NFL playoffs start today, but who will advance? Tony Grossi's take

New Orleans (11-5) at Seattle (7-9)

Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. at Qwest Field.

Early line: Saints by 10.

TV/radio: WKYC Channel 3; WKNR AM/850.

The skinny: Winner plays either at Chicago or at Atlanta in next week's divisional round. . . . New Orleans beat Seattle, 34-19, in Week 11. The 15-point margin was Seattle's closest loss of season. . . . Seattle won NFC West after 16-6 win over St. Louis last Sunday night, becoming first sub-.500 division champion in league history. . . . Saints have never won playoff game away from Superdome (0-3). . . . QB Drew Brees has led New Orleans to wins in nine of past 10 outdoor games in regular season. . . . Only healthy Saints RBs from regular season are Reggie Bush and Julius Jones. . . . Seattle has won past four home playoff games. . . . Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will start. Hasselbeck has nine career playoff starts and is 4-1 at home. . . . Hasselbeck's 366 yards passing against Saints in Week 11 was most Saints allowed this season.

Tony Grossi's take: Saints have to be careful not to throw 60 times. Saints 27, Seahawks 20.

N.Y. Jets (11-5) at Indianapolis (10-6)

Kickoff: 8 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Early line: Colts by 3.

TV/radio: WKYC Channel 3; WKNR AM/850.

The skinny: Jets have beaten Indy in two of three postseason matchups, including 16-7 win in 1969 Super Bowl. Jets lost to Colts, 30-17, in last season's AFC title game. . . . Coach Rex Ryan is 1-5 against Peyton Manning as Jets coach and Ravens defensive coordinator. . . . QB Mark Sanchez completed 41 of 68 passes for 539 yards with four TDs and two interceptions in playoffs last year. . . . Jets defense has allowed only one 100-yard runner this season (Bears' Matt Forte, 113 yards on Dec. 26). . . . Colts have won four straight and three of past four against Jets. . . . Manning is 8-5 all-time vs. Jets with 16 TDs and 13 INTs and is 6-3 all-time in home playoff games. . . . Colts were No. 1 in red zone TD efficiency, scoring 38 TDs in 56 chances (67.9 percent). . . . Indy also led NFL in third-down conversions in red zone, 56.3 percent, and in points scored in final two minutes of half, with 95. . . . Colts defense has held past four opponents to average of 79.8 yards per game rushing, while Colts offense has three straight 100-yard rushing games.

Tony Grossi's take: Peyton Manning over Mark Sanchez. Colts 26, Jets 17.

-- From staff, wire reports