NFL 2007 Forecast: Championship Playoffs

Equality and erraticism have dominated the NFL scene for decades and add to the complexity of this institution's framework. This two-headed monster emerged in Indianapolis and Dallas last weekend, but it was fought off and defeated in Green Bay and New England.

Chargers coach Norv Turner arrived in San Diego under a cloud of doubt mostly due to his 58-82 record in his previous coaching stints and his inability to get to the playoffs. San Diego got off to a slow start and suddenly Turner found himself being lambasted and ridiculed as many believed that his stay in southern California was going to be short-lived. After Sunday's spectacular victory over the defending Super Bowl champions, I don't think Turner will have to put his house on the market. Despite injuries to L.T., QB Philip Rivers, and TE Antonio Gates, Turner turned in a magnificent coaching job and earned a trip to frigid New England to face the Perfect Pats like they did in Week 2.

Tony Romo's vacation romp with Jessica Simpson, a lackluster December, and T.O's injury appeared to be very serious factors going in to last Sunday's game at Texas Stadium. Regardless of what effect they had, the bottom line is that NY was prepared for this game more than Dallas. The Cowboys were brainless and vulnerable against this Giants team that continued its road dominance becoming the first team in NFL history to win nine straight road games. Big D was simply outplayed and had a bad day on the offensive line, catching the ball, and being effective in the red zone. As a result, Cowboy players now get to spend more time in front of their HDTV's watching these Giants battle Favre's Packers on The Frozen Tundra.

Speaking of Lambeau Field, the day began clear and cold vs. Seattle as the Seahawks rode the parity sled up and down the field exploding to a quick 14-0 lead. Then, the weather began to change. Temperatures continued to drop and snow began to fall as Lambeau became a winter wonderland providing the kind of environment that caused Brett Favre to shed his uniform and reveal a big "S" and flowing cape. Farve was simply paranormal. He threw three TD's and no interceptions and displayed unbelievable poise and awareness as he escaped collapsing pockets and fleeting blitzes to make plays. Now, Green Bay gets host the NFC Championship game vs. NY who they met in Week 2 as well.

What else is there to say about the New England Patriots? Jacksonville arrived in Foxboro riding a massive tidal wave of momentum coming off its thrilling victory in Heinz Field to knock off the Steelers. Many believed that their brutal style of play on defense and explosive running attack would challenge New England and create a colossal upset. With that challenge ahead of him, Brady simply turned on a switch and had one of the greatest games a QB has had in NFL history. He was as masterful as Obi-Wan Kenobi and brilliantly dismantled the Jags. Now, they welcome the San Diego Chargers who represent the last road block before arriving in Glendale, AZ.

The Super Bowl is the pinnacle game for each NFL season, but today is one of the greatest weekends in professional sports. It's the last chance for two cities to see their home team, and very often showcases all the characteristics of a truly awesome NFL battle.

Find a seat. Get anything and everything that you're going to need during the next seven hours. Hook up the catheter. Get ready for a spine-tingling and paralyzing ride!

• San Diego Chargers (13-5) at New England Patriots (17-0): CBS, 3pm EST - If there's one arena that Bill Belichick and Tom Brady excel in more than the regular season, it's the playoffs where they are 13-2. The weather is going to be frigid but not cold enough to stop this blitzkrieg offense and dominating defense. San Diego comes in to this colossal battle on a 8-game winning streak but is also hobbled with injuries of varying extents to QB Philip Rivers, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, and TE Antonio Gates. If Rivers can't go, coach Norv Turner will be the key in calling plays for Billy Volek, but the crucial reality for the Chargers will be to keep consistent pressure on Brady, maintain time-chewing drives to keep Brady and Co. off the field, and their defense must create turnovers. This will be the first time all season that San Diego has played in sub-freezing weather, but that won't matter against this Patriots machine. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• NY Giants (12-6) at Green Bay Packers (14-3): FOX, 6:30pm EST - Zero degrees and snow with -14 degrees wind chill. Lambeau Field. Brett Favre. Does it get any better than that for an NFC Championship Game? The Packers welcome the NY Giants for a chance to travel to warm Glendale, AZ and hoist the Lombardi Trophy. The G-men have played exceptionally on the road winning their last nine contests away from NY and will find themselves facing a QB wizard in Favre and a daunting defense. The Packers will also be facing a QB in Eli Manning that has been virtually flawless in his last few games displaying poise and quick, smart decisions. Both teams have very effective running games and effective passing attacks that will make this a war to remember, but the mystique appears to be back at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY

STANDINGS

Cris Collinsworth: 1-3, 182-82

Cris Carter: 2-2, 177-87

Bob Costas: 2-2, 174-90

Dan Marino: 3-1, 173-91

Eddie Chinn: 2-2, 171-93

Chris Mortensen: 2-2, 168-96

Sean Salisbury: 3-1, 168-96

Hopeless in Dallas

In 1987, my family and I went to a formal fund-raising dinner that my Dad organized at a Washington D.C. hotel. It was a very exciting event as it was attended by a wide range of dignitaries and personalities. Even without knowing who everyone was, I remember being mesmerized by the scene and feeling the energy created by the atmosphere and the mere fact that I was also in the nation's capitol!

When the event was over, my Dad asked me to go get the family van in the parking garage about two blocks away where I had parked it. Walking the street at night was enough of a cultural experience for me, and when I arrived to where I remembered parking the vehicle, it was gone.

My heart began to skyrocket as I quickly tried to dismiss the fact that it had been stolen while feeling an overwhelming tidal wave of guilt. I then quickly formulated the theory that I was on the wrong level and found a sign that read "Level 3" with an arrow beside it pointing up. The sign was above a door so I figured that the two were working together to help me in my dilemma.

When the door shut behind me inside that vacuous stairwell, the slam sent off a reverberation that screamed, "No!"

I approached the door the next floor up, and it was locked. This vertical shaft seemed to spin, the cussing increased, and the sweating seemed excessive as I flew up the stairs trying the next seven doors all of which were cemented shut. The next chance for ending this nightmare was the last door before reaching the roof and it was open. I walked into an office space that was dark and empty but it had an elevator.

Luckily, it wasn't locked off and took me to the first floor where I knew I could get out and try this again. It emptied me into a glass vestibule off of the building lobby about 75 feet from the front door. I walked up to the glass doors separating me from the lobby and they were locked --- of course. I yelled and screamed as D.C. denizens walked by completely oblivious to my dilemma.

I felt like I had just entered a vacuum that had devoured every attempt of mine to succeed in this predicament and it left me extremely weary and vulnerable.

As I sat on the floor up against the wall completely void of all energy, I found myself staring through a large plant that was next to the door and noticed something shiny. As I pushed the very heavy planter away, I found the exit button tucked away in the corner of the "death chamber" like some practical joke by the building engineer.

I walked out of the building and headed back to the hotel and was then greeted by family and friends like someone who had been presumed dead in a plane crash but had survived on a remote island.

When I arrived at Texas Stadium last Sunday, the atmosphere was radioactive. I walked among Cowboys and Giants fanatics screaming, chanting, and displaying their opinions about their team and where they were destined to go after this do-or-die battle. You could feel the drama swelling like a tidal wave. Everyone knew that this was not just any game.

Standing on the cement landing next to the row where my seat was and looking out over the field gave me chill bumps that could be used as sandpaper and stung like a flock of bees. I saw Jerry Jones and his entourage along with Romo, T.O., Witten, Demarcus "Beware" Ware, Marion Barber, and the rest of the Dallas Cowboys. The surroundings and climate screamed that everyone on the field and in the stands knew what was at stake; the mission was clear and simple.

The Giants struck first in the first quarter, but that wasn't anything new as Dallas had started out slow in the first half all season. With 3:05 left in the first half, Barber woke up with crowd with an electrifying 36-yard burst up the middle. Six plays later, Romo found T.O. in the end zone. The Dallas defense smothered NY on the next series and got the ball back and engineered a ten minute drive that resulted in a Barber TD with :53 to play in the first half and a 14-7 Dallas lead. The kilowatts in the arena were volcanic.

What happened next took me back twenty years ago when that door slammed shut behind me as I attempted to go up the next level in the parking garage. Deep in the pit of my stomach, something told me that things might be fixing to get ugly. The G-men, behind a flawless Eli Manning, conducted an impressive seven-play drive and closed out the half with a TD tying the score at 14-14. Most teams would have played for a field goal at best, but that TD created a disturbance in The Force.

Dallas took the second half kickoff and went on a 14-play drive taking up the first 8:07 off the 3rd quarter only to end with a 4th and 12 from the Giants 16-yard line. When they chose to kick a field goal and take a 17-14 lead, I cringed and looked to the heavens for an explanation as this decision violated one of the commandments of my football religion: THOU SHALT NOT KICK A FIELD GOAL INSIDE THE RED ZONE DURING ANY NFL PLAYOFF GAME. I will always believe that it is worth the risk to go for the TD on fourth down inside the opponent's 20 unless you're down by three points or less in the fourth quarter with less than two minutes left. If you don't succeed, then you've got them pinned deep in their territory, and your defense should be good enough to make the opposing offense sweat. They got you this far in the season.

As the ball sailed through the uprights, I felt like I did when I found the open door but it led to a dark office space. At least I'm not in that stairwell, but this still isn't quite the answer I was looking for.

The Cowboys proceeded to stop the Giants on their next drive, but something changed in the air after that field goal. Dallas continued their dull and erratic ways by committing horrible penalties and putting a bridle on their momentum. With 53 seconds left in the third quarter, NY drove the field and scored the go-ahead TD with 13:33 left in the game.

This is typically plenty of time for a 13-3 team who is down by four at home in the playoffs, but the Cowboys seemed to lose hope and did not play with the heart and enthusiastic energy that led to such a successful regular season. More penalties emerged, passes were dropped, and the collective sweating of the Dallas throng began to increase. When Dallas got the ball with 1:50 left in the game and on the Giants 48-yard line, there was a temporary feeling of relief and zeal as Romo broke the huddle and took his place behind center.

The drive included a nice run by Barber and a couple of key catches by Jason Witten, but more dropped passes and another false start put Dallas at the Giants 23 facing a 4th and 11.

I felt as if I had just been spit out of the elevators into that glass closet looking at freedom 23 yards away. Dallas had succeeded all year in this do-or-die situation (anyone remember the Detroit, Buffalo, or Minnesota game??) Finally, let's score this TD and end this agonizing experience!

Romo went back to pass and saw Terry Glenn streaking along the back of the end zone and let the ball go. It was like I was approaching the glass doors ready to walk into the lobby and then out of the building to breath the fresh night air.

I saw R.W. McQuarters flying in front of Glenn with his eyes peeled on the ball and I saw what was developing. I felt helpless because there wasn't anything I could do to get Glenn in position to catch the ball. McQuarters intercepted the ball and put a lock on the Cowboys season.

NY Giants 21 Dallas 17.

The air, fervor, and hope of all inside Texas Stadium was immediately vaporized.

Deep inside, I was yelling and waving my arms trying to get the attention of the football gods passing by to make them see that this did not end the way it should have. I needed them to rescue Dallas by providing a way out of this suffocating and fatal blow. Where's the flag?!?! Didn't the Giants call a timeout right before the snap?!?! Something! Somebody! Help!

I stood there knowing that the Cowboys season was over but only because it felt like a Marine drill sergeant was yelling it in my face from about 2" away spit and all. I was trying to find the exit button, but it was no where to be found.

NFL 2007 Forecast: Divisonal Playoffs

Samuel Johnson, an 18-century English writer, once said, "Few enterprises of great labor or hazard would be undertaken if we had not the power of magnifying the advantages we expect from them."

Picture a professional wildlife hunter three days before he is to lead a two-week hunting expedition in Africa. Imagine a teenager the night before he is to go buy his first car with this father. Visualize an actor or actress getting dressed a couple of hours before attending the world premiere of their first motion picture.

And, then there's me living each day drowning in enthusiastic hunger leading up to the NFL Playoffs.

I'm like an 12-year-old the night before Christmas morning wondering what is in store for me and passionately being patient for the experience of flooding myself with family, wrapping paper, and "needs."

Anticipation of the unknown can be extremely invigorating or spine-chilling, and while this is true in life, it's also a fact when it comes to this time of year as these gridiron franchises wage war to lay claim to The Lombardi.

The campaign began last weekend when NY journeyed into south Florida take on the Buccaneers hoping that their hot road streak would continue. Most of Tampa's starters had been rested for three weeks, and the Giants do have a reputation of being inconsistent especially at QB this year. Turnovers, a steady offensive attack, and a disruptive pass rush were enough to buckle the Bucs squad and send them home early as the G-men won a trip to Texas Stadium.

In Seattle, the "Hawks welcomed a Washington team that was riding an emotional tidal wave due to the spirit and memory of Sean Taylor and the emergence of QB Todd Collins which fueled a four-game win streak leading up to this game. What transpired stunned the Skins. Their confidence level was sky-high but Seattle's defense came alive like a Brahma bull on crack and dominated the trenches. Add a nice performance by QB Matt Hasselbeck and some fortunate bounces and the Seahawks find themselves heading to Lambeau.

By halftime, many Chargers fans wondered if another first-round exit was upon them as Tennessee held an ugly 6-0 lead. San Diego had managed only three yards rushing and three first downs, but the second half was a different story. The Bolts unleashed 17 unanswered points which included an L.T. dive into the end zone on fourth down in the 4th quarter which served as a dagger in the hearts of the Titans faithful. The Titans went back to Music City while the Chargers geared up for a visit to Indiana to face the defending champs.

While home-field advantage in the playoffs is viewed as a huge advantage, there are times when it serves no purpose but to be the venue where the home team gets humiliated. This was the case right off the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers as Pittsburgh succumbed to Jacksonville with less than a minute left after erasing an 18-point deficit. With 37 seconds left, J-town kicked a 25-yard field goal to suck all the air out of Heinz Field and catapult the Jags to the blistery NE to try and whither the Patriots snowstorm.

What do these eight battles hold? Will the #1 & 2 seeds of each conference prevail or will we witness a colossal upset? Is a perfect season in jeopardy? How will weather affect the outcomes? Will we see an unsung hero come off the bench and make history?

I can't wait!

• Seattle Seahawks (11-6) at Green Bay Packers (13-3): FOX, 4:30pm EST, Saturday - "We want the ball and we're going to score." These words were uttered by Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck on January 4, 2004 at the coin toss before OT. On the opening possession, Hasselbeck threw the ball to CB Al Harris who returned it 52 yards for the winning TD. Up until that play, Seattle proved that it had the personnel to beat the Pack in Lambeau and this contest won't be any different. The key for the Pack is to rattle and roll Hasselbeck, who is the key to this one-dimensional offense, and give Favre time to work his playoff magic vs. his former mentor in Mike Holmgren. I expect this to be a very close game but Green Bay is more balanced and has an underrated defense. EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
• Jacksonville Jaguars (12-5) at New England Patriots (16-0): CBS, 7pm EST, Saturday - This explosive Patriots blitzkrieg rampaged through the league in 2007 and left smoking carnage on the horizon. It didn't come all that easy as they encountered some challenges along the way, but Tom Brady and Co. always found a way to win utilizing his powerful arsenal and relying on the aged-yet-dominant defense. Jacksonville is also a force to be reckoned with. This team stayed under the radar all season displaying a powerful running game, QB depth, and a resilient defense. They are also very physical and could pose some serious problems against this New England defense who has also showed signs of struggling against the run the last few weeks. Not a good combination vs. a Jag machine that is hitting on all cylinders. J-town can win this game, but the elite status of this rested New England team is just too much to overlook. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• San Diego Chargers (12-5) at Indianapolis Colts (13-3): CBS, 1pm EST, Sunday - The 2007 season headlines have been dominated by the Patriots' path towards perfection, Tony Romo & His Cowboys, and Brett Favre's revitalization. Missing from the spotlight is the season that Indy is having without their star WR in Marvin Harrison. The Colts are still the defending champions, and will have Harrison's services vs. San Diego after missing most of the season with a knee injury. Indy's defense has been the story this season and they will have to be on their toes in order to contain LaDainian Tomlinson and force QB Philip Rivers to win it with his arm. The Chargers also have a group on defense that is ranked 2nd in the league and must put pressure on Peyton Manning who threw 6 interceptions the last time these teams met on Nov. 11th. Something tells me this may be decided by Adam Vinatieri. EDDIE'S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS
• NY Giants (10-6) at Dallas Cowboys (13-3): FOX, 4:30pm EST, Sunday - "You can't be satisfied with what you're doing. It's about the bigger picture and keeping this thing going." Giants QB Eli Manning words pretty much wrap up what every team's motivation this Sunday, but part of this team's bigger picture is their hunger to knock of Big D on their turf in their third meeting this season. This road venture does not faze the G-men as they are 8-1 on the road including last week's pounding of Tampa Bay. Their defense's blitz packages must have success against QB Tony Romo who shouldn't have much trouble throwing the ball. Look for Dallas to come out throwing to get that early lead. WR Terrell Owens is questionable but do expect him to play along with Terry Glenn who should see his first extensive action since the pre-season. Will their lost momentum in December, Romo's romp in Mexico with Jessica Simpson, and T.O.'s health cripple Dallas and create an upset? At first, I truly believed that it would, but I am now going to be at the game, and Dallas is 9-1 in the ten games I've attended. EDDIE'S PICK - DALLAS

STANDINGS

Cris Collinsworth: 4-0, 181-79

Cris Carter: 3-1, 175-85

Bob Costas: 3-1, 172-88

Dan Marino: 3-1, 170-90

Eddie Chinn: 1-3, 169-91

Chris Mortensen: 2-2, 166-94

Sean Salisbury: 4-0, 165-94

NFL 2007 Forecast: Wild Card Playoffs

And then there were 12...

After two grueling weeks of training camp, four weeks of "auditioning" and fine-tuning in the pre-season, and sixteen weeks of waging war on the gridiron battlefields across America, the NFL tournament is finally upon us.

Due to total domination, intricate timing, and/or other teams' misfortunes, these twelve franchises are the cream that has risen to the top and will compete for a chance to travel to Glendale, AZ and lay claim to the "cordon bleu" of the NFL: The Vince Lombardi Trophy.

A quarter of this Dynamic Dozen will go home after this weekend and join the other teams that didn't make the cut.

Who will it be? Can the smoldering Giants and Redskins each knock off a division champion or will the home teams prevail? Will the Steelers strike sweet revenge on the Jaguars who humiliated them in Week 15? Is it possible that the wobbly-kneed Titans can withstand the Chargers assault in southern California?

If this regular season was any indication of what this year's playoffs have in store, then it won't matter who wins. You will, no doubt, be thoroughly entertained or hospitalized.

• Washington Redskins (9-7) at Seattle Seahawks (10-6): NBC, 4:30pm EST, Saturday - Since 2001, Seattle is 45-15 (including 3-1 in the playoffs) at Qwest Field whose cantilever roofs hovering over the sidelines are each 760 feet long which is the length of three 747's end-to-end. This creates sound traps which ricochets the crowd noise back onto the field and has created a "12th Man" for the fans bringing confusion and frustration to opposing teams. Washington has had its share of obstacles to hurdle this season which is why their here in rainy Seattle. This Redskins team has a mountain of momentum and when it collides with this canyon stadium and its fans, it will be like a clasp of thunder pounding a mountain side. Coach Joe Gibbs is 5-1 vs. Seattle with his only loss coming two years ago in the playoffs in Seattle. The inspiration of Sean Taylor continues. EDDIE'S PICK - WASHINGTON
• Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6): NBC, 8:00pm EST, Saturday - In regards to RB sensation Willie Parker being out for the year with a broken leg, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, "Whoever hoists that Lombardi Trophy in a month or so will have had injury issues and will have found ways to overcome it. We don't dwell on that. It's as much a part of the game as blocking and tackling. The healthy guys play and the standard of expectation doesn't change." Expectations will be sky high tomorrow night as Pittsburgh will look to exact revenge on J-town who throttled Pittsburgh 29-22 in Week 15. Jacksonville is hitting on all cylinders going in to Heinz Field, which shouldn't be in its "pending lawsuit" state, but the Steelers should be more than ready for them. Plus, history is on their side. Jacksonville has not won a playoff road game in eleven years, and no team has ever beaten Pittsburgh on its home turf twice in the same season in the 75-year history of the Black and Gold. EDDIE'S PICK - PITTSBURGH
• NY Giants (10-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7): FOX, 1pm EST, Sunday - On January 5th, 2003, the NY Giants stormed into San Francisco and exploded to a 28-14 at halftime. Out of nowhere, QB Jeff Garcia engineered the second-biggest playoff comeback in NFL history as the Niners scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and won 39-38. Then, on January 7, 2007, the NY Giants went to Philadelphia in an attempt to slow down the surging Eagles, but came up short 23-20. The injured Donovan McNabb watched on the sidelines as Jeff Garcia led the charge. This Sunday, the Giants head to south Florida to face the Bucs and their field general, Jeff Garcia, who has played very well and consistent. The Tampa defense has been stalwart all year and will have its hands full containing the Giants rushing attack which has shredded opposing defenses the last few weeks. The key in this game will be which QB has the better game as the inconsistent Eli must find a way to steer through this Tampa D while Jeff Garcia will have to watch the Giants various pass rush schemes. These two teams have never met in the playoffs. EDDIE'S PICK - TAMPA BAY
• Tennessee Titans (10-6) at San Diego Chargers (11-5): CBS, 4:30pm EST, Sunday - In one of the most physical wars this season, San Diego rallied from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to squeeze past Tennessee 23-17 in overtime on December 9th in Music City. Four players were fined a total of $32,500 and LB Shawn Merriman accused Tennessee of playing dirty. The bad blood from that last meeting will no doubt carry over into this wild-card contest in San Diego as both teams are known for playing very aggressive and with much heart. San Diego's defense finished fifth in points allowed at 17.8 points per game and led the league with 30 interceptions. The Titans defense played suffocating defense earlier in the year but their performance tapered off a bit the last half of the season. Not only is the memories of the last game on the Chargers' mind, but Tennessee's offense is decimated by injuries as QB Vince Young is a game-time decision, WR Roydell Williams broke his ankle in practice this week, and Young's favorite target, TE Bo Scaife, has a lacerated liver. San Diego has won five straight vs. Tennessee --- make it six. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO

STANDINGS

Cris Colllinsworth: 13-3, 177-79

Cris Carter: 14-2, 172-84

Bob Costas: 9-7, 169-87

Eddie Chinn: 11-5, 168-88

Dan Marino: 9-7, 167-89

Chris Mortensen: 13-3, 164-92

Sean Salisbury: 11-5, 161-94

Week 17 Reflections

Questionable coaching decisions, playing with unspeakable heart, and resting starters contributed to the NFL landscape getting altered heading into the playoffs, and the swelling anticipation of perfection became reality as the 2007 season drew to a close.

In Chicago, the Saints needed some serious help to make the playoffs but it all started with them needing a win against last year's NFC Champions. Coach Sean Payton vowed that one element of his game plan would include keeping the ball out of Devin Hester's hands. One 55-yard TD catch and 64-yard TD punt return later, Hester and the Bears played with passion as they beat the Saints 33-25.

Speaking of passion, you can't ignore the burgundy, yellow, and white flowing mightily from our nation's capital. The Redskins welcomed Dallas to it's domicile hoping to come away with a win that would vault them into the playoffs. Many believed that Minnesota would sneak in due to their date with the uninspired Broncos and Dallas' unbeaten road record this year. Denver decided to end their season on a mile-high note for their fans by squeezing out an exciting 22-19 victory while Washington gave it 150% at the same time that Dallas played at about 30%.

The result of these two games: The Redskins filled up the last NFC wild-card slot while questions muddy the Dallas waters regarding their momentum going into the playoffs.

Green Bay played its starters for a half and gave it their all defeating hapless Detroit 34-13 and securing their position as the most dominating team in the NFC heading into the post-season.

In Indianapolis, the Colts rested their first team most of the game and played other members of their team that seemed lost and confused on the field. All this did was allow Tennessee to find its way to filling the last AFC wild-card slot and give them a date with San Diego this Sunday.

Pittsburgh strolled through the regular season seemingly on their way to securing the 3rd seed. That scenario was downplayed before their game against the Ravens and it seemed to work as Baltimore defeated the Steelers 27-21. This loss gave Pitt the #4 seed, another battle vs. J-town who stomped them in Week 15, and, if they win, a date with New England.

The Patriots went into The Meadowlands with about as much momentum as a team can have going into a regular season finale. With NY playing all of its starters, New England expected a tough game, and they sure got it. The Giants ran all over the Pats defense and pressured Brady like you should in order to beat this AFC juggernaut, but once again, the Pats found a way to win for the 16th time this season!

Other notes from Week 17:

• Congratulations to Cleveland! They definitely deserve some recognition for their Cinderella season as they landed on the improbable door step of the playoffs only to not get in when Indy's "practice squad" stunningly couldn't subdue the Titans. The Dawg Pound has a lot to look forward to next season.
• Thanks to Devin Hester, there are two return specialists that don't get enough attention: The Browns' Josh Cribbs and Houston's Andre Davis, who together returned three for scores last Sunday (2 by Davis.)
• Only one team managed to go through the entire 2007 season without allowing a 100-yard rusher: the Baltimore Ravens....who are not in the playoffs.
• Dallas rushed for a franchise-low 1 yard vs. Washington.
• How bad is the NFC? Four of the six playoffs teams entered the playoffs with a loss while one of them, Tampa (9-7) enters the playoffs on a two-game losing streak.
• Who would have ever thought that we'd see a week in the NFL where the top three scoring teams of the week were Arizona (48), Atlanta (44), and Houston (42)?