Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - The
Detroit Lions have reached their Waterloo.
The opposing army is the Green Bay Packers, the battlefield is Lambeau Field, and the price of a loss is a certain exile to a private island reserved for the worst team in NFL history.
The Lions reached a new low in last Sunday's 42-7 thrashing at the hands of the New Orleans Saints, becoming the first team in NFL annals to lose their first 15 games in a season.
The 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - the only team since World War II to lose all of its games - finished 0-14 in their first season of existence and were spared the indignity of having to play another game thanks to a shorter, pre- schedule-expansion slate.
The 1980 New Orleans Saints were the only other club that had started 0-14, though they gutted out a win in game 15 to finish 1-15 and avoid the kind of ignominy the Lions will stare down on Sunday.
Detroit has finished winless previously, going 0-11 in a 1942 campaign that saw the war-depleted Lions outscored by a composite of 263-38. With the loss in its home finale to New Orleans last week, the 2008 team became the first group of Lions since that club to fail to notch a win during the home portion of its schedule.
When the epitaphs are written, they will state that the biggest problem this team had - at least from an Xs and Os standpoint - was defense.
Barring some unforeseen statistical events on Sunday, the 2008 Lions will finish last in the league in the following defensive categories: total defense (399.1 yards per game), scoring defense (32.4 points per game), rushing defense (169.5 yards per game), touchdowns allowed (59), rushing touchdowns allowed (30), yards allowed per rush (4.99), rushes allowed of 20 yards or longer (23), and interceptions recorded (4).
Offensively, things have been only slightly better, though the stats will say that the Lions had two keepers. Wideout Calvin Johnson (69 receptions, 1229 yards, 10 TD) has been a stud despite working with no fewer than five different quarterbacks, and rookie running back Kevin Smith is within 116 yards of recording a 1,000-yard season for a team that has had to throw a ton due to all the huge deficits it has encountered.
If you believe in the adage that you are what your record says you are, then the Lions will wear the crown of "worst-ever" deservedly. That said, had Detroit been privileged enough to face off with any of the league's other '08 bottom-feeders - the Chiefs (2-13), Bengals (3-11-1), Browns (4-11), Raiders (4-11) and especially the Rams (2-13) - we believe they would be avoiding this discussion.
The standings say that the worst teams the Lions have played are the Packers and Jaguars, both 5-10, but each of those opponents won playoff games last year and aren't untalented as much as they are dysfunctional.
You can easily argue that St. Louis - which has scored 17 touchdowns in 15 games and has lost by 17 points or more nine times this year - has been every bit as uncompetitive as the Lions this year. And this Detroit team is probably better than other NFL duds like the 1981 Baltimore Colts or 1992 Seattle Seahawks, who always seem to claim top-five status on any list of the worst clubs in modern league history.
But all of the above managed to strap it up for at least one three-hour period over the course of four months and come away with a win, and these Lions - provided they don't prevail in Green Bay for the first time since M.C. Hammer had money (1991) - have distinguished themselves by failing to do that.
Last year we found out that 16-0 was possible, and on Sunday the entire NFL world will watch the good and long-suffering fans of Detroit endure an opposite-ended embarrassment that should rank as the worst nightmare of league supporters everywhere.
The Lions and their fans deserve better, but their 2008 season will indeed live in infamy.
Let's take a look at the week that will be in the National Football League:
WEEKLY SEED REPORT
A look at what the playoffs would look like if the season ended today:
AFC
1 - Tennessee (13-2) 2 - Pittsburgh (11-4) 3 - Miami (10-5) 4 - Denver (8-7) 5 - Indianapolis (11-4) 6 - Baltimore (10-5)
NFC
1 - N.Y. Giants (12-3) 2 - Carolina (11-4) 3 - Minnesota (9-6) 4 - Arizona (8-7) 5 - Atlanta (10-5) 6 - Dallas (9-6)
NFL POWER POLL
The My Sportsbook's updated NFL Power Poll, which ranks all 32 league teams, can be found at:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=nfl/misc/nfl- poll.htm
FANTASY FOCUS
Find Fantasy Editor Steve Schwarz's latest analysis at:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page= fantasy/index.aspx
SUICIDE POOL PIX
1. Atlanta (vs. St. Louis) - Rams have been largely uncompetitive on the road this season, and Falcons need the win to keep division hopes afloat.
2. Baltimore (vs. Jacksonville) - Physical Ravens defense will attack weak Jaguars o-line from start to finish.
3. Tampa Bay (vs. Oakland) - Fading Bucs still have plenty in reserve to beat the Raiders handily.
THE GAMES
Looks like the wheels have come off the bus. I was just 6-10 in my picks last week, which perhaps isn't that surprising considering that nine favorites were flat-out losers. My record against the spread was a slightly less embarrassing 8-8. The record on the year is now 148-92 (.617) overall, and 130-102-8 (.558) with the number. Join me as I limp to the finish.
St. Louis (2-13) at Atlanta (10-5), Sunday, 1:00 (Atlanta -15)
Storylines: Falcons have clinched a playoff berth, and can win NFC South, No. 2 overall seed, and a first-round playoff bye with a win and a Panthers loss at New Orleans...Rams have clinched either the No. 2 or No. 3 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft...St. Louis has lost nine consecutive games, its longest losing streak since John Robinson's final team lost its final 10 in 1991...Loss would clinch Rams' worst season since going 1-12-1 in 1962...Falcons are 6-1 at home this season, and with a win will go 7-1 at home for the first time since 2004...Rams are last in the NFL in touchdowns (17) and passing touchdowns (10)...Falcons' Michael Turner trails Vikings' Adrian Peterson by 166 yards in quest for 2008 NFL rushing title...Rams running back Steven Jackson is 119 yards shy of his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season...St. Louis has had an NFL-high-tying three fumbles returned for touchdowns...Rams' Donnie Jones leads the NFL in punting average (50.1)...St. Louis general manager and president of football operations Jay Zygmunt resigned on Monday.
Fast Fact: Falcons receiver Roddy White (85 receptions, 1334 receiving yards) needs 25 receiving yards to break Alfred Jenkins' single-season club mark from 1981, and is five catches from becoming the first Atlanta player with 90-plus catches since Andre Rison in 1992.
Prediction: Falcons have answered just about every challenge this year, and woeful Rams will already have one foot in the offseason. Falcons 34, Rams 7.
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New England (10-5) at Buffalo (7-8), Sunday, 1:00 (New England -6)
Storylines: New England can win AFC East with a win and a Jets win over the Dolphins, and can earn a Wild Card berth with a win and a Ravens loss to the Jaguars...With a victory and wins for the Dolphins and Ravens, Patriots will become first team since the 1985 Denver Broncos to win 11 games and miss the playoffs...Patriots have won 15 of 16 over the Bills, including 10 straight since losing at Buffalo to start the 2003 season...Bills can avoid third consecutive 7-9 season with a victory...Buffalo running back Marshawn Lynch (shoulder) and New England defensive end Richard Seymour (back) both regarded as questionable for Sunday...Patriots wideout Randy Moss is tied for the NFL lead in touchdown catches (11), and teammate Wes Welker leads the league in receptions (109)...Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski leads the league in scoring (141 points), made field goals (34), and is 34-of-37 on the year...New England has allowed a league-high-tying two kickoff returns for touchdowns on the year...Bills' Roscoe Parrish leads the NFL in punt return average (15.3).
Fast Fact: The Patriots are 4-0 in Buffalo since 2004, with those wins coming by a composite score of 150-40.
Prediction: Bills don't figure to go down without a fight against a hated division rival, but Pats still have more weapons. Patriots 23, Bills 17
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Kansas City (2-13) at Cincinnati (3-11-1), Sunday, 1:00 (Cincinnati -3)
Storylines: Bengals seeking a third consecutive win to end the season, and will finish 4-4-1 in their final nine games if they prevail...Cincinnati can pull out of last place in the AFC North for the first time this season with a win and a Browns (4-11) loss at Pittsburgh...Chiefs have clinched either the No. 2 or No. 3 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft...With a loss, Kansas City will have posted its worst record in team history, surpassing the 2-12 mark of the 1977 team...Bengals are last in NFL total offense (239.8 yards per game), scoring offense (12.5 points per game), and rushing touchdowns (5)...Kansas City running back Larry Johnson needs 144 yards to surpass 1,000 for the third time in his career...Cincinnati cornerback Leon Hall is the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording three interceptions, including one for a 50-yard touchdown, in last week's 14-0 win at Cleveland... Chiefs have recorded an NFL-low nine sacks on the season...Kansas City is tied for the NFL lead in forced fumbles recovered (16)...Bengals tackle Stacy Andrews (knee) was lost for the year in last week's win over the Browns.
Fast Fact: The Chiefs' most recent trip to Cincinnati resulted in a 24-19 loss during the 2003 season, a game that Kansas City entered at 9-0.
Prediction: Bengals defense will revert to its usual form against a Kansas City offense that can score some points. Chiefs 27, Bengals 20.
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Detroit (0-15) at Green Bay (5-10), Sunday, 1:00 (Green Bay -9)
Storylines: Lions are the first team in NFL history to lose their first 15 games in a year, and are trying to avoid becoming league's first 0-16 team...1976 Buccaneers, who finished 0-14, are the only NFL team since 1944 to finish without a win...Detroit has lost 17 straight road games against Green Bay, and is 0-14 at the Packers since last winning there in 1991...Lions last finished without a win in 1942, when they were 0-11...Packers have lost five in a row since defeating the Bears in Week 11...Green Bay has absorbed a league-high-tying three safeties...Lions are last in the league in total defense (399.1 yards per game), scoring defense (32.4 points per game), rushing defense (169.5 yards per game), touchdowns allowed (59), rushing touchdowns allowed (30), yards allowed per rush (4.99), rushes allowed of 20 yards or longer (23), interceptions recorded (4), and are allowing opponents to convert an NFL-high-tying 75 percent of fourth-downs...Lions quarterbacks have thrown an NFL-high five interceptions for touchdowns, while Green Bay defense has an NFL-best six interception returns for touchdowns...Packers safety Nick Collins leads the league in interceptions for touchdowns (3) and interception return yards (258).
Fast Fact: The Packers (five straight losses) last lost six consecutive games to end a season in 1958, when they finished 1-10-1 in the year prior to Vince Lombardi's hiring as head coach.
Prediction: It won't be from lack of effort, but Lions will live in infamy thanks to a decided talent disadvantage against Green Bay. Packers 31, Lions 10.
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Chicago (9-6) at Houston (7-8), Sunday, 1:00 (Houston -2)
Storylines: Bears can win NFC North with a win and a Vikings loss to the Giants, and can be Wild Card entry with a win and losses for the Buccaneers and Cowboys...Chicago, which went 3-0 on its just-completed homestand, will be playing on the road for the first time since losing at Minnesota on Nov. 30...Bears quarterback Kyle Orton is 272 yards shy of his first career 3,000- yard passing season...Houston quarterbacks have thrown an NFL-high-tying 20 interceptions... Bears are tied for the NFL lead in takeaways (31)...Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson leads the NFL in receiving yards (1427), and is four behind New England's Wes Welker (109 catches) for the league lead in receptions...Johnson vying to become first player to lead the league outright in receptions and receiving yards since the Rams' Torry Holt in 2003...Texans are allowing opponents to convert a league-high-tying 75 percent of fourth- downs...Chicago's Danieal Manning leads the league in kickoff return average (29.4)...Bears lead the NFL in touchdowns off of fumble returns (3) and blocked punts (2).
Fast Fact: The Bears' only win in the city of Houston all-time occurred in 1986, when they defeated the Oilers, 20-7, at the Astrodome.
Prediction: Mediocre Bears team watches its luck run out in Houston, where Texans have had a mostly encouraging second half to the season. Texans 24, Bears 14.
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Tennessee (13-2) at Indianapolis (11-4), Sunday, 1:00 (Tennessee -3)
Storylines: Titans are locked into the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC, while Colts have clinched No. 5 seed and a first-round matchup with either the Chargers or Broncos...Titans and Colts are unlikely to play many starters for the duration of the contest...Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, who needs 93 yards to reach 4,000 for the ninth time in his career, is the reigning AFC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 364 yards and three touchdowns on 29-of-34 passing in last week's win over the Jaguars...Tennessee has absorbed an NFL-low nine sacks on the season...Indianapolis leads the league in third-down conversion percentage (49.7), and is last in the NFL in opponents' third-down percentage (48.3)...Titans are No. 1 in NFL scoring defense (14.1 points per game) and are tied for the league lead in takeaways (31) and turnover margin (+14)...Titans safety Michael Griffin is tied for the NFL lead in interceptions (7)... Indianapolis is tied for last in the league in rushes of 20 yards or longer (4)...Colts have allowed a league-low six touchdown passes, but are last in opponents' completion percentage (68.5).
Fast Fact: The Colts (31-21 loss to Titans on Oct. 27th) have been swept in a home-and-home against an AFC South opponent just once, by the 2002 Titans.
Prediction: Hard to know what to expect here, but it should be easier for run- first Titans backups to move the ball than pass-happy Colts backups. Titans 24, Colts 17.
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N.Y. Giants (12-3) at Minnesota (9-6), Sunday, 1:00 (Minnesota -6)
Storylines: Giants are locked into the No. 1 playoff seed in the NFC...Vikings can win NFC North with a win or a Bears loss to the Texans...Vikings running back Adrian Peterson leads the NFL in rushing yards (1657), and is 166 yards ahead of Atlanta's Michael Turner in a quest for the league rushing crown...Giants lead the NFL in rushing offense (158.9 yards per game), yards per carry (5.0), and rushes of 20 yards or longer (24)...Minnesota is No. 1 in NFL rushing defense (73 yards per game) and yards allowed per rush (3.2)...New York running back Derrick Ward is the reigning NFC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for a career-high 215 yards on just 15 carries in last week's 34-28 overtime win over the Panthers...With 52 more yards for Ward, he and Brandon Jacobs will become just the fourth 1,000-yard tandem in NFL history...New York has lost a league-low three fumbles...Giants and Vikings are tied for the NFL lead in safeties recorded (3) along with the Ravens...Vikings have surrendered an NFL-worst four punt returns for touchdowns and have had a league-high-tying three fumbles returned for TDs.
Fast Fact: The road team has won the last five installments of the Giants/Vikings series, including Minnesota's 41-17 win at Giants Stadium last season.
Prediction: If you think Tom Coughlin is letting Eli Manning or Brandon Jacobs get anywhere near Jared Allen, you're nuts. Vikings 31, Giants 7.
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Carolina (11-4) at New Orleans (8-7), Sunday, 1:00 (Carolina -3)
Storylines: Carolina clinches NFC South, No. 2 conference seed, and a first- round playoff bye with a win or an Atlanta loss to St. Louis...Loss for Carolina and win for Atlanta would push Panthers to No. 5 seed in NFC and a first-round playoff trip to Arizona...Panthers are 6-0 in road games against the Saints since last losing in New Orleans in 2001...New Orleans will record its ninth winning season in 42 yards of existence with a victory...Saints quarterback Drew Brees (league-high 4,683 passing yards) needs 402 passing yards to break Dan Marino's single-season NFL record mark in that category (5,084)...Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams leads the league in touchdowns (20) and rushing touchdowns (18), and Carolina leads the league in rushing touchdowns (29)...Saints are No. 1 in NFL total offense (410.3 yards per game), scoring offense (28.8 points per game), passing offense (307.3 yards per game), and touchdowns scored (53)...Panthers have had a league-high two punts blocked for touchdowns...Carolina is just 3-4 away from Bank of America Stadium this season.
Fast Fact: New Orleans receiver Devery Henderson's 25.5 yards per catch would be the most in a single-season for a player with 30+ receptions since the Rams' Flipper Anderson averaged 26.0 per grab in 1989.
Prediction: Saints have been great at home, but they won't have enough of an answer for the Carolina running game. Panthers 24, Saints 20.
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Cleveland (4-11) at Pittsburgh (11-4), Sunday, 1:00 (Pittsburgh -10)
Storylines: Pittsburgh is locked into the No. 2 seed and a first-round playoff bye in the AFC, and is unlikely to play many of its starters for the duration...Quarterback and Pittsburgh native Bruce Gradkowski expected to make first career start for Cleveland in place of injured Ken Dorsey (concussion)... Steelers have won 15 of 16 over Browns, including 10 straight since losing to Cleveland at Heinz Field in 2003...Cleveland has lost five in a row and has not scored an offensive touchdown in 20 consecutive quarters...Pittsburgh is No. 1 in NFL total defense (244.7 yards per game), passing defense (166.1 yards per game), touchdowns allowed (21), and is tied for the league lead in opponents' third-down percentage (31.9)...Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu is tied for the NFL lead in interceptions (7)...Browns are completing a league-worst 49.4 percent of their passes... Steelers are last in the league in fourth-down conversion percentage (25.0)... Steelers placed tackle Marvel Smith (back) on season-ending injured reserve on Tuesday and signed tackle Jason Capizzi off the Rams practice squad.
Fast Fact: The Steelers have a 56-55 lead in their all-time series with the Browns, the first time since the start of the series in 1950 that Pittsburgh has led.
Prediction: Even if Steelers play mostly backups, Browns won't show the effort to make a serious upset bid. Steelers 20, Browns 13.
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Oakland (4-11) at Tampa Bay (9-6), Sunday, 1:00 (Tampa Bay -13)
Storylines: Buccaneers, who have lost three straight games since starting 9-3, can secure a Wild Card berth with a win and a Cowboys loss in Philadelphia...Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden faces his former team for the third time since coming to the Buccaneers in 2002, including his win over the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII...Win for Oakland would help team match its best record since 2003, and would also give Raiders three road victories for the first time since 2004... Buccaneers are 6-1 at home this season...Tampa Bay wide receiver Antonio Bryant has a touchdown in four straight games, and has gone over 100 receiving yards in three consecutive... Oakland is last in NFL passing offense (148.3 yards per game), and third-down conversion percentage (27.4)... Raiders running back Justin Fargas needs 158 yards for his second straight 1,000-yard season...Oakland's Johnnie Lee Higgins is tied for the NFL lead in punt returns for touchdowns (3) along with injured Saint Reggie Bush, and Raiders' Justin Miller leads the league in kickoff returns for touchdowns (2)...Oakland punter Shane Lechler leads the NFL in net punting average (41.1).
Fast Fact: The Buccaneers' lone win in their regular season series with the Raiders came in 1996, a 20-17 overtime affair that also marks the only meeting between the teams in Tampa.
Prediction: Bucs' three-game losing streak has come against quality opponents, and Raiders don't fit that description in any way. Buccaneers 35, Raiders 7.
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Miami (10-5) at N.Y. Jets (9-6), Sunday, 4:15 (N.Y. Jets -2)
Storylines: Dolphins will clinch first AFC East title since 2000 and first playoff berth since 2001 with a win...Jets need a win and Patriots loss in Buffalo to claim the AFC East title, and can be a Wild Card with a win, New England win, and Baltimore loss to Jacksonville...Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington, who started 66 games as a member of the Jets between 2002 and 2007, will return to the Meadowlands for the first time since being released by the team in August...Jets are 1-3 in their past four games following an 8-3 start...Jets are 5-0 against Dolphins during Eric Mangini era, and have four straight wins over Miami at the Meadowlands... Dolphins are completing a league-best 67 percent of their passes, have committed an NFL-low 12 turnovers, and are tied for the league lead in turnover margin (+14)... Jets have thrown an NFL-high-tying 20 interceptions...Jets are allowing opponents to complete a league-high-tying 75 percent of fourth-downs...Jets have a league-high three fumbles returned for touchdowns... Dolphins signed ex-49ers linebacker Derek Smith on Tuesday.
Fast Fact: The most recent win at the Meadowlands for Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington came on Sept. 23, 2007, when the then-Jet completed 15-of-22 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-28 win over Miami.
Prediction: Dolphins are the more disciplined, better-coached, and less mistake-prone team, even if they have less talent. Dolphins 22, Jets 19.
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Dallas (9-6) at Philadelphia (8-6-1), Sunday, 4:15 (Philadelphia -1)
Storylines: Cowboys will clinch NFC Wild Card berth with a victory...Eagles will be second NFC Wild Card with a victory, a Buccaneers loss to the Raiders, and a Bears loss to the Texans... Dallas was a 41-37 home winner over Philadelphia in Week 2...Cowboys have recorded a league-high 58 sacks, and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (20 sacks) needs three sacks to break the NFL single-season record of 22.5, set by the Giants' Michael Strahan in 2001... Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb needs 259 passing yards to surpass 4,000 for the first time in his career...Cowboys quarterback Marion Barber (toe) may not play after totaling just two yards on 10 carries in his past two games...Eagles running back Brian Westbrook is 114 yards shy of his third straight 1,000-yard rushing season...Cowboys wideout Terrell Owens needs 59 receiving yards for his eighth career 1,000-yard campaign...Eagles are tied for the league lead in opponents' third-down percentage (31.9)...Philadelphia has had a league-high two blocked field goals returned for touchdowns.
Fast Fact: In his past 15 starts dating back to last season, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has posted both his best single-game passer rating (123.2) and worst passer rating (22.2) against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Prediction: If Dallas blows another golden opportunity, Jerry Jones might pull Romo and Wade Phillips behind the team bus. Cowboys 23, Eagles 20.
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Seattle (4-11) at Arizona (8-7), Sunday, 4:15 (Arizona -6)
Storylines: Final game in Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren's 10-season tenure...Cardinals, who are vying for first winning season since 1998 and second in the past 24 years, have clinched NFC West title and No. 4 seed in playoffs...Seahawks have already clinched worst season since going 2-14 in 1992...Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin, who is tied for the NFL lead in touchdown catches (11), considered questionable after missing last week's 47-7 loss to the Patriots with a shoulder injury...Seneca Wallace expected to start at quarterback for the eighth time this season in place of the injured Matt Hasselbeck (back)...Arizona is last in the league in rushing offense (71.1 yards per game), yards per carry (3.3), and is tied for last in the NFL in rushes of 20 yards or longer (4)...Cardinals have allowed an NFL-high 34 touchdown passes... Seattle is last in the league in passing defense (253.5 yards per game)...Seahawks cornerback Josh Wilson is the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week after notching five tackles, two interceptions, and his first career sack in last week's 13-3 upset of the Jets...Seahawks lead the league in fourth-down conversion percentage (77.8)...Arizona is tied for the NFL lead in forced fumbles recovered (16).
Fast Fact: The Cardinals (seven points last week) have not been held to a single-digit point total in back-to-back games since 2001, when they suffered consecutive losses to the Cowboys (17-3) and Eagles (21-7).
Prediction: Arizona has been awful of late, but will play well in the name of momentum and posting a rare winning season. Cardinals 27, Seahawks 13.
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Washington (8-7) at San Francisco (6-9), Sunday, 4:15 (San Francisco -3)
Storylines: 49ers are 4-4 since interim head coach Mike Singletary took over...With a Redskins win, NFC East can become first division since 2002 realignment with four winning teams (NFC South can achieve same mark if Saints beat Panthers on Sunday)...San Francisco running back Frank Gore (ankle), who needs 22 yards to reach 1,000 for the third straight year, considered questionable for Sunday after missing the last two games...Washington wideout Santana Moss is 24 yards shy of his third career 1,000-yard season, and first since 2005...Redskins running back Clinton Portis needs 93 yards to reach 1,500 for the fourth time in his career...Redskins have thrown an NFL-low six interceptions on the season...49ers have committed an NFL-worst 34 turnovers, lost a league-high 16 fumbles, absorbed an NFL-high 54 sacks and are a league- worst -17 in turnover margin...49ers lead the league in touchdowns off of blocked field goals (2)... Redskins punter Ryan Plackemeier is the reigning NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after placing five of eight punts inside the 10-yard line and allowing only seven return yards in last week's 10-3 win over the Eagles.
Fast Fact: In two career starts against current 49ers coach Mike Singletary as a player, Redskins head coach Jim Zorn was 1-1, including a win over Singletary's Bears while with the Seahawks (1982) and a loss as a member of the Packers (1985).
Prediction: Redskins have scored a whopping 40 points over their past four games, but have found an opponent they should move the ball against. Redskins 20, 49ers 14.
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Jacksonville (5-10) at Baltimore (10-5), Sunday, 4:15 (Baltimore -12)
Storylines: Ravens will clinch Wild Card berth and a playoff trip to meet AFC East winner with a win or losses by the Patriots (at Bills) and Jets (vs. Dolphins)...Baltimore wide receiver Derrick Mason (shoulder), who needs 40 yards to reach 1,000 for the seventh time in the last eight years, considered questionable for Sunday...Ravens defense leads the league in interceptions (24), rushing touchdowns allowed (4), opponents' completion percentage (52.1), opponents' fourth-down conversion percentage (20.0), and have recorded an NFL- high-tying three safeties on the season...Ravens safety Ed Reed is tied for the league lead in interceptions (7)...Baltimore has allowed a league-high- tying two kickoff returns for touchdowns on the year...Jaguars are last in the NFL in forced fumbles recovered (4)...Jacksonville vice president of player personnel James "Shack" Harris resigned on Tuesday...Ravens punter Sam Koch is the reigning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after punting for a 52.2 average and recording a critical first down on a fake field goal in last week's 33-24 win at Dallas.
Fast Fact: The Jaguars are 0-4 in Baltimore since last winning there in 1999, when current Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio was linebackers coach with the Ravens.
Prediction: Some teams might show up and play for pride in this situation, but the Jaguars aren't one of them. Ravens 26, Jaguars 9.
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Denver (8-7) at San Diego (7-8), Sunday, 8:15 (San Diego -8)
Storylines: Final regular season game of 2008 season...Winner will clinch AFC West title... Broncos have lost three straight, while Chargers have won four consecutive...Loss by Broncos would make them the first team since formation of divisions in 1967 to miss playoffs after holding a three-game lead with three weeks to play...Rematch of Week 2 game, won by Denver, 39-38, following controversial non-fumble call late in the contest...Chargers would win AFC West for third straight season, and fourth time in five years, with a victory...Bolts have won 14 consecutive games in the month of December since a home loss to Denver to end the 2005 season...San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers leads the NFL in touchdown passes (32) and passer rating (104.0)...Tatum Bell likely to start at running back for Denver after Selvin Young (neck) and P.J. Pope (hamstring) were placed on season-ending injured reserve earlier this week...Broncos are last in the league in takeaways (13)...Chargers have absorbed a league-high-tying three safeties...San Diego has allowed an NFL-low three rushes of 20 yards or longer.
Fast Fact: In seven regular season finales against the Chargers in San Diego, the Broncos are 2-5.
Prediction: Broncos won't go quietly in an effort to avoid a complete collapse, but will ultimately fall to a team with far more talent. Chargers 34, Broncos 31.
