Saturday’s games.
Colts (10-6) at Jets (9-7)
TV/radio: WLS-Ch. 7, WSCR-AM 670, 3:30 p.m.
Line: Jets by 6.
Last meeting: Jets won 29-28 at Indianapolis on Dec. 23, 2001.
Key stat: Jets are the first team since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to win a division after a 2-5 start.
Worth watching: Jets’ Chad Pennington led the NFL with a passer rating of 104.2. Colts’ Marvin Harrison set NFL record with 143 receptions (11 TDs).
Outlook: The Jets’ late run to the AFC East title makes them the warm and fuzzy story of the playoffs. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning’s efficiency and the Colts’ grit have been overlooked. The Colts have won road games vs. three winning teams (Eagles, Broncos, Browns).
Terry Bannon’s pick: Colts 27, Jets 24.
How they match up
CATEGORY IND NYJ
Total offense 351.0 (9) 314.7 (22)
Scoring offense 21.8 (17) 22.4 (15)
Rushing offense 97.6 (26) 101.1 (22)
Passing offense 253.4 (4) 213.6 (17)
Total defense 306.8 (8) 341.4 (24)
Scoring defense 19.6 (7) 21.0 (14)
Rushing defense 124.5 (20) 123.3 (18)
Passing defense 182.3 (2) 218.1 (21)
Note: NFL rank in parentheses
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Colts injuries
QUESTIONABLE: DE Chad Bratzke (leg); RB Jim Finn (ankle); CB Brian Leigeb (hip); DE Brad Scioli (shoulder); LB Sam Sword (ankle); DT Larry Tripplett (back); LB Marcus Washington (knee); RB Ricky Williams (ankle).
PROBABLE: CB Jason Doering (neck); CB Nicholas Harper (back); CB Walt Harris (knee); CB Joseph Jefferson (hand); LB Mike Peterson (hand); RB Detron Smith (hamstring); LB Donnel Thompson (wrist); DT Josh Williams (knee).
Jets injuries
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PROBABLE: P Matt Turk (stomach).
Falcons (9-6-1) at Packers (12-4)
TV/radio: WLS-Ch. 7, WKRS-AM 1220, 7 p.m.
Line: Packers by 6 1/2.
Last meeting: Packers won 37-34 in OT on Sept. 8 in Green Bay.
Key stat: Packers are 13-0 in home playoff games.
Worth watching: Brett Favre led NFC with 27 TD passes (16 interceptions). Falcons’ Michael Vick threw 16 TD passes (eight interceptions).
Outlook: The NFL couldn’t have given the Packers a much better deal. A home playoff game at night against a team from the South that plays indoors. Falcons’ best chance is a series of big plays from Vick. Packers’ defense has been shaky at times but allowed more than 22 points at home only once this season–to the Falcons.
Bannon’s pick: Packers 27, Falcons 20.
How they match up
CATEGORY ATL GB
Total offense 345.9 (14) 347.5 (12)
Scoring offense 25.1 (5) 24.9 (6)
Rushing offense 148.0 (4) 120.8 (12)
Passing offense 197.9 (23) 226.7 (10)
Total defense 333.3 (19) 311.6 (12)
Scoring defense 19.6 (8) 20.5 (12)
Rushing defense 127.9 (23) 124.9 (21)
Passing defense 205.4 (16) 186.7 (3)
Note: NFL rank in parentheses
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Falcons injuries
OUT: RB Bob Christian (concussion); C Roberto Garza (knee); LB John Holecek (knee).
QUESTIONABLE: WR Shawn Jefferson (hamstring).
PROBABLE: CB Juran Bolden (calf); LB Chris Draft (back); DT Edward Jasper (back).
Packers injuries
QUESTIONABLE: WR Donald Driver (shoulder); CB Tod McBride (groin); S Darren Sharper (knee).
PROBABLE: RB Antonio Carter (shoulder); QB Brett Favre (ankle/knee); WR Robert Ferguson (back); RB Tony Fisher (neck); CB Erwin Swiney (quadricep).
Sunday’s games
Browns (9-7) at Steelers (10-5-1)
TV/radio: WBBM-Ch. 2, WSCR-AM 670, noon.
Line: Steelers by 7 1/2.
Last meeting: Steelers won 23-20 at Cleveland on Nov. 3, 2002.
Key stat: Steelers have won last five from Browns.
Worth watching: In the seven games since the last meeting with the Steelers, Browns first-round pick William Green has rushed for 726 yards (4.2 avg.) and five TDs. In two games vs. Browns, Steelers’ Tommy Maddox has completed 34-of-55, including three TD passes and one interception.
Outlook: Maddox led the Steelers to a pair of come-from-behind, three-point wins over Browns this season. This time the Steelers face Kelly Holcomb, replacing the injured Tim Couch. He became a fan favorite in Cleveland, but the Steelers have the edge in the quarterback matchup.
Bannon’s pick: Steelers 28, Browns 27.
How they match up
CATEGORY CLEV PITT
Total offense 314.2 (23) 372.0 (5)
Scoring offense 21.5 (19) 24.4 (8)
Rushing offense 100.9 (23) 132.5 (9)
Passing offense 213.3 (18) 229.5 (7)
Total defense 334.2 (21) 302.2 (7)
Scoring defense 20.0 (10) 21.6 (16)
Rushing defense 129.9 (27) 85.9 (1)
Passing defense 204.3 (15) 216.3 (20)
Note: NFL rank in parentheses
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Browns injuries
OUT: QB Tim Couch (leg).
Steelers injuries
QUESTIONABLE: LB Kendrell Bell (ankle); CB Chad Scott (hand).
PROBABLE: RB Jerome Bettis (knee); LB James Farrior (shoulder).
Giants (10-6) at 49ers (10-6)
TV/radio: WFLD-Ch. 32, WSCR AM-670, 3:30 p.m.
Line: 49ers by 3 1/2.
Last meeting: 49ers won 16-13 at New York on Sept. 5.
Key stats: Giants have won four straight by an average of 14 points.
Worth watching: Giants’ Jeremy Shockey led all tight ends with 74 catches (12.1 avg.). Terrell Owens had 100 catches, a league-leading 13 for TDs.
Outlook: Giants finished strong, winning seven of the last nine. With coach Jim Fassel calling the plays, they are a much different team from the last time they played the 49ers. Tiki Barber, the only running back in the top 11 (7th) in rushing to make the playoffs, is averaging 4.6 yards per carry and coming off a 203-yard game in playoff-clinching win over Eagles.
Bannon’s pick: Giants 23, 49ers 20.
How they match up
CATEGORY NYG SF
Total offense 364.1 (6) 356.4 (8)
Scoring offense 20.0 (22) 22.9 (14)
Rushing offense 117.2 (14) 140.3 (6)
Passing offense 246.9 (6) 216.1 (18)
Total defense 309.3 (9) 322.4 (14)
Scoring defense 17.4 (3) 21.9 (18)
Rushing defense 114.4 (16) 103.3 (7)
Passing defense 194.9 (9) 219.1 (22)
Note: NFL rank in parentheses
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Giants injuries
QUESTIONABLE: WR Ron Dixon (knee).
49ers injuries
DOUBTFUL: LB Jamie Winborn (knee).
QUESTIONABLE: LB Saleem Rasheed (thigh); G Ron Stone (ankle); CB Jason Webster (ankle).
PROBABLE: RB Kevan Barlow (knee); S Zack Bronson (foot); T Derrick Deese (ankle); DE Sean Moran (Achilles); WR Terrell Owens (groin).
———-
Last week’s record (straight up): 11-5
Season-to-date record (straight up): 156-99-1.