This crazy new year has already brought a ton of change, not all of it good. But a major change in the NFL now has my weekend schedule completely, happily booked. Don’t call me unless you want to talk football, because for the first time, we ‘fan-addicts’ will get two triple headers.
 
These six games were earned the hard way: fans had to both give up going to their favorite stadiums and try to stay virus-free; the league battled through a few outbreaks, scares and scheduling disruptions; and, as always, players fought through injuries and the loss that inevitably comes with intense competition.
 
Now, 14 teams stand at the top of the football world. The Chiefs and Packers are the only two with a week off; for the rest, the skirmishes start as early as Saturday afternoon (ET).
 
Only one team will raise the Lombardi Trophy in February, but I must express my admiration for all the playoff teams. They are all winners in my book — even that nameless bunch (with a 7-9 record) in the nation’s tattered Capitol. The WFT does not deserve to be in the playoffs, but I applaud the courage of HC Ron Rivera and QB Alex Smith. And this is a very young squad with a bright future.
 
Alhough the Bucs will win Saturday night, Tampa, FL made a major blunder (that no one else is talking about, but I will) that could cost them dearly before the postseason ends. By hosting a college bowl game the day before the last Bucs game, they caused a knee injury to Mike Evans, the league’s best receiver over the last seven years. A while back, the Bucs wisely added Antonio Brown to their roster, but I have a feeling that the Evans injury will haunt them. Hey Tampa: if you want to host two football games just days apart, you have to go to artificial turf. Get a clue.
 
While the Ravens are the consummate proof that “speed kills”, the Bills and their young stud QB look like the most blue-collar team in the playoffs — except for the Chiefs, of course.
 
Buffalo and Baltimore are joined by New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Seattle in reminding the NFL that there are more coach-quarterback duos worthy of the Hall of Fame than Belichick-Brady and Reid-Mahomes.
 
By now, you know which teams I am picking to win this weekend. I don’t foresee any upsets, but if I were to pick just one, it would have to be King Henry and those bruising Titans.
 
The action starts early Saturday and doesn’t stop until Sunday evening, with just a little time for sleep before game four. You have been warned.

Here are the six epic battles — and my picks:

Away        Home                My Pick

Saturday
1.  Colts         Bills                   Bills
2.  Rams        Seahawks          Seahawks
3.  Bucs          Redskins           Bucs
 
Sunday
4.  Titans       Ravens              Ravens
5.  Bears        Saints                Saints
6.  Browns    Steelers             Steelers

We earned this. Enjoy!