NFL Playoffs and the New GCR

Once again, the National Football League delivered the goods to its fans this past weekend in the Divisional round of the Playoffs.

• 49'ers over Vikings.  This is the one game that I missed die to other obligations.  It seems that this was the most pro forma of the four games this weekend, so if I had to miss one, that was probably the one to miss.
• Titans over Ravens.  This was easily the most stunning result of the weekend as sixth seeded Tennessee ousted the 14-2 Ravens.  The numbers show that presumptive league MVP Lamar Jackson had a big night with over 100 yards rushing and 400+ yards passing.  However, he also had two interceptions and a lost fumble, all at critical times, and at points when it could have made a real difference in the ball game, he failed to convert two different fourth-and-one opportunities.  Jackson is a marvelous player, fun to watch, and as a Steelers fan, I dread having to face him twice a year for the next decade or so, but he came up short on Saturday, despite the 500 yards of offense.
• Chiefs over Texans.  After falling behind 24-0 early in the second quarter, the Chiefs scored touchdowns the next seven times they had the ball and won in a blowout, 51-31.  This was stunning in a whole different way than the Titans win was, and it proved that Patrick Mahomes and not Lamar Jackson (not yet, anyway) is still the New Sheriff in town.
• Packers over Seahawks.  It was a valiant comeback effort by Seattle at Lambeau Field, but Aaron Rodgers and the Packers held on and won 28-23.  Russell Wilson certainly made it exciting, but Rodgers is letting the world know that he ain't done yet.

This all sets up one of my favorite sports days of the year - NFL Championship Sunday when the Super Bowl participants will be determined.  To me, the Super Bowl itself is often anti-climactic after this doubleheader.  Anyway, that leads us to the revised Grandstander Confidence Rankings after this weekend:

1. Chiefs (#2 last week)
2. 49'ers (#3)
3. Packers (#4)
4. Titans (#8)

Can't wait to see what the betting lines will be when I toddle on down to the Rivers Casino later this week.

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Meanwhile, another football game will be played tonight to settle the National Champion of College Football.

The match-up of two undefeated teams, LSU and Clemson, and their marvelous quarterbacks, Joe Burrow and Brooks Lawrence, should be terrific and a fun game to watch.  My only question is...why wasn't this game played last Monday night instead of tonight, sixteen days after the semi-final match-ups on December 28?  It lends the game an air of "anti-climax" after such a long delay. 

My prediction, and my money, is on LSU (at -5.5) to win the game.  Can't wait to hear the mellifluous tones of Ed Orgeron.