Wild Card Weekend Panel Picks
The playoffs have arrived and so has the prime form of the panel. With wins counting as double and the weeks waning away, we’re more locked in than ever—much like the 12 teams competing on Wild Card weekend. I want to watch the Ravens game, so let’s keep this short.
Here are the current standings.
And here are the picks.
Wild Card Picks
Most alike picks: Multiple duos picked the same results but only one duo picked the same results with the same lock. That would be the sensible men—Ray and Jackson.
Least alike picks: I picked three games differently from George and Rahul.
Most upsets picked: I was the only panelist to pick two upsets.
Fewest upsets picked: Everyone else picked the minimum required one upset.
Most picks with majority: Excluding the Bucs vs Commanders game because it was a tie, Ray, Jackson, and Theo were in the majority for every game.
Most picks against majority: All other panelists were in the minority once.
What Stands Out?
The game of the week appears to be Bucs vs Commanders. The panel’s vote on this game was four to four and the spread indicates that it’s Even Steven with Tampa Bay getting points as the home team. Both offenses are great, both defenses are fine at best and both quarterbacks have had great years. The stage is set.
The Ravens and Bills are the clear favorites of the weekend. They were the only teams to sweep the panel vote and both received at least three locks. Both teams are favored by at least 8.5 points and it’ll be a massive disappointment if either lose in the Wild Card round.
The Texans weren’t favored to win according to Vegas and according to the panel, but they’ve taken game one of the weekend in comfortable fashion. Playoff games are worth double points. As of now, Ben has leapt over Theo in the standings. All other positions have been maintained.
Playoff Picture
Let’s pretend our majority pick in each matchup won this weekend. Here are the projected playoff matchups in the Divisional Round. For Bucs vs Commanders, I inquired a ninth party.
AFC
(1) Kansas City Chiefs vs (5) Los Angeles Chargers | Kansas City was 2-0 against Los Angeles this season.
(2) Buffalo Bills vs (3) Baltimore Ravens | Baltimore beat Buffalo 35-10 in week four.
NFC
(1) Detroit Lions vs (6) Washington Commanders | Four quarterbacks in the NFL history have reach the conference championship game.
(2) Philadelphia Eagles vs (5) Minnesota Vikings | This playoff game would have the most combined wins since the Chiefs and Eagles faced off in the Super Bowl (both were 14-3).