Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 Units

The Jets had won six straight in the series before dropping a 4-1 decision on Dec. 19 against the Blackhawks, who have won four in a row and 11 of 16 to climb back into the playoff chase in the Western Conference. Chicago moved within two points of Winnipeg, which sits just outside playoff position, after rolling to a 6-2 victory at Toronto on Saturday as rookie Dominik Kubalik continued his hot streak with a pair of goals to reach 20. Kane, a former Hart Trophy winner, had an assist in the victory to move within one point of joining Hall of Famers Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull and Denis Savard as the only Blackhawks with at least 1,000 while captain Jonathan Toews is two shy of 800 after scoring twice and setting up two others Saturday.

Rating: 2 Units

New York has won 10 of its last 11 versus division rivals, including last month's 3-2 victory at Columbus, which extended its winning streak to four games with a 5-0 rout of visiting New Jersey on Saturday night. Winners of six of seven (6-1-0), the Blue Jackets were 11 points out of a playoff spot on Dec. 7 but have ascended to the top wild card by earning points in 18 of their last 20 games (14-2-4).

Rating: 4 Unit NCAAB Play of the Day

Rutgers looks to extend its home winning streak to 13 games when it faces Minnesota in Big Ten play today. The Scarlet Knights have won seven of their last eight games overall, including a 59-50 victory over Indiana on Wednesday, and hope to take another step toward their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1991 by knocking off the Golden Gophers for the third time in their last four meetings. The Golden Gophers have won six of their last eight games following a 4-5 start to the season to climb over .500 in conference play and they hope to stay in the thick of the Big Ten race by registering their first road win, after dropping five away games to open the 2019-20 campaign.

Rating: 2 Units

Niners are in the NFC Title game for the first time since 2013, tying the Steelers for the most all-time.  What a gem they have in Garoppolo, who is now 21-5 as a starter, while the Niners are 7-2 at home this year.  Check Richard Sherman with his first playoff interception since 2015, when he was still with the "Legion of Boom" in Seattle.  And what a defense San Fran has molded, standing at 2nd, 4th, & 1st in total, scoring, & passing "D", while the 'Bay ranks 18th in total defense, as well as well as 23rd against the rush, in trying to corral SanFran's 2nd-ranked overland offense.  The 7 FDs that the Niners allowed vs the Vikings is tied for the 3rd fewest in post-season history, sacking Cousins 6 times, & allowing only 21 RYs, the least in franchise playoff history.  Except for Rodgers, the edges are all with the Niners.

Rating: 2 Units

These 2  have certainly made their mark this preseason, with the Titans taking their first divisional playoff game since 2002, in shocking upset of Ravens, with a 230-yard deficit.  It's also the first time since '99 that they've won multiple playoff games.  Tannehill looked impressive in Baltimore, with both his arms & his legs (3 total TDs), with Henry rewriting the playoff rushing records.  Try this: 377 rushing yards in this year's playoffs.  He had 30 rushes for 195 yards in Baltimore, with his 561 rushing yards in his first 4 post-season games also an NFL record.  First player in NFL history with 180 rushing yards in 3 straight games.  Titans have played their best ball on the road of late, with the visitor winning & covering their last 7 games.  KC is the streakiest team in the NFL, but the Titans have more than proven their worth.