PIGSKIN PICKS
The NFL playoffs get off a rousing start with three games today and three games Sunday, the winners move on while the losers are finished for the season. Today
• Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – The Bills have a great young QB in Josh Allen, a solid defence, a superstar receiver in Stefon Diggs and are home with limited fans. The Colts are a good all-around team with a crafty QB in Phil Rivers. The Bills will cover the 6.5-point spread.
• L.A. Rams at Seattle Seahawks – The key to this game is the health of Seattle’s standout DE Jamal Adams, who is questionable with a shoulder injury. If Adams does not play, it tips the scales in favour of the Rams, who have a new QB in John Wolford. The rookie is an accurate passer and is dangerous out of the pocket, much like Seattle’s Russell Wilson. The Rams can win outright and cover the 4.5point gap.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Football Team – Veteran QB Alex Smith helped Washington into the playoffs but I doubt they have enough firepower to get past Tampa Bay. The spread is 8.5-points for the Bucs, and I’m not comfortable with that.
Sunday’s games
• Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans – This will be a wild, high-scoring game. The Ravens are redhot, and current form matters. The Titans gave up 38 points last week in a close win over lowly Houston. The Titans upset the Ravens last year, but not this time.
• Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saint – Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are the most complete team in the playoffs. How about Bears QB Mitch Trubisky, who saved the season for Chicago and his own career? Saints are just too much for the Bears.
• Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – Big Ben Roethlisberger sat out last week’s game against the Browns, who won 24-22. The Steelers are one dimensional, all pass, while the Browns have the dangerous QB Baker Mayfield and a great running game. Cleveland can cover the 6-point spread and an outright win is a real possibility.
Take note – In first-round playoff games during the past 20 years, the home team is 38-34.