While the makeup of the teams are rather different, there are some odd similarities in how the seasons played out and through the playoffs...

In 2000 we benched our starting QB during the season...in 2012 we fired our offensive coordinator.

In 2000 we endured a five game touchdown drought...in 2012 we endured a 3 game losing streak.

In 2000 we were the fourth seed...in 2012 we were the fourth seed.

In 2000 we defeated the Broncos easily at home in convincing fashion...in 2012 we did the same to the Colts.

In 2000 we faced the top seeded Titans in a game few thought we would win, and won the game with a pair of huge plays(Ray's int and Mitchell's blocked punt TD...In 2012 we defeated the top seeded Broncos, another game few thought we would win, with a pair of huge plays(Flacco's Bomb and Tucker's 47 yard boot).

In 2000 we faced the finesse Raiders team and dominated, with the game turning on a brutal hit(Sirgagusa's flop onto Gannon)...in 2012 we faced the finesse Patriots and dominated, with the game turning on another brutal hit(Pollard on Ridley).

In both years few picked us to win it all(but a few did), and in both years in the playoffs very few picked us in the divisional and championship games.

In both years we faced an NFC team that people seemed to get enamored with in the playoffs, despite our impressive runs.

Well, history will tell us how it plays out in two weeks...