The way the NFL playoffs opened up for me last week was fantastic. It was super wild card weekend and I am very happy with my selection. As part of the Pick Six podcast, I went 4-0 for the best bet and 4-2 for the ATS pick in our CBS Sports Experts pick, where I went 6-0 straight ahead.
They don’t call me playoff Petey for no reason.
So let’s move on and have another great week with our picks. I can already hear the dogs barking.
Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC) | Steam: Fuber TV
featured games | Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Chiefs beat the Jaguars 27-17 in November, but that was a different Jacksonville team and the game wasn’t really that close. Jacksonville is struggling offensively, and this team isn’t. The Chiefs will be a real problem for Jacksonville’s defense, which has struggled with passing at times. The Jaguars aren’t very good at rushing passers, which is a big plus for Patrick Mahomes. Jacksonville was not sacked in the first meeting. This has been a problem for Mahomes. I do see the Jaguars score against the Chiefs defense, which can be beaten if Trevor Lawrence plays well. But I don’t think the Jaguars will slow down the Chiefs’ offense. Look for Mahomes to put up some big numbers the Jaguars can’t match. The Chiefs will go on to compete in the AFC Championship Game.
Pick: Chiefs 34 points, Jaguars 28
Saturday 8:15pm ET (Fox) | Steam: Fuber TV
featured games | Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants
The Giants were impressive offensively in their win over the Vikings last week, but it’s a tougher challenge for Daniel Jones and his teammates. The Eagles lead the NFL in sacks and have five players with 10 or more. That’s stress. The Giants line has been leaky at times, and that has to be worrying. But offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has done a good job of figuring things out for Jones. In the last game of the regular season against the Giants, the Eagles performed poorly on the offensive end, and the Giants rested their players that day. Jalen Hurts returned for that game after two losses, but he didn’t look good. The extra time will help his health. Look for the Eagles’ aerial offense here, but the Giants have come alive on the defensive front. Without Lane Johnson, that could be a problem for the Hawks. Likewise, expect Philly to pull out and advance to the NFC Championship Game.
Pick: Eagles 30, Giants 28
Sunday at 3 p.m. ET (CBS) | Streaming: Paramount+ (click here)
featured games | Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals
If quarterback games are your thing, this is the game for the weekend. Joe Burrow vs. Josh Allen. We thought we’d see it in Week 17, but it was called off after Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest. That’s the right thing to do, but it’s also why this game is in Buffalo. If the Bengals had won that game and they had an early lead, the game would have been in Cincinnati. If yes, it’s in Buffalo. Both teams struggled against backup quarterbacks last week and struggled to make the cut. I think both will play better here. The Bengals do have offensive line issues and three starters could be out, but the Bills didn’t rush the pass that well against Miami last week, and Burrow was quick to get the ball out. It should be a shootout with big days for both quarterbacks. In the end, I think Allen and the Bills will win in the fourth quarter.
Pick: Bills 34, Bengals 30
Sunday 6:30pm ET (Fox) | Steam: Fuber TV
featured games | San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys
The 49ers beat the Cowboys in last year’s playoffs, so this will be the Cowboys’ chance to tie the game. Dallas beat Tampa Bay on Monday night, so it’s another road game in just one week that will challenge them. The 49ers will actually have an extra day off since last Saturday’s game. But the Cowboys seem to have found their offense against the Buccaneers, especially Dak Prescott. The 49ers’ defense is better than Tampa Bay’s, but Dallas’ offense will be able to move the ball. For the 49ers, it will come down to the pressure on Brock Purdy against Dallas. With five games left in the regular season, Purdy has been solid since taking over as the starter. He was great in a win over the Seahawks last week, but this will be the best defense he’s ever faced. Dallas’ pass rush can be disruptive, and I think that’s going to happen here. Prescott will be the better scorer between the two quarterbacks in this game, as Dallas has closed the game.
Pick: Cowboys 27, 49ers 26