Roger Clemens’ reputation entered I.C.U. following the Mitchell Report.

A thrilling NCAA tournament culminated with the 37-3 Kansas Jayhawks winning the NCAA national championship.

Tiger Woods’ legendary status as a golf icon skyrockets with an overtime U.S. Open victory for the ages…on a fractured knee.

Several chess moves among some key NBA teams created an electrifying playoff environment capped off with the Boston Celtics’ 17th NBA championship vs. the rival Lakers.

Two legendary broadcasters, Jim McKay and Charlie Jones, left this earth and moved on to the Heavenly realm.

Eight Belles fractured both ankles just after crossing the finish line of the Kentucky Derby and was euthanized on the spot creating tidal waves of controversy.

The 2008 Major League Baseball season charges along with some fun plot lines to follow like the magnificent performance of the Texas Rangers’ Josh Hamilton including his “Ruthian” display of power during the Home Run Derby in Yankee Stadium which is in its final season.

Who would have thought that at the All-Star break that the division leaders would include the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East and the Mets in the NL East (after a disastrous start)?

The sports world has been busting since the New York Giants shocked the planet by sneaking past the unbeaten New England Patriots 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII to become world champions on the heels of one of the most entertaining, thrilling, and historical NFL season in recent memory.

We saw Devin Hester have another dynamic year embarrassing opposing special teams. Tony Romo proved that he’s for real…unless Jessica Simpson was at the game. The Adrian Peterson era began with an atomic explosion. The legendary Brett Favre played like a youngster and an immortal. Cleveland wore the glass slipper. New England achieved the unthinkable going 16-0 in the regular season despite the Spygate scandal. We also witnessed the other end of the spectrum as lethargy and noxiousness spilled into several franchises giving fans in cities like St. Louis, Miami, Oakland, and Atlanta reasons to Google “suicide methods.”

This off-season has been far from dormant itself with all the signings, drafting, cuts, suspensions, trades, retirements, un-retirements, and soap operas. With the training camp season officially open combined with all this activity over the past five months, there is plenty of momentum and excitement beginning to swell as we stare at the first pre-season game in 13 days!

Stay tuned for the 2008 NFL Season Preview due out August 31st to recap this off-season and provide fuel (if you need it) for this upcoming 2008 season!

Johnny Cash, Tom Landry, Nolan Ryan, and Roger Staubach are my Mount Rushmore.

Outside of family, these mortals were, and are, giants in my life; redwood trees that helped define my landscape as a zealous and passionate fan. They impacted their vocational sphere with such thunderous force that when they left, the void was deafening.

Cash, of course, never called it quits as he poured himself into his music and stayed devoted to his wife and family until the day he died. His music was a staple in my house and every car that I have ever driven to this day. His rebellious, edgy, and jet black persona with a guitar welded to his torso brought honesty and significance to the music industry, and his impact is still found in songs today. When he passed away, I was numb, achy, and wistful.

Tom Landry was forced off the NFL sidelines when Sheriff Jones rode into town and demanded change. It was like evicting an old-timer from his home, where he had lived his whole life, due to his land being cleared off for a shopping mall. He was a man of integrity, grace, and ingenuity and accepted this unannounced transitional phase of his life with such impeccable class. His departure from the game and life was a very solemn and dispirited time for me as a Dallas Cowboys fan.

Roger Staubach’s elusiveness, fearlessness, and leadership set him apart from the other NFL quarterbacks in his day. His undying commitment to winning led to a series of concussions which brought this unheralded career to a premature ending. When I heard that he was no longer going to lead my beloved Cowboys, I had equilibrium issues. Boy, did I fight tears when I watched Staubach’s retirement speech as he cried and paid tribute to “…the nuts and bolts of the Cowboys…the man who wears the funny hat on the sideline.”

Nolan Ryan defied all sports logic by dominating batters after the age of 40. He hurled his his 6th no-hitter at age 43 and his 7th when he was 44. At age 46, rookie Robin Ventura of the Chicago White Sox charged the mound after being nailed by a Ryan fast ball. Ryan grabbed him in a head lock and pounded his face six times with his pitching arm. Nolan said afterwards that it was the same maneuver that he used on his Texas ranch when trying to brand steers. Every time I watch this incident, my eyes get a bit misty as I remember Nolan Ryan and what he meant to the game of baseball. His work ethic, character, standard of excellence, and respect of The Game was unique to anything that Major League Baseball has seen to this day.

The fabric of all four lives are woven with the same eternal qualities and coated with an unbridled sense of manliness that was instrumental in my upbringing as a toddler singing Folsom Prison Blues, reading my Tom Landry comic book, and collecting my Roger Staubach and Nolan Ryan trading cards.

What made all four men special and anomalous is that their career didn’t define who they were. Despite their accomplishments and stature in the eyes of the fans and media, they had the fortitude and dexterity, if they so chose, to walk away and invest themselves in their family and other ventures all the while not needing their previous livelihood to give them their identity. It is this one single trait that, I firmly believe, is the difference between a star and a legend.

These same attributes are found in another individual who re-wrote the book on his profession and position, and brought tears to my eyes as I watched him retire this past March 4th.

Statistically, you could compare Brett Favre’s career records to that of The Beatles in the music industry. He is the all-time NFL leader in TD’s (422) and completions (5,377) averaging one TD pass for every 12.7 completions. He’s also thrown the football more times with 8,758 attempts which explains his dubious mark of most INT’s thrown at 288. He also holds the quarterback “Iron Man” record of 253 straight starts (including playoffs) and during that streak he has more regular-season wins (160) and has won more NFL MVP awards (3) than any field general in NFL history. Favre has also thrown for a little more than 35 miles.

But, if you peel back the numbers, you will reach the core of this human being whose life and performance on and off the field is comprised of the same parameters as these legends before him.

Much like the Man in Black, Favre battled alcoholism and pain killers early in his career, but found grace and redemption later on that saved his life and career. When he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 1991, he quickly landed in coach Jerry Glanville’s doghouse due to his reckless behavior and wild lifestyle which included, as Favre later admitted, “drinking up Atlanta.” This led to arriving to meetings late and rare appearances in pre-season games despite his immense talent. Packers GM Ron Wolf was more concerned about Favre’s talent than his lack of character enough that he was willing to risk a first-round pick for him in February of ‘92. After a shoulder separation, he took his first Vicodin and what soon followed was his uphill battle with drugs that put him at a critical juncture in his life.

His turnaround and maturation began with his wife, Deanna, starting a family, and surrounding himself with virtuous men such as Mike Holmgren, who once said, “The thing that impresses me the most is what kind of a man and leader he has become off the field since I have known him. I have taken great joy in watching him develop as a person and father - perhaps even more so - than as a coach watching his quarterback.”

If I had a dime for every time Brett Favre avoided a tragic ending to a play by escaping out of someone’s grasp, twisting and turning like a hyper kid avoiding a shot at the doctor, and/or getting rid of the ball in a very unconventional way, I could buy Scotland. His Houdini-type tactics brought to mind the play of Roger “The Dodger” mixed with the dexterity of Landry. His enthusiasm, competitiveness, and nerve was a lethal combination for defenses as he only knew one way to win: Win at all costs and have fun doing it. When he got in a tight spot, his aptness and creativity would take over and then it was usually always followed by a grin as long as his list of accomplishments…no matter the outcome.

Tenacity defined Brett Favre. His toughness and grit in pure Ryan-esque nature were the ingredients for his long career in such an ultra-violent sport. These elements, for a lot of athletes in different sports, resulted in short careers and taking up golf.

Not #4.

His ability to shine bright while staring down uncertain and inconceivable odds is what set Favre apart, and that was illustrated in HD-quality on December 22nd, 2003. His father, Irwin, passed away the day before after suffering a heart attack while driving near his home in Kiln, MS. Favre was in Oakland with the rest of the team preparing for the Monday Night Football game vs. the Raiders. He decided to not desert his football family and started his 250th straight game. He was cloaked in stomach-gnawing emotion but also with a grace and fire to pay tribute to his father who had raised a great boy and had not missed one of Favre’s games since fifth grade. What resulted was the single-best performance that I have ever watched one player have as Favre passed for 399 yards on 22 of 30 attempts with 4 TD’s and zero interceptions. He buried his father the next day.

Another demonstration of Favre’s intestinal fortitude was his exploits on the frozen tundra. In Lambeau Field during his career, Favre was 40-5 when the temperatures were 34 degrees or lower. There was something about hypothermic conditions that transformed this warm-blooded, Mississippi boy into a thermal machine. A falling sheet of snow with the faint outline of a #4 green jersey and “FAVRE” inscribed above it with a geyser of steam shooting from the nostrils and mouth of this superhuman QB will forever be etched in our memory.

When you look back on Brett Favre’s career, you see a man who started out thinking he had the world in his hand only to watch that dream take a nasty spill and land in ICU. There appeared to be a higher calling for Favre as he found a path of healing and redemption that led to him making a meteoric impact in the sport that he loved growing up along the Gulf Coast. After 17 years of getting the hell beat out of him, Favre has decided to return to a different way of life; the kind of life that reveals who he really is — a man who loves being a husband and father, hunting boar, being immersed in his small town, and enjoying life to its core.

Brett, congratulations on entering this new, and much deserved, phase of your life. The NFL is not going to be the same without you.

Super Bowl Sunday is one of my favorite days of the year. If I wasn’t married and didn’t have a family, it would be #1, but it does however supersede my birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Opening Day. This event and all its elements creates an atmosphere that reminds me of the ingeniousness and splendor of this game.

Speaking of which, Super Bowl XLII represents the dexterity and excellence of a giant patriot in the NFL legacy, and his name is Bill Parcells.

Despite his Philistine approach to people and inherent obstinance, the Big Tuna knows football. He eats a bowl of 16-penny nails and drinks radiator fluid for breakfast, but you cannot argue and find much fault with his philosophy and strategy when it comes to crafting a football battalion.

Vince Lombardi and General Patton would have loved this kid.

Players and assistant coaches alike never sought approval from him nor knew where they stood with him and that was the way he wanted it. If you tried to seek these things out, you would fail because you weren’t going to get it despite whatever you deemed success on any given Sunday.

His ideology was actually pretty simple: Control the ball on offense and play great defense while exposing the opponents’ weaknesses.

That doctrine and even some of his stone cold character traits found their way into the brains of two assistants who served on Parcells’ staff while with the NY Giants in 1990: Defensive coordinator Bill Belichick and wide receivers coach Tom Coughlin.

Both men have gone on to experience different levels of success in the NFL since those glory days with Bill Parcells and they face each other tomorrow in Super Bowl XLII, but the roads haven’t been easy.

Belichick became the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 1991-1995 and developed a rapport with fans that included being evasive, tyrannical, and conceited not including his 36-44 record. He moved on to become an assistant coach for the Jets and Patriots under Parcells until he became the head coach of the Patriots in 2000. He has since achieved four conference, three world championships, and is a cult icon in New England despite the recent Spygate scandal whose outcome is still undecided.

Despite his mastery in this new millennium so far, Belichick did not appear satisfied in pure Parcells-like fashion and so he went out this past off-season and found an arsenal of talent to surround his Jedi QB Tom Brady, and to anchor a defense that made opposing QB’s quake in their boots. This included the despondent and out-spoken WR Randy Moss who many figured to be on the decline and would clash with Belichick’s “Team First” attitude. The result has been truly historic as New England has cruised to an 18-0 record entering Sunday’s battle riding on a cloud of superior confidence and unselfishness.

Which leads to Tom Coughlin. After that 1990 season, he went on to become head coach of Boston College until from 1991-1993 and then in 1995, he became head coach of the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars and experienced two AFC championships before being fired in 2002.  After taking a year off, Coughlin was named head coach of the NY Giants and quickly became the target of intense criticism over his unconventional decision-making, meticulous attention to detail, and his insensitive relationships with his players. Sound familiar?

After a 25-23 record over three seasons (including 0-2 in the playoffs), the NY media and even some players voiced their desire to see Coughlin kicked to the curb. After a scandalous training camp involving contracts and more personality clashes, the 2007 season looked bleak for the NY Giants and Tom Coughlin’s coaching future. Their first two games were losses, but what transpired next was extraordinary. Despite a dark cloud of angst and inconsistency, Coughlin and Co. won 13 of their next 17 games that included an NFL-record ten straight road wins. During this stretch, Coughlin preached teamwork and composure.

That effort has landed him in Glendale, AZ to face his former colleague for the national championship, and you can bet that The Tuna will be watching.

EDDIE’S PICK - NEW ENGLAND

STANDINGS

Cris Collinsworth: 1-1, 183-83

Cris Carter: 1-1, 178-88

Bob Costas: 1-1, 175-91

Dan Marino: 1-1, 174-92

Eddie Chinn: 1-1, 172-94

Chris Mortensen: 1-1, 169-97

Sean Salisbury: 1-1, 169-97

Equality and erraticism have dominated the NFL scene for decades and add to the complexity of this institution’s framework. This two-headed monster emerged in Indianapolis and Dallas last weekend, but it was fought off and defeated in Green Bay and New England.

Chargers coach Norv Turner arrived in San Diego under a cloud of doubt mostly due to his 58-82 record in his previous coaching stints and his inability to get to the playoffs. San Diego got off to a slow start and suddenly Turner found himself being lambasted and ridiculed as many believed that his stay in southern California was going to be short-lived. After Sunday’s spectacular victory over the defending Super Bowl champions, I don’t think Turner will have to put his house on the market. Despite injuries to L.T., QB Philip Rivers, and TE Antonio Gates, Turner turned in a magnificent coaching job and earned a trip to frigid New England to face the Perfect Pats like they did in Week 2.

Tony Romo’s vacation romp with Jessica Simpson, a lackluster December, and T.O’s injury appeared to be very serious factors going in to last Sunday’s game at Texas Stadium. Regardless of what effect they had, the bottom line is that NY was prepared for this game more than Dallas. The Cowboys were brainless and vulnerable against this Giants team that continued its road dominance becoming the first team in NFL history to win nine straight road games. Big D was simply outplayed and had a bad day on the offensive line, catching the ball, and being effective in the red zone. As a result, Cowboy players now get to spend more time in front of their HDTV’s watching these Giants battle Favre’s Packers on The Frozen Tundra.

Speaking of Lambeau Field, the day began clear and cold vs. Seattle as the Seahawks rode the parity sled up and down the field exploding to a quick 14-0 lead. Then, the weather began to change. Temperatures continued to drop and snow began to fall as Lambeau became a winter wonderland providing the kind of environment that caused Brett Favre to shed his uniform and reveal a big “S” and flowing cape. Farve was simply paranormal. He threw three TD’s and no interceptions and displayed unbelievable poise and awareness as he escaped collapsing pockets and fleeting blitzes to make plays. Now, Green Bay gets host the NFC Championship game vs. NY who they met in Week 2 as well.

What else is there to say about the New England Patriots? Jacksonville arrived in Foxboro riding a massive tidal wave of momentum coming off its thrilling victory in Heinz Field to knock off the Steelers. Many believed that their brutal style of play on defense and explosive running attack would challenge New England and create a colossal upset. With that challenge ahead of him, Brady simply turned on a switch and had one of the greatest games a QB has had in NFL history. He was as masterful as Obi-Wan Kenobi and brilliantly dismantled the Jags. Now, they welcome the San Diego Chargers who represent the last road block before arriving in Glendale, AZ.

The Super Bowl is the pinnacle game for each NFL season, but today is one of the greatest weekends in professional sports. It’s the last chance for two cities to see their home team, and very often showcases all the characteristics of a truly awesome NFL battle.

Find a seat. Get anything and everything that you’re going to need during the next seven hours. Hook up the catheter. Get ready for a spine-tingling and paralyzing ride!

• San Diego Chargers (13-5) at New England Patriots (17-0): CBS, 3pm EST - If there’s one arena that Bill Belichick and Tom Brady excel in more than the regular season, it’s the playoffs where they are 13-2. The weather is going to be frigid but not cold enough to stop this blitzkrieg offense and dominating defense. San Diego comes in to this colossal battle on a 8-game winning streak but is also hobbled with injuries of varying extents to QB Philip Rivers, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, and TE Antonio Gates. If Rivers can’t go, coach Norv Turner will be the key in calling plays for Billy Volek, but the crucial reality for the Chargers will be to keep consistent pressure on Brady, maintain time-chewing drives to keep Brady and Co. off the field, and their defense must create turnovers. This will be the first time all season that San Diego has played in sub-freezing weather, but that won’t matter against this Patriots machine.  EDDIE’S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• NY Giants (12-6) at Green Bay Packers (14-3): FOX, 6:30pm EST - Zero degrees and snow with -14 degrees wind chill. Lambeau Field. Brett Favre. Does it get any better than that for an NFC Championship Game? The Packers welcome the NY Giants for a chance to travel to warm Glendale, AZ and hoist the Lombardi Trophy. The G-men have played exceptionally on the road winning their last nine contests away from NY and will find themselves facing a QB wizard in Favre and a daunting defense. The Packers will also be facing a QB in Eli Manning that has been virtually flawless in his last few games displaying poise and quick, smart decisions. Both teams have very effective running games and effective passing attacks that will make this a war to remember, but the mystique appears to be back at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.  EDDIE’S PICK - GREEN BAY

STANDINGS

Cris Collinsworth: 1-3, 182-82

Cris Carter: 2-2, 177-87

Bob Costas: 2-2, 174-90

Dan Marino: 3-1, 173-91

Eddie Chinn: 2-2, 171-93

Chris Mortensen: 2-2, 168-96

Sean Salisbury: 3-1, 168-96

Samuel Johnson, an 18-century English writer, once said, “Few enterprises of great labor or hazard would be undertaken if we had not the power of magnifying the advantages we expect from them.”

Picture a professional wildlife hunter three days before he is to lead a two-week hunting expedition in Africa. Imagine a teenager the night before he is to go buy his first car with this father. Visualize an actor or actress getting dressed a couple of hours before attending the world premiere of their first motion picture.

And, then there’s me living each day drowning in enthusiastic hunger leading up to the NFL Playoffs.

I’m like an 12-year-old the night before Christmas morning wondering what is in store for me and passionately being patient for the experience of flooding myself with family, wrapping paper, and “needs.”

Anticipation of the unknown can be extremely invigorating or spine-chilling, and while this is true in life, it’s also a fact when it comes to this time of year as these gridiron franchises wage war to lay claim to The Lombardi.

The campaign began last weekend when NY journeyed into south Florida take on the Buccaneers hoping that their hot road streak would continue. Most of Tampa’s starters had been rested for three weeks, and the Giants do have a reputation of being inconsistent especially at QB this year. Turnovers, a steady offensive attack, and a disruptive pass rush were enough to buckle the Bucs squad and send them home early as the G-men won a trip to Texas Stadium.

In Seattle, the “Hawks welcomed a Washington team that was riding an emotional tidal wave due to the spirit and memory of Sean Taylor and the emergence of QB Todd Collins which fueled a four-game win streak leading up to this game. What transpired stunned the Skins. Their confidence level was sky-high but Seattle’s defense came alive like a Brahma bull on crack and dominated the trenches. Add a nice performance by QB Matt Hasselbeck and some fortunate bounces and the Seahawks find themselves heading to Lambeau.

By halftime, many Chargers fans wondered if another first-round exit was upon them as Tennessee held an ugly 6-0 lead. San Diego had managed only three yards rushing and three first downs, but the second half was a different story. The Bolts unleashed 17 unanswered points which included an L.T. dive into the end zone on fourth down in the 4th quarter which served as a dagger in the hearts of the Titans faithful. The Titans went back to Music City while the Chargers geared up for a visit to Indiana to face the defending champs.

While home-field advantage in the playoffs is viewed as a huge advantage, there are times when it serves no purpose but to be the venue where the home team gets humiliated. This was the case right off the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers as Pittsburgh succumbed to Jacksonville with less than a minute left after erasing an 18-point deficit. With 37 seconds left, J-town kicked a 25-yard field goal to suck all the air out of Heinz Field and catapult the Jags to the blistery NE to try and whither the Patriots snowstorm.

What do these eight battles hold? Will the #1 & 2 seeds of each conference prevail or will we witness a colossal upset? Is a perfect season in jeopardy? How will weather affect the outcomes? Will we see an unsung hero come off the bench and make history?

I can’t wait!

• Seattle Seahawks (11-6) at Green Bay Packers (13-3): FOX, 4:30pm EST, Saturday - “We want the ball and we’re going to score.” These words were uttered by Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck on January 4, 2004 at the coin toss before OT. On the opening possession, Hasselbeck threw the ball to CB Al Harris who returned it 52 yards for the winning TD. Up until that play, Seattle proved that it had the personnel to beat the Pack in Lambeau and this contest won’t be any different. The key for the Pack is to rattle and roll Hasselbeck, who is the key to this one-dimensional offense, and give Favre time to work his playoff magic vs. his former mentor in Mike Holmgren. I expect this to be a very close game but Green Bay is more balanced and has an underrated defense. EDDIE’S PICK - GREEN BAY
• Jacksonville Jaguars (12-5) at New England Patriots (16-0): CBS, 7pm EST, Saturday - This explosive Patriots blitzkrieg rampaged through the league in 2007 and left smoking carnage on the horizon. It didn’t come all that easy as they encountered some challenges along the way, but Tom Brady and Co. always found a way to win utilizing his powerful arsenal and relying on the aged-yet-dominant defense. Jacksonville is also a force to be reckoned with. This team stayed under the radar all season displaying a powerful running game, QB depth, and a resilient defense. They are also very physical and could pose some serious problems against this New England defense who has also showed signs of struggling against the run the last few weeks. Not a good combination vs. a Jag machine that is hitting on all cylinders. J-town can win this game, but the elite status of this rested New England team is just too much to overlook. EDDIE’S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• San Diego Chargers (12-5) at Indianapolis Colts (13-3): CBS, 1pm EST, Sunday - The 2007 season headlines have been dominated by the Patriots’ path towards perfection, Tony Romo & His Cowboys, and Brett Favre’s revitalization. Missing from the spotlight is the season that Indy is having without their star WR in Marvin Harrison. The Colts are still the defending champions, and will have Harrison’s services vs. San Diego after missing most of the season with a knee injury. Indy’s defense has been the story this season and they will have to be on their toes in order to contain LaDainian Tomlinson and force QB Philip Rivers to win it with his arm. The Chargers also have a group on defense that is ranked 2nd in the league and must put pressure on Peyton Manning who threw 6 interceptions the last time these teams met on Nov. 11th. Something tells me this may be decided by Adam Vinatieri.  EDDIE’S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS
• NY Giants (10-6) at Dallas Cowboys (13-3): FOX, 4:30pm EST, Sunday - “You can’t be satisfied with what you’re doing. It’s about the bigger picture and keeping this thing going.” Giants QB Eli Manning words pretty much wrap up what every team’s motivation this Sunday, but part of this team’s bigger picture is their hunger to knock of Big D on their turf in their third meeting this season. This road venture does not faze the G-men as they are 8-1 on the road including last week’s pounding of Tampa Bay. Their defense’s blitz packages must have success against QB Tony Romo who shouldn’t have much trouble throwing the ball. Look for Dallas to come out throwing to get that early lead. WR Terrell Owens is questionable but do expect him to play along with Terry Glenn who should see his first extensive action since the pre-season. Will their lost momentum in December, Romo’s romp in Mexico with Jessica Simpson, and T.O.’s health cripple Dallas and create an upset? At first, I truly believed that it would, but I am now going to be at the game, and Dallas is 9-1 in the ten games I’ve attended.  EDDIE’S PICK - DALLAS

STANDINGS

Cris Collinsworth: 4-0, 181-79

Cris Carter: 3-1, 175-85

Bob Costas: 3-1, 172-88

Dan Marino: 3-1, 170-90

Eddie Chinn: 1-3, 169-91

Chris Mortensen: 2-2, 166-94

Sean Salisbury: 4-0,  165-94

And then there were 12…

After two grueling weeks of training camp, four weeks of “auditioning” and fine-tuning in the pre-season, and sixteen weeks of waging war on the gridiron battlefields across America, the NFL tournament is finally upon us.

Due to total domination, intricate timing, and/or other teams’ misfortunes, these twelve franchises are the cream that has risen to the top and will compete for a chance to travel to Glendale, AZ and lay claim to the “cordon bleu” of the NFL: The Vince Lombardi Trophy.

A quarter of this Dynamic Dozen will go home after this weekend and join the other teams that didn’t make the cut.

Who will it be? Can the smoldering Giants and Redskins each knock off a division champion or will the home teams prevail? Will the Steelers strike sweet revenge on the Jaguars who humiliated them in Week 15? Is it possible that the wobbly-kneed Titans can withstand the Chargers assault in southern California?

If this regular season was any indication of what this year’s playoffs have in store, then it won’t matter who wins. You will, no doubt, be thoroughly entertained or hospitalized.

• Washington Redskins (9-7) at Seattle Seahawks (10-6): NBC, 4:30pm EST, Saturday - Since 2001, Seattle is 45-15 (including 3-1 in the playoffs) at Qwest Field whose cantilever roofs hovering over the sidelines are each 760 feet long which is the length of three 747’s end-to-end. This creates sound traps which ricochets the crowd noise back onto the field and has created a “12th Man” for the fans  bringing confusion and frustration to opposing teams. Washington has had its share of obstacles to hurdle this season which is why their here in rainy Seattle. This Redskins team has a mountain of momentum and when it collides with this canyon stadium and its fans, it will be like a clasp of thunder pounding a mountain side. Coach Joe Gibbs is 5-1 vs. Seattle with his only loss coming two years ago in the playoffs in Seattle. The inspiration of Sean Taylor continues.  EDDIE’S PICK - WASHINGTON
• Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6): NBC, 8:00pm EST, Saturday - In regards to RB sensation Willie Parker being out for the year with a broken leg, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, “Whoever hoists that Lombardi Trophy in a month or so will have had injury issues and will have found ways to overcome it. We don’t dwell on that. It’s as much a part of the game as blocking and tackling. The healthy guys play and the standard of expectation doesn’t change.” Expectations will be sky high tomorrow night as Pittsburgh will look to exact revenge on J-town who throttled Pittsburgh 29-22 in Week 15. Jacksonville is hitting on all cylinders going in to Heinz Field, which shouldn’t be in its “pending lawsuit” state, but the Steelers should be more than ready for them. Plus, history is on their side. Jacksonville has not won a playoff road game in eleven years, and no team has ever beaten Pittsburgh on its home turf twice in the same season in the 75-year history of the Black and Gold.  EDDIE’S PICK - PITTSBURGH
• NY Giants (10-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7): FOX, 1pm EST, Sunday - On January 5th, 2003, the NY Giants stormed into San Francisco and exploded to a 28-14 at halftime. Out of nowhere, QB Jeff Garcia engineered the second-biggest playoff comeback in NFL history as the Niners scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and won 39-38. Then, on January 7, 2007, the NY Giants went to Philadelphia in an attempt to slow down the surging Eagles, but came up short 23-20. The injured Donovan McNabb watched on the sidelines as Jeff Garcia led the charge. This Sunday, the Giants head to south Florida to face the Bucs and their field general, Jeff Garcia, who has played very well and consistent. The Tampa defense has been stalwart all year and will have its hands full containing the Giants rushing attack which has shredded opposing defenses the last few weeks. The key in this game will be which QB has the better game as the inconsistent Eli must find a way to steer through this Tampa D while Jeff Garcia will have to watch the Giants various pass rush schemes. These two teams have never met in the playoffs.  EDDIE’S PICK - TAMPA BAY
• Tennessee Titans (10-6) at San Diego Chargers (11-5): CBS, 4:30pm EST, Sunday - In one of the most physical wars this season, San Diego rallied from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to squeeze past Tennessee 23-17 in overtime on December 9th in Music City. Four players were fined a total of $32,500 and LB Shawn Merriman accused Tennessee of playing dirty. The bad blood from that last meeting will no doubt carry over into this wild-card contest in San Diego as both teams are known for playing very aggressive and with much heart. San Diego’s defense finished fifth in points allowed at 17.8 points per game and led the league with 30 interceptions. The Titans defense played suffocating defense earlier in the year but their performance tapered off a bit the last half of the season. Not only is the memories of the last game on the Chargers’ mind, but Tennessee’s offense is decimated by injuries as QB Vince Young is a game-time decision, WR Roydell Williams broke his ankle in practice this week, and Young’s favorite target, TE Bo Scaife, has a lacerated liver. San Diego has won five straight vs. Tennessee — make it six.  EDDIE’S PICK - SAN DIEGO

STANDINGS

Cris Colllinsworth: 13-3, 177-79

Cris Carter: 14-2, 172-84

Bob Costas: 9-7, 169-87

Eddie Chinn: 11-5, 168-88

Dan Marino: 9-7, 167-89

Chris Mortensen: 13-3, 164-92

Sean Salisbury: 11-5, 161-94

Questionable coaching decisions, playing with unspeakable heart, and resting starters contributed to the NFL landscape getting altered heading into the playoffs, and the swelling anticipation of perfection became reality as the 2007 season drew to a close.

In Chicago, the Saints needed some serious help to make the playoffs but it all started with them needing a win against last year’s NFC Champions. Coach Sean Payton vowed that one element of his game plan would include keeping the ball out of Devin Hester’s hands. One 55-yard TD catch and 64-yard TD punt return later, Hester and the Bears played with passion as they beat the Saints 33-25.

Speaking of passion, you can’t ignore the burgundy, yellow, and white flowing mightily from our nation’s capital. The Redskins welcomed Dallas to it’s domicile hoping to come away with a win that would vault them into the playoffs. Many believed that Minnesota would sneak in due to their date with the uninspired Broncos and Dallas’ unbeaten road record this year. Denver decided to end their season on a mile-high note for their fans by squeezing out an exciting 22-19 victory while Washington gave it 150% at the same time that Dallas played at about 30%.

The result of these two games: The Redskins filled up the last NFC wild-card slot while questions muddy the Dallas waters regarding their momentum going into the playoffs.

Green Bay played its starters for a half and gave it their all defeating hapless Detroit 34-13 and securing their position as the most dominating team in the NFC heading into the post-season.

In Indianapolis, the Colts rested their first team most of the game and played other members of their team that seemed lost and confused on the field. All this did was allow Tennessee to find its way to filling the last AFC wild-card slot and give them a date with San Diego this Sunday.

Pittsburgh strolled through the regular season seemingly on their way to securing the 3rd seed. That scenario was downplayed before their game against the Ravens and it seemed to work as Baltimore defeated the Steelers 27-21. This loss gave Pitt the #4 seed, another battle vs. J-town who stomped them in Week 15, and, if they win, a date with New England.

The Patriots went into The Meadowlands with about as much momentum as a team can have going into a regular season finale. With NY playing all of its starters, New England expected a tough game, and they sure got it. The Giants ran all over the Pats defense and pressured Brady like you should in order to beat this AFC juggernaut, but once again, the Pats found a way to win for the 16th time this season!

Other notes from Week 17:

• Congratulations to Cleveland! They definitely deserve some recognition for their Cinderella season as they landed on the improbable door step of the playoffs only to not get in when Indy’s “practice squad” stunningly couldn’t subdue the Titans. The Dawg Pound has a lot to look forward to next season.
• Thanks to Devin Hester, there are two return specialists that don’t get enough attention: The Browns’ Josh Cribbs and Houston’s Andre Davis, who together returned three for scores last Sunday (2 by Davis.)
• Only one team managed to go through the entire 2007 season without allowing a 100-yard rusher: the Baltimore Ravens….who are not in the playoffs.
• Dallas rushed for a franchise-low 1 yard vs. Washington.
• How bad is the NFC? Four of the six playoffs teams entered the playoffs with a loss while one of them, Tampa (9-7) enters the playoffs on a two-game losing streak.
• Who would have ever thought that we’d see a week in the NFL where the top three scoring teams of the week were Arizona (48), Atlanta (44), and Houston (42)?

This very well could be the most overused phrase in sports.

It’s also the #1 goal of every NFL player when he steps onto the football field. When they slip on their pads, uniform, and helmet in the locker room, they know nothing else. This mantra is what propels these athletes to relinquish all accessible firepower while down in the trenches and out in the open field of each gridiron battle.
All coaches will tell you that this is the bedrock where their coaching philosophies are built. Every strategy and nugget of information that is taught to the players is for the sole purpose of winning every game that they play.

But, in recent history, it has become customary by many coaches to scale back and take a different approach to the last one or two games of the season when their team has clinched the playoffs and cannot alter its current position in the upcoming post-season. That strategy involves resting starters for all or a certain percentage of the game.

While I understand the common-sense approach that produced this decision, I simply don’t agree.

Yes, I get it — There’s nothing else to play for so why start your star players and run the risk of them getting hurt and being out for the playoffs? Here’s a thought. Don’t they run the risk of getting hurt every time they step on the field? What’s worse: Tony Romo getting hurt in Week 10 and, as a result, Dallas missing the playoffs or Romo getting hurt this week in Washington and having a Super Bowl-winning QB in Brad Johnson taking over? Give me the former.

The Cowboys are pretty deep all around the board so an injury to a player who has started all or most of the season is going to be treated like any other injury. You simply bring in the back-up and trust that he’s ready to perform to the max as he would in any game of the season.

If someone is nursing an injury like T.O., Terence Newman, etc. then I can understand developing a game plan without them, but if I was Wade Phillips, I would start Romo, Barber, Witten, etc. and give it 120%!

Why wouldn’t you want to end the season on a high note with a ton of momentum knowing that you have the next two weeks off to rest from all the aching muscles or minor injuries?

Personally, I’m more concerned if Romo doesn’t play this Sunday. That would mean that he would not play for three weeks and then you have to look at the issue of him not being rusty. I simply see this game vs. the Skins as a tune-up for the playoffs; an opportunity to hone your game and work on some things that you may think is a detriment right now. And, who better to be out there than the same personnel that is going to be used in the playoffs? The last time I checked, if you lose one game in the playoffs, then you get to stay home for 7 months.

I don’t think it’s old-school thinking when you play all of your starters for every regular season game regardless of what your goals are for that game. It’s called respecting the integrity of the game by giving it your all for 16 games.

As a head coach, when you start looking at whether to start your regulars, how long they should play, etc., then you are communicating the notion that if the team loses, it doesn’t matter. You’ve met all your goals for the regular season so let’s “baby it” the last game and be very conservative.

If you do that, then you aren’t taking what’s worked for you before and simply not playing to win.

Playoffs. Pride. Perfection.

One of these or a combination of the three is the goal for each of the NFL teams this weekend as this 2007 NFL season hangs up its “CLOSED” sign.

There are a couple of teams that control their own destiny if they want to play in January as they must win in order to play next weekend. One team needs to win while someone else loses, and yet another needs to win and also have divine intervention.

The pride factor is going to be prevalent among several teams who are looking to next season while others will be going for team or individual records if it doesn’t jeopardize their health going into the playoffs. The “Pride” games can also be seen as auditions for upper management to help them determine what course of action they need to take in the off-season to put themselves in a better position this time next year.

Forget Spygate. Forget Belichick’s arrogance. You cannot discredit the magnificent machine that is the New England Patriots as they head to NY standing at the portal of pure greatness. To go undefeated in today’s NFL is unthinkable. It’s like someone not having a cell phone; it’s possible, yet rare, and you just can’t wrap your mind around it.

Regardless of what happens this week, one thing is very certain. If the 2007 NFL regular season is any indication of what we can expect in the 2008 playoffs, then you better create a “Do Not Disturb” sign for your front door, screen your calls, and be ready to dial 9-1-1 for physical assistance.

• New England Patriots (15-0) at NY Giants (10-5): NFL Network/NBC/CBS, 8:15pm EST, Saturday Night - Commissioner Goodell’s passion for the game strikes again in deciding to let all of America watch NFL history by simulcasting the game on NBC and CBS. What an extraordinary year for the Patriots. EDDIE’S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• Seattle Seahawks (10-5) at Atlanta Falcons (3-12): FOX, 1pm EST - A turbulent season is finally over. EDDIE’S PICK - SEATTLE
• New Orleans Saints (7-8) at Chicago Bears (6-9): FOX, 1pm EST - A win AND a Skins and Vikings loss will get the Saints into the playoffs, but I think their season will end where it did last year. EDDIE’S PICK - CHICAGO
• Detroit Lions (7-8) at Green Bay Packers (12-3): FOX, 1pm EST - Expect the Packers to give some starters some much-needed rest and the Lions to lose their 16th straight game in Lambeau. EDDIE’S PICK - GREEN BAY
• Carolina Panthers (6-9) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6): FOX, 1pm EST - A date with the NY Giants next weekend will be the only thing on coach Gruden’s mind as he rests his starters again. The Panthers will look to give rookie QB Matt Moore his first NFL win. EDDIE’S PICK - CAROLINA
• San Francisco 49ers (5-10) at Cleveland Browns (9-6): FOX, 1pm EST - It doesn’t matter what happens at the Dawg Pound vs. the fragile Niners as the Browns’ destiny lies in Indy where the Titans must lose for Cleveland to cap off this amazing year with a playoff berth. EDDIE’S PICK - CLEVELAND
• Cincinnati Bengals (6-9) at Miami Dolphins (1-14): CBS, 1pm EST - New VP of football operations, Bill Parcells, will be on hand to watch his new investment take on a Benglas team that has won one road game this year. Oh, why not —- EDDIE’S PICK - MIAMI
• Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) at Houston Texans (7-8): CBS, 1pm EST - It’s tune-up and rest time for J-town as they prepare for their next road game vs. Pittsburgh or San Diego. EDDIE’S PICK - HOUSTON
• Buffalo Bills (7-8) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-8): CBS, 1pm EST - This is the ultimate Pride Bowl as each team strives to finish at .500. EDDIE’S PICK - PHILADELPHIA
• Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) at Baltimore Ravens (4-11): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Don’t expect the Steelers to play all their starters for the whole game, but I’m not sure it will matter against a horrible Ravens team trying to avoid their 10th straight loss. A win and San Diego loss gives the Steelers the #3 seed and a chance to avoid New England for an extra week. EDDIE’S PICK - PITTSBURGH
• San Diego Chargers (10-5) at Oakland Raiders (4-11): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Look for Pittsburgh to get a swing at New England first. EDDIE’S PICK - SAN DIEGO
• Kansas City Chiefs (4-11) at NY Jets (3-12): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Coach Herm Edwards returns to his old stomping grounds for the first time, and should experience the same ole’ routine. EDDIE’S PICK - NY JETS
• Dallas Cowboys (13-2) at Washington Redskins (8-7): FOX, 4:15pm EST - A win would give Dallas its franchise-record 14th victory for this season, but a win by the Skins gives them an improbable playoff berth. A vehement crowd and the spirit of Taylor should be enough to give this laborious season a Hollywood ending. EDDIE’S PICK - WASHINGTON
• St. Louis Rams (3-12) at Arizona Cardinals (7-8): FOX, 4:15pm EST - Win or lose, the city of St. Louis will breathe a large sigh of relief when the gun sounds ending their migraine season. EDDIE’S PICK - ARIZONA
• Minnesota Vikings (8-7) at Denver Broncos (6-9): FOX, 4:15pm EST - Minnesota’s focus in some ways might depend on what Washington does, but in other ways, it simply comes down to this being one lame Broncos team. EDDIE’S PICK - MINNESOTA
• Tennessee Titans (9-6) at Indianapolis Colts (13-2): NBC, 8:15pm EST - Every square inch of pressure is on Tennessee as they come into the RCA Dome to face an Indy team that will mostly play their second team. If the Titans win, they’re in. A loss hands the playoff slot to Cleveland. EDDIE’S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS

STANDINGS

Cris Collinsworth: 11-5, 164-76

Bob Costas: 10-6, 160-80

Cris Carter: 12-4, 158-82

Dan Marino: 11-5, 158-82

Eddie Chinn: 10-6, 157-83

Chris Mortensen: 10-6, 151-89

Sean Salisbury: 10-6, 150-90

When Sean Taylor died on November 27th, the Washington Redskins season went into a tailspin.

They had just lost their third straight game two days prior to Tampa and were sitting at 5-6 including a 1-3 record against their rivals in the NFC East which was being dominated by the Dallas Cowboys at 10-1. Five days later, the Skins lost their fourth in a row to Buffalo at home with Sean still on everyone’s mind. The next day, he was buried.

Vince Lombardi once said, “Success demands singleness of purpose.”

Washington, now 5-7, had only three days to prepare for Chicago on Thursday night, and they couldn’t ask for a better leader in the midst of this emotionally unstable crisis than Joe Gibbs. Their beloved head coach reeks of success and has the fortitude and character to pilot this team through such a storm. The crux of the moment was if the players would respond and rally behind the one who knows all about “singleness of purpose.”

The Skins came out focused and full of fervor in front of their home fans, and Chicago had no chance losing 24-16. The price was high though as QB Jason Campbell was lost with a dislocated knee cap. Backup QB Todd Collins became the field general that led the team to victory.

The schedule called for Washington to travel to NY next to face the rival Giants, and the team came together and won convincingly 22-10. Up next was another road game in the thundering Metrodome to face the Minnesota Vikings last week, and the result was the same as Washington cold-cocked the host 32-21 and left them seeing stars and their playoff dreams fading.

These last three wins have shown one thing about this Washington Redskins team: They have singleness of purpose thanks to their head coach who gives the credit to the team and its on-field leaders, “I don’t know of a team - I haven’t been a part of one - that’s overcome this much … It’s almost like they’re going to overcome whatever’s out there. It’s also caused a certain camaraderie and chemistry.”

Well, the Dallas Cowboys are what’s “out there” next, and something tells me this Skins team will be ready and impregnated with electricity as they face their hallowed foe in a must-win situation.

Gibbs summed it up just right, “Everything that we’ve worked for, for 15 weeks, goes on the line this weekend.”

And, don’t you know that the spirit and memory of their fallen comrade will be on their hearts and minds as they clamor to take their successful journey to the next level — the playoffs.

Win or lose, it’s very clear that Joe Gibbs needs to be here for the very near future.