If today's NFL wild-card playoff games look familiar, they should.

        The Buccaneers and Eagles played their regular-season finale Sunday night at Tampa Bay, the Eagles winning 17-13, and the Raiders and Jets played that afternoon in Oakland, with the Jets winning 24-22.

        It's only the 11th and 12th times in NFL history that clubs ended a regular season against each other and then played again the following week in the first round of the playoffs. It's only the second time in history (1993, Detroit-Green Bay, Denver-L.A. Raiders) that two back-to-back games were played on the same weekend, the first time on the same day.

        BUCCANEERS (9-7) at EAGLES (11-5)

        Philadelphia won its last two playoff games by a combined 79-40. The Eagles will be looking for another big game from a defense that allowed a franchise-low 208 points. Tampa Bay was held to 11 first downs in its 21-3 playoff loss at Philadelphia last season.

        The Buccaneers will lean on fullback Mike Alstott, who had seven rushes for 42 yards in the first half of last season's playoff game, but didn't run the ball in the second half. Tampa Bay will try to play a field-position game and avoid the big turnover that keyed that game.

        The Bucs have never won a road playoff game (0-5) and have never won in temperatures under 40 degrees (0-20). They'll be up against both streaks today. EAGLES 20-17.

        JETS (10-6) at RAIDERS (10-6)

        New York is 7-1 on the road this season. The Jets won at Oakland last week to get into the playoffs, and the Raiders are struggling. They've lost four of six and rank in a tie for ninth among the NFL's 12 playoff teams in overall record.

        The Raiders, who lead the series 18-11-2 after losing to the Jets in Oakland for the first time in 39 years, will need a better passing performance from quarterback Rich Gannon (no touchdowns last week). Oakland's defense also did a decent job of keeping Jets running back Curtis Martin (16 carries, 50 yards) in check. RAIDERS 24-20.

        49ERS (12-4) at PACKERS (12-4)

        Green Bay has never lost a home playoff game (12-0) and are 10-0 at Lambeau Field. The Packers have won three of four meetings in the playoffs since 1995, but this is the first time they'll be up against a San Francisco team with a truly balanced offense.

        Go figure: In a game in which the starting quarterbacks, Brett Favre and Rich Garcia, threw for 3,900 and 3,500 yards, respectively, and each had 32 touchdown passes, running the ball will be the key. PACKERS 28-21.

        RAVENS (10-6) at DOLPHINS (11-5)

        To win their second consecutive Super Bowl, Baltimore will have to do something never done in the NFL: win three consecutive road playoff games.

        Baltimore needs a great game from quarterback Elvis Grbac, who threw more interceptions (18) than touchdowns (15). He'll be up against the NFL's top-ranked pass defense.

        The Ravens can't give up any big plays and can keep the score close by getting pressure on Miami quarterback Jay Fiedler. Look for the upset. RAVENS 15-13.

        LAST WEEK: 10-5. OVERALL: 153-95.

        Mark Curnutte covers the Bengals for The Enquirer.

Today's games look like... last week's Wild-card weekend kicks off in Philly O'Leary, banished by Irish, lands with Vikings

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