In the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, those teams coming off a bye historically have had a tremendous advantage. This year should be no different, as I expect Baltimore, San Diego, Chicago and New Orleans all to advance to their respective conference championships games next weekend.
A bye obviously means playing at least one home game, which no doubt is important. But the week off -- a time where teams can recover from all the knicks and scraps that inevitably accumulate over a 17 week season -- perhaps means even more.
In single elimination, the best team doesn't always come out on top; the most healthy one almost always does.
That said, be wary of the somewhat limping Patriots, who will be without strong safety Rodney Harrison on Sunday. With Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, New England is well-equipped to take advantage of the playoff-jinxed Marty Schottenheimer, who has a 5-12 record as a head coach in the postseason, and Phillip Rivers, who struggled down the stretch this year, his first as a starter. The Chargers, though, still have LaDanian Tomlinson, who will be the difference.
Ravens 20 Colts 16
Saints 31 Eagles 17
Bears 16 Seahawks 13
Chargers 27 Patriots 24
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