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It’s a lively weekend. In fact, the league prefers that we call it a “Fantastic Weekend.” Which is not something I will do, because they want me to do it.
I also don’t want to call it a wild weekend either, because it isn’t. It was so, with the teams that did not win their two divisions (the fourth and fifth seeds) playing each other. In 1990, the field expanded to six, with one winner in each conference facing the last team in the conference. In 2002, a realignment resulted in two of the division winners playing two wild cards.
Now, three, three. So the weekend is not so busy anymore. It’s just the first round of qualifying.
Here are our picks for the first round of the qualifiers.
By the way, last week I went 11-5. MDS went 12-4.
I finished the regular season at 178-91-2. MDS went 169-100-2.
Seahawks (+10) at 49ers
take MDS: How many people predicted pre-season that Gino Smith against. Brooke Purdy Will it be a playoff? Smith leading the Seahawks to the playoffs was a great story, but the story ends on Sunday, when the 49ers defense shuts down Smith, but Purdy’s offense and the 49ers should have a great game.
MDS selection: 49ers 30, Seahawks 13.
Take FlorioThe 49ers are the better team. But the Seahawks aren’t intimidated by the best team in football, because they know each other well. The weather will help keep it close, but the 49ers should make it to the next round.
Choose Florio: 49ers 27, Seahawks 21.
Chargers (-2) at Jaguar
take MDS: It’s great news in Jacksonville that they’re hosting a playoff game Trevor LawrenceSophomore and Doug Pederson first. But Justin Herbert He’ll have a big game in his first playoff game when the Chargers win.
MDS selection: Chargers 27, Jaguar 20.
Take Florio: Jacksonville destroyed the Chargers in Week 3. And that was before Team Jaguar evolved into the team they are now – balanced, efficient, confident and successful. Keep in mind that they are the underdogs, and that should be enough to push them to the top.
Choose FlorioJaguar 24, Chargers 21.
Dolphins (+13) at Bills
take MDS: if Toa Tagovailoa All right, this is going to be an exciting first round match. Without Tua, it’s hard to see the Dolphins even keep them close to the powerful Bills team throughout the game.
MDS selection: Bills 28, Dolphin 13.
Florio takes: Josh Allen vs. Skyler Thompson. Sometimes, you don’t need to say anything else.
Florio’s Choice: Bills 34, Dolphin 17.
Giants (+3) in Vikings
take MDS: Brian Dabul making that roster into the playoffs was a great coaching achievement, but the Giants’ run ends on Sunday. The Vikings have won close games all year, and they will again.
MDS selectionVikings 21, Giants 20.
Take Florio: As long as they survive the playoffs, the Vikings will win by 2-4 points or lose by 20-40.
Choose Florio: Vikings 24, Giants 22.
Ravens (+8.5) in the Bengals
take MDS: If Lamar Jackson was 100 percent healthy, I’d be inclined to pick crows to get over the discomfort. Without Jackson, the Bengals must cruise for the win.
MDS selectionBengals 28, Ravens 17.
Take Florio: The Bengals have a rock on their shoulder about the way the rules were, and aren’t, changed in regards to the cancellation of the Week 17 game against the Bills. They knocked it out at the Ravens in Week 18. They would do it again in the opening round of the playoffs.
Choose Florio: Bengals 30, Ravens 20.
Cowboy (-2.5) in Buccaneers
take MDS: The Cowboys’ performance in Week 18 didn’t inspire much confidence, but I would expect them to play well enough to beat a Buccaneers team who haven’t inspired much confidence all season.
MDS selectionCowboys 20, Buccaneers 16.
Take Florio: Tom Brady He has 47 playoff appearances. That would be No. 48. Win or lose, it will very likely be his last game in Tampa. Meanwhile, the Cowboys seem to have peaked very early on. Why are they preferred?
Choose Florio: pirate 19, cowboy 16.