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

Culpepper, whose arm has looked strong in practices, also negotiated a hard bargain with the Lions. He will earn the prorated veteran minimum ($343,529) this season, plus he should collect a $1 million bonus if he plays just half of the games down the stretch. A pretty sweet incentive.

Next season Culpepper is due a $2.5 million roster bonus in March, plus another $2.5 million in salary. Culpepper obviously was pretty interested in getting a great deal for next season, and it was those demands that turned off the Chiefs a couple weeks ago.

This decision was made by interim Lions GM Martin Mayhew, who got such good value out of the Cowboys for Roy Williams, and Tom Lewand, the club's top administrator. These two want to be in charge next season, so the results of the Culpepper signing will bear on their future.

They are not saying whether Rod Marinelli will return next season, but it appears unlikely. Marinelli was really Matt Millen's choice as head coach and you can bet that Lewand and Mayhew would like to make their own hire. It only makes sense. Besides, the Marinelli experiment has been a failure.

The arrival of Culpepper probably means the end of Jon Kitna in Detroit. Dan Orlovsky may need surgery on a broken right thumb and who knows about Drew Stanton, a second-year player who has had his delivery and confidence messed up by two different offensive coordinators.

Culpepper, who earlier in the season said he was retiring from football, simply wanted a team to pay his price and the Lions did. He was living in Fort Lauderdale and coaching his son's PeeWee football team.

"I can't say that I'm going to be the guy to change things around," Culpepper said. "I'm going to be the guy that helps. No one person in football wins a game or loses it. I do bring veteran leadership and I'm a guy that knows how to win. As long as God blesses me to stay healthy, I can be who I am. As far as my ability, I never doubted myself."

GAME: Green Bay at Minnesota

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Packers attempt to win their sixth straight against the Vikings, equaling a win streak in the early 1960s against Minnesota. Gus Frerotte will be the fifth quarterback that Brad Childress has tried against the Packers, all losses. Minnesota is very good against the run and they will undoubtedly test Green Bay's defense with RB Adrian Peterson. The Packers' linebacking corps has been struggling this season (Green Bay has allowed 175-plus yards rushing in five games) and their starting cornerbacks, although excellent in coverage, are not great at stopping the sweep. Peterson has been starting slowly the past few games because so many teams stack the box against him. The Vikings need to play keep-away from Aaron Rodgers because Green Bay's receiving corps should be able to get open for big plays against a porous Minnesota secondary. WR Greg Jennings is proving to be a go-to guy, a perfect complement to Donald Driver.

CZAR'S SCOOP: Vikings DE Jared Allen, who hopes to play with a shoulder harness protecting a bruised AC joint, was fined $50,000 by the league for his two low hits on Houston QB Matt Schaub last Sunday. The second unnecessary tackle of Schaub sprained his knee, sidelining him for at least two games, maybe four. Said Allen: "I'm not a dirty player. I've been in the league a long time, my reputation speaks for itself. I never intentionally try to hurt anyone." The big fine is another example of the league acting when the game officials failed to call Allen for a roughing-the-passer penalty on either tackle of Schaub. Allen was fined $5,000 earlier in the season for a late hit. Frerotte is 4-2 as Minnesota's starter and he's coming off a three-touchdown game although he passed for only 182 yards, his first sub-200-yard game since Week 3.

GAME: St. Louis at N.Y. Jets

TIME: 1 ET

The Jets want Brett Favre to take fewer chances and rely more on the running game. (Rick Stewart / Getty Images)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Jets catch a big break with Antonio Pittman, unknown Kenneth Darby and Samkon Gado rotating at running back for injured Rams RB Steven Jackson, whose strained quad remains sore and tight. Darby, who was signed off Atlanta's practice squad, has two lifetime NFL carries. Jets QB Brett Favre has been told to be more patient with the running game and to take fewer chances (he has 12 INTs to go with his 15 TD passes) with his arm. The Rams are allowing 4.9 yards per rush. Jets NT Kris Jenkins had two sacks and forced an interception against the Bills last week and Rams center Nick Leckey should have his hands full. If the Rams can protect QB Marc Bulger, look for him to throw at rookie CB Dwight Lowery, who has been struggling. If Lowery gets burned, look for David Barrett to replace him. David Bowens replaces injured Jets ILB David Harris (groin).

CZAR'S SCOOP: There are persistent rumors that Rams owners Lucy and Chip Rosenbloom have potential buyers waiting in the wings to purchase the franchise before the end of the year. Two of the Rams' more disappointing acquisitions in recent years — kick returner Dante Hall and WR Drew Bennett — were put on injured reserve this past week. St. Louis gave up two draft picks for Hall and Bennett was a free-agent pickup who received a $6 million annual salary. Bennett (foot) has produced 33 receptions in his two seasons in St. Louis; the contract was highly criticized for a possession receiver. Favre has been pleasantly surprised by the number of deer in the nearby New Jersey woods and is so happy that the Jets built their new training facility there rather than on Long Island.

GAME: New Orleans at Atlanta

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Falcons need another big game by pass rusher John Abraham, who goes against OT Jamaal Brown, if they are going to contain Saints QB Drew Brees. There is no question that New Orleans plans to get TE Jeremy Shockey and WR Marques Colston more involved in the offense because both players are over their injuries. Without RB Reggie Bush, the Saints need to control the clock by throwing the ball. Brees is directing the top offense in the league while passing for 314.4 yards per game. He has completed 210 of 304 passes for 2,563 yards with 15 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. He is first in the league in attempts, completions and passing yardage and is on pace to surpass Dan Marino for the NFL record for yards gained in a season (5,084 in 1984). The Falcons' pass defense has been suspect all season, giving up 205 yards per game. Saints WR Devery Henderson leads the league with a 27.7 yards-per-catch average. Falcons QB Matt Ryan had success with the no-huddle offense last Sunday; look for him to try it again on a series or two. This could be a high-scoring game if Michael Turner gets untracked early.

CZAR'S SCOOP: Several Falcons admitted that former cornerback DeAngelo Hall tried to get in a fight with some of his former teammates in the tunnel near the locker rooms last Sunday in Oakland. Hall's antics were the big reason that GM Tom Dimitroff traded him to Oakland in the offseason because he didn't want any distractions for new head coach Mike Smith. The trade worked and Smith was able to restore stability to the locker room. The Saints, like other teams involved in the StarCaps testing scandal, believe RB Deuce McAlister and DE Will Smith won't be suspended four games for a positive test in training camp while using the weight-loss drug. Many clubs are wondering why the appeal process has taken so long. Falcons DT Grady Jackson is another player who tested positive.

GAME: Seattle at Miami

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Seahawks will continue to rotate RBs Julius Jones and Maurice Morris because they have struggled all season with opponents putting eight defenders in the box and daring QB Seneca Wallace to beat them. Wallace doesn't have a strong group of receivers (Deion Branch is out again) and the Seahawks simply haven't fared well this season in the Eastern time zone. Yes, three blowout losses. The Dolphins have failed to rush for more than 100 yards in four consecutive games and may rotate a couple players at right guard where Ikechuku Ndukwe starts. Miami is determined to get the run game going knowing that Seattle has a very undersized defensive front. The Dolphins have struggled in third-and-long all season and need the threat of play action to help QB Chad Pennington.

CZAR'S SCOOP: The odds are against the Seahawks. Only one team has started the season 1-5 and come back to make the playoffs: the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals, and they actually started the season 1-6, then won their last seven games in a 14-game season to capture the division. Seattle DE Patrick Kerney had exploratory shoulder surgery this past week and expects to play again this season. QB Matt Hasselbeck practiced Friday and should play against the Arizona Cardinals next week after missing five consecutive starts. There is no question that the Dolphins wouldn't be 4-4 if their quarterback was either Chad Henne or John Beck. The fact that no team was willing to trade with the Jets for Pennington remains one of this season's big mysteries. You could say that the Dolphins benefited from the Favre trade as much as the Jets did. The Seahawks will travel 5,469 miles on this round-trip flight. Seattle MLB Lofa Tatupu returns to the lineup after missing last week. There is a very good chance Branch will play next week.

GAME: Carolina at Oakland

TIME: 4 ET

Julius Peppers could cause a personnel shift on the Raiders' offensive line. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Raiders were dominated by the Falcons last Sunday and they should face more of the same today. Raiders coach Tom Cable expects QB JaMarcus Russell (knee tendinitis) to play, but who can blame him for feeling sorry for himself? Russell has been a 44 percent passer since Cable took over and against Atlanta he was incomplete on 13 of 19 attempts for a measly 31 yards. Only Seattle's inept passing game is doing worse. If Russell decides not to play, Andrew Walter will start and probably hand off to Justin Fargas and Michael Bush as much as possible. The Raiders are worried about LT Kwame Harris not being able to handle Julius Peppers. If Harris gets beaten, look for Mario Henderson to play. Carolina's offensive line is getting healthy again with the return of RT Jeff Otah and center Ryan Kalil. The Panthers believe rookie RB Jonathan Stewart (heel) will play despite missing practice much of the week. Look for Jake Delhomme to attack new Oakland cornerback Chris Johnson, who is starting for the departed DeAngelo Hall.

CZAR'S SCOOP: The Raiders were really worried that ex-cornerback Hall would have found a way to get injured next season in order to still collect on his $16.05 million deal and that's why they cut him loose and took their loss. Hall cleared waivers because no team wanted to pick up that wacky contract structure for next season. The Raiders also had to free up space to sign CB Nnamdi Asomugha, who is playing for the franchise-tag number of $9.765 million. If the Raiders franchise him again, they would owe him $11.72 million in 2009. Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, who underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery in 2002, had a pacemaker implanted in his chest Monday and is home resting. Three of the Panthers' best players — Peppers, LT Jordan Gross and CB Chris Gamble — could be unrestricted free agents next year. Gross had the franchise tag put on him this season while Peppers is looking for $30 million guaranteed in a new contract. Panthers DT Darwin Walker is still experiencing neck spasms after his Mercedes was totaled in an Oct. 25 accident three blocks from the stadium.

Other Games

Tennessee at Chicago: The Bears have a decent chance against the unbeaten Titans, especially if veteran LB Keith Bullock and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch don't play. Bullock is the better bet to test his ribcage injury. This game features the two best rookie running backs in Chris Johnson and Matt Forte, whose all-around style has produced 42 first downs this season. Both are very good at blitz pickups, a positive trait for a rookie. Chicago has only 16 team sacks, which is good news for Titans QB Kerry Collins, who is a very deliberate passer this season. QB Rex Grossman appears likely to make his first start for the Bears since Dec. 6. While offensive coordinator Ron Turner won't curtail the passing game too much, the Bears also can't afford the mistake-prone Grossman to show up against a defense tied for the league lead with 13 interceptions. There is a very good chance Kyle Orton (ankle) will be back next week.

Buffalo at New England: The Patriots have won nine straight against the Bills and figure to win again, considering Buffalo comes to town minus five injured starters. The Pats are looking for their 50th win in Gillette Stadium (opened in 2002). Although it was a loss, QB Matt Cassel wasn't sacked by the Colts and played well enough to win. Jabar Gaffney dropped a pass that would have won it. But Cassel was sacked 28 times in his first seven games and the big reason was he was holding the ball too long in the pocket. He is improving on his timing and getting a better feel for the pocket. The Bills, Jets and Pats are all tied at 5-3 atop the AFC East, and New England can separate from everyone in the next few weeks because they play everyone in the division. OLB Adalius Thomas has played over 95 percent of the snaps this season while rookie LB Jerod Mayo leads the team in tackles with 55. New England RB Lamont Jordan will be a game-time decision and is better than 50-50 to play.

Baltimore at Houston: This game was postponed on Sept. 14 because of Hurricane Ike. Matt Schaub, who injured his knee on a cheap tackle by Vikings DE Jared Allen last week, will be replaced by Sage Rosenfels, the goat of the four-point loss to the Colts on Oct. 5. Rosenfels was 4-1 as a starter last season when Schaub was injured. Craig Nall was signed to back up Rosenfels. Houston lost their leading tackler, OLB Zac Diles, with a fractured tibia in a noncontact drill Wednesday. He underwent surgery and is out for the season. Baltimore is prepared to start rookie Ray Rice and allow Willis McGahee, who will dress, to rest his injuries.

Jacksonville at Detroit: The NFL says the Jaguars are the first team to ever play two 0-8 teams in consecutive games. Jacksonville lost to the Bengals last Sunday and now the Lions have their chance to end their winless streak. The Lions will start newcomer Daunte Culpepper, their third quarterback of the season. The big news in Jacksonville this week was coach Jack Del Rio's strategy of switching the lockers of some of his players and his two-day suspension of captain and top linebacker Mike Peterson, who is in the last year of his contract. Peterson has been unhappy all season about his deal and it took until Friday for Del Rio and him to have a heart-to-heart to settle their differences.

Indianapolis at Pittsburgh: This is another huge AFC showdown between two of the perennial top teams in the conference. The Steelers will be minus RB Willie Parker once again while QB Ben Roethlisberger has been cleared to start. However, if Big Ben struggles early or something bad happens, be prepared to see Byron Leftwich, who played better than Roethlisberger last Monday night against the Redskins. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin knows that his players have confidence in Leftwich. When he was with the Jaguars, Leftwich had a 2-3 record vs. the Colts, throwing seven TD passes against only one interception. Big Ben is on pace to be sacked 52 times.

Kansas City at San Diego: If the Chargers are going to repeat as AFC West champs, they better start today. The offense gets WR Chris Chambers back while Ron Rivera figures to put more pressure on Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen. The Chiefs, who have been struggling on defense, will be minus three starters in DE Turk McBride, LB Derrick Johnson and CB Patrick Surtain. Rivera has pared back the defensive playbook. LaDainian Tomlinson has only four runs of 20 yards or more this season.

N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia: This should be a fun Sunday nighter and the Eagles need it if they want to remain in the NFC East playoff race. Both offenses rank in the league's top six, so the pressure is really on the defenses. Whatever team creates the most turnovers wins. The Eagles' Brian Westbrook has gained 1,194 yards on 185 touches and scored 11 TDs in 11 career games against the Giants. And don't forget Westbrook's 84-yard punt return with 1:16 left to break New York's heart in a 2003 game.

San Francisco at Arizona: The first-place Cardinals can improve to 6-3 with a win and coach Ken Whisenhunt said his team is excited for the opportunity for the entire country to see them play. "We're excited to show a lot of people the kind of football team we think we're developing here," he said. The atmosphere figures to be electric in a sold-out stadium. "It will be, to me, a lot like a playoff game," the Whiz said. Arizona will stick with Tim Hightower at running back while the 49ers figure to feature Frank Gore with interim head coach Mike Singletary wanting a ball-control offense. It will be interesting how Mike Martz handles new QB Shaun Hill and young receivers Jason Hill and Josh Morgan. Arizona WR Anquan Boldin caught his 450th career pass last Sunday in his 74th career game. Lionel Taylor did it in 81 games, Marvin Harrison needed 82 and Randy Moss 86 games. Cardinals QB Kurt Warner is looking for a contract of $7 million to $8 million for next season.