Our Picks are IN!

👋 Welcome back to the madness!

Andy: Watching my Bears pull off that comeback against Green Bay was the highlight of my year, but seeing you drop two games in the standings after week 1 of the playoffs was icing on the cake. Now that we’re in the Divisional Round, and the margin for error is razor thin, are you ready to admit that Soldier Field magic is the real deal?

Leesl: Don’t get too comfortable in that lead just yet, Andy! While last weekend didn’t exactly go as I planned, I’m definitely not willing to lean into that “Soldier Field magic” just yet. I’ve spent all week doing my homework and keeping a close eye on the thermometer, and I’m ready to stage my comeback. While we’re unified on a hobbled Sam Darnold and the Seahawks, that’s where our agreement ends and the differences begin!

Agree? Disagree? Agree to Disagree? Our Divisional Round Picks!

SEASON STANDINGS

Leesl: 182-94-1 | Andy: 184-92-1

Divisional	Leesl	Andy
BUF @ DEN ⚔️	DEN	BUF
SF @ SEA	SEA	SEA
HOU @ NE ⚔️	HOU	NE
LAR @ CHI ⚔️	LAR	CHI

Let’s Dive In!

1. The Heavyweight Bout: Bills at Broncos

Andy: I’m taking the Buffalo Bills. Sure, Denver is the #1 seed, but the Bills just physically dominated Jacksonville. Josh Allen is playing like a man possessed, and I don’t care how thin the air is in Denver—Allen has the arm strength to cut through anything. I’ll take the superstar over the “rested” rookie Bo Nix every day of the week. 🦬

Leesl: You’re forgetting the “Bye-Week Wall.” Sean Payton is 4-0 in the playoffs when he has two weeks to prepare, and that Denver defense leads the NFL in sacks. Bo Nix has seven game-winning drives this season—the kid is clutch. While Buffalo is still catching their breath from last week, Denver is going to be fresh and fast. I’m taking the Broncos to protect home turf. 🐎

2. The Snow Show: Texans at Patriots

Leesl: Everyone is talking about the weather. I know, I know—it’s going to be snowing and the Patriots are “invincible” in the winter. But Houston is on a 10-game winning streak. C.J. Stroud isn’t some dome-only QB; he played at Ohio State! He’s won in the snow before, and that Texans pass rush (Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter) is going to make life a living hell for rookie Drake Maye. I’m calling the upset: Texans march on! 🤠

Andy: A dome team in a Foxborough snowstorm? You’re dreaming! The Patriots are 12-0 in snow games at home. Drake Maye has the legs to move the chains when the field gets slick, and Mike Vrabel’s defense is built for January slugfests. The streak ends here. 💂‍♂️

3. The Main Event: Rams at Bears

Andy: Soldier Field hasn’t hosted a Divisional game in 15 years, and the city is absolutely electric. After that miracle comeback against the Packers, Caleb Williams has shown he’s built for the bright lights. You can bring your #1 offense, but they aren’t ready for a stadium that’s literally shaking. Between our 33 takeaways and the loudest crowd in the NFL, the Rams are going to be seeing stars before halftime. Bear Down! 🐻🔥

Leesl: I know it’s the game of the year for you, Andy, but I’m playing the villainess! I’m looking at the experience gap. Matthew Stafford is a Super Bowl champ who knows how to silence a crowd. Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are a “two-headed monster” that doesn’t care how loud the fans are. I’m betting on the Rams to be the ultimate party crashers and send Chicago into a very quiet off-season. 🐏

Sip, Score, Repeat!

Andy: I’m feeling good, Leesl. I’ve got the home-field advantage and a two-game cushion in our sofa showdown. If the favorites hold and the Bears pull off this miracle, I’m cracking open a Revolution Brewing “Anti-Hero” IPA. It’s the definitive Chicago brew—bold, local, and a little bit bitter, just like a January breeze off the Lake. If everything goes my way, I could be looking at a five-game lead by Monday morning, and that’s a mountain even you can’t climb! Go Bears!

Leesl: Not so fast, Andy! If my trio of the Broncos, Texans, and Rams all come through, I’m taking a one-game lead into the Championship Round. And I’ll be celebrating with a toast of Saint Arnold “Art Car” IPA. It’s bright, tropical, and exactly the kind of “Houston heat” that’s going to melt your lead. I’m coming for that top spot!

📢 Join the Conversation! Who do you have this weekend: Andy’s Hometown Heroes or Leesl’s Superstar Upsets? 🗣️ 👇