Someone is sure to say the Jacksonville Jaguars dodged a bullet Sunday.
| ![Mark Brunell](/media/nfl/2000/0110/photo/s_0110mb.jpg) |
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| Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell won't be at full strength Saturday. |
They didn't. They dodged the team that handed them their only two losses this season -- the Tennessee Titans.
That happened when Miami, the sixth seed in the AFC, rallied to win 20-17 in Seattle, meaning the Dolphins travel to top-seeded but banged-up Jacksonville on Saturday, while the Titans, who at 14-3 are a lot better than their fourth seed, play at second-seeded Indianapolis on Sunday.
In the NFC, the seeds held. No 3 Washington will be at No. 2 Tampa Bay on Saturday, with No. 4 Minnesota at No. 1 St. Louis on
Sunday.
In order of appearance:
Dolphins at Jaguars, Saturday, 12:35 p.m. ET
A lot depends on the health of Jags quarterback Mark Brunell, who sat out the last regular-season game with a sprained knee, but it expected back for this one. And a lot depends on how the Jags offensive line, with Tony Boselli gone for the season, manages to protect Brunell, who at best will be less mobile than usual.
That's because the Dolphins defense, one of the league's best as Miami went 7-1 in the first half of the season, reasserted itself Sunday in Seattle after a poor second half. It sacked Jon Kitna six times and it might do the same to Brunell without Boselli to protect him.
That could mean a quick game as the Jaguars try to run Fred Taylor to take pressure off Brunell, and the Dolphins try to run
because that's what Jimmy Johnson wants to do. And it means more of a load on the improved Jacksonville defense.
Overall, the Jaguars have more firepower, even injured. A hobbling but protected Brunell should be able to find Jimmy Smith
and Keenan McCardell.
The Jags also are home, although there might be Miami fans left over in north Florida.
Jacksonville probably survives.
Redskins at Bucs, Saturday, 4:15 p.m. ET
Speaking of injuries ...
Washington could be without four important offensive starters, including running back Stephen Davis and Pro Bowl guard Tre' Johnson.
Davis, the NFC's leading rusher, is doubtful with a knee injury, and center Cory Raymer and left tackle Andy Heck already have been ruled out. Johnson could be suspended for striking an official
during a fight in Saturday's 27-13 win over Detroit, but the Redskins are hoping for just a fine.
"It's a very, very scary situation," coach Norv Turner said.
This all plays into the hands of Tampa Bay's strength -- its defense.
Even if Johnson plays, there will probably be two backups on the Washington offensive line to face Warren Sapp and friends, meaning Washington's improving but shaky defense will have to carry a bigger load.
It has one edge. Shaun King has played decently at quarterback for the Bucs, but he's still a rookie, and rookies normally don't
go very far in the playoffs. If Johnson isn't suspended and Turner can get a running game from the combination of Skip Hicks, Brian Mitchell and Larry Centers, this could be tight.
Vikings at Rams, Sunday, 12:35 p.m. ET
This is the matchup everyone wants to see -- two explosive offenses in a 47-46 game.
The quarterbacks are intriguing. Jeff George in his first major playoff run and Kurt Warner in his first playoff game. Yes, Warner is the NFL's MVP, but he's still a playoff rookie.
There are other mirrors. Robert Smith vs. Marshall Faulk at
running back and Randy Moss, Cris Carter and Jake Reed vs. Isaac
Bruce, Torry Holt and Az-Zahir Hakim at wide receiver. Give slight edges to Faulk and the Vikings' receiving corps.
But there are two big edges for the Rams.
One is the HomeDome -- the Vikings will get the same treatment visitors get when they come to Minneapolis.
The second is defense. Like Washington's, Minnesota's has improved in the last few weeks. But St. Louis' has been good all
year, although it's overlooked. If noise bothers the Vikings offensive line, George will see a lot of Kevin Carter.
Edge to the Rams.
Titans at Colts, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
Thanks to the Music City Miracle, the Titans have their second life. Now they have to take advantage of it.
They probably would have preferred the Jaguars, whom they beat 41-14 three weeks ago simply because the know they can beat them.
But while they won't stop Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison and the rest of the Indianapolis offense, they have the weapons to slow it down. Watch Jevon Kearse, who could have an easier time against massive but not too mobile left tackle Tarik Glenn than against the quicker right tackle, Adam Meadows.
On the other hand, Tennessee will need more from Steve McNair, who threw deep just once against Buffalo on Saturday. With Cornelius Bennett, the glue of the Colts defense, probably out with a knee injury, McNair also should get more room to scramble.
Bennett's loss is a big problem for a young Indy defense.
Slight edge to Tennessee, which just might get a third shot at Jacksonville in the AFC title game.