NFL Divisional Playoffs

Here's a brief preview and predictions for today's NFL Divisional Playoff games.

Seattle (10-7) at Chicago (13-3)
Seattle got its gift win last week, when Tony Romo mishandled the snap on a late and short FG attempt that could have sent Dallas to victory. Now the Seahawks go to the place where they were manhandled, 37-6, in Week 4, but a lot has changed since then. Seattle RB Shaun Alexander, who didn't play because of a broken foot, is back at full strength. And Chicago's defense is beat up: T Tommie Harris, who had two sacks in the last meeting, is out, and so is S Mike Brown. The once-fierce Chicago defense has allowed an average of 26.3 points in its past four contests. The Bears had a first-round bye, as they did last year. But they didn't take advantage then, losing to Carolina.

Prediction:Chicago's offense is a mystery; it's hard to tell whether QB Rex Grossman will shine or wallow. The weather could be a factor, as high winds, rain and a temperature in the upper 30s are in the forecast. Seattle will be without top receiver Darrell Jackson and possibly D.J. Hackett. Winner: Bears.

New England (13-4) at San Diego (14-2)
San Diego had the best record in the NFL this season, and the Patriots have won three of the past five Super Bowls. San Diego has LaDainian Tomlinson, the league's leading rusher and MVP, but New England counters with the NFL's fifth-best run defense, permitting just 94.2 yards a game. Coach Bill Belichick is 12-2 in the postseason, but the Patriots face a team with 10 straight victories and an 8-0 mark at home. New England counters with only one loss in its past eight games, and it was 7-1 on the road this season.

Prediction:It's tough to pick against New England, but road teams face monumental tasks in this round, because they played the previous week while their foes were off. Entering this weekend's play, home teams were 49-15 in this round since the current playoff system began in 1990. The biggest concern with San Diego is how QB Philip Rivers will play in his first postseason contest. Winner: Chargers.

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Indianapolis 15, Baltimore 6
The Indianapolis Colts signed Adam Vinatieri because of his playoff experience, his accuracy under pressure and his ability to supplement an offense that usually has no trouble moving into field-goal range. Vinatieri justified the move in record-setting style, kicking five field goals to carry the Colts past the Baltimore Ravens 15-6 and into the AFC Championship Game. Peyton Manning couldn't get Indianapolis into the end zone, and for once it didn't matter. That's because Vinatieri provided the Colts with all the offense they needed. Vinatieri won two Super Bowls with late field goals and scored 117 points in the postseason for New England. He was signed by Indianapolis as a free agent to replace Mike Vanderjagt, who missed a 46-yard field goal with 17 seconds left last season in the Colts' 21-18 playoff loss to Pittsburgh. Vinatieri justified the acquisition with a flawless performance against the Ravens, connecting on field goal tries of 23, 42, 51, 48 and 35 yards. The fourth kick gave him an NFL-record 33 career postseason field goals.

New Orleans 27, Philadelphia 24
Deuce McAllister and rookie sensation Reggie Bush gave this battered city a reason to throw itself a party, carrying the New Orleans Saints where they've never been before -- one game from the Super Bowl. The Saints are the first team in NFL history to make a conference championship after losing 13 or more games the previous season. It was the veteran McAllister with his two touchdowns and team playoff mark of 143 yards rushing, and the rookie Bush with his collection of magnificent moves, that made the difference in the raucous Superdome. The Eagles, who won six in a row after losing quarterback Donovan McNabb, got a superb performance from Westbrook, who rushed for 116 yards and scored twice, including a 62-yard run that was a franchise playoff record. Quarterback Jeff Garcia's run of success ended, but he combined with former Saints receiver Donte' Stallworth on an Eagles-record 75-yard touchdown in the first half. McAllister became the first Saints player to rush for more than 100 yards in the playoffs.


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