Play it Again, NFL

Carolina was a popular experts' preseason pick to reach the Super Bowl and Seattle is always a popular pick--"soft" is the most common explanation--as an upset victim. Carolina proved to be a true trick-or-treat team this season And I don't think Seattle is soft any longer, if indeed they ever were. But Steve Smith has been an unrivalled weapon through this postseason. Moreover, Jake ("Not the Snake") Delhomme is finally beginning to resemble the quarterback who, two years ago, was so appropriately super in the Super Bowl. I can't resist the wild-card symmetry in this uncommon season. Carolina 27, Seattle 21.

© 2006