Bodog Beat

For the third year in a row, the bye week was virtually useless to the NFL’s top seeds in the Divisional Round. (AP Images)

Only one home team advanced to the Conference Round – the Pittsburgh Steelers, who survived the San Diego Chargers 35-24 as 7-point home faves. Willie Parker had 146 yards rushing and a pair of TDs to wake up the Steelers ground game. Pittsburgh moves on to face the Baltimore Ravens (+3); they stopped the Tennessee Titans 13-10 by forcing the AFC’s No. 1 seed to commit three turnovers to their zero.

The NFC title match is all-underdog. The Arizona Cardinals (+10) smothered the Carolina Panthers 33-10 with the benefit of five Jake Delhomme interceptions, and the Philadelphia Eagles (+4) disposed of the defending champion New York Giants 23-11. The Giants had to settle for three field goals despite getting into the Philadelphia red zone five times.