1.   And then, as far as the first playoff game was concerned, that was a bizarre deal.

2.   And though injuries continued to decimate their lineup, the Nets went on to earn their first playoff berth in three years.

3.   As MLS sits on the cusp of its first playoffs, nonbelievers are beginning to believe and believers are beginning to see results.

4.   As the Jazz quickly found out in his first playoff performance.

5.   As the Cardinals prepare for their first playoff game since arriving in the Valley, Bidwill is enjoying a wave of good publicity.

6.   As the first playoff bye week in Jets history sailed along Friday, some members of the organization found themselves in unfamiliar territory.

7.   Before the first pitch of the first playoff game is thrown, a BART Battle seems more likely.

8.   Bettis said he was not going to let the strained muscle keep him from finishing his first playoff game.

9.   A few hours after this game, the Bears would play host to the Philadelphia Eagles in the first playoff game at Soldier Field in a decade.

10.   A Senators victory would leave them with the first playoff triumph in their modern history and give Slewidge a larger audience for the second round.