Kansas City at Indianapolis | 2:30 p.m. Saturday on KUSA-9
REGULAR-SEASON RECORDS
Indianapolis 12-4; Kansas City 9-7
POINT SPREAD
Colts by 7
LAST MEETING
Chiefs won 45-35 on Oct. 31, 2004, Arrowhead Stadium.
HASH MARKS
Colts coach Tony Dungy is leading a team into the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year. … QB Trent Green is Chiefs’ second all-time leading passer (behind Len Dawson). … Colts RB Joseph Addai led team and all NFL rookies in rushing yardage with 1,081. … Chiefs CB Ty Law made three interceptions as a member of the Patriots vs. Colts in 2003 AFC championship game.
COLTS WIN IF
After failing as an overwhelming playoff favorite a year ago, Indianapolis relaxes and lets its talented offense do its thing. After struggling late in the season, Indy is almost a playoff afterthought, which should dissipate a lot of pressure. If nothing else, the Colts should win a shootout.
CHIEFS WIN IF
Larry Johnson ran for 1,789 yards and set an NFL record with 416 carries. Indianapolis allowed an NFL-worst 173 yards per game this year. You do the math.
COLTS PLAYER ON THE SPOT
The temptation is to pick any member of the defense, but the truth is, at playoff time it all comes down to Peyton Manning and the quarterback’s ongoing attempt to reach the Super Bowl. Without a clear-cut favorite in the AFC, this might be Manning’s best opportunity to add to his glorious résumé.
CHIEFS PLAYER ON THE SPOT
Cornerback Ty Law led the Chiefs with four interceptions, but both he and fellow corner Patrick Surtain must have great days against the Colts’ combo of Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, both of whom made the Pro Bowl.
BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW
K.C.’s Herm Edwards is only the fifth coach in league history to take two teams into the playoffs in his first year with the clubs. The last was Wade Phillips (Denver 1993, Buffalo 1998).
INJURIES
Colts: QUESTIONABLE: WR Ricky Proehl (hamstring); CB Nicholas Harper (ankle); WR Reggie Wayne (quadriceps); TE Dallas Clark (knee); LB Keith O’Neil (knee); S Bob Sanders (knee); G Ryan Lilja (knee).
Chiefs: QUESTIONABLE: CB Benny Sapp (hamstring). PROBABLE: QB Trent Green (ankle).
PREDICTION
Colts 34-17
Dallas at Seattle | 6 p.m. Saturday on KUSA-9
REGULAR-SEASON RECORDS
Seattle 9-7, Dallas 9-7
POINT SPREAD
Seahawks by 3
LAST MEETING
Seahawks won 13-10 on Oct. 23, 2005.
HASH MARKS
Cowboys playing in their 55th playoff game, the most in league history. Dallas also leads NFL with 32 postseason wins. … Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren has won seven division titles, including three consecutive in the Pacific Northwest. … Cowboys RB Marion Barber led NFC with 14 rushing TDs, and tied for conference lead with 16 scores.
BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW
Deion Branch’s teams are 16-3 when he has at least one TD reception. With a 100-yard game, Branch would join John Stallworth and Andre Reed for the third-most in NFL playoff history (five).
KEY MATCHUP
QB Tony Romo vs. LB Lofa Tatupu
While he made the Pro Bowl after making only 10 starts for the Cowboys, Romo has faltered in recent weeks, throwing four interceptions in three Dallas losses. He’ll certainly be tested by Tatupu, who again reached the Pro Bowl in his second season in the league. Seattle will have to put pressure on Romo to make up for an injury-riddled secondary. If Tatupu can make Romo uncomfortable, the Seahawks have a shot.
SEAHAWKS WIN IF
They can recapture some of the swagger that accompanied their Super Bowl run last year. That might come easier if last season’s MVP, RB Shaun Alexander, or three-time Super Bowl champion Branch have big games.
COWBOYS WIN IF
They can recapture some of the excitement that infused the team not long after Romo became quarterback. There were songs being recorded in Dallas in honor of the first-year starter. Coach Bill Parcells will be happy if Romo can make some sweet music with receivers Terrell Owens or Terry Glenn.
SEAHAWKS PLAYER ON THE SPOT
C Robbie Tobeck made the Pro Bowl last season, but has slowed down this year – indicative of an offensive line that has been battered. Tobeck and starting guards Chris Gray and Floyd Womack are questionable.
COWBOYS PLAYER ON THE SPOT
WR Terrell Owens has a chance to walk the walk in his first playoff appearance since Super Bowl XXXIX with Philadelphia. Owens made a heroic return from injury to play in that contest. The Cowboys will be happy this time if he merely holds on to the football when it comes his way.
INJURIES
Cowboys: No injuries to report.
Seahawks: DOUBTFUL: CB Marcus Trufant (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: WR D.J. Hackett (hip); LB LeRoy Hill (concussion); G Chris Gray (thigh); WR Darrell Jackson (toe); G Floyd Womack (groin). PROBABLE: DT Rocky Bernard (foot); WR Nate Burleson (ankle).
PREDICTION
Dallas 21-17
