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Round 2 After wild-card weekend, Divisional matchups set
NEW YORK (AP) -- The NFL Divisional playoffs will give a second chance to Tennessee and a third chance to Philadelphia. The Titans get an opportunity to reverse the franchise's only home loss at Adelphia Coliseum when they play host next Sunday to Baltimore, a divisional rival that advanced out of the wild-card round by beating Denver 21-3. After two regular-season losses to the NFC East champions, the Eagles get another crack at the New York Giants on Sunday. Philadelphia defeated Tampa Bay 21-3 to advance. The New Orleans Saints, who won the first playoff game in their 34-year history when they beat St. Louis 31-28, won't be at home in their next game, but they will get another "dome" game -- at Minnesota on Saturday. Miami, a 23-17 overtime winner against Indianapolis, travels to Oakland for Saturday's second game. On Nov. 12, the Ravens handed the Titans their only home loss in 17 games since moving into Adelphia Coliseum two seasons ago. "We're going to enjoy our New Year and then get ready for the Tennessee Titans," Ravens defensive tackle Sam Adams said. "It's important for us to go down there and be at our best. No one thought we would beat the Denver Broncos. Everyone thought we would be out. We showed we deserved to be here, and we're going to have to be reckoned with." Titans head coach Jeff Fisher pointed out that Tennessee lost 24-23 to the Ravens only because Al Del Greco hooked a 43-yard field goal as time expired. "We're going to need the fans," he said. "It's going to be one of those deals where we need the 12th man again this week. Obviously, they've had a huge impact in our success. We're just really looking forward to this opportunity to have the first one here."
The Ravens' Shannon Sharpe said both teams will have to be ready for the challenge. "They're a very good football team, very talented," Sharpe said. "They fought hard this season for this. They wanted home-field advantage, and they sewed it up. They've clearly been the best team in the AFC from start to finish." The Vikings are coming off three straight losses, but have a high-powered offense much like the Rams. St. Louis was contained by the Saints for most of Saturday's game until it rallied from a 31-7 deficit to lose by three. "We can celebrate beating the Rams for about 10 minutes, and then we have to go to work and concentrate on the Vikings and what we need to improve when we play them," Saints safety Sammy Knight said. "We have to be able to go into a hostile stadium and not only play well, but keep our focus for the entire game." The game will be an opportunity for Saints receiver Jake Reed to reunite with his former Vikings teammates, Cris Carter and Randy Moss. "When I came into the locker room after the game, I looked at the cell phone, and I saw a message there from Cris," Reed said. "I know I played there, but I'm not nervous. I think it's a good matchup. They have a lot of weapons, they can go out and play ball like the Rams, strike fast, go down the field. But I think if our defense shows up and our offense shows up, we'll be OK." The Saints will go to the Metrodome with a defense that proved Saturday it can slow an elite offense. "The Vikings have the great explosion with their receivers and their quarterback and Robert Smith," Saints assistant head coach Rick Venturi said. "I've had to play against them a few times in the last few years. I know we have our work cut out for us again. But that's what it's about. It's the best on the best now." Miami also reached the second round of the playoffs last season before losing 62-7 to Jacksonville. But the Dolphins were resilient in their overtime victory over Indianapolis, which led 14-0 before Miami rallied. The Dolphins are well aware that the Raiders' fans bring a rowdy atmosphere to every game. "They throw candy at us and drinks on us. They try to intimidate you," Dolphins middle linebacker Zach Thomas said. "But it just motivates me. Everyone is wearing black and acting crazy. It's a great feeling. It's like being in the movie Gladiator."
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