NFL Playoff Picks- Week One

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Marky Billson, Host of Tri-Cities Sports NOW

This week the National Football League begins their playoff schedule. Here are my selections.

The first game is Kansas City hosting the Tennessee Titans at 4:35 p.m. ET Saturday, 3:35 p.m. CT. For the Titans its the return to the venue in which the public perception of the franchise changed, last season’s 19–17 Tennessee victory at Arrowhead Stadium won on a 53-yard field goal at the gun.

Don’t think this isn’t a winnable game for the Titans. Not having DeMarco Murray won’t help, but Derrick Henry had the better season so the question is one of depth.

Marcus Mariota scrambled for 60 yards against Jacksonville, but if he does that against Kansas City the Titans will lose. Without Eric Berry the Chiefs’ secondary is vulnerable. While the Titans’ offense has become conservative, Henry can’t do it alone. Mariota has struggled this year with 15 interceptions against only 13 touchdown passes this season, but if he has a big day, Tennessee wins. You’re getting 8 and 1/2 points.

Tennessee 24–21.

Atlanta at Los Angeles in the Coliseum makes me wax poetic for the 1970s when this game was played at this venue every season, with the Grits Blitz going up against Pat Haden and company.

Jack Snow, back in the day, playing against the Falcons.

The Falcons have won six of eight, while the Rams have taken four of seven. I like the fact at this point in the season the Falcons have two backs to pound away with in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman other than just one in the Rams’ Todd Gurley. And I like the Falcons’ experience.

The key to the Rams winning this game is getting turnovers. They are a +7 this year in turnovers, Atlanta is a -2. Freeman and Julio Jones may be playing a bit banged up, but I still am going to take the Falcons. Famous last words, but you are getting almost a touchdown with six points.

Falcons 28–21.

Here’s a stat with Buffalo and Jacksonville. The Jaguars lead the NFL in sacks. They have four players, Calais Campbell, Yannick Ngakoue, Dante Fowler and Malik Jackson with at least eight sacks this season.

He threw five touchdown passes to beat the National Champion, on the road, last season, and beat ’em despite playing against DeShaun Watson on his career day. Forget the shaky start. Peterman is the better QB.

Meanwhile Bills running back Shady McCoy is a game time decision, Tyrod Taylor was sacked 46 times this season, the most of any quarterback in the playoffs. I know Nate Peterman was intercepted five times in his first start but same line- sacked only one time this year. So that’s Taylor is sacked once every 10 times he goes back to pass, and Peterman once every 50.

It’s not Peterman’s fault the ball deflects off his receivers’ hands. The Bills are starting the wrong quarterback. This one will be a Jacksonville rout. There’s a reason they are favored by 8 1/2.

Jacksonville 33–6.

Final game. Carolina at New Orleans. Both teams are 11–5. All season long I’ve been telling you about the Saints. Trying to make one last run with Drew Brees. They improved by four games this season and I think it continues.

Cam Newton pouts. Drew Brees wins.

As Howard Cosell might say, the one and only!

New Orleans 27–21.