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Each week we preview the biggest mismatch in each game, one that should make an impact either through its exploitation or in changing a team's plans to try to compensate. The final week of the season still features plenty of games with playoff implications as home-field advantage isn't wrapped up in either conference and there are a plethora of teams still mathematically alive for a wild-card spot, especially in the AFC.

Eagles at Giants
DE Hugh Douglas vs. LT Luke Petitgout
Luke Petitgout was an excellent right tackle last year but was switched to the left side in the offseason when the Giants revamped their offensive line. He has played well against most competition but can get overwhelmed against teams with a strong pass rush. His Giants have won six of their last eight games to get back into the playoff race and need just one last win to make the postseason. But they have faced an easy schedule and had an inexplicable loss to the expansion Texans because of poor protection of quarterback Kerry Collins. Petitgout will be matched up against Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas, who has 11.5 sacks so far this year, and has averaged over nine sacks a year in his eight-year career. Douglas relies on his quickness and tenacity to get after the quarterback. Although Petitgout has quick feet, if he is distracted by one of his linemates needing help or confused by one of the Eagles' complicated blitz schemes, then Douglas will be on Collins, who has a tendency to fumble when hit.

Chiefs at Raiders
RB Charlie Garner vs. LB Marvcus Patton
Even with a 8-7 record and the second-best running attack in the league (before Priest Holmes was lost to injury), the Chiefs still had the worst pass defense. While the cornerbacks have received the brunt of criticism, they aren't the only thing contributing to those gaudy stats. The linebackers are also uncommonly slow, pointing to a big mismatch this week as they try to cover the speedy Charlie Garner. The Raiders' offense also features plenty of other receivers in Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, Jerry Porter and tight end Doug Jolley, plus the improving inside running game of Tyrone Wheatley and Zach Crockett, that it is impossible for any defense to adequately cover them all. That should leave Garner with just one man to beat when he gets the ball in the flat off a swing or screen pass (usually Marvcus Patton hurrying over from the middle of the field and all too easy for Garner to avoid). The Raiders may feature a short passing game, but they should find several big gains after the catch against this Chiefs' defense.

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