[Hatteras]

It seems to be that Seattle's losses, or the Giants, or the (insert your team name here) losses are all based on the assumption "if only...". What gives anyone the idea that all these "what ifs?" will not occur in the NFC or the AFC Championship Game or the Super Bowl?

There's a reason they still play the games to determine the outcome.

Three Pro Bowlers on the O-line? Heck, the Colts had 7 Pro Bowlers on their team. Alexander is one head-knock away from watching the game from the bench, Peppers will play even if it means one needle for the first half and one for the second, and Delhomme is a playoff quarterback. Jake may bounce around all season, but he has elevated his game both times he has reached the playoffs as a starting QB. Not that it's a gaurantee, mind you, but it's worthy of consideration.

And even if all the players show up and play to their highest caapability, who is to say that the refs are suddenly immune from bad calls? Or that the kick holder will not muff a snap in the final minute of the game?

Play the game and we'll see what else we can complain about on Monday.

[normy]

I don't knock the Panthers as a good team who deserves to be there, they do. Delhomme and Smith and the Panthers D are all really good too. The media however, Aikman and Ditka aside are acting like Delhomme dominates Hasslebeck and Smith is just too damn tough for anyone to stop. I saw Dallas stop him. Player for player the Seahawks are a better team, will they win, I think so , but your right the NFL is not a lock.

By the way the Colts have had plenty of respect this year, probably too much.