The NFL playoffs were going according to plan. It was all set up for the dream scenario — the top four seeds meeting in the conference championship games.

New Orleans and Minnesota held up their end of the bargain in the NFC and Indianapolis did likewise in the AFC. But San Diego's invitation to the party was stolen by the gate-crashing New York Jets.

After a weekend of lopsided wins by home teams, the Jets provided the only surprise by upsetting the host Chargers. While they are the least

glamorous of the NFL's Final Four, the Jets are playing with the most swagger.

They have won four straight games and seven of their last eight. Five of their last six victories have been on the road, including their conquests of Cincinnati and San Diego.

Now the Jets head to Indianapolis to play the Colts, who helped ignite the Jets' playoff run by laying down in a Week 16 home loss to Gang Green.

Here's a look back at the Divisional playoff games:

Rested and ready

It doesn't look like a week off hurt the Colts, Saints or Vikings. In fact, the bye helped them based on the ease with which they won their games.

While you certainly can take issue with the Colts intentionally giving away their last two regular-season games after a 14-0 start, you can't argue with the results on Saturday. Looking refreshed and focused, the Colts overwhelmed the Baltimore Ravens. Not only did the Colts play fast, they played like a team with a chip on its shoulder. Indy wanted to quiet its critics and erase its 0-3 record when coming off a first-round bye.

Quarterback Peyton Manning did what he usually does, and when the Colts' fast defense took away the strength of the Ravens' offense — their running game — the result was pretty much assured.

The Saints sure didn't look like a team that entered the postseason on a three-game losing streak in crushing Arizona, 45-14. The Cardinals' secondary lost key starters to injury, but it's doubtful their defense could have stopped quarterback Drew Brees and the Saints' high-powered offense.

The star of the game was Saints running back Reggie Bush, who finally looked like someone who was the second pick in the draft. He channeled his inner Gale Sayers with dazzling moves on a 46-yard touchdown and an 83-yard punt return for another TD.

The Vikings' 34-3 dismantling of Dallas was a surprise, especially with how well the Cowboys had been playing. But Vikings quarterback Brett Favre shredded the Cowboys, who were 3-0 against him in the playoffs. Dallas' offense also ran into a buzz saw known as the Vikings' defense. Quarterback Tony Romo was buried under an avalanche of Vikings pass rushers.

Wins by the Saints and Vikings set up a great matchup between the two best quarterbacks in the NFC. This has all the makings of an epic shootout, but don't discount the defenses' role in the outcome.

Winning old-school style

While the NFL has become a passing league, the Jets are getting it done with running the ball and playing great defense. Jets coach Rex Ryan was in Baltimore when the Ravens used the same formula to reach the AFC title game last year.

The Jets pounded the Chargers by running 39 times for 169 yards. For the second straight game, rookie running back Shonn Greene carried the offensive load for the Jets with 128 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown. He now has 263 yards in two postseason contests, replacing 1,400-yard rusher Thomas Jones as the Jets' primary back. The team's ability to run has minimized the need to put the game in the hands of rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez.

The Jets' stingy defense locked down the Chargers' usually explosive offense, which had scored at least 20 points in every game this season.

You can make the argument that the Chargers lost this game as much as the Jets won it. San Diego imploded with penalties, missed field goals and an inability to finish drives. There was also the questionable decision by coach Norv Turner to try an onsides kick with more than two minutes left.

But you can't take away what the Jets have accomplished. They'll be huge underdogs in Indianapolis, but they aren't the least bit intimidated. It's important to note that the Colts were only up five points when Manning and company went to the bench in the regular-season meeting.

It's hard to imagine the Jets beating Indy, but we've learned anything from them this postseason it is that anything is possible.

End of the line?

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson sounded like a guy who has played his last game in a Chargers uniform. He has clearly lost a step and his hefty contract might compel San Diego to give him a pink slip. Tomlinson has put up Hall of Fame numbers, but his career will always be marred by the string of poor playoff performances.

Have we seen the last of Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner? He can still play at a high level, but the string of concussions he's endured over the years have him thinking about his quality of life outside of football.

Injuries also have Ravens safety Ed Reed thinking about walking away from the game. Reed is one of the NFL's greatest playmakers. His loss would be a huge blow to a Ravens defense that is aging.