Chad Pennington and Peyton Manning are friends. So are Herman Edwards and Tony Dungy. Indeed, the coaches of the Jets and Colts talked before the playoff matchups were set about how much fun it would be to play each other.

Edwards’ Jets are favored by six points at home against Indianapolis in today’s opening game of wild-card weekend.

The Colts and Jets haven’t met in this important a game since the 1969 Super Bowl.

Pennington, who grew up in Knoxville when Manning played in college at Tennessee, is playing better than his buddy right now. Curtis Martin is healthier than Edgerrin James, and New York finished 8-3 after a 1-4 start.

And while the Colts have improved on defense, they haven’t improved that much — the Giants scored 44 points on them two weeks ago in Indianapolis.

One edge for Indy: Manning has playoff experience. Pennington doesn’t.

Here’s what Dungy had to say about rival QB Pennington: “He’s not playing like he’s under any type of pressure at all right now.”

Or at least he hasn’t shown it.

JETS, 31-20

Atlanta (plus 6) at Green Bay, today

The Falcons took the Packers to overtime on opening day before losing 37-34 in a game that was the first indication of what impact Michael Vick would have on the NFL.

How much will Vick be able to do in Green Bay in January, especially at night? Maybe a lot, because he can skate with the best of them.

The Packers’ defense is beset by injuries and they probably won’t go far, although Brett Favre gives them a shot in any game.

Atlanta is a year and a couple of speedy receivers away. And the Packers have never lost a playoff game at Lambeau Field.

PACKERS, 24-13

Cleveland (plus 7 1/2) at Pittsburgh, Sunday

Browns fans got what they wanted when Tim Couch broke his leg — Kelly Holcomb at quarterback.

The Steelers’ playoff history at home isn’t great. In the last decade, they’ve lost three of the four AFC title games they’ve played in Pittsburgh.

If Holcomb holds up, Cleveland has a shot — the Browns lost twice to the Steelers, both by three points. But at this point, Cleveland is a “just glad to be here” team.

STEELERS, 20-16

New York Giants (minus 3 1/2) at San Francisco, Sunday

The Giants are a popular choice now, coming in with four straight wins, including their first two victories over winning teams — the Colts and Eagles.

New York has a long week (it closed its regular season Saturday) and the 49ers a short one (they wrapped up Monday night).

Like Atlanta-Green Bay, this is a reprise of an opening-week contest — San Francisco won 16-13 at the Meadowlands. But a lot has changed since then, especially New York’s offense, which has gotten a huge boost from Jim Fassel’s play-calling and rookie tight end Jeremy Shockey.

Stay with the hotter team.

GIANTS, 24-20