When Muhsin Muhammad is done playing football, he might make a shrewd general manager.
Muhammad, one of the NFL's best receivers, had several suitors when he became a free agent last spring. But he chose the Chicago Bears, believing they had the makings of a Super Bowl team, despite winning just five games last season. He loved the Bears' defense. He was intrigued by the potential of quarterback Rex Grossman. He admired the toughness of running back Thomas Jones. So when the Bears offered Muhammad a six-year, US$30 million contract, he jumped at it as if he were going after a deep pass.
"I believed in my heart that this team truly had a chance to win a championship," Muhammad said before Thursday's practice. "A lot of people called me crazy. But they didn't see what I saw.
"I saw a great defense. I saw a defense that won five games last year without any offense at all. I saw a young quarterback that could really throw the ball well. I saw a running back that went against eight- or nine-man fronts every game, and he still almost rushed for 1,000 yards, and he missed three games. And I loved the young talent. This team is going to be good for years."
For Muhammad, a personal challenge awaits Sunday when the Bears play host to the Carolina Panthers in a National Football Conference playoff game. Muhammad spent nine seasons with the Panthers, including his breakout season in 2004, when he caught 93 passes for a league-leading 1,405 yards.
Some of Muhammad's closest friends still play for the Panthers, and when the Bears defeated Carolina, 13-3, during the regular season, Muhammad admitted he was nervous. Though Muhammad caught six passes for 49 yards and a touchdown, he also dropped three passes, including one in the end zone.
Will the prospect of playing the Panthers unnerve Muhammad again? This time, he is determined for the Panthers to see him at his best.
"I think it will be a lot easier for me, because the ice has been broken," Muhammad said. "It was very awkward the first time. I had never played anywhere but Carolina, and it was a strange feeling being on the opposite side. It affected me. But that game is over. Our season is at stake, and we're all looking forward to this challenge."
While Muhammad's numbers are down from a season ago (64 catches, four touchdowns), his role in Chicago is far different than it was in Carolina. The Panthers throw the ball more frequently than the Bears, who employ a conservative, ball-control offense behind Jones, who rushed for 1,335 yards.
However, the Bears may diversify their attack Sunday, with Grossman starting. Injured most of the season, Grossman is a more accurate downfield passer than the rookie Kyle Orton, who started 15 games. The Bears can be more aggressive with Grossman, who makes no secret of his desire to get the ball to Muhammad.
"With a guy like Moose, you don't have to make a perfect throw," Grossman said. "He runs great routes, he's got terrific hands, and he's a guy the opposing defense has to respect. He just makes our whole offense better."
Muhammad has also contributed by being a mentor to Chicago's younger receivers, like Bernard Berrian, whose locker is next to Muhammad's at the Bears' practice facility.
"You can learn a lot from Moose -- how to practice, how to study film, how to run routes and how to stay patient," Berrian said. "I don't know if he wants to be looked at as a role model. But he's definitely a guy you can look to for direction."
GAME DAY
Like all the other playoff games this weekend, this is a rematch of a regular-season game. On the fifth weekend of the season, the Washington Redskins (11-6) beat the Seahawks on a field goal in overtime.
Don't expect a repeat. The Seattle Seahawks (13-3), with the best record in the conference, have won 11 of their last 12 games and are 8-0 at home. They lead the league in scoring (28.3 points a game). They get superb running from Shaun Alexander (a league-leading 1,880 yards and a league one-season record of 28 touchdowns) and good-enough passing from Matt Hasselbeck.
The Redskins squeezed past the Buccaneers, 17-10, last weekend despite an offense that gained only 120 yards, the lowest ever for a winning playoff team. Their only touchdown drive covered 6 yards. As quarterback Mark Brunell said, "We couldn't run it, and obviously we didn't throw well, either. But you don't care about numbers. We will take it."
The Redskins need a big running game from Clinton Portis, whose shoulders are battered. Unless he can gain at least 100 yards, the Redskins will be in deep trouble.
New England Patriots (11-6) at Denver Broncos (13-3)
A fascinating matchup of two offensive powerhouses with solid playoff success over the years. The Patriots have won 10 straight playoff games and the last two Super Bowls. The Broncos are in the playoffs for the third straight year.
After a shaky start, the Patriots' defense has improved, especially against the run. The Patriots will need that improvement against the second best running game in the league. That defense, with 19 sacks in the last four games, will get a workout from Jake Plummer, the Broncos' mobile and fearless quarterback. Five of the Patriots' last six opponents, including the Jaguars last week, have gained fewer than 100 yards rushing.
The Broncos have improved this season by bringing in a flock of veteran defensive linemen, and they will give Tom Brady, the Patriots' quarterback, a good workout.
Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5) at Indianapolis Colts (14-2)
The Steelers are on a roll. They have won five straight games, the latest an upset of the Bengals last week when they knocked quarterback Carson Palmer out of the game and into knee surgery.
The Steelers have a strong defense, an insistent running game and secure quarterbacking from Ben Roethlisberger. A year ago, as a rookie, he threw five interceptions in two playoff games. But as he said, "I'm more mature this year." And wideout Hines Ward said, "He's prepared now. He's not out there winging it."
The Colts are fresh because they clinched home-field advantage with three games left and have rested many starters.
Carolina Panthers (12-5) at Chicago Bears (11-5)
The Bears rank second and the Panthers third in the league in defense, and the Bears lead the league in fewest points allowed (12.6 a game). In smothering the Giants last week, the Panthers gave up only 109 yards, forced four turnovers by quarterback Eli Manning and held the ball almost 43 minutes.
The Panthers' creative defense may be better than the one that got them to the Super Bowl two seasons ago. The defensive line and cornerbacks are especially good. As defensive tackle Brentson Buckner said, "There's no weakness." The offense is decent, although when the Bears beat the Panthers eight weeks ago, 13-3, they sacked Jake Delhomme eight times.
The Bears have won 10 of their last 12 games.
The Panthers have a better offense, and that could make the difference in a low-scoring game. Look for an upset.
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