Anybody’s Ball Game

This is an NFL season when it seems there’s a reason every playoff team can’t win the Super Bowl.

Which suggests that any team can.

Logic says the defending champion St. Louis Rams can’t win because they wouldn’t even have made the playoffs except for that 54-yard field goal by a Chicago Bear rookie.

History says the Rams aren’t likely to make it to Tampa because only one team has ever won three road games to reach the Super Bowl--the 1985 New England Patriots--and they lost in Super Bowl XX.

Then again, as recently as October, this team was considered a threat to equal the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins. . . .

So with the understanding that things can change in a hurry, here’s a glance at the pros and cons for the 12 playoff teams, in the order we rate them:

1. Tennessee Titans (13-3)

Why the Titans can win: They have the relentless Eddie George to grind out the yards, a strong defense and excellent special teams--Derrick Mason was the league’s best all-around return man and kicker Al Del Greco is more than reliable despite his midseason hiccups. Home-field advantage is only a bonus.

Why the Titans won’t win: They played seven games decided by three points or fewer. Give them credit for winning four, but any game that close can turn into a loss with one big play.

2. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

Why the Ravens can win: They set an NFL record by giving up only 165 points in a 16-game season. If defense wins championships, so does creating turnovers, the Ravens’ specialty. Trent Dilfer gets most of the attention for the offensive resurgence, but rookie running back Jamal Lewis deserves plenty.

Why the Ravens won’t win: The football gods won’t allow a team that couldn’t score a touchdown in October to win the Super Bowl.

3. Oakland Raiders (12-4)

Why the Raiders can win: Rich Gannon, whose performance earned some most-valuable-player mentions, is by far the most experienced quarterback in the playoffs, with 13 NFL seasons. Look around: Dilfer and potential Denver starter Gus Frerotte are seven-year veterans, and most of the rest are youngsters.

Why the Raiders won’t win: The defense gave up 27 points or more six times, and passing teams tend to have their way. A good omen for the Raiders--who lost to Denver twice--would be a Bronco loss to Baltimore in an AFC wild-card game Sunday.

4. St. Louis Rams (10-6)

Why the Rams can win: They know how to win a Super Bowl, and against New Orleans anyway, the defense looked as if it had regained its form from last season. Besides, Kurt Warner has been cleared to play despite Sunday’s concussion, and Marshall Faulk is in peak form.

Why the Rams won’t win: Consider this alarming statistic: Warner has had 18 passes intercepted, more than any other quarterback in the playoffs, even though he missed five games.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)

Why the Buccaneers can win: They blew out Minnesota and defeated the Rams with a classic fourth-quarter drive. They might be the class of the NFC, now that the offense is clicking, with Warrick Dunn running well and Keyshawn Johnson finding a niche.

Why the Buccaneers won’t win: It seems too unlikely a team could play the Super Bowl on its home field. And to do it, the Buccaneers will have to end their cold-weather jinx--starting at Philadelphia on Sunday.

6. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)

Why the Colts can win: The defense finally got it together at the end of the season, playing more aggressively. Plus, Peyton Manning is going to win a Super Bowl sometime, so he might as well get started.

Why the Colts won’t win: The great playoff push--three consecutive victories--was against three flagging teams: Buffalo, Miami and Minnesota.

7. Minnesota Vikings (11-5)

Why the Vikings can win: With receivers Randy Moss and Cris Carter and underrated running back Robert Smith, Daunte Culpepper has a perfect cast.

Why the Vikings won’t win: Culpepper’s sprained ankle recently was in a cast, and though the bye week should help, the ankle is a question mark. The biggest problem, though is that the secondary is awful, as shown by the stats from a three-game closing skid against St. Louis, Green Bay and Indianapolis.

8. New York Giants (12-4)

Why the Giants can win: Hardly anyone believes they could actually win the Super Bowl, but it has to be acknowledged they could get there. With home-field advantage and a bye, all they have to do is win two home games.

Why the Giants won’t win: They defeated only one playoff team--Philadelphia (twice)--and the offense is given to extreme fits and starts. Plus, their possible first-game opponent is the Rams, who defeated them at home, 38-24--without Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk.

9. Denver Broncos (11-5)

Why the Broncos can win: Because no matter what happens or how many players get hurt, they always can run the ball. Mike Anderson’s rookie performance in relief of Terrell Davis and Olandis Gary has been remarkable.

Why the Broncos won’t win: Brian Griese’s shoulder is a question mark, and Frerotte is banged up as well. When he wasn’t injured, Griese compiled the best passer rating in the NFL, but it’s a stretch to think he can duplicate that after re-injuring his shoulder last week.

10. Miami Dolphins (11-5)

Why the Dolphins can win: They haven’t given much indication lately they can, but their defense was the best in the NFL early in the season, and the running game is reliable.

Why the Dolphins won’t win: Jay Fiedler isn’t good enough at quarterback, and this was not a good team down the stretch. Remember the players in towels for the belated final seconds of the New England game? They’ll be sent to the showers early in the playoffs too.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

Why the Eagles can win: The defense, led by Hugh Douglas, Jeremiah Trotter and Brian Dawkins, is excellent, though the 24 points scored by Cleveland are nagging.

Why the Eagles won’t win: Donovan McNabb can’t do it all, and defensive coordinators will find a way to thwart the Eagles’ limited attack.

12. New Orleans Saints (10-6)

Why the Saints can win: Forget the flash and dash, this team has a great offensive line and a ferocious defensive line. Should Ricky Williams somehow get a chance to return after all, the picture brightens considerably.

Why the Saints won’t win: Inexperienced quarterback Aaron Brooks is going to run into situations he isn’t prepared for.

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Former Steeler Quarterback Dies

Joe Gilliam, 49, who was one of the NFL’s first African Americans to start at his position, was an apparent victim of a heart attack. D4

It’s Good News

for Testaverde

Jet quarterback is happy after being told by Coach Al Groh that he is expected to return and remain the team’s starter next season. D4

ALSO

The league announced next season’s opponents for each team. Dates of the games are announced in the spring. D4

PLAYOFF SCHEDULE: D4

FINAL STATISTICS: D4