Detroit Lions 12/17/2007 10:05 AMThe Detroit Free Press reports WR Calvin Johnson, the second overall pick in this year's draft, finished with five catches for 102 yards. But the numbers make his performance look better than it was. He let two passes glance off his hands early, and the second was intercepted. Things started to snowball on the Lions from there, with the Chargers cashing in with a touchdown and taking a 17-0 lead. "He's got to make those plays," coach Rod Marinelli said. "I mean, he's got to. And they were some good opportunities. He's got to go up and get them."Read more
Houston Texans 12/17/2007 10:01 AMThe Houston Chronicle reports the Texans were eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday, but they still have a chance to finish with the best record in team history going into their last two games against Indianapolis and Jacksonville. The Texans (7-7) can't catch the Jaguars (10-4) in the AFC wild-card race and would lose a head-to-head tiebreaker with Cleveland (9-5), which beat them. The Texans would lose a conference record tiebreaker to Pittsburgh (9-5) if the Steelers were to lose out and finish 9-7. The best conference record the Texans can have would be 6-6 if they win the last two. The worst the Steelers can do is 7-5. The Texans have won back-to-back games to improve to 7-7 for the first time. Their best record was 7-9 in 2004, their third season.Read more
Tennessee Titans 12/17/2007 9:59 AMThe Nashville Tennessean reports Titans C Kevin Mawae left Sunday's game with the Chiefs in the second quarter with a calf injury and was soon joined by plenty of company on the sideline. OG Benji Olson (thigh contusion), LB Ryan Fowler (right shoulder) and DT Albert Haynesworth (hamstring) did not finish. Nickel back Vincent Fuller (right shoulder) missed significant time.CB Nick Harper (ankle) LB Keith Bulluck and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch were also banged up, but returned to help the Titans finish off the Chiefs 26-17. Eugene Amano replaced Mawae and was one of several reserves to fill in admirably. "We're just fortunate to have guys that are smart, that pay attention to make plays when they (fill in),'' Coach Jeff Fisher said. "I don't have much to say injury-wise right now. ⦠It's part of the game this time of year and we'll do our best to heal up.''Read more
Oakland Raiders 12/17/2007 9:55 AMThe Mercury News reports Raiders RB Justin Fargas bided his time during his first four NFL seasons. Finally, he received the full-time starting job seven games into this season. Look at him now. Fargas surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the season with a 6-yard burst on the final play of the third quarter and later scored a touchdown Sunday during a 21-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Things weren't all rosy for Fargas. He left the game because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee and didn't return. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam today to determine the extent of the damage.Read more
