The NFL playoffs begin this Saturday and the biggest question will be whether the Kansas City Chiefs go for a three-peat. After winning back-to-back Super Bowls, Kansas City looks destined to win the big game again, clinching home field advantage in the AFC with a 15-2 record. Their primary AFC challengers remain the same as the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens are right behind them in the standings.

In the NFC is where it gets interesting. The Detroit Lions were the class of the conference with a 15-2 record of their own. Their division features two other strong teams in the Vikings and Packers. Meanwhile, the Eagles managed to put last year's collapse behind them en route to a 14-win campaign. Other teams like the Rams look like a dark horse Super Bowl contender. Here are my playoff predictions. 

AFC

Wildcard:
#2 Bills over #7 Broncos
The Bills are flying high and that is due to Josh Allen who is playing some of his most efficient, if not the best football of his career. They are going to be one step ahead of Denver the entire game. The Broncos' offense with rookie QB Bo Nix will be competitive, but an MVP-type performance from Allen  seems likely. 

#3 Ravens over #6 Steelers
It has been a December to remember for the Ravens as they won their last four to clinch the AFC North. They will keep up their momentum against a struggling Pittsburgh team who they beat three weeks ago. Lamar Jackson might have some hiccups but Derrick Henry will likely get lots of carries for plenty of yards. The defense will also contain Pittsburgh's dormant offense. 

#5 Chargers over #4 Texans
The Chargers' successful turnaround season will continue in the playoff opener against the Texans. As much as Houston has struggled recently, I think they will actually put up a better fight than expected. However, the Chargers know how to play together under Jim Harbaugh. They won't make many mistakes like past teams, and Justin Herbert will notch his first playoff win. 

Divisional
#1 Chiefs over #5 Chargers
This is unfortunately where the Chargers' season will end. The Chiefs' team that needed the field goal bouncing off the uprights to win their last meeting, has played much better since. Patrick Mahomes has been the catalyst of an offense that's played very productive as of late. With Andy Reid fresh off a bye, their offense is in for a big day. 

#3 Ravens over #2 Bills
I see Baltimore running a ball-control offense to keep Allen and co. off the field for extended periods of time. Jackson will be better through the air than the Steeler game, but Henry is going to add to his impressive playoff resume. Allen will put up a fight, but if the Ravens' streaky secondary plays like the talented unit it is, he won't have much help. 

Championship
#3 Ravens over #1 Chiefs
I'm very cautious of picking against the Chiefs, but I believe Baltimore can win based on how their offense looks now compared to the first meeting. Both Henry and Mark Andrews were under utilized but have since emerged as major focal points of the Ravens' offense. Their impact will make a significant difference. The Baltimore's defense will contain Mahomes just enough in the end to win.

NFC

Wildcard
#2 Eagles over #7 Packers
The Eagles are on a mission after last year's disastrous ending and the next step will take place against Green Bay. Their offense led by Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley won't be overpowering, but they will do just enough. Philadelphia's defense will be the difference. They're much improved from the last time they faced the Packers, which is bad news for Jordan Love. 

#6 Commanders over #3 Buccaneers 
This game is going to be a shootout between Jayden Daniels and Baker Mayfield. Both offenses can be unstoppable, but I see Daniels emerging victorious. He is bound to have more support from the defense and running game after single handily carrying Washington in the last two games he started and finished. Washington wins their first playoff game since 2005. 

#5 Vikings over #4 Rams
The Vikings are going to pull this out in what might be a sloppy game. Their defense hasn't played its best football recently and going against a solid Rams' offense won't do them any favors. However, Sam Darnold has heard lots of criticism and he'll take his frustration out on the Rams. Los Angeles has had an unfortunate week having to relocate due to the fires. They'll play hard, but this is Darnold's game to lose. 

Divisional Round
#1 Lions over #6 Commanders
Detroit's high-powered offense will be too much for the Commanders. Jared Goff will feed receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams with plenty of targets against a flawed secondary. What makes Detroit's offense so potent is their ability to target their opponent's weakness. In this game, the passing offense will lead them to victory. 

#5 Vikings over #2 Eagles
The Vikings will beat the Eagles in a game that I don't think will be that close. The Eagles may be talented, but they don't have the coaching Minnesota does. Kevin O'Connell will thoroughly out-coach Nick Sirianni, while Justin Jefferson has his way with a promising but young secondary. The defense will also force the Eagles to throw the ball a ton which isn't their strength. 

Championship
#1 Lions over #5 Vikings
For the third time this season, Detroit will emerge victorious against Minnesota. It won't be a blowout like the final week, but it also won't come down to the wire like week 7. Minnesota might start out strong but I see the Lions seizing all the momentum before halftime. Dan Campbell has additionally had this date circled for a long time after blowing a 17 point lead last year. He'll make all the right decisions this time around. 

Super Bowl
#3 Ravens over #1 Lions
Like 2012, the Ravens will be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in the Superdome after the final whistle. Detroit's injuries on defense will be too much for the offense to overcome, as Jackson and Henry each  go over 100 yards. Aiden Hutchson will provide inspiration assuming he returns from his leg injury in October, but the Lions are missing far too many other defensive contributors. Jackson will officially shed the label of under-performing in the playoffs, and give Baltimore its third championship.

Last Friday, the New York Knicks traded Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo among others to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl Anthony-Towns in a blockbuster move. The timing of the trade is surprising given that most moves happen in July, and the NBA season starts in less than a month. As for the players involved, it seems like a decent trade on paper. The Knicks still are among the league’s contenders, but they are rolling the dice in more ways than one. 

On the positive side, Towns is very talented. He possesses a unique skill set for a big man thanks to his ability to score in the paint and beyond the three point arc. He has averaged over 20 points in the last eight seasons to go along with a career average 10 rebounds. Towns’ skills on the perimeter particularly separate him from other big men. His 39.8% three point shooting is the best among all centers in NBA history, which should benefit the Knicks who will now have even more floor spacing. Towns gave fans a preview of that skillset in their opening preseason game when he drained a 27 foot three pointer for his first points. 

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He also began to embrace the role of a number two option in Minnesota, which bodes well for Jalen Brunson. The Knicks clearly want to maximize Brunson’s skills and Towns gives them a legitimate scoring threat who can space the floor. Both of their skill sets give them the potential to be a dangerous offense duo. I attended their preseason game against the Washington Wizards and was already impressed by the two-man game between both players. Towns' floor spacing allows him to succeed on the pick and roll or pick and pop. He's also capable of setting up Brunson to score as Towns is a decent passer for his position.

From a lineup standpoint, the Knicks likely felt they had a surplus of guys who play both shooting guard and small forward. When they traded for Mikal Bridges back in June, it meant that DiVincenzo and Josh Hart would be playing reduced minutes. While the Knicks could’ve used a committee to give Bridges, DiVincenzo, and Hart similar minutes, this trade helps give them more stability in that area. Bridges and Hart will be playing the same range of minutes from around 30-35 a game which gives them more chances to be impactful.

More importantly, Towns has helped turn the Timberwolves into a regular playoff team. They’ve made three straight playoff appearances with this past season being their deepest playoff run in 20 years. His growing playoff experience fits well with a Knicks team that has also made the playoffs three times in the last four years. 

However, there are also multiple risks that come with this trade. Towns hasn’t exactly been healthy in recent years. Since 2019, Towns has played 250 out of 382 games, which is a vast comparison to Randle who only missed 17 games in four seasons before suffering a season ending shoulder injury in January. 

Discipline is also a problem for Towns. He has gotten in foul trouble in each of his last three playoff appearances, which ultimately affected his minutes down the stretch. Given that discipline is a huge component of the Knicks defense, Towns doesn’t have to be an elite rim protector like Dikembe Mutombo, but he has to play smarter on that end. 

Even if he does happen to be everything the Knicks hope, they need his production to be sustainable in the long term. Towns has a large contract that will kick in starting this season. Whereas Randle was eligible for a four year, $181 million extension, Towns’ salary will be four years and $220 million. The lowest the Knicks will have to pay in a single season will be the $49 million he’s owed this year. 

Finally, there’s the fact that Randle and DiVincenzo have already proved to be critical pieces for the Knicks. Randle is one of the prime reasons why the Knicks have become a winning team. When the Knicks signed Randle, they were coming off a 17 win season. Since then, Randle has made the Knicks into a regular playoff team. Each year, he’s gotten better and has three all star appearances and two All-NBA selections to back it up. He was well on his way to another All-NBA appearance before injuring his shoulder in January. 

DiVincenzo blossomed into an essential contributor in his lone season with the Knicks. A fiery competitor, DiVincenzo averaged a career high 15.5 points on 40% three-point shooting. He was one of the few Knicks who was healthy the entire season and he only got better as the season went on. In the playoffs, DiVincenzo relished big moments, hitting multiple go-ahead shots under the final minute. 

​This is the definition of a blockbuster move. Towns gives the Knicks a player that is talented and capable of complementing Brunson. If he can stay healthy, Towns will thrive on the offensive end and give New York another threat to close out games. However, the Knicks are risking the chemistry on the team. Despite the injuries, the Knicks were a very tight-knit team that embraced all of their responsibilities. Lots of Knicks fans anticipate what a healthier version would look like, and there’s still plenty of reason to be excited. However, team chemistry will be another thing to watch more than last year.

There is a ton of anticipation surrounding the U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. They have a decorated roster with talent ranging from Basketball Hall of Famers like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, to potential faces of the league such as Anthony Edwards. As a whole, this year’s roster consists of four MVP winners and seven champions. In contrast, the previous two teams had Kevin Durant as the only MVP winner and just two more NBA champions combined than this year’s team.  

The makeup of Team USA from a skills perspective is highly balanced with players who can succeed in different ways. Offensively, they have guys who could score without needing the ball, along with other players who are willing to guard the opposing team’s best player. 

“We have the ability to play different styles,” Hall of Famer and USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill said recently in an interview with Andscape. “We have flexibility. We can go big, we can go small. We have shooting and we have experience.” 

One guy who checks all of those boxes is, of course, LeBron James. After winning his second gold medal in 2012, James has built a Hall of Fame career in the last 12 years alone. He may not be athletic like he was, but he returns as a more polished player with a valid case to be proclaimed the greatest of all time. 

Joining James are Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, who are seen as the next two best players of their generation after James. Durant is accustomed to Olympic play having won the last three gold medals, while Curry is probably the best point USA has had since Chris Paul in the 2012 Olympics. 

Defensively, they have two elite rim protectors in Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis. Both of them share a combined eight all defensive selections. Even Team USA’s best role players are Jayson Tatum, who is fresh off a championship, and Devin Booker who is one of the league’s top scorers. 

As a whole, there are a lot of players who specialize in all different areas which makes it easier for everyone to seamlessly compliment one another. It will require some players to sacrifice some of their skills. Davis and Jrue Holiday might be in the game only for their defense, while Booker might be better suited for a role off the bench. If they’re willing to make these sacrifices, Team USA’s path to gold will be the equivalent of a walk in Luxembourg Gardens. 

That doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges however. While Team USA boosts the best squad on paper, Olympic basketball is more of a contrast from the NBA game. While an NBA court is 94 by 50 ft, Federal International Basketball Association (FIBA) courts are about 91 by 49 ft. There are also different rules such as players being allowed to touch the ball after it hits the rim, and jump balls getting determined based on who was last awarded possession. 

Not only are team USA’s opponents more equipped with these regulations, but they also have more experience playing together. Most of these players spend their offseason playing with their countries and are used to playing with each other. Team USA might feature some players who played for the same team during the regular season, but not everyone has played together before. 

"They have to get acclimated for FIBA and to this style, and that’s what the preparation is all about is trying to get them to understand what wins and loses a FIBA game,” Head Coach Steve Kerr said recently. 

The teams as a whole have also improved going into these Olympics. Plenty of talented players like Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be representing their countries.

France, who narrowly lost out on gold to USA in 2021, will receive a massive upgrade with the newest NBA phenom and Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama making his Olympic debut.

Canada has also emerged as a threat with a talented backcourt of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray among other solid NBA players.

Germany is bringing back the same team that beat USA Basketball in the World Cup, and nearly won the rematch in the exhibition games. 

Even with the competition, there are  plenty of reasons that team USA will win gold for the fifth straight Olympics. Not only is this one of their most talented rosters, but most of the players they will be counting on have already played in the Olympics at least once. With the competition improving, having experienced players such as James will be a huge factor. In their last two exhibition games against South Sudan and Germany, James’ last minute heroics were the difference. 

There is also a desire among the players and coaches to keep USA Basketball on top. Even if the players might not admit it, there’s no other reason why James would be returning to the Olympics while also recruiting guys like Curry and Davis. They are eager to show they can help the USA maintain their superiority in basketball at a time where other countries are looking to prove themselves. 

“We have competitors,” Hill said. “Part of why they want to do this is they want that challenge and they want to show that we could be the best.”

The Yankees have given their fans plenty of reasons to be excited about the team’s potential this season. They currently own the best record in baseball at 42-19 and rank in the top five in almost every statistical category among individual players and teams. Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are already dueling for AL MVP, while Anthony Volpe has made a significant jump in his second year. All of these expectations were realistic among among fans before the season.

However, their pitching has emerged as one of the main factors toward their success. When reigning Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole was placed on the injured list for two months due to an elbow injury, the starting unit was faced with a steep task to produce in his absence. However, the team has responded in a big way. Starting pitchers, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, Nestor Cortes, Clarke Schmidt, and Marcus Stroman have all contributed which has resulted in a very balanced and effective rotation. They currently lead the league in wins and ERA while placing sixth or better in other pitching categories. 

The most successful of the bunch are Carlos Rodon and Luis Gil. Rodon signed with the Yankees in 2022 as one of the highest coveted pitchers in free agency. Although he dealt with injuries and inconsistent play last season, Rodon now looks like the big-time pitcher the Yankees envisioned him to be. He has allowed three or less runs in all but one game this season, and holds a 7-2 record. More importantly, Rodon seems comfortable handling the pressure of being a high-priced free agent for the Yankees.

"This doesn't feel overwhelming anymore," Rodon said after a win against the Chicago White Sox. "This feels like home which is nice. That makes a big difference."

Gil has been the biggest surprise in general for the Yankees. After playing sparingly in 2021 and 2022, he has made a significant impact in his first official season in pinstripes. Gil is tied for the team lead in wins, and his 1.99 ERA is the fifth best in all of baseball. That includes a .70 ERA in May that helped earn him AL Pitcher of the Month. His spectacular month also saw him make some franchise history by setting the rookie record for strikeouts in a game with 14 against the White Sox. 

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Nestor Cortes hasn't quite resembled the all star he was back in 2022, but he has still bounced back from a disappointing 2023 season. Cortes' ERA has dipped from 4.97 to 3.46 and his strikeout-to-walk ratio is a career high 4.9. For Cortes to fully replicate his success from 2022, he'll have to find a way to string together solid performances on the road which is where he's struggled. 

Before ending up on the injured list with a lat strain, Clarke Schmidt was continuing to find proper footing in the starting rotation. After starting last season with a 2-6 record, Schmidt emerged as the team's second most reliable pitcher after Cole finishing with a 6-2 mark. This season, he was off to a fantastic start with a 5-2 record and a 2.52 ERA. If Schmidt can come back strong this season, he'll be a valuable piece on the back end of their starting rotation. 

Marcus Stroman has been exactly what the Yankees hoped he could be when they inked him in free agency this past winter. He is performing exceptional as the second starter in the rotation with a 5-2 record and 2.73 ERA. Some of Stroman's most productive outings have occurred without needing to strikeout batters as he leads the team in ground ball outs with 77. 

What is particularly impressive about the Yankees' starting rotation is their ability to succeed in different ways. On one hand, they have hard throwers like Gil, Schmidt, and Rodon whose go-to pitches travel beyond the average pitch speed, They also have guys like Stroman and Cortes' who throw below the average speed. In addition, they are able to get outs in various ways whether it's Gil's high strikeout rate or Stroman's ability to generate outs in the field.  

There are some questions to be desired such as whether Gil can continue to thrive in a bigger role. He saw limited action before this season so batters might not be well-prepared to face him. That could change as Gil gets more playing time. There will also be decisions to make in the back end of the rotation when Schmidt returns since Cole will be likely be healthy by then. Cortes undoubtably has the most impressive resume between him, Schmidt, and Gil, but he has also struggled the most out of the three this season. 

However, Cole's return will certainly ease some of those concerns regardless of how everything else plays out. In four years on the mound, Cole has been every bit of an ace for the Yankees leading the AL in wins, strikeouts, and ERA at least once with his Cy Young award serving as his latest accomplishment. If anything he should elevate the rotation because they have delivered in what has possibly been their most important stretch this season. 

Last Sunday saw the New York Knicks' season end in convincing fashion to the Indiana Pacers. The combination of injuries and hot-shooting by the Pacers resulted in a 130-109 defeat for the team's biggest game of the season. But for the Knicks to even be in that position is nothing short of spectacular. In their third playoff appearance in four years, this year's team was arguably the best of the bunch and there are many reasons to support that statement. 

For starters, the Knicks had their first 50 win season in 11 years and their second overall in the last 24 seasons. They had a talented roster that featured two all stars in Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, along with a resilient group of guys who stepped up despite injuries to multiple key contributors, including their entire front court. Head coach Tom Thibodeau has installed this mentality within the team since taking over, and he became the fifth coach in Knicks history to make the playoffs three times. 

Even when the team won six of their last seven games to clinch the number two seed, people believed they should tank for a more favorable matchup in the playoffs rather than face the Philadelphia 76ers who were riding their own hot streak. However, New York was rewarded for their approach as they defeated Philadelphia in six thrilling games, and were up 3-2 against the Pacers before running out of steam. Even with the result, the Knicks established themselves as contenders going forward. 

At the centerpiece of their team, is point guard Jalen Brunson. Last season, Brunson made an immediate impact leading the Knicks to the second round, but that now seems like a footnote compared to this season. Brunson enjoyed another career year in points and assists, along with his first all-star and All-NBA selections. Through his toughness and creativity, Brunson has become one of New York's most beloved athletes. He might not possess much physical gifts, but Brunson knows how to set up himself and his teammates to succeed. In the playoffs, Brunson continued his brilliance setting a franchise record for points in a playoff game with 47, along with being the fourth player in NBA history to have five or more playoff games with at least 40 points and five assists. 
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However, Brunson isn't the sole reason for the Knicks' success. Although Julius Randle's season abruptly ended with a shoulder injury, he continued to grow his skills since winning Most Improved Player in 2021. After a slow start, Randle began to resemble the All-NBA player he was in two of the previous three seasons, averaging 24 points and nine rebounds. Randle was particularly at his best inside the three point arc where he tied his career best for two-point field goals with 6.9 makes. He was playing some of his best basketball in the last two months before his injury, and should bounce back strong next season. 
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The Knicks additionally fielded a strong group of role players who excelled in different areas. In December, they traded fan-favorites RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for OG Anunoby who proved to be a perfect fit with his defense and ability to score off the ball. In every game he suited up, the Knicks went 26-5. 
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Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstien also became beloved role players with their hustle and willingness to make impact plays that didn't always appear in the box score. Their durability was essential during the second half of the season along with the playoffs. Hartenstien made 37 more starts than any other season combined while Hart played four playoff games without resting. 
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Donte DiVincenzo enjoyed a career year in his first season wearing orange and blue. He averaged personal bests in scoring and three point percentage. In addition, he had a knack for big shots which occurred in the closing seconds of playoff wins against Philadelphia and Indiana. 
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Mitchell Robinson was still a reliable rim protector when healthy. He was initially diagnosed with a season ending ankle injury in December, but came back before the playoffs and was giving the team solid minutes before Joel Embiid grabbed his ankles while air-born. Yet Robinson came back during the series and was part of a team effort that contained Embiid in the fourth quarter of game six. 

Miles McBride went from being seldom used to the team's primary ball-handler off the bench. After trading for Anunoby, the Knicks gave McBride a three year, $13 million contract extension which now looks like a bargain. McBride grew more comfortable running the offense while remaining a tenacious defender. 

While the Knicks roster lacked the stability that other playoff teams enjoyed, the on-court chemistry every one of their players shared was undeniable. One can point to how Brunson, Hart, and DiVincenzo, who played together at Villanova, possessed their own skills that benefited the team. Or the fact that Anunoby immediately made a difference despite admitting to not fully knowing the plays early on. Unselfish sequences like Hartenstein keeping possessions alive, and the team's hard-nosed defense were common throughout the year. 

But none of that is possible without Thibodeau installing his philosophy of hard work, toughness, and resilience toward each player. Every player bought in to Thibodeau's culture and it was evident at various points of the season whether it was during the team's red-hot January, or against Philadelphia where all but one game wasn't decided until the final minute. Even during the most adverse times, such as a rough February, their mental toughness never faded. There were multiple players such as Brunson and Robinson playing through injuries, while Anunoby tried playing through a hamstring injury in game 7 before ultimately having to sit out. That type of competitive mindset is what enabled the Knicks to make it so far. 

This offseason will be more about keeping the roster intact than trying to find a star player. Perhaps no evidence better supports this case than their NBA-best 14-2 record in January. That was the healthiest version of the Knicks' current roster, and they were in the midst of a nine game winning streak at the time of Randle's injury. Despite playing the last two games of the month without him, New York's 246 point differential during the month was higher  than any other NBA team in a single month this season. 

The Knicks will certainly try to resign Anunoby and Hartenstien who are both free agents this summer. Anunoby is expected to return while Hartenstien will be coveted by other teams though he has voiced a desire to stay. Brunson is also eligible for an extension and is reportedly willing to take less money if it means signing this summer. With those moves and some much-needed rest for everyone, a big year could be on the horizon.