1.   Brady led New England to six consecutive victories to end the season and a comeback victory over the Oakland Raiders in the divisional round of the playoffs.

2.   But they lost in the divisional round to Carolina.

3.   Fox also devised the unusual plan to use the rookie defensive lineman Cornelius Griffin to shadow Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb in the divisional round of the playoffs.

4.   Last week, in the divisional round, he trampled a New Orleans Saints defensive back in the open field.

5.   Minnesota is also the only team in the league to reach at least the divisional round of the playoffs the last three seasons.

6.   Pittsburgh plays Baltimore on Sunday in the AFC divisional round and is favored to beat the Ravens.

7.   Super Bowl T-shirts had even been printed after Pittsburgh dominated the defending champion Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round last weekend.

8.   The Indianapolis Colts were rewarded handsomely for reaching the divisional round of the playoffs.

9.   The others will play in the divisional round this weekend.

10.   The Steelers, the defending AFC champions, will play the New England Patriots next Sunday at Foxboro, Mass., in the divisional round.