Into the valley of death . . .

I’m back picking pigskin games this weekend. As Phil diplomatically notes, while Charlie (“the Oracle”) nailed game after game, I “struggled” last week (in the Bronx, we have different words for that), trailing the field. On the upside, since we’re getting down to the best teams, there are only four games in the divisional round, so the chance that I’ll get four wrong again — while never zero — is small (blind squirrel, acorn, etc. etc.). So here we go:

Texans @ Ravens

Houston’s young QB was so impressive last week, but they run into a juggernaut here — one led by the surefire MVP QB and perhaps the NFL’s best coach, who’s had an extra week to prepare for this home game. I’m not sure the Ravens are quite as unbeatable as they looked a few weeks back in toying with the impressive Niners, but I don’t see the Texans hanging with them. Give me the Ravens.

Bucs @ Lions

Readers know I like Bucs QB Baker Mayfield, but I took Tampa Bay last week (in one of the two games I actually got right) because of the Eagles — i.e., I had watched Philly play several times during their shocking collapse (after starting out 10-1 this season) and they just looked cooked to me. This week, no longer playing home, the Bucs run into a team that, at this point in the season, is playing much better than the Eagles. Especially in Detroit, give me the Lions.

Packers @ 49ers

Jordan Love made me a believer last week in the game I feel like I got most wrong — I thought the Cowboys were better than they are and at home they couldn’t miss. Yet, once again risking the wrath of our NR Cheese Heads (there are more of them than you’d think!), I believe the Pack is a year away from winning a game like this: in San Francisco against the No. 1 seed . . . which just happens to be the last team, before Green Bay’s dominance last weekend, to humiliate dem Cowboys. Give me the Niners.

Chiefs @ Bills

I’m with Phil that this is the weekend’s toughest game (and the one I’m most looking forward to). But I’m not with Phil on the bottom line. For sure, it’s very hard to pick against the Bills right now. Still, my gut tells me Mahomes finds a way, probably in OT again. Give me the Chiefs.

As the games dwindle down to just a few left, I always think this weekend is the best of the season: two games both days, with the best teams. Enjoy!