It’s one of the most fun weeks of the football season – we’re down to the semifinals in college football and the opening week of the playoffs in the NFL. While the CFP matchups are somewhat surprising (at least the Fiesta Bowl), I would say the teams that made the playoffs in the NFL this year are downright shocking.
Of my preseason predictions, I was only correct on 8 of 14 playoff teams. My Super Bowl prediction of Ravens vs. Commanders = a total flop. The best bets I gave in my SportsLine article at the start of the season = dreadful.
Unfortunately, I also had a brutal time predicting the College Football Playoff quarterfinal games, going a whopping 0-4 against the spread. Hopefully I can salvage a measure of redemption this weekend.
In this hybrid article including both college and pro football, I’ll start with my two College Football Playoff picks and best bets.
CFB Best Bets
Last Week: 1-7 (-7.73u)
Overall: 47-61-1 (-22.22u)
Fiesta Bowl: Miami -3 (-118)
As someone with annual Fiesta Bowl tickets, I was thrilled at the possibility of an Ohio State-Georgia semifinal game on Thursday night. But Miami’s domination of the line of scrimmage against the Buckeyes and Trinidad Chambliss’ theatrics vs. the Bulldogs changed that. This game should be a barn burner regardless, but I lean towards the Hurricanes for two reasons: their physicality against Texas A&M and Ohio State was superior plus the continuing uncertainty around the Rebels’ coaching staff can be a distraction. Interesting streaks on the line here: Ole Miss has scored 30+ points in eight straight games, while Miami hasn’t allowed more than 24 points in regulation all season.
Miami 28, Ole Miss 21
Peach Bowl: Indiana / Oregon Over 46.5 (-115)
I’ve been way off in the College Football Playoff games as evidenced by me liking Texas Tech and Alabama on New Year’s Day. Both of these Big Ten teams were awesome and their defenses looked impenetrable. Indiana shockingly won in Eugene in October, 30-20, so I lean towards Oregon in the rematch. Like Miami, Indiana hasn’t allowed more than 24 points in a game this season, but I have to think that Ducks OC Will Stein will make the necessary adjustments to succeed. I have continued to doubt the Hoosiers, but their offense led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is impressive. Either way, I think this one is decided by four points or less.
Oregon 27, Indiana 24
Switching gears, time to move on to my NFL Playoff Picks. My writeups for the first round are posted on CBSSports.com and my full playoff rationale can be found on SportsLine.
In the meantime, here are my playoff score predictions for every round. Notice how only the Packers-Cowboys tie in Week 4 prevented a regular season tie vs. last year.
For the purposes of my record, only the Wild Card Round’s picks count. I’ll write a separate article with updated picks each week.
Last week: 9-7
2025-26 Regular Season: 180-91-1 (66%)
2024-25 Regular Season: 180-92 (66%)
2024-24 Playoffs: 10-3 (77%)
2024-25 Overall: 190-95 (69%)
AFC:
Wild Card Round:
Jaguars 27, Bills 24
Patriots 23, Chargers 19
Texans 23, Steelers 10
Divisional Round:
Texans 20, Broncos 16
Jaguars 27, Patriots 20
AFC Championship Game:
Texans 22, Jaguars 20
NFC:
Wild Card Round:
Rams 34, Panthers 13
Packers 23, Bears 21
Eagles 27, 49ers 14
Divisional Round:
Seahawks 23, Packers 16
Rams 27, Eagles 22
NFC Championship Game:
Rams 24, Seahawks 23
Super Bowl LX:
Rams 27, Texans 20 (MVP: Puka Nacua)
Back next week with a National Championship Game pick + NFL Divisional Round picks!
Cohen's Corner 