New Orleans Saints 12/18/2006 10:20 AMThe Times-Picayune reports the moment came in the frenetic final Saints drive of the day, and when all was said and done, it was somewhat of an ignominious moment.With less than a minute remaining, QB Drew Brees hit RB Reggie Bush with a pass that went for a 1-yard loss at the Redskins' 16-yard line. It was Bush's fifth catch of the day and his 84th of the season, setting an NFL record for a rookie, eclipsing the mark of San Francisco's Earl Cooper in 1980, five years before Bush was born.Read more
Carolina Panthers 12/18/2006 10:17 AMThe Charlotte Observer reports Panthers DE Mike Rucker tore the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, according to teammate Mike Minter, who spoke to Rucker by phone Sunday. Rucker's season is probably over. "They don't know about the other part, the (anterior cruciate ligament) yet," Minter said. If the ACL is torn as well, Rucker's recovery time will be considerably longer, possibly nine months to a year. Before he was hurt, Rucker had shared a sack, pushing his career total to 52.5, the franchise record.Read more
Baltimore Ravens 12/18/2006 10:10 AMThe Baltimore Sun reports after the Ravens had secured their first playoff berth in three seasons, players in their locker room were cringing more than celebrating. Without injured QB Steve McNair and a great deal of execution for most of the game, the Ravens pulled away for a 27-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns yesterday at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens' seventh win in eight games tied the team record for their earliest clinching, matching the time their 2000 Super Bowl championship team earned its spot in Week 15.Read more
Detroit Lions 12/18/2006 10:04 AMThe Detroit Free Press reports in two plays Sunday, WR Mike Williams doubled his season receptions total. He caught a 21-yarder and an 11-yarder on back-to-back plays at the end of the third quarter, after catching only one pass for seven yards in the Lions' first 13 games. Williams would have had two receptions in the fourth quarter, too -- a nine-yarder and a 10-yarder. But the nine-yarder was wiped out by a defensive pass interference call, so he finished with three catches for 42 yards in the Lions' 17-9 loss to the Packers.Read more
