SCOTT SIMON, HOST: And now it's time for sports. (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) SIMON: NFL playoffs and an unpredictable first week at the Australian Open.

SCOTT SIMON, HOST: And now it's time for sports. (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) ... SIMON: The NFL playoffs begin today - six games on the schedule, but it's not just business as usual.

SCOTT SIMON, HOST: And it's time for sports. (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) SIMON: Oh, bad times at a beloved brand in sports journalism, NFL playoffs, another round of the latest great rivalry.

Host Scott Simon talks to NPR's Tom Goldman about the NFL playoffs and how this exciting time of year for football fans has been somewhat overshadowed by talk of concussions.

Scott Simon and Howard Bryant of Meadowlark Media discuss the Australian Open finals, the NBA's Joel Embiid's amazing season and this weekend's NFL playoff games. Accessibility links.

SCOTT SIMON, HOST: And now it's time for sports. (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) SIMON: The Beard comes to Brooklyn. Two quarterback legends meet in the playoffs this weekend.

Major League Baseball heads into the playoffs and the NFL gets two reminders of football's dangers. NPR's Scott Simon and ESPN's Michele Steele discuss the latest sports news.

SCOTT SIMON, HOST: And so nice to say - and now it's time for sports. (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) SIMON: Remembering the holiest of soccer fans, the NFL draft, the NHL playoffs.

SCOTT SIMON, HOST: And now it's time for sports. (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) SIMON: Championship weekend with NFL Conference games and the Aussie Open.