It's like October in January. That's just one of the many ways to spin the NFC divisional playoffs, as both matchups - Seattle at Chicago, Philadelphia at New Orleans - mirror games that were played in Weeks 4 and 6, respectively.
A lot has happened since then. The Saints captured a division championship for the first time since 2000. The Eagles made Jeff Garcia relevant again. The Seahawks won the NFC West in spite of themselves, while the Bears uncorked Devin Hester, a rookie who set an NFL record with six kick returns for touchdowns. Yet now, all is forgotten. Nearly nine full weeks since trick-or-treats and jack-o-lanterns reigned supreme, all anybody really wants to do is reminisce about October.
Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens -4
In a game featuring some of the most recognizable individual players in the NFL - Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed - Saturday?s AFC divisional playoff between Indianapolis and Baltimore could be decided in the least glamorous of places: the trenches. offensive and defensive lines will be key for both teams this weekend. In particular, a revitalized Colts pass rush that came alive last weekend against Kansas City, led by their outstanding defensive end duo - Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.
Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints -6
Saturday?s second matchup brings two familiar NFC opponents going head-to-head to move on to the NFC Championships. The Eagles went to the Superdome in Week 6 and watched Drew Brees pick apart the secondary for 275 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Saints won on a last-second John Carney field goal, 27-24.
New England Patriots @ San Diego Chargers -4.5
Sunday will give football fans one of the most anticipated AFC matchups in recent memory, as the New England Patriots travel to Qualcomm Stadium to take on the San Diego Chargers. The two teams haven?t met since 2005, when the Chargers rolled up the Pats to the tune of 41-17. But both come into this contest riding emotional highs - New England fresh off a defeat of AFC East rivals New York, San Diego off owning the best regular-season record in the NFL this year.
Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears -9
Sunday will bring football fans the second of two NFC rematches, as the Seattle Seahawks travel to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears. In Week 4, the Seahawks played in Chicago minus the services of 2005 NFL MVP Shaun Alexander, and the loss of their starting running back cost them in a major way. The ?Hawks ended up on the wrong end of a 37-6 scoreline, a stinging loss for the defending conference champs.
The road to Super Bowl XLI continues as the squads remaining go toe-to-toe this weekend. Indianapolis visits Baltimore, and Philadelphia visits New Orleans on Saturday. And on Sunday, Seattle plays Chicago, and New England faces San Diego. Get your NFL playoff odds in the sportsbook!
A lot has happened since then. The Saints captured a division championship for the first time since 2000. The Eagles made Jeff Garcia relevant again. The Seahawks won the NFC West in spite of themselves, while the Bears uncorked Devin Hester, a rookie who set an NFL record with six kick returns for touchdowns. Yet now, all is forgotten. Nearly nine full weeks since trick-or-treats and jack-o-lanterns reigned supreme, all anybody really wants to do is reminisce about October.
Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens -4
In a game featuring some of the most recognizable individual players in the NFL - Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed - Saturday?s AFC divisional playoff between Indianapolis and Baltimore could be decided in the least glamorous of places: the trenches. offensive and defensive lines will be key for both teams this weekend. In particular, a revitalized Colts pass rush that came alive last weekend against Kansas City, led by their outstanding defensive end duo - Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.
Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints -6
Saturday?s second matchup brings two familiar NFC opponents going head-to-head to move on to the NFC Championships. The Eagles went to the Superdome in Week 6 and watched Drew Brees pick apart the secondary for 275 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Saints won on a last-second John Carney field goal, 27-24.
New England Patriots @ San Diego Chargers -4.5
Sunday will give football fans one of the most anticipated AFC matchups in recent memory, as the New England Patriots travel to Qualcomm Stadium to take on the San Diego Chargers. The two teams haven?t met since 2005, when the Chargers rolled up the Pats to the tune of 41-17. But both come into this contest riding emotional highs - New England fresh off a defeat of AFC East rivals New York, San Diego off owning the best regular-season record in the NFL this year.
Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears -9
Sunday will bring football fans the second of two NFC rematches, as the Seattle Seahawks travel to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears. In Week 4, the Seahawks played in Chicago minus the services of 2005 NFL MVP Shaun Alexander, and the loss of their starting running back cost them in a major way. The ?Hawks ended up on the wrong end of a 37-6 scoreline, a stinging loss for the defending conference champs.
The road to Super Bowl XLI continues as the squads remaining go toe-to-toe this weekend. Indianapolis visits Baltimore, and Philadelphia visits New Orleans on Saturday. And on Sunday, Seattle plays Chicago, and New England faces San Diego. Get your NFL playoff odds in the sportsbook!
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