Packers at 49ers (-9½)

Green Bay pulled off a shocker last week by knocking off the second-seeded Cowboys in JerryWorld. But Jordan Love and the Packers’ victory was not the most surprising result of the week. The biggest upset was that Dallas coach Mike McCarthy somehow kept his job.
Pick: 49ers by 14

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy walks on the field prior to an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

Buccaneers at Lions (-6½)

Tampa Bay put defending NFC champion Philadelphia out of its misery with a wild-card rout on Monday night. After the game, there was much talk that standout center Jason Kelce would retire. As opposed to most of his Eagles teammates, who quit midway through the first quarter.
Pick: Lions by 7

FILE – Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. Eagles center Jason Kelce has told teammates he intends to retire after 13 NFL seasons, according to three people informed of the decision. They spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, out of respect for Kelce’s decision, which has not yet been made public. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston, File)

Texans at Ravens (-9½)

Former Vikings running back Dalvin Cook has signed with a Baltimore team that has been riddled with injuries at that position. Cook had a mere 67 carries with the New York Jets this season, which is roughly 67 more carries than he’s going to get Saturday afternoon.
Pick: Ravens by 7

New York Jets running back Dalvin Cook (33) warms up before playing against the Atlanta Falcons in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Chiefs at Bills (-2½)

Kansas City overcame a 25-below wind chill to ice Miami and advance to Patrick Mahomes’ first-ever road playoff game. It was a tragic loss for the Dolphins, who never got to use dozens of end zone dances they had choreographed tirelessly for the “Hard Knocks” cameras.
Pick: Chiefs by 3

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes continued to play with a broken helmet until the refs stopped the game, during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Miami Dolphins, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Record

Week 19
2-4 straight up
3-3 vs. spread

Season
170-108 straight up (.612)
138-140 vs. spread (.496)

All-time (2003-24)
3626-2018-14 straight up (.642)
2756-2758-144 vs spread (.500)

Taylor Swift wears a Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce jacket as she arrives before an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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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