Well here is how I see the playoff going down the Indianapolis Colts are hosting the Kansas City Chiefs this Saturday at 4:30pm ET. Peyton Manning is a well know choke artist when it comes to the big game, however the Colts did finish their first perfect home winning season since 1958 when the Baltimore Colts won the NFL championship. The key for the Chiefs will be the matchup of running back Larry Johnson, who set an NFL record for carries this season with 416, against an Indianapolis defense that has surrendered rushing yardage in bunches this year.
The second game Saturday feature the 9-7 Dallas Cowboys against defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks. Despite owning the top wild card, Dallas goes into January having lost consecutive games for the first time all season. The situation is equally disappointing for the Seahawks, who needed a win in the finale to halt a three-game skid. This could be the game to watch Saturday.
Now on to Sunday's match-ups. The first game pits AFC East rivals New York Jets at the New England Patriots. New York won the last meeting at Foxboro 17-14 on Nov. 12. All eyes will be on the head coaches as Jets first year coach Eric Mangini served six years under Bill Belichick, five as defensive backs coach and last season as defensive coordinator. Of the opening round games this one is my favorite, and I am pulling for the Jets to continue there win ways over the Patriots.
Final game of the first round also pits NFC East rivals the New York Giants against the Philadelphia Eagles. The G- Men got that play-off spot on the back of running back Tiki Barber. Also the Giants rallied from a 24-7 fourth-quarter deficit in Week 2 to post a 30-24 overtime win in Philadelphia, however the Eagles returned the favor in Week 15, riding a 22-point fourth quarter and the outstanding play of Jeff Garcia. Will the G-Men and the soon to be retired Tiki Barber be able to handle the recharged Jeff Garcia and the Eagles?
Players to watch in the first round; Tiki Barber, Jeff Garcia and Larry Johnson.
San Diego and Baltimore off this week for the AFC ,and for the NFC Chicago and New Orleans have the bye. Players to watch for the long haul Rex Grossman can this former Gator prove to be the superbowl caliber QB and return the Bears to the show. Or is the Sporting News athlete of the year LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers going to bring the title back to San Diego?
