Some news, notes, links, and observations on the NFL playoffs this weekend.

• The Seahawks are 7-1 straight up, 6-1-1 against the spread on their strong home field, but after beating Tampa in their opener Seattle didn’t have a home game against a team that finished with a winning record. Five of their Qwest Field opponents will draft in the Top Ten in April.
• The Redskins gained 367 yards or less in each of their final five games. Joe Gibbs isn’t the only coach deserving credit, as Gregg Williams’ defense has been outstanding down the stretch, as apparently Williams’ new approach this year has paid off.
• The Jaguars didn’t play starters Sunday, but in each of the five games before that gained between 411 yards and 437 yards.
• The Steelers defense is getting some flack right now, but Pittsburgh’s D was not only the #1 ranked defense in raw yardage, but in the more important category of yards per play their 4.6 yards allowed per snap was unsurpassed. They also allowed fewer first downs per game than anyone else.
• Much has been made of the Chargers quarterbacking not being up to snuff, but their defense and special teams have made up for it with 8 non-offensive touchdowns.
• Vince Young and Albert Haynesworth both look ready to play for the Titans, assuming that Jeff Fisher and Norm Chow want Young to start.
• According to the Newark Star Ledger’s Steve Politi’s pro-Ronde takedown of Tiki Barber, Tiki is planning to be on the Bucs sideline in a Giants hat while rooting for both the Giants and his brother. Huh? Extra points to Politi for his Brady Bunch references.
• With a bye week, injury, and rest, Jeff Garcia has thrown only 69 passes in the last eight weeks. Garcia turns 38 next month.

Good luck with the Wild Card games this weekend.