Monday December 27th, 2004 - Page updated at 10:30pm
NFL Week 16 Game Recaps
By: Q. Smyth
Senior Editor For WagerOnFootball.com Sportsbook Review

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NFL Game Summary - Green Bay at Minnesota

(Friday, December 24th)
Final Score: Green Bay 34, Minnesota 31

Minneapolis, MN (Wager On Football - NFL Wagering) - Ryan Longwell's 29-yard field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter lifted Green Bay past the Minnesota Vikings, 34-31, clinching the third straight NFC North title for the Packers.
Green Bay also beat Minnesota in Week 10 by the same score thanks to Longwell's 33-yard field goal on the final play of regulation.
Brett Favre completed 30-of-43 passes for 365 yards with three touchdowns and one interception for the Packers (9-6). Favre moved ahead of Warren Moon for third place on the all-time list for career passing yards.

Donald Driver caught 11 passes for a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown for Green Bay. Javon Walker and Bubba Franks also had TD receptions for the Packers, who have won eight of their last 10 contests.
"At 1-4, I don't think many people thought we'd win the division," said Favre. "This team has battled all year, and today was no different."
Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper finished 16-of-23 for 285 yards and three touchdowns. Culpepper established single-season franchise records for passing yards (4,418) and touchdowns (37).

Nate Burleson grabbed two passes for 110 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings (8-7), who can still earn a berth in the postseason later in Week 16 with either a Carolina loss or tie or a St. Louis loss or tie. Minnesota closes its regular season next Sunday at Washington.
"We'll just have to go the hard road now," said Vikings head coach Mike Tice.
Chris Claiborne returned an interception for a touchdown for Minnesota, which has dropped three of its last four games.
The Vikings moved in front 31-24 with 8:18 remaining in the fourth quarter when Claiborne picked off Favre's pass intended for Walker at the Green Bay 15-yard line and then rumbled into the end zone. The Packers were pinned in after Minnesota was able to down Darren Bennett's punt at the one-yard line.
Favre was not flustered, however, as he came right back to engineer a 13-play, 80-yard march, culminating it with a touchdown pass to Driver on a 4th-and- goal play from the three-yard line. Driver's ninth catch of the game tied things up at 31-31 with 3:34 left.

Green Bay then forced a punt and took over at its own 13-yard line with 1:35 left. Favre then guided the offense down the field, completing passes of 21 yards to Tony Fisher, 18 yards to Driver and 31 yards to Walker along the way. The completion to Walker took the ball to the Minnesota seven-yard line with 17 seconds remaining. Favre then took a knee on three consecutive plays, before Longwell entered the contest and kicked the game-winning field goal.
"We're always confident," said Driver. "We knew we could score."
After a scoreless first quarter, the Vikings claimed a 7-0 lead with 14:49 left in the second period. Culpepper capped a nine-play, 91-yard drive that bridged the first and second quarters with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Randy Moss. Culpepper went 4-of-5 for 66 yards during the series, including a 42- yard strike to Burleson on a 3rd-and-5 play.

Green Bay countered with a lengthy 16-play drive that ate up over eight minutes off the clock. Ahman Green culminated the march with a one-yard TD plunge on 4th-and-goal.
On the first play for Minnesota following the kickoff, Culpepper tossed a short pass to Burleson, who spun out of a tackle and scampered 68 yards for a touchdown to give the Vikings a 14-7 advantage with 6:15 remaining in the period.
The Packers again countered, tying the contest on Favre's 22-yard TD pass to Franks with 1:17 left in stanza.
The Vikings' Kelly Campbell then returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards to the Green Bay 38-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Culpepper hooked up with Michael Bennett on a 38-yard scoring pass to again put Minnesota in front 21-14 with 58 seconds remaining in the first half.

Green Bay then received a 59-yard kickoff return from Antonio Chatman that placed the ball at the Vikings' 34-yard line. Four plays later, Longwell booted a 42-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 21-17 as the teams headed to the locker room.
Midway through the third quarter, the Packers grabbed a 24-21 advantage courtesy of Favre's nine-yard touchdown strike to Walker. Favre also had passes of 25 yards to Walker and 34 yards to Driver during the eight-play, 89- yard drive.
Minnesota then evened the contest on the first play of the fourth quarter when Morten Andersen kicked a 29-yard field goal.

Game Notes
Only Dan Marino and John Elway have thrown for more yards than Favre...Randall Cunningham held the previous Vikings' record for touchdown passes in a season with 34 in 1998, while Moon was the prior owner of the franchise mark for yards passing in a campaign with 4,264 in 1994...Green Bay receiver Robert Ferguson missed the game, as he continues to recover from head and neck injuries suffered during a loss to Jacksonville last Sunday. Ferguson was clotheslined by Jaguars safety Donovin Darius late in the fourth quarter following a reception...It marked Longwell's fourth game-winning kick of the season...Michael Bennett ended with 92 yards rushing on 17 carries and also caught three passes for 67 yards...Green, who left briefly with a head injury, rushed 19 times for 64 yards...Green Bay has won back-to-back games at the Metrodome for the first time since 1987 and 1988.

NFL Game Summary - Oakland at Kansas City

(Saturday, December 25th)
Final Score: Kansas City 31, Oakland 30

Kansas City, MO (Wager On Football - NFL Wagering) - Lawrence Tynes kicked a 38-yard field goal with 22 seconds left in the game, lifting the Kansas City Chiefs to their fourth straight win and a 31-30 triumph over the AFC West-rival Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium.
Dante Hall's 49-yard kickoff return set up the game-winning field goal, as Kansas City (7-8) posted its fifth victory in six tries against the Raiders. Trent Green finished 32-of-45 passing for 358 yards and threw two touchdown passes to Tony Gonzalez, who ended with 11 catches for 124 yards.
Kansas City will finish its disappointing 2004 campaign next Sunday at San Diego.
Kerry Collins completed 18 of his 37 attempts for 217 yards and a pair of TDs for the Raiders (5-10), losers of four of their last six games. Jerry Porter ended with 57 yards receiving and a score for Oakland. The Raiders will close out the 2004 season next Sunday at home versus Jacksonville.

"We made a lot of plays in all three areas, but they made one more than we did in the end," Raiders head coach Norv Turner said.
In the fourth quarter, Larry Johnson plowed his way into the end zone from four yards out with 6:11 to go and the Chiefs took back the lead at 28-24. Johnson carried the ball 25 times for 79 yards and two TDs in the win.
Sebastian Janikowski boomed a 45-yard field goal with less than four minutes to go in the game and the Raiders pulled within 28-27.
KC was ready to run the clock out until Raiders tackle Ted Washington busted through the line and forced Green to fumble. Fellow tackle Warren Sapp then pounced on the loose ball and Oakland took over from its own 43-yard line with 1:42 remaining.

The Raiders then moved 29 yards in seven plays, but were pushed back after a few penalties. Janikowski got the call again and his 46-yarder was perfect, giving the visitors a 30-28 lead with 1:03 on the clock.
Janikowski's job wasn't done yet as he made a game-saving tackle on Hall's ensuing kickoff return that set up the KC offense in Oakland territory.
"Hall's a great returner," Turner added. "His return put them in great field position to make the kick."
Green engineered a safe drive that enabled Tynes to kick a successful 38-yard field goal with 22 seconds left. Oakland had no magic left and suffered the one-point defeat.
Raiders defensive end Tyler Brayton intercepted a Green pass early in the game, setting up Porter's five-yard touchdown pass at the 13:25 mark. The PAT kick gave Oakland a 7-0 lead.

The Chiefs set up for a 43-yard field goal later in the quarter but Oakland tackle Langston Walker blocked Tynes' attempt.
Kansas City then marched 68 yards in 10 plays culminated by Johnson's six-yard TD run that tied the game with 2:14 left in the opening quarter.
Oakland countered with a lengthy drive of its own minutes into the second quarter, marching 62 yards in 10 plays capped by Zack Crockett's three-yard touchdown run that made it 14-7.
Gonzalez later hauled in a two-yard touchdown pass from Green with 6:44 remaining in the first half, tying the game at 14 apiece. Hall's 10-yard catch on 3rd-and-7 kept the chains moving.
Green hooked up with Gonzalez again with 1:54 to go, this time on a 26-yard touchdown pass that gave Kansas City a 21-14 advantage. The score polished off a 10-play, 80-yard drive.

The Raiders, however, tied the game at 21-21 with just 24 seconds on the clock courtesy of Collins' 32-yard strike to Alvis Whitted.
"That was a big play," Kansas City head coach Dick Vermeil said.
Tynes had a chance to give the Chiefs the lead at halftime, but his 50-yard field goal attempt caromed off the crossbar as time expired in the first half.
With nine seconds remaining in the third quarter, Janikowski split the uprights from 40 yards away and the Raiders claimed a 24-21 edge. The boot ended a nine-play drive that covered 50 yards in almost five minutes.

Game Notes
The Chiefs have not lost a home game in December since the 1996 season...Kansas City rookie defensive end Jared Allen posted his ninth sack of the season...Green was intercepted for the first time in the first quarter this season...Gonzalez, who eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in his career, moved past Kellen Winslow for fourth place on the all-time list in receiving yards among tight ends...Johnson has scored twice in each of the last three games...Walker has three blocked field goals in as many games...Green passed for more than 300 yards for the seventh time this season...KC has 30 rushing TDs in 2004, becoming the seventh team in NFL history to accomplish the feat...Eddie Kennison, who had 79 yards on six receptions, passed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career...Green and Collins both had one interception.

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NFL Game Summary - NY Giants at Cincinnati

(Sunday, December 26th)
Final Score: Cincinnati 23, NY Giants 22

Cincinnati, OH (Wager On Football - NFL Wagering) - Chad Johnson's four-yard touchdown catch with 44 seconds remaining lifted the Cincinnati Bengals to a 23-22 comeback victory over the New York Giants.
It was the second touchdown reception for Johnson from Jon Kitna, who was making his second start of the season in place of the injured Carson Palmer. Kitna finished 20-of-32 for 186 yards as the Bengals (7-8) put the brakes on a two-game skid.
The Giants (5-10) looked to be on their way toward snapping their losing streak of seven games -- the last five with rookie Eli Manning under center -- after Steve Christie's fifth field goal of the day with 5:15 remaining handed New York a 22-17 advantage.

Keiwan Ratliff's 42-yard punt return just before the two-minute warning set up the go-ahead score. Kitna's 19-yard pass to T.J. Houshmandzadeh on 4th-and-10 kept the drive alive and got the Bengals down to the five-yard line.
"I was surprised," Giants cornerback Frank Walker said of the throw by Kitna, whose three previous passes were well off the mark. "But he threw it and the guy [Houshmandzadeh] made a good play."
Two plays later, Kitna rolled to his right and hit a diving Johnson in the corner of the end zone for the one-point edge. The two-point conversion failed, leaving the Giants a chance to win the game with a last-second field goal.
Willie Ponder's 35-yard return on the ensuing kickoff put New York in good field position, but Manning's pass on the very next play was batted by Robert Geathers at the line of scrimmage and brought down by Carl Powell for the interception.
Manning, the top overall pick in the 2004 draft who took over the quarterback duties from Kurt Warner in Week 11 with New York at 5-4, finished 19-of-37 for 201 yards. Tiki Barber rushed 22 times for 109 yards and a touchdown. He reached the 100-yard mark for the ninth time this season, breaking Joe Morris' club record from 1986, and his 1,423 rushing yards also are a personal best.
"It's a lukewarm (feeling)," Barber said. "We're ultimately judged by whether we win games or not. My goal as a running back is to win...and we haven't done that the last two years so it's frustrating."

After going three-and-out on their first possession, the Bengals jumped out to a 7-0 lead on Kitna's five-yard TD pass to Johnson with 5 1/2 minutes to go in the opening quarter.
Barber then muscled his way into the end zone early in the second period to break even for the Giants. Ike Hilliard's 20-yard catch-and-run from Manning on 4th-and-2 from the Cincinnati 37 extended the game-tying drive that lasted nearly five minutes.
The teams traded field goals over the next seven minutes before a bad decision by Kitna put the ball in Walker's hands for an interception, Kitna's fourth of the season.

New York couldn't capitalize with a touchdown despite marching all the way to the 10-yard line. Manning was sacked on second down with less than 20 ticks left, forcing the Giants to settle for a short field goal and a 13-10 halftime edge.
After stuffing Rudi Johnson on 4th-and-1, the Giants picked up another three points behind Christie's 44-yard boot midway through the third, making it 16-10.
The Cincinnati running back won the short yardage battle the next time, however, as he leaped over the top from one yard out to put the Bengals ahead 17-16 with 1:21 to play in the frame.

Barber's 21-yard run off right tackle helped set up Christie's fourth field goal of the day, this time from 41 yards away, to give the Giants the lead once again at 19-17.
Cincinnati had the ball at midfield on the ensuing possession when fullback Jeremi Johnson was stripped by Nick Greisen. Brent Alexander recovered and returned the ball 29 yards to the Bengals' 28-yard line.
Again, the Giants couldn't get the ball in the end zone and Christie kicked his fifth field goal of the day for a 22-17 advantage with 5:14 remaining.
"Our red zone inefficiencies were a big contributing factor," Barber added. "If we score one touchdown out of those (five) field goals we kicked, that's a different game."

Game Notes
Manning is now 0-6 as the starter...Palmer, the first overall pick in last year's draft, was listed as questionable during the week, but dressed as the third quarterback...Chad Johnson ended the day with eight catches for 46 yards...Rudi Johnson was held to 31 yards on 19 carries...Jeremy Shockey led the Giants with 64 yards and six receptions...Walker started in place of starting corner Will Peterson, who was benched for being late to a team meeting during the week...The Bengals improved to 3-0 versus teams from the NFC East. They play the division-leading Philadelphia Eagles in next week's season finale.

NFL Game Summary - Atlanta at New Orleans

(Sunday, December 26th)
Final Score: New Orleans 26, Atlanta 13

New Orleans, LA (Wager On Football - NFL Wagering) - Aaron Brooks threw for a score and ran for another, while Michael Lewis returned a kickoff for a touchdown to lead New Orleans to a 26-13 win over Atlanta at the Louisiana Superdome.
Deuce McAllister ran for 128 yards on 29 carries for the Saints (7-8), who posted their third straight victory to remain in the NFC playoff race. Brooks completed 12-of-24 passes for 227 yards, while Joe Horn registered five receptions for 76 yards.
"We did the things we had to do to win the game," New Orleans head coach Jim Haslett said. "I thought we stopped the run and we ran the ball well. The key was playing great special teams and winning the turnover battle."
Warrick Dunn accounted for 139 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 24 touches for the Falcons (11-4), who had their two-game winning streak snapped. Matt Schaub, filling in for starting quarterback Michael Vick, completed 17- of-41 passes for 188 yards and threw two interceptions to Mike McKenzie in his first career NFL start.

Atlanta, which has already clinched the NFC South title and the second seed in the NFC playoffs, played without Vick (shoulder), running back T.J. Duckett (knee) and tight end Alge Crumpler (knee)
A one-yard TD run by Brooks on fourth down, with 3:25 left in the second quarter, put New Orleans ahead 12-6 at halftime. Horn's 30-yard reception highlighted a 10-play, 80-yard series.
The Saints threatened late in the second. Brooks led them to the Atlanta 11- yard line, but his pass into the end zone was tipped and intercepted by Aaron Beasley with 28 seconds to go in the half.
They opened a 19-6 edge on the initial drive of the third quarter. Donte' Stallworth caught a 39-yard TD pass -- on a crossing pattern -- to cap a five- play, 70-yard series.

Dunn ran 16 yards for a touchdown with 5:45 left in the third to get the Falcons within 19-13. A roughing-the-passer penalty and a 13-yard catch by Brian Finneran on third down extended the 12-play, 70-yard march.
But Lewis returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a score to put New Orleans ahead 26-13.
"[Lewis] called it at halftime," Saints center LeCharles Bentley said. "He said, 'Get ready, I am going to take one to the house.'"
New Orleans built a 5-0 lead in the first quarter. Tony Bryant sacked Schaub in the Falcons' end zone for a safety with six minutes left in the first to open the scoring.
The team took the free kick that followed 51 yards on 12 plays. Jerome Pathon's eight-yard catch on third down led to a 22-yard field goal by John Carney with 11 seconds left in the first.
Jay Feely booted consecutive field goals early in the second quarter to put Atlanta ahead 6-5.

He kicked a 25-yard field goal less than two minutes into the second quarter to get Atlanta within 5-3. Dunn caught a 59-yard pass to start the five-play, 60-yard drive.
A 27-yard interception return by Keith Brooking set up a Feely 20-yard field goal with 9:40 remaining in the second. The kick capped a four-play, eight- yard march.
"This was a disappointing performance for our football team," Atlanta head coach Jim Mora said. "That means everyone who got on the plane and came down here."

Game Notes Brooks, who has thrown a TD pass in a career-high 11 straight games, became the second quarterback in franchise history to throw for 16,000 career yards for the Saints, who improved to 25-4 under Haslett when leading at halftime...Peerless Price also caught six passes for 49 yards for the Falcons, who still lead the all-time series, 41-30...Stallworth finished with two catches for 62 yards for New Orleans...Schaub was sacked three times...Umpire Jeff Rice suffered a gash on his forehead in the second quarter. He left the game, but returned later in the second.

NFL Game Summary - Houston at Jacksonville

(Sunday, December 26th)
Final Score: Houston 21, Jacksonville 0

Jacksonville, FL (Wager On Football - NFL Wagering) - Domanick Davis ran for a career-high 150 yards and a score to lead Houston over Jacksonville, 21-0, at Alltel Stadium.
David Carr completed 14-of-20 passes for 139 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for the Texans (7-8), who have won two straight on the heels of a two-game slide. Houston also beat Jacksonville 20-6 on October 31.
Byron Leftwich was just 6-of-14 for 35 yards with an interception for the Jaguars (8-7), who entered the day in the driver's seat for the AFC's second wild card spot. However, Jacksonville must now beat Oakland in the final game of the regular season just to have a chance to keep its year alive.
"We knew they had playoffs on their mind and we wanted to come in and take advantage of that," said Carr.
Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor was listed as inactive due to a knee injury. Taylor suffered the injury last week when he rushed for 165 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries during the Jaguars' 28-25 triumph over Green Bay.
Houston yielded only 126 yards of total offense en route to its first shutout in franchise history.

"You shouldn't have these games this late in the season," Leftwich remarked. "We understood the importance of this football game. It was very disappointing and it is very embarrassing to play the way we did in a game of this importance."
The Texans opened up the scoring on the first drive of the game, courtesy of a one-yard touchdown run by Davis, and cruised to the victory. Jabar Gaffney highlighted the 10-play, 65-yard drive with a 19-yard reception into Jacksonville territory.

Midway through the second quarter, the Texans pushed their lead to 14-0 on a 10-yard touchdown catch by Andre Johnson. Davis fueled the 71-yard possession with a 44-yard run down to the Jacksonville 11.
"They popped some runs on our defense, which is unusual," said Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio. "When you don't tackle well, you can't play the run- defense the way we want to."
After a scoreless third quarter, Antwan Peek capped off the scoring on a 66- yard fumble return for his first career touchdown.
It was the first time the Jaguars were shutout since a 44-0 defeat at Detroit in December of 1995.
"You don't win many games without scoring," said Del Rio. "In fact, you don't win any. (Houston) held us without a touchdown in both games. I'm shocked and disappointed."

Greg Jones ran for just 38 yards on nine carries in the absence of Taylor.

Game Notes
The Texans have a 4-2 lead in their all-time series with the Jaguars...Houston head coach Dom Capers has a 4-3 record in his career against Jacksonville, including a loss when he was head coach of the Carolina Panthers in 1996.

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NFL Game Summary - New England at NY Jets

(Sunday, December 26th)
Final Score: New England 23, NY Jets 7

East Rutherford, NJ (Wager On Football - NFL Wagering) - Tom Brady rebounded from one of his worst games as a pro, completing 21-of-32 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns to lead the New England Patriots to a 23-7 win over the New York Jets at the Meadowlands.
Two of Brady's four interceptions last Monday night came in the final two minutes, helping cellar-dwelling Miami capture a 29-28 upset. The Patriots (13-2) responded by dominating their AFC East counterpart, earning a season sweep of the Jets while clinching the No. 2 seed in the conference.
"It was a tough week last week," Brady said. "We came out with a lot to prove. "It was a great opportunity to come out and show what we're made of."
But if New England is to get to its third Super Bowl in four years, it will have to go through Pittsburgh as the Steelers (14-1) defeated Baltimore earlier in the day to capture homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Pittsburgh ended the Pats' 21-game win streak earlier this year at Heinz Field.

The Jets (10-5) could have punched their ticket to the postseason via the conference's first wild card spot with a victory in their home finale. Buffalo (9-6), which trounced San Francisco 41-7, also could have put New York in the playoffs with a loss, but the Jets will have to wait until next week when they visit St. Louis.
"They came down here and kicked our tails," said New York head coach Herman Edwards of the Patriots, who held the ball for over 10 minutes more than the Jets. "We needed to win a game at home and we didn't. Our guys knew what was at stake. We didn't get it done."

Chad Pennington, who made headlines earlier in the week due to his rift with the New York media, was 22-of-36 for 252 yards and a score. He turned the ball over three times with a pair of interceptions and a lost fumble.
"We're not happy," said Pennington, who caused a firestorm after last week's win over Seattle by not taking questions from print reporters. "We can't dwell on this past tomorrow. We've got to put it behind us and go out and play St. Louis. I'm the quarterback and the leader of this team, and I'm disappointed."
Corey Dillon rushed 29 times for 89 yards and now has 1,519 yards on the season, breaking the New England record set by current Jets back Curtis Martin in 1995.
Martin, who came in needing just three yards to surpass his own Jet mark of 1,513 yards from three years ago, was limited to 33 yards on 13 carries.
"We failed today as a team," Martin said. "This is the worst we've performed all year. We just laid an egg."

While Brady methodically carved the offense down the field on the way to a 23-0 lead, Pennington and the Jets offense struggled to get anything going from the second quarter until early in the fourth. Santana Moss then willed his way into the end zone for the final two yards of a 15-yard TD catch for New York's first points of the day.
After stuffing Dillon on 4th-and-1 at their own 25 with 5 1/2 minutes to play, the Jets had a chance to make it a one-score game. Pennington completed his first three passes for 41 yards before a completion to LaMont Jordan went for a two-yard loss. Two plays later, Pennington dumped the ball off in the flat to Justin McCareins, who was pushed out of bounds a yard shy of the first down, ending the drive.

New York forced a three and out to get the ball back with almost three minutes left, but Pennington had the ball jarred loose when he was sacked by Rosevelt Colvin, thwarting any chance of a miracle comeback.
The Jets were able to move the ball into New England territory on their first two possessions, but came up empty -- the opening drive killed by Tedy Bruschi's interception of Pennington.
The game's first points didn't come until Adam Vinatieri's 28-yard field goal just prior to the midway point of the second quarter.
New England then marched 86 yards to take a 10-0 advantage. After Brady's 35- yard hookup with David Givens just before the two-minute warning put the ball in the red zone, his terrific play-action 16-yard pass landed in the hands of a wide open Daniel Graham in the end zone.

Vinatieri split the uprights from 29 yards out with seven seconds to go in the half to add to the lead. New York then dodged a bullet on the ensuing kickoff as Vinatieri's squib attempt hit a Jet and was recovered by the Patriots at the 32-yard line with one second left. But Vinatieri hooked a 50-yard try, leaving the difference at 13 heading into halftime.
The New England kicker booted a 26-yarder before the third period came to a close to make it 16-0.
Facing 3rd-and-24 on the ensuing series, Pennington was picked off by Eugene Wilson on a deep ball over the middle intended for Wayne Chrebet.
The overthrown pass led to a six-yard strike from Brady to Deion Branch, who led all receivers with seven catches for 82 yards.

Game Notes
Patriots defensive lineman Richard Seymour left the game in the third quarter with a leg injury...Pro Bowl corner Ty Law, who was upgraded to questionable during the week, was inactive for the eighth straight game with his broken foot suffered against the Steelers...Jets sack leader John Abraham missed his third consecutive game with a knee injury...Former New York tackle Joe Klecko, the leader of the aptly-named "Sack Exchange" during the 1980s, had his No. 73 retired during a halftime ceremony. Klecko's son, Dan, plays for the Patriots.

NFL Game Summary - Arizona at Seattle

(Sunday, December 26th)
Final Score: Seattle 24, Arizona 21

Seattle, WA (Wager On Football - NFL Wagering) - Shaun Alexander rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Seattle Seahawks to a 24-21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals at Qwest Field.
Trent Dilfer, starting for an injured Matt Hasselbeck, completed just 10-of-26 passes for 128 yards for the Seahawks (8-7), who clinched a playoff spot as a wild card in the NFC. Seattle can clinch the NFC West title with a win next week against Atlanta, or a loss by St. Louis in either of its final two games.
"It feels good," said Seattle wide receiver Bobby Engram about making the playoffs. "We've been through a lot this year. It's a good feeling to know we are going to be there at the end, have a chance to go to the playoffs and make some make noise."

Josh McCown was 21-of-33 passing for 248 yards and three touchdowns for the Cardinals (5-10), who were officially eliminated from playoff contention. Despite coming into the game four games under .500, Arizona still had a chance to win the NFC West with wins in its last two games combined with Seattle and St. Louis each losing its last two contests.
Arizona was down by 17 early in the fourth, but pulled to within 24-14 on a 29-yard touchdown pass from McCown to Larry Fitzgerald with 11:32 left in the quarter.
After Duane Starks intercepted a pass by Dilfer at the Arizona 46, the Cardinals marched down to the Seattle 26. However, McCown was sacked back at the 34 for an eight-yard loss and Neil Rackers wound up missing a 52-yard field goal try from 52 yards away.

"We took ourselves out of field goal range with a bad play," said Arizona head coach Dennis Green, referring to McCown taking a sack before the missed field goal try. "You can't hold onto the ball. There is a rhythm that has to take place and there is a timing that has to take place. The ball has to leave the quarterback's hands, plain and simple."
However, the Seahawks went three-and-out on their next possession and Arizona answered with a nine-play, 76-yard drive that ended with McCown connecting with Fitzgerald on another 29-yard scoring strike that made it a 24-21 contest with 2:30 left to play.
But the Cardinals could not get the ball back. Arizona had used its last two time-outs and the Seahawks faced a 3rd-and-6 from their own 24. Dilfer went back to pass on the third-down play, avoided the rush and then scrambled for the first down to essentially seal the win for Seattle.
Dilfer was named the starter for the game when Hasselbeck's sore throwing elbow bothered him during warm-ups. Hasselbeck, who was active for the game, was limited in practice all week by the elbow, which he injured in last week's loss to the Jets.

Darrell Jackson finished with six catches for 101 yards for the Seahawks.
Anquan Boldin had seven catches for 107 yards while Fitzgerald caught four passes for 70 yards in the loss.
Arizona took a 7-0 lead when McCown threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Boldin with 4:23 left in the first quarter.
The Seahawks tied it at 7-7 on Alexander's one-yard TD run with 4:44 left in the second. For a second consecutive week, Alexander fumbled just shy of the goal line. However, unlike last week, he recovered the ball in the end zone for the score.
In last week's 37-14 road loss to the New York Jets, Alexander fumbled as he was about to cross the goal line late in the third quarter. The ball was recovered by the Jets in the end zone for a touchback.
Josh Brown kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired in the second to give Seattle a 10-7 lead at halftime.
Alexander's 17-yard touchdown run with 3:06 left in the third capped a five- play, 82-yard drive and put Seattle up 17-7.
A 23-yard TD run by Alexander gave the Seahawks a 24-7 lead just 10 seconds into the fourth quarter. The five-play, 39-yard scoring drive was set up by Marcus Trufant's interception of a McCown pass.

"Shaun was great today," said Seattle guard Steve Hutchinson. "He ran hard. I like to see his yards after contact. He is a good back and I think we have one of the best O-lines in the league playing together."

Game Notes
Alexander broke Chris Warren's 10-year-old team record of 1,545 rushing yards in a season. Alexander now has 1,616 yards on the ground in 2004...Alexander also eclipsed his own club record with 19 rushing TDs. He had 18 in 2002...Jackson now has 84 receptions on the season, breaking Brian Blades' team mark of 81 set in 1994...Seattle tackle Walter Jones was taken for x-rays on his lower left leg during the third quarter. Although the x-rays showed no damage, he did not return.

NFL Game Summary - Denver at Tennessee

(Saturday, December 25th)
Final Score: Denver 37, Tennessee 16

Nashville, TN (Wager On Football - NFL Wagering) - Reuben Droughns rushed for 91 yards and scored a career-high three touchdowns, as the Denver Broncos took one step closer to a possible playoff berth with a convincing 37-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans in a Christmas Night matchup at Adelphia Coliseum.
Droughns scored twice on the ground and also caught a touchdown pass from Jake Plummer, who completed 21-of-26 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns for the Broncos (9-6). Denver rebounded from a blowout loss to Kansas City a week ago and now needs to win its regular season finale at home versus Indianapolis and get help to qualify for the postseason. Rod Smith notched six catches for 58 yards and a touchdown, while Ashley Lelie added 88 yards receiving in the victory. Jason Elam booted four field goals for Denver.
"You have to do the little things the right way, and we did that," said Denver head coach Mike Shanahan.

Billy Volek, who had been hot lately, including a 492-yard/four touchdown performance last week versus Oakland, completed just 8-of-20 passes for 111 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a left knee contusion. Backup Doug Johnson finished 4- for-7 for 26 yards.
Antowain Smith rushed 14 times for 59 yards and a touchdown for the Titans (4-11), who have dropped five straight games. Derrick Mason caught four passes for 65 yards in the losing effort. Tennessee will close its 2004 season at home against Detroit.

The Broncos' opening drive resulted in a 7-0 lead before three minutes had elapsed in the first quarter. The six-play, 64-yard march culminated in a 23- yard touchdown from Plummer to Droughns, who hauled in the screen pass, received several great blocks and rumbled into the end zone with 12:03 remaining.
The teams then traded field goals over the next six-plus minutes. Jason Elam connected from 22 yards out at 8:42 before Gary Anderson's 44-yarder less than two minutes later brought the Titans within 10-3.
However, Denver wasted little time adding to its lead. The visitors took possession on their own 29-yard line and drove 63 yards down to the Tennessee eight-yard line. From there, Droughns took a handoff and rolled over the goal line for a 17-3 Denver advantage with 4:26 on the clock.

The first-quarter scoring was capped by the Titans, who answered with a lengthy drive of their own. Volek led the way on a nice 74-yard march before Smith scampered 13 yards for the score with 1:45 to go in the frame.
The defense for both sides began to settle down in the second period, but the Broncos found the scoreboard once again midway through. Following a 35-yard punt by the Titans, Denver took over on its own 44-yard line. Several plays later, Plummer hooked up with tight end Jeb Putzier for a 34-yard gain to the Tennessee six-yard line. On 3rd-and-goal after taking a sack, Plummer found Smith in the corner of the end zone for a seven-yard TD and a 24-10 lead with 3:56 to go before the half.

Another field goal by Anderson, this one a 43-yarder with only 50 seconds left, seemed to have closed the first-half scoring, but a miscue by Plummer gave the Titans the ball back. Plummer was intercepted by Keith Bulluck near midfield, which led to a Craig Hentrich 50-yard field goal as time expired. Hentrich replaced Anderson for this particular kick because of the length of the attempt and the Titans went into the locker room trailing, 24-16.
Neither team moved the ball much on offense as the third quarter opened, but Denver put together a decent drive in the latter stages of the frame and ended up with a first down in the red zone. However, on 3rd-and-goal from the Titans six-yard line, Plummer threw the ball away and the Broncos had to settle for a 22-yard field goal by Elam and a 27-16 lead with 3:50 to go in the quarter.
Tennessee was never in the game again, failing not only to score but also unable to stop the Broncos from adding another 10 points for the final margin. After Elam capped his four-field goal game with a 30-yarder under four minutes into the fourth quarter, Droughns finished the scoring with a 23-yard touchdown run with 6:55 remaining and the Broncos held on for the easy victory.

Game Notes
Denver entered the game in a four-way tie with Baltimore, Buffalo, and Jacksonville for the AFC's final playoff bid...This was the first meeting between these two teams since the Titans franchise moved to Nashville from Houston as the Oilers. It was the first victory for Denver over the Titans/Oilers club since 1992...Shanahan notched his 100th victory with Denver and his first over the Titans/Oilers franchise (1-2)...The Titans are now 1-6 at home this year.

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