Do-overs, all over the place.
All four of next weekend’s playoff games will be rematches from the regular season: Washington
vs. Seattle and New England vs. Denver on Saturday, Pittsburgh at Indianapolis and Carolina at Chicago on Sunday.
The Panthers manhandled the Giants at the Meadowlands on Sunday 23-0, becoming the first road
playoff team to post a shutout since 1980. A day earlier, Washington went into Tampa Bay and
won 17-10.
Next up for Carolina is that return trip to frigid Chicago. The Bears beat the Panthers 13-3
at Soldier Field on Nov. 20, one of the NFC North champion’s most impressive wins all season.
Washington goes to the conference’s top seed. They met on Oct. 2 in Washington, where Nick
Novak’s overtime field goal beat the Seahawks 20-17.
The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Patriots moved on with a decisive 28-3 win Saturday
night against overmatched Jacksonville. They fell at Denver 28-20 on Oct. 16.
Pittsburgh earned its return to Indianapolis with a 31-17 victory at Cincinnati. On Nov. 28,
the Colts took down the Steelers 26-7.
AFC: Patriots (11-6) at Broncos (13-3)
Saturday, 6 p.m. MST
Nothing will faze the Patriots as they seek an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl crown. Indeed, a snowy
night game in January plays right into their hands.
New England’s romp past Jacksonville wasn’t exactly prime preparation for Denver. The Jaguars
were inexperienced in the playoffs, while the Broncos made their third straight trip. Jacksonville also had little offensive spark and Denver can move the ball.
In their last meeting, the Broncos built a big lead, 28-3, only to see the Patriots storm back
within eight and begin a drive. But Denver held on.
These Patriots are healthier, especially on defense, and on a roll. But the Broncos were 8-0
at home this season, and teams have run well against New England. Denver ranked first in yards
rushing.
