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We started the super wild card round in a not-so-super way, 4-2 apiece. There are four games to be played this week and picking the winners doesn’t get any easier.
The divisional rounds are shown below. As you will see, MDS has chosen two of the underdogs to cover. I chose one to cover and one to win.
However it plays out, this weekend’s games should be great.
Jaguars (+8.5) at Chiefs
MDS Take: The Jaguars already in the divisional round in Doug Pederson’s first year and Trevor Lawrence’s second year is a great sign of where this team is headed. But they’re still not at the level of Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes’ team in Kansas City. This is where the Jaguars impressive season ends.
The MDS pick: Chiefs 30, Jaguars 20.
Florio’s take: The Chiefs are on guard. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Jaguars win the game. They are loose. They have nothing to lose. The Chiefs may be peeking past the Jaguars, with a much-hyped Bills rematch looming. But ultimately, I have faith that Patrick Mahomes will find a way to move forward. Even if it’s not as easy as people think it will be.
Florio’s pick: Chiefs 30, Jaguars 27.
Giants (+7.5) at Eagles
MDS Opinion: Brian Daboll has done an amazing job getting Daniel Jones to the point where he can have a playoff game like he had last week against the Vikings. This week against a much better Eagles defense, I have a hard time believing Jones can do it again. Jalen Hurts will put a lot of points on the board for Philadelphia, and Jones and the Giants won’t be able to keep up.
The MDS pick: Eagles 31, Giants 17.
Florio’s take: It happened in 2008 when the Eagles beat the top-seeded Giants. That happened in 2007 when the Giants beat the top-seeded Eagles. And it could happen again, with the Giants getting their revenge, 15 years later. The Giants are picking up speed, improving at the right time. The Eagles have been shaky the past few weeks. Daniel Jones and Dexter Lawrence have become superstars before our eyes. Saquon Barkley is working as hard as ever. Isaiah Hodgins is the guy defenders refuse to take seriously. Brian Daboll edged out Kevin O’Connell last week and could be poised to edge out Nick Sirianni. It won’t be easy, but nothing has been easy for the Giants this year. Expect a classic on Saturday night, one that the Giants could really win.
Florio’s pick: Giants 24, Eagles 23.
Bengals (+5.5) at Bills
MDS Take: Both the Bengals and Bills struggled to beat their opponents last weekend, but I expect a well-played matchup between the two on Sunday. Josh Allen would make another big play from Joe Burrow in the fourth quarter and that would be the difference.
The MDS pick: Bills 24, Bengals 20.
Florio’s take: The Bengals are salty about a lot of things. And that might be enough to fuel a second annual road win in the divisional round. But the Bills will get a big boost from Damar Hamlin’s pregame appearance (if that happens), and quarterback Josh Allen will be back in the AFC Championship. It will help if someone other than receiver Steven Diggs gets involved as well.
Florio’s pick: Bills 31, Bengals 24.
Cowboys (+4) at 49ers
MDS Opinion: After watching the Cowboys dominate the Buccaneers on Monday night, I’m tempted to pick an upset here. But I really think Brock Purdy will do enough to keep the 49ers offense going and the 49ers defense will force Dak Prescott into some turnovers to win a low scoring game.
MDS picks: 49ers 17, Cowboys 16.
Florio’s take: The 49ers have a collection of bad guys who can roll out of bed and run through a brick wall. And even though coach Kyle Shanahan plays it down, he knows having two extra days makes all the difference, especially with Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn interviewing for the Broncos job when he would otherwise be preparing to crack the code of Shanahan, and not have his own cracked code.
Florio’s pick: 49ers 24, Cowboys 17.
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