Rematches aplenty in NFL playoffs

Do-overs, all over the place.

All four of next weekend's playoff games will be rematches from the regular season: Washington vs. Seattle and New England vs. Denver on Saturday, Pittsburgh at Indianapolis and Carolina at Chicago on Sunday.

NFC

REDSKINS (11-6) AT SEAHAWKS (13-3)

Saturday 2:30 p.m. MST

Seattle was spotless at home in compiling the NFC's best record, but one of its two meaningful defeats came at Washington, 20-17 on Oct. 2. The Seahawks, led by NFL Most Valuable Player Shaun Alexander and an opportunistic defense, took off from there, not losing until the season finale in Green Bay that had no bearing on the standings.

The Redskins are nearly as hot. They won their last five games to get into the playoffs as a wild card, then handled Tampa Bay on Saturday. Washington beat the Bucs with big plays on defense and will need the same against the Seahawks, whose 452 points easily led the league.

PANTHERS (12-5) AT BEARS (11-5)

Sunday 2 p.m. MST

Carolina dominated New York, looking much like the team that won three postseason games two years ago to get to the Super Bowl. NFL Co-Comeback Player of the Year Steve Smith scored a pair of touchdowns, DeShaun Foster ran for 151 yards and the staunch defense rattled Eli Manning into four turnovers.

Blanking an offense with such playmakers as Tiki Barber, Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress was impressive, and the Bears can't match such firepower. But Chicago doesn't win with offense, even though it has a 1,000-yard rusher in Thomas Jones.

Indeed, when Chicago ended Carolina's six-game winning string in November, the Panthers gained only 238 yards and Jake Delhomme was sacked eight times.

AFC

PATRIOTS (11-6) AT BRONCOS (13-3)

Saturday, 6 p.m. MST

Nothing will faze the Patriots as they seek an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl crown. Indeed, a snowy night game in January plays right into their hands.

New England's romp past Jacksonville wasn't exactly prime preparation for Denver. The Jaguars were inexperienced in the playoffs, while the Broncos made their third straight trip. Jacksonville also had little offensive spark and Denver can move the ball.