Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants
11 a.m., KDVR-13
Records: Phila. 10-6-1; N.Y. Giants 12-4 Point spread: Giants by 4
Hash marks
Eagles won last meeting 20-14 on Dec. 7 at Giants Stadium. Just so you know, it wasn’t that close. Philly dominated but allowed a blocked FG-TD return in the closing seconds of the first half. . . . Eagles’ 416 points scored were a franchise record. . . . Eagles have made the division round seven times in Andy Reid’s 10 seasons, the most in the league during that span. . . . G-men won first meeting 36-31 at Philly, racking up 219 yards on the ground.
Eagles win if . . .
They contain the Giants’ pass-rushers and Donovan McNabb has time to make some big plays. Through all the ups and downs, he finished with 23 touchdown passes, 11 INTs and a passer rating of 86.4. The closest quarterback to those numbers? Eli Manning: 21-10-86.4.
Giants win if . . .
Their defense forces a timely turnover or two and they control the clock with their running game. Brandon Jacobs (1,089 yards, 5.0) and Derrick Ward (1,025, 5.6) became the fifth NFL teammates to crack the 1,000- yard mark in the same season.
Eagles player on the spot
Brian Westbrook. If he isn’t the best running back in the league, he’s at least the most versatile. He battled injuries all year, but still finished with 936 rushing yards. But it’s his ability to catch the ball that sets him apart. He is, bar none, the most dangerous receiving threat in the league out of the backfield.
Giants player on the spot
Domenik Hixon. The former Bronco has shown flashes of brilliance. He has the ability to stretch the field and make big plays — witness his career-best numbers: 43 catches, 596 yards. But he’s also prone to key drops. At any rate, somebody in the Giants’ receiving crew will have to step up in the glaring absence of Plaxico Burress.
Bet you didn’t know
The Giants’ sack total dropped to 42 this season from the 61 they registered in 2007. Now for the numbers inside the numbers: Of those 42, 30 came in the first half of the season, and 18 of the 30 came vs. St. Louis, Cincinnati and San Francisco.
Key matchup
Eli Manning vs. Asante Samuel. Talk about two ready-for- prime-time players. Manning in last year’s playoffs: 72-for-119, 859 yards, six TDs, one INT, one Super Bowl MVP award. When he puts the ball in the air, Samuel will be in hot pursuit. All he has done in his postseason career is return four INTs for TDs, the most in NFL history. One of those came last week vs. the Vikings. Samuel in 15 career playoff games: 12-3, including two SB wins.
Injury report
Eagles — Out: G Shawn Andrews (back). Doubtful: RB Dan Klecko (shoulder). Questionable: OT Jon Runyan (knee). Probable: DE Victor Abiamiri (foot), LB Stewart Bradley (rib), S Brian Dawkins (back), S Quintin Demps (quadriceps), G Todd Herremans (shoulder), CB Asante Samuel (hip), TE L.J. Smith (shoulder), RB Brian Westbrook (knee). Giants — Probable: LB Zak DeOssie (back), DE Justin Tuck (lower leg, knee).
Prediction
Eagles 24, Giants 23
San Diego at Pittsburgh
2:45 p.m., KCNC-4
Records: San Diego 9-8; Pittsburgh 12-4 Point spread: Steelers by 6
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Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is coming off a concussion sustained in the regular-season finale. Reports say he’s good to go, but you have to wonder if he takes a nasty hit. . . . Vincent Jackson coming into his own for Chargers: 59 catches, 18.6 avg., seven TDs. But he had a tumultuous week of preparation, starting with an alleged DUI. . . . Both teams plus-4 in turnovers. . . . Chargers punter Mike Scifres won playoff opener vs. Colts almost single-footedly. His six kicks inside Indy 20 were a playoff record. . . . Steelers 10-2 all time in division playoff homies.
Chargers win if . . .
Philip Rivers can ward off the pressure of Pittsburgh’s pass rush long enough to complete a handful of deep throws. Because any notion of the Chargers dominating things on the ground sans LaDainian Tomlinson is unrealistic.
Steelers win if . . .
Their No. 1-ranked defense dominates the game and creates a handful of turnovers. Pittsburgh’s defensive rankings during the season: No. 1 overall, vs. the pass and points allowed, and No. 2 in run D.
Chargers player on the spot
Darren Sproles. A role player — a great one, but a role player nonetheless — suddenly finds himself the focal point of the Chargers’ running game. Sproles is dangerous in the open field, witness his 5.4 rushing average during the season, but he’ll have to find some running room between the tackles, too.
Steelers player on the spot
Roethlisberger. This wasn’t Big Ben’s best season. Far from it. The 17 TD passes and 15 INTs paint the picture of a mediocre quarterback, which he was for most of the season. Mediocre was good enough during the season, given that dominating Steelers defense, but he’ll have to pick it up in the playoffs.
Bet you didn’t know
That infamous Heinz Field turf was replaced after the Steelers’ 11-10 victory over the Bolts in mid-November. How tricky is the footing in Pittsburgh? Jaguars TB Fred Taylor called it “a lawsuit waiting to happen” after Jacksonville’s playoff victory there last season.
Key matchup
Marcus McNeill vs. James Harrison. The Chargers’ mammoth (6-foot-7, 335ish) left tackle will have his work cut out for him trying to stop Harrison, the league’s defensive player of the year. Harrison had 16 sacks during the season and has an uncanny ability to slap quarterbacks’ arms and force fumbles. Oh, and did we mention that he has two INTs in his past two games vs. the Bolts?
Injury report
Chargers — Doubtful: RB LaDainian Tomlinson (groin). Questionable: TE Antonio Gates (ankle, Achilles). Probable: K Nate Kaeding (right groin), LB Brandon Siler (foot). Steelers — Probable: QB Ben Roethlisberger (concussion).
Prediction
Steelers 27, Chargers 16
