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


---

Analysis

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

---

Video

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

---

Photos

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

But this season has been about giving some backups a chance to play and also about giving big money to unproven winners like Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers.

First, let's consider some veterans who have won starting jobs and appear headed to the playoffs.

At times, Kurt Warner looks like his old MVP self in leading the Arizona Cardinals to the top of the NFC West. The Cardinals have been talking about a new contract for Warner as their former No. 1 pick Matt Leinart sits and watches. The Cardinals can afford to pay Warner because Leinart hasn't hit any of his incentives and is on the books for less than $3 million in salaries over the next two years. Arizona can give Warner big money while keeping Leinart as his backup. It's a win-win situation.

The situation is a tad different in Tennessee. Kerry Collins wants a new contract for next season and $7 million a year isn't a ridiculous asking price. Did you see him beat the Bears last Sunday? The Titans are unbeaten and potentially the AFC's No. 1 seed in the playoffs. However, the Titans are on the hook to Vince Young and there's a great chance that Collins won't re-sign with Tennessee unless he's guaranteed the starter's position there in 2009. At his age, the demand makes sense. But the Titans may not want to give such a guarantee, especially if they believe in Young's recovery.

On the youth level, New England's Matt Cassel has started as many games as Rodgers — nine. Cassel just passed for 400 yards in the Thursday night loss to the Jets. His game-tying pass to Randy Moss in the final second was a thing of beauty. On the run, he fired an accurate fastball that few NFL quarterbacks could duplicate. The Pats can't afford to re-sign him with Tom Brady likely to return. Plus they are high on rookie Kevin O'Connell.

On the open market, can Cassel ask for the same $20 million guaranteed that the Packers gave Rodgers? Speaking of the Packers, how about Bears quarterback Kyle Orton, who is 2-0 as a starter against them? Orton is also a potential unrestricted free-agent. If Orton keeps winning, don't the Bears have to open their checkbook to him? Chicago may want to pay Orton $5 million a season, but why isn't he worth as much as Rodgers? Especially if he beats the Packers once again?

No one is saying that Cassel, Collins and Orton are world beaters, but right now they are playing pretty well while exuding smarts and toughness. They definitely have created some enormous value on the open market and, believe me, any team desperate for a quarterback will pay.

You have to figure that St. Louis, San Francisco, Seattle, Kansas City, Detroit and Minnesota should be looking at these three quarterbacks. Cleveland might also be willing to trade Derek Anderson if Brady Quinn plays well down the stretch.

GAME: Arizona at Seattle

TIME: 4:05 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Seattle has won the NFC West four consecutive seasons, but after five weeks the Seahawks finally have QB Matt Hasselbeck and WR Deion Branch both back in the lineup. Hasselbeck has a bulging disc in his back that is creating weakness in his leg. There were a couple of doctors who told him he may not play again this season even though no one recommended surgery. Instead, he needed more than a month of rehab work on his torso. Branch had offseason ACL surgery and when he returned in Week 5 against the Giants was stepped on twice and injured his heel, which kept him out another four weeks. The Seahawks must produce on offense and keep Arizona's offense at bay. Seattle's secondary is giving up 252 yards a game and already has been beaten for 13 passing touchdowns. Seattle's starting cornerbacks are 5-9 Josh Wilson, a second-year player, and 5-11 Marcus Trufant. They will be going against red-hot Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin, who is 6-1, 217 pounds, and Larry Fitzgerald, who is 6-3, 220 pounds.

CZAR'S SCOOP: The Cardinals may own a four-game lead in the awful West, but how good are they really? They've beaten teams with a combined 19-26 record thus far, and probably should have lost to the 49ers on Monday night. They still have two games left in the West, but then have road dates against the Eagles and Patriots and home games against the Giants (in another week) and the Vikings. They could lose three of those games. "We're playing some good teams, but we've played some good teams and we've played good football," said Coach Ken Whisenhunt. "I don't think you can base what's upcoming on what we did (Monday). I think you have to look how we've played the last three weeks. We've won three of the last four, we've played pretty good football over a stretch." Whiz believes that his offense didn't execute very well against the 49ers. "I don't think our team is scared of anybody that we're going to play," he added. "I don't think there's a team we don't feel like we can beat. You talk about we have a tough stretch, and I agree that we do, but we have a number of games at home and that, to me, is important, because we've been pretty good at home."

GAME: Chicago at Green Bay

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Well, something has to give. Bears Coach Lovie Smith has won four straight at Lambeau Field, becoming the first coach to do that since Minnesota's Bud Grant back in the 1970s. The Packers hosted the NFC Championship game last year and the only thing different is Aaron Rodgers at QB instead of Brett Favre. Rodgers should have an easy time of it against a Chicago defense that can't seem to rush the passer or stop the pass — ranking 30th in the NFL in that department. Bears QB Kyle Orton (ankle) will start and the Packers should test his mobility immediately. But Green Bay will have to figure a way to stop Chicago rookie RB Matt Forte, who is five yards short of 1,000 scrimmage yards. Green Bay will shift A.J. Hawk into injured Nick Barnett's spot at MLB. The Packers are allowing 155 yards rushing a game and they need Justin Harrell or somebody to step up inside for the loss of Cullen Jenkins.

CZAR'S SCOOP: Bears WR Brandon Lloyd will be active. Bears MLB Brian Urlacher, who got an extra $6 million out of management in the offseason, has responded with zero sacks, zero interceptions and zero forced fumbles this season. Urlacher always tormented Favre, so let's see how he does against Rodgers. Orton is 2-0 vs. the Packers as a starter. Chicago's pass defense is so bad that the last four quarterbacks they faced have averaged 289 yards passing. Before Lovie started his streak, Favre had won 18 of 20 games against the Bears. Chicago's secondary will definitely employ Corey Graham, who has played well in recent games. The odd man out could be CB Nate Vasher. The strength of the Green Bay defense is the secondary where both CB Charles Woodson and safety Nick Collins are having Pro Bowl seasons.

GAME: Minnesota at Tampa Bay

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Bucs have one of the stouter defenses against the run, having allowed just one individual 100-yard rushing performance this season (to Jamaal Charles of the Chiefs.). Now Tampa Bay hosts Adrian Peterson, who is on a roll with four straight 100-yard games. This might be the toughest defense he's faced. But if the Bucs stack the line, it should open some deep passing lanes for Gus Frerotte, who is 5-2 as a starter. Conversely, the Bucs are pretty healthy and finally will dress two fullbacks, which should help Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn. The Bucs and Jeff Garcia are hoping to be able to test Minnesota's safeties with Joey Galloway and Antonio Bryant. If Tampa Bay can't go deep, then they will resort to a possession passing game.

Adrian Peterson is in for a tough test against the Bucs. (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)

CZAR'S SCOOP: Although the Bucs activated Cadillac Williams this week from PUP, he could be weeks away from playing as long as Graham and Dunn remain healthy. The Bucs released Michael Bennett, who was claimed by San Diego and Denver, to make room for Cadillac. Back in September, when coach Jon Gruden and Garcia weren't getting along, the Vikings could have traded for the veteran quarterback, but coach Brad Childress declined, preferring to stick with Frerotte. When Green Bay's Will Blackmon scored on a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown, it was the sixth touchdown (four punt returns) given up by the Vikings' special teams this year. That ties the 1980 Detroit Lions for the NFL record in TDs allowed in a single season. The NFC South is 16-1 at home this season, and the Vikings own that lone win when they beat the Saints in that MNF game that saw Reggie Bush returned two punts for touchdowns. The Vikings also are 2-0 against the South having beaten Carolina at home in Week 2.

GAME: Philadelphia at Cincinnati

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The biggest story in Philadelphia is that the Eagles have lost three games this season because of their inability to convert some short yardage runs. It cost them against the Bears, Redskins and then last Sunday against the Giants. A year ago, Eagles coach Andy Reid opened the season without a veteran punt returner and it cost him the opening game of the season, This year he decided against having a veteran fullback to help Brian Westbrook. First, he moved running back Tony Hunt to fullback. When that didn't work, he switched defensive tackle Dan Klecko to fullback. Klecko is working hard to learn the position. But it hasn't been easy and last week he missed a critical block at the wrong time. Last year, with Thomas Tapeh blocking for Westbrook, the Eagles finished eighth in the league in rushing. But Reid cut Tapeh because he didn't play on special teams. Nothing probably matters today because the Eagles should be able to do whatever they want against the Bengals.

CZAR'S SCOOP: The Bengals are 8-2 in home games against NFC teams under Coach Marvin Lewis. The Eagles are the only team that injured QB Carson Palmer hasn't played against. Palmer still prefers to rest his sore right elbow even thought some doctors have recommended surgery. WR Chad Ocho Cinco needs four receptions to become the first Bengal to reach the 600. Ocho Cinco has had five or more catches in each of the last four games. Eagles Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews, who had back surgery in California nearly a month ago, still hasn't been allowed to return to Philadelphia. The Eagles still haven't put him on IR. Max Jean-Gilles has replaced Andrews. The Eagles are 1-10 in their last 11 games that have been decided by six points or less.

GAME: Detroit at Carolina

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: This could get ugly because not only are the Lions winless, but they are minus four more starters on offense and defense. Jared DeVries and Dewayne White, Detroit's two defensive ends, won't play and neither will center Dominic Raiola. QB Daunte Culpepper makes his second consecutive start and the Lions don't plan to remove him in red-zone situations like they did last week, inserting Drew Stanton. Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams is coming off back-to-back 100-yard games, running for a career-high 140 yards and a TD last week in Oakland. Although rookie Jonathan Stewart will play, Williams has won the job and he's performed well at home. In his last three games in Charlotte, Williams has run for 297 yards and three touchdowns. Both runners could have a big day because the Lions are allowing 161 yards rushing a game.

CZAR'S SCOOP: Delhomme had a career-low QB rating of 12.3 in last week's win over the Raiders. And Jake was awful. He was 7 of 27 for 72 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Delhomme took full responsibility for playing poorly. "I'm not beat up and I feel good," he said. Back on Oct. 30, 2005, Panthers CB Chris Gamble tackled Culpepper, then with the Vikings, tearing three of his four right knee ligaments. Culpepper really hasn't been the same player and quarterback since that hit. With three sacks last Sunday, Carolina's Julius Peppers has seven on the season, plus he leads the NFL with four forced fumbles. The Ford Family has been mum on the future of the Lions' coaching staff and personnel department, but it's possible that they will make a clean sweep of the place.

GAME: New Orleans at Kansas City

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: With QB Tyler Thigpen starting the last three games, the Chiefs have gone to a spread offense as opposed to the tailback-oriented attack when Larry Johnson was featured. "Our offense has changed a little bit," Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said, "but (Johnson) is going to be involved in it. He's excited about being back. We're still going to try to run the ball, with him being one of the better backs in the league." The Saints and QB Drew Brees should have no trouble moving the ball. In fact, they may simply employ three or four wides and never run the ball. Kansas City's defense is beat up and two rookies — Brandon Carr (fifth round) and Maurice Leggett (undrafted) — are expected to start in the secondary with recently signed castoffs Ricardo Colclough and Aaron Glenn. Thigpen has been featuring TE Tony Gonzalez, who has a streak of 124 games with at least one reception. Instead of going into the tank when he wasn't traded, Gonzo has been a pure pro the past few games. He needs one more 100-yard receiving game to surpass Kellen Winslow's record of 24 for a tight end. The Saints are minus top CB Mike McKenzie, while the defense is ranked 27th in the league against the pass.

CZAR'S SCOOP: Johnson has not played in a game since Oct. 5 at Carolina. Johnson was deactivated by the Chiefs for games against Tennessee, the Jets and Tampa Bay for violating team rules. Johnson then was suspended by Commissioner Roger Goodell for last Sunday's game against the Chargers for violating the NFL personal conduct policy in conjunction with simple assault charges Johnson is still facing. Johnson shared the first-team work with rookie Jamaal Charles, who is hampered by an ankle injury. The Chiefs recently lost Kolby Smith (knee) for the season. Johnson had rushed for 417 yards in the first five games of the season, including 198 yards against Denver, still the highest single-game total in the AFC this season. Brees showed his leadership skills last Sunday by getting on TE Jeremy Shockey, who ran the wrong route.

GAME: St. Louis at San Francisco

TIME: 4:05 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The 49ers' plan should be pretty simple — give the ball to RB Frank Gore and let him attack a Rams run defense allowing 4.8 yards per carry. St. Louis has surrendered 383 rushing yards the past two weeks. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz will let QB Shaun Hill stretch the field with WR Jason Hill, who caught seven passes for 84 yards on Monday in Arizona. The Rams are again minus Steven Jackson, leaving backups Antonio Pittman and Kenneth Darby to carry the load. Rams QB Marc Bulger has averaged just 125.5 passing yards the past two weeks and needs to start fast. Bulger has a chance because the 49ers have just 14 sacks. Rams DT Adam Carriker (ankle) is playing at less than 100 percent while the 49ers are minus WRs Arnaz Battle (foot) and Josh Morgan (groin).

CZAR'S SCOOP: This will be the first time former Rams head coach Mike Martz has played his former team with the 49ers. Remember, Martz used to love to hate the 49ers. With the possible exception of Isaac Bruce, no one got as fired up for 49ers week at Rams Park as Mad Mike. The same Martz who gleefully pulled out a broom in the cramped visitors locker room at Candlestick in 2000 to symbolize a season sweep over the old West Coast rival. "It was cool," Rams WR Torry Holt said, who witnessed his former coach sweep the locker room. "It showed us that he's in tune with what's going on. And it showed some personality there, too, with the broom and stuff." Although it has been three years since Martz last coached in St. Louis, he'd like nothing better than to show the Rams they made a mistake in firing him after the 2005 season. By the numbers, it sure looks like a mistake. The Rams were 56-36 under Martz; they are 17-35 since he last coached a game for St. Louis. And just imagine how Bruce feels. After 14 seasons with the Rams, through incredible highs and lows, Bruce was unceremoniously released last February. It didn't take Bruce long to join Martz in San Francisco. Sunday marks Bruce's first game against the Rams.

Other Games:

Baltimore at NY Giants: These are the two best running offenses in the NFL and something has got to give. Baltimore's young offensive line also must deal with Giants pass rushers Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka, who have combined 13 ½ sacks this season. Over the past month during a four-game winning streak, Ravens QB Joe Flacco has only been sacked seven times while throwing six TDs and zero interceptions. The Giants rank third in the NFL with 30 sacks. Ravens WR Derrick Mason (dislocated left shoulder) is determined to play and he did play in the second half last Sunday after the injury. He has a streak of 99 consecutive games. Flacco needs Mason, who leads the team with 46 catches for 598 yards. Ravens kicker Matt Stover (371 consecutive PATs) needs one conversion kick to set a new NFL record.

Justin Tuck will look to get after Ravens QB Joe Flacco. (Al Bello / Getty Images)

Denver at Atlanta: The Broncos have had one 100-yard rushing game this season, which is on track to easily be the lowest total of Shanahan's tenure. They have four running backs on injured reserve — three of them put there in the last 10 days. Denver will start rookie FB Peyton Hillis at tailback and he'll be replaced by recently re-signed Tatum Bell, who rushed for 1,025 yards two seasons ago for the Broncos. The Broncos could be playing catch-up because the Falcons are second in the NFL with 157.8 rushing yards per game. The Broncos are 31st in the league allowing 5.1 yards per carry and will be without all three of their starting linebackers. Broncos QB Jay Cutler better keep an eye on Falcons DE John Abraham, who has 11 sacks, two shy of his personal season high. Even without LT Sam Baker, Matt Ryan has gone four games without being sacked. After giving up 47 sacks last season, the unit has allowed just 12 sacks this season. The Falcons will honor former Coach Dan Reeves and 40 players from the NFC championship from 10 seasons ago.

Houston at Indianapolis: The Texans are 1-12 against the Colts, including 0-6 in Indy, where they lost by 19 points a game in the old RCA Dome. Houston QB Sage Rosenfels, who was 4-1 as a starter last season, is 0-2 this season, including a fourth-quarter meltdown against the Colts in the fourth quarter earlier in the season. Peyton Manning seems to be hitting his stride, but everyone seems concerned about WR Marvin Harrison, who continues to drop balls and looking old. Harrison, 36, counts $13.4 million against the salary cap next year. Harrison has 30 receptions, fourth on the team.

Oakland at Miami: The Raiders are saying that QB JaMarcus Russell, who skipped the Carolina game with a knee injury will play. But Russell better be careful because LT Mario Henderson, who is replacing a horrible Kwame Harris, will be blocking the rejuvenated Joey Porter. Oakland interim coach Tom Cable has assumed the play-calling responsibilities from offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, who will be coaching in Seattle next season. Oakland's passing game has managed only 122 net yards in the past two games. On their last 62 pass drops, Oakland quarterbacks have been sacked nine times. Justin Fargas, who still hasn't scored this season, returns to Dolphin Stadium where he rushed for 179 yards last season.

Tennessee at Jacksonville: The Titans' offensive line has surrendered a league-low five sacks, which is pretty impressive considering QB Kerry Collins' lack of mobility. The Jaguars allow 4.4 yards per carry and 113.1 yards per game on the ground, so they'll likely stack the box and dare Collins to keep producing like he did against the Bears. Jacksonville must run well to pull the upset, but managed just 33 yards in the season-opening loss in Tennessee. The Titans sacked QB David Garrard seven times and intercepted him twice in that victory. With a 9-0 start, at least some of the Titans are getting a little superstitious. For example, Collins has listened to country music star Alan Jackson's Good Time every day on the way to work and back home since the beginning of the winning streak. "Literally, it's been playing over and over and over in my car," Collins said. "I have every word of every song memorized. Sometimes I have to turn it down." When Jackson's CD ends, Collins simply switches it back to the first song and starts again.

San Diego at Pittsburgh: This should be like a playoff game, considering how both teams need to win. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin forced Ben Roethlisberger to practice this week in order to keep his starting job, but the best news for Ben should be the return of RB Willie Parker, who will wear a harness to protect a separated shoulder. Roethlisberger has been sacked 28 times, while the lack of a pass rush is the primary reason the Chargers rank last in the league allowing 264.9 passing yards per game. New coordinator Ron Rivera will employ a lot of stunts in order to generate something. Although RB LaDainian Tomlinson doesn't look like his old self, the Chargers need him because Pittsburgh has a league-best 34 sacks. If the Chargers can't protect Philip Rivers, this could be a long day. The Steelers are 12-0 at home in the regular season at home vs. Chargers but 0-2 in two playoff games. WR Hines Ward is flirting with his first 1,000-yard season since 2004. He has 561 yards on 43 receptions.

Dallas at Washington: This entire game could come down to which team rushes the quarterback the best. The Cowboys, like the Steelers did so well, need to expose Redskins offensive tackles Jon Jansen and Chris Samuels, who both struggle with speed rushers. Washington RB Clinton Portis (MCL strain) was unable to even straighten his leg on Wednesday and it seems that Ladell Betts must pick up the slack. The Redskins exposed Dallas in the first game. If the Cowboys don't get pressure on Jason Campbell, he could tear apart a very average Dallas secondary, one that has never been able to shut down Santana Moss, who will be shadowed by Terence Newman.

Cleveland at Buffalo: Yes, Bills QB Trent Edwards has started to take a nosedive, but he hasn't had a running game, either. The big news in Cleveland is that fans there are already clamoring for ex-Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher, who is a CBS analyst. It makes sense if Cowher wants to coach again. He used Cleveland before as leverage in contract negotiations with Dan Rooney, plus he played for the Browns and coached there under Marty Schottenheimer. Owner Randy Lerner has the money to spend and the price probably starts at Mike Holmgren's $8 million salary. Friends of Cowher says he would prefer to coach in the south, but one priority that he has for any team is a quarterback and the Browns do have Brady Quinn. This will be Quinn's second start.