New York Giants (8-8) at Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
3:30 p.m. Sunday, WFLD-Ch 32
How they made it: Giants clinched sixth seed by beating Washington Redskins and winning strength-of-victory tiebreaker over Packers. Eagles bounced back from last-place finish in NFC East to win fifth division title in six seasons.
Last meeting: Eagles won 36-22 on Dec. 17 at New York, atoning for 30-24 overtime loss Sept. 17 at Philadelphia.
History vs. Bears: Giants lost 38-20 at New York on Nov. 12. Eagles and Bears haven’t played since 2004, when Eagles won 19-9 at Soldier Field.
Why Giants can win: As Tiki Barber goes, so go the Giants. But Barber got more yards (75) against the Eagles in the Giants’ loss than he did in their victory (51). The difference was Eli Manning, who threw three touchdown passes in the win and two interceptions in the loss. Manning has not improved as planned.
Difference-makers: Without injured receiver Amani Toomer and tight end Jeremy Shockey, Manning’s help is limited to Barber, whose 234-yard effort against Washington was his best ever.
Whom they’d play next: Giants would come to Chicago to play the Bears.
Why Eagles can win: Hottest team in NFC, winning road games against every NFC rival in December. Jeff Garcia knows coach Andy Reid’s offense backward and forward.
Difference-makers: Brian Westbrook is as good a runner-receiver as there is in the league. Whenever he’s healthy, the Eagles are a threat. Rookie linebacker Omar Gaither has juiced the defense.
Whom they’d play next: Eagles would go to New Orleans to play the Saints.
Pierson’s pick: Eagles 34-17.
Dallas Cowboys (9-7) at Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
7 p.m. Saturday, WMAQ-Ch. 5
How they made it: Defending NFC champion Seahawks won third straight NFC West title. Cowboys clinched fifth seed after losing to Lions and losing NFC East title to Eagles.
Last meeting: Seahawks won 13-10 at Seattle in 2005.
History vs. Bears: Bears beat Seahawks 37-6 on Oct. 1 at Soldier Field. Bears and Cowboys haven’t played since 2004, when Cowboys won 21-7 at Dallas.
Why Cowboys can win: If they’re hot, they’re hot. If not, they can’t beat Detroit. If young quarterback Tony Romo can handle crowd noise, Seahawks defense is vulnerable.
Difference-makers: Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn can be game-breakers, but Cowboys have been inconsistent, and cornerback Terence Newman is best player on a defense that gave up 39 points at home to lowly Lions.
Whom they’d play next: Dallas would play Bears in Chicago unless Giants beat Eagles.
Why Seahawks can win: They have struggled all season, but playoff experience and huge home-field advantage, biggest in NFC, makes them hard to beat.
Difference-makers: Last year’s MVP, Shaun Alexander, looks like he’s finally healthy. So does Matt Hasselbeck, still a long way from last year’s top-rated NFC passer.
Whom they’d play next: Seattle would play the Bears in Chicago unless Giants beat Eagles.
Pierson’s pick: Seahawks 30-20.
