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FOR USE AS DESIRED CHRISTMAS WEEKEND KICKS OFF WITH FRIDAY & SATURDAY NATIONAL TV GAMES; 19 TEAMS VIE FOR FINAL FIVE PLAYOFF SPOTS; TOP SIX TEAMS POST BEST RECORD EVER Here’s a nice gift: three national TV games before Sunday arrives…19 clubs trying to squeeze into the final five NFL playoff spots…and six teams with the best cumulative record in history. The NFL is ready for the holiday weekend! It starts early with a December 24 nationally televised afternoon game that will decide the NFC North champion. Then it’s two games on Christmas Day starting late in the afternoon. As the NFL heads into Week 16, seven playoff berths have been clinched. Five remain with 19 teams in the hunt. "Every game for us is a playoff game," says Jacksonville Jaguars running back FRED TAYLOR, speaking for his team and the other 18 scrambling to get into the playoffs. Add the seven playoff teams to the 19 vying for the postseason and you have the most clubs ever in Super Bowl contention (26) with two weeks to go. Six division titles have been taken, and that "Sensational Six" is also a record-breaker. The six teams – Atlanta, Indianapolis, New England, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and San Diego – have combined for a 71-13 (.845) record, the best mark through 14 games in a season in history. The next best such record came all the way back in 1968 -- .839 (70-13-1; Baltimore, Dallas, Kansas City, LA Rams, NY Jets and Oakland). Week 16’s holiday scramble -- in which one team in the AFC can qualify for homefield advantage, one for a first-round bye and two for the playoffs; and three in the NFC can win their divisions, and one other can make the playoffs -- starts on Friday: FRIDAY, CHRISTMAS EVE DAY: GREEN BAY PACKERS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS (FOX, 3:00 PM ET) -- The division decider -- as simple as that. Whichever team wins takes the NFC North title. The story lines are plentiful: Packers quarterback BRETT FAVRE has a 3-9 record in the Metrodome. "It hasn’t been one of my favorite places to play," he says……Vikings wide receiver RANDY MOSS lights up when he sees the green and gold. He has more career receiving yards (1,213) and touchdowns (11) against the Packers than any other team, despite missing the last game on November 14 with an injury…and in that game – a 34-31 Packers win, the Vikings came back twice from 14-point deficits to tie it at 31 before a RYAN LONGWELL field goal won it as time expired . Favre and Minnesota quarterback DAUNTE CULPEPPER each threw for four touchdowns. SATURDAY, CHRISTMAS DAY: OAKLAND RAIDERS at KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (CBS, 5:00 PM ET) -- The last time the Chiefs played on Christmas, it turned out to be the "Longest Game Ever Played." On December 25, 1971, Kansas City faced the Miami Dolphins in an AFC Divisional Playoff that went to double-overtime, with the Dolphins winning 27-24 in a game that took 82 minutes and 40 seconds to play – the longest contest in NFL history. NFL FACTOID THE POINTS KEEP COMING!: For the second time in three weeks, the NFL posted a top-10 point total for all games. In Week 15, 748 points were scored, the sixth most in a week. That follows the 788 points of Week 13, which tied Week 1 of 2002 for the most ever. NFL games are averaging 43.2 points per game, up from 41.8 at this time last year.
Both teams come off impressive performances. The Chiefs (still in playoff contention) have won three in a row, in large part due to the fellow who has replaced an injured PRIEST HOLMES – running back LARRY JOHNSON. The club’s first-round pick a year ago, Johnson has gone over 100 yards in all three of those wins, with five TDs. The Raiders defeated Tennessee in Week 15 in a wild 40-35 shootout. Quarterback KERRY COLLINS threw for a season-high 371 yards and matched his career-high with five touchdowns, three to JERRY PORTER. The loud Arrowhead crowd doesn’t seem to bother the Raiders. They have won three of the past five games in K.C. SATURDAY, CHRISTMAS NIGHT: DENVER BRONCOS at TENNESSEE TITANS (ESPN, 8:30 PM ET) – Denver is still in the playoff battle. Tennessee is playing like it is. The Broncos, after a 7-3 start, have lost three of their past four, but they are among the most balanced teams in the league. They are the only NFL club with top-10 rankings in the six main offensive and defensive categories of total, rushing and passing yards gained and allowed. Broncos safety JOHN LYNCH is grateful to be playing on Saturday after losing to Kansas City last Sunday. "It’s better to come back on a short turnaround," says Lynch. "You don’t want to wait seven days. You want to go play right now. And we have that opportunity." The Titans have gotten consistent performances recently from two key players that bode well for next year. Quarterback BILLY VOLEK, in replacing an injured STEVE MC NAIR, has thrown for 400 yards in his last two games with eight touchdowns. In fact, in the seven games he has substituted for McNair, the undrafted Volek has thrown for 19 touchdowns and posted at least a 90.0 passer rating five times. A lot of those passes have been going to wideout DREW BENNETT, who followed up his Week 14 NFL season single-game high of 233 yards with a team record-tying 13 catches for 160 yards last week. The former UCLA walk-on has a career-best 1,171 yards, doubling his output of 2003. So, as the NFL enters the final two weeks of its season, following is a rundown by division of the playoff possibilities for Week 16. Thirteen of the 16 games on the schedule have playoff implications: AFC EAST One division winner and two teams vying for the playoffs. And two of them meet this week. The Super Bowl XXXVIII champion NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-2) have won the division and can clinch a first-round bye with a win Sunday at the NEW YORK JETS (10-4). New York can earn its second playoff berth in the past three years with a win over its longtime rival. "It’s a true test for us," says Jets running back LA MONT JORDAN. "If we can beat the Patriots, that shows we deserve to be in the playoffs, and actually have a good shot of winning the Super Bowl." The BUFFALO BILLS (8-6), having won their past five games and seven of their last eight – all after an 0-4 start – are still in playoff contention. Miami has been eliminated from the playoff race.
"Strength of victory": Season-ending winning percentage of all opponents a team has defeated. AFC NORTH Big game this week between the two teams in the division involved in the playoff race. The PITTSBURGH STEELERS, 13-1 this year after a 6-10 season in 2003, have won the division and can earn a first-round bye this week and even homefield advantage. They play the division-rival BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-6), who handed the Steelers their lone loss of the season in Week 2 (30-13). "We’ve been getting the best efforts from a lot of football teams," says Pittsburgh head coach BILL COWHER. "I don’t think this weekend will be any different."
Cincinnati and Cleveland have been eliminated from the playoff race. AFC SOUTH One club in, a second can be this week, and a third is striving to. The INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-3), for whom quarterback PEYTON MANNING actually threw only one TD pass last week – the lone time this year he has not thrown at least two – have won the division. With at least his usual two this Sunday against San Diego, Manning (with 47 TD passes) will break the NFL record of most such passes in a season of DAN MARINO (48) in 1984. The JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-6) can capture their first playoff berth since 1999 this week with a win and various other scenarios. They come off a rousing victory in frozen Green Bay. "We kept hope alive, and that’s a great thing," says Jaguars cornerback RASHEAN MATHIS, who intercepted BRETT FAVRE twice. The HOUSTON TEXANS (6-8) are still in the playoff race. Tennessee has been eliminated.
AFC WEST The SAN DIEGO CHARGERS, 11-3 after tying for the fewest victories in the league last year (4-12), have won their first division title since 1994, the year they went to Super Bowl XXIX. They will try to prevent Manning from breaking Marino’s record this week, but meanwhile, prepare for the playoffs. "We’ve got a long way to go," says San Diego quarterback DREW BREES, tied with Philadelphia’s DONOVAN MC NABB as the third-rated passer in the league (103.8). "But this feels great. It’s been a long road for San Diego fans and us. It feels great because we weren’t expected to do too much this year. Instead of 11-3, a lot of people thought we’d be 3-11." The DENVER BRONCOS (8-6) and KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-8) are still in playoff contention. Oakland has been eliminated.
NFC EAST The PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (13-1) have taken their fourth division title in a row, and aim to go beyond their fourth NFC Championship Game in a row. The Eagles are confident they can go far into the playoffs despite losing one of their key offensive sparks, injured wide receiver TERRELL OWENS. "Can the offense go on?" says head coach ANDY REID. "Absolutely. We’ve got some pretty good players on this offensive unit. They’ll still function and do very well, this week or for however many. That’s a mind-set we’ve always had here, and we’ll keep that up.
The DALLAS COWBOYS (5-9), NEW YORK GIANTS (5-9) and WASHINGTON REDSKINS (5-9) are still in playoff contention. NFC NORTH The division winner will be decided this Friday in Minneapolis when the MINNESOTA VIKINGS (8-6) host the GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-6), who have already clinched a playoff berth. The game preview is above, but Packers head coach MIKE SHERMAN speaks for both himself and the other "Mike," Vikings coach MIKE TICE, when he says, "Our goal is to win the division. That is still out there."
The DETROIT LIONS (5-9) and CHICAGO BEARS (5-9) are still in playoff contention. NFC SOUTH The ATLANTA FALCONS (11-3), coming off a 34-31 overtime win over the CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-8) – thanks to a MICHAEL VICK-flying-through-the-air, 12-yard, fourth-down TD scamper that tied the game – have clinched their first division title since 1998, the season they went to Super Bowl XXXIII. The Panthers can earn their second playoff spot in a row – after beginning the season 1-7 – this week against division-rival Tampa Bay. A win and other scenarios get them in. Panthers defensive end MIKE RUCKER is ready. "There’s no quit in this team," he says. "You’ve got to keep your head up, keep pushing forward and finish this thing strong and let the chips fall where they may."
The NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (6-8) and TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-9) are still in playoff contention.
NFC WEST Three teams still in the playoff race, and one – the division-leading SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-7) -- can secure a lot this week. "If you can get into the playoffs, hopefully you start playing well and make a run for it," says Seattle quarterback MATT HASSELBECK. "We’re still alive, and we’re excited about it."
The ST.LOUIS RAMS (6-8) and ARIZONA CARDINALS (5-9) are still in playoff contention. San Francisco has been eliminated.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24 GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-6) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (8-6)
STATS
NOTES PACKERS: Offense has posted 400 yards in 9 of 14 games, equaling total from ‘01-03……Club 23-9 (.719) vs. division under MIKE SHERMAN……QB BRETT FAVRE has 3,527 pass yards & needs 473 in final 2 games for 4th 4,000-yard season, which would tie WARREN MOON (4) for 3rd-most all-time. Has 64-30 (.681) record vs. division foes……RB AHMAN GREEN rushed for 94 yards last week, topping 1,000 yards for 5th season in row, tying JIM TAYLOR (5) for most in team history……WR JAVON WALKER leads NFL with 31 receptions & 518 yards on 3rd down, helping club to 47.8 3rd down conversion rate (86 of 180), 2nd in NFL to Min (52.9). WR DONALD DRIVER has career-best 72 catches for 998 yards. Needs 67 yards for career-high (1,064, ’02). TE BUBBA FRANKS has 5 TD catches, tied for 3rd-most among NFC TEs……DE KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA has 9.5 sacks & needs 0.5 to become 1st Packer with 4 10-sack years in row. Club 13-4 since signing DT GRADY JACKSON (11/4/03)……VIKINGS: Club avgs. 6.4 yards per play & 283.1 pass yards per game, both 2nd-most in NFL……Head coach MIKE TICE is 11-6 vs. NFC North…... QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER has 34 TD passes & 4,133 yards & needs 1 TD & 132 yards for club single-season records (RANDALL CUNNINGHAM, 34, ’98; Moon, 4,264, ’94). Has NFL best 135.3 rating on 3rd downs (83-115, 1,225 yards, 19 TDs, 3 INT) & 11 4th-qrt TD passes, most in NFL…….Second-year RB ONTERRIO SMITH has team-high 539 rush yards in 10 games & needs 41 to surpass ‘03 total (579)……WR RANDY MOSS has 18 TDs in last 16 games, including career-best 82-yard TD last wk. Had 102 yards vs. Det, passing CRIS CARTER (40) with his 41st-career 100-yard game, most in club history. Club is 29-12 when Moss tops 100. Second-year WR NATE BURLESON has 847 yards & needs 153 for 1st 1,000-yard season……Second-year DT KEVIN WILLIAMS leads NFL DTs with 10 sacks.SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25 OAKLAND RAIDERS (5-9) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-8)
STATS
NOTES RAIDERS: Team has NFL’s 2nd-toughest strength of schedule pct.
(.582)......In past 5 games QB KERRY COLLINS has 14 TDs vs. 4 INTs.
Collins (3,136) has reached 3,000+ passing yds in 5 consecutive years. In
earlier meeting (Wk. 13), Collins posted season-high 116.2 passer rating on
27 of 41 (65.9 pct.) passing for 343 yards w. 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs……In past 4
gms, RB J.R. REDMOND averaging 5.6 yds/carry on 12 atts. Redmond has
2+ catches in 6 of past 8. Redmond caught season-high 5 passes in Wk 13 vs.
KC. RB AMOS ZEREOUE has catch in 13 consecutive games……Among AFC
players w/ 50+ catches, WR JERRY PORTER is 3rd in yds/catch (15.9).
Last wk vs. Tenn., Porter posted career-highs in catches (8), yards (148) &
TDs (3) & needs 94 rec. yds for 1st career 1,000-yd season. Four of club’s 5
pass plays of 50+ yds have come in past 4 games……CB-PR PHILLIP BUCHANON
has 7 TDs in 36 career games. Has 4 TDs on defense & 3 PR-TDs ……T
LANGSTON WALKER has blocked PAT & FG try in 2004……CHIEFS:
QB TRENT GREEN has 7 games w/ 100.0+ passer rating on season. Green
has 629 completions in 2003-04 for most in 2-year span in club history……RB
LARRY JOHNSON has 2 rush TDs in back-to-back games. Johnson has 3
consecutive 100+ rush yd games – tied for 2nd longest such streak in club
history……With 2 TD catches last wk, WR EDDIE KENNISON has 3 multi-TD
games in 2004. TE TONY GONZALEZ has 6+ catches in 6 of past 8 & has 5
career TDs vs. Oak. – his most vs. any opponent…… G WILL SHIELDS aims
to make his 190th consecutive start. Offense has scored 106 1st qtr points,
3rd-most in club history. Team has surpassed 300 yds in total offense in 12
games, tying franchise single-season record (2002)…… Defense has 14.0 sacks
in past 3 games; had 6.0 sacks last wk vs. Denver, Broncos had allowed 9.0
sacks in 1st 13 games combined. CB DEXTER MC CLEON recorded 1st 2-INT
game last wk……With 97-yd KR-TD last wk, WR-KR-PR DANTE HALL is club’s
all-time leader in KR-TDs w/ 5 & became club’s all-time leader in special
teams TDs w/ 9. DENVER BRONCOS (8-6) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (4-10)
STATS
NOTES BRONCOS: Head coach MIKE SHANAHAN has 99 regular season
wins w/ Broncos. Including playoffs, Shanahan is 1 of 12 coaches in NFL
history to win 100 games w/ 1 team within 1st 10 years w/ club. Since 1995,
Shanahan’s 106 wins are most in NFL……QB JAKE PLUMMER is club’s
all-time leader in passer rating (84.9) w/ min. 500 attempts & stands 4th in
AFC w/ 23 TD passes. From 1997-2002, Plummer was 30-52 (.366) as starter w/
Arizona; since joining Broncos in 2003, Plummer is 17-8 (.680)……RB REUBEN
DROUGHNS has 100+ rush yds in 6 of past 10 & has rush TD in 3 of past 5.
Droughns is 5th Denver RB under Shanahan to post 1,000+ rush yds……WR ROD
SMITH has 10 4+ catch-games for 8th consecutive season. WR ASHLEY
LELIE has 20+ yard catch in 13 of 14 games & leads NFL in 30+ yd TD
catches (6). Lelie has 60+ rec. yards in 7 of past 8. Rookie WR DARIUS
WATTS (No. 54) needs 10 catches to surpass MARK JACKSON (38,
1986) for 3rd-most by Denver rookie……DE REGGIE HAYWARD has 1.0 sack
in 4 of past 6. Allowing 2nd-fewest 4th qtr points in NFL (48) & have
shutout opponents in 8 of 14 4th qtrs……S NICK FERGUSON leads club w/
13 ST tackles……TITANS: Team has scored 73 points in past 2
games. Last wk at Oak., QB BILLY VOLEK became 1st QB in franchise
history to pass for 400+ yds in back-to-back games. In past 2 games, Volek
has 8 TDs vs. 1 INT & 1 TD rushing. Volek has 40+ yd TD pass in 3 of past 4
games. Passed for 5th-most yds in team history in Wk 14 vs. KC (426) &
2nd-most last wk at Oak (492). Volek No. 3 in AFC TD pct. (5.5)……In 4 career
gms vs. Den., RB ANTOWAIN SMITH has 4.5-yd-per-carry avg. on 58 rush
attempts……WR DERRICK MASON (1,055) is 1st player in franchise history
to reach 1,000 yds in 4 consecutive seasons. Mason has TD catch in 5 of past
6 games. WR DREW BENNETT (10) is franchise’s 1st WR w/ 10 TDs since
DREW HILL (10, 1988). Bennett has 8 TD catches & 517 receiving yds in
past 3. Team No. 4 in AFC in 1st qtr points (89)……Rookie tandem of DT
RANDY STARKS (No. 71; 4.5) & DE TRAVIS LA BOY (No. 42; 3.5) have
at least 1.0 sack in 5 of past 7 games. CB ANDRE DYSON tied for 4th
in AFC w/ career-high 5 INTs. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26 NEW YORK GIANTS (5-9) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (6-8)
STATS
NOTES GAME FEATURES NO. 1 OVERALL DRAFT PICKS – QBs CARSON PALMER (Cin. 2003) & ELI MANNING (NYG 2004)…… GIANTS: Club has won 8 of last 11 December games vs. AFC……QB Manning had 1st multiple TD pass game (2) last week, posting 103.9 rating. In 5 starts, has 4 40+ yard completions……RB TIKI BARBER has 6,723 career rushing yards & needs 175 in final 2 games to pass RODNEY HAMPTON (6,897) for franchise record. Has 8 100-yard rushing games & needs 1 to pass JOE MORRIS (8, ’86) for single-season team record……WR AMANI TOOMER has 48 catches & needs 2 for 6th 50-catch season in row. Has 466 career receptions, 2nd to Barber (469) in club history……TE JEREMY SHOCKEY ties for lead among NFC TEs with career-high 6 TD catches. Has 5+ catches or 80+ yards in 7 of last 8 games vs. AFC……Defense holds foes to 188.6 passing yards per game, 8th in NFL……DE OSI UMENYIORA has team-leading & career-high 6.0 sacks, including 1.5 in last 2 vs. AFC……KR WILLIE PONDER had 91-yard KR TD vs. Pit & avgs. 28.0 yards per KR, best in NFL……BENGALS: Club needs 2 wins for 16 in 2 seasons under head coach MARVIN LEWIS; would be team’s most wins in 2-yr span since 1989-90 (17). QB CARSON PALMER’s TDs have outnumbered INTs in past 4 starts. Offense has scored 20+ points in 6 of past 9 ……RB RUDI JOHNSON (1,324) on pace to set club record for rush yds in season (COREY DILLON, 1,435, 2000) & ranks 4th in AFC in rush 1st downs (65). In 2 gms vs. NFC, Dillon has 197 rush yds & 1 TD……WR CHAD JOHNSON (82) is 3rd in NFL in receptions & aims to become 1st Bengal to lead NFL in category for season. In past 4, WR T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH has 30 catches for 438 yds & 3 TDs. WR KELLEY WASHINGTON posted 2nd-most rec. yds in career last wk vs. Buf. w/60……O-line allowed 0 sacks in 2 of past 4……CB TORY JAMES (7), No. 2 among NFL INT leaders & needs 2 INTs to tie club record for most in season (KEN RILEY, 9, 1976). No Bengal has led NFL in INTs. Last wk, DE CARL POWELL had 2.0 sacks & FF.CHICAGO BEARS (5-9) AT DETROIT LIONS (5-9)
STATS
NOTES BEARS: QB CHAD HUTCHINSON has started last 3 games, passing for 593 yards & 3 TDs. Has 2 INTs in 97 att. Spent spring with NFL Europe’s Rhein Fire. Is 1 of record 263 NFLE vets on ‘04 rosters……RB THOMAS JONES has career-high 731 rush yards, increasing rush total every season since entering NFL in ’00. Has career-high 49 rec (389 yards), tied for 3rd-most among NFL RBs……WR DAVID TERRELL has team-leading 590 rec yards (36 catches). Avgs 16.4 yards per catch, 2nd in NFC (min. 30 catches). Had 5 catches for 126 yards in last meeting. Terrell & RB ANTHONY THOMAS were college stars at Michigan. WR BOBBY WADE has 34 rec (427 yards), 16 on 3rd down…... Defense holds foes to 30.3 pct. on 3rd down conversions (59 of 195), 2nd in NFL, & 23.1 pct. on 4th down (3 of 13), 3rd in NFL… DE ALEX BROWN has 6 sacks in last 7 games. Rookie 1st-round DT TOMMIE HARRIS has 3.5 sacks, 2nd among rookie DTs……Rookie 4th-round CB NATHAN VASHER ties for 3rd among rookies with 5 INTs. S MIKE GREEN ties for NFL lead with 4 def. fumble recoveries……Club avgs. 11.1 yards per PR, 4th in NFL…..LIONS: QB JOEY HARRINGTON had career-high 361 yards vs. Min, with 2 TDs. Has 17 TD passes & needs 1 for career-best (17, ’03)…... Rookie 1st-round RB KEVIN JONES (No. 30) has rushed for 431 yards in last 3 games, with 2 150s, & 711 yards in last 6. Leads NFL rookies with 938 rushing yards & needs 62 to become 1st Lion rookie with 1,000 since BARRY SANDERS (1,470, ‘89)……Rookie 1st-round WR ROY WILLIAMS (No. 7) had 7 rec for 104 yards (2 TD) vs. Min. Has 7 TDs, tied for NFL rookie lead. Needs TD catch to pass WILLIE GREEN (7, ’91) for club rookie mark. His 722 yards ranks 2nd among rookies & surpassed EARL MC CULLOUCH (680, ’68) for club rookie record…..WR AZ-ZAHIR HAKIM avgs. 17.8 yards per catch (29 for 517), 2nd in NFC (min. 20 rec)……D-line has 28.5 of club’s 36 sacks……DE JAMES HALL leads club with career-high 11.5 sacks. Needs 0.5 for 1st 12.0 sack year by Lion since ’99 (ROBERT PORCHER, 15)……CB DRE BLY has 4 INTs & bids to become 1st player to lead team outright 2 years in row since BOBBY WATKINS (’84-’85).SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (11-3) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-3)
STATS
NOTES GAME FEATURES AFC’s 2 highest-rated passers: Indy’s PEYTON
MANNING (123.9) & SD’s DREW BREES (103.8) ……CHARGERS:
Club has clinched 1st AFC West title since 1994 when team advanced to Super
Bowl XXIX……Head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER is 5th coach in NFL
history to guide 3 teams to playoffs (Browns, Chiefs, Chargers). Club has
won 8 in row……In past 4 road games, QB Brees has completed 94 of 140 (67.1
pct.) passes for 1,112 yds w/ 5 TDs vs. 1 INT for 101.1 passer rating. Brees
has 70+ yd TD pass in consecutive weeks……RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON has
16 TDs on season, tied for most in NFL (SHAUN ALEXANDER, Sea.).
Tomlinson has TD in club-record 11 games in row; NFL record is 13 (JOHN
RIGGINS, Wash., 1982-83; GEORGE ROGERS, Wash., 1985-86).
Tomlinson needs 400 scrimmage yds to reach 2,000 in 3rd season in row……TE
ANTONIO GATES has 12 TD catches, tying NFL record for most in season by
TE. WR ERIC PARKER has multiple catches in 9 consecutive games……LB
DONNIE EDWARDS has 3 INTs in past 2 games. Defense No. 2 in NFL vs. rush
(80.9)……COLTS: Head coach TONY DUNGY on longest win
streak of career (7 games)……QB Manning (47) needs 2 TD passes to surpass NFL
record for most in season (DAN MARINO, 48, 1984). Last week, team
extended club record to 474 points scored in season & may become 11th team
in NFL history to post 500……RB EDGERRIN JAMES has 127.8 scrimmage yd
avg. in 79 career games. In career, James has 40 100-yd rush games & 39
sub-100s & stands No 2 in NFL w/ 1,464 rush yds……WR MARVIN HARRSION
(14) needs 2 TD catches to surpass career-best in season. Harrison & Manning
have combined for 82 TD completions, NFL record is 85 (STEVE YOUNG-JERRY
RICE, SF, 1987-99). Club can become 1st team in NFL history w/ 4 players
w/ 10 TDs: Harrsion (14), WR REGGIE WAYNE (11), WR BRANDON STOKLEY
(9), & RB James (9)……Offensive line has allowed NFL-low 9 QB sacks......Team
owns NFL-best +20 turnover margin……DE DWIGHT FREENEY has 3 multi-sack
games in row & leads NFL (15.0). Freeney has posted 10+ sacks in each of 1st
3 seasons. HOUSTON TEXANS (6-8) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-6)
STATS
NOTES TEXANS: QB DAVID CARR posted his 2nd-highest passer rating
of season vs. Jax in Wk 8 (109.4). In 4 career games vs. Jags, Carr has
completed 82 of 118 (69.5 pct.) for 922 yds w/ 4 TDs vs. 2 INTs for 96.8
passer rating. Carr has 90.0+ passer rating in 7 of 14 games & stands 4th in
AFC passing yds (3,286). Leads AFC QBs w/ 244 rush yards on 60 carries (4.1
avg.). Club is +7 in INT differential; was -4 & -5 in category in ’03 & ’02,
respectively……RB DOMANICK DAVIS has rush TD in 6 of past 7 games,
including 4 in row. Davis needs 73 rush yds for 2nd 1,000-yard season to
begin career. Davis leads AFC RBs w/ 515 receiving yds……In last mtg, WR
ANDRE JOHNSON recorded 9 receptions, his 2nd-most receptions in 31
career games. Johnson has 18 catches of 20+ yards, tied for 7th-most in
league. Johnson has 4+ catches in 10 games this season. Offense has 4,557
total yds; had 4,306 in all of 2003……Defense tied for 3rd in NFL w/ 19 INTs,
led by rookie CB DUNTA ROBINSON (No. 10) w/ 6. Team has INT in 10 of
past 13 gms. Defense allowed only 39 rush yds to Jax in Wk 8 & intercepted
Jax’s Leftwich 2 times, drawing 57.0 passer rating……JAGUARS:
Under head coach JACK DEL RIO, team is 5-3 in last 5 games of
season……Since returning from injury (Wks 10-11), QB BYRON LEFTWICH
has thrown 126 passes w/ 1 INT vs. 6 TDs. Leftwich stands 5th among AFC
passers on 3rd down w/ 95.2 rating……In 2 career home games vs. Houston,
RB FRED TAYLOR has 247 rush yds on 49 carries (5.0 avg.) w/ 1 TD. Taylor
ranks 4th in AFC w/ 1,569 total scrimmage yards (1,224 rush & 345
receiving)…… WR JIMMY SMITH is 1 of 3 AFC players w/ 1,100+ rec. yds
& is No. 2 in NFL in per-catch avg. (16.4) among players w/ 50+ catches.
WR TROY EDWARDS has multiple catches in 13 of 14 games this season.
TE TODD YODER has catch in 5 of past 6 games…… Defense limited Houston
RB Davis to 2.5 rush avg. on 22 carries in last meeting. DT JOHN
HENDERSON has started every game in ’04. LBs MIKE PETERSON (152)
& AKIN AYODELE (114) rank 1st & 2nd on club in tackles. Defense No. 7
in league vs. run (100.8)……PR DAVID ALLEN has 75 PR yds on past 7
returns (10.7 avg.). ATLANTA FALCONS (11-3) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (6-8)
STATS
NOTES FALCONS: Club has clinched division title & 1st-round bye……Head coach JIM MORA has 11 wins, most in club history by 1st-year head coach. His father, JIM MORA, is Saints all-time winningest coach (93-78, 1986-96)……QB MICHAEL VICK is 23-11-1 as starter, including wins in 13 of last 16, & his .671 win pct. is best in team annals. Leads QBs with 889 rushing yards & needs 80 to pass BOBBY DOUGLASS (968, ’72) for most rushing yards by QB in single season all-time. Tops NFL with 7.6 yards per carry avg. RB WARRICK DUNN had season highs with 34 carries & 134 yards last week. Needs 78 yards for 3rd-career 1,000-yard season & 1st with Atl. Club avgs 169.6 rush yards per game, 1st in NFL….. WR PEERLESS PRICE leads club WRs with 32 catches & 480 yards. WR DEZ WHITE had season-high 71 rec yards (3 catches, TD) last week……ALGE CRUMPLER has club TE record with 48 catches & 774 yards. Has 17 catches of 20+ yards, best among NFL TEs……DT ROD COLEMAN ranks 2nd among NFL DTs with 8.5 sacks. Needs 1.5 to join DE PATRICK KERNEY as 1st Atl duo with 10 sacks since ‘97 (CHUCK SMITH, TRAVIS HALL)……SAINTS: QB AARON BROOKS has 19 TD passes & needs 1 to become 1st Saints QB with 4 20-TD pass seasons in row. Has 8 career 300-yard passing games & needs 1 to tie ARCHIE MANNING (9) for most in club history. Has started 67 games in row, 3rd-longest active streak in NFL……RB DEUCE MC ALLISTER seeks 4th consecutive 100 yard rushing game vs. Atl & has 4 100s in last 5 vs. Falcs. Scored on 54-yard run vs. Atl on 12/9/01, his 1st NFL TD……WR JOE HORN needs 52 yards for 3rd-career 1,300-yard season. Needs 10 catches for career high (94, ’00). Third-year WR DONTE STALLWORTH has career-highs with 53 catches & 674 yards. Had game-winning 7-yard TD catch last week. WR JEROME PATHON avgs. career-best 16.8 yards per catch (27 for 454)……DE CHARLES GRANT has 8.5 sacks & needs 1.5 for 2nd 10.0-sack year in row. Rookie 1st round DE WILL SMITH (No. 18) has 6.0 sacks, 1st in NFC & 2nd among NFL rookies……PR MICHAEL LEWIS has 113 career PRs & needs 4 to pass TYRONE HUGHES (116) for most in club history.BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-6) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (13-1)
STATS
NOTES ROAD TEAM has won 7 of past 12……RAVENS: Aim for 1st
season sweep vs. Steelers in club history. In past 2 games, QB KYLE
BOLLER has 5 TDs vs. 2 INTs w/ 200+ pass yds in each……RB JAMAL LEWIS
gained 176 rush yards & scored 3 TDs on 51 carries in past 2 vs. Pitt. Lewis
had 130 rush yds last wk for most in 7 games played……In past 2 vs. Steelers,
WR KEVIN JOHNSON has 5 catches for 52 yds & 1 TD. Rookie WR
CLARENCE MOORE (No. 199) has pair of 2-TD games in past 6. TE TODD
HEAP has 3 TDs on 9 catches in past 2 games……Defense has denied RB
Bettis 100 yards rushing in past 9 games & limited him to 65 or fewer yards
in 7 of past 9. LB RAY LEWIS has INT in 2 of past 3 vs. Pitt. In 1st
mtg, CB CHRIS MC ALISTER recorded 51-yd INT-TD. In 46 career games,
S ED REED has blocked 4 punts, recorded 20 INTs & scored 6 TDs;
Steelers P CHRIS GARDOCKI holds NFL record for most punts w/o 1
blocked (1,042). Ravens are 14-3 (.824) when Reed records INT. In Wk 2,
LB ADALIUS THOMAS chalked up 3 PDs, including INT. Defense permitting
opposing QBs league-low passer rating (67.7)……STEELERS: Win
earns club 13-game win streak for longest in team history……Head coach
BILL COWHER is 45-18 (.714) vs. AFC North & 12-6 (.667) vs. Ravens. Club
has scored 26+ points in 5 of past 7 vs. Balt……First meeting (Wk 2) was 1 of
2 games not started by rookie QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER (No. 11), who has
won 1st 12 starts to begin career & holds franchise record for most
consecutive winning starts by QB. Passed for season-high 316 yards last wk &
is 7th-ranked QB in NFL (96.3)…… RB JEROME BETTIS has 5 100 rush yds
in past 7 games. Carried ball 36 times last wk for 140 yds, tying 3rd-most
rush attempts in game in club annals……In past 4 vs. Balt., WR HINES WARD
has 29 catches for 385 yards & 4 TDs. Ward needs 28 rec. yds for 1,000 in
4th year in row. Ward caught 500th career pass last wk at NYG & stands 2nd
in club history w/ 500 (JOHN STALLWORTH, 537). WR-KR ANTWAAN
RANDLE EL last wk posted 149 rec. yds, caught 1 TD & passed for 1 TD……CB
WILLIE WILLIAMS recorded 1st INT of season last week, helping seal
victory at NYG. CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-8) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-9)
STATS
NOTES PANTHERS: Club avgs 29.3 points in last 6 games, winning 5……QB
JAKE DELHOMME has 100+ rating in 4 of last 6 starts. Has 10 4th-qrt TD
passes, 2nd in NFL. Has 90.7 4th-qrt rating (75-136, 994 yards, 4 INT), 2nd
in NFC. Needs 135 yards to become 2nd Panther with 3,500-yard year (STEVE
BEUERLEIN)……RB NICK GOINGS has 518 rush yards in last 5 games,
including 4 100s……WR MUHSIN MUHAMMAD has career-high 12 TD catches,
tied for 3rd in NFL, & 10 in last 8 games. Avgs. 7 rec & 113 yards in last 8
games (56-905). Needs 59 to top his club record (1,253, ’99). Rookie 2nd-rnd
WR KEARY COLBERT has 711 rec yards, 3rd-most among NFL rookies, &
ranks 3rd in NFL with 16.2 yard per catch avg (min 40 rec). Has 44 catches &
needs 1 for team rookie record (RAE CARRUTH, 44, ’97)……TE KRIS
MANGUM has career-high 26 rec (247 yards), most by club TE since ’01 (WESLEY
WALLS, 43)……Defense leads NFL with 24 INT…… DE JULIUS PEPPERS
scored 2nd TD of year last week on 60-yard FR……Rookie 1st-round CB CHRIS
GAMBLE (No. 28) ties for rookie lead with 6 INTs…… BUCCANEERS:
Club seeks 5th win in last 6 home games……QB BRIAN GRIESE has played
in 10 games & has TD pass in each, posting 95.0+ passer rating in 6 of 10.
Completes 68.8 pct. of pass attempts (203 of 295), 2nd-best in NFL……RB
MICHAEL PITTMAN has 10 TDs in 11 games, tied for 6th-most in NFC. Avgs.
107.5 yards from scrimmage in ’04……Rookie 1st-round WR MICHAEL CLAYTON
leads NFL rookies with 74 rec, most by rookie in franchise history. Had 53
yards last week, becoming 1st Bucs rookie with 1,000-yard season. Has 90+
receiving yards in 5 of last 11. WR JOEY GALLOWAY had 3 yard TD catch
& 59-yard PR TD vs. Saints. Has 4 TDs in last 2 games & seeks 3rd multi-TD
game in row. WR TIM BROWN has 100 career TD rec & needs 1 to pass
STEVE LARGENT (100) for 3rd all-time……Defense has forced turnover in 69
of last 71 games. Club allows 161.2 pass yards per game, fewest in NFL……DE
SIMEON RICE has 12.5 sacks after posting 3.5 vs. NO. Needs 4.5 in final
2 games for career high (16.5, ’99). DE DEWAYNE WHITE has 0.5+ sacks
in 6 of last 8 & career-best 5.5 in ’04. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-2) AT NEW YORK JETS (10-4)
STATS
NOTES PATRIOTS: Club clinches 1st Round bye in playoffs with victory &
is 18-5 (.783) in past 23 division games under head coach BILL BELICHICK.
Club is 43-3 (.935) under Belichick when scoring 21+ points. Patriots are
18-2 (.900) since 1993 when kickoff temperature is 35°F or colder……QB TOM
BRADY is 5-1 (.833) in 6 starts vs. NYJ & is 46-14 in career as starter
(.767) for best winning pct. among active NFL QBs w/ 30+ starts. Brady is
18-2 (.900) in games decided by 6 points or less……In 13 games played, RB
COREY DILLON has 15+ attempts in each game & has avg. carry of 4.0+
yards in 12 of those 13. Dillon career-high 8 100-yd games; club record is 9
(CURTIS MARTIN, 1995). Dillon has scored TD in 6 of past 7
games……Dillon & WR DAVID GIVENS have both reached 100 scrimmage yds
in same game 3 times this season. Prior to ’04, Pats last had teammates
reach 100 yds in same game 1997. WR DAVID PATTEN has 221 rec. yds in
past 3 games & has 40+ yd TD catch in 2 of past 3 games……Team has 4
defensive TDs & is 16-2 (.889) in past 18 w/ defensive TD. S EUGENE
WILSON (3) & WR-CB TROY BROWN (3) tie for club-lead in INTs……JETS:
With win, club clinches 3rd playoff berth in 4 yrs under head coach HERM
EDWARDS……QB CHAD PENNINGTON is 9-1 (.900) in past 10 home starts.
Pennington has 3 multiple-TD games in past 5 starts. Inside redzone in
career, Pennington has passed for 37 TDs w/o INT……RB CURTIS MARTIN
stands 1st in NFL in rushing (1,511) & is oldest player in NFL history to
rush for 1,500+ yds in season (31 yrs, 232 days). Martin has 6 100-yd games
vs. former team NE (1995-97) & Jets are 6-0 in those games. Martin (12) now
holds club record for most rush TDs in season. RB LA MONT JORDAN has
84 attempts for 5.4 per carry avg. RB JERALD SOWELL No. 2 on club w/
41 catches……Last wk, WRs SANTANA MOSS (2) & JUSTIN MC CAREINS
(1) combined for 3 TDs & 119 yds on 8 catches……Club No. 2 in NFL in turnover
ratio (+17). Defense has shutout NFL-high 7 opponents in 2nd half. Last wk
LB ERIC BARTON recorded 1.0 sack, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR & 2 PDs. DE
SHAUN ELLIS has 3.5 sacks in past 4 games……Team did not punt last week
vs. Seattle. BUFFALO BILLS (8-6) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-12)
STATS
NOTES BILLS: Club has won 7 of past 8 & remains in AFC playoff race
entering Wk 16. Offense has scored 30+ points in club-record 5 games in row
– all wins……QB DREW BLEDSOE aims to make 47th start in row Sunday for
3rd-longest streak by Bills QB. Rookie WR LEE EVANS (No. 13) is 1st
player to catch four 50+ yd passes from Bledsoe in same season… RB WILLIS
MC GAHEE has 6 100-yd rush games in 1st 9 NFL starts. McGahee needs 53
rush yds to be 9th Bills RB w/ 1,000 in season……WR ERIC MOULDS needs
4 catches to reach 80 receptions for 3rd time in past 5 seasons. WR Evans is
1st rookie in club annals to post TD receptions in 4 consec. games. Evans
has 20+ yd catch in 9 of 13 games & 31 of 38 (81.6 pct.) receptions have
resulted in 1st down……Defense has 11.0 sacks & 9 takeaways in past 2 games.
LB TAKEO SPIKES had 68-yd INT-TD last wk, longest INT return by Bills
LB since ‘95 (CORNELIUS BENNETT, 69) & ties club record for 2 INT-TDs
in season. DE SAM ADAMS has sack in consecutive game for 1st time
since 1997……KR unit tied for NFL’s best avg. drive start after kickoff
(31.6). KR TERRENCE MC GEE leads AFC w/ 26.6 avg. & NFL-high 3 TDs…..49ERS:
Club 14-5 (.737) vs. AFC at home in last 10 seasons……Team converts 78.6 pct.
on 4th down (11 of 14), 2nd in NFL……QB KEN DORSEY made 5th career
start last wk. Has 5 TD passes in last 2 games. QB TIM RATTAY has
career-best 10 TD passes…… RB MAURICE HICKS has 320 yards & avgs. 4.2
yards per carry. Spent last 2 years in NFL Europe (Scottish Claymores) & is
1 of record 263 NFL Europe vets to appear on NFL rosters in ’04. RB KEVAN
BARLOW has 6 TDs & needs 2 for career-high (7, ’03). Has 848 yards from
scrimm (647 rush, 201 rec) & needs 152 for 1,000. WR CEDRICK WILSON
leads club WRs with 45 rec. (616 yards) while 2nd-year WR BRANDON LLOYD
has 41 (540 yards). Need 5 & 9 catches to join TE ERIC JOHNSON (77)
with 50, giving club 3 players with 50 catches for 1st time since ‘00.
Johnson has club TE records for rec. & yards (780) & may be 1st TE to lead
team in receiving since TED KWALICK (47, ’73)…Club allows 3.7 yards
per rush, 6th in NFL…DE JOHN ENGELBERGER has career-best 5 sacks…
S TONY PARRISH aims to become 1st player to lead team in INTs for 3
years in row since RONNIE LOTT (‘84-87). WASHINGTON REDSKINS (5-9) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (5-9)
STATS
NOTES REDSKINS: JOE GIBBS is 34-12 (.739) in December……QB PATRICK RAMSEY has started last 5 games, completing 65.4 pct (106 of 162). Has thrown 1 INT in last 72 attempts. Club has 5-0 record when RB CLINTON PORTIS rushes for 100 yards. Has 1,283 rushing yards & needs 217 in final 2 games to become 1st player in NFL history with 3 consecutive 1,500-yard seasons to start career. Ranks 3rd in NFC with 1,518 scrim yards (1,283 rush, 235 rec)… WR LAVERANUES COLES has team-leading 80 catches (860 yards) & is 1st Redskin with consecutive 80-catch seasons since ART MONK (1984-85). Has 26 3rd down rec (276 yards), 3rd in NFL. WR ROD GARDNER had team-leading 6 catches (111 yards) vs. SF. Has 45 catches (610 yards) & needs 5 for 3rd 50-catch year in row… Rookie 3rd-round TE CHRIS COOLEY has 31 catches for 266 yards & ties for 5th among rookies with 5 TDs…… Defense ranks 2nd in NFL (261.1), 3rd vs. run (83.1) & 5th vs. pass (178.0)……LB LA VAR ARRINGTON returned from injury vs. SF posting 2 tackles……Rookie 1st-round S SEAN TAYLOR has 4 INTs, tied for club lead……COWBOYS: Club has 53 wins vs. Wash & needs 1 for most vs. any club (Ariz, 53)…Head coach BILL PARCELLS has won 11 of last 15 Dec. games & is 42-23 (.646) all-time in month. QB VINNY TESTAVERDE has 266 career TD passes, 8th-most all-time, & closes in on JOE MONTANA (273) in 7th. Has 3 300-yard games in 2004 & needs 1 to break 3-way tie for club record… Rookie 2nd-round RB JULIUS JONES ranks 2nd among NFL rookies with 613 rushing yards, including 597 in last 5 games with 2 150s……WR KEYSHAWN JOHNSON leads club with 879 rec yards (60 catches) & needs 121 for 5th-career 1,000 yard year…… TE JASON WITTEN ranks 3rd among NFL TEs with 853 rec yards. Had 6 catches (66 yards) vs. Phil, setting club TE mark for rec (73) & yards……T FLOZELL ADAMS has started 99 games in row, club’s longest active streak…… Defense ranks 5th in NFC allowing 18.9 1st downs per game……DT LA’ROI GLOVER is 5th among NFC DTs with 5.0 sacks. DE GREG ELLIS needs sack for 1st 10-sack year since TONY TOLBERT (12, ’96)……Team allows 17.5-yard KR avg, 1st in NFL.ARIZONA CARDINALS (5-9) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-7)
STATS
NOTES CARDINALS: Club’s 15 rushing TDs tie for 6th in NFL……QB JOSH MC COWN has 594 passing yards in last 2 games. Has 2.1 INT pct. (7 INT in 339 att), ranks 3rd in NFC……RB EMMITT SMITH has 803 yards rushing & needs 197 in last 2 games for NFL-record 12th 1,000-yard season. Ranks 3rd in NFC with 9 rushing TDs & needs 1 for 1st 10-TD year since ’99 & 9th career. Is NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 18,221 yards. Broke rushing record with 109-yard effort vs. Sea (10/27/02).……Second-year WR ANQUAN BOLDIN has 5+ catches in 18 of 24 career games. Has 46 rec (485 yards) in 8 games. Rookie 1st-rnd WR LARRY FITZGERALD ranks 2nd among NFL rookie WRs with 51 rec (674 yards). Leads club with 6 TD catches. WR BRYANT JOHNSON has 43 rec (487 yards), topping ’03 rookie total (35)……TE FREDDIE JONES had 2 catches (12 yards) vs. StL, joining TONY GONZALEZ (545) as only active TEs with 400 career (401)…… Team holds foes to 42.6 red zone TD pct. (47 trips, 20 TDs), 1st in NFC & 5th in NFL… DE BERTRAND BERRY has career-best 12.5 sacks……LB JAMES DARLING leads club with 94 tackles & need 5 for career high (98, 1999)…… SEAHAWKS: Club ranks 3rd in NFC with +7 takeaway ratio & has been penalized 72 times, fewest in NFL…… MIKE HOLMGREN seeks to lead his team to playoffs for 9th time as head coach……QB MATT HASSELBECK has 949 passing yards in last 3 games, giving him 3,191 in ’04, joining JIM ZORN as only Seahawk QBs with 3 3,000-yard passing seasons in row……RB SHAUN ALEXANDER has 1,462 rushing yards & needs 84 to pass CHRIS WARREN (1,545, ’94) for single-season club record. Has rushed for 938 yards in last 8 games……WR DARRELL JACKSON has 78 receptions & needs 4 to pass BRIAN BLADES (81, ’94) for single-season franchise record. Has 1,080 yards & needs 208 in final 2 games to pass STEVE LARGENT (1,287, ’85) for team record. WR JERRY RICE has 16 catches for 222 yards in last 3 games……Defense ranks 2nd in NFL with 20 INTs……LB CHAD BROWN returned to action after missing last 3 games & posted 7 tackles……Rookie 2nd-round S MICHAEL BOULWARE ties for 3rd among NFL rookies with 5 INTs.CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-11) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-11)
STATS
NOTES ENTERING 2004 clubs rank No. 1 (Cleveland, 24) & tied for No. 2
(Miami, 21) for most playoff seasons by AFC team…… BROWNS:
Club has faced NFL’s toughest schedule, opponents win pct.: .628……Head coach
TERRY ROBISKIE was Dolphins RB from 1980-81……Rookie QB LUKE MC
COWN (No. 106) has TD pass in 2 of 1st 3 NFL starts……In 4 career games
w/ 20+ rushes, RB LEE SUGGS has 441 rush yds (110.3/gm) w/ 3 rush TDs.
Rookie RB ADIMCHINOBE ECHEMANDU (No. 208) played RB & WR at Cal, born
in Lagos, Nigeria……WR ANTONIO BRYANT has 100+ rec. yds in 2 of past 4
games & 3+ catches in 5 games in row. Bryant was all-Dade County at
Northwestern H.S. in Miami. WR-PR DENNIS NORTHCUTT has catch in every
game this season & leads AFC w/ 11.9 PR avg. TEs STEVE HEIDEN &
AARON SHEA combine for 487 rec. yds on 49 catches & 8 TDs……T JOAQUIN
GONZALEZ is Miami native & attended U. of Miami. Earned ’01 HealthSouth
Draddy Award, known as "Academic Heisman" & attended Columbus H.S. in
Miami……In past 3 games, CB LEWIS SANDERS has 2 INTs……DOLPHINS:
Head coach JIM BATES was Browns defensive assistant coach from
1991-93 & 1995. In all 5 games under Bates, team has either led, tied or
trailed by 4 points or less entering 4th quarter……QB A.J. FEELEY led
team to 2 TDs for win in final 3:59 last Mon. vs. NE. Has 1+ TD pass in 5
games in row……In past 3 games, RBs TRAVIS MINOR & SAMMY MORRIS
have combined for 5 TDs & 195 rush yds……WR CHRIS CHAMBERS is from
Cleveland (Bedford H.S.); has TD catch in 3 of past 5 gms. Of Chambers’ past
126 receptions, 17 have been for TDs (7.41 pct.). Last wk vs. NE, TE
RANDY MC MICHAEL (62) surpassed KEITH JACKSON (59) for most
receptions by Dolphins TE in single season……DE JASON TAYLOR ties for
5th in AFC w/ 8.5 sacks. Since 2000, Taylor has 2nd-most sacks in NFL w/
63.0 (Strahan, NYG, 65.0). Club has not allowed 300-yd passer in 28 games –
longest streak in NFL……P MATT TURK tied AFC lead w/ 38.4 net punt
avg. MONDAY, DECEMBER 27 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (13-1) AT ST. LOUIS RAMS (6-8)
STATS
NOTES EAGLES: Club has franchise-record 13 wins. Needs win to become 4th NFL team in history to finish season undefeated in conference play, joining 1972 Dolphins, 1984 49ers & 1985 Bears……Head coach ANDY REID is 8-1 on Monday night……QB DONOVAN MC NABB has career-high 30 TD passes & needs 3 to pass SONNY JURGENSEN (32, ’61) for single-season club record. McNabb has 3,839 passing yards & needs 161 for 1st 4,000-yard season in franchise history……RB BRIAN WESTBROOK leads NFL RBs with 73 receptions & 703 receiving yards. WR TODD PINKSTON has 36 catches for 676 yards, including 75+ yard games in 3 of last 5. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 18.8 yards per catch avg (min. 35 catches) & avgs 19.8 yards per catch in last 19 games (54 for 1,067). WR FREDDIE MITCHELL has 14 catches for 273 catches, averaging 19.5 per reception……Club has allowed 202 points, fewest in NFL…… DE JEVON KEARSE has 7.5 sacks & needs 2.5 for 4th-career 10-sack season. RAMS: Offense has 57.1 red zone TD pct. (20 TDs, 35 trips), 4th in NFC……Club has 8-0 record in December home games under head coach MIKE MARTZ……QB MARC BULGER has 24-10 (.706) record as starter & multiple TD passes in 17 of 34 starts. Has 17 TD passes in ’04, including 7 in 4th qrt…… Club 27-0 when RB MARSHALL FAULK rushes for 100 yards. Has 11,918 rushing yards & needs 82 to become 12th player in NFL history with 12,000. Rookie 1st round RB STEVEN JACKSON ranks 3rd among NFL rookies with 496 rush yards & avgs. 5.0 yards per carry……WR ISAAC BRUCE has 76 rec (1,108 yards) & needs 4 for 4th 80-catch season. WR TORRY HOLT has 32 career 100-yard games & needs 1 to pass JERRY RICE (32) for 2nd-most in 1st 6 seasons all-time……DE LEONARD LITTLE scored on 61-yard FR TD last week.
LAST WEEK’S NFL RESULTS (DEC. 18-20) (Home team in CAPS)
WEEK 16 NFL SCHEDULE – DECEMBER 24-27 (All times local)
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