This article is part of our NFL Staff Picks series.
Four writers went 2-2 last week, including Scott Pianowski and Mario Puig, who lead the playoff standings at 6-4.
Pianowski and Nick Whalen both hit their best bets.
There was no unanimous pick, and majority picks went 2-2.
This week again brings no unanimity. Three writers like the home dog Broncos in the AFC championship while three picked the home favorite Seahawks in the NFC title game. As for bets bets, the Seahawks and Patriots both got two votes. Whalen went his own way with the Broncos.
Before making your picks, be sure to consult our NFL injury report and the latest fantasy football news. Also check out the weekly projections to see how this week's matchups shape up.
Odds from BetMGM. Use the BetMGM Bonus Code for a risk-free bet up to $1,000.
| MATCHUP | ERICKSON | PIANOWSKI | WHALEN | PAYNE | PUIG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patriots -5 at Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Patriots | Patriots |
| Rams +2.5 at Seahawks | Seahawks | Seahawks | Rams | Rams | Seahawks |
| Best Bet | Seahawks | Seahawks | Broncos | Patriots | Patriots |
| Last Week Record | 2-2 | 2-2 | 2-2 | 1-3 | 2-2 |
| Playoff Record | 4-6 | 6-4 | 4-6 | 4-6 | 6-4 |
| Playoff Best Bet Record | 0-2 | 1-1 | 1-1 | 0-2 | 0-2 |
| Playoff Unanimous Pick Record | 1-0 | ||||
| Playoff Majority Pick Record | 4-6 | ||||
| 2025 Regular-Season Record | 127-137-8 | 132-132-8 | 118-146-8 | 118-146-8 | 105-159-8 |
| 2025 Best Bet Record | 9-9 | 5-13 | 9-9 | 5-12-1 | 7-11 |
| 2025 Unanimous Pick Record | 7-12-1 | ||||
| 2025 Majority Pick Record | 103-161-8 | ||||
| 2024 Playoff Record | 7-5-1 | 5-7-1 | 4-8-1 | 5-7-1 | N/A |
| 2023 Playoff Record | 10-3 | 8-5 | 6-7 | 9-4 | N/A |
| 2022 Playoff Record | 7-5-1 | 5-7-1 | 6-6-1 | 8-4-1 | N/A |
| 2021 Playoff Record | 7-6 | 9-4 | NA | 7-6 | N/A |
| 2020 Playoff Record | 5-8 | 8-5 | NA | 6-7 | N/A |
| 2019 Playoff Record | 6-5 | 5-6 | NA | 4-7 | N/A |
| 2018 Playoff Record | 3-6-1 | 1-8-1 | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2017 Playoff Record | 5-6 | 5-6 | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2016 Playoff Record | 6-5 | 5-6 | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2015 Playoff Record | 5-6 | 2-9 | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2014 Playoff Record | 10-1 | 5-6 | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2013 Playoff Record | 5-4-2 | 3-6-2 | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2012 Playoff Record | 4-6-1 | 5-5-1 | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2011 Playoff Record | 8-3 | 5-6 | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2010 Playoff Record | 6-5 | 5-6 | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2009 Playoff Record | 5-6 | 4-7 | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2008 Playoff Record | 6-5 | 5-6 | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2007 Playoff Record | 8-3 | 3-8 | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2006 Playoff Record | 7-4 | N/A | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2005 Playoff Record | 5-6 | N/A | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2004 Playoff Record | 6-5 | N/A | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2003 Playoff Record | 6-5 | N/A | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2002 Playoff Record | 6-5 | 7-4 | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2001 Playoff Record | 6-4-1 | 7-3-1 | NA | N/A | N/A |
| 2024 Record | 131-138-3 | 121-148-3 | 127-142-3 | 138-131-3 | N/A |
| 2023 Record | 133-131-8 | 125-139-8 | 129-135-8 | 140-124-8 | N/A |
| 2022 Record | 127-136-8 | 149-114-8 | 124-139-8 | 131-132-8 | N/A |
| 2021 Record | 129-140-3 | 134-135-3 | N/A | 145-124-3 | N/A |
| 2020 Record | 121-127-8 | 128-120-8 | N/A | 115-133-8 | N/A |
| 2019 Record | 126-124-6 | 140-110-6 | N/A | 127-123-6 | N/A |
| 2018 Record | 125-122-9 | 134-113-9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2017 Record | 117-125-14 | 128-114-14 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2016 Record | 140-111-5 | 130-121-5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2015 Record | 134-114-8 | 120-128-8 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2014 Record | 123-128-5 | 140-111-5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2013 Record | 132-114-10 | 118-128-10 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2012 Record | 110-140-6 | 125-125-6 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2011 Record | 121-128-7 | 134-115-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2010 Record | 129-122-5 | 134-117-5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2009 Record | 123-130-3 | 132-121-3 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2008 Record | 132-114-10 | 128-118-10 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2007 Record | 127-120 | 118-129 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2006 Record | 118-129 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2005 Record | 121-126 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2004 Record | 124-124 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2003 Record | 121-126 | 118-129 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2002 Record | 113-136 | 123-126 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2001 Record | 124-113 | 117-120 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2000 Record | 123-117 | 134-106 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| WRITER | COMMENT |
|---|---|
| Erickson | It's always dicey betting on Sam Darnold, but the Seahawks are peaking at the right time. I'm really not sure what's going to happen in the AFC game — just how many points is Bo Nix worth vis-a-vis Jarrett Stidham? I guessed 4-5 points, but it's being treated more like 6-7. |
| Pianowski | Can't go against the Seattle defense, the best overall unit in football this year. As for the other match, I think Sean Payton can coach up his backup quarterback to keep the game competitive. Start 'em or Stidham. |
| Whalen | I think the Patriots win the game, but on principle I'll grab the points with Denver at home, especially given Drake Maye's ball security issues thus far in the playoffs. |
| Payne | I can't take a backup QB in a conference championship game. Pats by a touchdown. The NFC game should be close, so give me the points. |
| Puig | The Denver defense is great, but the New England defense should look great against Jarrett Stidham. |
The players:
• Jeff Erickson: RotoWire Senior Editor, 2001, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2016 Staff Picks champ. Writes the Weekly Rankings. Roots for the Bengals.
• Scott Pianowski: Fantasy expert for Yahoo! Sports, and also contributes to RotoWire. 2009, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2025 Staff Picks champ. Roots for the Patriots.
• Nick Whalen: RotoWire Senior Media Analyst. Writes Beating the Book. Roots for the Jaguars.
• Kevin Payne: RotoWire Staff Writer, 2021, 2023 and 2024 Staff Picks champ. Roots for the Bills.
• Mario Puig: RotoWire Senior Football Writer. Writes the WR vs. CB Matchup Report. Roots for the Packers.
-
Did you know you can bet on the NFL in most states? You can sign up for the best sports betting sites and bet on anything NFL. In addition, you can get thousands in bonuses by redeeming various sportsbook promo codes that give users bonus bets upon registration.
