NFL Playoffs

The regular season is over, the formalities out of the way and now the real show begins. The NFL playoffs begin with two games on tap today and two on Sunday.

The Kansas City Chiefs (9-7) travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts (12-4) at 4:00 p.m. ET and the Dallas Cowboys (9-7) pay a visit to the Seattle Seahawks (9-7) at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Here's the Corners preview of today's Wild Card playoff games.

Kansas City (9-7) at Indianapolis (12-4)
The Chiefs won their final two games of the regular season, then sneaked into the final playoff spot when Tennessee, Cincinnati and Denver all lost season finales at home. They have relied heavily on running back Larry Johnson, who set an NFL record with 416 carries this season and gained a team-record 1,789 yards, second in the league. Kansas City has not won a playoff game since 1994. The Colts are in their fifth consecutive postseason but come in having lost three of their last five games. They are last in the league against the run, giving up 173 yards rushing per game. Peyton Manning was second in the league with 4,397 yards passing, and the Colts averaged 26.7 points a game, second in the NFL.

Prediction: Manning and the Colts are trying to shed their reputation as postseason underachievers. They are 3-6 in the playoffs since Manning arrived and have made the AFC title game only once. Their defense will face a stiff test against Johnson, one of the NFL's best running backs. Johnson should have a field day against the Colts and their 32nd ranked run defense. Winner: Chiefs.

Dallas (9-7) at Seattle (9-7)
The Cowboys stumbled down the stretch, losing three of their last four games — a skid that cost them the NFC East title. Blame a defense that gave up 33 points per game during that span. The Cowboys gave up only 18.1 in their first 12. They are fourth in the league in scoring at 26.6 points per game, but quarterback Tony Romo has six touchdowns and eight interceptions in the last five games. The Seahawks enter the playoffs having lost three of their last four games, including their last two at home. Their defense gave up only 903 yards passing in the last five games, but cornerbacks Kelly Herndon and Marcus Trufant are injured. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck had 15 passes intercepted, a career high, despite missing four games because of an injury.

Prediction: Both teams are trying to put late-season struggles behind. The Cowboys haven't won a playoff game since 1996. Seattle won, 13-10, when these teams met last season. They have never met in the playoffs. The Dallas receivers could have a big day with Trufant and Herndon out, but in the end, the raucous Seattle crowd will be the difference in this game. Winner: Seahawks.

The Corner Lowdown
Last week: 12-4
Overall: 152-81


Check out the most complete guide to coaching youth football ever created!

Do you love football? Then tune it to the Football Fanatics Show!