Scott Pianowski and Jeff Erickson both nailed their conference championship picks last week while Nick Whalen (AFC) and Mario Puig (NFC) split.
Pianowski improved to 8-4 in the playoffs. Puig is one game behind at 7-5, but both pickers went with the Patriots in the Super Bowl, meaning Pianowski clinched the postseason Staff Picks title.
That makes it a season sweep for Pianowski, who also won the regular-season crown.
The Patriots were close to a unanimous pick this week — Erickson stands alone with the Seahawks -4.5.
Be sure to check the comments for more bets from the writers.
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| MATCHUP | ERICKSON | PIANOWSKI | WHALEN | PAYNE | PUIG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seahawks -4.5 vs. Patriots | Seahawks | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots |
| Last Week Record | 2-0 | 2-0 | 1-1 | 0-2 | 1-1 |
| Playoff Record | 6-6 | 8-4 | 5-7 | 4-8 | 7-5 |
| Playoff Best Bet Record | 1-2 | 2-1 | 2-1 | 0-3 | 0-3 |
| Playoff Unanimous Pick Record | 1-0 | ||||
| Playoff Majority Pick Record | 6-6 | ||||
| 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 | The Seahawks are superb at limiting explosive plays, and as the game progresses I expect them to tighten the vise against Drake Maye, who has been sacked 15 times in the playoffs. The nagging doubt for me is whether the Patriots' defense really has stepped up to the degree that it has in the playoffs? The Pats defeated three flawed playoff opponents — this will be the best offense that they've faced. But if they've gone from a decent defense to an elite defense, then my projection will be in error. My score: SEA 31, NE 13. Favorite prop: Drake Maye's longest completion under 33.5 yards. |
| Pianowski | Seattle is the better team, but New England can win. The Patriots defense is a completely different outfit when DT Milton Williams is playing. |
| Whalen | This is a tricky number, and it certainly feels like the Seahawks are playing better heading into the Super Bowl, but I have a lot of respect for the Pats' defense, and I think we see a better version of the New England offense after playing three consecutive ugly games — two of which were significantly impacted by weather conditions. |
| Payne | The Seattle defense will be tough for Drake Maye and the Pats, but Sam Darnold, despite a great game in the NFC championship, could cough it up a time or two, which should keep New England in it just enough that it costs the Seahawks the cover. Also like the under. And here's a prop for fun: Cooper Kupp to score a TD (+260). |
| Puig | The side that avoids turnovers wins, and both sides need to be careful as far as that goes. The matchups between these two teams tend to be strength vs. strength until the quarterback question. |
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.
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