Playoff Thoughts
Looking at the Rams-Seahawks, one thing stands out. This is a matchup of two QBs who suffered devastating losses in the playoffs in 2003. Matt Hasselbeck was 25 of 45 for 305 yards, not bad totals. Only one interception, but it was horrific--returned for a TD by Al Harris in overtime to end the game.
Mark Bulger, who also lost in overtime, was 27 for 46 with 332 yards, but he threw three picks, so between the two, you'd probably have to go with Hasselbeck, especially since he was on the road at Green Bay while Bulger started his day with HFA throughout the playoffs.
The Jets are at San Diego, where they won 34-28 in the second week of the season. It is difficult to get excited about their chances otherwise in the Super Bowl tournament. The game against the Chargers was one of only two they won against playoff-bound opponents (they slaughtered the Seahawks at home, 34-17 in Week 15).
Drew Brees had a great regular season. But Brainster's rule #2 of quarterbacks is that they have to establish themselves in the postseason. Chad Pennington has beaten Peyton Manning in a postseason game. He has not won a playoff game on the road, though, and that is significantly harder. (Joe Montana was 1-3 in road playoff games as a 49er, 3-5 overall, and three wins on the road is one of the highest totals of all time).
Coming Tomorrow: The Sunday NFL postseason games preview.
