Rivalries spice up opening round

Not only do NFL fans get three night games to savour during wildcard weekend, but they also can revel in the rivalries.

AFC East foes New England and Buffalo, who split victories on the road during the season. NFC West opponents Arizona and the Los Angeles Rams, who also went 1-1 against each other. Plus San Francisco and Dallas rekindling one of the great post-season series of bygone days, particularly in the 1980s and ’90s.

“I’m damn fired up, man,” Cowboys defensive co-ordinator Dan Quinn said. “Are you kidding me?

“The early ’90s Dallas-Niners, some of the championship games — for me, coming up and watching those ones — I can hear (John) Madden and (Pat) Summerall talking it through. My first Dallas and Niner playoff game, I’m pretty fired up to do it, man. It’s exciting.”

The Cowboys are the more dynamic side, and the 49ers are more physical. Dallas prefers to face opponents built more in its image, and San Francisco definitely isn’t.

Dallas has some big-time playmakers on defence who will need to clamp down on all-pro Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and a solid rushing attack. If all-pro cornerback Trevon Diggs can work his magic with an interception and DeMarcus Lawrence can get pressure on Jimmy Garoppolo, the Cowboys could be in business.

But the Niners are more powerful in the trenches. The 49ers, ranked 10th in the AP Pro32, needed a brilliant rally and overtime against the Rams — talk about archrivals — just to make the playoff field. The No. 5 Cowboys cruised through the NFC East, but have endured enough inconsistency to make you wonder about their staying power. Dallas is a 3 ⁄-point favourite at

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home on Sunday. Sounds about right.

Pick: Cowboys, 23-20

Saturday

No. 12 Las Vegas (+5 1⁄2) at No. 7 Cincinnati

Are we the only ones wondering why the Raiders are playing in the first game of the weekend? After such a physically and emotionally exhausting path into the post-season culminating with that wild Sunday night overtime victory against the Chargers? Now travelling east and into the cold weather? Pick: Bengals, 26-17

No. 11 New England (+4) at No. 8 Buffalo

There’s something unreliable about the Bills, indicating a short playoff stay. Like one game.

Upset special: Patriots, 19-16

Sunday

No. 14 Pittsburgh (+12 1⁄2) at No. 3 Kansas City

Even Ben Roethlisberger admits the Steelers are 14th out of 14 playoff teams. The Chiefs might be the best.

Best bet: Chiefs, 31-15

No. 13 Philadelphia (+8 1⁄2) at No. 2 Tampa Bay

Philly went 0-6 against playoff teams, yet made its way into the playoffs. The 2022 season looks very promising for the Eagles. Sunday does not.

Pick: Buccaneers, 30-20

Monday

No. 9 Arizona (+3) at No. 6 L.A. Rams

The most mystifying of the six contests. If the Cardinals can put pressure on Matthew Stafford, they could pull it off.

Pick: Rams, 20-19

Record

Last week: 10-6 straight up,

7-9 vs. spread

Season: 180-91-1 straight up, 151-118-2 vs. spread

Best bet: 11-6-1 straight up,

12-6 vs. spread

Upset special: 15-2 straight up and vs. spread