Has there ever been a time so many area pro football fans have been ready for the playoffs? Three teams closely connected to our region — Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Cleveland — have qualified for the postseason.

It all kicks off with the Bills on Saturday at 1 p.m. hosting the Indianapolis Colts. Wildcard weekend winds down with the Steelers-Browns tilt on Sunday evening at 8 p.m. In between, there are four other games.

This is the first year of a changed format to the National Football League playoffs, which allowed seven teams from each conference. The top seeds –Kansas City in the American Football Conference and Green Bay in the National Football Conference — receive a bye.

But the excitement around here revolves around the Bills, Steelers and Browns. For Steeler fans, a trip to the postseason is an expectation. For Buffalo and Cleveland this is an experience. The Bills are hosting their first playoff game in 24 years while the Browns are in the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Ironically, the team they play also handed them their last playoff loss.

We can all agree 2020 was a long year. Pro football, for the fall and at this moment, continues to provide a greatly needed diversion as well as excellent entertainment.