NFL’s Playoff Pairings Give Seedings a Twist

With the NFL playoff picture finally in focus, one thing is clear: Being the sixth-seeded team doesn’t mean you’re deep-sixed. Just ask the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys.

The sixth-seeded Cowboys open the postseason Saturday at NFC South champion Carolina, facing a Panther team they defeated a month ago, 24-20. And the sixth-seeded Broncos will play Sunday at AFC South champion Indianapolis, where one week earlier they throttled the Colts, 31-17.

After that game, a lot of frustrated Indianapolis players expressed their desire for a rematch with the Broncos. On Sunday, Denver safety Kenoy Kennedy gave a short but meaningful response: “They got us.”

The Colts wrapped up the division title with a 20-17 victory at Houston, clinching the victory on a 43-yard field goal by Mike Vanderjagt as the clock expired. It was a banner day for Vanderjagt, who set an NFL record by making his 41st consecutive field goal.

If only St. Louis and Minnesota were so sturdy. They both suffered painful defeats in games they were supposed to win. The Rams surrendered home-field advantage to Philadelphia by losing at Detroit, and the Vikings were knocked out of the playoff picture with a loss at Arizona.

Next weekend’s Dallas and Denver games aren’t the only ones pitting familiar foes against each other.

Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren returns to Green Bay, where he coached the Packers to a Super Bowl victory.

And the Tennessee Titans will travel to Baltimore to face a team they have lost to five consecutive times.

In Holmgren’s first Lambeau Field homecoming this season, his Seahawks were pounded, 35-13. Brett Favre threw for two touchdowns in that game, and Ahman Green ran for two. It was one of Seattle’s six road losses this season.

Tennessee’s best player, quarterback Steve McNair, should be ready for the playoffs. He suited up for Sunday’s finale against Tampa Bay but didn’t play in a 33-13 victory. Even though he played against Houston a week earlier, McNair hasn’t practiced in three weeks because of a strained right calf and a sprained left ankle with a bone spur.

Asked if the Titans have something to prove against Baltimore, running back Eddie George said: “Not necessarily anything to prove. We definitely want to go in there and win. We all know what happened in the past with this team. They’ve been a thorn in our sides, and sometimes to move on in the future you’ve got to be presented with the past. Maybe this is one of those times.”

The Broncos held out several of their key players in Sunday’s 31-3 loss at Green Bay, among them quarterback Jake Plummer, running back Clinton Portis, tight end Shannon Sharpe and receiver Rod Smith. All those players are expected to play against the Colts.

Carolina defensive tackle Brentson Buckner said he’s itching for redemption against the Cowboys, who got an impressive performance out of quarterback Quincy Carter in that victory.

“We got a home playoff game against quote, America’s Team,” Buckner said. “I hope they get ready, because Saturday night is going to be something special. My New Year’s Eve is Saturday night, 8:30. That’s when the apple drops for me.”

The 1985 New England Patriots are the only fifth- or sixth-seeded team to advance to the Super Bowl, where they were clobbered by Chicago, 46-10. The Patriots, who were seeded fifth (the lowest seeding at the time), needed to win three consecutive road games to get that far.

Cincinnati was the only team to play three consecutive road games this season, and the Bengals were 2-1 in that stretch. The Broncos haven’t played three consecutive games away from Denver since 1997, which happens to be the year they won the Super Bowl as a wild-card team.

But after his team clinched a spot in the playoffs with its victory at Indianapolis, Smith insisted the Broncos are on their way to a historic finish.

“I told you,” he said, “we’re on the greatest run of all time.”