The Sports Porch Weekend NFL Playoff Predictions

Chris: Is everybody ready?
Steve: Oh, we're ready.

Chris: Are you sure?

Steve: Uh, yeah, I think we're live.

Chris: I'm just waiting for Instagram to catch up. That's all I'm doing. I'm waiting for Instagram to catch up. There we go. And that means that we can start the show. Oh, yeah It is friday night and yes, it is not a mistake. You're looking at this On if you're on facebook or linkedin or youtube or x or even instagram at this point You are watching the sports porch. And why are we here guys? Why are we here? well We got to make some NFL predictions for this week because, um, I don't really remember why we didn't make them. What happened on Monday? What did we do on Monday?

Steve: Swab left us. It was a late day playoff game.

Chris: Uh, yes, it was a late day playoff game. That's right. And, and unfortunately it was a rather sad game for you, but I want to thank you guys for watching the sports porch. This is a podcast, which we will drop right after the show. We'll drop it right after the show. So if you can't watch the whole thing, you can go back and you can catch the sports porch podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, uh, I heart, or, uh, anywhere you get your frigging podcast. And I'll tell you what, I'm excited. Baseball season is around the corner. We're not going to talk about that tonight. But, uh, I'm going to do a buckos report. Uh, I've been promising it for a while, but I'm kind of waiting until the off season kind of shakes out a little bit, make sure I kind of know what the spring training roster is going to be. And then I'm going to evaluate the roster.

Marc: But that being said, you should call it pitchers and catchers report.

Chris: Uh, that's you are brilliant.

Steve: You know, I got a better name, a big fat guy at first base.

Chris: There you go. Well, I mean what else is new? Okay, and listen, I want you to know that we are right now streaming live On our independent internet radio station. It's called radio pgh. You can find it at radio pgh.com And I just put a link in the comments if you're in the car As always I advise you not to watch video while you're driving um, but I can't say that i'm not guilty of that occasional well, maybe at a stoplight but you can always click on the link and get the live stream and listen to it just like you're listening to the radio in your car.

Marc: Quick question for you. Is there such a thing as a stoplight or is it a stop sign and a traffic light?

Chris: Well, if the light is red, it makes you're supposed to stop.

Marc: So I think stop light might be a term used for less intellectually, uh,

Chris: Together people You've already hit happy hour All right All right, let's get this show on the road here listen, um A couple what happened last week a couple weeks ago our picks. Um I i'm gonna tell you right now that uh Well the hell with it, uh The browns at the texans mark and steve picked the texans chris picked the browns Dolphins of chiefs, uh, steve and chris picked the dolphins. You can do the math I picked the steelers mark and steve picked the other guys mark picked the packers steve and chris picked the cowboys Chris picked the rams mark and steve picked the lions steve and chris picked the eagles because we had faith And mark had no faith whatsoever and it turns out he was right and he picked the box. And what does that mean? These are our playoff records guys. I'm sure you will take.

Marc: I didn't realize you went oh and six.

Chris: Oh and six baby. Oh and six.

Marc: I thought six and oh was the big story, but oh and six.

Chris: Well, if you think about it, considering my record, my record this year, that's not the big story. I'm being consistent.

Marc: I'm actually gotten worse.

Chris: Yeah, right. Exactly. So what I would say is now, of course, we're getting comments already right now. Craig says trade Tomlin for a draft pick. We're going to save this Tomlin stuff. Maybe we'll get into it after our picks here. But, you know, we got a Monday show to do and we have to we have to be sure that we kind of we want to leave. Well, there's never a lack of content, but I think the bigger story here in our playoff records is that we're splitting it right down to the middle. You got Mark who's undefeated, you got Steve who's 500, and you've got me in a ditch. So what do you think, guys? I think we're, you know, it's great.

Marc: So I think you're obviously out of it. So if you don't want to make any more picks, you can just, you know, stop.

Chris: Oh, no, I want to make picks. No doubt about it.

Marc: That's why I can stop at the stoplight.

Chris: I know. Was that before the music started? Was that before the show that you're what do you call is? Is it a stop? Is a stop sign different than it? No, that's a dumb question.

Steve: It's a traffic light different than a stoplight.

Chris: That's exactly right.

Marc: I don't think there is such a thing as a stoplight.

Chris: Or is there no such thing as a stoplight? It's the little red bulb up at the top. That's the stoplight part of the traffic light. Does that sound?

Steve: It's a red. That's what I would say. Yes. Whatever it's a red bulb.

Chris: All right. Listen guys. Here's here's what we're gonna do We got to get these playoff picks in so we can come back on on monday For our regular show, um, but hey, look if you're if you're chiming in here on a friday night Once again from the bottom of our hearts, you know, we've been doing this now for damn close to five years Uh, and we really, really appreciate all the support everybody gives us. And I would ask you to subscribe to the podcast. Uh, you can catch our show anytime. You can always come back and watch it on Facebook or LinkedIn or wherever, but subscribe to the podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcast. It's the sports porch and leave us a review. That would, man, that would make my day. I need a good review. I need no bad reviews.

Marc: Please go back and listen to the show over and over and over again. If you keep going back, you might find something new every time you go back.

Steve: Might we ever know you will definitely will find something new.

Chris: Yeah, absolutely. OK, so the first game, the first game, all right, is wait a minute, our playoffs.

Marc: This is it. Is it same rules since I'm in the lead? I pick first.

Chris: That is, you know, let's let's let's let's switch it up. Steve's 500. OK, you've got enough glory Texans at the Ravens. Um, maybe we let's talk a little bit about the game before we just make our picks Let's let's give a little you know, shout out to the team. So Texans at the ravens that is the first game on that's tomorrow, right?

Steve: Yep.

Chris: It's the first game on saturday 4 30 game. Is that 4 30? Okay, so texans at ravens at 4 30. You got cj cj stroud. Um Pretty good young quarterback pretty good young quarterback. D'amico ryan's pretty good young coach, head coach. I remember when he played, I'm sure you guys did to do too. Uh, and then you got the Ravens. It's, it's like the perennial, uh, you know, will the real Lamar Jackson please stand up bowl. So will the real Lamar Jackson stand up in this game and will they beat the Texans or will the upstart, um, Texans pull off a miracle and go to the, a AFC championship game.

Steve: Steve, I think the Texans actually got a lot from their home crowd last week. I think that made a big difference in the game they were playing, to be honest with you. And I don't clearly they're not going to get that this week. I do think that CJ Stroud is a is an excellent quarterback. And I was concerned that, you know, maybe he wasn't all the way back with his injury, but he certainly is looked good. But here's the problem with with the Texans. They have no running game. So they really can only do one thing, and that's pass the ball. And I think Baltimore's defense is better than people are giving them credit. And if you give them a one dimensional offense to go against, I don't think they'll have any problem against this stopping CJ Stroud. I think he'll probably still throw for over 200 yards, maybe close at 300 yards cuz he's gonna have to. Um, but no, I'd like Baltimore. I think they're going to be, I think they're going to have a lot of composure in this game. They've got a running game again. Their defense is better than it's ever been. Um, you know, Baltimore, I think, I know Andrews isn't back yet, so likely still going to be the guy, uh, as the tight end. But look, save flowers is a deep threat. They've got all the weapons. Justice Hill could run the ball to that. Take the ball to the house at any point. I, I just like, I like Baltimore. I think, I think for those reasons, I think Baltimore has got a really good, uh, really good, complete team. And although I think the Texans won't get blown out, um, I don't think they'll ever really be in it except for maybe in the first quarter. What do you think, Mark?

Chris: Well, so, so let me just make sure I log your pick, right? Texans or I'm sorry, Baltimore Ray Vance.

Steve: Yes.

Chris: Okay. So Steve's got the Ravens for the, uh, aforementioned reasons. What do you, what do you think Schwaber?

Marc: I also like the Edgar Allen Poe Ravens. I definitely think, to me anyway, regardless of what happens in the playoffs, I think the Ravens have the best team in football. And they've proven it by blowing out the 49ers and blowing out the Dolphins and Um, they're just playing at a very high level. It's probably the best version of Lamar Jackson that we've seen, um, up to date. And, um, I, I look to Lamar Jackson as, you know, more a reason that they're going to win rather than, you know, some sort of question mark. I think Texas, the Texans just, you know, great season, great young quarterback, very good young head coach. But I have a feeling that, you know, they've sort of played the best game of the season and, you know, they're going to fall rather easily. Again, I agree with Steve. I don't think they're going to get blown out. But, um, you know, I, I would imagine it's going to be something more in the, you know, maybe like the, uh, 31 to 21 type range, something like that.

Chris: All right. So Ravens for you, grand Schwabini.

Marc: Yes, sir, man. I'll tell you.

Chris: This is, this is the problem for me. If I have any hope of catching you, I can't, I can't pick every game with you.

Marc: Well, but the other side of the coin is, do you want to be completely humiliated?

Steve: Well, I mean, he's been in that position before.

Chris: He took the words out of my mouth. I mean, it's humiliation is my life, Schwab, and I accept it. I would. My heart says the Ravens are going to win this game. And the reason why I won't go over all the things you guys talked about, offense, defense, that kind of stuff. The Texans, they play in a dome. CDA Stroud is a young quarterback. He did win a playoff game. Uh, he is very good. The Texans overall, they, they have a decent team. I, I think they're going to be getting better as time goes on, but they're going into Baltimore in a hostile environment. The weather's going to be bad and well, it may or may not be bad, but it's going to be cold. So they're going to be coming, you know, although they did, they did play in Cleveland. No, the Browns played at home.

Marc: I think, you know, that's an interesting comment that you make there, because You know, whenever they talk about, you know, like the warm weather team playing in the cold, I think it's just a bunch of garbage. Because, like, think about it this way. OK, so what about your quarterback, CJ Stroud? He played at Ohio State. He played in Columbus, Ohio. That's colder there than it is in Baltimore.

Steve: Okay, so you know what I mean that clearly affected the Miami game.

Marc: I think the Miami game is the exception to that rule I think it's more Whether the team is soft or not

Chris: Well, if you think about the Miami game, they made a very good point during the game. And they kind of were going down your road, Mark, like like bad weather is part of playing football. You know, from from Pop Warner League all the way through high school, college and the NFL, you play in bad weather. That's just the way it works. So a lot of these guys, they are used to it some more than others. But everybody's played in a very, very cold or rainy field. But the difference in the Miami game was Tua grew up in Hawaii, and then he played where? At Alabama, right? Right. And he actually said he had never played in cold weather like this. So I think for that game, maybe the exception. But given that, Mark, you have convinced me I'm going with the underdog. I'm going with the Texans. I made that sound, but, uh, okay. All right. Our, our NFL playoff, this pick, what are yours? Drop them in the comments. If you're with us the next, uh, game on Saturday, is it an eight 15 start Steve, or is it, it's the old late start. Yep. And this is a, this is a back to the future kind of game. Once again, the green Bay Packers eight 15 start.

Steve: Yep.

Chris: Yeah. Uh, eight 15 start the green Bay Packers at the San Francisco 49ers. What are your thoughts on the game, Steve? And give me your pick.

Steve: Well, I think this game is a little bit different than the previous game because I think Jordan Love seems like he's got a little bit more grass underneath his feet, meaning I think he he's going to play a more cerebral game against the 49ers. The question is, how well is Aaron Jones going to be able to run in this game? Because clearly I think that the strength of the Green Bay Packers success is Aaron Jones being able to run the ball and. I just don't know how he's going to do against those those linebackers that San Francisco has with Fred Warner and etc. Green law all those guys. I think I think they're going to have problems running the ball and that being said, I still think I still think Jordan Love is going to keep them in the game longer than they than the 49ers are going to like. I think this is going to go into the third quarter, maybe even into the fourth quarter, a one score game. And I think there's somebody who's going to make a mistake. And I think it's probably going to be, unfortunately, somebody somebody is one of those young guns from from from Green Bay. They're going to try and do something dumb on a third down play. They're going to fumble the ball and it's going to cost them the game. I like the 49ers in a close one. Um, I think it's going to be a wake up call for the 49ers to say, Hey, you know, we're not invincible and, um, they're going to need it because, um, I, I just think that green Bay's better than a lot of people are giving them credit for it. Myself included. Look, I know the Eagles were, were. No, they didn't beat the Eagles. Who did the Green Bay? Who did Green Bay beat? They beat Dallas, right? Yeah, OK, I know Dallas has the mystery of never winning, never ever winning a playoff game for like whatever 69 years. It seems like now. Seems like the number keeps growing and growing, but that Dallas team is pretty good, so you they've got to have some moxie to be able to go into Dallas and beat Dallas. A number 7 seed has never won that game before ever. in the history of the NFL. Now it's relatively new.

Chris: I was going to say there haven't been a whole lot of number seven seats yet, but no, there haven't.

Steve: I think it's what been in the league for what? Six years, maybe. Yeah. Yeah. But still, that's that's a pretty that's a pretty long time to not have a wild card, a playoff team. um, win that, win that game. So, um, and it's always great when it happens to Dallas, isn't it? I just have, I just have to get that in because the digs on Dallas this week have just been phenomenal. I've absolutely been loving them.

Chris: I think it's interesting. The one point that all three of us agree on pretty much a hundred percent of the time is that we can't stand the Dallas Cowboys.

Steve: I tried to adopt them as my team this year, but knowing that I'm not a Dallas Cowboys fan and knowing that they would disappoint in the playoffs, but their disappointment in the playoffs brings me happiness.

Chris: I do want, before we do Schwaber's pick, Gary Breed on Instagram, he's logged his picks for all the games. Ravens, Niners, Lions, Bills. Thank you, Gary. And Graves, he picked the Ravens. Thanks again for being here, Graves, as always. And he picked the Niners. So, Schwaber, Packers, Niners, thoughts?

Marc: Well, everything that you know, uh, should tell you that the 49ers are going to win this game. Um, but, but, but, um, I heard a statistic and I can't remember it exactly. So I'm just going to kind of like ballpark it for you. But it was something like in the divisional round over however many years recently, like 80% of the time, a one seed loses their first playoff game. Right. That's interesting. And so and so I'm I'm thinking about, you know, I'm thinking about just how hot Green Bay is right now. you know, how much confidence they have, how how good of a coach the floor is. And I'm thinking about, you know, now this is the first time really all season that I almost say the pressure is on the 49ers. You know, the 49ers were basically trying to prove all season that they were better than the Eagles and then that they were better than the Cowboys and then that they were better than the Ravens. And they failed that test. So, you know, they're now, you know, perceived as the number one team to beat in the NFC. And I think there's a chance that they could maybe, you know, I know it sounds crazy because it's the playoffs, but they could take this Green Bay team a little bit lightly. We know that Shanahan is a poor postseason coach. He's had a lot of real mess ups. So, you know, I'm look, it's not based on talent because the 49ers are certainly more talented, but just based on the you know, and I usually don't like to go this route. This is more a client strategy. Oh, you know, you know, to go with the hot team, you know, like personally, I'm not a big believer in that. I believe that momentum starts like, you know, hey, if the if they If the opening kickoff gets run back for a touchdown, there's your momentum. It has nothing to do with the week before. But I think that one thing that can carry over is, is confidence. And I think that's something that also, um, you know, you look at the 49ers and now, you know, the last couple of years, they've been playing every week to get into a playoff position the last couple of years. And now this year they were able to take off a week. And now Christian McCaffery, it's going to be three weeks since he's played a game. So I'm just looking at all those factors and I'm saying this is the one that is ripe for the one seed upset. I'm taking the Packers on route to a perfect playoff season.

Chris: All right. Well, you made that a little easier on me because at least I don't have to take the underdog this time Schwaber. So, uh, Mark takes the Packers. What I'm wondering is if maybe the magic, the magic, uh, since the, the grand Schwabini doesn't have his lamp with him that maybe, uh, you know, it's affecting the way that he thinks about things here. So, um, the only fear that I have about this game is the standard, You know, the Packers starters basically have had three weeks off, if you think about it. And so rust and that 80 percent the city scene on Instagram. Thanks for being here, guys. Picking the forty niners.

Marc: So I also I also would say and I like to get your guys thoughts on this. I would also say that, you know, while Brock Purdy You can certainly make your case that Brock Purdy is a star quarterback. I'm sure he's going to be probably in the top three in NFL MVP this year. Right. But at the same time, like, boy, was that a bad game against Baltimore? I mean, like a four interception game, like in the first half. Or was it five interceptions? I don't know. Boy, like that was such a bad game that You know, I don't know. I mean, I like you go on and win the Super Bowl, but like, you know, but it's something I feel like that has to be proven because, boy, was he bad late in the season in that game.

Chris: Yeah. And everybody has a bad game. Nelson Derrick joins us on Facebook, says hello. So. All right.

Marc: So that's that's really bad, though. It's not it's not like. It's not like he threw a critical interception right to some guy in the end zone at the end of the game, but otherwise threw for 300 yards, three touchdowns and one pick. I mean, it was four interceptions or five and a half.

Chris: Well, the way I see it is this past is the past. The past is the past. So I, I, man, I want to, I really want to go with the, I really want to go with the Niners. Um, because you know me, uh, and you, you guys, you guys will back this up. I know. I mean, any chance you get to prove me wrong is, is a good chance for you and you love it. But you guys know, after I watched Brock paid pretty play one game. I said, he's a hall of fame quarterback. I stand by that. I think now look, it's early in his career. I get, I get the whole hall of fame nonsense, but what I'm saying is you watch the guy play and he plays like a hall of fame quarterback. Um, I really want to go with the 49ers here and you want to know what, that's what I'm going to do. I'm going with the 49ers.

Steve: I think I think you're wrong about Purdy, by the way, and both you guys, he's not a Hall of Fame quarterback and he's not a guy who's going to throw for interception. He's the guy who gives the ball to their star Christian McCaffrey and watches him run. He's the guy that that throws it to Christian McCaffrey and watch him run for 75 yards in a touchdown. He's the guy who who gives it to Debo Samuels, who watches him run over four guys on his way into the end zone. and or he's the guy who gives it to Kittle across the middle who stiff arms a guy on his way into the end zone. This is the 49ers. The 49ers are just a tough team to play against. They are really a bad ass team.

Marc: And remember, I think the neatest stat the whole year about Purdy And look, he can throw the ball deep. Yeah, he's a good distributor. But I mean, I mean, the 42 to 20 route over the Eagles, where he threw one pass more than 15 yards and it was a 16 yard wheel route to Christian McCaffrey. Think about that. He doesn't have to throw the ball more than 10 yards down the field. No, he does this team to just go crazy on offense. I mean, that's, that's, that's like something you'll never, you might never see that again.

Chris: He's he, he, he's got the skills, um, to read the defense and make the right play. And I think the same thing could be said for, you know, a guy like Tom Brady, when he had Randy Moss, all he had to do was throw the ball up in the air. you know. I want to get these. I want to get these. So Mark picked the Packers. Steve and Chris picked the Niners. But here's some comments from Instagram. The reason I have to talk about them is because our connection to Instagram doesn't allow the comments to show up in my comment queue here. I've got to watch them on Instagram. So that's why I can't. Put your comments up on the screen if you're watching on Instagram. I do think that's coming soon. So I want to thank you for commenting there and continue to do it. The city scene actually goes back and picks the Ravens. Gary Breed says Brock pass for over 4200 yards. He had the highest pass completion rate in the NFL this year. Now look. shorter passes thrown at the CMC. I get it. But I think what you're going to see and consistency is a big thing. I think what you're going to see is he will continue to play at this level no matter what the weapons he has are around him now. He's to have great weapons and history will let it go. All right, let's move on to the next game. We could debate this all night. Maybe if we had a San Francisco show.

Marc: Chris, do you believe in the statistics yards after catch and yards after contact?

Chris: Do I believe in them?

Marc: Or you just think that's not part of football. You can move on.

Chris: Now you're just being an asshole. All right. Next game up for bid on the sports porch is. Uh the bucks at the lions and I don't like those scrolling down there. I like them up here bucks at lion lions Is uh, what is that three o'clock game?

Steve: That's a three o'clock game on sunday three.

Chris: I'll be down at the grand concourse I hope i'm done stuffing my face by then.

Marc: So is this like a weekly thing you're doing now? You have lunch every sunday um

Chris: No, I have breakfast with my mother every Sunday because I love and care about her so deeply.

Steve: Oh, and she probably pays.

Chris: And no, she makes me eggs and bacon.

Marc: Well, you said you're going to the Grand Concourse.

Chris: Yeah, for brunch. For brunch. Yeah. This this weekend, I'm going to.

Marc: You are a brunt. You are a bruncher.

Steve: Oh, he's a brunch guy. Yeah.

Marc: I'm going to get up at 10 o'clock. I'm having some tea. Cheerio.

Chris: That's not brunch. That's tea asshole. Okay. So Gary breed on Instagram, who, who's sticking with us through this whole show, which is unbelievable because by now I'd be asleep. He says, great show guys. So thanks Gary. Spread the word. Tell your friends about it. Yeah. Tell your friends about it. We're looking to sign a big contract somewhere. We want some.

Steve: Bling we want some big brunches in our future. We want some dollar bills y'all.

Chris: Yep You gotta you gotta record that one that's uh, yeah, I know I gotta figure out is this I like that kind of party. There you go That's exactly what we're looking for. Okay box it lions. Wait, I got a comment here from facebook or something uh, it is a friday night guys, so, uh Jeff Graves says Lions, and it looks like he's wearing a Lions jersey there. So anyway, Bucks at Lions, our picks. Steve, tell me about this Bucks at Lions game and your love, your unwavering love, Baker Mayfield.

Steve: Well, I don't love any of these teams. In fact, I don't think either of these teams belong in the playoffs, let alone in the divisional game for a chance to play in an NFC championship. I think both of these teams are pretenders. I think they're awful. They should be kicked out of the playoffs. In fact, they shouldn't even play this game.

Chris: I said that for real.

Steve: because I think that both of these teams suck. Baker Mayfield is fine. Dude, Baker Mayfield's just a cast off from the freaking Cleveland Rebels. The Lions don't suck.

Marc: This is a Cleveland issue.

Chris: I'm talking here. This is a Cleveland issue.

Steve: No, it's not. It's it's it's about two teams that really suck. You know, Detroit is is definitely a fake team. They're only in there because, you know, they need a feel good story. So there's your Detroit. So here's the deal. Detroit will win because they want the fans to be so happy that they're finally going to an NFC championship game. But it's not because they're a talented team. They're a mat team. They're an OK team. Goff is an OK quarterback who does OK in the playoffs. And you know what? If he gets to a chance, if he gets to an NFC championship game or if he even gets to the Super Bowl, he'll choke again. This is what he'll do. And he'll break the hearts of Detroit in the process. But the reality is neither of these teams belong here. So I got to take one. I'm taking the home team. I'm going with Detroit. Oh, OK.

Chris: After all of that, after all that sucks, Detroit is cursed. You know, he can't do anything right. He's a pretender.

Steve: I want to pick a tie. I would pick a tie, but there are no ties in the playoffs. I'm going to predict an overtime game. How about that?

Chris: All right. There you go. Amy. Amy May. Sorry, Schwaber says I love the kneecaps.

Marc: Yeah. And that's and I love the kneecaps, too. I've been talking about Dan Campbell and his squad since last year. I think they are going to bring it. They're going to take down Tampa Bay. And I don't know what you're talking about, Steve. They got a good team. I mean, seriously, they don't have a good team.

Steve: Tell me who they beat and what their signature win was this year. Kansas City? You're probably right. It probably was Kansas City. Super Bowl champs?

Chris: Gee, right out of the gate.

Marc: Right out of the gate. They really had Dallas beat if the refs didn't, you know.

Chris: Yeah, and the refs beat them, not Dallas. That's exactly right.

Marc: But look, they got, they got Amon Ross St. Brown. And I just know from him being on my fantasy league the last two years, he is one of the best receivers in the league. He is great. He's a great wide receiver. And how about the running back combination, Montgomery and Samir Gibbs? That is awesome. How about Penny Stuhl? How about Penny Stuhl, the highest rated offensive lineman from PFF stats? How about on the defense? How about on the D? Yeah, Laporta, the great tight end. How about like it led the tight ends in touchdown receptions this year? How about Hutchinson on the defensive line? How about a great, great safety combo in in what Brian Branch and CJ GJ? I mean, you know, CJ GJ being back is big, man. He hits. I love the Lions. As a matter of fact, with my saying that the Packers are going to take out the 49ers, if that does ring true, I'm saying Lions are going to be in the Super Bowl.

Chris: All right. All right. Well, we'll get there, you know, if they make it to the championship.

Marc: Hold your horses. Pump the brakes.

Chris: There you go. There you go. So, so, uh, uh, Grabe says, uh, that, that Jersey, that's a Billy Bob Jersey from Varsity Blues. All right.

Steve: That's pretty close to Detroit team though.

Chris: It is. Um, here's the one thing that, that you said, Steve, that kind of swings me in, in one direction. You said Detroit's going to break. They're going to break the lines are going to break Detroit's heart. Listen, Detroit, if anything, when it comes to NFL football, if not even other sports lately, uh, their heart was broken a long time ago and it's good. Their heart was broken when Barry Sanders retired and it's been, it's never been repaired. So you can't break their heart anymore. They won the first playoff game that has been in that city in 32 years or something.

Marc: They've already won. If anything, the pressure is off.

Chris: That's exactly right.

Steve: So I should have picked Tampa Bay then.

Chris: OK, so that being said, that's why I'm picking Tampa Bay. That's right.

Steve: If you believe that, that's who you gotta go with. Absolutely.

Chris: But here's the thing about that pick for me. I'm picking that because of karma. I agree 100% with Mark that Detroit has the makings of not quite yet great, but definitely the makings of great team there. Their receiver Saint Brown. He is unbelievable and Jared Goff. is not a terrible quarterback.

Steve: And he doesn't terrible, but he's not a superstar. They have no linebackers. They just got Hutchinson this year. He's not a star yet on the defensive line. He won't be able to tackle Baker Mayfield. I'm telling you, it's going to be a shit game to watch.

Chris: Okay, well, we'll see what happens. So Chris picks the Bucks. Steve and Mark pick the Lions. All right. The biggest game.

Marc: Steve picked the Lions. Or did you change your pick?

Chris: No, no, I got the lines. Yeah. I said Chris picks the box. Oh, OK. OK, gotcha. OK. Arguably, probably the most. The most now this is kind of a curse if you think about it. This is the most anticipated game I think in the playoffs right now this year because at this point now you've got the Chiefs going to the Bills, two teams that play in incredibly shitty weather all the time. And the Chiefs and the Bills, they've played it pretty evenly except when it mattered. You know, like to go to the Super Bowl. So that game is the Sunday night game and Steve take us away. Who do you think is going to win?

Steve: Well, I don't know who's actually going to win this game. I could flip a coin and half the time I would take the Chiefs and half the time I would take the Bills. The only reason I'm taking the Bills is because that's who I picked in the preseason. So I'm going to stick with the Bills, although I have a sneaking suspicion Kansas City is going to go up there and just just decimate them. But I can't. I'm not going to go against the Bills at this point because they were my pick. And because it's a pick them game, I'm just going to stick with the Bills. So I'm sticking with the Buffalo Bills for no reason at all.

Chris: All right, Hockey Jesus is picking the Bills Schwaber.

Marc: I am picking the Bills. I just think that, you know, this is just a year that is not meant to be for the Chiefs. Patrick Holmes has had a really down year for him. Part of that is due to lack of quality receivers and a dropping of the ball. And as crazy it is to sound kind of like a little bit of a drop off from Travis Kelsey. Oh, a big drop off. Yeah.

Chris: I think he's he's he's a little bit distracted.

Marc: Little bit.

Chris: You know, my wife got the most, the most recent edition of people magazine in the mail today. Yes, there are a couple people left on the planet that actually read magazines.

Marc: We're one of them as well. We get people.

Chris: Do you? Oh, so you saw the cover Travis and Jason Kelsey.

Marc: It didn't arrive to us yet.

Chris: Okay. Oh, so you're not on the preferred list. You don't get it.

Marc: No, no, no. We don't have, we don't, we don't have the platinum card.

Chris: Gotcha. So. I don't have the platinum card anymore either. So, uh, yeah, I think that whole thing is way overdone. I can't stand it. Um, but anyway, go, go ahead. Schwaber.

Marc: Yeah. So I just, you know, the, the, the one thing that I would say, yeah, I picked the bills. The one thing I would say, um, oddly enough, you know, what has really carried Kansas city in the past has been their offense and really what has carried them this year has been their defense. So I do think that there's a chance that, you know, if if, you know, Josh Allen finds himself trying to chance one too many times, you know, you have some turnover potential there, which could make the game swing the other way. But I just feel that this is, you know, I'm not saying the Bills are going to win the Super Bowl or anything. Um, but it's definitely a year where I see them in the championship game. I like the way they've committed to the running game as they have not in the past, or maybe it's just because they have a better running back now than they did before and cook. Um, but I see the bills, uh, winning this game and, and kind of, you know, my home's frustrations are finally put to rest.

Chris: OK, I I think it's interesting because you know what you said earlier is quite true. The Chiefs defense is really good this year and I think. That this is going to be year where their defense carries them. Grabe says the bills my buddy from York Jeff, who obviously has nothing better to do than watch Facebook after plowing the freaking driveway is in the house again. Thanks Jeff for being here on Facebook. Again, I think the Bills have some momentum. I wouldn't call that game against the Steelers a blowout because we know it wasn't. I think it was closer than the score let on. It's not like they're going to go into the game with the same kind of momentum that they went into the Steelers playoff game because they know they're a better team. Kansas City knows how to play them. You know, these are two juggernauts right now coming at each other. And you're right. Patrick Mahomes has not had what we would consider a good year or a great. He's had a good year, but a great year for Patrick Mahomes. Yes, their receivers have dropped more passes than any other team in the NFL. So what that leads me to believe is that this is the year the defense says, Hey, you know, our offense, isn't the only reason we win super bowls. And I think they're going to be scheming for that. And we'll see. Um, and, and we all know that Josh Allen is prone to make mistakes. He just didn't really make any against the Steelers. So I, these teams know each other very well. So I am going with the chiefs. I am going with. the chiefs All right guys. Well, I got a date with uh a giant eagle parking lot in monroeville Because I gotta I gotta pick up my daughter from work.

Marc: Um, but you uh, can you can you bring me some ham off the bone?

Chris: Uh, yeah.

Steve: Yeah I'll take some chip chop ham, please.

Chris: I'll tell you what man one of these days we're gonna have a segment called deli stories and uh Because i'm getting some pretty good ones now now that she's been there a little while and she's kind of settled into it

Marc: I'd like to know, you know, is your daughter a quick worker or is she like that one that like takes forever, like was walking in molasses until they put the, you know, pound of beef on the, you know, the slicer?

Chris: She doesn't work in the store that has molasses on the floor. No, my daughter, she's a quick worker, actually. Grabe says, thanks. Jeff says, sweet bologna, please. There you go.

Steve: Sweet bologna. Yeah. And by the way, we like to say in western Pennsylvania, I don't know.

Marc: I'd also like to for John, I'd also like for you to our next show to get us an answer to this question. How many people actually do buy olive loaf?

Chris: Okay, I will try. No, my daughter works pretty hard there. She actually loves the job. She's very quick. I have had independent people who are friends of ours tell me and my wife, hey, I was in the, you know, I was in the deli at Giant Eagle and I saw your daughter and she was really friendly. She was really quick and she loves her job. Amy May says, I want a pound of jumbo. All right. All right. I'll let her know. Listen, guys, I want to thank you for watching us live on Instagram. If you're still watching. And of course, on Facebook, the sports porch, Pittsburgh, beautiful Chicago, beautiful YouTube, LinkedIn X. I said Instagram reminds you that we dropped the podcast right after the show. It's actually going to be in about 20 minutes when I get back. Subscribe to the sports sports podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, Spotify, or anywhere you get your friggin podcast. Have a great weekend jeff. You have a great weekend, too and um, you know if my fingers were fast enough, I would uh have started the music by now, but Looks like uh, it was playing the whole time anyway I'm such a moron. All right guys. Have a great weekend And I'm your technical director and I am out.