The AFC has three new playoffs teams -- the Titans, Colts and Browns -- but except for the Browns, it's hard to call the Titans and Colts as new entries. They were playoff teams in 2000 who dipped down because of injuries or defensive problems in 2001 and then rebounded this year thanks to an easier schedule than the teams in the AFC West and AFC East.

The NFC has only two new playoff teams that gained entry to the great falls of the Rams and Bears. The Falcons slipped in despite losing three of their final four. The Giants, a division winner in 2000, got hot at the right time and made an impressive finish with wins over the Colts and Eagles to clinch a wild-card spot.

A lot of conventional logic disappeared by the crazy finish. The Titans and Jets survived 1-4 starts and the Steelers a 1-3 start and still won their divisions. The Raiders recovered from a four-game losing streak to win seven of their final eight.

Here's a look at the top 10 things to watch when the playoffs begin next weekend.

1. Who says defense wins championships? That might be the case in the NFC, where the Bucs and Eagles have two of the best defenses in the league, and each has an excellent chance of going to the Super Bowl. But the only AFC playoff defenses in the top 10 are the Steelers and the Colts.

	Holcomb

2. Call it the Tom Brady Syndrome, but backup quarterbacks may play a big role in the playoffs. Kelly Holcomb has been a fan favorite in Cleveland when Tim Couch struggles, but Holcomb must carry to Browns into the playoffs because of Couch's fractured fibula. Holcomb now will be judged on how well he plays for an expansion team making its debut in the playoffs after four seasons. The Bucs could have Brad Johnson returning for their first playoff game as long as he can loosen his back problems. If not, Rob Johnson or Shaun King may have to handle the assignment but that might not translate into a playoff victory for the Bucs. The Eagles hope to have Donovan McNabb back after their bye week, but they have to keep working A.J. Feeley, who did such a good job filling in for Koy Detmer and McNabb. And while he's can't be considered a backup anymore, Chad Pennington did start the season on the sidelines.

	Gannon

3. Short passing offenses are in. Rich Gannon gets the break of staying in California for the entire month if the Raiders can win their two home games and head down to San Diego for the Super Bowl. But that might not work well for practices. El Nino has turned Northern California wet and has caused major problems for Raiders practices. They've had to fight rain and 35 mile an hour winds at time. Pennington could be dangerous going against the Colts because he works his short-passing offense almost as well as Tom Brady did for the Patriots last year.

4. No one will miss Veterans Stadium once when the Eagles leave, but it's a great place for the Eagles to be playing. For one, they have a psychological edge in the Vet. The Bucs can't win there. It may be tough for the Packers to win there. The Eagles will move into a new stadium next season, but a championship game at the Vet could be memorable for Philly fans.

5. There isn't a good feeling about the Falcons heading into the playoffs. They've lost three of their past four. Michael Vick has been taking a lot of hard hits and has been inconsistent with some of his throws. The Falcons aren't good in the red zone. They have been settling for too many field goals of late, and that comes back to haunt you in the playoffs.

6. The only coach playing with job pressure is 49ers boss Steve Mariucci. Some think that he needs to get to a championship game to keep his job. Despite winning the NFC West, Mariucci is awaiting contract extension negotiations. But if the team is out in the first round, the 49ers could make a lowball offer not much more than the $2.25 million he is scheduled to make in 2003.

	Favre

7. Stay tuned to the rumors of Brett Favre's retirement. If the Packers go to the Super Bowl and win, Favre, who is selling his plush house in Green Bay, says he might retire. That would be a huge loss. Favre is this year's MVP and still has maybe four or five years of good football ahead of him.

8. The biggest upset possibility in the first round of the playoffs could involve the Steelers and Browns. The Steelers are banged up. Jerome Bettis has a sore knee. Kendrell Bell re-injured his ankle. The Steelers won both games against the Browns, but only by three points each time. This is a rivalry, and it should be a close game.

	Kearse

9. The Titans are going to be a dangerous team and an interesting Super Bowl contender. Steve McNair's toughness has him being considered as the league's most valuable player. Given the bye week, the Titans will have an extra week for defensive end Jevon Kearse to work individual drills and maybe get up to 40 snaps a game. He's been playing in the 20s since coming of a broken foot in the opener. Eddie George usually saves his best for the playoffs and will be a factor.

10. It will be interesting to see if the 49ers play another low-scoring game against the Giants. They won the opener in New York, 16-13. The 49ers have taken a lot of criticism for not having a killer instinct on offense, and if they keep the Giants in this first week game, Kerry Collins could get hot and put the team in position for a potential game-winning drive.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.