Packers at Cowboys (-7)

Jordan Love makes his first playoff appearance against longtime Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy. In honor of the historic matchup, a player very familiar to both, Aaron Rodgers, will appear for a pregame ceremony where the former Packers QB will throw out the first libel.
Pick: Cowboys by 10

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, right, talks with Aaron Rodgers (12) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Rams at Lions (-3)

Matthew Stafford returns to Detroit to match up against his old team and Los Angeles’ former quarterback, Jared Goff. We’ve done our calculations and are taking L.A. by three points, exactly one point for every idiotic decision you can count on from Lions coach Dan Campbell.
Pick: Rams by 3

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 20-19. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)

Dolphins at Chiefs (-4½)

All-pro receiver Tyreek Hill makes his long-awaited return to Kansas City, where he starred with the Chiefs for his first six NFL seasons. Unfortunately for Miami, the wind-chill is expected to be double digits below zero. Bad news for a Dolphins team that assumed room temperature two weeks ago in Baltimore.
Pick: Chiefs by 11

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, (87) poses with former teammate and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) after an NFL football game at Deutsche Bank Park Stadium in Frankfurt, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. The Dolphins defeated the Chiefs 21-14. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)

Browns at Texans (+2)

Rookie of the year C.J. Stroud and Houston face off against the team that took Deshaun Watson off their hands and paid the massage-envious QB $230 million. It should be obvious to all that, no matter the result of Saturday’s playoff opener, the Texans have already won.
Pick: Browns By 3

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs off of the field after an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Houston, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Eagles at Buccaneers (+3)

The defending NFC champions are stumbling into the postseason after pathetic losses to the lowly Cardinals and Giants. The Eagles would be a prime candidate for a first-round playoff exit were they facing anybody except Baker Mayfield.
Pick: Eagles by 7

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Steelers at Bills (-10)

Pittsburgh snuck into the playoffs last week thanks to Jacksonville’s collapse and the Steelers’ victory in Baltimore. The bad news for Steeler Nation is that, unlike the Ravens in Week 18, the Bills will not be starting 22 benchwarmers.
Pick: Bills by 14

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) celebrates a sack during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Record

Week 18
12-4 straight up
10-6 vs. spread

Season
168-104 straight up (.618)
135-137 vs. spread (.496)

All-time (2003-24)
3624-2014-14 straight up (.643)
2753-2755-144 vs spread (.500)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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