by John Czarnecki

NFL Week 17

Week 17 action

Vikings 20, Giants 19 -- Recap | Box
Panthers 33, Saints 31 -- Recap | Box
Packers 31, Lions 21 -- Recap | Box
Falcons 31, Rams 27 -- Recap | Box
Texans 31, Bears 24 -- Recap | Box
Patriots 13, Bills 0 -- Recap | Box
Colts 23, Titans 0 -- Recap | Box
Steelers 31, Browns 0 -- Recap | Box
Raiders 31, Bucs 24 -- Recap | Box
Bengals 16, Chiefs 6 -- Recap | Box
Eagles 44, Cowboys 6 -- Recap | Box
Dolphins 24, Jets 17 -- Recap | Box
49ers 27, Redskins 24 -- Recap | Box
Ravens 27, Jaguars 7 -- Recap | Box
Cardinals 34, 'Hawks 24 -- Recap | Box
Chargers 52, Broncos 21 -- Recap | Box


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Analysis

• Marvez: Mangini should blame Favre
• Whitlock: It's all about character

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Video

• NFL on Fox: Scariest playoff team?
• NFL on Fox: NFC playoff preview

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Photos

• NFL Week 17 snapshots
• NFL cheerleaders
• Worst teams ever
• NFL year in photos

There are several options on the table for Rosenbloom and team president John Shaw to consider. One is to do nothing and let the next owner build his own team. Two is to clean house and make the franchise more attractive to a prospective buyer.

A mid-season change is never a good thing, but usually it is necessary.

It would do the franchise a world of good if Shaw would spend more time in St. Louis because he is one of the league's brightest men. But the ownership change, losing Georgia Frontiere, hasn't been easy for him while also knowing there is a for-sale sign on the front lawn.

Here are the options that are currently on the table:

Fire both Linehan and top executive Jay Zygmunt, hoping to change the direction of the franchise. I personally like both men, but in sports you never fire 53 players, you fire the leaders. The underlying positive in St. Louis is that Marc Bulger remains a quarterback you can win with in this league. However, you have to protect him and give him a chance to make plays.

One option would be to promote defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, who seems to be supporting Linehan this season after openly campaigning for his job last year. Haslett also may be a better interim head coach than he is a nuts-and-bolts coordinator. Two, hire ex-Packers GM Ron Wolf as a consultant. Wolf has remained close to the game through his good friend Bill Parcells in Miami. When he was working full-time, Wolf was one of the best in the business, right there with Colts GM Bill Polian and new personnel stars A.J. Smith and Scott Pioli. But is Wolf worth the $4-million price tag that Parcells got in Miami? Yes, his presence would make the franchise attractive to anyone, and he surely knows how to evaluate talent and a prospective new coach.

Three, hire ex-coach Marty Schottenheimer and his former Chargers personnel man Buddy Nix. Both men are unemployed right now, the result of Smith's decision in San Diego. But Marty is 65 and with him you get stability, but you also better be prepared for him to hire his brother, Kurt, and his son, Brian. Like Wolf, the salary price would be hefty. But Schottenheimer is a no-nonsense coach who might get the locker room's attention.

Four, bring back Dick Vermeil. This man is still popular in St. Louis, but does Vermeil really want to work that hard again? He doesn't want to coach, but he would put a good face on the franchise. The one downside to Vermeil is that he probably would promote offensive coordinator Al Saunders as the head coach.

Five, give Jim Fassel a call. He did take the Giants to a Super Bowl with Kerry Collins and was in the running last offseason for the Redskins' job. He is living a young man's life in Arizona right now and might be a good interim hire with a club option. Interestingly, Fassel's name has also popped up in Oakland as a potential replacement to Lane Kiffin should Al Davis pull the trigger and make an in-season termination.

GAME: Arizona at Washington

TIME: 1 ET

Kurt Warner is passing for 270 yards per game. (Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Redskins broke even last Sunday when the Saints' secondary was wiped out and QB Jason Campbell went deep successfully. However, Arizona's 37-year-old Kurt Warner is averaging 270 passing yards per game and can pick apart Washington's secondary unless Jason Taylor and Co. come with the pressure. Taylor goes against Cardinals RT Levi Brown. Campbell looked more comfortable in coach Jim Zorn's West Coast offense last week, but he really needs Clinton Portis to rumble for 100-plus yards. The Cardinals also seem to be very comfortable in defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast's multiple packages, something Zorn should know how to deal with because he faced Arizona twice a year with the Seahawks. Zorn wants Campbell to get the ball out quickly. There is a chance that Santana Moss will handle some punt returns in place of Antwaan Randle El.

CZAR'S SCOOP: The Cardinals are 2-0 for the first time since 1999. The last time they opened 3-0 was 1974 in St. Louis, and they finished 10-4 that season. Warner threw three touchdowns to Boldin last week and ended with his third "perfect game" with a 158.3 quarterback rating. He's tied with Peyton Manning for the most in NFL history. Second-year head coach Ken Whisenhunt will keep the Cardinals in the Capitol area next week, preparing for the Jets at the Meadowlands next Sunday. Whisenhunt believes the extra time will keep his team fresh and sharp. "The one thing I know is that it saves us 6,000 miles of travel and it saves us 10 hours in an airplane," Whisenhunt said. "Last year we had some games on the East Coast and let's face it, we sucked. We're trying to put this team in the best position to win."

GAME: Tampa Bay at Chicago

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Chicago's home opener figures to be a low-scoring, defensive game with the Bears' top game-breaker, Devin Hester, sidelined by a rib injury. Danieal Manning should handle kick returns while Nathan Vasher and rookie Earl Bennett will handle punt returns for the Bears. The Bucs will be minus top rookie Aqib Talib, which means CB Ronde Barber will be playing the slot receiver in nickel situations. Tampa has had great success with a three-safety rotation, getting Sabby Picitelli on the field. Look for Brian Griese to work TE Jerramy Stevens against Bears LB Hunter Hillenmeyer in the red zone. With Joey Galloway out, the Bucs need a big game from either Antonio Bryant, who was out of football last season, or Michael Clayton, who has caught one TD in the last three years. Jeff Garcia is again listed as the Bucs' third quarterback and RB Michael Bennett is inactive.

CZAR'S SCOOP: The Bucs are still scratching their heads over rookie cornerback Elbert Mack's one-game suspension for his high hit on Atlanta QB Matt Ryan last Sunday. There have been 42 players who have had two questionable calls in the same season, and Mack is the first one to be suspended. Even in the case of Roy Williams and his horse-collar tackle, he was fined three times before ever being suspended. This new player safety measure put in by Commissioner Goodell will be closely monitored by the Bucs because they feel Mack was selected because he's a player of no significance. For example, Bears LB Lance Briggs had a helmet hit on Jake Delhomme last Sunday, his second violation of the season and his seventh of his career. But the best example, from the Bucs' viewpoint, was that Packers LB Nick Barnett was fined two weeks in a row, but he's playing Sunday night against the Cowboys because it's a national-TV game. Mack's loss does hurt the Bucs, too, because he was their nickel back, and now practice-squad player Marcus Hamilton will be forced into the lineup.

GAME: Carolina at Minnesota

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (hamstring) sounds like he wants to play, although the club says his status remains a game-time decision. When Peterson ran in practice on Friday, he didn't appear to be favoring the leg. This marks the return of Carolina WR Steve Smith from a two-game club suspension, and you can bet Jake Delhomme will be looking for him to open up the offense. The Vikings are thinking about matching up CB Antoine Winfield on Smith. There are two critical pass-rush matchups in this game, particularly with Artis Hicks trying to stop Julius Peppers. Remember, new Minnesota starter Gus Frerotte isn't a running threat or as mobile as Tavaris Jackson. On the flip side, Jordon Gross must deal with Jared Allen, who has one sack in two games.

CZAR'S SCOOP: The Vikings plan to start Naufahu Tahi at fullback in place of Thomas Tapeh. The loss of WR Sidney Rice might not be so bad because Frerotte is comfortable with Bobby Wade. The Panthers keep saying that the way CB Ken Lucas and Smith handled everything has helped the locker room when the punch-out incident could have made the situation really ugly. The one reason why the Panthers are reluctant to give RB Jonathan Stewart more carries is that he has struggled lately in pass protection, almost getting Delhomme killed last Sunday against the Bears. DeAngelo Williams will still start, but the Panthers are well aware of Stewart's power inside the red zone.

GAME: New Orleans at Denver

TIME: 4:05 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Saints need to find a better running game in order to keep Drew Brees upright. Deuce McAllister will get more carries, but it still doesn't sound like he's anywhere near his 2006 form. CB Mike McKenzie returns to the depleted New Orleans secondary that will need all the help it can muster against Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall and super rookie Eddie Royal. Twelve running backs in the league have more rushing yards than the Saints' total of 156 through two games. Marshall has averaged 131.7 receiving yards in his past three home games.

Deuce McAllister hasn't regained his form of 2006. (Doug Benc / Getty Images)

CZAR'S SCOOP: When the league reduced Marshall's three-game suspension to one game, they apparently knew about the potential of assault charges being filed against him in Georgia by his girlfriend following a scuffle at their apartment. The league seems willing to see how Marshall fares in court before making any decisions whether or not he will miss more time. Saints coach Sean Payton was looking for a new deal when owner Tom Benson surprised him with a new extension last weekend, making him the fifth-highest-paid coach in the league. Denver's Mike Shanahan and Payton are both graduates of Eastern Illinois University. Both were quarterbacks at EIU, which is located in Charleston, Ill. Payton, a three-year starter in the mid-1980s, still holds most of the school's passing records. Ex-Bronco John Lynch will be at the game Sunday.

GAME: Detroit at San Francisco

TIME: 4:05 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Lions want to run the ball more consistently, but they've fallen behind, 21-0, in both of their games. One reason they got rid of San Francisco offensive coordinator Mike Martz was because they wanted to run the ball more, but now they are back to throwing a lot to Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams. The big problem is that QB Jon Kitna is coming off a three-interception game. San Francisco CBs Nate Clements and Walt Harris have the ability to stay with Detroit's fabulous duo. Martz hopes to protect young QB J.T. O'Sullivan (eight sacks last Sunday) by giving Frank Gore at least 25 touches vs. the Lions. Ex-Raider OT Barry Sims starts for injured 49ers tackle Jonas Jennings. Kitna was sacked 114 times in two seasons under Martz.

CZAR'S SCOOP: The Lions have been pretty much ruined by eight plays in which their defense has allowed 397 yards. One good example to prove that Kitna is merely an average or worse quarterback is his passer rating on third down. It is a paltry 14.6 on five completions in 14 attempts for 35 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Detroit's last victory in San Francisco was in 1975. One of the greatest victories in Lions' history came at San Francisco in the 1957 playoffs, when the Lions overcame a 20-point deficit to win, 31-27. The Lions went on to win the NFL title. They haven't won one since. Whoever loses this game, Rod Marinelli or Mike Nolan, immediately goes on the hot seat.

GAME: St. Louis at Seattle

TIME: 4:05 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Everyone is whipping on the Rams' offensive line. WR Torry Holt ripped into them yesterday and there is no question they better protect Marc Bulger (10 sacks in two games) a lot better. Yes, Seattle is hurting on offense, but their front seven can put pressure on Bulger and their success or lack of it should be the key to the game. St. Louis must improve on third down; it has converted just three of 24 this season. Seattle added two more receivers to its injury-ravage corps this week, with former Seahawk Koren Robinson (knee) probably being a reserve and ex-Bronco Keary Colbert will start at flanker and Billy McMullen the new split end for the unproductive Courtney Taylor. RB Julius Jones will get his second consecutive start and work primarily behind LT Walter Jones, who has a bad hip, and LG Mike Wahle. Rams DE Leonard Little (hamstring) is expected to miss his second consecutive game.

CZAR'S SCOOP: Bulger has five career 300-yard passing games against Seattle and Seahawks OLB Julian Peterson has 9 ½ sacks in his past 12 games against St. Louis. Ron Bartell will start for the benched Tye Hill at cornerback. Hill, a former first-round pick, has horrible ball skills. Seattle WR Deion Branch caught multiple passes for the first time in a practice since having knee surgery, though he is out for Sunday's game. Rams president John Shaw didn't make the trip to Seattle. The Rams want to get RB Steven Jackson untracked, but there have been few holes for Jackson, who missed most of training camp holding out for more money.

Other games

Miami at New England: The Dolphins have lost seven of their last 10 games and they must run better (they have averaged 61 yards rushing in first two games) to stay with the Patriots. Of course, Miami OLB Joey Porter has ripped new Patriots starter Matt Cassel. Dolphins QB Chad Pennington's arm strength has hurt Ted Ginn Jr.'s game and don't be surprised, if the game is lost, if rookie QB Chad Henne takes the field. Pats RB Laurence Maroney (shoulder) is expected to play.

Cincinnati at N.Y. Giants: The Bengals are 0-2 and have been outscored, 41-17. They are last in pass offense (105.5 yards) and 31st in total offense (184.5). Nothing is working. Chad Ocho Cinco fingered the offensive line this week. QB Carson Palmer, who had a career QB rating of 90.1 entering the season, has had games of 35.3 and 41.3, his two worst ratings of his career, to start the season. The unbeaten Giants figure to pound the Bengals into submission with their running game.

Houston at Tennessee: Maybe All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth still has a concussion based on his criticism of Houston QB Matt Schaub this week. Here was Haynesworth's rant: "I think he's (Schaub) just scared of us. Maybe next year he won't play against us, he'll just sit that game out." Haynesworth believes that Houston's backup QB Sage Rosenfels is much better and said it's too bad Sage didn't get Schaub's $48 million contract. Regardless, this is a huge game for the Titans, who have playoff aspirations. Schaub didn't take offense to Haynesworth's criticism, chalking it up to his personality and competitive spirit. For the record, Schaub was knocked out of both Tennessee games last season and Rosenfels almost pulled out a win in one of them. Two years ago, he did come off the bench to beat the Titans.

Oakland at Buffalo: This has the makings of an ugly Oakland loss, especially if LT Mario Henderson has to protect JaMarcus Russell's blindside. The other protection problem for Russell is that without Justin Fargas, none of Oakland's running backs are very adept at pass protection. Rookie Darren McFadden (turf toe) will be very limited if he does play. Look for a lot of Michael Bush and a lot of blitzing by the Bills. What has killed the Raiders is a total lack of production from receivers Javon Walker and Ronald Curry. The last time the Bills were 3-0 was 1992. They will wear their throw-back 1960s jerseys against Oakland.

Kansas City at Atlanta: There is no truth to the rumor that Chiefs coach Herm Edwards was trying to track down actor Dennis Quaid, who visited the Falcons this week in conjunction with the new movie on the life of Syracuse running back Ernie Davis, to find out the Falcons' game plan. Apparently, rookie head coach Mike Smith gave Quaid some inside information on some new offensive strategy for this game. The Chiefs, who will be starting Tyler Thigpen, their third QB in three games, need any help they can get. This is Thigpen's first NFL start, although Damon Huard is available. Could be a very short game if both Michael Turner and Larry Johnson get the ball as much as most people expect from this game.

Pittsburgh at Philadelphia: A real Pennsylvania showdown with the Eagles working on a short week after losing Monday night in Dallas. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger's 133.9 passer rating leads the NFL. He has three touchdowns and no interceptions despite playing with a sore throwing shoulder. Roethlisberger has not thrown an interception in his past five regular-season games, the longest stretch of his career. The Steelers have four interceptions after two games, two by safety Troy Polamalu, who had none last season. This game figures, though, to be a Willie Parker-Brian Westbrook showdown. Eagles center Jamaal Jackson will play after spending all week with his family following the death of his older brother.

Jacksonville at Indianapolis: This was the game that was supposed to put the Jaguars over the top when they spent the summer talking about winning the AFC. Now, the Jags head to Indy 0-2 and their offensive line is a mess and still no Jerry Porter to bail out a struggling David Garrard. The good news for the Jaguars is that Colts safety Bob Sanders is out. The last time he didn't play against the Jaguars in 2006, they rushed for 375 yards. But Peyton Manning is 10-3 against the Jags and 5-1 the last three years. In the 15 years of the salary-cap era, 78 teams have started off 0-3. However, only two of them — Buffalo in 1998 and Detroit in 1995 — made the playoffs. Both finished 10-6 and lost their first playoff game.

Cleveland at Baltimore: The Browns won't have Donté Stallworth again, but expect struggling WR Braylon Edwards to play. This is a must game for the Browns, who were picked to win the AFC North this season. Cleveland has scored only one touchdown in two games and now OG Eric Steinbach will miss the game. The Ravens figure to run the ball as much as possible. Willis McGahee is ready to rumble, but rookie Ray Rice and bruising fullback Le'Ron McClain will also get their touches. Browns QB Derek Anderson wants to get TE Kellen Winslow more involved. Remember, Baltimore was swept by Cleveland last season.

Dallas at Green Bay: The Cowboys say they will be better prepared for Aaron Rodgers this time. The first time they saw Rodgers he completed 18 of 26 passes for 201 yards with one touchdown after he replaced an injured Brett Favre in a 37-27 loss to the Cowboys on Nov. 29. The Packers were down 17 points when Rodgers entered that game. "He got them back in that thing, and he's proven in these two games he's a pretty good quarterback," said Cowboys veteran Greg Ellis. The Cowboys figure to be much improved in the secondary without SS Roy Williams, plus the return of LCB Terence Newman and the move of Pacman Jones to nickel back. Rodgers has been very good scrambling away from pressure and the Cowboys must contain him.

N.Y. Jets at San Diego: LaDainian Tomlinson (toe) will play some, but little speedster Darren Sproles figures to get the bulk of the carries for the Chargers, who are 0-2 and still reeling from the loss in Denver. The shocker for the Chargers is how poorly their solid secondary has performed. Last season Brett Favre upset this team in Green Bay, but his new offensive line isn't as stout as the one in Green Bay. How funny is it that New York's newest punter, Reggie Hodges, is now hurt? You can bet that the Jets might have been looking for Todd Sauerbrun, who was suspended for the first four games of the season by the league.