Welcome to Glass Slipper! I can’t believe we have to listen to Tom Brady instead of Greg Olsen tonight; please enjoy the show.

- Jacob Rhee

I unexpectedly extended my college football picks into the postseason, because I felt like handing out more prizes. Let’s do the same with the NFL. The rules haven’t changed; each time a prediction is wrong, it costs me $10 in rewards. I’ll make five picks for each of the four rounds of the playoffs. You’re getting 20 extra chances to inflate the Prize Pot. Keep on rooting against me!

Prediction 1: The Eagles sack Patrick Mahomes 4+ times.

Nolan Smith put together perhaps the greatest combine performance ever in 2023, then went radio silent throughout his entire rookie campaign. It wasn’t necessarily his fault; Smith was stuck behind veterans, and played just 204 snaps on the season.

Things are awfully different these days. The 24-year old has recorded 10.5 sacks in his last 15 contests, and you can see the confidence bubbling higher every week.

I think Smith and Jalen Carter wind up as the two best defenders in that 2023 draft class long-term. It’s impossible for Kansas City to double both of them, and I expect the Eagles’ front to wreak havoc as a result.

Prediction 2: Harrison Butker misses at least one extra point or field goal attempt.

Am I trying to speak this one into existence? Well, yeah. I saw that graduation speech just like the rest of you.

Butker clanged a 42-yarder off the left upright when these two squads met in Super Bowl LVII. One of the most unlikable humans in professional sports will miss another kick tonight.

Prediction 3: AJ Brown finishes with less than 60 receiving yards.

Brown was brilliant the last time he was on this stage. He looked totally unafraid, and essentially got whatever he wanted against a Chiefs secondary that didn’t bring its A+ stuff. I’m pretty confident that Steve Spagnuolo has a better plan this time around.

Trent McDuffie spoke openly about how he couldn’t even bring himself to fully enjoy his first ring, because he had gotten torched. I believe the kid is the second-best corner in the AFC; it’s hard for me to imagine him allowing AJ to feast once again.

Prediction 4: Kansas City commits 2+ turnovers.

We can shake our fists at the officials (I do), and we can detest the Chiefs with every fiber of our beings (I do that, too). But I won’t let my pride get in the way of giving out some credit. Patrick Mahomes and company went eight(!!) straight NFL games without committing a turnover. Objectively speaking, that’s one of the most impressive feats in the history of the sport.

KC is going to get sloppy this evening. I can feel it. That leads us to my final pick of the NFL season…

Prediction 5: Philadelphia wins Super Bowl LIX by 3+ points.

Let’s take the Eagles’ Week 16 loss in Washington, and just forget it ever happened. Deal? Kenny Pickett played the majority of that thing anyway, and the Commanders reached the end zone three times in the fourth quarter to steal it. With that contest out of the picture, here’s what Philadelphia has done after its bye.

• 15 games

• 15-0 record

• +14.9 average scoring margin

• Held every opponent to under 24 points

• Lost turnover battle once

• Beat Joe Burrow by 20 in Cincinnati

• Beat Lamar Jackson in Baltimore

• Beat Jayden Daniels by 32

I don’t know about you guys, but that’s not a squad that I have any interest in doubting.

You can run the ball against the Chiefs. You can. Joe Mixon proved it in the Divisional round, and James Cook had success two weeks ago. I don’t envision Saquon Barkley connecting on any 70-yard house calls, but he’s going to make hay on early downs. That leaves Jalen Hurts with a lot of 3rd-and-shorts, where he can flex that improved quick-throw accuracy and move the chains with his athleticism. It’s critical that the offense gets humming early; future Saints head coach Kellen Moore can be too cautious at times, and finding a rhythm from the jump will allow him to conjure up a courageous call or two when his unit needs some life.

The Eagles’ hopes for a ring hinges on their bloodthirsty defense, though. I personally think it should be man coverage all night. Such a plan is normally a disaster with No. 15 on the other side, but hear me out. Your first priority should be to make Mahomes uncomfortable. If you allow that dude to bounce around back there, it’s over. I’m blitzing early and often, and daring one of the worst wide receiver rooms in the NFL to best Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean. The Buccaneers stomped Kansas City in 2021, and our lasting image of that contest was Patrick trying to sling a desperation pass with his body parallel to the ground. Make him do that kind of stuff again.

This is Philadelphia’s day. Jalen Hurts brings the Lombardi Trophy back to the city, and spoils the bid for a three-peat.

• Conference Championship Weekend Results: 2-3

• Overall Season Picks Record: 35-70

• Current NFL Prize Pot: $700

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