All on the Line as Regular Season Ends

Thomas Jones, New York Jets

Sixteen weeks down, one week to go.

"This has been one of the best years, especially at the end of the season, for teams having to fight for a playoff spot," says New York Jets running back THOMAS JONES. "It's do-or-die every game."

With one week to play, there are still 17 teams in contention for a trip to Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida.

"If we can get in, anything can happen in the playoffs," says Jets safety JIM LEONHARD. "We just need to take care of this game."

The Jets (8-7) and Baltimore Ravens (8-7) control their own destiny for the final two playoff spots in the AFC, but five other teams -- the Denver Broncos (8-7), Houston Texans (8-7), Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7), Miami Dolphins (7-8) and Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8) -- are still alive for a postseason berth. Both the Jets and Ravens can clinch a playoff berth with a win on Sunday.

In the NFC, the six playoff teams are set, but the seeding for the No. 2 through 6 slots is to be determined. The New Orleans Saints (13-2) have clinched homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. However, four teams still have a shot at the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye -- the Philadelphia Eagles (11-4), Minnesota Vikings (11-4), Arizona Cardinals (10-5) and Dallas Cowboys (10-5). The Eagles, who face the Cowboys with the NFC East title on the line, can clinch the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye with a victory.

[Check out NFL 2009 Playoff Scenarios]

Two headline games in Week 17:

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-4) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (10-5)

The NFC East title will be on the line when the Eagles and Cowboys meet on Sunday afternoon.

"Playing for the division title is what's going to make this a great game," says Philadelphia head coach ANDY REID. "Both teams have something at stake. That's why we do this thing, as coaches and players, for opportunities like this. Everybody will be fired up for it."

With a victory, the Eagles will not only clinch the division, but also secure a first-round bye and the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. Philadelphia has won six games in a row, the longest current streak in the conference (San Diego has won an NFL-best 10 in a row). Last week, the Eagles got past the Denver Broncos 30-27 on a DAVID AKERS field goal with four seconds remaining, his second game-winning field goal in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter in the past five weeks.

"Every win is a big win in the National Football League," says Reid. "That was a good win. We won the football game and that's the most important thing."

The Cowboys have won two in a row in December, including last week's 17-0 shutout victory at Washington.

"I think we've shown that the December jinx is not here," says Dallas wide receiver ROY WILLIAMS, who caught a touchdown pass against the Redskins.

With a win and losses by Minnesota and Arizona, the Cowboys can clinch the No. 2 seed in the NFC.

"I look at the Philadelphia contest as a playoff game," says Dallas owner JERRY JONES. "It's so meaningful to us."

The game will feature two of the NFL's best quarterbacks -- Philadelphia's DONOVAN MC NABB and Dallas' TONY ROMO -- and two of the league's most dynamic wide receivers -- the Eagles' DE SEAN JACKSON and the Cowboys' MILES AUSTIN.

"One of these two teams will go to the Super Bowl," says NFL Network analyst DEION SANDERS.

 

CINCINNATI BENGALS (10-5) AT NEW YORK JETS (8-7)

Win and you're in. That's the scenario facing the New York Jets in Week 17.

"We have a great opportunity in front of us," says Jets running back THOMAS JONES, who has rushed for 1,324 yards this season to lead the NFL's top rushing team (166.6 yards per game). "It's so funny how things can change in a week in this league."

Jones is right. A week ago, after a 10-7 defeat to Atlanta at home, New York's playoff hopes looked bleak. But the Jets got help from other teams in Week 16 and then took care of business themselves, ending the Indianapolis Colts' run at perfection with a 29-15 win at Lucas Oil Stadium. It marked the second consecutive season the Jets knocked off a team with record of 10-0 or better on the road (New York defeated 10-0 Tennessee last year).

"I think we're built to be a team that can win in December and January," says Jets head coach REX RYAN. "I think we would be a very dangerous team if we make the playoffs."

Against the Colts, New York rushed for 202 yards and did not turn the ball over. In the past six seasons, teams with at least 200 rushing yards and no turnovers have combined for a 66-2 (.971) record.

Standing in the way of the Jets' playoff dreams are the AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals will be either the No. 3 or 4 seed in the AFC playoffs and could potentially play the Jets again in the Wild Card round.

"Any time you're on a national stage, you want to go out there and play well," says Cincinnati cornerback LEON HALL.

Last week, the Bengals defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 17-10 behind 133 rushing yards from CEDRIC BENSON. It marked Benson's sixth 100-yard game of the season, the most in franchise history. It was also the eighth 100-yard rushing game by a Bengal this year, also a team record.

"That's a neat deal," says Benson about the record. "Most of the credit goes to the offensive line. They made it happen. This is the best season I've had in my career. This has been a wonderful year."

 

NFL 2009: Year of the Quarterback

Eight quarterbacks -- MATT SCHAUB (4,467), PEYTON MANNING (4,405), DREW BREES (4,388), TOM BRADY (4,212), AARON RODGERS (4,199), TONY ROMO (4,172), PHILIP RIVERS (4,155) and BEN ROETHLISBERGER (4,108) -- have each passed for at least 4,000 yards this year, already the most 4,000-yard passers in a single season in NFL history (seven in 2007).

With one week to play, three other quarterbacks are within 300 yards of 4,000 -- BRETT FAVRE (3,886), ELI MANNING (3,880) and KURT WARNER (3,722).

Nine quarterbacks have passed for 25 or more touchdowns in 2009. That number may grow in Week 17 as TONY ROMO (24), JAY CUTLER (23) and BEN ROETHLISBERGER (23) are each in range of the 25-TD milestone. The NFL record for the most quarterbacks with at least 25 touchdowns in a season is 10, which also occurred in 2007.

Five quarterbacks currently sport a passer rating of 100.0 or better, which would also be the most in a season in NFL annals (four in 1998 and 2004). Two others -- MATT SCHAUB (99.1) and Roethlisberger (98.9) -- are within 2.0 rating points of the mark with one game to play.

Unpredictable Playoff Participants

For the 14th consecutive season, five or more teams will qualify for the playoffs that were not in the postseason the year before.

Cincinnati, Dallas, Green Bay, New England and New Orleans did not make the playoffs in 2008 but have done so this season.

This Sunday, that number may grow to as many as seven. Of the seven teams in contention for the final two AFC Wild Card playoff spots, four did not qualify for the postseason in 2008: Denver, Houston, Jacksonville and the New York Jets. Those clubs are in competition with Pittsburgh (Super Bowl XLIII champion), Miami (2008 AFC East champion) and Baltimore (2008 Wild Card team) for the remaining AFC playoff berths.

Of the seven teams in contention for the remaining two playoff spots in the AFC, four did not qualify for the postseason in 2008: Denver, Houston, Jacksonville and the N.Y. Jets.

New Division Leaders

Entering Week 17, five divisions are guaranteed to have a different champion from last year. Minnesota, San Diego and Arizona are the only repeat division winners in 2009.

Saints (Offense) Alive!

Last week, New Orleans became the 12th team in NFL history to score 500 points in a season. The Saints, who have clinched homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, lead the NFL in scoring with 33.3 points per game.

With 27 points in Week 17 against Carolina, New Orleans will pass the Super Bowl XXXIV champion St. Louis Rams for the fifth-most points in a season in NFL history.

 

NFL: Single-season most points scored

 

Titans' Chris Johnson Racking up the Yards

Tennessee running back CHRIS JOHNSON has 2,355 scrimmage yards in 15 games (1,872 rushing, 483 receiving). Johnson, who already has the fifth-most scrimmage yards in a season in NFL history, needs 75 yards from scrimmage in the Titans' regular-season finale against Seattle to surpass MARSHALL FAULK's NFL record (2,429 in 1999).

Johnson also needs 128 rushing yards to become the sixth player in NFL history with 2,000 in a season

 

NFL: Single-season Most Yards from Scrimmage

 

NFL: Players to Rush for 2,000 Yards in a Season

 

Total Players

Chris Johnson and Cleveland's all-purpose dynamo JOSHUA CRIBBS are both having historically productive seasons in terms of all-purpose yardage.

Cribbs leads the NFL with 2,405 total yards (1,502 kick return, 434 punt return, 334 rushing, 135 receiving) while Johnson ranks second with 2,355 yards (1,872 rushing, 483 receiving).

 

Andre the Giant

Following up his NFL-best 1,575 receiving yards in 2008, Houston wide receiver ANDRE JOHNSON is once again tops in the league with 1,504 yards this season. If Johnson is the 2009 receiving yardage leader, he will join JERRY RICE as the only players since 1970 to lead the league in consecutive seasons. Rice accomplished the feat twice (1989-90 and 1993-95).

Fab-u-Wes

New England wide receiver WES WELKER has 122 receptions, which already ties for the third-most in a season in NFL history. With two catches against Houston in Week 17, Welker can surpass HERMAN MOORE for No. 2 on the all-time list.

Welker, who missed two games this season due to injury, is averaging 9.4 catches per game in 13 games played. He needs four catches to surpass MARVIN HARRISON's NFL-record season average of 8.9 catches per game in 2002 (minimum 10 games played).

 

 

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NFL 2009 Week 17 - All on the Line as Regular Season Ends