Now, the NFL's silly season begins

The regular season is over. The playoffs start on Saturday with the Wild Card round. The defending Super Bowl champions, the Evil Empire of the NFL, the New England Patriots, have the biggest targets on their collective backs, along with the biggest prima donna in the game today, 40 year old QB Tom Brady. The team's detractors will tell you that owner Bob Kraft and the league's media partners will conspire to fix it so that the Patriots can win again. This is the real reason why ratings are down, not all the political hubbub over player protests, which started in 2016 over racial & social injustices, but became a political hot potato this season thanks to the 70 year old man-child in the White House throwing regular Twitter tantrums.

Anyway, let's look at the Wild Card round.....

AFC:

Tennessee @ Kansas City: The Chiefs opted to rest QB Alex Smith on Sunday, and it nearly backfired on them, as Denver rallied to tie the game, but KC prevailed, 27-24. The Titans defeated AFC South champ Jacksonville, the #3 seed, but I don't see an upset here. The only team that would benefit would be--who else?--New England, which has the Chiefs returning to Foxborough during the 2018 season, instead of going on the road. Kansas City beat New England on opening night in September, and while the Pats thirst for revenge, everyone would see something shady going on if Tennessee wins here. They won't.

Pick-Kansas City.

Buffalo @ Jacksonville: The two biggest surprises of the season meet in the first round. The Jaguars have former coach Tom Coughlin back in the fold, working out of the front office, and all he had to do was show the current team his 2 rings to provide motivation. If Buffalo wins, they get a rematch with New England, which would send the Chiefs to Pittsburgh. The Bills would be motivated after getting screwed in Foxborough 8 days ago. Then again, I think the Jags may be the only team in the AFC field the Patriots haven't faced this season. As for the Bills' owners, the Pegulas, at least the first step has been taken.

Pick-Jacksonville.

NFC:

Atlanta @ Los Angeles: The balance of power has shifted in the NFC West, with the Rams ending years of futility in their 2nd season back in LA. The Falcons are the defending NFC champions, hoping to atone for their own brain farts in the Super Bowl that cost them the championship. If the Rams win, they would play North champ Minnesota. If Atlanta wins, they would get East champ Philadelphia. The last two NFC champs have come from the South (Atlanta, Carolina), but that streak will end here. We need fresh blood come February.

Pick: Los Angeles.

Carolina @ New Orleans: The two NFC South rivals will meet for a 3rd time this season. Carolina wants to get back to the big game, hoping to make up for their own shortcomings vs. Denver 2 years ago. I don't see it happening this time. Saints QB Drew Brees is the oldest QB on the NFC side. It's crazy, but the prospect of matching Brees vs. fellow graybeard Brady isn't as far fetched as one might think, although I don't think that'll happen either.

Pick: New Orleans.

Of course, I could be wrong.