I'm pulling out my red challenge flag. When I first looked at the weekend's NFL divisional playoff matchups, I got the strange feeling I've seen these games already. Then I realized why: I have.
All four games are rematches from the regular season, an oddity in a 32-team league with interconference play, especially considering none of this weekend's games involve teams in the same division.
However, I think we need some further review, because there are plenty of reasons to watch a replay of these games. I think we'll see some things that didn't appear the first time these teams met, that could cause for some reservals.
Early in the season, the Redskins beat Seattle in overtime after Seahawks' kicker Josh Brown clanked a field-goal attempt off a goal post in the waning seconds of regulation. At the time, the loss put Seattle at 2-2 and kept Washington unbeaten at 3-0.
Since then, however, Seattle has gone 10-1 and secured the NFC's top seed throughout the postseason. The Redskins went 7-6 during the remainder of the regular season and needed a win in their final game to limp into the playoffs as a No. 6 seed.
Their defense carried them in last weekend's wild-card win at Tampa Bay. It's safe to say that if Washington is to repeat the feat against the Seahawks, the Redskins will need more than 122 total yards of offense.
After further review: Seattle rolls.
In mid-October, the Patriots received a rude reception at Denver as the Broncos scored early and often, piling up a 28-3 lead against the injury-depleted defending champs. Tom Brady led a spirited rally, but Denver staved off New England 28-20, putting the Broncos at 5-1 and leaving the Patriots at 3-3.
Denver had a strong season at 13-3, but the Patriots went 4-0 in December and, after losing a meaningless game at Miami on New Year's Day once their playoff position was secured, the champs dismantled Jacksonville in the usual Belichick fashion—a close first half, and then coaching adjustments that show why he's won three of the past four Super Bowls. Mike Shanahan's no slouch, but ...
After further review: New England wins on the road.
In mid-November, the Panthers traveled to Soldier Field having won six straight games. The Bears were a surprise at 6-3, and teams around the league were just beginning to realize how strong Chicago's defense was this season. Carolina was no exception: The Bears sacked Jake Delhomme eight times, and two key first-quarter interceptions led to 10 Chicago points en route to a 13-3 win. The game's only touchdown came on a three-play, 8-yard drive. Need I say more?
But Carolina can bring the D, also, as evidenced by last weekend's shutout win at Giants Stadium, eliminating talk of a possible Manning Bros. title game. And don't forget, this same cast reached the Super Bowl only two seasons ago.
Tack on this: Rex Grossman, Chicago's starting quarterback who was injured for much of the season and didn't play against the Panthers, is hardly a seasoned veteran. He's only in his third season, and had never played more than three games in a year. His career stats: nine games, four touchdowns, six interceptions.
After further review: Carolina wins, 3-0.
In late November, the Steelers traveled to then-unbeaten Indianapolis for a Monday Night Showdown. Pittsburgh was coming off of a tough loss at Baltimore, where starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had just missed his third consecutive game after having arthroscopic knee surgery. The Colts, who were 10-0 heading into the game, scored on an 80-yard pass on their first offensive play and it was all uphill for the rusty Roethlisberger, who threw for only 133 yards despite trailing for most of the game. Indianapolis took Pittsburgh away from its bread-and-butter, a ball-control running game, and rolled to a 26-7 win. Can they do it again?
After further review: Indianapolis falls behind early, but rallies to win by 10. All the dogs can't pull off upsets, can they?
Sal DeFilippo is wrong about that Broncos-Patriots game.