The entire 2007 season can be characterized by the dominance of two teams from both the AFC and NFC. In the NFC, the Cowboys rolled through the season relatively unscathed, finishing 13-3 and securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs. We were all ready for a rematch of Cowboys-Packers, a game that brings us back to each team’s mid-1990s glory days. Turns out the New York Football Giants had other ideas, as they upset the ‘Boys 21-17.

Before we play the blame game, let’s take a look at the Giants, a team that I had sworn off after yet another 2nd half slide. The Giants entered the postseason high on confidence but maybe more importantly, low on rust. After defeating the Bills to clinch a playoff spot, Tom Coughlin was left with a dilemma. Should he play his starters and try to derail the Patriots’ undefeated season? Or should he have his team roll over with backups? He chose the former, a decision that I admired then and I admire even more now.

By playing his starters the entire game, Coughlin made sure they stayed in routine before the postseason, something too many coaches overlook. Let’s take a look at Cowboys’ coach Wade Phillips. After the Cowboys defeated the Packers to all but secure home field advantage, his team gradually slid into mediocrity. And during the bye week, rather than keeping the team in Dallas to work out their kinks, he gave them a vacation. Really, Wade? Isn’t half your team going to Hawaii for vacation in a few weeks anyway?

The Cowboys entered yesterday’s game about three weeks removed from a “real” game. The week 17 game against Washington was a throwaway game. Wade rested players, took it easy in practice, and by doing so, received an asskicking from the Redskins. Throw that bye week into the equation and the Cowboys looked like a team in preseason form rather than a team playing their best football. In the end, Wade got his wish. His team is now on vacation. A six month vacation.

We’ve seen the Patriots enough over the years to know that they’re plenty motivated. And in 2007, with the NFL’s first 16-0 regular season already in the books, we know the Patriots don’t need any extra motivation. But the Jacksonville Jaguars appear more than willing to give it to them. On the Jags’ official website, the weekly power rankings include an asterisk next to the Patriots name, with an explanation below: “Cheated in one game.” Uh oh.

While I think the term “bulletin board material” is a bit played out, it’s never a good idea to give a team like New England even more motivation to kick some ass. We all remember what became of Steelers safety Anthony Smith after he guaranteed a victory: Smith was burnt all day and was the subject of taunts by everyone including Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. So here’s an idea, Vic. If you like your employee, take that damn asterisk off your article.

Let’s combine these power rankings with Paul Spicer’s rant about how the Patriots should be kicked out of the playoffs . What’s this all add up to? An angry Patriots team. Trust me, no team will need motivation during the NFL Playoffs. But at the same time, nobody prides themselves more on shutting people up than the Pats. Do we really need to keep tugging on Superman’s cape?

Update: It appears the Jaguars have removed the asterisk. Too bad we know the real truth.

San Diego Chargers 17, Tennessee Titans 6: For being criticized all year, 2nd year starter Philip Rivers has sure played well the last few weeks. With LaDainian Tomlinson shut down for much of the afternoon, the Titans made Rivers beat them. He did just that, throwing for 292 yards and a touchdown. It wasn’t pretty, but the proverbial monkey that finally came off the Chargers’ backs should allow them to play more relaxed against the Colts. For as lousy as Norv Turner has been during parts of 2007, his staff never panicked over a halftime deficit. Unlike Marty Schottenheimer’s playoff efforts, the Chargers finally found the discipline needed to close out a playoff game. Can they go into Indy and beat the World Champs? It’s certainly a possibility. The Chargers have beat Indy two of the last three meetings, including the 2005 victory that derailed the Colts’ undefeated season.

Jacksonville Jaguars 31, Pittsburgh Steelers 29: The dream upset scenario of “Jags over Pats” almost didn’t happen, as the Jags squandered a huge lead in the 4th quarter, only to win it with less than 30 seconds left. You have to admire the testicular fortitude of Jags coach Jack Del Rio, who called a quarterback drew on 4th and 2 that put the Jags in position for Josh Scobee’s game winner. So, now we have the next test for the Jaguars: The undefeated Patriots. A win at Gillette Stadium could go down as one of the biggest upsets in the NFL history.

With Rich breaking down the AFC playoff teams earlier today, I thought it’d be fitting to discuss that other conference, the NFC.

1. Dallas Cowboys. I was a little more settled on this team a few weeks ago than I am right now. Since that win over the Packers on Thursday Night to all but clinch the top seed in the NFC, the ‘Boys have lost two of their last four and have done little to solidify their spot as the NFC’s elite team. Tony Romo has a quarterback rating of just 70 since that win over the Packers. Getting Terry Glenn back should help, but for the Cowboys to land in Glendale, they’re going to need Romo to return to midseason form.

2. Green Bay Packers. For all of Brett Favre’s accomplishments, he had never improved the Packers five games from one season to the next. The NFL’s biggest surprise will come into postseason play at 13-3. Make no mistake, this team is no fluke. The Packers are loaded with weapons on both sides of the ball. We know about Favre and his great wide receivers. But Ryan Grant, a former Notre Dame standout, may be their biggest revelation yet. Grant gives the Packers a legitimate running game, something you need to win in January. Combine Favre’s crew with one of the league’s best defenses and you have a shot against anyone. That includes you, Dallas.

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Now that the playoff seeds are set in stone for the AFC, lets take a look at all the teams and see what’s in store for us as the 2007 NFL playoffs are set to kick off.

New England Patriots: The NFL’s first 16-0 team is riding high, having not lost since about this time last year. They’ll be staying put at Gillette throughout the playoffs and will undoubtedly be tough to beat. If the weather starts to turn frightful in New England, however, look for other teams to have a considerable advantage. The Patriots won’t throw the ball 50 times in sleet and snow, so it’ll turn out to be a battle of running games. The AFC has plenty of fine running backs (Fred Taylor, Joseph Addai, LT, Maurice Jones-Drew) that are all considerably better than Laurence Maroney.

Indianapolis Colts: My oh my, look who has returned. The World Champions from a year ago have returned as the number two seed yet again and, unlike last year, have gotten absolutely no hype whatsoever due in part to the whole “Patriots not losing a game” thing. The Colts have been riddled with injuries all year, having to resort to guys like Crasphonso Thorpe (I know, who?) to play wide receiver and guys who I’ve never heard of on their defensive line. The good news is that they’ll be fully healthy (with the exception of Dwight Freeney) come two weeks from now when they host their playoff game in the sterile environment of the RCA Dome. Nobody’s talking about them but look out for Indy. With Bob Sanders back and the always dangerous Peyton Manning the Colts might quietly put the rest of the AFC to shame.

San Diego Chargers: The first seed from last year returns as the number three seed in a season that was riddled with inconsistency and confusion. How good is this team? Nobody really knows. They still have the best running back in the game (sorry Adrian Peterson) and their defense is one of the best in the NFL. In the playoffs it comes down to a team’s ability to establish the run and stop the run; both things the Chargers do well. Thus the pressure will be on second year starter Philip Rivers who hasn’t had a great season but has come on strong as of late. People talk about teams they do and don’t want to play; can we consider the Chargers one of those teams? They’ve won 10 of their last 12 games. Read the rest of this entry »