1.   Houston also seized the mental high ground for a possible playoff matchup, which could occur as early as the first round.

2.   Another New York-Chicago playoff matchup would be intriguing, but there is no guarantee that it will happen.

3.   A possible Chan Gailey-vs.-Dan Reeves second-round playoff matchup.

4.   If playoff matchups do matter next month, then the team to dodge, be it the Rangers, Yankees or Cleveland, is actually wild card Boston.

5.   If both teams get what they want, it could result in the first all-L.A. playoff matchup in history.

6.   In the other National League playoff matchup, the Marlins are favored to beat the Giants.

7.   It is an odd pairing, this first-round NBA playoff matchup between the Magic and the Celtics.

8.   It rooted for the best playoff matchup.

9.   Just when it appeared that might be a possible playoff matchup, the upstart Jacksonville Jaguars came along and altered the scenario.