TODAY’S MATCHUPS

ST. LOUIS (8-8) AT SEATTLE (9-7)

Kickoff: 1:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 7

The line: Seattle by 4

* St. Louis update: In two games against Seattle this season -- both St. Louis victories -- the Rams averaged 451.5 yards, an average of 163 of which came on the ground. If they can pull off a rushing encore, the Rams are in good shape. Since 1999, they are 42-3 when they have rushed for 100 yards or more. St. Louis committed the third-most penalties this season, 127, and is facing the team flagged for the fewest, 79. Still, the Rams have the psychological edge.

* Seattle update: For the Seahawks to have a chance to register their first playoff victory since 1984, they need to put some heat on Ram quarterback Marc Bulger. Seattle has the worst blitzing team in the league, and the Seahawks are even more inept in that department, now that Grant Wistrom is hurt. He’s unlikely to play. Traditionally, Seattle’s ground game has gone on hiatus in the playoffs -- the Seahawks have averaged 37.6 yards rushing in their last five playoff games -- but Shaun Alexander should change that.

* The story line: Can the Rams win this matchup three times in a season, or will the Seahawks notch their first playoff victory in two decades?

* The pick: Seahawks. Yes, the Rams have owned Seattle, but they were only 2-6 on the road.

*

N.Y. JETS (10-6) AT SAN DIEGO

(12-4)

Kickoff: 5 p.m.

TV: Channel 7

The line: San Diego by 7

* New York Jets update: After a 5-0 start, the Jets went 5-6, losing three of their last four games and backing into the playoffs. Quarterback Chad Pennington is nursing a sore throwing shoulder and that’s affecting his velocity and accuracy. Running back Curtis Martin won the NFL rushing title, and lately he has provided the bulk of the Jets’ attack.

* San Diego update: The Chargers are playing in their first playoff game since 1995, when they lost to Indianapolis. They have dangerous offensive weapons in Drew Brees, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates, and their defense’s bend-don’t-break philosophy is serving them well. The Chargers have allowed more than 300 yards passing in three of their last five games but have intercepted 13 passes over that span.

* The story line: The Jets won here early this season -- the only time the Chargers lost at Qualcomm Stadium -- but they’re now facing a very different San Diego team.

* The pick: Chargers. These teams are going in opposite directions.

-- Sam Farmer