Atlanta Falcons 12/18/2006 10:02 AMThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the Falcons need help to make it into the playoffs. Any aide might be rendered meaningless if they don't win their final two games, against Carolina on Sunday at the Georgia Dome and the season finale at Philadelphia. The Eagles' 36-22 victory over the Giants on Sunday elevated them to 8-6, a game ahead of the Falcons, who fell to 7-7 with Saturday night's loss to the visiting Cowboys. The Giants dropped to 7-7 to match Atlanta as the teams with the best records among those franchises that have not been eliminated from playoff contention. The Giants defeated the Falcons 27-14 earlier this year, however, and hold the tiebreaker over Atlanta should they finished with identical records. This is a scenario Atlanta's players and coaches have tried to avoid, but a four-game losing streak, the inability to win more than two games in a row and four home losses have left the team vulnerable to missing the playoffs for the second straight season. The Falcons could face the reeling Panthers (6-8) Sunday in their home finale without QB Michael Vick, who injured his groin against Dallas. No medical updates were provided Sunday.Read more
Miami Dolphins 12/18/2006 9:59 AMThe Palm Beach Post reports Florida State may have cleared the final hurdle in its pursuit of LSU's Jimbo Fisher as its next offensive coordinator. The hiring of Dolphins tight ends coach Derek Dooley as Louisiana Tech's new coach clears the way for Fisher, also a candidate for the job, to join the Seminoles' staff. Dooley will be introduced today according to Dolphins HC Nick Saban.Read more
Cleveland Browns 12/18/2006 9:57 AMAP reports the Cleveland Browns again brought out the best in Baltimore Ravens RB Jamal Lewis. Lewis ran for 109 yards â his sixth career 100-yard performance against the Browns â and a touchdown in the Ravens' playoff-clinching 27-17 victory Sunday. The effort moved Lewis within 14 yards of his fifth 1,000-yard season. "The opportunity just presented itself," said Lewis, who topped 100 yards for the 30th time. "We made it happen. The offensive line blocked perfectly, and I just hit the hole where I was supposed to go, and it was wide open. I couldn't help but get a good run out of it."Read more
Cincinnati Bengals 12/18/2006 9:54 AMThe Dayton Daily News reports the Bengals' QB Carson Palmer vs. the Colts' QB Peyton Manning. With two of the NFL's best quarterbacks slingin' the football at the league's top two wide receiver tandems, tonight's matchup at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis has the ingredients of a shootout. Last season's 45-37 Colts victory in Cincinnati featured 62 first-half points, the second most in a first half in NFL history. Fans have waited 13 months so they can see more magic from Bengals wideouts Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and Colts receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. And, yes, more darts and rainbows from strong-armed mavericks Manning and Palmer. "Not that this game needs any extra hype," Palmer said, "but there's a whole bunch of extra things on this game. "You're playing against Peyton and the Colts, one of the best teams in the AFC the past few years. You're playing in the dome. It's fun to play in domes. It's loud. You can spin the ball in there. There's no wind, no rain, no snow. And we have a chance to go to the playoffs." Calling Manning, "a great leader" who "understands the game inside and out," Palmer realizes the challenge facing the Bengals defense. "When you play (Manning), you don't shut him out," Palmer said. "He's going to make big throws. Defensively, you just can't get frustrated."Read more
