Indianapolis Colts at N.Y. Jets

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET

Surface: Grass. Sheridan's line: Jets by 6.

What makes it wild: For the nostalgic, this is the first playoff meeting between the two since Super Bowl III when Broadway Joe and the Jets won 16-7.

What Colts need to do to win: RB Edgerrin James announced last week that he felt fully recovered from last season's major knee injury. He'll need to prove it because the Colts won't be able to sit back and pick apart the Jets with their passing game.

What Jets need to do to win: The Jets seem to be gaining momentum. QB Chad Pennington needs to continue to perform in his steady manner (he led league in passer rating at 104.2 and completion percentage at 68.9). RB Curtis Martin has been the epitome of consistency throughout his career and has 316 yards over the last three games.

Colts' season ends if: They can't stop the run. The defense, much maligned coming into the season, has improved under coach Tony Dungy. It has allowed 104.9 yards a game over the last eight games, a figure that should prove good enough to advance with.

The Jets season ends if: The defense regresses. Over the last nine games (7-2), the Jets have allowed 15.9 points and 293.7 yards a game vs. 27.6 points and 402.9 yards in first seven games.

Key injuries: No significant injuries.

---

Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers

Saturday, 8 p.m. ET

Surface: Grass. Sheridan's line: Packers by 6 1/2.

What makes it wild: The game features two of the most exciting quarterbacks in the league today: Falcons youngster Michael Vick and the Packers veteran Brett Favre.

What Falcons need to do to win: The Falcons will somehow have to tune out the fact that they're playing in January at night at Lambeau Field, where Green Bay is 13-0 all-time in playoff games. Green Bay also was the only team that did not lose at home during the regular season. That coach Dan Reeves has more playoff wins (10) than any other active coach would suggest that the team will be well-prepared.

What Packers need to do to win: RB Ahman Green doesn't have to duplicate the performance he had in their regular-season meeting (155 yards rushing) but he could open the game up for Favre and the receivers if he has a strong performance.

Falcons' season ends if: Simply, if quarterback Michael Vick cannot create scoring opportunities, the Falcons have no chance.

Packers' season ends if: Favre is forced to have to do too much. He can be brilliant in the gunslinger mode, but the Falcons defense may not have received enough credit this season. They have had problems against the run but can be tough to pass against.

Last time they met: The Falcons, on the road, forced the game into overtime against Packers before losing 37-34 on opening day.

Key injuries: Packers: S Darren Sharper (sprained knee), WR Donald Driver (strained shoulder) and CB Tod McBride (groin) are questionable. Falcons: RB Bob Christian (concussion), C Roberto Garza (knee), LB John Holecek (knee) are out; WR Shawn Jefferson (hamstring) is questionable.

---

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Surface: Grass. Sheridan's line: Steelers by 8.

What makes it wild: Location, location, location. These teams are rivals in the truest sense of the word, especially since the cities are only 132 miles apart. Neither team's quarterback began the season as the starter (Pittsburgh's Tommy Maddox and Cleveland's Kelly Holcomb) and that, along with the fact that the Browns are 6-2 on the road, makes this a fun game to watch.

What Browns need to do to win: Their defense, the AFC's best inside the red zone, needs to step up and contain the Steelers' strong and speedy wideouts, Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress.

What Steelers need to do to win: Shut down Browns running game (rookie William Green has been hot lately) and force the rusty Holcomb to throw the ball.

Browns season ends if: Holcomb find a rhythm early and keep Steelers defense off-balance.

Steelers season ends if: Running back Jerome Bettis isn't effective inside red zone and Steelers have to score three points at a time.

Last time they met: Steelers beat Browns 23-20 at Cleveland on Nov. 3, extending their winning streak vs. the Browns to five games.

Key injuries: Browns: QB Tim Couch (broken leg). Steelers: LB Kendrell Bell (ankle); CB Chad Scott (hand).

---

N.Y. Giants at San Francisco 49ers

Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET

Surface: Grass. Sheridan's line: 49ers by 3 1/2.

What makes it wild: New twist to an old playoff rivalry. Giants have been on a roll, Niners clinched weeks ago, yet neither team appears that great. Can you say, overtime?

What Giants need to do to win: Get another strong game out of their big cornerbacks to help contain Terrell Owens.

What Niners need to do to win: Have Bryant Young lead the way in pushing around the Giants' suspect offensive line.

Giants season ends if: They are not able to frustrate Jeff Garcia as they did in the season opener, and the Niners' Pro Bowl quarterback beats them with his mobility.

Niners season ends if: Giants get into their patented, plodding offensive rhythm behind a hot Kerry Collins.

Last time they met: Niners came back to win regular season opener at New York 16-13 when Owens, held in check for most of the game, busted a huge catch and run to set up game-winning field goal.

Key injuries: Giants: Starters missed 50 games due to injuries. Most devastating: DT Keith Hamilton (Achilles), WR Ike Hilliard (shoulder), C Dusty Zeigler and WR Ron Dixon (knee). 49ers: Sixteen players missed a combined 148 games. The most devastating: LB Jamie Winborn (knee) 13 games, G Dave Fiore (knee) 14 games, S Zack Bronson (foot) 11 games.

Return to Bengals front page...