Line of Scrimmage: Week 17 - Stop Whining About NFL Mediocrity

Football Betting Lines

12/27/2006 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - If you are presently in the company of someone who is crying like an infant over the mediocre state of the NFL, permission granted to beat them about the skull and face with a claw hammer.

Waaaaah! At least one .500 team is going to make the playoffs out of the NFC, a number that will swell to two if the West Champion Seahawks lose in Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Waaaaah! A team that lost its first five games, the Tennessee Titans, is still alive in the AFC.

Waaaaah! The No. 2 seed in the NFC, the New Orleans Saints, might finish with a mere 10 wins, not exactly an emblem of excellence.

Waaaaah! The salary cap and revenue sharing have bred parity, and made teams that once may have been dominant simply very good.

Yeah, well whatever.

Let's all stop for a moment and thank whatever deity to which we might subscribe that the NFL system of operation isn't anything like that of Major League Baseball, where you'll be able to figure out 2007's season-ending standings with a pretty high degree of certainty on April 1st. About four of this year's six division races will be determined by August, alienating more than half of baseball's fan base by the time the action is supposed to start getting interesting.

It is thanks to this system that baseball's former position of high ground as the American pastime erodes just a little more every year. Congratulations, New York Yankees, on making your 11th straight trip to the playoffs when there is no real deterrent for your owner going out and fielding an All-Star team every spring. Some fans of the deep-pocketed teams even have the gall to boast about their superiority to those that stopped caring when their city's club fell 20 games out of first in mid-May, which is kind of like bragging about how their Globetrotters just whipped up on the Washington Generals.

Meanwhile in the NFL, 20 teams will still be alive on the final weekend of the season, which means 20 fan bases will be engaged in what is going on right up to the last minute. Sure, either the Packers or Rams might end up as one of the weakest postseason entries in modern history, but who cares? The good folks in Green Bay and St. Louis just want to be a part of the playoff excitement. Would we rather Green Bay and St. Louis give up hope in mid- October, like so many Pirates or Royals fans that cash in their chips on their teams before the 4th of July? That the Packers or Rams might on Sunday be invited to the same party attended by the Chargers, Bears, and Ravens is what makes the NFL great.

If you want to argue that the league is watered-down, I say keep watering. The alternative is to watch Jerry Jones or Daniel Snyder or Malcolm Glazer sign away the top free agents at each position every season and leave the Bills and Jaguars and Packers of the world out in the cold in perpetuity.

So what if the Giants can go 2-6 in the second half and still get a shot to win the thing? Those eight games they played in the beginning of the season count for something, which is why they could afford to play like the 22 Blind Boys of Alabama over the past eight weeks. If I win the MegaMillions tomorrow and decide to drop a few hundred grand on strippers and Cristal instead of investing in T-Bills, so be it. Either way, I'll still get the rent paid, and it doesn't matter how close I cut it to get there.

I will be one of those watching with interest on Saturday night, hoping the Tin Man-like Redskins can show up and beat those Giants, thus making Sunday a little more interesting for all of those teams fighting for their postseason lives. Week 17 will be interesting, possibly gripping, water-cooler stuff for even the most objective observer.

And if Sunday's slate doesn't live up to my expectations, then there's still hope. After all, we're only months away from my Orioles' two-week stay in the pennant race:

Let's take a look at the week that will be in the National Football League:

WEEKLY SEED REPORT

An up-to-date ranking of where teams lie in the playoff race:

AFC 1. San Diego (13-2) 2. Baltimore (12-3) 3. Indianapolis (11-4) 4. New England (11-4) 5. Denver (9-6) 6. N.Y. Jets (9-6)

NFC 1. Chicago (13-2) 2. New Orleans (10-5) 3. Philadelphia (9-6) 4. Seattle (8-7) 5. Dallas (9-6) 6. N.Y. Giants (7-8)

NFL POWER POLL

The Sportsbook Betting Lines'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 - FIVE TO START

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh (vs. Cincinnati) - Bengals have been weak against the pass this year, which means lots of yards for Big Ben between the 20s.

Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami (at Indianapolis) - Brown can sniff 1,000, and the Colts will struggle to consistently bring him down.

Reche Caldwell, WR, New England (at Tennessee) - Take a flier on the Patriots' No. 1 receiver against the league's 32nd-ranked defense.

Jeremy Shockey, TE, N.Y. Giants (at Washington) - Redskins haven't made plays against opposing passers all year, which means Shockey should be open all day.

N.Y. Jets Defense (vs. Oakland) - Mangini has to be laughing hard watching the Raiders' offensive film.

FANTASY - FIVE TO BENCH

Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay (at Chicago) - He might win, but he'll make a few mistakes as well against a fast Bears defense.

Willis McGahee, RB, Buffalo (at Baltimore) - McGahee is 33 yards from 1,000, but might not get it against Ray Lewis and company.

Laveranues Coles, WR, N.Y. Jets (vs. Oakland) - Raiders are No. 1 in the league against the pass, though few recognize it.

Miami Defense (at Indianapolis) - Don't expect Jason Taylor to force a slew of turnovers from Peyton Manning.

Dave Rayner, K, Green Bay (at Chicago) - Week 16 hero could have some trouble in the Windy City.

SUICIDE POOL PIX

1. Dallas (vs. Detroit) - Make it 0-for-another road season for the Lions.

2. N.Y. Jets (vs. Oakland) - A lot of other teams will be rooting for the Raiders this week, but that doesn't mean they'll get off the bus.

3. San Diego (vs. Arizona) - Chargers need the win to wrap up homefield, and will pound the Cardinals for four quarters.

THE GAMES

At least I'm consistent. I was 6-10 in my picks last week, but improved to 8-8 against the spread. I thought the Titans, Panthers, and Texans would all hang against their favored counterparts the Bills, Falcons, and Colts, but wasn't bold enough to pick any to win. The record for the year slipped to 133-107 (.554) on the year, and improved slightly to 108-125-7 (.465) with Vegas involved.

N.Y. Giants (7-8) at Washington (5-10), Saturday, 8:00 (N.Y. Giants -2)

Storylines: With a win, Giants are likely to claim the second of two NFC Wild Card berths due to a better strength of victory than similarly 7-8 Green Bay and a clear tiebreaker advantage over the similarly 7-8 Rams, Panthers, and Falcons...New York is 1-6 since a 6-2 start, including a 30-7 home loss to the Saints last Sunday...Giants stripped offensive coordinator John Hufnagel of play-calling duties following last week's 30-7 loss to the Saints, and promoted quarterbacks coach Kevin Gilbride to the position...Redskins have allowed a league-high 29 touchdown passes, and are last in the NFL in total takeaways (12), interceptions (6) and sacks (18)...Redskins would need to cause three turnovers on Saturday to avoid posting a dubious record for the fewest takeaways in a 16-game NFL season...Giants defensive end Michael Strahan (foot) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday...Giants won the first matchup with Washington (19-3) back in Week 5...New York kick returner Chad Morton (torn ACL) out for the year...Giants wideout Plaxico Burress is 38 yards shy of a second straight 1,000-yard season... Redskins corner Shawn Springs (shoulder) and linebacker Marcus Washington (knee) will both be out.

Fast Fact: The Redskins are 2-6 in regular season finales against the Giants.

Prediction: Most of the world will be rooting for the Redskins, but that won't compensate for the Giants' decided talent advantage. Giants 20, Redskins 13.

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Pittsburgh (7-8) at Cincinnati (8-7), Sunday, 1:00 (Cincinnati -6)

Storylines: Bengals will claim an AFC Wild Card berth with a win coupled with either a Jets loss (vs. Oakland) or a Broncos loss (vs. San Francisco) and Kansas City win (vs. Jacksonville)...Pittsburgh returns to Cincinnati for the first time since Bengals QB Carson Palmer was injured in an AFC First-Round Playoff loss this past January...Road team has won the last five games in the series, including Cincinnati's 28-20 win at Heinz Field in Week 3...Bengals trying to complete first home-and-home sweep of the Steelers since 1998... Bengals receiver Chad Johnson leads the NFL in receiving yards (1316), and is 24 yards ahead of Indianapolis' Marvin Harrison with one week left... Cincinnati would clinch franchise's first back-to-back winning seasons since 1981-82 with a victory...Steelers attempting to avoid the fourth losing season of the Bill Cowher era (1998, 1999, 2003)....Pittsburgh tackle Max Starks (knee) and free safety Ryan Clark (groin) will both miss Sunday's game, and linebacker Clark Haggans (knee) is doubtful.

Fast Fact: Pittsburgh is 4-0 in regular season games played in Cincinnati since last losing there in 2001.

Prediction: Bengals will help themselves in the playoff chase, while ending Pittsburgh's season of pain with a thud. Bengals 27, Steelers 17.

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Detroit (2-13) at Dallas (9-6), Sunday, 1:00 (Dallas -12)

Storylines: Cowboys, who have already clinched a playoff berth, would win their first NFC East title since 1998 with a victory and a Philadelphia loss (vs. Atlanta)...Lions are tied with the Raiders for the worst record in the NFL, and are slightly ahead of Oakland in the strength-of-schedule tie-breaker that determines the No. 1 pick in the 2007 Draft...Dallas has been outscored, 65-24, in its last two home games, and is trying to avoid its first three-game home losing streak in a single season since 1997...Detroit is 0-7 on the road this season, and is trying to avoid losing all of its away games for the fourth time in the last six years...With 16 more receiving yards for Detroit wideout Mike Furrey, Furrey and Roy Williams will become the first Lions teammates since Johnnie Morton and Germane Crowell in 1999 to go over 1,000 yards in the same season...Cowboys wideout Terrell Owens leads the NFL in touchdown catches (12)...Lions are last in the league in rushing offense (69.6 yards per game) and third-down percentage (30.6)...Detroit is allowing opponents to complete a league-high 66 percent of their passes.

Fast Fact: The last Lions quarterback to engineer a win in Dallas was Scott Mitchell, who out-dueled the Cowboys' Troy Aikman in a 20-17 overtime win on Sept. 19th, 1994.

Prediction: Cowboys might be dysfunctional, but they'll get it together against the woeful Lions. Cowboys 34, Lions 7.

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Cleveland (4-11) at Houston (5-10), Sunday, 1:00 (Houston -4)

Storylines: Browns/Texans battle is one of two Week 17 games (Seahawks/Buccaneers) that will definitely not have any direct bearing on the playoff picture...Texans, who come off a shocking 27-24 win over the Colts, will be seeking their first back-to-back wins since 2004...Third-string quarterback Ken Dorsey will start for the Browns ahead of the injured Charlie Frye (wrist) and Derek Anderson (shoulder)...Dorsey will become the 11th quarterback to start for the Browns since the franchise was re-born in 1999, and its sixth since 2004...Texans wideout Andre Johnson leads the NFL in receptions (101)...Cleveland seeking to avoid its first four-game losing streak since the franchise dropped nine straight in 2004...Houston leads the league in completion percentage (68.7)...Dorsey is 2-8 as an NFL starter, with all of those games dating back to his tenure with San Francisco (2003-05)... Browns lead the league in interceptions thrown (24).

Fast Fact: The Texans are 0-4 all-time in regular season finales, while the Browns are 4-0 in regular season finales over that stretch, including a 22-14 Cleveland win over Houston in 2004.

Prediction: Houston will be subject to a letdown after a big win over the Colts, but should force the rusty Dorsey into some mistakes. Texans 16, Browns 13.

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Jacksonville (8-7) at Kansas City (8-7), Sunday, 1:00 (Kansas City -2)

Storylines: Jaguars can make the playoffs with a win and losses for the Jets (vs. Oakland), Cincinnati (vs. Pittsburgh), and Tennessee (vs. New England)... Chiefs can reach the postseason with a win and losses for Cincinnati (vs. Pittsburgh), Tennessee (vs. New England), and Denver (vs. San Francisco)... Chiefs running back Larry Johnson is 98 yards behind the Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson for the NFL rushing lead with one week to play, and needs 28 carries to break the all-time league record for single-season rush attempts, set by the Falcons' Jamal Anderson (410) in 1998...Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor (hamstring) considered questionable after missing last Sunday's 24-21 loss to New England...Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen leads the NFL in fumbles recovered (6)...Jaguars have forced just three opponents' fumbles lost on the season, the fewest in the league...Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio played in 25 games with the Chiefs in 1987-88.

Fast Fact: The Jaguars won their only matchup all-time at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium, a 23-16 triumph in 2002.

Prediction: Chiefs will regain their Arrowhead Stadium mojo against a Jacksonville team that has been wretched on the road. Chiefs 28, Jaguars 20.

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St. Louis (7-8) at Minnesota (6-9), Sunday, 1:00 (St. Louis -3)

Storylines: Rams, who have won two straight following a 1-7 stretch, can clinch a playoff berth with a win and losses for the Giants (at Washington), Carolina (at New Orleans), and Atlanta (at Philadelphia)...Rookie Tarvaris Jackson expected to make his second start for the Vikings, and first at the Metrodome...Jackson was 10-of-20 for 50 yards with an interception in a 9-7 loss at Green Bay last Thursday night...St. Louis is tied for the league lead for fewest interceptions thrown (8) along with San Diego...Minnesota is No. 1 in the league in rushing defense (54.5 yards per game) and yards per carry allowed (2.6), and will break the NFL record for fewest rushing yards allowed in a 16-game season (970 by the 2000 Baltimore Ravens) unless they surrender 153 ground yards this week...Vikings are last in the NFL in pass defense (238 yards per game), but have faced more passing attempts (568) than any other team in the league... Rams' 17 rushing plays of 20 yards or more allowed this season are tied for the most in the league along with Indianapolis.

Fast Fact: The Rams are 2-14-1 in Minnesota all-time, and are 0-4 since last winning there in 1978.

Prediction: Vikings will continue to play good defense, but Tarvaris Jackson will again prove unready to win an NFL game. Rams 21, Vikings 10.

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Carolina (7-8) at New Orleans (10-5), Sunday, 1:00 (New Orleans -3)

Storylines: Panthers can clinch a playoff berth with a win and losses for Giants (at Washington) and Packers (at Chicago)...NFC South Champion Saints are already locked into the No. 2 spot in the NFC...Panthers defeated the Falcons (10-3) last week despite a 4-of-7, 32-yard passing performance from starting quarterback Chris Weinke...Status of Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme (thumb) uncertain for Sunday, after Delhomme missed the last three games...Saints quarterback Drew Brees leads the NFL in passing yards (4372), and New Orleans is No. 1 in the league in total offense (397.8 yards per game) and passing offense (284.5 yards per game)...Panthers running backs DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams combined for 184 rushing yards against Atlanta... New Orleans defense is allowing opponents to complete a league-low 54.58 percent of their passes...Panthers wideout Steve Smith did not have a reception last week, the first time since his rookie year of 2001 he has gone without a catch....Carolina won the first meeting with the Saints, 21-18, in Week 4.

Fast Fact: The Panthers are 4-0 in road games against the Saints since a 2001 loss at the Superdome.

Prediction: Don't count on either of these teams playing with much passion, especially if the Giants knock the Panthers out of the playoff hunt Saturday night. Saints 22, Panthers 21.

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Oakland (2-13) at N.Y. Jets (9-6), Sunday, 1:00 (N.Y. Jets -12)

Storylines: Jets can clinch a playoff berth with a win or with losses for Cincinnati (vs. Pittsburgh) and Jacksonville (at Kansas City); losses for Denver (vs. San Francisco) and Jacksonville; or a loss for Cincinnati and a win for Tennessee (vs. New England)...Raiders are tied with the Lions for the worst record in the NFL, but are slightly behind Detroit in the strength-of- schedule tie-breaker that determines the No. 1 pick in the 2007 Draft...Jets quarterback Chad Pennington to start a 16th game for the first time in his seven-year NFL career...Oakland is last in the league in total offense (248.7 yards per game), scoring offense (11 points per game), touchdowns (12), passing touchdowns (7), rushing touchdowns (5), sacks allowed (70), turnover margin (-20), turnovers (43) and fumbles lost (20)...Raiders lead the NFL in pass defense (150.9 yards per game), but have faced fewer passing attempts (380) than all but one other league team...The Jets' Justin Miller leads the NFL in kickoff return average (28.6) and is tied for the league lead in kickoff returns for a touchdown (2).

Fast Fact: The first game in the head coaching career of the Raiders' Art Shell was a 14-7 win over the Jets at the Meadowlands in Week 5 of the 1989 season.

Prediction: Schedule-makers were kind to the Jets, who should be able to shut- down the historically bad Oakland offense. Jets 12, Raiders 0.

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Seattle (8-7) at Tampa Bay (4-11), Sunday, 1:00 (Tampa Bay -3)

Storylines: Seahawks/Buccaneers battle is one of two Week 17 games (Browns/Texans) that will definitely not have any direct bearing on the playoff picture...NFC West Champion Seahawks have clinched the No. 4 seed and a First-Round Playoff matchup against either the Eagles or Cowboys...Seattle, which has lost three in a row and six of its last 10, needs a win for a franchise-record fourth consecutive winning season...Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander needs 196 rushing yards for his sixth consecutive 1,000-yard season...Buccaneers snapped a four-game win streak last week with a 22-7 win over Cleveland, with quarterback Tim Rattay moving to 1-0 as Tampa Bay starter in the victory...Rattay expected to make his first home start as a Buccaneer on Sunday...Bucs wideout Joey Galloway needs 61 receiving yards to post his first back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons since 1997-98...Seattle cornerback Marcus Trufant (ankle) will not play on Sunday, and could miss the remainder of the season.

Fast Fact: The Seahawks are 5-1 all-time against the Buccaneers, including 3-0 in Tampa Bay.

Prediction: Seahawks have no real incentive to play hard this week, and will enter the playoffs as a .500 team. Buccaneers 20, Seahawks 15.

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New England (11-4) at Tennessee (8-7), Sunday, 1:00 (Tennessee -3)

Storylines: Titans, who have won six straight and are 8-2 since an 0-5 start, can make the playoffs with a win, losses for Cincinnati (vs. Pittsburgh) and Denver (vs. San Francisco), and a win for Kansas City (vs. Jacksonville)...AFC East Champion Patriots are locked into the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the AFC, and could seek to rest most of their starters as they did in a similar situation last season...Tennessee vying for its first seven-game winning streak since 2000, and is also attempting to become first team in NFL history to make the postseason after an 0-5 start... Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has thrown a touchdown pass to 11 different players this season...New England is a league- best 15-of-19 (78.9 percent) on fourth-down...Tennessee QB Vince Young is 8-4 as a starter, but Titans are last in the NFL in completion percentage (51.3) ...Tennessee is last in the league in total defense (366.7 yards per game) ...Patriots have surrendered an NFL-low 10 passing touchdowns on the season.

Fast Fact: The Titans' Jeff Fisher is 1-3 all-time against the Patriots, and is 2-4 head-to-head against New England head coach Bill Belichick.

Prediction: Expect to see a lot of Patriots backup QB Matt Cassel, and look for some elevated Patriots second-stringers to struggle to stop Young. Titans 23, Patriots 14.

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Atlanta (7-8) at Philadelphia (9-6), Sunday, 4:15 (Philadelphia -7)

Storylines: Eagles, who have already secured a playoff berth, can clinch their fifth NFC East title in six years with a win or a Dallas loss (vs. Detroit)... Philadelphia would be the No. 3 seed in the NFC with a victory, and would be No. 5 with a loss and a Cowboys win...Atlanta, which is 2-6 over its last eight games, can make the playoffs with a win and losses for Carolina (at New Orleans), Green Bay (at Chicago), and the Giants (at Redskins)...Philadelphia quarterback Jeff Garcia, who is 4-1 since taking over for the injured Donovan McNabb (knee), will be making just his second home start as an Eagle...Falcons lead the NFL in rushing offense (185.3 yards per game), rushing yards per attempt (5.5), and rushes of 20 yards or more (23), but are last in the league in passing offense (143.5 yards per game)...Atlanta has lost a league-low five fumbles on the year...Eagles are tied for the NFL lead in interception returns for touchdowns (4) along with Baltimore...Philadelphia strong safety Michael Lewis (knee) considered questionable after missing last week's 23-7 win over the Cowboys.

Fast Fact: Atlanta is 1-5 in its last six trips to Philadelphia.

Prediction: Eagles could suffer a bit of a hangover after rolling in Dallas, but should wake up in enough time to beat the desperate Falcons. Eagles 19, Falcons 17.

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Buffalo (7-8) at Baltimore (12-3), Sunday, 4:15 (Baltimore -9)

Storylines: AFC North Champion Ravens will clinch a first-round playoff bye with a win, and will earn the conference's No. 1 seed with a victory and a San Diego loss (vs. Arizona)...Bills, who forfeited their playoff chances with a 30-29 loss to Tennessee last Sunday, are trying to avoid their first back-to- back losing seasons since 1986-87...Baltimore trying to secure what would be a franchise-record 13th win...Ravens quarterback Steve McNair set to start a 16th regular season game for just the second time since 1998...Buffalo running back Willis McGahee needs 33 rushing yards to hit 1,000 for the third straight year...Baltimore wideout Mark Clayton is 87 yards shy of his first career 1,000-yard season...Baltimore is No. 1 in the league in total defense (264.8 yards per game), scoring defense (12.9 points per game), touchdowns allowed (20), rushing touchdowns allowed (5), turnover margin (+15), interceptions (26), and opponents' third-down percentage (28.2) ...Ravens are tied for the NFL lead in interception returns for touchdowns (4) along with Philadelphia.

Fast Fact: The Bills had five turnovers in their last game against Baltimore, a 20-6 loss on Oct. 24, 2004.

Prediction: Ravens know an opportunity when they see one - they'll trounce Bills and get themselves a bye week. Ravens 30, Bills 13.

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Miami (6-9) at Indianapolis (11-4), Sunday, 4:15 (Indianapolis -9)

Storylines: AFC South Champion Colts will clinch a first-round bye with a win and a Baltimore loss (vs. Buffalo)...Colts are 2-4 since starting the year 9-0, and come off a 27-24 loss to the last-place Houston Texans...Miami starting quarterback uncertain after Joey Harrington was benched in favor of Cleo Lemon in each of the past two games...Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning leads the NFL in TD passes (29) and passer rating (100.9)...Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown is 107 yards shy of his first career 1,000-yard season...Colts wideout Marvin Harrison is 24 yards behind Cincinnati's Chad Johnson for the NFL lead in receiving yards with one game to play...Indy leads the league in third-down percentage (56.1) and sacks allowed (15), and is last in opponents' third-down percentage (46.6)...Colts are last in the NFL in rushing defense (174.5 yards per game), yards per carry allowed (5.3), rushing touchdowns allowed (20), and their 17 rushes of 20 yards or more surrendered are tied with St. Louis for the most in the league.

Fast Fact: The Dolphins are 5-0 in Indianapolis since suffering a 41-0 loss there during the 1997 campaign.

Prediction: Colts will revert back to offensive form, and Dolphins will continue to display a lack of firepower. Colts 27, Dolphins 13.

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San Francisco (6-9) at Denver (9-6), Sunday, 4:15 (Denver -10)

Storylines: Broncos will clinch an AFC Wild Card berth with a win or a Kansas City loss (vs. Jacksonville)...49ers were eliminated from playoff contention with last week's 26-20 loss to the Cardinals, but can still avoid what would be the first three-year string with 10 or more losses since 1978-80...Broncos rookie quarterback Jay Cutler is 2-2 since taking over for Jake Plummer in Week 13...49ers running back Frank Gore needs 29 rushing yards to break the franchise single-season record of 1,570, set by Garrison Hearst in 1998... Denver running back Tatum Bell needs 23 yards for his first 1,000-yard season, and will be trying to extend a franchise run of five straight seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher...Denver cornerback Champ Bailey leads the NFL in interceptions (9)...49ers are last in the league in scoring defense (25.9 points per game) and touchdowns allowed (44)...San Francisco tackle Jonas Jennings (dislocated shoulder) not expected to play Sunday, and 49ers wide receiver Antonio Bryant will be serving the second game of a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Fast Fact: The 49ers are 0-3 in Denver since scoring their only win of all- time there in 1973.

Prediction: Not a good matchup for the 49ers, who will struggle moving the ball against the Denver defense. Broncos 28, 49ers 10.

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Arizona (5-10) at San Diego (13-2), Sunday, 4:15 (Chargers -13)

Storylines: AFC West Champion Chargers will clinch the No. 1 playoff seed with a win or a loss for Baltimore (vs. Buffalo)...Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner will start in place of the injured Matt Leinart (shoulder)...San Diego leads the league in scoring offense (31 points per game), total touchdowns (56), and rushing touchdowns (32)...Cardinals are last in the NFL in yards per carry (3.1) and rushes of 20 yards or more (0)...Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who has already set an NFL single-season record for touchdowns (31), rushing touchdowns (28) and scoring (186 points), is 98 yards ahead of Kansas City's Larry Johnson for the league rushing lead with one week to play... San Diego has committed an NFL-low 14 turnovers on the year, and is tied for the league lead for fewest interceptions thrown (8) along with St. Louis...Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald is 87 yards shy of his second straight 1,000-yard season...Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman is tied for the NFL lead in sacks (15.5) along with the Packers' Aaron Kampman.

Fast Fact: Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer is 6-1 in his career against Arizona, and has won six straight against the Cardinals since a loss for his Browns in 1985.

Prediction: San Diego will bid adieu to Dennis Green's head coaching career with a decisive win that locks up a deserved No. 1 seed. Chargers 35, Cardinals 16.

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Green Bay (7-8) at Chicago (13-2), Sunday, 8:15 (Bears -2)

Storylines: Game could be the finale in the illustrious 16-year career of Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre...Packers can make the playoffs with a win and losses for the Giants (at Washington) and Rams (at Minnesota), or a win, a Giants loss (at Washington) and a win for either Carolina (at New Orleans) or Atlanta (at Philadelphia)...NFC North Champion Bears, who have won four straight, already own homefield advantage in the playoffs...Chicago backup QB Brian Griese completed 6-of-9 passes for 51 yards after relieving Rex Grossman late in last week's 26-21 win over the Lions...Green Bay running back Ahman Green is 12 yards shy of his sixth career 1,000-yard season...Packers defensive end Aaron Kampman is tied for the NFL lead in sacks (15.5) along with the Chargers' Shawne Merriman...Chicago leads the NFL in takeaways (43) and forced fumbles lost (20)...The Bears' Devin Hester leads the league in returns for touchdowns (three punt return, two kickoff return, one missed field goal) and punt return average (13.3).

Fast Fact: The Bears (26-0 winners over Green Bay in Week 1) have not shut out the Packers in back-to-back games since blanking them in the first three games of the all-time series (1921-24).

Prediction: Packers will play harder than the Bears no matter the circumstances, and will finish with a flourish at 8-8. Packers 20, Bears 14.