CHIRPING BIRDS- NFL PLAYOFFS PREDICTIONS- THIS WEEKEND

This weekend, the NFL kicks off it's playoff season, with four wild-card games on tap. Here ar emy predictions:


Saturday, January 6-

Titans at Chiefs-

I can't see Kansas City losing at Arrowhead Stadium. It will be cold and their fans will be crazy. Plus Tennessee barely squeezed into the postseason.

KC won the AFC West with a late surge, thanks to three straight home games near the end of the year. After starting the season 5-0, the Chiefs took a noise-dive, at one time tying for their division lead with the Chargers, before pulling away.

The Chiefs will pay the price next week in a divisional game on the road, but this week I like Kansas City.

Make it Chiefs 35 Titans 17


Falcons at Rams-

This is a tough one to call. I like the Falcons experience, but they don't play well on the road. Their offense has been shaky all year. Weather won't be an issue in sunny, warm Los Angeles. Matt Ryan can win big games, as he did last year.

Meanwhile, the Rams have an explosive offense with Goff and Gurley leading the way. It will be interesting to see if LA's philosophy pays off of resting  their starters last week. LA is young, exciting but lacks experience. They will have fans in the Colosseum on Saturday, but their crowd aren't the frenzied fans like Eagle fans.

Home teams win most wild-card games. But if there is one upset by a road team this weekend, I think this would be it.

Falcons 31 Rams 28


Sunday, January 7-


Bills at Jaguars-

Buffalo got lucky and slid into the playoffs. I think they feel fortunate just to be there. They would stand a better chance if the game was in frigid, snowy buffalo this Sunday.it's in Jacksonville, where the weather will be most warmer. The Jags' fans are a lot like Ram fans- not very supportive. But the Jags' defense will dominate the game. I'm pulling for the Bills as the underdogs, but their fairy tale end son Sunday.

Jaguars 17 Bills 10


Panthers at Saints-

New Orleans beat Carolina twice this season. Both have 11 wins. Carolina looked awful at Atlanta last weekend, especially the unpredictable Cam Newton. But the Saints have the reliable Drew Brees. They are at home with devoted fans. New Orleans will win.

Saints 38 Panthers 21


If the picks come true, next week's match-up would be:

Chiefs at Patriots; Jaguars at Steelers

Falcons at Eagles; Saints at Vikings.