Brief recap of the College Football Playoff Semifinals; the Wild Card Round of the National Football League, Predictions

The College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl was electric on Thursday Night with Miami quarterback Carson Beck galloping into the end zone with 20 seconds left to clinch the 31-27 Hurricanes’ victory over Ole Miss in Glendale, AZ. Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss made it interesting in the final seconds with a Chambliss pass into the end zone that was just a little long as the Miami defensive back was all over the Ole Miss receiver. It could have been called PI, but in the final seconds the refs usually let it go. Sometimes they call it, but more often that not, they don’t.

The No.10 Canes will square off with the juggernaut No.1 Indians Hoosiers, which blasted No.5 Oregon Friday night in the Chick-fil-A Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, 56-22. Curt Cignetti, Fernando Mendoza and the Hoosiers look unstoppable, but the Canes will be playing at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, 1/19/26 at 6:30 P.M. CT on ESPN, so that gives them hope. Will have that prediction on that Monday morning, 1/19/26.

Trinidad Chambliss, heartbreakingly, was denied a waiver by the NCAA to play for a sixth season at Ole Miss, which would have been his second in Oxford. Trinidad’s lawyer said it will be up to Trinidad if he want’s to appeal to the state Supreme Court of Mississippi. Tough break. Trinidad may just want to try the NFL with not as strong a quarterback class this season going out for the draft. But it would be awesome if he could win an appeal and return to Oxford, or another school. because Ole Miss is now scrambling to get a quarterback for next season as their backup, Austin Simmons, has transferred as well. Trinidad sure availed himself well against Miami Thursday Night leading the Rebels to the near upset victory. Will keep you posted on what transpires with Trinidad/Ole Miss.

Onto the National Football League with the first round/Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs starting today and running through Monday featuring six electric matchups with everything on the line. Here are details and predictions for these classics. Highly entertaining time in the NFL.

2024 NFL Playoff records: Straight up: 9-4; ATS: 9-4; Over/Under: 5-8, just getting started with the Over/Under then and it was a learning curve..

Today

Los Angeles Rams (12-5, 5-4 Away) @ Carolina Panthers (8-9, 5-3, Home)

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte,75,000

3:30 P.M. CT

FOX

Joe Davis, Greg Olsen, Pam Oliver, Kristina Pink

Laundry, Clete Blakeman and Crew

Rams by 10, O/U-44 1/2

I’m going to take Bryce and the Panthers to pull off the upset at Bank of America. They’ve already defeated the Rams at home in November, 31-28, so I’ll take’em again.

Carolina 24, Rams 21

Green Bay Packers (9-7-1, 4-4-1 away) @ Chicago Bears (11-6, 6-3 home)

Soldier Field, Chicago, 62, 500

7 P.M.

Amazon Prime Video

Al, Kirk, Kaylee

Yella Wood, Adrian Hill

Packers by 1 1/2, 44 1/2

I’ll take Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs and the Pack on the road in a lower scoring game as the wind will be blowing at 15 to 20 in Soljuh Field.

Packers 17, Bears 14

Sunday

Buffalo Bills (12-5, 5-3 away) @ Jax Jaguars (13-4, 7-2)

EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, 67, 164

12 P.M. CT

CBS

Jim, Tone, Trace

Vogue, Brad Allen

Jags by 1 1/2, 51 1/2

I like Trevor Lawrence and the Jags to advance. This should be a little more higher scoring.

Jacksonville 28, Buffalo 24

San Francisco 49ers (12-5, 7-2 Away) @ Philly Eagles (11-6, 5-3 Home)

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 67,594

3:30 P.M. CT

FOX

Kevin, Tom, EA, Tom

Suds and Duds, David Fullington, I mean, Alan Eck

Eagles by 6, 43 1/2

Give me Jalen, Crimson Tide 2020 Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion DeVonta Smith (thank you Vanderbilt sportswriting great Bo Carter for reminding me), Saquon, A.J. and that stellar Eagles defense. Windy in Philly, too. Fifteen to 20 as well.

Eagles 17, 49ers 10

LA Chargers (11-6, 5-3 Away) @ New England Patriots (14-3, 6-3 Home)

Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA.

7 P.M. CT

NBC/Peacock

MIke, Cris, Melissa

Aladdin, Ron Torbert, be ready for a lot of y-ello

Patriots by 3 1/2, 46 1/2

I’m going to take another upset here. Give me Jim Harbaugh, Justin Herbert and the Chargers.

LA Chargers 24, Patriots 23

Monday Night Football

Houston Texans (12-5, 5-3 Away) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7, 6-3 Home)

Acrisure Stadium, Steel City

7:15 P.M. CT

ESPN/ABC

Joe, Troy, Lisa, Laura

“You’re Kight about that Roach”- Rane classic: Craig Wrolstad

Texans by 3, 38 1/2

I like DeMeco Ryans and his superb defense, to carry the night in Pittsburgh.

Texans 17, Steelers 13