-peat. The Steelers of the 70s, the 49ers of the 80s, the Cowboys of the 90s, and even the Patriots in their two-decade run never pulled off the three peat. The Chiefs are on the verge of doing that with a win this Sunday and that would be a very significant historical moment in the history of the Super Bowl.

II) The Mahomes/Reid Legacy: Patrick Mahomes in only 29, and he is on the verge of winning his fourth Super Bowl title. He has already put himself in the conversation of the greatest QB of all time, and if he pulls of the three-peat, it is just going to add to it. Andy Reid is on the verge of winning four Super Bowls as a head coach, and he is getting close to overtaking Bill Belichick and even Don Shula as the winningest coach in NFL history. 

III) Revenge of the Eagles:  Philadelphia has been one of the best and most successful NFL franchises over the last 20 years. They are consistently a contender in the NFC and almost won the Super Bowl two years ago against the Chiefs. They only have one Super Bowl title to show for it. This is a huge opportunity to get revenge on the Chiefs from a few years ago and give the city of Philadelphia their second Super Bowl title. The 49ers couldn't get revenge in the rematch with the Chiefs last year, but now Philly gets their shot.

IV) The Boring Super Bowl Matchup: Let's face it: This Super Bowl matchup isn't exactly ripe with anticipation and excitement. It just isn't. All year long, the Lions were the team everyone wanted to see in the Super Bowl for the NFC. The Bills were the sentimental team in the AFC. EVERYONE wanted to see a Bills-Lions Super Bowl, but we didn't get that. We got the Chiefs once again, and we got the Eagles. People are tired of the Chiefs. They are tired of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. Outside of Philly/South Jersey, no one likes the Eagles or roots for the Eagles. No one likes their obnoxious fanbase. It is a Super Bowl that no one really wanted to see. It has the real opportunity to be a really good and close game, but there's not a lot of juice there otherwise. There were other Super Bowl matchups that presented a much more interesting set of storylines, but this one doesn't have that. 

Super Bowl LVIII

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Last Week's Playoff Record: 1-1

Overall Playoff Record: 4-7-1

Overall Total Record: 148-128-11

A Case for the Chiefs: All year long the Chiefs have escaped with close wins all season long. They have found a way to survive each week. It just feels inevitable that they will find a way to win a close game. It feels like all year they are on a mission to finish it off and get the three peat. You can't bet against Patrick Mahomes, and you know he will find a way. The coaching edge leans heavily in favor of Andy Reid over Nick Sirriani. You also have to love the matchup with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo going up against the Eagles offense. The Super Bowl has been around almost 60 years and we are due for a team to win three in a row. 

A Case for the Eagles: They might have the better team overall. Pound for pound the Eagles have the advantage. Their talent on the roster is better than KC. Saquon Barkley can just take this game over by himself and win the game with an epic performance. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has a lot of experience going up against Reid and Mahomes. Maybe the Chiefs luck runs out and the Eagles pick them off in a close game. 

Prediction: Kansas City (-1.5) over Philadelphia: The Chiefs pull out a close game late and complete the three peat and win their third straight Super Bowl, their fourth in the past five years, and their fifth in franchise history. 

Final Score: Chiefs-27 Eagles-24

Championship Sunday Picks

As we head into Championship Sunday and the final four teams are left, I always like to rank the possible Super Bowl matchups that could potentially take place based on the four teams left. They are ranked in order of most favorable to least favorable, and a lot of it is based on storylines, legacy, history etc...

1) Buffalo vs Philadelphia: The Bills going for their first ever Super Bowl win against the Eagles, who are looking for their second Super Bowl victory.

2) Kansas City vs Philadelphia: The Chiefs are going for the three-peat, which has never been done in Super Bowl history, and it's a rematch of the Super Bowl from two years ago.

3) Kansas City vs Washington: The Chiefs are going for the three-peat against the underdog in Washington. Jayden Daniels goes up against Patrick Mahomes in a passing of the torch type of game.

4) Buffalo vs Washington: The Bills going for their first Super Bowl victory against the upstart team in Washington. Josh Allen against Jayden Daniels. A rematch from Super Bowl XXVI. 

Now, onto the picks for the AFC and NFC Championship Games...

Last Week's Playoff Record: 2-1-1

Playoff Record: 3-6-1

Overall Record: 147-127-11

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

NFC Championship Game

(6) Washington Commanders at (2) Philadelphia Eagles

A Case for the Commanders:  After their huge upset over the Lions last week in Detroit during the Divisional Playoffs, you have to make the case that the Commanders can go all the way to the Super Bowl. No one picked them to beat the Lions, and they pulled it off. Jayden Daniels is playing lights out, and he is making the leap into one of the best QBs in the league in only his rookie year. It's pretty amazing to watch how good he has been all year long. Washington is the underdog again, and they are still playing with house money. This is their first appearance in a NFC Championship Game since 1991. Their season is a success no matter what happens.

A Case for the Eagles: They got a break when Detroit was upset by Washington, and the Eagles get to host the NFC Title game. They have been one of the five Super Bowl contending teams all year long, and now they get a chance to advance to the Super Bowl with a home win over a division rival. It just seems like it played out perfectly for the Eagles. Saquon Barkley was amazing again last week in the win over the Rams. No matter how much the Eagles offense has struggled the last month, they always have Barkley to fall back on. He is playing at that high of a level. He can take this game over himself and put the Eagles on his back.

Prediction: Washington (+6) over PHILADELPHIA: The Eagles find a way to win a close one over Washington, and they advance to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years and the fifth time in franchise history. 

Final Score: Eagles-27 Commanders-23

AFC Championship Game

(2) Buffalo Bills at (1) Kansas City Chiefs

A Case for the Bills: This could be the year the Bills finally knock off the Chiefs. They beat them in the regular season, and it has felt like we were headed to a Josh Allen vs. Patrick Mahomes Championship Game since September. The Bills offense is playing at such a high level and it is really tough to stop Allen. He will not be intimidated by the Chiefs and their crowd in Arrowhead. They have played big games before. The Bills blew that Divisional Game three years ago in KC (The 13 Second Game), but it feels like it is their time for revenge and to slay the dragon.

A Case for the Chiefs: They have found ways to win all year long. No matter the situation or the moment, they have found a way. It feels like Patrick Mahomes is on a mission to get that three-peat, and you have to like what you saw out of Travis Kelce in the Divisional Playoff win over Houston. He looked like he was rested and fresh just for this postseason run. Each week a new player on the Chiefs finds a way to make a big play. Whether it is on special teams or defense, someone always makes that critical play. It just feels like they are about to make history and win three Super Bowls in a row.

Prediction: KANSAS CITY (-1.5) over Buffalo: The Chiefs win a classic over the Bills and advance to the Super Bowl for the fifth time in six years with a chance to go for the three-peat.

Final Score: Chiefs-26 Bills-24

Divisional Round Picks

Last Week's Playoff Record: 1-5

Final Regular Season Record: 143-116-10

Overall Record: 144-121-10

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

AFC Divisional Playoff 

(4) Houston Texans at (1) Kansas City Chiefs

A Case for the Texans: The Texans were in the game at KC but fell apart late and lost. They can learn from that game and use that as a way to combat the Chiefs this time. No one is picking them. In fact, no one picked them last week against the Chargers, and they rolled them. They will use the fact that as motivation in this game. The pressure is on the Chiefs, and the Texans are continuing to build their program. They can play fast and loose in this one.

A Case for the Chiefs: It might be their year to make history and get a three-peat in the Super Bowl Era-something that has not been done. The Chiefs went 15-2 this year and they won a lot of close games, but they ended on real high note by beating the Texans and Steelers to clinch the #1 seed in the AFC. They rested their starters in Week 18 at Denver, they got healthy, and are now focused to make their run. We all know how hard it is to win in Arrowhead in January as well.

Prediction: KANSAS CITY (-8) over Houston: The Chiefs defeat the Texans and advance to their 7th straight AFC Championship Game. They get one step closer to a possible Super Bowl three-peat.

Final Score: Chiefs-29 Texans-16

NFC Divisional Playoff

(6) Washington Commanders at (1) Detroit Lions

A Case for the Commanders: Jayden Daniels is the real deal and after leading his team to late win last Sunday night in Tampa in his first playoff game, you can't count him out. The moment won't be too big for the rookie. Washington has had a great season, and they have already won a playoff game. They are big underdogs here in this spot, so they can play relaxed and just go have fun. No one is giving them a chance to win and all the pressure is on the Lions. 

A Case for the Lions: Although the pressure is on the Lions, it has had the feeling that this is the Lions year. Since they blew that NFC Championship Game last year to the 49ers, they have been on a mission this year to get back. They went 15-2 in the regular season and secured the #1 seed in the NFC and homefield advantage. That crowd at Ford Field will be rocking Saturday night. It just feels like it is their year and breakthrough and get to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. I think they come out on fire in this game and don't let up. 

Prediction: DETROIT (-9) over Washington: The Lions take care of business and advance to their second straight NFC Championship Game.

Final Score: Lions-34 Commanders-17

NFC Divisional Playoff

(4) Los Angeles Rams at (2) Philadelphia Eagles

A Case for the Rams: The Rams were impressive on both sides of the ball in their win on Monday night over the Vikings in the Wild Card Round. I think you have to give the edge to Sean McVay in the coaching department in this one. The Rams have been to a Super Bowl in recent years, and they won't be overwhelmed in this moment in Philadelphia. You can throw in the emotional aspect of it too. They are playing for the Los Angeles area and all the emotions with the wildfires and damage that LA has experienced the past two weeks. Sometimes, those things can inspire a team.

A Case for the Eagles: The Eagles have been one of the five best teams in the NFL for a majority of the season. Although their win was sloppy at times last week over the Packers, they get another home game this week. Jalen Hurts might have needed last week to get some rust out after being out with a concussion for a few weeks. Perhaps he lights it up this week. Although I give Sean McVay the edge over Eagles HC Nick Sirianni, I do think that Eagles DC Vic Fangio can come up with something to counter McVay's offense. He has done that in the past to the Rams. It feels like we are headed for a Eagles-Lions collision in the NFC Title Game. 

Prediction: Los Angeles (+6) over PHILADELPHIA: The Eagles survive a close won and pull it out late over the Rams. Philly advances to the NFC Championship for the second time in three years. 

Final Score: Eagles-24 Rams-23

AFC Divisional Playoff

(3) Baltimore Ravens at (2) Buffalo Bills

A Case for the Ravens: The Ravens are in the small circle of about 4-5 teams that are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Watching them demolish the Steelers last week in the Wild Card Round made me think that they are on a run here to the Super Bowl. The combination of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry might be just too much for any team-no matter where the game is played. Another little tidbit in their favor: They won a Super Bowl in 2000 and 2012. Now, will they add their third Super Bowl twelve years after the last one? Maybe it is destiny. 

A Case for the Bills: After watching Buffalo dismantle the Broncos last week, it felt like they have so much going for them. Obviously, Josh Allen is playing at a high level. They can run the ball, throw it to an array of different receivers, and if all else fails, Allen will bail them out. I think the homefield crowd in Buffalo will be a huge factor-especially for the Bills defense. Plus, it is supposed to be really, really cold on Sunday night when this game kicks off, and I think the Bills have an advantage in that weather. Most people are picking the Ravens, and the Bills are an underdog at home, and I think that will fuel them all week long. 

Prediction: BUFFALO (+1) over Baltimore: In a heavyweight battle between two top teams and two MVP caliber QBS, the Bills win a classic and knock off the Ravens to advance to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 2020.

Final Score: Bills-27 Ravens-24

Broncos Fall to Bills 31-7 in Wild Card Playoff Game

 The Broncos season ended in Buffalo on Sunday at the hands of the #2 seed Bills by a score of 31-7. This was result was not a surprise and the Broncos were heavy underdogs going into the game, but the finality of the season ending is always tough. It was a great season for the Broncos. 10-7 and a playoff berth for the first time in 8 years is something to be proud of. Rookie QB Bo Nix leading us to the playoffs and establishing himself as the guy going forward is also something to be excited about.  So many critics around the NFL picked Denver to finish last in the AFC West, not win more than 5 games, and possibly picking in the Top 3 of next year's NFL Draft. Denver exceeded all those expectations and turned their rebuild into a reboot and made the playoffs ahead of schedule. It still doesn't take away from some of the sting from the loss in Buffalo on Sunday. It should fuel the Broncos all offseason and get them ready to take a bigger step next year. Here are my thoughts and observation on the game.....

1) You can't ask for a better start than what the Broncos did on their opening drive. Denver gets the ball first and scores a touchdown in five plays to take an early 7-0 lead. Bo Nix hit Troy Franklin (finally) on a deep route for a 43 yard TD to give Denver the early score. What a way to start the game and after an eight year playoff drought, this was so exciting. It was a great moment that unfortunately did not last too long.

2) After Buffalo stormed back to take a 10-7, a key moment in the game happened. Sean Payton called for a fake punt from the Denver 43 on a 4th and 8. Punter Riley Dixon hit Marvin Mims for a 15 yard gain and a first down at the Buffalo 42. Unfortunately, Denver punted three plays later and never capitalized on the fake punt. I thought that was a real key moment in the game.

3) After getting the ball at their own 8 right before the half, I thought another key moment happened in the game when the Broncos drove the ball to the Bills 32 yard line, but Will Lutz missed a 50 yard field goal attempt when the kick hit the right upright and was no good. Instead of going into halftime tied at 10,  the Broncos still trailed.

4) After Buffalo kicked a field goal to make it 13-7 in the 3rd quarter, a key Troy Franklin drop on third down forced a three and out for Denver. I thought there were some key drops in the game, and Franklin's drop was big there. 

5) The next key turning point of the game was on the Bills next drive they had a 4th and 1 from the Denver 24. Josh Allen kept buying time and they threw a TD pass to Ty Johnson in the back of the endzone. Johnson dove to catch on the end line and it looked questionable. You really couldn't get a good look to see if it was incomplete and it was close, but the called stood and it was a TD. The Bills converted a 2 point conversion and it was 21-7 with 3:06 to go in the 3rd quarter. That was essentially the game right there.

6) The Bills added another Josh Allen TD pass on the first play of the 4th quarter to make it 28-7. Denver only threatened one more time, but they turned it over on downs in Buffalo territory midway through the 4th. A game that was 13-7 and Buffalo facing a 4th and 1 with only 3:06 left in the 3rd quarter, turned into a blowout 31-7 game in a matter of moments.

7) The Broncos were just no match for Buffalo. The Bills controlled the time of possession (41:43-18:17), they outgained Denver 471 to 224, and had 26 first downs to Denver's 13. The Bills were in control of the game throughout even though it was only a six point game in the 3rd quarter. 

8) The Broncos came in as heavy underdogs, and really no one was picking them to win the game. They exit the playoffs with a blowout loss to a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They got a taste of the playoffs, but the key is to now somehow get a home playoff game, or be a higher seed as a wild card and get a more favorable opponent. 

9) There is nothing like the feeling of a NFL playoff game when your favorite team is in it. All week the excitement and anticipation builds. By the time the game starts, you feel like your team is going to win. You think about the game from every angle all week long whether you are at work, home, or driving around town. This week was the same for me as a Broncos fan. I knew Denver was heavy underdogs and it was a longshot to pull off the upset, but the anticipation was there all week. Just waking up on Sunday morning knowing that Denver was going to be playing a playoff game was so awesome. I brought back an old routine I used to do on playoff gamedays: I played NFL Films music in the background as I was doing things around the house getting ready for the game. I played Broncos 2024 highlights on the TV in the hours before the game. At 12:30, a half an hour before kickoff, I ran to the store with my sons to buy them a pack of iced tea for the game. It was great walking into Key Food with all our Broncos gear on and then rushing right back home. The best part of this gameday was experiencing a Broncos playoff game with my sons, Anthony and Nicholas. They were so excited and we were so pumped getting ready for the game to start. It was really special. Then the game started, and the Broncos scored five plays into the game, and it was one of those awesome moments that I wish I could bottle up. Although it didn't end the way we had hoped, I'll always remember the moments leading up to the game starting with my family. To see my boys getting ready for a Broncos playoff game is good enough for me.

10) The Broncos now head into the offseason, and there will be time to preview that down the road. Today, it is time to reflect on the season we had this year. The 2024 season was a success, and I will be looking back very fondly at this year in the offseason. The Broncos got back to the playoffs, found their QB of the future, and set themselves up with cap space and draft picks to build on this year. For the first time in eight years, it feels like the Broncos are actually heading in the right direction as a franchise. Go Broncos!

Broncos-Bills Preview and the Wild Card Weekend Picks!

It's been a long time since I was able to do a preview of a Broncos playoff game. It feels good to be able to do that this week. The Broncos head to Buffalo on Sunday to take on the #2 seed Bills in Orchard Park. There is nothing like that anticipation of a playoff game in the NFL the week leading up to it. You are constantly thinking about the game and by the end of the week you have played out all the different scenarios of how it is going to go. You have yourself convinced that your team is going to win and you just can't wait for kickoff. That is feeling I'm having as this week went on about the Broncos. This will be a very difficult task for the Broncos to go into Buffalo and take down the heavily favored Bills and Josh Allen. Here are the storylines going into this game and a prediction......

1) The Broncos are playing with house money. No one predicted Denver would make the playoffs this year. No one saw this as a 10 win team. No one expected this result out of the Broncos in year two of the Sean Payton regime, but here they are. There is no pressure on Denver in this game. They can play fast and loose as the big underdog and lay it all out there and see what happens.

2) On the flip side, all the pressure is on the Bills. Buffalo has to get to the Super Bowl or at least the AFC Championship Game this year or it is a failure of a season. They can't go out in the Wild Card round at home as heavy favorites. Maybe that forces them to play tight?

3) Can the Broncos actually stop Josh Allen? If Denver has any chance to win this game, they have to figure out a way to contain Josh Allen. He will probably win the MVP this year, but Denver has to find a way to frustrate him and make him commit turnovers like they did in the Monday Night game last year in Buffalo.

4) Will the spotlight of a playoff game get to Bo Nix? Nix has exceeded all expectations this year, but once the playoffs begin, the stakes get so much higher. Hopefully, Nix is up to the challenge in a tough environment

5) Speaking of environments, the Broncos have not played a really cold game this year. That will change on Sunday in Buffalo. They are expecting a high of 29 degrees on Sunday and there is always the threat of snow. It worries me because I don't know how the Broncos will handle a real, cold-weather game in the elements.

6) The last time Denver played in a playoff game was Super Bowl 50 in February of 2106. Von Miller was the Super Bowl 50 MVP. Now, Miller is a member of the Bills, and he will be going up against the Broncos in their first playoff game since that Super Bowl. That's a pretty cool thing to me.

7) We have seen some monumental upsets in the playoffs in the past. Last year, Green Bay went into Dallas as the 7 seed and shocked the #2 seeded Cowboys. The 1987 Divisional Playoff comes to mind when the Vikings went into Candlestick Park and upset the 49ers. Of course, Denver remembers when the Jaguars went into Mile High and shocked the Broncos in the 1996 Divisional Round. If the Broncos upset the Bills, that would qualify as one of the major upsets in NFL playoff history.

8) The bottom line is that if you are making the case for the Broncos to win this one it would the following formula: Defense limits Josh Allen and gets turnovers, Bills play tight, Broncos play loose, and Bo Nix has a "take the leap" kind of game.

Prediction: Denver (+8.5) over BUFFALO

Final Score: Bills-29 Broncos-22

Now, onto the picks for Wild Card Weekend....

Last Week's Record: 11-4-1

 Final Regular Season Overall Record: 143-116-10

(Home Team in CAPS)

AFC Wild Card Game

(5) Los Angeles Chargers at (4) Houston Texans

A Case for the Chargers: They are probably the better team at this point in the season. Jim Harbaugh is great coach that will have them ready. Justin Herbert is playing at a high level, and can win this game themselves. Weather and homefield advantage shouldn't be too much of a factor in Houston's favor. 

A Case for the Texans: A lot of people are picking the Chargers to win. Houston feels like an afterthought at this point. They still have C.J. Stroud and even though he had a little bit of a regression this year, he is still a really good player that can win this game himself. Their defense should be able to match up with the Chargers weapons and DeMeco Ryans is a helluva coach and he will have his team ready.

Prediction: Chargers (-3) over HOUSTON: Justin Herbert makes just enough plays to pull out the road win to give the Chargers their first playoff win since 2018.

Final Score: Chargers-24 Texans-20

AFC Wild Card Game

(6) Pittsburgh Steelers at (3) Baltimore Ravens

A Case for the Steelers: After losing four straight games to end the season at 10-7, everyone is counting out the Steelers. They can use that as motivation, and you know Mike Tomlin will be doing that. They will be comfortable in the underdog role, and they know Baltimore inside and out. The pressure will be on the Ravens and that will help Pittsburgh.

A Case for the Ravens: They are the better team right now as evidenced by their 34-17 win over the Steelers in Week 16. They are at home and the game is Saturday night, so the home crowd will be rocking in Baltimore. Lamar Jackson is playing at a MVP level once again, and he might just be too good for the Steelers to handle.

Prediction: Steelers (+9.5) over BALTIMORE: The Steelers will keep it closer than people think, but in the end it will be too much Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will advance to the Divisional Round for the fourth time in six years.

Final Score: Ravens-26 Steelers-20

NFC Wild Card Game

(7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Philadelphia Eagles

A Case for the Packers: They can play fast and loose like they did last year when they went into Dallas and upset the Cowboys as the 7th seed. Jordan Love has won a playoff game on the road already, and Matt LaFleur will have his team ready to play. Maybe Jalen Hurts is a little rusty after missing a few games with a concussion. Everyone is picking the Eagles and the pressure is all on Philly.

A Case for the Eagles: They are the better team, and they have the better defense and are at home. They have that all in their favor. I think Vic Fangio will dial up some defensive schemes that could frustrate Jordan Love. Also, Saquon Barkley can literally take this game over himself. It seems like we are headed to a Philly-Detroit showdown in the NFC Title Game.

Prediction: PHILADELPHIA (-4) over Green Bay: Philly takes care of business at home, and heads to the Divisional Round for the second time in three years.

Final Score: Eagles-30 Packers-20

NFC Wild Card Game

(6) Washington Commanders at (3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A case for the Commanders: They have Jayden Daniels, and he can win this game outright. I don't think the moment will be too big for him. Dan Quinn has done a great job with this group this year, and they will come in with no pressure at all. They can play fast and loose and take chances. They definitely have a solid chance to win this game-even on the road.

A case for the Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield is playing at a MVP level. He can carry this offense to a victory. I think the homefield advantage should be a factor in this game in Tampa's favor. The sexy pick is Washington in this game, and that makes me think this is going the other way and Tampa will win.

Prediction: TAMPA BAY (-3) over Washington: Good back and forth game, but Mayfield carries the Bucs to a win and they advance to the Divisional Round for the second straight year.

Final Score: Buccaneers-26 Commanders-18

NFC Wild Card Game

(5) Minnesota Vikings at (4) Los Angeles Rams

A case for the Vikings: The Vikings finished at 14-3 and are a well-rounded team. Their defense should play in this game. Sam Darnold had a terrific season, and if he plays well, the Vikings will have a solid chance to advance. Kevin O'Connell is a really good head coach, and he will have his team ready to play. I don't think the homefield will be factor because the Vikings fans really travel well-especially with this game in LA.

A case for the Rams: They beat the Vikings earlier in the year on a Thursday night game, so they know they can win. I think resting Matthew Stafford and a bunch of their key players in Week 18 will help them in this game. They will be rested and ready. Sean McVay is such a good coach that he will have the Rams ready to go. I think there is a belief that if the Rams win this one, they can go on a run in these playoffs.

Prediction: Minnesota (-1) over LA RAMS: This might be the game of the weekend. The Vikings pull one out late and advance to the Divisional Round for the first time since 2019.

Final Score: Vikings-25 Rams-22