The regular season is over, and with that the campaign of 20 NFL teams that fell short of the ultimate prize. Unfortunately, the Kansas City Chiefs are one of them, a win short of reaching the postseason for the second consecutive year.
While the pain is fresh, so are the memories. The disappointment will not trump the enjoyment of watching Kansas City reclaim the sound record during a 41-14 demolition of the New England Patriots, or the 23-20 triumph at Arrowhead over the Seattle Seahawks, or even the play of Ron Parker against the Buffalo Bills. The season did not end magically, but plenty of moments were.
With that in mind, sit down and relax this weekend. Watch the NFL playoffs, and enjoy some of the action.
No. 5 Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 Carolina Panthers (-6.5)
Saturday, 4:35 p.m. (ET), ESPN
I want to pick Arizona. it has fought so hard through adversity while Carolina did jack all season, then made the postseason because the NFL South is a joke. However, it is impossible to ride with Ryan Lindley against a defense that allowed the second-fewest points in December. Cam Newton will do enough, and the Cardinals will be wondering what might have been.
Pick: Panthers 17, Cardinals 9
No. 6 Baltimore Ravens at No. 3 Pittsburgh Steelers (-3)
Saturday, 8:15 p.m. (ET), NBC
This is my favorite game of the weekend. It is great to watch two teams that genuinely don't like each other in a great venue like Heinz Field, slugging it out in the night. Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown will need to be even better than normal with Le'Veon Bell out. On the other side, can Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs get to Roethlisberger and force a turnover or two? Should be fun to watch.
Pick: Steelers 30, Ravens 28
Last Week: 13-3
Regular season: 177-78-1