The recent begin to choosing playoff video games cooled off rapidly final weekend. It wasn’t a foul weekend, but it surely wasn’t good both.
I went 2-2 straight up, 2-2 towards the unfold in our CBSSports.com skilled picks and 2-3 with my greatest bets as a part of the Choose Six Podcast.
That is not what I anticipated. I picked the New York Giants to cowl towards the Philadelphia Eagles, which was a horrible choose. I additionally picked the Dallas Cowboys to cowl towards the San Francisco 49ers, a recreation the place I assumed Dallas would win, and that a push till a late subject aim by the 49ers. Oh, properly. I obtained the reward of the late subject aim by Jacksonville towards the Chiefs to get that cowl.
All of it evens out. However after the 4-2 ATS week on Tremendous Wild Card Weekend, I’m now 6-4 for the postseason. Final week, I took all of the ‘canine. Not this week.
So let’s hope for a championship recreation sweep to make sure a profitable report within the postseason.
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, 3 p.m. ET (Fox, FuboTV)
Featured Recreation | Philadelphia Eagles vs. San Francisco 49ers
It is a recreation between two bodily groups which have good run video games and good defensive fronts. Which means it should be determined up entrance, regardless of what number of offensive playmakers are on the sector.
The Eagles impressed final week in blowing out the Giants, whereas the 49ers gained a detailed one at residence towards Dallas. The San Francisco offense struggled some in that recreation, however Brock Purdy obtained it going after a sluggish begin to win his seventh straight as a starter. This, although, is an even bigger problem as a result of it is towards a greater workforce on the highway, his first highway playoff begin. Not solely that, he is going through a protection that led the NFL in sacks with 70, two off the report. They arrive from all spots too, with 4 gamers who had 10 or extra sacks. Search for the Eagles to assault the appropriate aspect of the 49ers offensive line, the weaker aspect.
The Eagles offense had one other large speeding day towards the Giants, which is the premise of their offense. Jalen Hurts can throw it, however they’ve to have the ability to run it right here. That is why their top-rated offensive line is essential. They need to get push within the run recreation and hold Nick Bosa and gang off Hurts once they do throw. The 49ers linebackers can run and canopy, which is a should towards the Eagles offense. Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw are particular. They must be on this one.
However I search for Hurts to outplay Purdy and lead the Eagles to the Tremendous Bowl. That Eagles offensive line and move rush will determine this recreation.
Choose: Eagles 30, 49ers 21
Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
Featured Recreation | Kansas Metropolis Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The large situation right here is the well being of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. After struggling a high-ankle sprain final week towards Jacksonville, will he have the ability to transfer? If not, what does that imply to the Chiefs offense since he does a lot injury off schedule and out of doors the pocket?
The Kansas Metropolis offense did some good issues when he returned towards Jacksonville after the harm, however he definitely regarded restricted when it comes to mobility. That may matter towards a Bengals protection that has so many shifting components and may blitz from throughout. They’ve accomplished an incredible job towards him late in video games previously 3 times they’ve performed. The Jaguars did not come after Mahomes sufficient after he damage his ankle, however you possibly can guess the Bengals will, despite the fact that that is not the technique they used to beat him within the title recreation final yr. They got here after Josh Allen loads final week of their upset victory.
In that recreation, Joe Burrow and the offense had success shifting the soccer. An offensive line that was down three starters performed properly because the Bengals ran it with Joe Mixon and Burrow hit some large pictures within the passing recreation. Mixon did not play within the regular-season recreation between these groups this season, however he can be large on this one. The Chiefs can get after the quarterback, after registering 55 sacks this season, which can put a premium on operating the ball and safety for the Bengals, who may have a few of these offensive linemen again.
The Bengals have overwhelmed the Chiefs three straight instances, together with the AFC Championship Recreation final January and a regular-season recreation this season. Burrow appears to relish the large moments. I count on him to play properly right here, whereas Mahomes’ restricted mobility can be in play. That issues and it is why the Bengals can be going to their second straight Tremendous Bowl.
Choose: Bengals 27, Chiefs 24