Commentary: Just Happy To Be Here Syndrome

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They’re down to the Elite Eight in the NFL.

Even if they don’t call it that.

Six teams were eliminated on Wildcard Weekend and now they’re on to the Divisional Round – or Round 2 – and this weekend features doubleheaders each day.

Things get going on Saturday at Arrowhead in Kansas City where the #1 seeded Chiefs host the Houston Texans. The two-time defending Super Bowl champions are favoured by eight points, and I’ll take the Chiefs to advance relatively easily.

Saturday night it’s a battle of two perennially hard-luck NFC franchises as the upstart Washington Commanders visit the #1 seeded Detroit Lions. My how things have changed with those two franchises. The Lions are favoured by 9.5, and should win this one handily too.

The Commanders will suffer from “Just Happy To Be Here Syndrome” this week, just as the Denver Broncos did last weekend.

Then on Sunday the fun continues, beginning with the LA Rams at Philadelphia in a 3 pm ET kickoff. The Rams “won it for LA” last week against Minnesota and you have to wonder if their inspirational theme will continue in Round 2?

I don’t think so. The Eagles are favoured by six points and playing in their stadium is a huge advantage. The Eagles will fly.

And then for another week it feels like the NFL has saved the best for last as two Super Bowl favourites – the Ravens and Bills – will meet in snowy Buffalo. Only one can win.

The road team is favoured in this one – Ravens by a point – and I gotta agree. They got bruising tailback King Derrick Henry for games like this and he’ll be the deciding factor according to this pundit.

The favourites will win, with no upsets.

But don’t take that to the bank.

That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary.

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm & 4 pm ET on Game+TV, Podcast & YouTube Live)