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

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Redskins are really hurting on defense and could be minus as many as three starters if MLB London Fletcher can't play. There's a very good chance that Washington's DTs will be Anthony Montgomery and Lorenzo Alexander along with Cornelius Griffin. Already, SLB Marcus Washington is out. A day after the news of Plaxico Burress accidentally shooting himself, the Redskins will be honoring the late Sean Taylor, who was murdered a year ago today during a robbery at his home. His former teammate at the U. of Miami, RB Clinton Portis, will carry the flag honoring No. 21 prior to the unveiling of his name in the team's ring of honor. Obviously, the Giants will be keying on Portis because in the seven games that Portis has run for at least 85 yards, Washington is 6-1. This could be a slugfest of Portis vs. Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward. There is no question that Jacobs' MCL sprain is worse than Portis' and he may be an iffy proposition today. Ahmad Bradshaw was in a neck brace Saturday. With Burress out, Giants QB Eli Manning will have to deal with a Washington blitz package as the Redskins believe they have the cornerbacks to shut down New York receivers Amani Toomer, Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon.

CZAR'S SCOOP: The Burress news shocked his teammates, but you have to wonder what management's reaction will be. Burress could be facing discipline under the league's personal-conduct policy, plus there are reports that the NYPD is investigating whether or not his gun was registered in the city. The club could ultimately decide to trade Burress in the offseason or possibly even release him. In the season opener against the Giants, Portis gained 84 yards on 23 carries. If Fletcher can't play, H.B. Blades will shift from SLB to MLB and Alfred Fincher will start at SLB. Look for Manning to attempt to get Hixon untracked. Giants TE Kevin Boss has a five-inch height advantage against Redskins rookie safety Chris Horton. Boss, who has a TD catch in his last four games, has been improving each week as a receiver. In the opener, Giants RDE Mathias Kiwanuka took some swings at Redskins LT Chris Samuels. Kiwanuka and Samuels got involved toward the end of that game. Kiwanuka accused Samuels of a late hit from behind and trying to damage his surgically repaired knee. Samuels denied any such intent.

GAME: Carolina at Green Bay

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The weather calls for gusty winds and that probably means Carolina will come out running with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, considering the Packers are allowing 143 yards rushing a game. Carolina QB Jake Delhomme has been struggling of late and some scouts believe his surgically repaired elbow (Tommy John surgery) is beginning to feel the strain. Delhomme had two awful throwing games against Oakland and Detroit before passing for 295 yards in last Sunday's loss to Atlanta. Twelve months ago, the Packers crushed the visiting Panthers, 31-17, when Carolina was down to its fourth quarterback (Vinny Testaverde) and didn't have Smith (shin injury). The Packers struggled against Drew Brees and the Saints, but they have the cornerbacks to deal with Steve Smith. The Packers expect RT Mark Tauscher to return to the lineup, which will help QB Aaron Rodgers' protection. Rodgers forced some passes in Monday night's loss and he has to be more poised against Julius Peppers and Co. This is virtually a must-win scenario for the Packers.

CZAR'S SCOOP: Panthers coaches were so upset with the team's tackling against Atlanta last week that they broke down film and told the defensive players that the Falcons gained 193 yards after first contact. "That's pretty much ridiculous for our defense," said Carolina DT Damione Lewis. Packers SS Atari Bigby figures to play. All of the Green Bay safeties, though, are hurting and Aaron Rouse figures to be inactive. Green Bay's pass rush has been non-existent except for DE Aaron Kampman, who goes against Carolina rookie Jeff Otah. The Panthers signed CB Chris Gamble to a new contract that guarantees $16 million in signing and roster bonuses. The next player who needs a deal is Peppers, whose franchise number next season would be $17 million.

GAME: New Orleans at Tampa Bay

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Fourteen of the last 19 meetings between these two teams have been decided by a touchdown or less. The Saints are coming off a 51-point game and get RB Reggie Bush back although he probably will be eased into his role with Pierre Thomas running so well. QB Drew Brees passed for 343 yards in the season-opener win when Bucs QB Jeff Garcia was struggling with a pulled calf muscle. Since regaining his starter's job six games ago, Garcia has been completing better than 70 percent of his throws. The Bucs hope the difference this time around is more depth in the secondary with the emergence of rookie CB Aqib Talib in the nickel spot. The Bucs also play more press coverages than in the past instead of relying on their famed Cover Two. RB Warrick Dunn starts for the Bucs, who were pleased with how Cadillac Williams returned to action against the Lions last Sunday. He converted all the tough short-yardage runs in a fourth-quarter drive. Saints FB Mike Karney is out again. Bucs CB Ronde Barber has scored 11 regular-season touchdowns on fumble and interception returns, the most among active players and third all-time, behind Rod Woodson (13) and Aeneas Williams.

CZAR'S SCOOP: Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is the NFL's highest-paid defensive assistant at $2 million a year, an amount he couldn't earn at the U. of Tennessee if he would join his son Lane there next season. The ex-Raiders coach reportedly will replace Philip Fulmer at Tennessee. However, Kiffin, 68, may want to close out his career coaching with his son. How often does such an opportunity come along? What has propelled these rumors is that Jimmy Sexton, not Lane Kiffin's customary agent but Monte's, handled the contract negotiations. Interestingly, Saints defensive line coach Ed Orgeron has been rumored to join Lane in Knoxville. It doesn't sound like the Bucs would prevent Monte from leaving. It would allow them to promote talented secondary coach Raheem Morris before losing him to another team. Also, it would make sense that current Lions head coach Rod Marinelli could return once he's fired in Detroit.

The 49ers plan to use RB Frank Gore more against Buffalo than they did against Dallas. (Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images)

GAME: San Francisco at Buffalo

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: After limiting Frank Gore to 16 touches against the Cowboys, the 49ers plan to get him untracked against the Bills. Buffalo had lost four straight until putting up 51 points on the lowly Chiefs last Sunday and climbing back into the playoff picture at 6-5. The Bills need QB Trent Edwards to go deep to Lee Evans and keep Marshawn Lynch involved in the offense. San Francisco QB Shaun Hill has played well, considering, and he'll be facing a banged-up Bills secondary that has rookie Leodis McKelvin starting and probably minus SS Donte Whitner, who has a bruised right shoulder. McKelvin, the 11th pick in the draft, made his second start against the Chiefs and had two interceptions, one of which he returned 64 yards for a touchdown. "We're obviously thrilled with the way he played and the way he's come along," said Bills coach Dick Jauron of his rookie. McKelvin was the first Bills rookie to post a multi-interception game since linebacker Jim Haslett on Nov. 25, 1979 at New England.

CZAR'S SCOOP: San Francisco tries to snap the West Coast-East Coast jinx Sunday. West Coast teams are 0-14 so far when playing on the East Coast. But let's be realistic, the main reason the record is so bad is the AFC West and NFC West are the two worst divisions in the league this year. Apparently, Jauron has agreed to terms on a new contract but the club won't comment on whether the deal is signed or not. 49ers coach Mike Singletary said last week's Dallas loss might have turned out differently if his team would have converted two early red-zone possessions into touchdowns instead of two field goals. It sounds like Mike Holmgren definitely is not in San Francisco's plans for next season, meaning that Holmgren may actually sit the season out.

GAME: Atlanta at San Diego

TIME: 4:05 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Well, Michael Turner returns to San Diego and right away everyone was speculating whether the Chargers would be better off with him and not LaDainian Tomlinson, who seems to be slowed by a toe injury. Interestingly, both Turner and L.T. have 1,099 yards from scrimmage this season, although L.T. has 39 receptions to Turner's four. Turner's bruising style (1,088 rush yards) is one big reason why the Falcons are in playoff contention as he figures to go over 320 carries this season. Falcons QB Matt Ryan has thrown for 2,418 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. But he is only 2-3 on the road. A big plus for him, though, is that San Diego's pass defense is the worst in the league and without Shawne Merriman hasn't applied consistent pressure all season. But they have had five sacks in the last two games. The Chargers also better be mindful of RB Jerious Norwood has rushed for 394 yards on 73 carries for a 5.4 average and two touchdowns. He also has a 67-yard reception for a touchdown.

CZAR'S SCOOP: Since the NFL expanded the playoffs to 12 teams in 1990, just two teams have made it to the postseason after beginning the season 4-7. One of those was the 1995 Chargers, the other the 1996 Jacksonville Jaguars. Both of those teams won their final five games. The Chargers might not have to do that because the AFC West could be won at 8-8 or even 7-9 because the Denver Broncos, now 6-5, aren't the most talented team, either. The Chargers have lost so many close games this season, but lately QB Philip Rivers has been turning the ball over at costly times. He has lost three fumbles and has 10 interceptions. The best matchup may be Chargers LT Marcus McNeill against Atlanta DE John Abraham, who has 12 of his team's 21 sacks. Abraham is a little dinged up, but the Falcons rotate him in and out of the lineup so he gets only 35 snaps a game. Abraham has 22 sacks in his last 26 games and since 2000, his 79 1/2 sacks are the third most in the NFL. The last time he faced the Chargers when with the Jets, Abraham had a sack and a forced fumble.

Other games

Brady Quinn's injury puts Derek Anderson back under center for the Browns. (Sam Greenwood / Getty Images)

Indianapolis at Cleveland: With Brady Quinn (finger) on injured reserve, the Browns return to QB Derek Anderson. However, Cleveland needs RB Jamal Lewis to have a huge game in order to keep the ball out of Peyton Manning's hands. Peyton has found his rhythm after a sluggish start to his season. Marvin Harrison may be struggling, but Peyton's other receivers are doing just fine. Safety Bob Sanders (knee) is out again, which should help the Cleveland running game. Nobody believes Romeo Crennel will return next season.

Baltimore at Cincinnati: The Bengals have lost 10 or more games in 15 of their previous 40 seasons and coach Marvin Lewis is one loss away from making it 16 in their last 41 seasons. Lewis has never lost 10 games in six seasons as head coach. The Bengals are hurting across the board, but are particularly thin on defense. The Ravens, who are fourth in the NFL with 143.5 yards rushing per game, figure to use all three of their running backs — Willis McGahee, Le'Ron McClain and rookie Ray Rice — to help rookie Joe Flacco's passing game. It figures to be cold and snowy in Cincy.

Denver at N.Y. Jets: With New York so good at stopping the run, look for Broncos QB Jay Cutler to come out throwing. The Broncos will use a lot of bootlegs to buy Cutler some time to attack a unit allowing 239 passing yards per game. The Jets will counter with Brett Favre and RB Thomas Jones, who leads the AFC with 950 rushing yards. He is fourth in the NFL in that category and is closing in on his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season. Cutler will have two healthy receivers in Brandon Marshall (67 receptions) and rookie Eddie Royal (58).

Miami at St. Louis: With leading WR Greg Camarillo lost for the season, Dolphins QB Chad Pennington will look more to rookie Davone Bess and probably involve his tight ends more in the passing game. LT Jake Long will be at less than 100 percent while working against Rams DE Chris Long in a battle between the top two picks in the draft. The two young men are good friends. Miami averages 6.25 yards on first down. Rams QB Marc Bulger will start and LT Orlando Pace returns to action. It's anybody's guess if Steven Jackson will be effective or not. The big news in St. Louis is that coach Jim Haslett believes he needs to win two more games to keep his job for next season.

Pittsburgh at New England: Patriots QB Matt Cassel goes for his third consecutive 400-yard passing game against the Steelers and their top-ranked defense, which is allowing the fewest points and yards in the league. The Patriots are coming off back-to-back 500-yard games for the first time in franchise history. New England is 48-9 in games played after Thanksgiving (including playoffs) since the 2001 season. That's the best mark in the league over that span. Pittsburgh expects RB Willie Parker to play.

Kansas City at Oakland: Chiefs Coach Herm Edwards had a funny answer when asked if he was a candidate for the San Diego State job. "I've got a college team right now and I'm coaching it," Edwards said. The Chiefs, 1-10, have lost 19 of their last 20 games, making this the worst stretch in the 49 years of franchise history. Good news for Oakland QB JaMarcus Russell: The Chiefs have only six sacks all season. The Raiders have their running game tuned up and there's talk now that if coach Tom Cable can win a few more games he may actually return next season as head coach.

Chicago at Minnesota: Consider Adrian Peterson happy to be playing the Bears in prime time on Sunday night at the Metrodome. In three games against the Bears, Peterson has 423 yards rushing, seven touchdowns and a 6.8-yard average. He's scored at least two TDs in each game. The highlight was a 224-yard, three-TD game at Soldier Field in Week 6 of last season. The Bears won this year's first meeting, 48-41 at Soldier Field. It was the first time the Vikings ever lost when scoring that many points. With 2,521 career yards rushing, Peterson needs 27 to move past Fran Tarkenton into the top 10 on the Vikings' all-time list.

Jacksonville at Houston: This will mark the Texans' first appearance on Monday Night Football and in an earlier meeting they stuffed the Jaguars' running game (57 yards rushing). QB Sage Rosenfels starts for the Texans while David Garrard attempts to get untracked from a very uneven season. The Jaguars seem to be reducing Fred Taylor's carries and this could be his last season. Houston rookie RB Steve Slaton (chest) should get as many carries and touches as he wants in this game.