NFL Week 17 In A Nutshell

Giants 28, Jaguars 25

The Skinny: It doesn't matter that they have no skill-position players. Jim Fassel told us that the Giants would make the playoffs, but his team exceeded even that mere prediction by clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Who were we to argue?

Stud: Wow, Kerry Collins is an offensive stud? The Giants quarterback threw for 321 yards and three fourth-quarter touchdowns, proving he has command of his team.

Stiff: There is only a minimal chance of thunder in the playoffs as Ron Dayne racked up all of 3 yards on six carries and found his way to the bench down the stretch.

By the numbers: Tiki Barber, the productive half of the Giants backfield duo, eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career, finishing the game with 78 yards and the regular season with 1,006.

Next week: Both teams will be off next week, but while the Jaguars are golfing, the Giants will be using their bye week to prepare for the lowest-seeded wild-card team in the divisional playoffs.

Broncos 38, 49ers 9

The Skinny: The Broncos bid a final regular-season farewell to Mile High Stadium with a dominating performance against one of the league's best offenses.

Stud: The Bronco fans are recognized as multiple studs for taking the time to remember what was likely Jerry Rice's last game as a 49er. Arguably the greatest of all time, Rice received an ovation and chants of "Jerry" as he left the field.

Stiff: Even though Bill Romanowski played a decent game (six tackles and a sack), he gets the stiff award for starting the verbal sparring with J.J. Stokes in the middle of the week.

By the numbers: The Broncos became only the second franchise in league history to have multiple receivers (Ed McCaffrey [101] and Rod Smith [100]) reach the 100-catch plateau in a season.

Next week: The 49ers: they're done, and have been for a while. The Broncos, on the other hand, check in at the No. 5 seed in the AFC and will play at either Tennessee or Baltimore.

Bills 42, Seahawks 23

The Skinny: The outcome of the game wasn't nearly the drama that will come out of Buffalo in the next few weeks. Owner Ralph Wilson already fired general manager John Butler this week; coach Wade Phillips and (fingers crossed) Doug Flutie could follow.

Stud: Sure, it was Flutie who got them the ball, but how about Peerless Price (132 yards receiving) and Eric Moulds (101)? Didn't Shawn Springs have to be on at least one of them?

Stiff: It must be nice to play against the Seattle defense, when even a mediocre back like Antowain Smith can rush for 147 yards. Shame on you, Seahawks.

By the numbers: Seattle finished the season with a 6-10 record, Mike Holmgren's worst in his career as a head coach.

Next week: Absolutely nothing. Both teams can kick back and enjoy the playoffs from the comfort of home.

Redskins 20, Cardinals 3

The Skinny: Interim coach Terry Robiskie picked up his first win since taking the helm from Norv Turner, but it remains to be seen whether a victory over Arizona is worth a contract to stick around next season.

Stud: Still harassing quarterbacks at the ripe old age of 37, Bruce Smith picked up his 10th sack and established an NFL record with 13 seasons of 10 or more.

Stiff: The player formerly known as The Next Joe Montana, Arizona quarterback Jake Plummer, threw for just 144 yards and three interceptions.

By the numbers: 43: the over/under on casualties when Daniel Snyders cleans house for the second consecutive season.

Next week: Free agent Brad Johnson begins weighing his options and deciding from whom he will steal injury pay next season.

Falcons 29, Chiefs 13

The Skinny: Neither team was really in playoff contention this year, and neither team is very actively rebuilding, either. Let us be glad that they won't meet again for three seasons.

Stud: It's red-zone offenses like these that put 25,000 people in the seats. Morten Andersen's steady play salvaged the Falcons' futility as the veteran knocked down five field goals.

Stiff: This game was meaningful to one and only one person Sunday -- the retiring Warren Moon. Zero props to Chiefs coach Gunther Cunningham for not allowing Moon to throw even one pass in his finale.

By the numbers: Tony Gonzalez became the third tight end in NFL history to catch 90 passes in a season.

Next week: Chiefs scouts continue their quest for the ever-elusive starting running back.

Bears 23, Lions 20

The Skinny: All the Lions had to do was beat the Chicago Bears (the Bears!) and they were in. Wow, long offseason.

Stud: Ever since Bobby Ross quit on the Lions, Gary Moeller has been a relief. He breathed new life into a downward-spiraling team and has been nothing but candid and accountable in postgame press conferences.

Stiff: Moeller again. How do you not have your team ready for the Bears?

By the numbers: 2: the number of game-winning kicks to finish seasons in as many years for Paul Edinger. The rookie from Michigan State beat Florida in the Citrus Bowl last year as time expired.

Next couple weeks: Message to Lions: "That could have been us," is not the proper response to the Rams winning the Super Bowl.

Packers 17, Buccaneers 14 (OT)

The Skinny: The last two seasons, the Packers learned a little something about procrastination. Waiting until the last few weeks to start playing well and relying on other teams for help can come back to bite you.

Stud: More and more people forget about Ahman Green's unreliable hands every week. Sunday he accounted for 152 yards of total offense and scored two touchdowns.

Stiff: Martin Gramatica missed his game-winner at the end of regulation, but Ryan Longwell made his in overtime. Who's your Pro Bowler?

By the numbers: Nineteen times the Buccaneers have played in weather colder than 40 degrees and 19 times they have lost. Maybe the stiff above should have been personnel director who loaded up on Florida collegians.

Next week: The Bucs could have taken the NFC Central crown, but the loss dropped them to the No. 5 seed in the playoffs. The Packers needed a loss from the Lions (got it) and a loss from the Rams (didn't get it), so the post-Holmgren era in Green Bay is still without a postseason berth.

Dolphins 27, Patriots 24

The Skinny: The Dolphins thought they had it wrapped up, but after a 35-minute delay, they were summoned from the locker room to run one final play. Michael Bishop's last-ditch attempt didn't reach the end zone, and the AFC East crown officially belonged in Miami.

Stud: It takes a man the stature of Johnny Grier to pull 300-pound men away from their postgame showers, but the referee did it. Bold move.

Stiff: When Lamar Smith carries 20 times for 26 yards, who's the stiff -- Smith or the coordinator who kept calling his number? Smith.

By the numbers: Drew Bledsoe threw for 312 yards, just his first 300-yard passing game this season.

Next week: Miami earned the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs and will host Indianapolis Saturday.

Rams 26, Saints 21

The Skinny: The Rams needed a win and a Detroit loss Sunday to squeak into the No. 6 slot in the NFC. They got both, and even though they came in the back door, who are you going to pick to beat them?

Stud: Marshall Faulk is your MVP. Not just of this game, not just of his team, but of the league this season. His 261 total yards and three touchdowns in victory only further confirmed it.

Stiff: The stiff is the NFL playoff pairing guidelines that are allowing two intra-divisional games in the first week of the postseason -- including a game by these same two teams in the same stadium.

By the numbers: Faulk's 26th touchdown of the season set a new NFL record, surpassing Emmitt Smith's 25 in 1995.

Next week: The Rams have to decide whether they want to hang around in New Orleans until the late game next Saturday or make the trip home.

Eagles 16, Bengals 7

The Skinny: With the potential to host a playoff game on the line, the Eagles couldn't have hand-picked a better opponent (OK, yes, the Chargers). The Eagles did their part and the Buccaneers did theirs, losing to the Packers and giving Philadelphia the No. 4 seed.

Stud: Donovan McNabb is Philly's stud every week. They win and lose with him, and even when his numbers are as unimpressive as Sunday's 198 yards and one touchdown, you know they won because of him.

Stiff: A member of the chain gang was hurt, and so was Eagles running back Darnell Autry. Regardless of what actually happened, we're blaming it on the Veterans Stadium turf.

By the numbers: The Bengals finished up their 10th straight losing season Sunday with a 4-12 record and show no signs of turning it around anytime soon. They are 47-113 in that period.

Next week: The Buccaneers will likely have another chance to win below 40 degrees when they visit the Eagles next Sunday.

Ravens 34, Jets 20

The Skinny: The Jets needed a win to make the playoffs, but even after a sloppy defeat, they could have made it on an Indianapolis loss. Didn't happen.

Stud: Nevermind Vinny Testaverde's mistakes down the stretch, the Jets quarterback threw for 481 yards and two touchdowns before caving at the end.

Stiff: The Baltimore offense can thank the play-making defense ... for maybe the 16th time this year. It took an interception return and two punt returns for touchdowns to bail out an offense that picked up only five first downs all game.

By the numbers: Whatever amount of money Trent Dilfer gets to quarterback the Ravens beyond this season might garner a few snickers. Somehow the guy wins with 99 yards passing and two interceptions.

Next week: If the Titans lose Monday night, the Ravens will have the top spot in the AFC and take a week off; otherwise, it's going to be the No. 4 slot and a home game against Denver.

Steelers 34, Chargers 21

The Skinny: The Steelers did their part, but their 9-7 record needed plenty of outside help that never arrived. Despite that shortcoming, raise your hand if you had this team winning more than four game this season.

Stud: Kordell Stewart only threw for 190 yards, but he accounted for three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing).

Stiff: "This is as bad as it gets in the NFL," Chargers quarterback Jim Harbaugh said after the loss, not realizing that an 0-16 season is never something to be taunted.

By the numbers: The Chargers became just the sixth team in league history to finish the season with a 1-15 record.

Next week: Neither team will be headed anywhere but home. San Diego: you are on the clock.

Colts 31, Vikings 10

The Skinny: Three weeks ago, no legitimate contender had longer odds than the Indianapolis Colts. But everything that had to go in their favor did, and their 10-6 record was good enough to grab the final berth in the AFC.

Stud: Edgerrin James tallied 207 yards of total offense, scoring one touchdown in victory.

Stiff: No doubt, it's the Minnesota defense again. True, the offense wasn't there to bail them out, but the secondary was as porous as ever.

By the numbers: James established three new records with his impressive day, becoming the NFL leader in touchdowns for his first two seasons in the league and the Colts leader for most single-season rushing and total yards.

Next week: With the No. 6 seed, the Colts will play the early game Saturday at Miami. Despite the recent swoon, Minnesota still won the NFC Central and will take a week off with the No. 2 seed.

Raiders 52, Panthers 9

The Skinny: The Raiders knew that they needed a win to lock up the AFC West title, but who knew that they were trying to impress the BCS computers with a dismantling of the Carolina Panthers?

Stud: Five touchdowns is always stud-worthy, even if Rich Gannon did manage to only throw for 230 yards outside of those scores.

Stiff: Bobby Bowden, for somehow having a hand in running up the score.

By the numbers: Muhsin Muhammad reached his first 100-reception season by hauling in 10 catches for 114 yards.

Next week: Oakland will sit on the No. 2 seed and host the highest-seeded wild-card winner in two weeks.