Our Picks are IN!

👋 Welcome to the Playoffs!

Andy: I have to hand it to you, Leesl—finishing the regular season in a dead heat was impressive. But the playoffs are a different animal. The lights are brighter, the stakes are higher, my Bears finally have a home playoff game at Soldier Field! I’m feeling good about my bracket, but I can’t help but notice you’re leaning into some of the tougher road matchups this weekend—planning on breaking our tie with some high-stakes gambles?

Leesl: I wouldn’t call them gambles, Andy—I’d call them calculated risks! Tying for the lead was a huge win for me, but I didn’t get there by playing it safe. While we’re unified on the Rams and my Texans (9-game winning streak, yahoo!🤠🤘), there are two major differences that even the real experts are split right down the middle:

1. The Soldier Field Showdown 🧀🐻

You’re backing your home-team Bears (duh), but the oddsmakers actually have the Packers as the favorite. I’m betting on Jordan Love’s history of success against Chicago to hold up.

2. The Duval Duel 🐆🦬

This is the big one. You know I usually never pick against Josh Allen and the Bills, but I’m putting loyalty aside for the stats. I’m picking the Jaguars’ #1 run defense to win the day.

Now, let’s get to the rest of our picks!

SEASON STANDINGS

Leesl: 179-91-1 | Andy: 179-91-1

Wild Card	Leesl	Andy
LAR @ CAR	LAR	LAR
GB @ CHI ⚔️	GB	CHI
BUF @ JAX ⚔️	JAX	BUF
SF @ PHI	PHI	PHI
LAC @ NE	NE	NE
HOU @ PIT	HOU	HOU

The Breakdown!

Andy: I almost fell off my chair when I saw your pick against the Bills! You’ve been the President of the Josh Allen Fan Club all season. Are you sure you aren’t just trying to jinx the Jaguars? Because picking against the Bills and my Bears in the same weekend is a bold way to try and break this tie.

Leesl: Trust me, it hurts my soul to pick against Buffalo! But let’s look at the stats:

• The History: The Bills haven’t won a game in Jacksonville since 2013. I love Josh Allen, but I think the Jags are built to make him play “left-handed” this Sunday.
• The “Brick Wall” Defense: Jacksonville has the #1 run defense in the NFL. They haven’t allowed a single 75-yard rusher all season. Buffalo is 9-1 when James Cook hits 100 yards, but only 3-4 when he doesn’t. And let’s not ignore the Jags are one of the hottest teams in football, coming in on an 8-game win streak. ✨

Andy: Stats are great, but the playoffs are about stars, and Allen is a superstar. Speaking of stars, how can you pick Green Bay at Soldier Field? Caleb Williams just gave us our first NFC North title in years!

• The Turnover Kings: Our defense leads the NFL with 33 takeaways. If it’s snowy and the ball is slick, our secondary is going to feast on any mistakes Jordan Love makes.
• The Ground & Pound: We finished the season with the #3 rushing attack. With 40 mph wind gusts expected off the lake, this game will be won in the trenches, and our O-line is a brick wall right now. This is a “Bear Weather” game, plain and simple! 🐻❄️

Leesl: “Bear Weather?” Andy, have you met the Green Bay Packers? They literally invented winter football! You’ve got a rookie QB in his first playoff game in a snowstorm. I’ve got Jordan Love, who just beat you guys in 16-degree weather a few weeks ago. If this becomes a “slugfest” in the snow, I’m putting my money on Josh Jacobs. He’s a north-south runner who doesn’t slip.

The Final Score:

Andy: The regular season was awesome, but there’s nothing like the atmosphere of the playoffs, and my hometown of Chicago has been waiting for this moment for a long time. I think the home crowd is going to be the 12th man that carries us through a gritty, defensive battle. 📣It’s a clean slate for everyone now—let’s see who survives the weekend!

Leesl: I couldn’t agree more. There is just something about Wild Card weekend—the “win or go home” stakes, the cold weather, and the feeling that any team can have their moment. While I enjoyed the regular season, I’m ready for some high-scoring drama and maybe a few heart-stopping finishes.

Who do you think has the better bracket? Is Andy’s hometown pride going to win out, or is Leesl taking the lead into the Divisional round? Let us know in the comments! 🏈 👇