And, lo, the silly season begins

 The NFL postseason begins on Saturday. Six games across three days, four networks, and accompanying streaming services. Can your heart stand it?

 Wild Card round:

Saturday:

Cleveland @ Houston (4:30 pm ET, NBC):

The uncertainty of availability of Houston's rookie QB, CJ Stroud, is why the idiot oddsmakers have Cleveland as a 2 point road favorite. I don't usually discuss point spreads here, but I wanted to make note of the stupidity of the oddsmakers. Stroud has made the Texans fun to watch. Myles Garrett and the Browns' defense will have a long day.

Pick: Houston.

Miami @ Kansas City (8:15 pm, Peacock):

They're predicting below zero temperatures in Kansas City on Saturday night, such that it'd be dangerous to play this game, but the league won't move it to a neutral, warmer climate. It's too bad NBC/Peacock is not using Al Michaels for the playoffs. I remember he opened one NBC playoff a few years back with "Welcome to Ice Station Zebra", in reference to the movie by that name. And that was in Minneapolis, which is known for conditions like this.

The Dolphins are reeling. Getting swept by Buffalo cost them the AFC East title, while the Chiefs won their 8th straight West title. There's likely a pool on how many times the cameras will find the Chiefs' team skybox looking for Taylor Swift, assuming she shows up. Tyreek Hill returns to KC, where he began his career and won a Super Bowl before leaving for Miami prior to the 2022 season. This likely will replay on NFL Network on Sunday.

Pick-Kansas City.

Sunday:

Pittsburgh @ Buffalo (1 pm, CBS):

With Bill Belichick out in New England, succeeded by one of his former players-turned-coaches, Jerod Mayo, Mike Tomlin becomes the longest tenured coach in the NFL, along with Baltimore's John Harbaugh. How Tomlin is able to keep the Steelers above .500, despite injuries to QB Kenny Pickett and other key players, is a miracle. It's likely Mason Rudolph starting for Pittsburgh. Josh Allen & the Bills figure to shred this generation's Steel Curtain, given the questions about TJ Watt's availability due to an injury last week. This will be fun.

Pick-Buffalo.

Green Bay @ Dallas (4:30 pm, Fox):

Mike McCarthy coaches against his former charges in the postseason for the first time. Dallas was undefeated at home this season, still seeking their first title since Barry Switzer's only Super Bowl win. The Packers got hot the last few weeks, but Jordan Love will have his hands full with Dallas' defense. Green Bay's offensive line will not hold back Micah Parsons, Demarcus Lawrence, and friends for very long.

Pick-Dallas.

Los Angeles @ Detroit (8:15 pm, NBC):

Jared Goff & Matthew Stafford were traded for each other a few years back. Stafford has won a Super Bowl. Goff would like to be the one to take the Lions to the big dance, as they are the last pre-expansion NFL team to make it to the Super Bowl if they do. It's Detroit's time.

Pick-Detroit.

Monday:

Philadelphia @ Tampa Bay (8:15 pm, ABC/ESPN):

The Eagles limp into the playoffs having lost 5 of 6, including a loss to the Giants last week. Jalen Hurts has a finger injury, meaning Marcus Mariota could start if Hurts can't go. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs are hot at the moment, and rose above .500 to win the NFC South. Oklahoma fans will have a hard time figuring out which of their former QB's will advance. I don't. I already have the answer.

Pick-Tampa Bay.

Of course, I could be wrong.