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 Giants are looking to sweep the Eagles for the second straight year and the Eagles are 0-3 against the NFC East on the road. Eagles RB Brian Westbrook will start while Nick Cole becomes Philly's third different starter at right guard. Now, the Eagles are happy about not facing Plaxico Burress, who they always double-team. Jim Johnson believes he has better secondary match-ups against Domenik Hixon and Amani Toomer. The Giants believe that QB Eli Manning has become very adept at getting the offense into the right play, knowing that he has a solid offensive line and a great running game. Philly is well-rested, having whipped Arizona on Thanksgiving night. You can expect Eagles QB Donovan McNabb to come out throwing, because they really don't want to use Lorenzo Booker and Kyle Eckel at running back. A Giants win would equal an NFL record, set by the 1970 Vikings, of seven consecutive wins over teams with winning records.

CZAR'S SCOOP: McNabb's wife, Roxie, gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, last Tuesday and the troubled pregnancy could have affected the veteran quarterback. He did take a personal day to be with his wife on the Wednesday prior to the Cincinnati game, one that ended in a tie, a rule McNabb admitted to not knowing. It appears that Giants MLB Antonio Pierce won't face any legal hassles after meeting with police on Friday regarding his involvement with Burress and his handling of the gun after the receiver's treatment for a gunshot wound. The NYPD apparently remains perplexed about the Giants and the league, believing that the two were attempting to hide the incident from authorities. The NFL and the Giants flatly deny those allegations. Although his kickoffs remain short, the Giants will stick with PK John Carney because he has missed only one FG in 28 attempts.

GAME: Minnesota at Detroit

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: This is a funny stat: Daunte Culpepper and the Lions: The Lions are 0-13 in games in which Daunte Culpepper is the starting QB. He was 9-0 against Detroit with the Vikings and he's 0-4 for the Lions. Detroit has beaten Minnesota only once in the last 13 meetings, an overtime win at Ford Field last season. Drew Stanton will be the backup for the Lions. With the court injunction, the Williams Wall will start for the Vikings. The league hopes that their four-game suspensions will be upheld; the next court action could come on Wednesday. If the league wins, Pat and Kevin Williams would be suspended for the final three games of the season and the first playoff game if the Vikings win the North.

CZAR'S SCOOP: If you still count this Lions team a product of Matt Millen, who was fired after the third game of the season, Detroit is 31-93 under his personnel direction. The Lions give up 177 rushing yards per game, last in the NFL, and you would figure Minnesota RBs Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor should have big days. Detroit's linebackers and safeties miss too many tackles. And the Lions' pass rush figures to be minimal with rookie DEs Andre Fluellen and Cliff Avril set to start. The Lions have been outscored by an average of 22.8 points in six home losses. They also have allowed 45 sacks this season, most in the league. If Detroit loses, it will be its worst start (0-13) and longest losing streak (14 games) in franchise history.

GAME: Atlanta at New Orleans

TIME: 1 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Saints are 4-1 in the Superdome this season, meaning in a controlled environment they are much faster and quicker on offense. Saints QB Drew Brees has thrown for more than 300 yards in every home game, throwing for 17 TDs. However, the Falcons have won two straight road games to keep themselves in playoff contention. Plus, they have out-scored their opponents by 81 points in the first half with RB Michael Turner pounding his way for 13 TDs. The Falcons average 151 rushing yards a game. Rookie LT Sam Baker, who had a discectomy on Oct. 28 to improve a lower-back and hip injury, is expected to return. Brees passed for 294 yards in a fourth-quarter comeback in the first meeting, but still came up short. He was intercepted three times and he must worry about Atlanta DE John Abraham, who has 12 ½ sacks and tends to get them in bunches.

CZAR'S SCOOP: How cool is Atlanta QB Matt Ryan under pressure? Well, the rookie has been blitzed 91 times this season and has completed 56 passes (61.5 percent) for 729 yards and three touchdowns. He has thrown three interceptions and been sacked twice. His passer rating while under blitzes is 84.0 which is just below his 91.2 overall rating. Saints TE Jeremy Shockey has zero touchdowns in his last 14 games while WR Lance Moore has 6 TDs in his last five games. Falcons TE Jason Rader, who was added to the roster last week when Ben Hartsock was placed on IR, played significantly against the Chargers and figures to play more today. Turner had a fourth-quarter fumble last Sunday, breaking a streak of 331 carries without one. He's on pace to rush for 1,611 yards. Atlanta WR Roddy White has his second consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season with six TDs. White had five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown in the last meeting against the Saints. New Orleans FS Kevin Kaesviharn, who suffered a neck stinger in a loss at Tampa Bay, was put on IR this week. Josh Bullocks will start.

GAME: Dallas at Pittsburgh

TIME: 4:15 ET

Tony Romo has two straight 300-yard passing games. (Donna McWilliam, File / Associated Press)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Without RB Marion Barber (dislocated pinky toe), the Cowboys could be in a world of hurt in blitz pickup against Pittsburgh's No. 1 defense, which has 42 quarterback sacks. The Cowboys will be forced to utilize a double-tight-end formation and hope that Georgia Tech rookie Tashard Choice has a huge game. The Steelers are very good on defense and could become the first team since the '91 Philadelphia Eagles to lead the NFL in all defensive categories. Right now, Pittsburgh is allowing only 3.88 yards per play, the lowest total since the league went to a 16-game schedule in 1978. They haven't given up 300 yards in any game, while Cowboys QB Tony Romo has passed for that many yards in his last two games. The Steelers figure to put safety Troy Polamalu on Dallas TE Jason Witten. Dallas LOT Flozell Adams must deal with Steeler LB James Harrison, who has the strength to bull-rush tackles and the quickness to fly around them. He has 14 sacks and six forced fumbles. Pittsburgh also gets CB Bryan McFadden back in the nickel, his first action since breaking his right forearm on Oct. 19. Terrell Owens needs 14 yards to pass Cris Carter (13,899 yards) for sixth place all time.

CZAR'S SCOOP: The Cowboys have not had a winning record in December-January since 1996. In the past 11 seasons combined, they are 18-36, including five playoff losses. Plus, Romo is 4-7 in December and January games in his two seasons as a starter. He's thrown for 227 yards a game with 11 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and two lost fumbles. He also was sacked 25 times in those 11 games. It could be snowing with temperatures in the 20s today. The Steelers practiced outside on Wednesday, preparing for the cold and windy conditions, while the Cowboys worked inside their practice bubble on a 78-degree afternoon. Pacman Jones, who returns from a six-game suspension, wore Homer Simpson sleep pants under his workout shorts at practice. Jones will be in the nickel defense and should return punts and kicks. Former player Nate Newton also was a practice visitor this week and one day, with sponsors in attendance, there was a DJ present to provide pre-practice music. Steeler insiders don't expect ex-coach Bill Cowher to return to the sidelines next season. QB Ben Roethlisberger will earn more than $25 million in guaranteed bonuses this season and next year from the club. Pittsburgh's offense has been so dreadful this season that there have been rumblings that OC Bruce Arians' job could be in jeopardy. Cowboys DE DeMarcus Ware will wear a brace on his sore left knee.

GAME: St. Louis at Arizona

TIME: 4:15 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Cardinals are coming off consecutive losses, but if they beat the Rams they can clinch their first division title since 1975 and will host their first playoff game since 1947. The last time the Cardinals lost two straight they went on to win four of their next five games. The Rams are as healthy offensively as they have been in quite some time, and this could be the first game in which RB Steven Jackson's touches are not limited. The Cardinals haven't been able to run and they want to feature Tim Hightower as much as possible. They've rushed for only 170 yards in the last four games. The ground game is vital to the Rams, who need to make opponents pay for double-teaming their wideouts. Cardinals WRs Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald combined for 12 catches for 186 yards in the first meeting, and there's little reason to believe they won't surpass that output at home. The Cardinals signed punter Ben Graham, who kicked three seasons for the Jets, to replace Dirk Johnson, who was miserable in East Coast games. Graham is the fifth punter for the Cardinals since training camp of 2007.

CZAR'S SCOOP: Jackson wants everyone to know he suffered a torn quad muscle, not a strain. Adam Goldberg will start for Rams OT Alex Barron, who is being disciplined for breaking team rules. Rams DE Chris Long, the No. 2 overall selection, recorded two tackles and a team-high three quarterback pressures last Sunday against Miami's Jake Long, the first overall draft pick. "The (fourth) play of the game, he got a hit on the quarterback," Rams coach Jim Haslett said. "Jake's a heck of a football player, but I thought Chris did a very good job. He was excited about playing Jake all week." Whisenhunt acknowledged that the Cardinals' confidence might have taken a bit of a hit after their poor performance at Philadelphia. "I don't think it's going to be a problem," he said, "and I think it's really fortunate we have a home game coming up. I know our team has a lot of confidence at home. Our fans have been so great there." The league remains concerned about Rams' ownership, knowing that the financial commitment won't be there for the future. However, there are no plans for the league to purchase the team and then wait for the proper buyer. The NFL doesn't want to abandon St. Louis, but if they bought the Rams they could also protect the L.A. market.

Other games

Cleveland at Tennessee: The Titans clinch the AFC South with a win and the Browns don't figure to have much offense with QB Ken Dorsey (2-8 as a starter) running the show. Titans rookie RB Chris Johnson needs 42 yards to be the team's first 1,000-yard back since Eddie George in 1996. In fact, thanks to a local supermarket promotion, Johnson and LenDale White were sporting new "Smash N' Dash" T-shirts this week, the proceeds going to charity. "They got it kind of close,"' Johnson said of his caricature. "But they could've given us more muscles." Browns RB Jamal Lewis doesn't have a 100-yard game in seven tries against the Titans and he didn't make it above 50 in four of those games. Where does owner Randy Lerner turn if Bill Cowher says no?

Jacksonville at Chicago: The Jaguars aren't very good in cold weather, losing six of seven. Plus, they've been whipped in their last two games in the first quarter and it's been downhill from there. The Bears may need to sweep their final four games to take the NFC North away from the Vikings, but you never know, especially if Minnesota loses the Williams Wall. Bears DT Tommie Harris has five sacks, six QB hurries and four tackles for a loss in the past six games. Bears QB Kyle Orton needs to get more receivers involved instead of rookie RB Matt Forte. The NFL listened to Jaguars WR Matt Jones and his appeal of his drug suspension Thursday, and a decision should be forthcoming.

Houston at Green Bay: Texans QB Matt Schaub is set to start after missing four games with a sprained knee ligament, compliments of a low hit by Vikings DE Jared Allen. Although Andre Johnson leads the NFL with 88 catches for 1,146 yards, the Packers better keep an eye on Kevin Walter, who leads the Texans with nine receptions of at least 25 yards, tying him for eighth with Terrell Owens. Houston RB Steve Slaton ranks third among rookies with 904 rushing yards. Although the Packers' run defense has been awful, the Packers have scored 39 more points than their opponents, are plus-4 in turnover differential and hold advantages in total yards, first downs and time of possession. "But you have to go off of where you are," Green Bay OT Mark Tauscher said. "Everything is about productivity and winning games. Right now, we are 5-7." The Packers have lost four of their last five and are 3-3 at Lambeau after going 7-1 there last season.

Cincinnati at Indianapolis: The Bengals have a slight chance, what with Indy's defense losing leading tackler Gary Brackett (broken fibula) last week and probably without safety Bob Sanders once again. The game will be a reunion of sorts between Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Colts CB Keiwan Ratliff, who was a Bengal the past four seasons. In fact, Ratliff went back to Cincinnati and hung out with "Housh" and Chris Perry after being cut a second time by the Colts earlier this season. There is no question that T.J. believes Ratliff can play and is looking forward to going against him. Bengals owner Mike Brown wants Marvin Lewis to return, but you can bet that Lewis won't come back if Chad Ocho Cinco is still on the roster.

Miami vs. Buffalo in Toronto: This marks the first regular-season game in Canada for the Bills, who will be paid an average of $9.75 million a game from their new Toronto business partners. That amount is about double what the gross revenues are for a home game in Orchard Park. The Bills' eight-game series over the next five years will earn the team a total of $78 million. Miami beat Buffalo 25-16 on Oct. 26 by forcing three fourth-quarter turnovers and getting a career game out of second-year receiver Ted Ginn Jr., who had seven catches for 175 yards. QB J.P. Losman starts for the Bills and look for Miami QB Chad Pennington to use a short passing game.

Thomas Jones leads the AFC in rushing. (Julie Jacobson / Associated Press)

N.Y. Jets at San Francisco: The Jets stunk up the Meadowlands last Sunday, losing to the visiting Broncos in a rainstorm. New York, though, should have the edge in the running game with RB Thomas Jones benefiting from a better offensive line. Jones rushed for 556 yards and seven TDs in November as the Jets went 4-1. Jones is leading the AFC with 1,088 rushing yards. DE Shaun Ellis admitted to smoking marijuana and was charged with possession of the drug, driving without insurance and speeding after a traffic stop last weekend in New Jersey. No league suspension is likely at this time.

New England at Seattle: Injuries on defense led the Patriots to sign 39-year-old Junior Seau this week, and the statistics bear out the panic move. New England is 29th in the NFL on third down, allowing opponents to convert 44.7 percent of the time, and 30th in red-zone defense, surrendering 25 TDs in 39 trips The Patriots are also minus-3 in turnover differential. This game marks the first time Seattle WR Deion Branch has faced his old team. Branch has had a disappointing stretch, because of injuries, with the Seahawks. Seattle QB Seneca Wallace starts for Matt Hasselbeck, who misses his sixth game because of a bad back.

Kansas City at Denver: The teams have split their most recent four meetings, but the Chiefs ended a 12-game losing streak by winning in Arrowhead 33-19 when Larry Johnson ran for 198 yards and two touchdowns. Denver is allowing 144.3 rushing yards per game, and has been beaten for 17 runs of 20-plus yards. That horrible game, followed by allowing the Patriots to rush for 257 yards, forced Broncos Coach Mike Shanahan to put his team in shoulder pads for two practice days a week in order to shore up his run defense. Shanahan: "You worry about getting guys hurt and we'd already had a lot of people hurt. I decided that didn't matter if we couldn't stop the run. We had to get better." The Broncos also shelved the 3-4 front. Since that New England loss, the Broncos are allowing 129.8 yards rushing per game.

Washington at Baltimore: This could turn into a neighborhood brawl, although Redskins RB Clinton Portis (neck) is less than 100 percent. The Ravens are 3-0 in the games that RB Willis McGahee has sat out, and sport the NFL's third-ranked rushing offense with an average of 143.8 yards per contest. McGahee reportedly has been struggling with migraines. McGahee's descent has coincided with the climb of Le'Ron McClain, a 260-pounder who leads Baltimore with a career-high 545 rushing yards and six touchdowns. And rookie second-round pick Ray Rice has contributed 423 yards on 104 carries and ranks second on the team with 34 receptions. Baltimore's second-ranked defense leads the NFL with 20 interceptions, including 10 in the past four games. Redskins QB Jason Campbell has thrown just four interceptions in 378 passes this season, but his offense has generated only 43 points in the last four games, three of them losses.

Tampa Bay at Carolina: The Panthers set a single-season team record for rushing TDs (19 overall) with five 1-yard touchdown runs against the Packers last week. The Panthers ran for only seven TDs last season, and there are four games to go. RB DeAngelo Williams has run for 12 TDs, one shy of Stephen Davis' single-season record. Rookie Jonathan Stewart has six rushing TDs. Something has to give because the Bucs have allowed only one rushing TD all season. Bucs coach Jon Gruden said that Panthers WR Steve Smith is "a nightmare; he's like Freddy Krueger to me. He scares the hell out of me." Of Smith's 30 career 100-yard receiving performances, five have come against the Buccaneers, more than any other team.