NFL 2023 Wildcard results and Divisional Round picks

 We had some exciting playoff games to start the playoffs!  I cannot remember the last time we had so many one-sided games.  Interestingly, the team who scored first won EACH and EVERY game.  Clearly starting off strong was important.

So, how did the team rankings get affected?

Power Rankings [Last week's rank]

1.  BALTIMORE RAVENS (13-4) [1]

2.  San Francisco 39ers (12-5) [2]

3.  Buffalo Bills (12-6) [4]

4.  Dallas Cowboys (12-6) [3]

5.  Kansas City Chiefs (12-6) [6]

6.  Detroit Lions (13-5) [7]

7.  Miami Dolphins (11-7) [5]

8.  Houston Texans (11-7) [12]

9.  New Orleans Saints (9-8) [9]

10. Green Bay Packers (10-8) [13]

11. Tampa Bay Bucs (10-8) [14]

12. Los Angeles Rams (10-8) [11]

13. Cleveland Browns (11-7) [8]

14. Philadelphia Eagles (11-7) [10]

15. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) [16]

16. Indianapolis Colts (9-8) [17]

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-8) [15]

#4 Houston Texans at #1 Baltimore Ravens : I have been very impressed with the performance of CJ Stroud, and how the draws out the best in his teammates.  Unfortunately, I think their talent level is just below the Ravens.  This game might be closet than Ravens fans would like, but the top seed should prevail in the end.  RAVENS, 27-24

#7 Green Bay Packers at #1 San Francisco 49ers : The Packers outscored the Cowboys, but they haven't faced a defense as tough s the 49ers.  They are fast, they are smart, and they are ball-hungry.  The Packers have too many dropped balls and "touchy" catches that can turn into turnovers.  I figure the Pack will turn it over at least twice, and one will be close enough to the end zone to seal the victory for the 49ers.  49ERS, 34-23

#4 Tampa Bay Bucs at # Detroit Lions : This is the battle of redeemed quarterbacks.  Baker Mayfield jump-started a team that was not expected to do well at all this season, and a contract full of financial incentives have helped motivate him.  Jared Goff has thrived in the lower-pressure environment of Detroit, and he feels more comfortable than he ever has.  Goff has a better sense of the field, Baker gets lots of help from his receivers.  With the pressure that the Lions will put forth, those receivers may have too much to deal with.  LIONS, 23-21

#3 Kansas City Chiefs at #2 Buffalo Bills : These two teams know each other very well, play each other very well, and battle vigorously.  I expect this game to come down the final minute, and the team with the ball at the end will be the winner.  Both teams produced dominant performances last week, but I think the difference will be the motion of Josh Allen.  BILLS, 24-23

 

NFL 2023 Regular season rankings and Wildcard picks

 The season is over, and it was an interesting one!  Let's see how the teams finally line up...

Power Rankings [Last week's rank]

1.  BALTIMORE RAVENS (13-4) [1]

2.  San Francisco 49ers (12-5) [2]

3.  Dallas Cowboys (12-5) [3]

4.  Buffalo Bills (11-6) [4]

5.  Miami Dolphins (11-6) [5]

6.  Kansas City Chiefs (11-6) [6]

7.  Detroit Lions (12-5) [7]

8.  Cleveland Browns (11-6) [8]

9.  New Orleans Saints (9-8) [10]

10. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) [9]

11. Los Angeles Rams (10-7) [11]

12. Houston Texans (10-7) [12]

13. Green Bay Packers (9-8) [13]

14. Tampa Bay Bucs (9-8) [15]

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) [17]

16. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) [14]

Divisional Power Rankings [Last week's rank]

1.  AFC North [1]

2.  NFC North [2]

3.  NFC West [4]

4.  AFC East [3]

5.  AFC South [5]

6.  AFC West [5]

7.  NFC South [8]

8.  NFC East [7]

Saturday games

#5 Cleveland Browns at $4 Houston Texans : The first week of the playoffs often has upsets, and I'll start with this one.  The Browns are higher ranked, but the Texans offense is surprising.  CJ Stroud is pulling off some of the magic he demonstrated at Ohio State, and I think that will confuse the Browns.  The Browns do well when they can control the pace of the game, but I don't think they'll be able to do that in this game.  TEXANS, 24-23

#6 Miami Dolphins at #3 Kansas City Chiefs : In this game, I pick the visiting team.  The Chiefs are still getting comfortable with some of their new offensive players, and those newbies cause some stupid penalties.  On the other hand, the Dolphins offense moves very well.  The Chiefs will not be able to defend their Super Bowl title.  DOLPHINS, 30-24

Sunday games

#7 Pittsburgh Steelers at #2 Buffalo Bills : This one will be a blowout.  BILLS, 31-17

#7 Green Bay Packers at #2 Dallas Cowboys : Ditto.  COWBOYS, 38-17

#6 Los Angeles Rams at #3 Detroit Lions : This will be the closest game of the day, but I don't think the Lions will ever trail.  LIONS, 20-13

Monday Night Football

#5 Philadelphia Eagles at #4 Tampa Bay Bucs : The Eagles still do not seem to have straightened out their issues, which opens the door for the Bucs.  At one time the Eagles led the league this season, and now it does not seem like they will advance past this round.  BUCS, 16-13

NCAA 2023 Final Top 25

 The bowl games are done.  We had many surprises, and plenty of movement both on and off the rankings.

Top 25 [End of season position]

1.  MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (14-0) [1]

2.  Washington Huskies (14-0) [2]

3.  Georgia Bulldogs (13-1) [4]

4.  Oregon Ducks (12-2) [7]

5.  Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2) [5]

6.  Texas Longhorns (12-2) [6]

7.  Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-3) [13]

8.  Alabama Crimson Tide (12-2) [8]

9.  Missouri Tigers (11-2) [12]

10. Ole Miss Rebels (11-2) [16]

11. Florida State Seminoles (13-1) [3]

12. Penn State Nittany Lions (10-3) [9]

13. Arizona Wildcats (10-3) [17]

14. 14. LSU Tigers (10-3) [14]

15. Oklahoma Sooners (10-3) [10]

16. Tennessee Volunteers (9-4) [22]

17. SMU Mustangs (11-3) [11]

18. Kansas State Wildcats (9-4) [21]

19. Memphis Tigers (10-3) [25]

20. UTSA Roadrunners (9-4) [NR}

21. Liberty Flames (13-1) [15]

22. James Madison Dukes (11-2) [18]

23. Fresno State Bulldgos (9-4) [NR}

24. Louisville Cardinals (10-4) [19]

25. Air Force Falcons (9-4) [NR}

The team suffering the largest drop, because they suffered the largest margin of defeat, was Florida State.  The coach and administration stated that the playoff committee was mistaken to leave them out of the playoffs, and they vowed to show them their errors in their game against Georgia.  Well, that game (and the events leading up to it) DID prove a point, but not the one they intended.

Many Seminole fans will state that the loss was so large because so many of their starters were not playing, as they entered the transfer portal.  But it is exactly that large number of transfers that makes the largest statement about the team.  If the team's 13-0 was truly a reflection of their ability, they could repeat a similar performance next year, certainly a good enough showing to place in the new expanded 12-team playoff.  However, the students decided to try their luck in the transfer portal.  What's the chance that any of them will land with a playoff-bound team next year?  Given the number of teams, around 10%.  Now, granted, these are college students, and athletes, so their math skills are likely extremely weak, but I'm sure many of them are being advised by some adults, whose math skills are likely strong enough.  Yet so many students decided to try their luck in the transfer portal than stay with the program.  That indicates that the students feel there is some fatal flaw in the program and will prevent such success from happening again next year.

NFL 2023 Week 17 results and Week 18 picks

 Teams to continue to jockey for playoff position, but at least this week there were fewer upsets.

Power Rankings [Last week's rank]

1.  BALTIMORE RAVENS (13-3) [1]

2.  San Francisco 49ers (12-4) [2]

3.  Dallas Cowboys (11-5) [5]

4.  Buffalo Bills (10-6) [4]

5.  Miami Dolphins (11-5) [3]

6.  Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) [7]

7.  Detroit Lions (11-5) [6]

8.  Cleveland Browns (11-5) [9]

9.  Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) [8]

10. New Orleans Saints (8-8) [10]

11. Los Angeles Rams (9-7) [12]

12. Houston Texans (9-7) [15]

13. Green Bay Packers (8-8) [16]

14. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) [18]

Divisional Rankings [Last week's rank]

1.  AFC North [1]

2.  NFC North [2]

3.  AFC East [3]

4.  NFC West [4]

5.  AFC South [8]

6.  AFC West [6]

7.  NFC East [7]

8.  NFC South [5]

Picks this week will be interesting.  It is common for temas who have already locking in playoff positions to "rest" their starters.  This year we are still jockeying for position, so there aren't many games like that.  I will note those that I am picking based on "resting".

Saturday games

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens : This game is one of those "resting" games.  The Ravens have a lock on the top seed in the AFC, so they don't need this game.  They will likely rest most of their starting offense, especially Lamar Jackson.  Their defense might still play, which will make things hard for the Steelers.  However, I think they will edge out a win, as they won't have to score too much to win.  STEELERS,13-10

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts : Both of these teams are playing fo the playoffs, but only the winner has a shot.  CJ is back, so the Texans offense will move much smoother than the Colts.  TEXANS, 23-20

Sunday early games

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints : The Saints need a win for a shot at the playoffs.  The Falcons have a remote shot with a win, but they'd need lots of help.  The key is the victory.  The Falcons come in after an embarrassing loss to the Bears, so they have a reason to finish the season strong, whether they gain a playoff spot or not.  The Saints need a win and a Bucs loss to win the division.  Both are highly motivated, but I like the Saints a bit more.  SAINTS, 20-17

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals : The Browns are locked into the fifth seed in the AFC, so there is nothing for them to achieve.  They will likely rest their starters, allowing Cincy to complete the season with a win.  BENGALS, 17-13

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans : The Jags haven't won the division yet, so this game is important.  JAGS, 17-13

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions : The Lions have won the division and the second seed, so what do they need to play for?  They may sit some starters, but the Vikings are struggling under their third-string QB, so even with a restful Lions, I prefer them.  LIONS, 24-13

New York Jets at New England Patriots : Neither team is heading to the playoffs, so this one is for ego.  Nobody has bigger egos than the Jets.  JETS, 10-6

Tampa Bay Bucs at Carolina Panthers : The Bucs need a win to capture the division.  They should get it.  BUCS, 24-10

Sunday late games

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers : A win gives the Pack a wildcard spot.  That's mighty incentive.  The Bears are on a roll, though, so it won't be easy.  PACK, 24-17

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders : For Dallas, it's easy -- they win, they win the division and the second seed in the NFC.  COWBOYS, 34-17

Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders : Another game where both teams are out of the playoffs.  It's indicative of this year that there are so few of them.  This game will represent which team has improved the most this season.  BRONCOS, 20-17

Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers : The Chiefs are locked into their playoff position, so they have reason to rest their starters.  However, their offense still needs practice, so I think they will play like this is an important game.  As preparation for the playoffs, it is.  CHIEFS, 23-16

Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers : Here is the last game where the favorite will sit starters, giving the Rams a chance to make the playoffs.  RAMS, 20-16

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants : The Eagles are hoping the Cowboys lose, so that a win here clinches the division.  They have already clinched the playoffs, so the division is all they are playing for.  They will fight hard, but updates announced at Giants Stadium may dishearten some of the players, giving the Giants a chance.  Still, it will be a close game, and the Eagles have won many close games this season.  EAGLES, 23-20

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals : Even if they weren't playing for a playoff spot, the Seahawks would be able to beat the struggling Cardinals.  SEAHAWKS, 23-10

Sunday night

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins : Here's a fun game.  Buffalo is not only playing for a playoff spot, but can clinch the division title with a win.  The Dolphins are playing with a deficit, as some key players wre injured in last week's game.  That gives the Bills the edge.  BILLS, 24-17