Game Previews

The secret to this year's NFC Championship game is that the Seattle defense played like more than the sum of its parts this year ... and the San Francisco defense played like a bit less than the sum of its parts.

Two men enter, then 90 other men follow them. But the most important storyline for this game does not concern who is on the field, but who is not.

In Seattle Saturday afternoon, everything is coming up Seahawks except recent playoff history. For Carolina's rematch with San Francisco, the difference may be the players who didn't get on the field nine weeks ago.

The Colts and Patriots meet for the 11th season in a row, but is New England still too balanced and well-coached for an Indianapolis upset? On Sunday, another rested Peyton Manning team will take on a hot sixth seed. This AFC slate sounds too familiar.

The incredible regressing Chiefs defense meets the incredible regressing Colts offense on Saturday; Sunday features a sixth seed that could catch lightning in a bottle and, as usual, Andy Dalton.

We know Drew Brees and the Saints offense can score, but can their defense stop the Eagles' running game or the super-hot Nick Foles? And can Aaron Rodgers overcome the weaknesses of the Packers' defense and special teams?

We debate Rex Ryan's head coaching credentials, the cost of accepting established mediocrity, and look ahead to all the games with playoff implications.

The lack of a good secondary receiver in Detroit, the homefield advantage of the Saints, and a Strangers With Candy coaching suggestion for the Raiders.

Washington and Atlanta battle to see who can stay in the hunt for No. 1, a litany of Josh McCown discussion leads to us declaring that Selvin Young could run for 100 against the Bears, and we reveal that Romo is being used in the royal Romo.

Is a high-variance quarterback inherently worth more to a team that's a fringe contender? What in the heck has gotten into Jerricho Cotchery? Why is Jared Cook so confusing?