NFL wild-card preview capsules

Saturday's games

Washington (9-7) at Seattle (10-6)

Time: 3:30 p.m., Channel 5

Line: Seahawks by 3

Series: Redskins lead series 9-5

Playoff record: Redskins 23-16; Seahawks 6-9

Last meeting: Seahawks 20, Redskins 10, NFC divisional playoffs, Jan. 14, 2006 at Seattle

Last week: Redskins beat Cowboys 27-6; Seahawks lost to Falcons 44-41.

Notes: Washington has won four of last five in series, but Seattle's win was in second round of 2005 playoffs. ... Redskins coach Joe Gibbs is 17-6 (.739) in playoffs and 5-1 overall against Seattle. ... Redskins have won four in row and are third team since 1978 to start 5-7 and reach postseason. ... QB Todd Collins has led team to 4 straight wins after replacing Jason Campbell (dislocated kneecap). Collins was 67 of 105 (63.8 percent) for 888 yards, 5 TDs and no INTs. He fumbled four times and lost two. ... RB Clinton Portis (325 carries, 1,262 yards) is averaging 116 yards from scrimmage in three career games vs. Seahawks. He was one of four RBs with 1,600-plus yards from scrimmage (1,651) and had career-best 47 receptions this season. In last three outings, Portis averaged 127 yards from scrimmage, scored 4 TDs and threw for 1. ... Redskins led NFC with 18 fumbles lost. ... TE Chris Cooley (66 receptions, career-high 786 yards) led NFC with personal-best 8 TDs. Cooley averaged 21.3 yards per catch last meeting. ... WR Santana Moss (61 receptions, 808 yards) had season highs in receptions (8) and yards (115) last week and is averaging 87 yards receiving over past three. Moss, who has scored in two straight, still finished with lowest TD total (3) since rookie season. He had 7 catches for 103 yards and a TD in last meeting. ... CB Shawn Springs has 4 INTs in past four games. ... Redskins' defense led league over last four games with 71.8 yards rushing allowed per game. ... Seahawks are 5-2 at home in postseason history. ... Coach Mike Holmgren has 12 postseason wins, tied for sixth most in NFL. ... Seattle allowed two 100-yard rushers this season, third fewest in NFL. ... QB Matt Hasselbeck set team records for completions (352), attempts (562) and yards (3,966) and threw for career-best 28 TDs. Hasselbeck had 2 TDs, 1 passing, 1 rushing, and finished with 100.6 passer rating in last meeting. ... Seahawks surrendered 15 TD passes, least in NFL. ... RB Shaun Alexander (716 yards, career-worst 3.5 yards per carry) scored 100th career TD rushing last week, but is averaging 44.8 yards on the ground over past five outings. RB Maurice Morris (140 carries, personal-best 628 yards) had season-high 91 yards rushing on 13 carries (7.0 average) last week and scored TD. ... WR Deion Branch has four 100-yard receiving postseason games, and can move into tie for third in league history with one this week. ... WR Bobby Engram set franchise record with 94 receptions and had first 1,000-yard receiving season (1,147). Engram ranks second in franchise postseason history with 25 receptions and needs 2 to set team record (Darrell Jackson). ... DE Patrick Kearney had 14½ sacks, second most in NFL, and has 3 in four career playoff games. ... Seahawks led NFC with 20 INTs, getting career highs from CB Marcus Trufant (7) and LB Lofa Tatupu (4). ... Seahawks haven't faced team that finished with winning record since Week 5. ... Seattle had fewest penalties and penalty yards in NFL (59 for 428).

Jacksonville (11-5) at Pittsburgh (10-6)

Time: 7 p.m., Channel 5

Line: Steelers by 2

Series: Jaguars lead series 11-8

Playoff record: Jaguars 4-5; Steelers 28-18

Last meeting: Jaguars 29, Steelers 22, Dec. 16, 2007

Last week: Jaguars lost to Texans 42-28; Steelers lost to Ravens 27-21

Notes: Jacksonville has won three of four in Pittsburgh and was only team to beat Steelers (7-1) at home this season. In 75-year history, Steelers have never lost twice to same team in Pittsburgh in one season or in successive home games. ... Jaguars, winners of 11 of past 15, have beaten AFC North six straight. ... Jags ranked first In AFC In rushing offense (149.4 yards per game), while Steelers were second (135.5). ... RB Fred Taylor (223 carries, 1,202 yards, career-high 5.4 yards per carry) closed out season with five straight 100-yard games, gaining 598 yards on 78 attempts (7.7 yards per carry) in that span. In five career postseason outings, Taylor is averaging 103.4 yards rushing per game (98 carries, 517 yards) with 3 TDs: 2 rushing, 1 receiving. Taylor owns two records for opponents vs Pittsburgh: most yards rushing in one game (234 set in 2000) and most yards rushing at Heinz Field (147 set this season). ... RB Maurice Jones-Drew (1,175 yards from scrimmage, 9 TDs) is averaging 119.5 yards from scrimmage over past two games. ... QB David Garrard (2,509 yards, 18 TDs, 102.2 passer rating) threw 3 TD passes last meeting and finished season 9-3 as starter. ... WR Reggie Williams set team single-season record with 10 TD receptions and has scored in four straight. ... 23 players on Jaguars' 53-man roster have no postseason experience. ... Jacksonville led NFL in fourth downs attempted (33) and converted (19). ... CB Rashean Mathis has 3 INTs in four career outings vs steelers. ... DE Paul Spicer tied personal best with team-high 7½ Sacks. ... Jacksonville gained 421 total yards last meeting. ... Pittsburgh has won five straight in playoffs. ... QB Ben Roethlisberger (3,154 yards, team-record 32 TDs) has 7 TDs and no INTs in past three games and his 104.1 passer rating was second in NFL. He's 5-1 In playoffs with 1,210 Yards passing and 10 TDs. He was sacked 46 times, second most in franchise history, including five times in last meeting. ... RB Najeh Davenport has 150 Yards on 36 carries since Willie Parker (leg) was lost for season. ... In 10 career postseason games, WR Hines Ward has 57 receptions, 761 Yards and 8 TD receptions. Ward's next reception will set team record for most postseason catches, passing John Stallworth. ... WR Santonio Holmes (52 receptions, 942 yards, 8 TDs) is averaging 115.5 yards receiving over last two games. Holmes led NFL with 18.1 yards per catch (minimum 25 receptions). ... TE Heath Miller had career-high 7 TDs this season and 1 TD in last meeting. ... Steelers led NFL in total defense (266.4 yards per game) and allowed fewest first downs in league (249). ... LB James Harrison led team with career-high 8½ Sacks. Harrison was voted team MVP by teammates. ... Steelers led NFL in time of possession (33:29 per game), while Jags were third (32:08).

Sunday's games

New York Giants (10-6) at Tampa Bay (9-7)

Time: Noon, Channel 32

Line: Buccaneers by 3

Series: Giants lead series 10-6

Playoff record: Giants 16-23; Buccaneers 6-8

Last meeting: Giants 17, Buccaneers 3, Oct. 29, 2006 at New York

Last week: Giants lost to Patriots 38-35; Buccaneers lost to Panthers 31-23.

Notes: New York is making 29th playoff appearance, tied with Dallas for most in league history, and third in a row for first time since 1984-86. ... Giants have lost four consecutive postseason games, including two straight on road under coach Tom Coughlin. ... New York set franchise single-season record with 7 straight road wins; 7-1 record away from Giants Stadium is best since 2000, when team made Super Bowl. ... QB Eli Manning (3,336 yards passing, 23 TDs) tied career high with 4 TD passes last week and joined Phil Simms as only Giants QB to throw for 3,000 yards and 20 TDs in three consecutive seasons. Manning had career-high 27 turnovers (20 INTs, 7 fumbles). ... New York averaged 134.3 yards rushing per game, fourth most in NFL, and 159 yards over last five. ... RB Brandon Jacobs (202 carries, 1,009 yards) was one of nine players with minimum 100 carries to average 5.0 yards per attempt. Jacobs finished third in NFL with 91.7 yards rushing per game. ... WR Plaxico Burress (70 receptions, 1,025 yards) tied for second in NFC with 12 TD receptions. He has 28 catches and 5 TDs in eight career postseason contests, with 27 of those receptions going for first downs or TDs (96.4 percent). ... DE Osi Umenyiora (13 sacks, 52 tackles) had sack in each of first two career playoff games. ... In six playoff games, DE Michael Strahan has franchise-record 7½ sacks. ... CB Sam Madison, C Shaun O'Hara, and LB Kawika Mitchell are questionable after being injured in Week 17. ... Tampa Bay has lost three of four, but rested several regulars last two weeks. ... Bucs became fifth straight NFC South team to win division after finishing last prior season. ... Tampa Bay has NFC-best plus-15 turnover margin and is 16-0 since 2002 under coach Jon Gruden when not turning ball over. ... QB Jeff Garcia (2,440 yards, 13 TDs) is 4-1 in career vs. Giants, including 2-0 in postseason. He'll be only QB in Super Bowl era to start for three different teams (San Francisco, Philadelphia) against same opponent in playoffs. ... RB Earnest Graham (222 carries, 898 yards) averaged 104 yards from scrimmage per game with 7 TDs after becoming starter in Week 6. ... Bucs held opponents to 258 first downs, least in NFC, and gave up first down via penalty seven times, only team in NFL in single digits. ... WR Joey Galloway (57 receptions, 1,014 yards) is first player in team history with three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. ... Tampa Bay led league in pass defense (170.5 yards per game) and was second in total defense (278.4). ... DE Gaines Adams led rookies with 6 sacks. ... LB Derrick Brooks (109 tackles) will play in 11th playoff game with Bucs, most in franchise history.

Tennessee (10-6) at San Diego (11-5)

Time: 3:30 p.m., Channel 2

Line: Chargers by 9

Series: Chargers lead 22-16-1

Playoff record: Titans 14-17; Chargers 7-13

Last meeting: Chargers 23, Titans 17, OT, Dec. 9, 2007 at Tennessee

Last week: Titans beat Colts 16-10; Chargers beat Raiders 30-17

Notes: San Diego has won five straight in series. ... Tennessee has won four of five, with only loss coming against Chargers. ... Titans coach Jeff Fisher is 0-4 vs. San Diego. ... QB Vince Young (quad) left last week with same injury that forced him to miss one game earlier this season. QB Kerry Collins was 10 of 13 for 106 yards in relief, and would start if Young is out. Young (121 yards passing, 2 INTs last meeting) can become youngest quarterback in franchise history to start postseason game at 24 years, 233 days. He has lowest passer rating (71.1) of any starting QB on playoff team and hasn't thrown for 200-plus yards in four straight, with 2 TDs and 3 INTs in that span. ... Titans were fifth in NFL with 131.8 yards rushing per game. ... RB LenDale White (303 carries, 1,110 yards) had 30 attempts for 113 yards and TD last meeting. White is averaging 88.5 yards rushing over past four games. ... Titans finished with best kickoff coverage in league, with opponents' average starting position the 25.7. ... WR Justin Gage (55 receptions, 750 yards) had career-high 104 yards receiving and tied personal best with 7 receptions last week. ... WR Roydell Williams broke ankle in practice and is out. ... DE Kyle Vanden Bosch had 12 sacks this season, including 3 in last meeting. ... Tennessee scored TD on 20 of 55 red zone trips, worst percentage (36.4) in NFL. ... DT Albert Haynesworth (6) and DE Antwan Odom (8) finished with career highs in sacks. ... K Rob Bironas led NFL with career-best 35 FGs. ... TE Ben Scaife (lacerated liver) was placed on IR. ... San Diego has lost four consecutive postseason games, including three straight at home. But Chargers, winners of six straight overall, are on six-game home winning streak and, since 2006, are 15-2 at Qualcomm Stadium. ... In three career games vs. Titans, RB LaDainian Tomlinson (315 carries, NFL-high 1,474 yards) has 364 yards rushing on 62 carries and 5 TDs (4 rushing, 1 receiving). He is averaging 101.5 yards rushing per game with 2 TDs in postseason and enters these playoffs with 602 yards rushing and 8 TDs in last five. ... WR Chris Chambers averaged 22.5 yards per catch last meeting (4 receptions, 90 yards). ... Defense led NFL with plus-24 turnover margin and 30 INTs, including 22 in San Diego, the most for any team at home since Dallas in 1985. Chargers had AFC-best 18 fumble recoveries, while Titans tied for second in AFC with 17 fumbles lost. ... CB Antonio Cromartie set franchise record with NFL-high 10 INTs. ... LB Shawne Merriman had 2 sacks in last meeting and has 7 in past five. ... K Nate Kaeding is 9-for-9 on FGs in last three outings. ... TE Antonio Gates has 15 catches for 150 yards and TD over past five games. ... QB Philip Rivers is 2-0 in career vs. Titans, with 463 yards, 3e TDs and 2 INTs. Rivers has posted 100-plus passer rating in three straight, with 4 TDs and no INTs in that span.

Bob LeGere's picks

Saturday's games

+3 Redskins 24, SEAHAWKS 16

-2 Jaguars 21, STEELERS 17

Saturday's games

+3 Giants 27, BUCS 20

-9 CHARGERS 30, Titans 13

Last week: 12-4 straight up; 8-7-1 vs. the spread

Season: 163-92 straight up; 113-133-9 vs. the spread

(Home team in ALL CAPS)