by NFL Reporter Dean Michaels

NFL 2013 Week 14: Push for the Playoffs

"There's a month of football left," says Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer. "There's a lot of football left to be played and a lot of crazy things happen this time of year. We just have to keep our heads down, continue to work and take it one game at a time. That's all you can worry about right now."

With four games remaining, 20 teams are either in or within one game of a playoff spot. Five more teams are within two games of a postseason berth.

"We just need to keep winning games" says Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. "More than anything, you've got to keep stacking wins together and then see where you're at in the end."

Some of the top performers in December/January since 2008:

Player Passing
Yards
Player Rushing
Yards
Player Receiving
Yards
Source: NFL
Drew Brees7,206Adrian Peterson2,200Calvin Johnson2,416
Philip Rivers6,300Chris Johnson1,989Andre Johnson2,254
Aaron Rodgers6,041Ray Rice1,948Brandon Marshall1,950
Eli Manning6,000Jamaal Charles1,878Roddy White1,940
Tom Brady5,816Steven Jackson1,811Wes Welker1,872

 

Player Overall TDs Player Sacks Player INTs
Source: NFL
Marshawn Lynch19Jared Allen24.0Ed Reed11
Adrian Peterson18Tamba Hali21.5Tarell Brown8
Darren Sproles17DeMarcus Ware21.0Michael Griffin8
Marques Colston16Julius Peppers19.5Reggie Nelson8
Chris Johnson16Three tied16.5Many tied7

 

The NFL season enters the home stretch with 29 teams still in contention for a trip to Super Bowl XLVIII.

The final quarter of the season kicks off this week with playoff berths on the line.

"The games in December are the most important regular-season games by far," says NFL Network analyst and former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci. "It's extremely important to win in December and to make a run at the playoffs and show improvement. You want your team to peak in December. It's important to stay healthy and keep your players fresh. You remember what happens in December."

Over the past five seasons (since 2008), the New England Patriots own the best record in the month, which also includes regular-season games played in January.

"Every game counts this time of year," says Philadelphia Eagles linebacker TRENT COLE, who has four sacks in his past two games. "It's very critical. We're going to take every game one by one and see where we are at the end of the season. When December 29th comes, we'll see where we are at."

Team Wins Losses Pct.
Source: NFL
New England Patriots223.880
San Diego Chargers196.760
Indianapolis Colts187.720
Atlanta Falcons168.667
Green Bay Packers168.667
Pittsburgh Steelers168.667

 

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NFL 2013 Week 14: Push for the Playoffs