AFC wild card
Cleveland (9-7) at Pittsburgh (10-5-1)
Time: 1 p.m.
TV: Chs. 13, 9
Line: Steelers by 8
Browns offense vs. Steelers defense: Cleveland has a couple of unknowns on offense with quarterback Kelly Holcomb and running back William Green. Holcomb, who takes over for the injured Tim Couch, doesn't have the same arm strength but might be a better downfield passer because he is more accurate. But the Browns have to be careful since the Steelers will disguise coverages and come after him with a variety of inside blitzes. Pittsburgh needs to generate pressure since its secondary struggled last week against the Ravens without injured cornerback Chad Scott. The Browns feel confident in their emerging running game, with Green averaging 103.7 yards in the final seven contests. But Pittsburgh has the league's best run defense and held Green to a combined 26 yards in the first two meetings. If inside linebacker Kendrell Bell is limited with an ankle injury, nose tackle Casey Hampton will have to make more plays on the interior. If the Browns can't run, it will put too much of a burden on Holcomb to win the game.
Steelers offense vs. Browns defense: The Steelers would like to get a lead early with big plays from quarterback Tommy Maddox and turn the game over to the running attack. Receiver Hines Ward made nine catches in each of the first two games against the Browns because the Cleveland defense was concerned with double-teaming Plaxico Burress. Ward and Burress combined for 2,654 yards receiving, the most by two teammates in the NFL this season. But Maddox hasn't been sharp in his past five games, throwing eight interceptions and five touchdown passes. Pittsburgh has changed its offensive philosophy into a passing one, but it will try to take advantage of the Browns' up-the-field pressure by handing off to Jerome Bettis and Amos Zereoue. Cleveland's run defense has been suspect all season, giving up 129.9 yards rushing per game. But the Steelers averaged 3.1 yards per carry in two games against the Browns. A key matchup will be Steelers Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca against defensive tackle Orpheus Roye since Faneca didn't fare well against Roye in the two earlier meetings.
Special teams: The Browns' offense is going to need a jump start from the return teams. Two months ago, Dennis Northcutt ran back a punt 87 yards for a touchdown against Pittsburgh. The Steelers' coverage teams have been inconsistent all season. The late-season acquisition of kicker Jeff Reed (17-for-19 on field-goal attempts) has proved pivotal especially at tricky Heinz Field. Browns kicker Phil Dawson called Heinz the league's worst field after missing a 45-yard overtime attempt during Cleveland's 16-13 loss on Sept. 29.
Coaching: Pittsburgh's Bill Cowher got his team back into the playoffs by changing quarterbacks and offensive philosophy. Like clockwork under Cowher, the Steelers are finishing strong, winning five of six after a slow start. The Browns' Butch Davis deal with a critical helmet-throwing incident and a volatile quarterback situation to lead the 4-year-old team into the playoffs for the first time. It wasn't easy, though, as most of Cleveland's games came down to the wire. Cowher has had Davis' number so far, winning all four meetings.
Pick: After an up-and-down season, the Steelers are ready to make their statement in the playoffs. The Browns, who have been walking the tightrope all season, are due for a fall. Steelers, 31-16. - Jamison Hensley
NFC wild card
New York Giants (10-6) at San Francisco (10-6)
Time: 4:30 p.m.
TV: Chs. 45, 5
Line: 49ers by 3
Giants offense vs. 49ers defense: For the most part, the Giants cut down on turnovers and became an explosive offense down the stretch. A critical element is the improved play of quarterback Kerry Collins, who threw 13 interceptions in his first 11 games, but only one in the last five. San Francisco's injury-riddled secondary ranked only 22nd in pass defense. With those injuries, the 49ers weren't able to put much pressure on the quarterback, either. The 49ers obviously will try to strip the ball from Giants running back Tiki Barber, who had four fumbles and lost three last week. Barber, averaging 4.6 yards a carry, gives the Giants a nice changeup to Amani Toomer and Jeremy Shockey in the passing game. Toomer has as many 100-yard receiving games (five) as the 49ers' Terrell Owens.
49ers offense vs. Giants defense: The Giants held Owens to four catches and 41 yards in Week 1, but still lost to the 49ers, 16-13, when Owens made a big play at the end. Their young cornerbacks, Will Allen and William Peterson, has improved a lot, but Owens will get his catches and his yards. The 49ers will need a big play early from Tai Streets to get some attention away from Owens. The 49ers' running game is a tag-team match of Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow, both of whom were injured late in the year. The 49ers were more effective running the ball (sixth in the NFL) than throwing it (14th). And the Giants weren't always able to stop the run, so that may be a matchup the 49ers want to explore. Quarterback Jeff Garcia had just one 300-yard passing game all season.
Special teams: This is an area that should concern both teams. Although Matt Bryant held the kicking job all season for the Giants, he had his share of mishaps with snappers and holders, missing two extra points and six field goals. The 49ers weren't much better. They changed their punter and their kicker, leaving the latter job to third-round draft pick Jeff Chandler, who hit eight of 12 after replacing Jose Cortez. The only real bright spot was the return work of the 49ers' Jimmy Williams, who led the NFL with a 16.8-yard punt return average. That included an 89-yard touchdown. He also averaged 21.9 per kickoff return.
Coaching: The Giants' Jim Fassel looked to be on his way out after 12 games, but saved his reputation and his job with a great stretch run. The turning point may have come when he started calling plays seven games into the season. Job security is a question that still hovers over the 49ers' Steve Mariucci. He has one year left on his contract and there have been no talks about extending. The 49ers wanted to see improvement this year. That means a win today.
Pick: The Giants turned their season around with a great December. The 49ers went south. The trend should continue. Giants, 34-21.