NFL Playoffs Are Finally Here

Snowed in? Now you can get snowed under by the NFL. It’s playoff time.

Two games on Saturday, two games on Sunday. Doesn’t get much better than this. Drop your heiner in the recliner and let your cares (if not your snowfall) melt away.

Saturday: You can get some chores done before the Tennessee Titans (9-7) and Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) kick off at 4:35 p.m. on ESPN. Both teams hit rough patches during the season, but the Chiefs at their best are better than the Titans at their best. Pick: Chiefs.

Saturday: The Atlanta Falcons (10-6) take another run at that elusive Super Bowl when they play the Los Angeles Rams (10-6) at 8:15 p.m. on NBC. Expect to see the running game. The Rams are 28th in run defense and the Falcons have not run the ball as much or as well as they can and should. The Rams have the explosive Todd Gurley. Pick: Rams.

Sunday: The Buffalo Bills (9-7), who last made the playoffs in 1999, are like strangers in a strange land. They take on the Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6), who make their first postseason appearance since 2007. CBS shows this at 1:05 p.m. If the good Blake Bortles shows up at quarterback, the Jaguars should win. They also have a dominating defense. Still, you have to feel for the Bills, so … Pick: Bills, but that’s on emotion.

Sunday: NFC South Division rivals do battle when the Carolina Panthers (10-6) play the New Orleans Saints (11-5) at 4:40 p.m. on Fox. QB Drew Brees and running backs Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara will be too much for the Panthers. Pick: Saints.

If you absolutely must have some variety (you heathen), there’s college basketball on Sunday. No. 1 Michigan State plays Ohio State at 4:30 p.m. on CBS. And if you need a respite from looking at ice and snow, the final round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions from scenic Kapalua, Hawaii can be seen at 6 p.m. on the Golf Channel.

Enjoy every minute.

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman