NFL ON TV SATURDAY

WASHINGTON

AT SEATTLE 1:30 p.m. Ch. 2 Ch. 35

Favorite: Seahawks by 9 1/2.

Regular-season records: Redskins 10-6, Seahawks 13-3.

How they got here: Washington defeated Tampa Bay 17-10 in the first round. Seattle had a first-round bye.




Game notes: The Redskins will have to bring some offense with them this week if they hope to advance. A total of 120 yards and one offensive touchdown -- a 6-yard ``drive'' set up by an interception -- was enough to get past Tampa Bay. But that won't get the job done against Seattle. The Seahawks have a lot going for them. They are the NFC's top seed in the playoffs, feature the league's MVP in running back Shaun Alexander and are undefeated at home. These teams met in the regular season, with the Redskins beating the Seahawks 20-17 in overtime Oct. 2.

Redskins injury: WR James Thrash (thumb) is questionable.

Seahawks injuries: T Wayne Hunter (ankle), LB D.D. Lewis (foot), T Sean Locklear (hip), DE Joe Tafoya (hamstring) and CB Marcus Trufant (back) are questionable.

NEW ENGLAND

AT DENVER 5 p.m. Ch. 5 Ch. 46

Favorite: Broncos by 3.

Regular-season records: Patriots 10-6, Broncos 13-3.

How they got here: New England defeated Jacksonville 28-3 in the first round. Denver had a first-round bye.

Game notes: This is the most intriguing game of the weekend. The Broncos were 8-0 at home this season, with one of those victories coming Oct. 16 against the Patriots, 28-20. New England, winner of three of the past four Super Bowls, served notice that it is ready for another title run after destroying Jacksonville last week. Denver's Jake Plummer, who had an eight-game interception-less streak this season, will need to keep his mistakes to a minimum. Since his streak ended, he has thrown four interceptions vs. only five touchdown passes.

Patriots injuries: No serious injuries reported.

Broncos injuries: No serious injuries reported.

NFL ON TV SUNDAY

PITTSBURGH AT INDIANAPOLIS

10 a.m. Ch. 5 Ch. 46

Favorite: Colts by 9 1/2.

Regular-season records: Steelers 11-5, Colts 14-2.

How they got here: Pittsburgh defeated Cincinnati 31-17 in the first round. Indianapolis had a first-round bye.

Game notes: The past month has been tough for the Colts. After beating Jacksonville 26-18 on Dec. 11, they lost to San Diego and Seattle, and went through an emotionally rough period when Coach Tony Dungy lost his son. Still, the Colts must be considered Super Bowl favorites. With Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison, the offense will be formidable. The big difference between these Colts and their predecessors of the recent past is the fact that they can play defense. Pittsburgh got its act together in the second half against Carson Palmer-less Cincinnati last week and advanced. Another slow start would spell doom for the Steelers, who have won five in a row. These teams met before, with the Colts beating the Steelers 26-7 in Indianapolis on Nov. 28.

Steelers injuries: WR Quincy Morgan (leg) is out. LB James Harrison (ankle) is doubtful.

Colts injuries: No serious injuries reported.

CAROLINA AT CHICAGO 1:30 p.m. Ch. 2 Ch. 35

Favorite: Bears by 3.

Regular-season records: Panthers 11-5, Bears 11-5.

How they got here: Carolina defeated the New York Giants 23-0 in the first round. Chicago had a first-round bye.

Game notes: Expecting a defensive battle? Well, there's a precedent. The teams met Nov. 20, with the Bears winning 13-3 in Chicago in a game that featured a combined 496 yards and 14 punts. Based on what the Panthers did to the Giants last weekend -- holding Tiki Barber, Eli Manning and company to 132 yards -- another punt-a-thon is in the offing. Bears quarterback Rex Grossman will be making his NFL playoff debut.

Panthers injuries: RB DeShaun Foster (toe), RB Brad Hoover (ankle), G Tutan Reyes (toe) and LB Brandon Short (knee) are questionable.

Bears injuries: G Terrence Metcalf (knee) is doubtful. G Lennie Friedman (knee) and RB Bryan Johnson (foot) are questionable.
source:mercurynews.com