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Super Bowl LVIII Preview and Prediction

The big game is finally upon us with a star-studded Super Bowl that’s tailor-made for the city of Las Vegas. Here’s my preview and breakdown of the Chiefs and 49ers, as well as my pick to win it all.

Cover photo taken from Gwinnett Daily Post.

After 271 games and over five months of NFL football, we have made it to the big game. Tonight, the San Francisco 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Nev.

It’s a rematch of Super Bowl LIV — and the Super Bowl I predicted at the start of the season — between football’s two best teams with plenty of talent and storylines all over the place. Here’s my preview of each team and my prediction for who will hoist the Lombardi on Sunday night in the desert.

How the 49ers Got Here

You never wanna say that there was “never a doubt” … but there was truly never a doubt that San Francisco would get to this point. This had to be the year they put it together. Lo and behold, it was.

The 49ers were far and away the best team in the NFC — and the best team in the league, for most of the season — for a wide variety of reasons. Elite coaching staff? Check. Solid quarterback who runs the offense to perfection in Brock Purdy? You got it. Best running back in the league in Christian McCaffrey, who just won Offense Player of the Year? He’s here. Several elite offensive weapons other than him? You’ve got three of the best in Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle. And as has been the case for this entire decade, the defense is obviously outstanding.

Purdy has had his issues to be sure, but you really can’t ask much more of him than what he has provided all year long. 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions — four of which came in one game — is sensational for a former Mr. Irrelevant. And although the large majority of both playoff games was shaky for Brock, he really turned it up and made every play when it mattered most, especially in the last drive against Green Bay and the 17-point comeback against Detroit.

It’s not a remote stretch to say San Fran’s offense is the superior one in this ballgame, thanks to the likes of CMC (2,023 all-purpose yards, 21 total touchdowns), Samuel (1,271 all-purpose yards, 12 total touchdowns), Aiyuk (75 catches, 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns) and Kittle (65 catches, 1,020 and six touchdowns). But to me, their success revolves around the offensive line. That unit has seen some struggles, especially in the postseason, and facing a tremendous front seven certainly won’t be easy. But if they can keep Purdy upright and let CMC do his thing, then the sky is truly the limit for this 49ers offense.

Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy have turned the 49ers offense into a machine. (h/t NBC Sports Bay Area)

So, the road to Vegas has been much more straightforward for the Niners. They simply bulldozed their way through the NFC and made up for some tough losses to AFC teams like Baltimore and Cleveland. But to finally climb the mountain and claim that elusive sixth Lombardi Trophy, they’ll need to get past the man who ruined their dreams the last time they made it to this stage. And he will not go gentle into that good night.

How the Chiefs Got Here

You want the skinny? It’s called having a terrific, burgeoning young defense and the best quarterback of all time.

But it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows for Kansas City in the regular season. Far from it. We’re barely a month removed from everyone writing the Chiefs off, whether due to a lack of weapons offensively or some strange losses down the stretch, and they’ve been underdogs in their last two playoff games. For some reason, Vegas thought some guy named Patrick Mahomes wouldn’t be able to play football on the road.

Spoiler alert: he can. Shocker, I know.

Yes, it was a down year for Mahomes. 4,183 yards, 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions might just be a career year for most quarterbacks, but for #15, this was largely considered the worst year of his career. And yes, it was rough at times. But he has been exquisite in the postseason with four touchdowns, no turnovers and a 100.7 passer rating.

It helps that Travis Kelce has come alive in the playoffs as well. Like his quarterback, it was a bit of a down year with 93 catches, 984 yards and five touchdowns — again, ho hum for Travis, but a career year for anyone else — but he has 22 catches, 262 and three touchdowns in the playoffs. In the AFC Championship Game against Baltimore, he had what I consider to be his best game ever with 11 catches, 116 yards and a touchdown. After being the subject of plenty of discussion across the league and the nation this year for… obvious reasons… all it took was the lights to get brighter for #87 to return to form.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce had “down” years, but have turned it up in the postseason. (h/t USA Today)

But to me, this Chiefs team is differentiated from its predecessors because of its defense. We saw flashes and glimpses of how great they could be last season, but they certainly weren’t the reason that Kansas City won the Super Bowl — they gave up 35 points in the big game, after all. But in year two or three for many of the young studs on that side of the ball, a switch has seemingly flipped. Trent McDuffie was a first-team All-Pro corner, L’Jarius Sneed has turned into the league’s best CB2 (and probably should’ve been an All-Pro as well), George Karlaftis has emerged as an effective edge rusher, all while the veterans like Chris Jones, Willie Gay and others continue to do their thing. This is a unit that hasn’t given up more than seven points in a second half since Week 13! And that includes back-to-back road playoff games against Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. They were the second-ranked scoring defense in the regular season, and have given up the fourth-fewest points per game in a postseason since 2000.

America will learn just how dominant Kansas City’s defense is in the Super Bowl. (h/t Sports Illustrated)

This was the worst year for KC’s offense in the Mahomes era. And the reason they’ve been able to still do their thing is in large part thanks to this defense, which might just be the difference maker once again on Sunday evening in Vegas.

Key Matchups

In my mind, there’s not necessarily a key matchup to look out for. I believe that this game will simply be decided by which defense comes out and plays the better football game.

Now, it’s a bit more nuanced than that because of the way these offenses operate, but my main point here is that neither team can win this football game if its defense doesn’t show up to play its best ballgame. We saw how that hurt the 49ers the last time these teams met up in the big game — up 20-10 with just over six minutes left, they gave up back-to-back-to-back touchdowns to wind up losing the game by two scores. This isn’t that kind of Chiefs team anymore, but you can’t allow something like that to happen.

The problem is that I’ve seen this “vaunted” Niners defense get violated like that in each postseason game thus far. They’ve given up 159 yards per game on the ground and their secondary hasn’t looked the part. So the “lack of weapons” on Kansas City’s offense almost doesn’t matter. I need to see this Niners defense be its usual self to believe that it even exists.

That is not the case, however, with KC’s defense, which I got into earlier. And that? That’s the difference in this ballgame.

My Pick

Two Weeks Ago: 2-0

Season Total: 175-99

Before I get into my pick for the game, I think it’s worth noting that I have not picked a Super Bowl correctly in seven years. The last team to not let me down was the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. It has been downhill ever since.

But if there’s any year for that to change, it’s this year. This is the matchup I predicted way back in September, and I’m going to stick with who I picked to win it all when the season got started. While my confidence might have wavered in that over the course of the season, it has never been stronger in the last two weeks.

Chiefs 24-20 49ers

Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, CBS

Here’s some food for thought. Tom Brady won seven Super Bowls. But in none of those seven seasons did I ever think his offense was anything crazy. The most explosive team he played on was the 2007 Patriots, and we all know how that ended. Instead, the Pats/Buccaneers won because of how solid Tom was in the postseason and how well their defense played all year long, and especially in January and February.

Why do I bring that up? Well, because that’s the story of the 2023 Kansas City Chiefs. This isn’t the explosive offense we’re used to. Not remotely. It’s dink and dunk and slice and dice and so on and so forth. And then their defense comes out and suffocates you. It’s like death by a thousand paper cuts, but if you were also blindfolded and deafened.

Ok, that’s a bit dramatic. But the point still stands. This Chiefs team will be remembered for how Patriot-like it was. And this Mahomes season will cement him as the second greatest quarterback of all time because of how much he carried himself like the GOAT.

Kansas City’s offense will do its thing with Mahomes, Isiah Pacheco and Kelce. San Francisco’s offense will also do its thing to a certain extent. But when the going gets tough, you know damn well that Mahomes is going to put together the difference-making plays that Purdy will be incapable of making against this unbelievable Chiefs defense.

And at the end of the night, it’ll be the little things done by Mahomes and his defense that put the Chiefs over the top, winning their second consecutive title and third Super Bowl in five seasons to establish … the last great American dynasty.

All stats taken from ESPN.

NFC and AFC Championship Picks

The NFL’s proverbial final four is upon us with a pair of incredible games to decide who goes to Las Vegas and Super Bowl LVIII. Here’s who I think gets it done today.

Cover photo taken from Deadline.

Last Week: 3-1

Season Total: 173-99

Chiefs 23-20 Ravens

Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, CBS

To make a rather long story short, you will never catch me picking against Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs. I learned that lesson the hard way last season. And I won’t make that same mistake here, no matter how tall the task.

The Ravens are excellent. They’re probably the best team in the league. They looked frighteningly good a week ago against Houston. Lamar Jackson is going to win MVP. And everyone on Earth is going to be supporting them today.

But it won’t matter when the NFL’s equivalent of the Terminator is on the other side.

If I’m being completely honest, I actually think the differentiating factor in this game is going to be the defenses. I’ve been singing the praises of the Kansas City D all year long, and for the most part, they’ve been outstanding this postseason.

Now, Baltimore has a patented elite defense of their own, but who do you trust more in a spot like this? The unit and coaching staff that has been here before and always finds a way? Or the one that’s having a great year but has to face #15 with the stakes being as high as possible?

Containing Lamar Jackson will be a difficult test, yes. But no matter how good he has been, I’ll need to see his defense stop Mahomes and the Chiefs offense — which has finally found its stride — to believe that the Ravens are winning this ballgame.

49ers 27-24 Lions

Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, FOX

I’ll start by saying that this spread is preposterous.

Yes, the 49ers are elite. They might just be the best team in the league. But the Lions are a damn good team, too. And they should not be 7.5-point underdogs, even on the road.

Regardless, there’s little to no doubt in my mind about the 49ers winning this game — and far fewer second thoughts than my pick for the AFC Championship Game.

I do believe the Lions have what it takes to win this game. Jared Goff and their offense has been operating at an extremely high level in this postseason and we all know Dan Campbell has the guts to win any game. I still worry about their defense, but they haven’t cost the team anything in the playoffs thus far. In fact, they’ve really shored up when they needed to, highlighted by their game-winning interception last week against Tampa. Still, I have some reservations there, especially against a remarkable San Francisco offense littered with talent.

Deebo Samuel being healthy in this game is the difference for me. If he was unable to go, I would have picked Detroit to go to the Super Bowl. He’s one of three distinct MVPs on that offense along with Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams. If any one of them couldn’t go, the 49ers aren’t the same team — we saw that earlier this year when Samuel and Williams missed time and the offense spiraled. We all know Brock Purdy can’t pick up the slack all on his own, but with a healthy Deebo, this offense will be firing on all cylinders against a lackluster Detroit defense. And that just might be the difference.

Divisional Round Picks

With eight teams remaining and four titanic matchups ahead, the Divisional Round is sure to be as cinematic as always. Here’s how I see it playing out.

Cover photo taken from NY Post.

Last Week: 3-3

Season Total: 170-98

Texans 23-20 Ravens

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

Screw it.

In complete honesty, I think the Ravens are going to win this game. But life is too short to not have some fun.

I’m not picking the Texans for some random or superstitious reasons though. I worry about their run defense against this vaunted Baltimore offense, but I also had that concern last week against Cleveland. All they did was make light work of the Browns all game long with an incredibly inspired defensive effort. Why can’t that happen here as well? And it goes without saying that CJ Stroud is going to do CJ Stroud things, even against a defense as good as this one. If this team made the Browns — who I thought were a Super Bowl contender — look silly for sixty minutes, they’re definitely capable of beating the 1 seed Ravens.

But it won’t be easy. Or at least, it shouldn’t be. This is a massive game for Lamar Jackson and his team. If you lose the AFC Championship game to Kansas City or Buffalo — who are two excellent teams — so be it. At least you got there. They have to get there. And I think that sort of fire will fuel them to a big performance in this game on both sides of the ball. Again, at least it should.

But with all the uncertainty surrounding this team and this quarterback in the postseason, I have to see it to believe it.

49ers 27-17 Packers

Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, FOX

Death. Taxes. The 49ers beating the Packers in the playoffs.

It’s not that simple, but it is pretty simple. The Packers are playing excellent football right now, and their upset win in Dallas last week was glorious. But that’s going to be 100x harder to repeat against the best team in the NFL, especially when Kyle Shanahan absolutely owns Matt LaFleur. Is it entirely possible that Jordan Love goes crazy once again and the defense forces Brock Purdy into enough mistakes to lose the game? Of course it is. Green Bay is talented enough to make that happen. But, like I said with the Ravens, I have to see it to believe it.

I usually worry about rust with teams coming off two weeks of rest like San Francisco is, but this team feels too talented and too well-coached for something like that to happen. I think they’re going to flex their muscles to notch their first of three consecutive wins to capture that illustrious sixth championship. But we’ll cross those bridges when we get there.

Lions 24-20 Buccaneers

Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, NBC

This game is essentially the NFC’s second-place matchup, since I don’t think either team has what it takes to go into San Francisco and win next week. But I think both of these squads has what it takes to at least get to that point.

Detroit’s win last week was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. I’m so happy for that team, fanbase and city that deserves it so much. They proved that they’re built for this stage, and they have what it takes to do amazing things, especially at home. I expect a similar performance out of them in this one, but it’ll be another tough test. However, I don’t know if the Bucs are better on either side of the ball than the Rams were, so Detroit might have an easier time in that regard. They’ll need to have a much better second half if they want to not get too uncomfortable.

Tampa’s win last week was also euphoric for the likes of me for obvious reasons. But I have concerns of how realistic it is for them to replicate it. Don’t get me wrong, the Bucs dropped passes left and right and probably should have won by more than 23, but the Lions defense is much, much better than Philadelphia’s, and they probably won’t be slipping and sliding and missing tackles the way those Eagles embarrassingly did. I think Baker will do his thing for a bit, but just like last week, that Lions defense figures to make enough plays to keep them at arm’s length while their offense does the rest.

At the end of the day, I feel like that Week 6 matchup is a pretty good indicator that the Lions simply match up with the Bucs too well and do everything that Tampa does better. So, although this one should be closer than that game was, I still like Detroit to reach an improbable NFC Championship Game for the first time in three decades.

Chiefs 20-17 Bills

Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET, CBS

Well, here it is. The seemingly unavoidable matchup that we’ve seen so many times already and should continue to see for the foreseeable future.

I must admit, I’m not as excited as everyone else is for this matchup. And I think there’s a clear reason why: I don’t buy into the Bills storylines.

“Patrick Mahomes finally has to come to Buffalo!” Um, the Buffalo that he’s never lost in? “Josh Allen is playing better than any other QB right now!” The same Josh Allen that has never beaten Mahomes in the postseason, even when he had one of the greatest statistical playoff runs of all time? “Mahomes finally has to go on the road!” What, the best quarterback of all time can’t play on the road? Give me a break.

Beyond all of that, I just feel better about the Chiefs than I do about the Bills for a couple of reasons. For starters, Kansas City’s defense is remarkable. Anyone saying that the weather last week was the sole reason for Miami looking incompetent is lying to themselves. That Chiefs defense is insane, and no matter how good Buffalo looks offensively, they will make themselves readily apparent in this ballgame.

My second reason is that the injuries are somehow getting worse for the Bills. Terrel Bernard going down is a massive loss for this defense which will need all hands on deck with Mahomes coming to town, especially in that front seven which could be the real difference maker if the Bills want to win this game. They also desperately need Rasul Douglas back. If neither of them can go, it’d make things a lot easier for the visiting quarterback.

Speaking of that quarterback, my third reason is that one Patrick Mahomes is suiting up for the Chiefs. I don’t care that this is his first road playoff game. I don’t care that the Bills are the hottest team in the NFL. I don’t care that Josh Allen is doing Josh Allen things. This is a quarterback that has never missed the AFC Championship Game in his career. I have no reason to believe that trend won’t continue. Sure, this offense isn’t blowing the doors off anyone like in the past. But they’ll grind you down on both sides of the ball and win with some old-school ball. That 2018 Patriots comparison I made a few weeks ago looks more and more true by the game. That formula, which has gotten them this far, will once again prove to be a winning one. And, if I go 2-for-2 in the AFC, the Chiefs will be hosting their sixth consecutive AFC Championship Game.

I know I’m sounding like a broken record here, but between Mahomes’ career playoff success — especially — against the Bills, I have to see it to believe it.

Wild Card Weekend Picks

The NFL Playoffs are finally upon us with six marquee matchups on tap that are sure to provide drama, emotions and a plethora of wild weather.

Cover photo taken from Los Angeles Times.

Last Week: 11-5

Season Total: 167-95

Browns 23-20 Texans

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, NBC

I tussled with this pick more than any other this weekend, and I’ve finally settled on the Browns for one main reason: the better defense usually wins in the playoffs. Cleveland’s defense has been perhaps the best in the NFL from start to finish this season, and although they might be without Denzel Ward in this game, their front seven is ferocious enough for me to believe they can affect CJ Stroud enough to make a difference.

On top of that, Houston’s defense is talented, but they haven’t shown me enough to like on the field to believe in them on this stage. Just last week they got gashed on the ground by the Colts. Going up against a similarly dangerous Browns rushing attack makes me believe they’re going to have their hands full yet again. And Joe Flacco should be able to do the rest.

I do think Stroud is going to do enough to make things interesting, but this feels like the spot that Houston’s injuries finally catch up to them. It’s unfortunate, but we all know the future is bright in H-Town. Blindingly bright.

Chiefs 20-10 Dolphins

Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Peacock

Weather is the great equalizer in football, but when one team is from chilly Kansas City and the other is from sunny Miami, there’s gotta be some advantage there for the Chiefs — and it’s not just having the best quarterback ever lining up under center.

Even if this game was being played in a dome or in ideal weather, the Chiefs would win. We saw them beat the Dolphins once already this year, and that was on a neutral site. They should look even better in front of one of the best home crowds in sports.

Moreover, what I said above about the Browns defense applies here too. Kansas City’s defense is one of the best in football, and Miami’s is falling apart due to injury. That’ll be the difference on Saturday night: not the seemingly high-flying offenses, but the dichotomy of defenses.

Cowboys 27-20 Packers

Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX

As much as I’d love to believe the Packers are winning this game, I can’t bring myself to pick them. Yes, they’ve been playing excellent football as of late, but Joe Barry’s defense is about to have a very rough return to Earth facing Dak Prescott, Cedarian Lamb and this explosive Cowboys offense after back-to-back gimmes against Jarren Hall/Nick Mullens and Justin Fields.

The win condition for Green Bay is having Jordan Love propel them to victory in a shootout. That’s entirely possible given the way this offense is clicking right now, but Dallas’ defense is also just too good to bet against at this point.

This will be entertaining and back-and-forth, but the better defense and team will prevail late, no matter how much we’d like to see it go the other way.

Rams 26-23 Lions

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

This is the premier matchup of the weekend, and we all know why. I’ll spare everyone the sentimental aspect of things and just stick to football here.

I’ve been high on Detroit for the last month or so, but I’m picking the Rams for a couple of reasons. The first of which is experience, which always comes through in the playoffs. Sean McVay has been to two Super Bowls, won one with Matt Stafford, Cooper Kupp and the vets. What about the rookies you ask? Well, they’re not really playing like rookies, are they? That’s the second reason right there: in the second half of the season, this team has found itself and is now firing on all cylinders. A 7-1 finish to the year is proof enough of that.

The Lions, on the other hand, don’t have much playoff experience at all outside of Jared Goff. And the coach on the other side of the field knows him better than anyone on the planet. I love what they have on offense and in their own coaching staff, but I just have to see it to believe it on this stage. Moreover, their defense has been a weak spot in big moments all year long, and they will have their hands full with the Rams and their weapons. Even at home, I just don’t know if they have what it takes to get the job done. They have to prove me wrong to instill the belief.

Bills 20-17 Steelers

Monday, 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS

Can someone tell me why the Bills are nearly double digit favorites in this ballgame? I can’t make sense of it.

The weather is going to have a huge impact on this contest — in fact, it already has, being moved 27.5 hours into the future to avoid dangerously high winds. That plays right into the hands of the Steelers and their admittedly more consistent style of play and superior run game.

Don’t get me wrong, Buffalo still going to win this game barring a complete Josh Allen collapse. But come on now… it’ll at least be close. Regardless, the Bills are the better team, and at home, they have no excuse but to keep the winning ways going.

Vegas usually knows something I don’t, and Pittsburgh +9.5 is the clearest trap of all traps, but it just makes too much sense.

Buccaneers 30-23 Eagles

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

I didn’t think we’d be at this point with the Eagles, but here we are. Isn’t this great?

Simply put, the Birds are falling apart at the seams, and that’s a losing formula in the postseason. AJ Brown will miss this game with his knee injury, Devonta Smith has been beat up for weeks now, Jalen Hurts has been playing like a pumpkin for a month-plus and my, oh my, that defense is atrocious.

I know I’ve slandered Baker Mayfield for most of this season, but this is a spot for him to do some real damage. The Bucs offense had a strange finish to the season, but they still have the firepower to beat up a terrible defense like Philly’s, and their own defense has sneakily been solid with young guys like Antoine Winfield Jr. and YaYa Diaby being absolute studs. At home, this feels like a spot where they pull off an “upset” against a team that’s simply reeling so much that anything but a loss would be rather unexpected.

Post-Week 18 Power Rankings

Cover photo taken from NY Post.

1 – Ravens (13-4)

“Super Bowl or Bust” is a lazy analysis, but it really feels that way for this Baltimore team. While their near future will be fruitful, this feels like the team that’s best-equipped to do what the 2019 team couldn’t.

They’re going to have to prove themselves in a big way, and Lamar Jackson is finally going to have to get the playoff monkey off his back.

2 – 49ers (12-5)

The Niners feel like the best team in the league — or at least the favorites to win it all — and Vegas agrees. This team checks every box except for the one loss to Baltimore.

Will they have the chance to avenge it? We’ll find out in due time.

3 – Lions (12-5)

Considered swapping Detroit and Dallas, but I’m still being petty after the Week 17 shenanigans.

That being said, I’m not sure how to feel about the Lions now that we’re in the postseason. I think they drew a nightmare matchup with the Rams, and I think Sam LaPorta’s apparent knee injury could loom a lot larger than it seems. But we’ll get into that this weekend.

4 – Cowboys (12-5)

Alright, you’re in. And you’re the 2 seed. You won’t have to go on the road until the last Sunday of January, if you can get that far. You have no excuse not to.

5 – Browns (11-6)

As has been stated for weeks, the Browns are the AFC Wild Card team most suited for a run in this postseason. But it certainly won’t be easy. Let’s see just how far this Joe Flacco run — and this elite defense – can carry this team.

6 – Bills (11-6)

They did what they had to do. Now they have to keep it going in January — a month that has plagued them time and time again. Is this finally the year?

7 – Chiefs (11-6)

Getting serious 2018 Patriots vibes from the Chiefs at this point. That Patriots team won the Super Bowl thanks to its elite defense and all-time quarterback doing all the right things in the playoffs.

I’m not saying Kansas City is winning it all… I’m just getting similar vibes.

8 – Rams (10-7) 2

Of all six wild card teams, the Rams are my favorite to go on a run. It doesn’t help that they’ll likely have to go to San Francisco if they win on Sunday night, but nobody wants to see this team right now.

They finished the year 7-1, the defense is cooking, and the offense has a plethora of weapons with both the rookies and the vets. I can’t wait to see what Sean McVay cooks for the postseason.

9 – Texans (10-7) 3

We did it. CJ and DeMeco did it. And man, what a story it is. Even if the Texans lose on Saturday, they should be extremely proud and even more excited for what the future holds with perhaps the best young QB/HC duo in the league.

10 – Dolphins (11-6) 2

They are what we thought they were. And that’s about all that needs to be said. A season which once had Super Bowl aspirations will now end with a whisper in Kansas City.

What a waste.

11 – Eagles (11-6) 2

Every second of this second-half collapse has been absolutely delightful to watch. The only thing better will be if the Eagles lose in Tampa on Monday night.

At this rate, I don’t see anything to make me believe that won’t be the case.

12 – Packers (9-8) 4

The Packers have been a roller coaster this year, but now that the regular season is over and this team is in the playoffs, I’m officially going to take my victory lap.

Jordan Love is clearly a franchise guy, the rookies balled out, and the defense has seemingly found itself again in the final two games. If they beat Dallas, I assure you I will be insufferable.

13 – Buccaneers (9-8) 1

Perhaps no team in the NFL proved me wrong more than the Bucs. I tip my cap and apologize to Baker and the boys. Here’s to hoping they have one more victory in them.

14 – Steelers (10-7) 6

I don’t know how we got here, but I hate it. Mason Rudolph in the playoffs… good lord.

15 – Colts (9-8)

I feel for the Colts, who had a playoff berth right in their grasp and let it slip away. But, the future is undeniably bright. If they were able to do all of this with Gardner Minshew at quarterback, can you imagine what they’ll look like if/when Anthony Richardson develops into a cyborg?

16 – Saints (9-8) 3

The Saints did enough down the stretch to make me eat a bit of crow, but alas, it still was not enough to make the dance. Another mediocre season with no results puts them further into limbo.

What comes next? I have no idea. But with Dennis Allen still at head coach, it can’t be anything good.

17 – Jaguars (9-8) 6

I haven’t given it out in recent weeks, but the Jaguars deserve to be the final Team of Shame of the season. From 8-3 and the 1 seed to 9-8 and crashing out of the playoffs when you just needed a win to be division champs.

In the words of Master Yoda: “How embarrassing.”

18 – Seahawks (9-8) 5

With Seattle missing out on the playoffs and Pete Carroll retiring as head coach, I have no idea where this team is going to go. They’re talented enough to be competitive, but clearly not good enough to be anything special.

Is it time to finally kick off the rebuild? Might just be.

19 – Bengals (9-8) 1

There’s not much I can say about the Bengals. It’s a shame this season went the way it did, but they’ll be fine. They just have to limit the damage this offseason and find an adequate replacement for Tee Higgins.

20 – Raiders (8-9) 2

Do the right thing, Raiders. Hire Antonio Pierce as the full time head coach. You simply cannot make the same mistake twice.

21 – Broncos (8-9) 4

I tuned the Broncos out after the Russell Wilson fiasco went down. I think that was for the best.

22 – Bears (7-10) 1

Well, it looks like we have our answer. Even though the Bears are retaining Matt Eberflus (for some reason), it doesn’t appear that they’ll do the same with Justin Fields. I do believe he’ll be successful elsewhere, but it’s like I said last week: it makes a lot more sense to go in a different direction in the draft.

23 – Titans (6-11) 2

Thanks for giving us the funniest collapse of Week 18, y’all.

24 – Falcons (7-10) 1

After three years of head-scratching mediocrity, Arthur Smith is finally out. And thank goodness for that.

I’ll be very interested to see who the Falcons bring in to replace him, and far more interested to see if they’re actually capable of using the abundance of talent on this roster.

25 – Vikings (7-10) 1

Minnesota enters this offseason with one major priority: retain Justin Jefferson. I don’t see a world where they keep Kirk Cousins, so all the attention — and money — should turn to Jettas. If I were him, I don’t know if I’d stay. But the Vikings have no choice.

26 – Giants (6-11) 1

See: Tennessee.

27 – Cardinals (4-13) 1

The Cardinals ended the season the same way they carried themselves for its entirety: being competitive enough to be entertaining, but not quite enough to win football games.

28 – Jets (7-10) 1

Our long national nightmare is over. The Jets won’t play football again this season.

29 – Chargers (5-12) 3

There’s a lot of work to do this offseason if you’re the Chargers. Step one is probably to fire Brandon Staley. They’ve got to get going on that front.

30 – Patriots (4-13)

Bill Belichick leaving has been in the cards for a while. I personally don’t think he’ll be coaching again, but stranger things have happened.

Regardless, with a top 3 pick and a head coaching vacancy, the Pats are in full rebuild mode now.

31 – Commanders (4-13)

Ron Rivera is finally gone. The No. 2 pick is ours, along with the most cap space in the league. Perhaps the most attractive head coaching and general managing vacancies lie in our city.

It feels good to have hope. It feels better to have results. Let’s make it happen.

32 – Panthers (2-15)

Thank goodness that’s over. See you again at the bottom of the Power Rankings next year, Carolina!

Week 18 Picks

Cover photo taken from Action Network.

Last Week: 13-3

Season Total: 156-90

Ravens 20-17 Steelers

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

I’ve seen the Ravens win enough games with backups. Tyler Huntley is perfectly capable, and this Baltimore team will probably be trying to keep Pittsburgh out of the playoffs. They’ll grind this one out.

Texans 27-24 Colts

Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

I am not betting against C.J. Stroud when the lights are brightest. It’s that simple.

Bengals 20-19 Browns

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

This has to be the spot where the Bengals get the Cleveland monkey off their backs. The Browns are starting Jeff Driskel — who has only been with the team for a week or so — for crying out loud.

Nothing is on the line here, so Cincy has no excuse to lose with more key players on the field.

Lions 29-16 Vikings

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

The Lions should come out of the gates pretty pissed, and that should be enough to get the job done.

Not that they’d need much help to beat Nick Mullens anyways.

Jaguars 25-13 Titans

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Jags need this one badly. While they haven’t been the best in key spots this year, this feels like it should be an easy one for them, especially as they continue to get healthier.

Patriots 13-10 Jets

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Of all of these Patriots wins over the Jets over the years, this one is going to hit the hardest. I will be joyous when the clock strikes triple zeroes and the Commanders will all but clinch the No. 2 pick in the draft.

Thank you in advance, New England. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Saints 23-17 Falcons

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

I don’t feel remotely comfortable picking either team to win this game, but the Saints have shown infinitely more fight in recent weeks than the Falcons have.

It may not mean much in the end for their playoff lives, but they should be able to pull this one out at home.

Buccaneers 26-14 Panthers

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Congratulations on your division title and proving me wrong, Tampa. See you in a week for your playoff loss!

Packers 23-20 Bears

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

It’s not that the Bears need this win. Justin Fields needs this win. And the fans need him to win this game against this opponent.

Unfortunately for everyone involved, the Bears simply don’t beat the Packers, especially when Green Bay is fighting for its season. It’s just now how the universe works.

Raiders 21-17 Broncos

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

One team has been — at the very least — competitive in the last few weeks. One team has not. Feels like a simple calculus.

Eagles 24-17 Giants

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

Shouldn’t be close, which means it probably will be. The Eagles are simply incapable of winning a game convincingly at this point.

If this winds up being a loss for them… yeesh.

Seahawks 26-23 Cardinals

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

The Cardinals are going to put up a fight. That’s just the way they’re built. But with Seattle fighting for a playoff spot, it’s difficult to see them losing this game, even on the road.

Chiefs 22-13 Chargers

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

I get that the Chiefs aren’t playing several key players, but the Chargers are a very, very bad football team. Even with backups, I like Kansas City here.

49ers 24-10 Rams

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

Another battle of backups that should result in the better overall football team winning the game.

Note: don’t count out a potential postseason rematch! More on that in the coming weeks.

Cowboys 30-14 Commanders

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

My misery is almost over. And it will be rewarded with a top two draft pick. The tides are starting to turn… can you feel it?

Bills 23-20 Dolphins

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

I really wanted to pick the Dolphins here. This is an ideal spot for them to prove the naysayers wrong. But it’s just too difficult to put any faith in them right now.

The Bills have had a stellar second half of their season, and there’s no more fitting way for it to end than to go out on top of the division with a home playoff game — and maybe a couple more — lined up in January.

Post-Week 17 Power Rankings

Cover photo taken from NBC Sports.

1 – Ravens (13-3)

Another week, another Super Bowl contender mowed down. This team is a machine, and Lamar Jackson deserves this victory lap with his second MVP.

The only question remaining: can they do it in the playoffs?

2 – 49ers (12-4)

The 49ers are probably going to be my pick to win it all, but they better hope this Christian McCaffrey injury is something that can go away in two weeks worth of rest. Because if it’s anything remotely serious, then it is fully over.

3 – Lions (11-5) 1

The year is 2124. There is a crack in the global warming shield surrounding Earth. Astronauts are going up to explore other planets that may be habitable for human life. Your local Chipotle is still out of everything, and the McDonalds ice cream machine is still broken.

And the Lions are still being cheated out of victories by NFL officiating crews.

4 – Cowboys (11-5) 4

A win is a win, and it’s hard to say a team didn’t “deserve” to win any NFL game. But man, this team is oh so lucky.

And it’s not just because of the officiating debacle at the end — Dallas should never have even been in that position, but they chose to throw the ball three times on their last possession to bleed 11 seconds off the clock with less than two minutes to play.

Mike McCarthy is clearly warming up for another clock management disasterclass in the playoffs.

5 – Browns (11-5) 2

Here’s to hoping Joe Flacco can keep this up for the playoffs.

It might seem like a long shot, but we’ve made it this far!

6 – Bills (10-6) 1

The Bills might be the most entertaining watch in the NFL right now. Not because they do anything exceptionally well, but because you truly never know what the hell you’re going to get from them.

It’s astonishing how much of a rollercoaster ride this team is. We’ll see what happens on Sunday night.

7 – Chiefs (10-6) 2

How far can this championship-level defense carry this everlasting work-in-progress offense? We’ll find out soon enough.

Maybe the week off for the starters will help the Chiefs kick it into high gear in the Wild Card. They better hope that’s the case, because whoever they draw as the 6-seed will provide a heck of a challenge.

8 – Dolphins (11-5) 5

Turns out the Dolphins are also a paper straw! Who would’ve thought?! Definitely not yours truly who warned you about this — *checks watch* — nearly three months ago!

9 – Eagles (11-5) 3

I am loving every second of this absolute collapse. This team’s talent is not able to overcome its flaws, and that will be their downfall in the coming weeks.

Cherish these moments, folks.

10 – Rams (9-7)

God I wish this team was going to Dallas for the Wild Card. I think they have everything it takes to make a run, but I don’t know if they can beat Detroit. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

11 – Jaguars (9-7) 2

Winning games with a backup quarterback is a skill, even when those games come against the worst team in the NFL. And it makes things much simpler for the Jags: win and you’re in.

With Trevor Lawrence likely returning to the lineup, that feels like a near-certainty.

12 – Texans (9-7) 2

Turns out having C.J. Stroud healthy makes quite the difference! Shocking, I know.

While hosting a playoff game is probably out of the realm of likelihood, I still think the chips are going to fall Houston’s way to get to the playoffs and head to the house of the AFC East winner in the first round. More on that later, though.

13 – Seahawks (8-8) 2

Remember all of those positive feelings I had about the Seahawks throughout the course of this season?

Yeah, go ahead and toss all of those out. I don’t even want to see this team in the playoffs anymore.

14 – Buccaneers (8-8) 2

See: Seattle. The difference is that the playoffs are practically a guarantee with Carolina on tap.

15 – Colts (9-7) 3

Unlike the two teams above them, the Colts are a team I would love to see in the playoffs. The only problem is I want to see Houston a lot more.

Sorry, Indy. Next year, with Anthony Richardson back, you will have my undying support!

16 – Packers (8-8) 3

The roller coaster continues in Green Bay. Just when I was ready to bury them, the Packers look primed to win and get into the playoffs for a likely date in Dallas with the Cowboys.

And boy, would I love to see that with the way Jordan Love is playing right now.

17 – Broncos (8-8) 2

You guys aren’t worth my time.

18 – Bengals (8-8) 2

It’s truly a shame how this has all played out for the Bengals. It was a real possibility that things would have turned around with Joe Burrow healthy.

Now, they enter an offseason with a ton of questions and plenty of decisions to be made. We’ll see how successful or unsuccessful it winds up being.

19 – Saints (8-8) 2

They’re going to mess around and win this division aren’t they? Or at least make the playoffs? Either way, I lose.

But, I have conceded already. I can’t win with the Saints.

20 – Steelers (9-7) 4

Just when you think they’re dead and buried, Mason Rudolph of all people brings them back to life. I truly can never believe what I’m seeing from the Steelers.

We’ll see if this is enough to get Pittsburgh in the playoffs. For the sake of my eyes, I hope it’s not.

21 – Bears (7-9) 1

There’s been plenty of dialogue around Justin Fields and the No. 1 pick now that the Bears are on the clock courtesy of the ineptitude of the Carolina Panthers.

While I think Justin has done enough to retain a job, I’m not sure it’s in Chicago, no matter how much the players and fans love him. I also think this second-half “offensive boom” is being blown completely out of proportion; they’ve played an awful schedule and the stats don’t back up anything but a mediocre to below-average offensive output. It just feels like it makes more sense to move on and select a top QB with the first pick in the draft with a higher floor, a lower ceiling and a much smaller cap hit, despite the fact that you can get a king’s ransom for the No. 1 pick.

It’s no one’s fault. It’s just business.

22 – Raiders (8-8) 1

Losses like those sting a bit, but at least Davante Adams popped off for certain people’s fantasy championships. We take those.

23 – Falcons (7-9) 6

It’s almost over. Mercifully.

24 – Vikings (7-9) 4

See: Cincinnati.

25 – Titans (5-11)

That was as ugly as it gets. The Titans are in for some big changes in the coming months. They might be a contender for the 2025 No. 1 pick if we’re being honest.

We’ll cross that bridge when we get there, but the rebuild feels fully on in Nashville.

26 – Chargers (5-11)

See: Atlanta.

27 – Giants (5-11)

The most important takeaway from the last two games is that Tyrod Taylor is still a hooper. That’s literally all that matters for me.

28 – Cardinals (4-12) 2

See: New England and New York Jets last week.

For beating both Dallas and Philadelphia this year, and winning just enough games to put us in position for the No. 2 pick, the Cardinals are in extremely good graces with me.

If only they could’ve beaten us in Week 1 as well.

29 – Jets (6-10) 1

See: Atlanta/Los Angeles Chargers.

30 – Patriots (4-12) 1

You guys have one more win in you, don’t y’all? You always beat the Jets. I just need you to do it one more time, and I will never say a bad thing about the franchise ever again.

31 – Commanders (4-12)

One loss away from landing a franchise-changing quarterback. Combine that with the right hires at head coach and GM, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll be able to be optimistic with this franchise for once.

Please, for the love of all that is holy, don’t mess this up.

32 – Panthers (2-14)

Don’t throw any drinks on me, please!

Week 17 Picks

Cover photo taken from Sports Illustrated.

Last Week: 10-6

Season Total: 143-87

Browns 22-10 Jets

Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video

Cowboys 27-24 Lions

Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

Bills 26-16 Patriots

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

ting

Bears 20-17 Falcons

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Colts 23-20 Raiders

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Rams 27-10 Giants

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Eagles 24-13 Cardinals

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Buccaneers 22-17 Saints

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

49ers 30-10 Commanders

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Jaguars 16-13 Panthers

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Ravens 24-20 Dolphins

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Texans 23-19 Titans

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Seahawks 22-19 Steelers

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX

Broncos 13-10 Chargers

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

Chiefs 21-18 Bengals

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

Packers 24-17 Vikings

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Post-Week 16 Power Rankings

Cover photo taken from KGET.

1 – Ravens (12-3) 1

In one fell swoop, the Ravens became AFC and Super Bowl favorites, Lamar Jackson became the MVP and they became the most feared team in the league.

That’s a pretty good Christmas, if you ask me.

2 – 49ers (11-4) 1

It’s not surprising that Brock Purdy melted in a big moment. It is surprising that he melted down that badly. It’s perhaps even more shocking that the defense played as poorly as it did.

But perhaps San Francisco needed this reality check while they’re fully healthy. And the good news is, they’ll still have home field advantage in the playoffs.

3 – Dolphins (11-4) 5

It took the Dolphins til Christmas Eve to beat a team with a winning record, but what a win it was. It helps instill just the slightest bit of confidence that this team is going to do something in the playoffs.

But first, they have to win the division. And I still don’t know how much I believe in their ability to do so.

4 – Lions (11-4)

All-around sound. Nothing more to say about the Lions that I haven’t been saying for weeks. Give them their flowers.

And man, what a feeling it must be to win the division for the first time in 30 years.

5 – Bills (9-6) 2

Not the most convincing of victories on Saturday, but a win is a win.

They just have to do it two more times.

6 – Eagles (11-4)

They’re starting to become unimpressive. The flaws are making themselves more and more apparent. The playcalling seems to be getting worse and worse, and the secondary is a glaring weak spot.

Fine by me!

7 – Browns (10-5) 2

Everyone says the Bills are the team that no one in the AFC wants to see in the playoffs, but I honestly think that title belongs to the Browns. This defense is elite and — against all odds — Joe Flacco is playing out of his mind. They just keep winning and winning and winning.

I assure you, this team is going to win a playoff game. I just don’t know where it’s going to be.

8 – Cowboys (10-5) 3

Should’ve seen that coming!

This team is a fugazi. Nothing but a paper straw.

9 – Chiefs (9-6) 6

I’m finally cutting ties with the hope that the Chiefs are going to figure it out. There are two weeks left in the regular season. This is who they are: an above-average team being held back by a complete lack of competence from its offense.

They aren’t going to host the AFC Championship Game. Hell, they might not even get there. I will never doubt Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs, but what more can he do at this point?

10 – Rams (8-7)

As I’ve been saying, the Rams are the Browns/Bills of the NFC.

You do not want to see them in January.

11 – Seahawks (8-7)

The Seahawks might just be the most inconsistent team in the league. I just never know what I’m going to get. The playoffs are almost a certainty, but once they’re there? I don’t see anything happening.

12 – Buccaneers (8-7) 5

Props to Baker Mayfield for making me eat crow time and time again. He is playing better than most quarterbacks right now, and this team is thriving off of it. Whoever winds up with the 5-seed in the NFC is not going to have an easy time in Tampa.

13 – Jaguars (8-7)

Just throw in the towel. It’s over.

14 – Texans (8-7)

If C.J. Stroud comes back this week, the division is right there for the taking. Just gotta reach out and grab it.

15 – Broncos (7-8) 3

Be embarrassed. Between the on- and off-the-field antics, this team has regressed into what they were two months ago: a bad joke.

16 – Bengals (8-7) 1

The Jake Browning Linsanity run was fun while it lasted.

17 – Falcons (7-8) 4

Please don’t wind up winning this division. None of us want to see you play more games.

18 – Colts (8-7) 2

The Gardner Minshew Linsanity run was fun while it lasted.

19 – Packers (7-8) 1

Oh look, Jordan Love remembered how to play football. The defense, on the other hand, still hasn’t. That’s what happens when you employ Joe Barry.

20 – Vikings (7-8) 2

The Vikings have thrown in the towel, and I do not blame them at all. It’s a true shame how this season ended up playing out.

21 – Saints (7-8) 2

It’s okay, Saints fans. It’s almost over.

22 – Bears (6-9) 1

I truly think Justin Fields has done enough to keep his job for another year. While the Bears have options, I think it makes too much sense to keep Justin for another year and continue this rebuild around him.

23 – Raiders (7-8) 1

Antonio Pierce, man. What a guy. How are the Raiders better at appointing interim-head coaches than finding actual ones?

24 – Steelers (8-7) 4

So, you won a game. Don’t think this brings you back into my good graces. I still want nothing to do with you.

25 – Titans (5-10) 3

Thanks for the memories this season, Will Levis. We’ll be seeing you in September.

26 – Chargers (5-10) 1

See: New Orleans.

27 – Giants (5-10) 1

The Tommy Devito Linsanity run was fun while it lasted.

28 – Jets (6-9) 1

Thank you so so so much. Your willingness to win will forever live in the hearts of Washington fans. Our imminent franchise-changing QB is forever in your debt.

29 – Patriots (4-11) 2

See: New York Jets.

30 – Cardinals (3-12) 1

Can you do me a favor and win a game or two down the stretch? Cheers.

31 – Commanders (4-11) 1

While it has never been more over than it currently is, we might finally have a generational talent at QB fall into our lap. Just two more losses to go. Bring it home, baby.

32 – Panthers (2-13)

Good for Bryce Young to put a few great games on tape. The kid has a bright future. The team just needs to do the right thing and rebuild successfully. But, with David Tapper at the helm, that feels like an impossibility.

Week 16 Picks

Cover photo taken from SB Nation.

Last Week: 10-6

Season Total: 133-81

Rams 24-17 Saints

Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video

The Rams are starting to click on both sides of the ball in a way that makes it difficult for any team to stop them, even a stingy New Orleans one.

Bengals 13-10 Steelers

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, NBC

The AFC North is entirely too predictable. This is going to be an ugly, low-scoring game. The Bengals should win, but if the Steelers pull the upset, it won’t be all too surprising. Regardless, I couldn’t be less interested.

Bills 27-13 Chargers

Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Peacock

The Chargers could find a spark now that Brandon Staley is out the door, but this is the worst possible matchup to find it in. The Bills are just mowing people down right now, and LA will be their latest victim.

Colts 20-17 Falcons

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Could be a fun one. Only if the Colts win.

Seahawks 22-17 Titans

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

It doesn’t feel like Will Levis is going to start for the Titans, which makes it virtually impossible to pick them, regardless of what’s going on at quarterback for the Seahawks.

Lions 23-20 Vikings

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Could be another spooky upset waiting to happen for the Lions, but considering this is the first matchup between these two this year, I think they should be fine.

Jets 19-16 Commanders

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

No. 32 defense, meet No. 32 offense. Stoppable force, meet movable object. My eyes, meet literally any other television screen in the world.

Packers 24-14 Panthers

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

If there’s any game for Green Bay to figure itself out, especially defensively, this has to be the one.

Browns 17-16 Texans

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

No C.J. Stroud for Houston — in all likelihood — means this game shouldn’t be too close. But we saw how both of these teams looked last week, so anything is possible.

Buccaneers 26-23 Jaguars

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS

The battle for Florida is somehow way more interesting than I thought it would be. Could see it going either way, but my heart is telling me to go with the team that’s actually looking competent these days. Against all odds, that’s the Bucs.

Bears 23-17 Cardinals

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

I like to call this the “How The Hell Did We Get Away With That Draft Trade Last Year?” Bowl. Could also be the Caleb Williams bowl, but I don’t know if there’s enough time for that, and I don’t know that either team would select him first overall. But that’s another story for another time.

Cowboys 27-24 Dolphins

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

Neither of these teams really know what to do when they face a good team. These are the two lowest SOVs amongst teams with winning records. But at least I saw the Cowboys decimate the Eagles a few weeks ago, so I feel much more comfortable rocking with them.

Broncos 21-10 Patriots

Sunday, 8:15 p.m. ET, NFL Network

Please spend your Christmas Eve night doing anything, anything other than watching this.

Chiefs 26-14 Raiders

Monday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Has the capacity to be fun, especially considering what the Raiders did last week. But this will probably be another installment of Patrick Mahomes decimating a divisional opponent in a standalone game.

Eagles 25-13 Giants

Monday, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX

My Christmas wishlist features both of these teams losing. Unfortunately, that’s impossible.

49ers 27-20 Ravens

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC

Pretty crazy to be getting the game of the year and a potential Super Bowl preview this late in the year. Even crazier to be getting it on Christmas night.

Regardless, in a spot like this, you should comfortable picking the better team, especially if they’re at home. San Francisco checks all of the boxes with swiftness. They’ll just be too much to handle on both sides of the football.