Peek at the Week: Healthy T.O. would help but QBs in forefront

Game of the week

N.Y. Giants at Dallas, Sunday, 4:30 p.m. | Preview

The line: Cowboys by 7 1/2

The injuries: Giants center Shaun O'Hara still is bothered by a sprained knee but returned to limited practice this week and should return to the lineup. Cornerback Sam Madison continues to be bothered by a strained abdominal muscle and probably won't make it. Cornerback Kevin Dockery (hip flexor) almost certainly won't play either, leaving the club short -- and vulnerable -- in the secondary.

Michael Strahan's Giants must get a ton of pressure on Tony Romo. (US Presswire)

For Dallas, the questions that aren't about Jessica Simpson are about Terrell Owens and his high ankle sprain. Owens returned to practice Thursday and insisted he will play, though coach Wade Phillips said no decision will be made until Sunday. "He will play," said Giants' coach Tom Coughlin. "There is no doubt in my mind."

The story: The New York Giants are the most intriguing team left in this year's playoffs. They can't win at home, and they can't lose on the road -- and they're on the road until someone beats them. Maybe that happens here, but keep in mind that the Giants have won their last eight road trips. The only road loss this year? Uh-huh, it was right here in Big D, a 45-35 Cowboys' victory in the season opener.

That's one reason the line is more than one touchdown. Another is that Dallas has more talent than the Giants -- that is, if it's all here. And it should be, though Owens' ankle injury is a concern. No one from the Giants is buying, with Coughlin and his players certain they see Owens. OK, let's say he plays. How effective will he be?

"Doesn't make any difference," said Giants' cornerback R.W. McQuarters. "We have to be aware of him."

They have to be aware of tight end Jason Witten, too. And running backs Marion Barber and Julius Jones. And wide receiver Patrick Crayton. See what I mean about all this talent? There's a reason no one, including New England, has as many players on the Pro Bowl roster. But none of it matters if Tony Romo doesn't straighten himself out. He threw for a club-record 36 touchdowns, including eight against the Giants, but he -- and the club -- have been floundering lately, with Romo reduced to one touchdown and five interceptions his last three starts.

Can you say 2006 all over again? The Cowboys lost three of their last four to stumble into last season's playoffs, then proceeded to fumble away their post-season opener in Seattle. They lost two of their last three a year later, with nervous fans wondering if this isn't déjà vu all over again. It could be if the Cowboys don't protect Romo, but there's no reason to believe that happens when they stonewalled the Giants before.

And that's important to note. Because if the Giants don't pressure Romo, they're in trouble. Their secondary is little more than ordinary, and the results of the first two games between these two are the evidence. The Giants must force Romo into hurried throws, but based on his three starts against them I'd like to know how they do it. He was sacked once in each of those games.

Then, of course, there's Eli Manning. He looks great one game, awful the next, so you're never sure which guy shows up. But he just strung together two straight standout performances so maybe, just maybe, he's beginning to settle down. If that's true -- and, remember, he punctured the Cowboys for four TDs the last time he was here -- this could be another shootout waiting to happen.

The rest of the story

Seattle at Green Bay, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. | Preview

I know plenty of people who think this is where an upset takes place, but I don't see it for a couple of reasons: 1) Seattle's road record in the playoffs (the Seahawks haven't won on the road since 1983), and 2) Green Bay's home record in the playoffs (the Pack is 14-2, including a defeat of Seattle in January, 2004).

Yeah, I like that Seattle front seven, too, particularly its linebackers. They're active, quick and sure tacklers. Then there's defensive end Patrick Kerney, who led the NFC in sacks with 14 1/2. He's active, quick and virtually unblockable. At least he was last weekend when he fought through double-and-triple teams, so I want to see how Mark Tauscher plans to handle him.

Brett Favre at Lambeau? Solid. (Getty Images)

But I want to see the Seahawks measure up here more. The last time they were in Lambeau Field for the playoffs they took the Packers to overtime, which is what happened last season when they went into Soldier Field. The Seahawks are capable of pulling the upset. No one questions that. They just haven't been good enough to pull the upset on the road, and I don't know why that should change here.

First, there's Brett Favre. He's playing so well he pulled an MVP vote away from Tom Brady. If Chris Redman could solve this pass defense, I don't know why Favre can't, either. And don't tell me Redman played against the scrubs because he didn't. The starters were in there for the first half when Atlanta put up 17 points.

Favre has weapons galore, including Donald Driver and deep-ball threat Greg Jennings. Driver should catch most of the passes, but beware of Jennings: He had a team-high 12 scores and averaged 17.4 yards per catch. He, Driver and James Jones became more dangerous when Green Bay uncovered Ryan Grant and a legitimate running game, but I don't see Grant having the impact here that the Packers' passing attack will.

And I don't see Seattle's Shaun Alexander having any impact, period. What concerns me about Seattle is that the Seahawks have virtually no rushing game. They ranked 20th overall and averaged 3.8 yards a carry, with Alexander -- the league MVP only two years ago -- reduced to 3.5 yards and attempt and five TDs. So Matt Hasselbeck will throw and throw a lot, particularly with Deion Branch back for the first time in three weeks, but there's one potential problem there: Al Harris and Charles Woodson man the corners.

Which is another reason to like Green Bay. I see Favre loosening up Seattle with short and intermediate passes, mixing in some Grant runs, then -- boom! -- launching the B-52s for Jennings. It worked during the season. Why can't it happen here?

I see Favre loosening up Seattle with short and intermediate passes, mixing in some Grant runs, then -- boom! -- launching the B-52s for Jennings. It worked during the season. Why can't it happen here?

Something to consider: Favre had 10 games this year with passer ratings of 100 or better. The Packers were 10-0 in those contests.

Jacksonville at New England, Saturday, 8 p.m. | Preview

The Jags are the trendy pick to push the Patriots, but I can't see that happening, either, and it has nothing to do with David Garrard and everything to do with the Jags' pass defense. In short, it's not very good. I watched Ben Roethlisberger wriggle out of a third-and-26 hole and throw for 337 yards, which made me wonder what happens when Tom Brady gets a hold of these guys.

We're about to find out.

David Garrard isn't too seasoned. (US Presswire)

There is no question Jacksonville is built for the road and games in the cold. Only it won't be all that cold, which is a bonus for the Patriots. Skeptics wondering what would happen to the Patriots' passing attack in wintry weather will have to wait because the forecast isn't all that bad. That means it's bombs away for the Brady Bunch, with Jacksonville hard-pressed to stay with the army of receivers New England throws at it.

I know, I know, the best defense is Jacksonville's offense. The Jags can run and run effectively, and the combination of Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor is supposed to be enough to keep the Patriots' defense on the field forever. And maybe it will. I just don't know how these guys keep up with New England's scoring.

Sure, the Jags produced 24 or more points in 11 straight games, but we're talking about an opponent that averaged 36.8 this season, four times exceeding 40. The Patriots are loaded, they're rested and they're home, and that's something else we haven't addressed. Tell me the last time Brady lost a home game in the playoffs. Uh-huh, it hasn't happened, which is another reason to tilt toward the home team.

Mostly, I just think the Patriots have everything in their corner -- and I start with the playoff experience of the two quarterbacks. Brady doesn't know how to lose this time of year. Garrard is just beginning to learn how to win. Big difference.

Something to consider: Since 2000 the Patriots are 8-1 on Saturday games.

San Diego at Indianapolis, Sunday, 1 p.m. | Preview

There was something that bothered me about the Chargers' victory last weekend, and I wasn't sure what it was until I ran into a friend. "They're playing not to lose," he said. Bingo. The Chargers seemed tentative, nervous, afraid to make mistakes. So they played it straight for a couple of quarters before settling down, then did just enough to seal another victory. That's fine when you're home and the opponent is Tennessee, and the Titans are missing offensive starters. But this is Indianapolis, folks, and it's Indianapolis at home.

Uh-oh.

Let's see if Rivers scores big against the Colts. (Getty Images)

San Diego has a history of success against these guys, beating them this season and ending their 13-game unbeaten streak in 2005. Heck, they should've won in 2004, too, but their special teams misfired, and they lost in OT. Anyway, the Chargers historically match up well against the Colts, but this game may have less to do with the talent and more to do with the approach. If San Diego is as uptight as it seemed last weekend it's doomed. It may not matter what Philip Rivers does in the second half because by that time the game could be out of reach.

I'm guessing the Colts approach the Bolts as Tennessee did, committing everything to the run and daring Rivers to beat them. It worked for awhile last weekend before Rivers started hitting everything he threw, but he beat an opponent that couldn't score. Indianapolis is loaded on offense, with Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai, Dallas Clark, Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez threats to score early and often.

The Colts can beat you in a zillion ways, but just having Manning gives them the edge. So he threw six interceptions the last time these two met. Indianapolis still nearly won. In fact, it would have if Adam Vinatieri hadn't blown a 29-yard field goal. Well, Manning doesn't throw six again, and Vinatieri doesn't shank a gimme. That means the Chargers better produce more, a lot more, than they did against Tennessee.

That won't be easy. Indianapolis is faster on defense than Tennessee, and while the Colts aren't more physical they're more physical than they've been in years. Remember, nobody in the NFL allowed fewer points this season, and they have Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders to combat LaDainian Tomlinson. Plus, the Chargers probably won't have tight end Antonio Gates -- another reason for the Colts to turn up the heat on Rivers.

Something to consider: In the last game versus the Bolts, Wayne had 10 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown.

Five guys I'd like to be

Tom Brady, quarterback, New England: Because he has never lost at home in the playoffs (6-0), throwing for eight touchdowns, two interceptions and an 85.2 passer rating.

Rodney Harrison, safety, New England: Because he has an interception in three consecutive playoff games and is within one of tying the league record for the longest streak in playoff history.

Peyton Manning, quarterback, Indianapolis: Because in six playoff games at home, he has 12 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 102.0 passer rating. He's also 4-2 overall, 4-1 under Tony Dungy.

Matt Hasselbeck, quarterback, Seattle: Because he has another chance to get the ball and score.

Tony Romo, quarterback, Dallas: Because he shredded the Giants for eight touchdowns in two games this season and is 3-0 lifetime against them. He also has a passer rating of 108.1 in those three wins.

Stat of the week

Since Tony Dungy took over Indianapolis in 2002 the Colts have the league's best takeaway-to-turnover ratio at +61, with their 126 giveaways the fewest among the league's 32 teams.

He said it

"I ain't worried about them with a camera. They can use my camera. I've got a nice Sony digital if they want to borrow it. I'm here to play football."

Jacksonville defensive lineman Paul Spicer on the Patriots

Where we will be

I'll be in Green Bay to keep Matt Hasselbeck from going public with any more guarantees.

Pete will be in Dallas to keep Jessica Simpson away from Texas Stadium.

Gregg Doyel will be in Indianapolis to take your orders at Shapiro's.

Mike Freeman will be in Foxborough to escort Jacksonville defensive backs to fallout shelters.