Washington Redskins (sorry, they'll always be Redskins to me) (+6) at Philadelphia Eagles: These NFC East rivals split their two regular seasons matchups with the home team winning each contest. The 'skins seemed like a fun, hang loose team with a bright future for most of the season. However, they elevated to a team capable of making a deep playoff run after a thrilling 36-33 come-from-behind win over Philly in Week 16, a win which denied Philly a chance at the top seed in the NFC. And given his body of work during the regular season and playoffs, rookie QB Jayden Daniels is downright unflappable.
If I had a vote, Eagles RB Saquon Barkley would be league MVP. Despite quarterback Jalen Hurts having a lackluster season, Barkley led the NFL with 2,005 yards rushing. By midseason, opposing teams pretty much assumed Barkley was the Eagles' offense, yet they still couldn't slow him down. And given the Commies allowed 4.8 yards per rush (28th in the NFL) during the regular season and Barkley himself totaled 296 yards and 4 rushing TDs in the two games against Washington, Sunday's game plan seems set in stone. That and the Eagles' top tier defense will put the clamps down on Daniels & Co.
Philadelphia 27 Washington 17
Buffalo Bills (+1-1/2) at Kansas City Chiefs: An editor's note before I weigh in on the game: I have absolutely zero issue with how often cameras pan to Taylor Swift whenever the Chiefs have a positive play, when game coverage resumes after a commercial, etc. As long as there aren't gratuitous shots of Tay Tay during literal game action, I honestly don't care how much screen time she receives. That said, it's only fair that there are reaction shots of Hailee Steinfeld when her fiancé (who happens to be the Bills' starting quarterback) has solid plays. In fact, I demand equal time.
Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.
The rivalry between Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is becoming the modern day Peyton Manning v. Tom Brady. The two QBs have faced off eight times with Allen up 4-1 in regular season games while Mahomes has a perfect 3-0 record in the playoffs. Manning eventually broke through and won Super Bowls, but not before being dealt two losses to Brady in the playoffs. Can Allen ultimately overcome the specter of Mahomes & Co.?
My mantra when making NFL predictions in Brady's Patriot years was I never pick against the combo of QB Brady and coach Bill Belichick in home playoff games. I have now transferred that philosophy to the Chiefs duo of Mahomes and coach Andy Reid. It won't be easy, but as they've done so often in this incredible six-year stretch, KC will find a way.
Kansas City 24 Buffalo 21
My 2024 postseason record:
Against the spread: 4-6
Straight up: 5-5
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