FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-179          12/19/03

IT’S WALL-TO-WALL BALL ON SATURDAY!

Here’s the plan for many an NFL fan tomorrow: get the holiday shopping done early, then settle back for an NFL tripleheader on national television.

The NFL’s annual Saturday late-season TV schedule (there will be three more national TV games next Saturday, too) will feature at least 10 hours of football, each game loaded with interesting scenarios and playoff implications 

Tomorrow’s NFL TV Tripleheader:

• ATLANTA FALCONS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS – FOX-TV, 1:30 PM ET:  Quarterback MICHAEL VICK and the Falcons visit the NFC South-rival Buccaneers. 
  
  These division foes are a simmering rivalry in the making.  Vick will continue his comeback from a broken leg, while the Bucs need a win to stay in playoff contention.
   
• KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS – CBS-TV, 5:15 PM ET:  It will be “Dante vs. Daunte.”   
  
  The Chiefs – with kick returner extraordinaire (and 2004 Pro Bowl selection) DANTE HALL – can improve their position for a first-round bye with a win, to add to their AFC West Division title.  The Vikings – with Pro Bowl quarterback DAUNTE CULPEPPER – need a victory for a possible division title or playoff berth this weekend. 
   
• NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at NEW YORK JETS -- ESPN, 8:30 PM ET:  Two longtime division rivals go at it again. 
  
  The Patriots can improve their homefield advantage possibilities for the playoffs with a win.  The Jets are out of playoff contention, but as New England linebacker TEDY BRUSCHI says, “It’s the Jets and we’re the Patriots.  Something’s going to happen.”  

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