Sak Sports Blog

The 2018 NFL Playoffs kicked off in a huge way on Wildcard Weekend, with upsets, an 18 point comeback, and of course, some officiating calls that sparked debate by armchair referees. The divisional round could be just as fun if not more exciting, with eight teams set for action this weekend. Last week I went 2-2 in my picks, incorrectly choosing the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams. The Tennessee Titans win was improbable so I don't feel bad about picking that wrong, but I almost picked the Atlanta Falcons and wish I did. With that being said, why am I going to pick against the Falcons AGAIN this week? Read ahead to find out my picks for all four games. Atlanta Falcons (11-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) Time: Saturday, January 13th at 4:35 PM ET TV: NBC Line: Atlanta Falcons (-3) For the first time in modern NFL playoff history, a conference's top seed will open their first game as a home underdog. Despite having tied for the NFL's ...

The Philadelphia Eagles finished the season tied for the best record in the NFL at 13-3, and had a defense and rushing attack that both finished in the top five in the league. So why are the top-seeded Eagles playing underdog against the Atlanta Falcons? After beating the Los Angeles Rams, the Falcons come in as three-point road favorites over the NFC's top seed. This is the first time under the current playoff format that a #1 seed has played their first playoff game as an underdog. It's obvious why oddsmakers are betting against the Eagles: the absence of MVP candidate Carson Wentz. Wentz tore his ACL in Philadelphia's 43-35 victory over the Rams, ending his season, and in the minds of many, the Eagles season. I already wrote, in the wake of the injury, that the quarterback swap doesn't necessarily doom the Eagles.  Losing a starting quarterback hurts, especially considering the great season Wentz was having. But Foles isn't just any backup, he...

The 2018 NFL Playoffs are well underway, in a weekend where three games came down to the final minute, an eighteen point lead was squandered, and division champions were upset at home. I layed out these games and made my picks in a preview,  where I only went 2-2. Both of Saturday's results surprised me, especially the Tennessee Titans comeback against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Atlanta Falcons win over the Los Angeles Rams was slightly more believable, considering Atlanta's playoff pedigree. But I was still shocked the Rams could only muster 13 points, although they weren't great at home all season. Sunday's games felt a lot more predictable, but they were exciting nonetheless. Seeing the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs for the first time in years was a fun way to start the day. The game dragged at times, scoreless for awhile then tied 3-3, before intensity rose in the second half. Blake Bortles gained more yards with his feet (...

The 2018 NFL playoffs kick off this weekend with a different feel than recent years. Gone are the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco and Russell Wilson, and teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, and Tennessee Titans qualified for the first time in years. Of course, familiar faces like the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers also made the postseason, looking to block the paths of any Cinderella runs in the AFC. The first weekend of NFL games in 2018 is loaded with storylines, so let's dive right in to each of the four games. Tennessee Titans (9-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)    Game Time: Saturday, January 6th, 4:20 PM ET / 1:20 PM PT TV: ESPN Line: Kansas City Chiefs (-8) If these two teams met in the beginning of the 2018 season, it would have been a much more exciting affair. Both offenses were thriving, as the Kansas City Chiefs dropped 24 or more points in each game of their 5-0 start, tallying 42 points...