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NFL Week 16

For some playoff hopefuls, it's do or die time

Posted: Wednesday December 26, 2001 4:16 PM

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By B. Duane Cross, CNNSI.com

After 15 weeks, it’s come down to sudden death for a handful of playoff hopefuls. Tampa Bay controls its destiny, but Seattle, the New York Giants, New Orleans and Atlanta need to win and get some divine intervention.

“We’re in the driver’s seat now,” says Buccaneers DT Warren Sapp. “We’ve got to crank the car up and mash the gas.”

Chicago, Philadelphia and St. Louis can claim their division titles this week. Of the 15 games this week, 11 have playoff ramifications, including the defending NFC champ Giants at Philly.

“We have a shot,” says Giants QB Kerry Collins, speaking for every team in the playoff race, “and that means a lot.”

NFL Playoff Standings | Week 16 Scenarios | Tiebreaker System

Baltimore @ Tampa Bay -- 9 p.m. EST Saturday
While this is the first meeting between the teams, Baltimore has played at Tampa. The Ravens defeated the New York Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV on Jan. 28 at Raymond James Stadium.

Buffalo @ New York -- 1 p.m. EST Sunday
Bills lead all-time series 45-36. If the Jets’ playoff scenario pans out, Herman Edwards would be the 10th head coach since 1990 to earn a postseason berth in his rookie season.

Atlanta @ Miami -- 1 p.m. EST Sunday
Dolphins lead all-time series 6-2. If Miami’s playoff scenario pans out, the Dolphins would become the only team to earn a postseason berth in each of the past five seasons.

New York @ Philadelphia -- 4:05 p.m. EST Sunday
Giants lead all-time series 72-59-2. The Eagles have allowed 24 points or fewer in 30 consecutive games, the longest streak since the Minnesota Vikings’ 31 from 1973-75.

Seattle @ San Diego -- 4:15 p.m. EST Sunday
Seahawks lead all-time series 23-22. The series has a six-point scoring differential (Seattle 928, San Diego 922), and eight of the past nine meetings have been decided by eight points or less.

Washington @ New Orleans -- 8:30 p.m. EST Sunday
Redskins lead all-time series 12-5. Saints WR Willie Jackson needs 38 receiving yards to combine with Joe Horn as the first duo in team history with 1,000 receiving yards in the same season.

Please come to Boston
Cardinals WR David Boston needs 13 catches and 172 yards in the final two games to break the club records held by Larry Centers (101 catches) and Rob Moore (1,584 yards).

Downtown train
Bears RB Anthony Thomas needs 53 yards to become the third Chicago rookie to rush for 1,000 yards, joining Rashaan Salaam (1,074) in 1995 and Beattie Feathers (1,004) in 1934.

Tennessee waltz
The Titans aim for their seventh consecutive win against the Browns. In fact, Tennessee’s defense has allowed only two touchdowns in the past three games vs. Cleveland.

Meet me in St. Louis
In 12 career games vs. the AFC (including S.B. XXXIV), Rams QB Kurt Warner has completed 292 of 422 passes for 3,910 yards with 31 TDs vs. 10 INTs for a 113.0 passer rating.

Kansas City, here I come
Chiefs QB Trent Green (3,305 passing yards) needs 195 yards to become the third passer in club history with a 3,500-yard season (Bill Kenney in 1983 and Elvis Grbac in 2000).

San Francisco
The 49ers-Cowboys matchup features the two winningest teams in the NFC since the 1970 merger -- San Francisco: 294-189-3 (.609), Dallas: 294-192-0 (.605).

Flattery: Opportunistic Panthers
With three takeaways vs. St. Louis (two INTs, one fumble recovery), Carolina is second in the NFC with 22 INTs and tied for second with 33 total takeaways (Green Bay).

Flag: Walking the plank
Who were those guys impersonating the Saints against the Bucs? Down 14 before the first beer was warm and trailing 30-0 at the half. … And to think the playoffs were at stake.

Flattery: High-flying Falcon
A 14-year veteran, Atlanta QB Chris Chandler threw for a career-high -- and franchise-best -- 431 yards Sunday in a 33-30 victory against the Buffalo Bills.

Flag: ViQueens
Yes, it was without the Nos. 1 or 2 QBs, but Minnesota’s three-point showing against Jacksonville should be a wake-up call: Draft defense in 2002 (are you listening in Indianapolis, too?).

Flattery: Famous footsteps
Mike Sherman became the sixth head coach to lead the Packers to the playoffs, joining Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi, Dan Devine, Bart Starr and Mike Holmgren.

Flag: Not-so-hot Rod
Chargers S Rodney Harrison put the cherry on top of San Diego’s collapse. Two penalties in the waning moments of a 20-17 loss to Kansas City is not what you expect from a seven-year veteran.

CNNSI.com's James Quintong notes that many fantasy football leagues are now contesting their Super Bowl this week. For the most part, players such as Marshall Faulk, Terrell Owens and Curtis Martin helped lead those teams to the finals. However, another reason these teams were successful were because of the surprise players who were drafted low or plucked off the waiver wire but became integral parts of a winning fantasy team. Check out this week's Fantasy File.

Users sounded off on which player has been the most pleasant surprise of 2001:

Kordell Stewart -- No contest. People gave up on him years ago. Considering what he's gone through, the Lombardi trophy sure will look good in his hands come February -- better than when Elway held it high.
Mark, New York

Chris Chambers -- Fielder-to-Chambers, we better get used to it. I can't wait until this guy develops into one of the top receivers in the NFL.
Brandon, Ottawa, Ontario

Tom Brady -- He has to be the best story since Wally Pipp. Having Troy Brown to throw to hasn't hurt, either.
Gary, Fredericton, New Brunswick

Dominic Rhodes -- Undrafted, rated too small by the scouts, gets his chance when Edge gets hurt. And what a surprise. He would have better stats if the Colts weren’t such a pass offense team.
Carla, Nashville, Tenn.

Jerry Rice -- Showing us he still has it. Kudos to the Raiders.
Adrian, Turlock, Calif.

James Thrash -- The guy comes from a team that couldn't see his potential (Wash.) and is once again playing like a Pro-Bowler. He is the perfect target for McNabb.
Rob, Harrisonburg, Va.

Jamir Miller -- He has had an outstanding season and should most likely make the Pro Bowl.
Tony, Cleveland

Mike Brown -- He has boosted the Bears' defense and taken some of the pressure off Urlacher. I hope these two continue making Bears' fans cheer for the next 10 years.
Glenview, Ill.

Garrison Hearst -- The comeback player of the year, hands down. I thought then 49ers would regret letting Garner go, but Hearst overcame severe ankle and knee problems to return to the elite. I'm no SF fan, but how can you ignore that?
Gene, Monroe, N.J.

Priest Holmes -- This guy has been doing everything for the Chiefs. By the way, he’s leading the NFL in rushing. He isn't Marshall Faulk, but he clearly has established his name this year on the NFL.
Yosu, Austin, Texas

Alex Van Pelt -- It's tough enough to be a backup QB through several starters, but when Van Pelt got his shot in the pocket, he shined. See ya, Robbie.
Matthew, Wilmington, Del.

Ahmed Plummer -- A perfect example of how the young 49er defense is coming together.
Chris, Toronto, Canada

Ahman Green -- This man came out swinging. He plays with heart, and he is going to be a great one. A true smash-mouth runner who will get that extra yard if he wants it!
Jeremy, Ashland, Ky.

Anthony Thomas -- Second rounder, missed two games, will lead rookies in rushing and be among the top 5 in the NFL in yards per carry.
Adam, Chicago

John Abraham -- The Jets finally have a pass rush again.
Mike, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Antowain Smith -- Who would've known? In Buffalo, his talent and leadership went unappreciated. Now, he has revived a lackluster New England running game in a big way.
Jamey, Fitchburg, Mass.

Shaun Alexander -- He is gonna be the next great back. He seems to find the end zone weekly. Watch out for this guy.
Darryl, Sterling, Va.

Plaxico Burress -- His maturation has provided the Steelers with a weapon to throw the ball downfield on offense.
Dan, Bremerton, Wash.

This week's topic: Which team has done the most with the least this season?

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