Sports News With Reviews Of All The Weekend Games

The NFL playoffs get underway with a pair of doubleheaders sure to test our stamina and our ability to sit in one place for long periods of time.

We’re up to the challenge. Be ready to plunk your heiner in that new recliner.

The amusement begins on Saturday at 4:35 p.m. ET when the Indianapolis Colts (10-6) play the Houston Texans (11-5) on ESPN. The Colts are only the third team to make the playoffs after opening the season 1-5. The Texans know a little bit about battling back – they started 0-3.

Saturday’s second game (8:15 p.m., Fox) matches the Seattle Seahawks (10-6) and the Dallas Cowboys (10-6). Both of these teams also rebounded from rough early going. The Seahawks lost their first two games, but closed with wins in six of the final seven. The Cowboys were 3-5 at the midpoint of the season, then won seven of the last eight to clinch the NFC East division title for the second time in three years.

Sunday’s fun starts at 1:05 p.m. on CBS with the Los Angeles Chargers (12-4) on the East Coast to play the Baltimore Ravens (10-6). The Ravens are the home team because they won the AFC North; the Chargers qualified for the playoffs as a wild card.

The second game pits the Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) and the Chicago Bears (12-4) at 4:40 p.m. on Fox. The Eagles, who are defending Super Bowl champions, won five of their last six games to slip into the playoffs. The Bears are making their first postseason appearance since the 2010 season.

To warm up for Saturday’s NFL games, try some Big Ten college basketball. No 8 Michigan State plays No. 14 Ohio State at noon on Fox. No. 9 Florida State and No. 4 Virginia carry the ACC banner at 3 p.m. on Saturday on ESPN2.

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