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Jan. 9, 2007 The home teams held serve on Wild Card Weekend. While Indianapolis and New England got through their games with relative ease, Philadelphia and Seattle were biting their nails through the final seconds. Now, all four teams have to go on the road for the Divisional Playoffs. And awaiting them will be four teams that earned an extra week of rest, thanks to their play in the regular season. Here’s a look at the four games on the docket this weekend: Indianapolis at Baltimore (4:30 PM on Saturday, January 13, on CBS): This is a meeting between Baltimore ’s former and current teams, in their first playoff matchup. And, surprise of surprises, it’s not the Ravens defense that generating the headlines. The Colts shut down a Kansas City ground game that was supposed to chew up massive amounts of yardage. The fact that Indianapolis got big plays from the defense and special teams bodes well for them, despite Peyton Manning throwing three interceptions. Baltimore ’s defense will show up, there’s no doubt about that. But their offense will need a big day from both Steve McNair and Jamal Lewis in order to stay in this game. If they do, it should make for a barnburner of a game, and Brian Billick will continue to look like a genius for taking over the offense from his good friend, Jim Fassel. My money’s on Indy in this one, although it wouldn’t be an upset if Baltimore comes out on top. Final Score: Indianapolis 26, Baltimore 20 Philadelphia at New Orleans (8:00 PM on Saturday, January 13, on Fox): This time last year, the Saints had cleared out their lockers at their home-away-from-home, the Alamodome in San Antonio . Meanwhile, their home-sweet-home, the Louisiana Superdome, was still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Katrina. And the man who guided them through that abyss, Jim Haslett, got dismissed. What a difference a year makes. With All-Pro quarterback Drew Brees and sensational rookie Reggie Bush in the backfield, New Orleans powered past the sexy preseason favorites, the Carolina Panthers, to take command of the NFC South. In the process, they enjoyed a seven-game improvement (from 3-13 in 2005 to 10-6 in 2006), earning rookie head coach Sean Payton honors as Coach of the Year. And they’ve proven that they can play well on both sides of the ball. But the Saints will be facing a Philadelphia team that is riding a six-game winning streak. Even though Jeff Garcia didn’t have a stellar game against the Giants in the Wild Card round, he did just enough to get them in position for a game-winning field goal by the reliable David Akers. (Memo to Tony Romo: Take lessons on how to hold for placement from Eagles punter Dirk Johnson.) Brian Westbrook has emerged not just as a star for the Eagles, but as a leader. And it’s that confidence that has gotten them to this point. No doubt, the Superdome will be the loudest of the four playoff sites this weekend. Fans have lots of good reasons to be stoked. But bear this in mind— New Orleans is only 1-5 in the playoffs all time. This is their first playoff appearance since 2000, and only their second trip in the Divisional Playoffs. This also happens to be the second time they’ve faced Philadelphia in the playoffs. The first time was during the Wild Card round in 1992, when the Eagles marched in and swatted the Saints 36-20. History has a funny way of repeating itself, doesn’t it? Final Score: Philadelphia 31, New Orleans 17 Seattle at Chicago (1:00 PM on Sunday, January 14, on Fox): When the Seahawks visited the Bears in Week 4, they did so without running back Shaun Alexander, who was in the middle of fending off the dreaded Madden curse. Chicago proceeded to dismantle Seattle 37-6, behind a 232-yard, two-touchdown performance by Rex Grossman and two Ricky Manning, Jr. interceptions of Matt Hasselbeck. Don’t think that thoughts of revenge haven’t crossed the minds of the Seahawks this week, particularly since they have Alexander back in the lineup and ready to go. The Seattle faithful have to still be counting their lucky stars, after Tony Romo fumbled the game from his hands in last week’s Wild Card game. The Seahawks themselves also have to realize that they’re lucky to still be around. It all comes back, though, to Grossman, who will need to play much better than he did against the Green Bay Packers in the regular-season finale. Chicago fans will not be kind to him if he blames another lackluster effort on external forces around him. And look for Lovie Smith to be quick with the hook if Grossman isn’t up to snuff early on. The Bears defense should carry the day, though, in this first-ever playoff meeting between these two teams. Woe betides the winner of the Philadelphia/New Orleans game, for a trip to Chicago will likely be in order. Final Score: Chicago 23, Seattle 13 New England at San Diego (4:30 PM on Sunday, January 14, on CBS): This is the first time since the 1963 AFL Championship Game that these two teams have faced each other in the postseason. San Diego won that meeting 51-10. Of the four teams that earned byes in the playoffs, San Diego is, in my opinion, the most likely to be upset. The Chargers had a great regular season; they have the league’s MVP in LaDanian Tomlinson; they have a killer defense led by Shawne Merriman, who might have won Defensive Player of the Year had he not been suspended for four games; and they get to play this game in balmy Southern California. So what makes San Diego vulnerable? Well, they’re playing New England , and we all know what that means--facing one of the best game planners of all time in Bill Belichick, and one of the game’s most clutch quarterbacks in Tom Brady. San Diego’s head man, Marty Schottenheimer, has a lifetime playoff record of 5-12, which would have qualified him as an early casualty in the Samuel L. Jackson movie Snakes on a Plane. I’d love to see San Diego win this game. A lot of people would love to see San Diego win this game. But a lot will ride on which Coach Schottenheimer shows up. If it’s the same coach whose Chargers lost in the Divisional Playoffs two years ago to the Jets in overtime, it’ll be an early exit for the league’s best team. I’m hoping that the new Coach Schottenheimer, the one who lets his players play, is the one that shows up on Sunday. Final Score: San Diego 31, New England 23 If San Diego wins against New England, the AFC Championship Game will be played at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Sunday, January 21. If New England wins, the winner of the Indianapolis/Baltimore game will host the AFC Championship Game. If Chicago wins against Seattle , the NFC Championship Game will be played at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, January 21. If Seattle wins, the winner of the Philadelphia/New Orleans game will host the NFC Championship Game. For the latest news and information, go to http://www.nfl.com. ------------ About the author: Claxton Graham has written over 100 articles for Useless Knowledge. He has also written the unpublished novels Now Batting..., Santa's Sleigh Is Missing and The Writer's Nightmare. He works as a business analyst. Email: scifiwriter8502@email.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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