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Media, Sports and News

Being Human

Since this is a personal blog and personal blogging is mostly about expressing opinions, I realize now that I have had no opinion posts. Writing opinions is tricky though because of the diversity in human thoughts. People don’t want to believe anything contradictory to what they have learned in life. It does not fit their understanding of the ‘universe’. My small reader group, however, gives me freedom. Most of my readers until now are from a group I know outside the blogosphere and so I have faith that they won’t mind spending some time on my broodings. And I deal with a highly philosophical question today, a question that has perplexed mankind for long and caused a great divide between the two genders of this highly evolved species on Earth- ‘Are men dog?’I come from a middle class Indian family because of which my upbringing had been in a locality that had an abundance of street dogs. I grew up feeding the malnourished street dogs from an early age and have great affection for their kind. If I may add, I have found dogs to be among the best animals in our world. They are faithful, coordinating, and live in gangs which have much in common with the human idea of society. The more glorified families of vertebrates such as Lions, for instance, have very less similarity with our ways of life. But let’s not indulge into too much science here, science ruins philosophy.

Now that I have introduced my feelings for dogs, let me start the comparison between the two aforesaid species. The lives of both, men and dogs, begins with training. We take birth and are taught what to do and what not to. Mothers are our first teachers and make us what we are when we get into adolescence. It may not be comfortable to those grown up now (lions in their imagination) but their fate was decided by the kind of training they got from their parents. Our childhood forms us, whether we like it or not. Each little decision we take determines our future and there is no escaping this reality. In comparison, dogs too receive their training from their mothers. For a street dog, it is mostly about learning to cross the street, killing mice and chasing cats. In conjunction, they learn to be faithful to those households that feed them. I won’t include the dogs who live in posh houses, drive in luxury cars and eat pedigree. No sir, they are a disgrace to the dog kind. An analogy in humans will be the kids of overly rich parents who get sent to expensive boarding schools which ‘train’ them to ‘make a man’ of themselves. To me, that’s a short cut. That was not how mammals are supposed to evolve, not even ‘lions’. Let your mother have the credit of forming you, that is the least they deserve. One of my my favorite saying is from the novel Catch-22 which goes something like:

XYZ “had a poor start, he came from a good family”

                                   (But maybe more on that in a later post)

The next stage in our lives is that of adulthood. It’s the age where we learn the importance of independence leaving the cocoon we have been sheltered in. The immediate reaction to which is reflected in adolescence with identity crisis. Humans seek affection of those nearby. A need for recognition and dependence. So is the case with dogs. They search for appropriate masters for themselves and dedicate their lives in service for little in return. Sleepless nights spent in service of someone who bothers as much about you. It’s a pathetic life from the outsight, but certainly more human than wearing ‘Being Human’ t-shirts and drinking alcohol in parks or, just to be a bit harsher because I don’t like his films, running over people asleep on the sidewalk.A funny thing about adulthood is that we often get labeled ‘dogs’ for reasons quite unrelated to dog-behavior. Dogs are faithful and would rather sacrifice their lives for their masters.

Now moving on to death, I try to stand against another saying that calls a bad death as ‘dying a dog’s death’. This is a strong statement, and because it is strong, it falls harder. To state it outright- we all die a dog’s death. If we die early in life, we have unfulfilled goals, unfulfilled desires and often have deep regrets for having lived our lives the way we had. Emotions drag us down to the level of animals. Getting killed in a car accident is no better than the death of a dog that you see getting run over by a truck. Contrarily, most probably the dog would have been happier. Death in old age is no better for the fear of loneliness. I have not yet had a personal experience with that age but have observed that the hokum of independence goes away for most of us. Interdependence is most evident to us when we have no one to care for us. Make no mistakes; we all die alone- ‘a dog’s death’. Or maybe even worse.

Let me sum it all up with an example. I had a very poor show at the exam today. I have a habit of studying just the last night before the exam but sleep got better of me this time and I got into the exam hall with less than 2 hours of studies. To add to my misery, the invigilator in our room was a beautiful teacher who listened to music over her earphones while governing the exam. And to restate for those not regular at following my blog, I have been having latent feelings of what I feel is love for a girl I don’t know well enough. Blaming my mammalian genes, when I first saw the teacher my reaction was that of a dog. She was beautiful even in her late 30s and to and spoke with careful sweetness in her words. I spent the first hour thinking of what I have written in front of you. When the gray matter got back to me, I invoked my dog nature of faithfulness. Like everyone else, I like to live like a lion, or an eagle. But as said before, emotions drag us to the level of animals. I could have contrasted dogs and humans with the concept of self-awareness and explained the reason why human race is such a success but it would make the post too long and uninteresting. Just to touch upon the idea though, close your eyes and imagine yourself outside your body. With your copied soul, stand in the corner of the room and look at yourself sitting, reading this article. You should be able to perform this exercise effortlessly, and be able to draw conclusions about yourself. This gift is unique to humans and one of the reasons why our society has been a success.

A bad ending ruins half the effort but unfortunately, I can think of no other way to conclude this post other than an reassurance that being called a dog is not as bad as it may seem. There are worse things you could be called. Printed t-shirts are the worst things that happened to the fashion industry the previous century and next time you see someone wearing that ‘being human’ shirt, try judging if he really behaves as he proclaims. The answer in most cases (I have done the experiment) is no.

Part 3: Top 25 Christmas films and shows of all time – WTOP.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: Jason is WTOP’s Morning Drive Writer and founder of The Film Spectrum, which The Washington Post hailed for its “lengthy, spirited reviews … with the ethos of a true film aficionado.” He also recently received his M.F.A in Film & Electronic Media from American University, where his thesis film won a 2011 CINE Golden Eagle Award.

Jason Fraley, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – From Miracle on 34th Street to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, we’re counting down the 25 essential Christmas movies and TV specials of all time. Here are Nos. 25-16 and Nos. 15-6 in case you missed them. Otherwise, it’s time for the Top 5.

5. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989)When we think of John Hughes, we think of the Brat Pack: The Breakfast Club (1985), Pretty in Pink (1986), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986). Too often we forget he was also behind a “trilogy” of holiday flicks: Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987), Home Alone (1990) and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Indeed, it was Hughes who had penned the original National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), sending the Griswold family off to Wally World. Six years later, he had them stay home, as Clark (Chevy Chase) and Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo) host a “full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency.”

How does one choose a favorite scene? Clark getting flustered while buying lingerie. His attempts to string Christmas lights. The waxed saucer sled. The pool daydream. Aunt Bethany’s senile comments. The tree squirrel. The exploding turkey. Indeed, Tim “The Toolman” Taylor stole his holiday decorating gaffs from Clark Griswold, backed by a stellar supporting cast: Randy Quaid (Independence Day), Diane Ladd (Wild at Heart), John Randolph (Serpico), Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond), E.G. Marshall (The Defenders), William Hickey (Prizzi’s Honor), Brian Doyle-Murray (Groundhog Day), Juliette Lewis (Cape Fear), Johnny Galecki (Roseanne) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld).

Best Scene: Uncle Eddie takes Clark literally as he sounds off about his lousy holiday bonus.

Best Line: “Is your house on fire, Clark? Is Rusty still in the Navy?” –Aunt Bethany

4. White Christmas (1954)

Landing one spot ahead of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) is the very film Chevy Chase references when he says, “We’re gonna have the hap-hap-happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tapdanced with Danny [freakin'] Kaye.” With the exception of Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor in Singin’ in the Rain (1952), you won’t find a male dancing duo like this one. Add Rosemary Clooney (George Clooney’s aunt) and Vera-Ellen (On the Town) and you have a fabulous foursome dropping some of the fanciest footsteps ever to hit the silver screen.

Directed by Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) and choreographed by Bob Fosse (Cabaret), the film was the first ever shot in VistaVision — Paramount’s answer to CinemaScope — and its vibrant Technicolor shows off the costumes of Edith Head (Vertigo). Still, the biggest contributor is songwriter Irving Berlin (Top Hat), who provides a string of gems, including “Sisters,” “Snow,” the Oscar-nominated “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” and the title song, which he first penned for Crosby in Holiday Inn (1942). To this day, it remains the most played song in history. Add up all these pieces and you get the perfect fireside family flick, summed up by Crosby himself: “A lot of schmaltz and plenty of heart.”

Best Scene: Crosby teaches Clooney to “count her blessings” at the Vermont lodge’s empty piano bar. This was the same lodge used in Holiday Inn.

Best Line: “When what’s left of you gets around to what’s left to be gotten, what’s left to be gotten won’t be worth getting, whatever it is you’ve got left.” –Phil Davis

3. Scrooge (1951)Over the years, there have been so many great versions of the classic Dickens tale, including the early 1938 talkie with Reginald Owen, the 1970 musical with Albert Finney, the 1983 Disney animation, the 1984 version with George C. Scott, the 1988 spinoff with Bill Murray and the 1992 Muppet rendition. Still, none have nailed the tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge quite like this 1951 British classic. The film paints the fullest picture of Scrooge’s past, present and future, full of heartache and nuance, without the frills of dance numbers or hand puppets. This is gritty black-and-white, a true depiction of the cold streets of London — the way Dickens intended.

Above all, no actor has come close to nailing the character of Scrooge like the legendary Alastair Sim. Fresh off Hitchcock’s Stage Fright (1950), Sim’s “bah humbug” is as cold as they come, and his “second chance” jubilation on Christmas morning will never be topped. For some reason, this one rarely airs on television, perhaps because it was a British production. But do yourself a favor and get your hands on a copy. To these eyes, it’s the definitive version of one of literature’s greatest works.

Best Scene: The terrifying arrival of Jacob Marley with clocks tolling and spirits moaning.

Best Line: “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?” –The Ghost of Christmas Present using Scrooge’s own words against him.

2. A Christmas Story (1983)Stand by Me (1986). The Wonder Years (1988). The Sandlot (1993). Each is classic in its own right, but all three pull their nostalgic, comedic voiceover from the monumental classic that came before: A Christmas Story. Writer/director Bob Clark (Porky’s) and writer/narrator Jean Shepherd pulled the story from semi-autobiographical events. It follows young Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) in 1940s Indiana as he tries desperately to convince his parents, teachers and Santa Claus that all he wants for Christmas is a “Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle.” One by one, they tell him the painful truth about his elusive B.B. gun: “You’ll shoot your eye out.”

Starring Darren McGavin (Billy Madison) and Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters of the Third Kind), the film is full of priceless moments: Randy’s stubborn approach to meatloaf; Flick’s tongue on a frozen playground pole; Ralphie’s Orphan Annie decoder ring revelation; the arrival of the leg lamp; Ralphie whipping bully Scut Farkas; a department store Santa’s slide; and a “pink nightmare” pajama gift. The pop culture impact is everywhere, from Jeff Daniels sticking his tongue to a pole in Dumb and Dumber (1994) to ESPN featuring the leg lamp on the set of Pardon the Interruption. Since 1997, the Turner networks have aired 24-hour marathons on Christmas Day, meaning you could conceivably watch the film 12 times in a row. For this reason alone, you could easily call A Christmas Story the greatest Christmas movie of all time. It’s the only one I would consider swapping for the top spot.

Best Scene: Ralphie spills his father’s lug nuts and says, “Fudge.” Only he doesn’t say “fudge.”

Best Line: “Schwartz created a slight breach of etiquette by skipping the Triple Dare and going right for the throat.” –Ralphie’s narration

1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)For a film that’s become such a fixture in our homes each holiday season, it’s amazing how much Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life still has the ability to shock viewers with the same reaction: “I forgot how dark it is. How serious. How little it actually focuses on Christmas.” Indeed, Capra uses the holidays as a framing device for an in-depth character study into one man’s life of disappointment. As critic David Thomson writes, “The film that had failed in 1947 had become a token of uplifting fellowship, yet it was a film noir full of regret, self-pity and the temptation of suicide. How could so many people convince themselves that it was cheery?”

The answer can only be that Capra shines through the darkness with such blinding truth. It’s a fable of mankind’s interconnectedness, where each of us is an irremovable cog in a wheel where you can only take that which you have given and where no man is a failure who has friends. The infamous “Capra-corn” had finally found its proper doses, proving we need the darkness to see the light; the lows to feel the highs; the despair to feel the inspiration. Steven Spielberg called it “a five hanky movie,” saying it’s one of the three movies he watches before shooting every film, and the AFI recently named it the most inspirational film of all time. What better tribute than the fact that Frank Capra and Jimmy Stewart always considered It’s a Wonderful Life the best film either of them ever made?

Best Scene: After preventing a bank run during the Great Depression, George Bailey returns “home” to a makeshift honeymoon, the answer to Mary’s wishes the night they threw rocks and roped moons.

Best Line: “Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you’re talking about, they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway my father didn’t think so. People were human beings to him, but to you – a warped, frustrated old man – they’re cattle. Well in my book he died a much richer man than you’ll ever be.” — George Bailey to Mr. Potter (played by Drew Barrymore’s great uncle, the great Lionel Barrymore)

Why is “It’s a Wonderful Life” considered such a masterpiece? Find out here.

Honorable Mentions

A Christmas Carol (1938), Holiday Inn (1942), The Bishop’s Wife (1947), Holiday Affair (1949), Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol (1962), The Little Drummer Boy (1968), Scrooge (1970), Black Christmas (1974), The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974), Trading Places (1983), Gremlins (184), A Christmas Carol (1984), Ernest Saved Christmas (1988), Scrooged (1988), Prancer (1989), Batman Returns (1992), The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), The Preacher’s Wife (1996), Jingle All the Way (1996), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Serendipity (2001), Love Actually (2003), The Polar Express (2004), The Holiday (2006), Four Christmases (2008), A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011).

What’s your favorite Christmas movie? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter.

Related Stories:

  • Part 1 – Top movies: No. 25 to No. 16
  • Part 2 -Top movies: No. 16 to No. 6

You also can read more on Jason’s film appreciation site, The Film Spectrum.

(Copyright 2011 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Philadelphia Eagles team report: Vick thrives vs. Ryan-led defenses

PHILADELPHIA—For the rest of the NFL, the Ryan twins—Jets coach Rex and Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob—can be a difficult matchup.

For the Eagles and their Pro Bowl quarterback, Michael Vick, not so much. At least not yet.

Eagles QB Michael Vick consistently has success against both Rex and Rob Ryan. (AP Photo)

Vick foiled Rex Ryan’s team last Sunday, completing just below 70 percent of his passes and throwing for 274 yards in the team’s 45-19 blowout of Jets, a potential dress rehearsal for Saturday’s rematch against Cowboys given the similarities between the two defenses.

Rex and Rob Ryan—fraternal twin sons of iconic former Eagles head coach and Bears coordinator Buddy Ryan, a defensive mastermind—both employ 3-4 alignments and throw exotic and innovative pass-rushing schemes at their opponents.

But Vick has carved up each brother’s defense, outscoring the Ryan brothers 79-26 this season with two wins in two attempts. The team’s 27-point win over the Cowboys on Oct. 30 and 26-point win over the Jets are its most lopsided wins this season.

In the first meeting against Dallas on Oct. 30, Vick completed 75 percent of his passes and threw for 279 yards and two TDs. After Vick picked apart Dallas’ blitz early, Rob Ryan raised the white flag and showed soft coverages.

Pro Bowl RB LeSean McCoy has also made quick work of the Ryan defenses, with two of his six 100-yard games this year coming against the Ryans. McCoy rushed for a career-high 185 on 30 carries in the October showdown and went for 106 and three TDs against the Jets last weekend.

Notes: Pro Bowl RCB Asante Samuel (hamstring) didn’t practice Wednesday, although the coaches have said throughout the week that they expect him to play against Dallas. Still, hamstring recovery isn’t an exact science. The team is likely keeping Samuel off the field to make sure he can’t aggravate the injury before Saturday’s game, especially with the short turnaround. If Samuel can’t go, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will fill the void and Joselio Hanson will see all snaps at the inside nickel back position. Rodgers-Cromartie has played the inside and outside since coming back from an ankle injury that sidelined him for three games, depending on the matchup.

NOTE: All but three NFL Week 16 games are scheduled for Saturday. The exceptions are Thursday’s Texans-Colts game, Sunday’s Bears-Packers game and Dec. 26′s Falcons-Saints game. Click here for the full NFL Week 16 schedule.

Dallas Cowboys’ Tony Romo eager for big moment against New York Giants – ESPN Dallas

ARLINGTON, Texas — As Tony Romo walked out of the Dallas Cowboys’ locker room Saturday night, he answered rat-a-tat questions about his bruised right hand.

After the “I’ll be fines,” and “We’re good to gos,” Romo was asked if the 20-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and the injury had dampened his mood, like a lump of coal inside a Christmas stocking.

“Oh no, I’m excited,” Romo said. “The playoffs start.”

If the Cowboys win Jan. 1 against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, they will make the playoffs for the fourth time in Romo’s six years as the starting quarterback. Lose and they will look at another season in which they failed to finish with their future in their hands.

To Romo, there is no “if” regarding his availability for the NFC East championship game.

The top of his hand was swollen and he held it carefully by his side as he walked to an elevator to take him to the players’ parking lot outside Cowboys Stadium, but you could tell he was already thinking about the Giants.

Had the Giants lost to the New York Jets on Saturday, Romo would have returned to the huddle.

Here is a guy who on Sept. 18 returned from a fractured rib and punctured lung at San Francisco to deliver an overtime victory. Here is a guy who played most of the next six weeks with a bulky protective vest and needed pain-killing injections just to get through games.

He will not let a bruised hand keep him out of the most important game of the season.

“I know what he’s about,” Cowboys tight end Jason Witten said. “He lives to be in these opportunities.”

Romo has dispelled many perceptions about him in 2011.

The first to go were questions about his leadership.

It started in April when he sent his teammates an email about the minicamp-like practices they would hold during the lockout at Dragon Stadium in Southlake, Texas.

More than 40 players were in attendance for the workouts that ran through the month of May. With a whistle in his mouth and practice plans in his shorts, Romo was a quasi-coach as the players went through brisk workouts.

It carried into training camp, where he was more assertive and direct with his approach.

The next to go were questions about his toughness and the ability to slightly alter his style. After a second-half meltdown against the Detroit Lions in which he was intercepted three times and the Cowboys coughed up a 27-3 lead, Romo vowed to be better.

Since November, his level of play has been on par with Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers, New Orleans’ Drew Brees and New England’s Tom Brady, even if he was not given the same notice. In his last 11 games, he has 22 touchdown passes and four interceptions. He completed at least 61.3 percent of his passes in eight of the 11 games.

He struck that balance he had in 2009, when he made outrageous plays while buying time yet not turning the ball over.

Romo has 29 touchdown passes and has been intercepted only nine times. His only two passes before the injury Saturday fell incomplete, but he has 3,895 yards passing on the season. He should have his third 4,000-yard passing season of his career.

There is one more burden he will have a chance to lift against the Giants.

It’s a commonly held thought that Romo never wins the big game. The only big games Romo has ever played, according to those who believe he always chokes, are the ones he loses. They will point to his December record, now 8-13, while failing to provide any sort of context to it.

And this week they will point to the 2008 season finale at Philadelphia, when the Cowboys faced the same win-and-in situation. Romo completed 21-of-39 passes for 183 yards. He was intercepted once, sacked three times and hit dozens more in a 44-6 thrashing by the Eagles.

“He’s a fighter,” Witten said. “He’s a winner. He’s an emotional leader for our team.”

The Cowboys’ season opened at MetLife Stadium against the New York Jets. Two fourth-quarter turnovers by Romo turned a 10-point lead into a three-point loss.

A little less than four months later, Romo returns with the playoffs on the line.

Todd Archer covers the Cowboys for ESPNDallas.com.

Follow Todd Archer on Twitter: @toddarcher

nfl standings & summaries

New England1030.769396274

N.Y. Jets850.615327270

Houston1030.769330208

Tennessee760.538266251

Jacksonville490.308193252

Indianapolis0130.000184382

Baltimore1030.769320202

Pittsburgh1030.769282198

Cincinnati760.538285270

Cleveland490.308178254

San Diego670.462324299

Kansas City580.385173305

N.Y. Giants760.538324359

Philadelphia580.385297292

Washington490.308229290

x-New Orleans1030.769415286

Carolina490.308313355

Tampa Bay490.308232370

y-Green Bay13001.000466278

Minnesota2110.154274364

y-San Francisco1030.769307182

St. Louis2100.167140296

x-clinched playoff spot

Pittsburgh 14, Cleveland 3

New Orleans 22, Tennessee 17

Baltimore 24, Indianapolis 10

N.Y. Jets 37, Kansas City 10

Detroit 34, Minnesota 28

Houston 20, Cincinnati 19

Jacksonville 41, Tampa Bay 14

Atlanta 31, Carolina 23

Philadelphia 26, Miami 10

New England 34, Washington 27

Arizona 21, San Francisco 19

Denver 13, Chicago 10, OT

San Diego 37, Buffalo 10

Green Bay 46, Oakland 16

N.Y. Giants 37, Dallas 34

St. Louis at Seattle, 8:30 p.m.

Jacksonville at Atlanta, 8:20 p.m.

Dallas at Tampa Bay, 8:20 p.m.

New Orleans at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

Seattle at Chicago, 1 p.m.

Cincinnati at St. Louis, 1 p.m.

Carolina at Houston, 1 p.m.

Green Bay at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

Tennessee at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Miami at Buffalo, 1 p.m.

Washington at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

Detroit at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.

New England at Denver, 4:15 p.m.

Cleveland at Arizona, 4:15 p.m.

N.Y. Jets at Philadelphia, 4:15 p.m.

Baltimore at San Diego, 8:20 p.m.

Pittsburgh at San Francisco, 8:30 p.m.

TEXANS 20, BENGALS 19

Hou—FG Rackers 46, 9:51.

Cin—FG Nugent 22, 4:54.

Cin—FG Nugent 47, 2:30.

Cin—Simpson 17 pass from Dalton (Nugent kick), 3:02.

Cin—FG Nugent 49, :06.

Hou—Dreessen 6 pass from Yates (Rackers kick), 12:27.

Cin—FG Nugent 28, 2:07.

Hou—FG Rackers 33, 5:31.

Hou—Walter 6 pass from Yates (Rackers kick), :02.

Total Net Yards412285

Rushes-yards28-14429-101

Kickoff Returns5-593-47

Interceptions Ret.0-01-23

Comp-Att-Int26-44-116-28-0

Sacked-Yards Lost5-321-5

Penalties-Yards5-503-27

Time of Possession31:4428:16

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Houston, Tate 8-67, Foster 15-41, Yates 5-36. Cincinnati, Benson 21-91, Scott 6-4, Hawkins 1-4, Dalton 1-2.

PASSING—Houston, Yates 26-44-1-300. Cincinnati, Dalton 16-28-0-189.

RECEIVING—Houston, Daniels 7-100, Walter 6-76, Foster 4-33, Jones 3-39, Tate 3-30, Dreessen 3-22. Cincinnati, Green 5-59, Gresham 3-45, Simpson 2-38, Scott 2-15, Caldwell 2-10, Hawkins 1-22, Benson 1-0.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—Houston, Rackers 47 (WR).

Indianapolis0307 — 10

Baltimore10770 — 24

Bal—T.Smith 8 pass from Flacco (Cundiff kick), 10:09.

Bal—FG Cundiff 36, 1:20.

Bal—Rice 6 run (Cundiff kick), 10:07.

Ind—FG Vinatieri 22, 3:06.

Bal—Pitta 7 pass from Flacco (Cundiff kick), 3:41.

Ind—Tamme 13 pass from Orlovsky (Vinatieri kick), :00.

Total Net Yards167358

Rushes-yards16-5037-146

Kickoff Returns4-1201-30

Interceptions Ret.1-01-0

Comp-Att-Int17-37-123-31-1

Sacked-Yards Lost4-192-15

Penalties-Yards3-155-40

Time of Possession23:5236:08

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Indianapolis, D.Brown 9-28, Addai 2-16, Carter 5-6. Baltimore, Rice 26-103, T.Smith 1-16, Leach 3-14, R.Williams 7-13.

PASSING—Indianapolis, Orlovsky 17-37-1-136. Baltimore, Flacco 23-31-1-227.

RECEIVING—Indianapolis, Garcon 5-46, Wayne 4-41, Collie 4-25, Tamme 1-13, Clark 1-12, Hill 1-5, D.Brown 1-(minus 6). Baltimore, Rice 6-46, Boldin 5-57, T.Smith 5-48, Pitta 3-29, Dickson 2-19, Evans 1-21, Leach 1-7.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.

Patriots 34, Redskins 27

New England146140—34

Washington101070—27

NE—Wilfork fumble recovery in end zone (Gostkowski kick), 12:06.

Was—FG Gano 24, 6:42.

NE—Gronkowski 11 pass from Brady (Gostkowski kick), 5:49.

Was—Gaffney 9 pass from Grossman (Gano kick), 1:20.

Was—Moss 49 pass from Banks (Gano kick), 14:49.

NE—FG Gostkowski 23, 8:54.

Was—FG Gano 25, 2:13.

NE—FG Gostkowski 24, :00.

NE—Gronkowski 37 pass from Brady (Gostkowski kick), 12:05.

Was—Anderson 6 pass from Grossman (Gano kick), 6:58.

NE—Welker 24 pass from Brady (Gostkowski kick), 4:26.

Total Net Yards431463

Rushes-yards20-7934-170

Kickoff Returns2-396-117

Interceptions Ret.1-21-0

Comp-Att-Int22-37-120-33-1

Sacked-Yards Lost1-52-8

Penalties-Yards4-478-73

Time of Possession23:5136:09

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—New England, Woodhead 8-41, Green-Ellis 5-19, Faulk 3-11, Brady 4-8. Washington, Helu 27-126, Royster 6-44, Grossman 1-0.

PASSING—New England, Brady 22-37-1-357. Washington, Grossman 19-32-1-252, Banks 1-1-0-49.

RECEIVING—New England, Welker 7-86, Gronkowski 6-160, Hernandez 5-84, Ochocinco 1-15, Underwood 1-7, Woodhead 1-4, Faulk 1-1. Washington, Gaffney 6-92, Stallworth 4-96, Moss 3-81, Anderson 2-12, Helu 2-6, Royster 2-6, Young 1-8.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.

NYJ—Sanchez 1 run (Folk kick), 8:40.

KC—FG Succop 53, 4:36.

NYJ—Holmes 4 pass from Sanchez (Folk kick), 10:02.

NYJ—Greene 7 run (Folk kick), 3:56.

NYJ—Tomlinson 19 pass from Sanchez (Folk kick), 1:15.

NYJ—Sanchez 3 run (Folk kick), 4:06.

KC—Urban 24 pass from Palko (Succop kick), 12:58.

NYJ—Pouha safety, 3:37.

Total Net Yards221314

Rushes-yards21-6542-159

Kickoff Returns6-1203-65

Interceptions Ret.0-01-0

Comp-Att-Int16-32-113-21-0

Sacked-Yards Lost5-393-26

Penalties-Yards11-1284-22

Time of Possession22:1837:42

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Kansas City, Battle 10-33, Jones 5-12, Palko 1-12, Urban 1-7, McCluster 4-1. N.Y. Jets, Greene 24-129, Tomlinson 9-14, Powell 6-10, Sanchez 2-4, Kerley 1-2.

PASSING—Kansas City, Palko 16-32-1-195. N.Y. Jets, Sanchez 13-21-0-181.

RECEIVING—Kansas City, Bowe 6-69, Breaston 4-44, Baldwin 2-28, Urban 2-28, Battle 2-26. N.Y. Jets, Keller 4-34, Greene 3-58, Tomlinson 2-50, Holmes 2-12, Baker 1-17, P.Turner 1-10.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.

CHARGERS 37, BILLS 10

SD—Gates 9 pass from Rivers (Novak kick), 7:52.

SD—Tolbert 1 run (kick blocked), 14:16.

SD—FG Novak 47, 6:41.

Buf—FG Rayner 37, 11:43.

Buf—Scott fumble recovery in end zone (Rayner kick), 10:11.

SD—Gates 2 pass from Rivers (Novak kick), 4:11.

SD—Gregory 26 interception return (Novak kick), 4:02.

SD—Crayton 26 pass from Rivers (Novak kick), 9:01.

Total Net Yards281366

Rushes-yards20-9632-150

Kickoff Returns4-962-42

Interceptions Ret.0-03-73

Comp-Att-Int15-37-324-33-0

Sacked-Yards Lost1-102-24

Penalties-Yards1-55-50

Time of Possession24:2735:33

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Buffalo, Spiller 12-46, Fitzpatrick 5-26, Choice 1-12, Thigpen 1-8, J.White 1-4. San Diego, Mathews 20-114, Tolbert 6-21, Weddle 1-10, Hester 3-7, Volek 2-(minus 2).

PASSING—Buffalo, Fitzpatrick 13-34-2-176, Thigpen 2-3-1-19. San Diego, Rivers 24-33-0-240.

RECEIVING—Buffalo, St.Johnson 4-116, Spiller 3-10, Hagan 2-28, Nelson 2-20, Caussin 2-19, Choice 1-2, L.Smith 1-0. San Diego, Gates 7-68, Mathews 6-34, Jackson 5-55, Crayton 3-37, Floyd 2-29, McMichael 1-17.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—Buffalo, Rayner 53 (WR).

EAGLES 26, DOLPHINS 10

Philadelphia02402—26

Mia—Marshall 16 pass from Mat.Moore (Carpenter kick), 9:47.

Phi—McCoy 2 run (Henery kick), 13:34.

Phi—McCoy 1 run (Henery kick), 11:56.

Phi—FG Henery 40, 8:49.

Phi—D.Jackson 34 pass from Vick (Henery kick), 4:43.

Mia—FG Carpenter 22, 4:52.

Phi—Hunt safety, 9:02.

Total Net Yards239204

Rushes-yards32-5126-109

Kickoff Returns1-71-27

Interceptions Ret.1-351-7

Comp-Att-Int15-30-117-29-1

Sacked-Yards Lost4-209-60

Penalties-Yards7-697-81

Time of Possession31:2128:39

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Philadelphia, McCoy 27-38, Vick 2-9, Brown 3-4. Miami, Bush 14-103, Thomas 7-4, Losman 2-1, Mat.Moore 1-1, Hilliard 2-0.

PASSING—Philadelphia, Vick 15-30-1-208. Miami, Mat.Moore 11-19-1-95, Losman 6-10-0-60.

RECEIVING—Philadelphia, D.Jackson 4-59, Celek 4-39, McCoy 3-33, Avant 2-35, Cooper 1-29, Maclin 1-13. Miami, Bush 5-27, Marshall 4-27, Fasano 3-56, Bess 2-12, Thomas 2-9, Hartline 1-24.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—Miami, Carpenter 55 (WL).

New Orleans33313—22

NO—FG Kasay 25, 9:54.

Ten—FG Bironas 43, 6:37.

NO—FG Kasay 29, :15.

NO—FG Kasay 22, 3:51.

Ten—Locker 6 run (Bironas kick), 2:19.

NO—Colston 35 pass from Brees (Kasay kick), 12:39.

NO—Colston 28 pass from Brees (run failed), 7:01.

Ten—Washington 40 pass from Locker (Bironas kick), 5:58.

Total Net Yards437373

Rushes-yards26-11417-59

Kickoff Returns2-425-121

Interceptions Ret.0-00-0

Comp-Att-Int36-47-018-36-0

Sacked-Yards Lost2-142-12

Penalties-Yards11-958-54

Time of Possession37:3322:27

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—New Orleans, Ivory 13-53, Sproles 5-33, P.Thomas 6-22, Brees 2-6. Tennessee, Locker 6-36, Johnson 11-23.

PASSING—New Orleans, Brees 36-47-0-337. Tennessee, Locker 13-29-0-282, Hasselbeck 5-7-0-44.

RECEIVING—New Orleans, Colston 7-105, Sproles 7-58, P.Thomas 6-35, Graham 5-55, Moore 4-20, Henderson 3-36, Collins 2-4, Meachem 1-15, Gilmore 1-9. Tennessee, Washington 6-130, Johnson 5-43, L.Hawkins 3-49, Williams 2-62, Stevens 1-31, Ringer 1-11.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.

BRONCOS 13, BEARS 10 (OT)

Chi—Barber 9 run (Gould kick), 5:19.

Chi—FG Gould 57, 14:55.

Den—D.Thomas 10 pass from Tebow (Prater kick), 2:08.

Den—FG Prater 59, :03.

Den—FG Prater 51, 8:34.

Total Net Yards245345

Rushes-yards38-15934-124

Kickoff Returns1-250-0

Interceptions Ret.1-00-0

Comp-Att-Int12-19-021-40-1

Sacked-Yards Lost4-295-15

Penalties-Yards8-694-28

Time of Possession31:4734:39

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Chicago, Barber 27-108, Bell 9-40, Hanie 2-11. Denver, Tebow 12-49, McGahee 17-34, J.Johnson 2-18, Ball 1-13, Larsen 1-5, D.Thomas 1-5.

PASSING—Chicago, Hanie 12-19-0-115. Denver, Tebow 21-40-1-236.

RECEIVING—Chicago, Bell 5-24, Knox 3-37, Barber 2-32, R.Williams 2-22. Denver, D.Thomas 7-78, Willis 4-75, Ball 4-37, Decker 3-33, J.Johnson 2-11, McGahee 1-2.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—Denver, Prater 28 (BK).

PACKERS 46, RAIDERS 16

Green Bay1417123—46

GB—Grant 47 run (Crosby kick), 11:57.

GB—Taylor 4 pass from Rodgers (Crosby kick), 4:10.

GB—FG Crosby 34, 13:07.

GB—Nelson 37 pass from Rodgers (Crosby kick), 9:14.

GB—Grant 6 run (Crosby kick), 7:06.

GB—FG Crosby 38, 12:41.

Oak—Bush 2 run (Janikowski kick), 8:15.

GB—FG Crosby 49, 3:31.

GB—Walden 5 fumble return (kick blocked), 2:48.

GB—FG Crosby 33, 14:21.

Oak—McClain safety, 11:01.

Oak—Boss 5 pass from Palmer (Janikowski kick), 4:43.

Total Net Yards355391

Rushes-yards29-11724-136

Kickoff Returns4-412-67

Interceptions Ret.1-04-18

Comp-Att-Int24-43-417-32-1

Sacked-Yards Lost1-74-26

Penalties-Yards11-895-35

Time of Possession31:2028:40

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Oakland, Bush 23-78, Palmer 2-12, Reece 2-12, Murphy 1-10, Cartwright 1-5. Green Bay, Grant 10-85, Kuhn 10-46, Saine 1-7, Flynn 3-(minus 2).

PASSING—Oakland, Palmer 24-42-4-245, Lechler 0-1-0-0. Green Bay, Rodgers 17-30-1-281, Flynn 0-2-0-0.

RECEIVING—Oakland, Heyward-Bey 5-78, Boss 5-43, Murphy 4-70, Reece 4-5, Bush 3-19, Cartwright 2-16, Schilens 1-14. Green Bay, Driver 4-75, Nelson 3-81, Cobb 2-45, J.Jones 2-29, G.Jennings 2-20, Saine 2-14, Grant 1-13, Taylor 1-4.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.

Det—Tulloch fumble recovery in end zone (Hanson kick), 12:56.

Det—T.Young 57 pass from Stafford (Hanson kick), 9:45.

Det—Pettigrew 12 pass from Stafford (Hanson kick), 5:54.

Min—Shiancoe 7 pass from Ponder (Longwell kick), 1:51.

Det—A.Smith 30 interception return (Hanson kick), 12:33.

Min—Harvin 6 pass from Ponder (Longwell kick), 7:36.

Det—FG Hanson 30, 1:05.

Min—Webb 65 run (Longwell kick), 4:21.

Det—FG Hanson 26, 12:17.

Min—Gerhart 2 pass from Webb (Longwell kick), 7:54.

Total Net Yards425280

Rushes-yards35-26921-72

Kickoff Returns2-635-119

Interceptions Ret.0-03-49

Comp-Att-Int23-44-320-29-0

Sacked-Yards Lost4-435-19

Penalties-Yards5-3710-76

Time of Possession28:4631:14

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Minnesota, Webb 7-109, Gerhart 19-90, Harvin 4-40, Booker 3-17, Ponder 2-13. Detroit, K.Williams 12-43, Morris 4-13, Johnson 1-11, Stafford 2-4, Burleson 1-1, Brown 1-0.

PASSING—Minnesota, Ponder 11-21-3-115, Webb 12-23-0-84. Detroit, Stafford 20-29-0-227.

RECEIVING—Minnesota, Harvin 10-69, Aromashodu 4-47, Shiancoe 3-33, Gerhart 3-19, Camarillo 2-31, Rudolph 1-0. Detroit, Pettigrew 6-57, T.Young 4-87, Johnson 3-29, Burleson 3-25, K.Williams 2-17, Brown 1-9, Morris 1-3.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.

JAGUARS 41, BUCCANEERS 14

Jacksonville028013—41

TB—Blount 1 run (Barth kick), 9:24.

TB—Freeman 13 run (Barth kick), 14:09.

Jac—Cloherty fumble recovery in end zone (Scobee kick), 7:36.

Jac—Jones-Drew 1 run (Scobee kick), 2:05.

Jac—Collins fumble recovery in end zone (Scobee kick), 1:53.

Jac—Jones-Drew 5 pass from Gabbert (Scobee kick), :04.

Jac—Jones-Drew 5 pass from Gabbert (Scobee kick), 10:22.

Jac—Jones-Drew 1 run (run failed), 2:31.

Total Net Yards280325

Rushes-yards24-11033-116

Punt Returns4-(-2)1-5

Kickoff Returns1-01-19

Interceptions Ret.2-123-14

Comp-Att-Int17-32-319-33-2

Sacked-Yards Lost3-141-8

Penalties-Yards12-978-80

Time of Possession27:1132:49

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Tampa Bay, Blount 18-74, Freeman 4-26, Madu 1-6, Lumpkin 1-4. Jacksonville, Jones-Drew 27-85, D.Harris 1-24, Bolen 1-10, Gabbert 4-(minus 3).

PASSING—Tampa Bay, Freeman 16-30-2-181, J.Johnson 1-2-1-3. Jacksonville, Gabbert 19-33-2-217.

RECEIVING—Tampa Bay, Parker 3-35, Williams 3-35, Briscoe 3-20, Winslow 2-38, Lumpkin 2-18, Lorig 1-22, Benn 1-7, Blount 1-6, Madu 1-3. Jacksonville, Jones-Drew 6-51, Dillard 5-45, Osgood 3-23, Lewis 2-77, West 2-19, Thomas 1-2.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.

FALCONS 31, PANTHERS 23

Atl—White 5 pass from Ryan (Bryant kick), 5:29.

Car—Shockey 6 pass from Newton (Mare kick), :03.

Car—Applewhite safety, 7:12.

Car—D.Williams 74 run (Mare kick), 6:51.

Car—Olsen 44 pass from Newton (Mare kick), 3:03.

Atl—FG Bryant 30, 10:55.

Atl—Rodgers 31 pass from Ryan (Bryant kick), 8:55.

Atl—Jones 17 pass from Ryan (Bryant kick), 12:42.

Atl—Jones 75 pass from Ryan (Bryant kick), 4:17.

Total Net Yards394416

Rushes-yards28-8623-157

Kickoff Returns1-235-89

Interceptions Ret.2-330-0

Comp-Att-Int22-38-019-39-2

Sacked-Yards Lost3-122-17

Penalties-Yards5-505-50

Time of Possession30:4329:17

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Atlanta, Turner 21-76, Snelling 3-6, Rodgers 1-4, Ryan 3-0. Carolina, D.Williams 7-87, Newton 7-36, Stewart 8-29, A.Edwards 1-5.

PASSING—Atlanta, Ryan 22-38-0-320. Carolina, Newton 19-39-2-276.

RECEIVING—Atlanta, White 7-84, Gonzalez 7-82, Jones 3-104, Rodgers 2-39, Douglas 2-12, Snelling 1-(minus 1). Carolina, Smith 6-125, Stewart 4-27, Olsen 2-53, Naanee 2-29, LaFell 2-28, Shockey 2-10, D.Williams 1-4.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—Atlanta, Bryant 46 (WL). Carolina, Mare 36 (WL).CARDINALS 21, 49ers 19

San Francisco3970—19

SF—FG Akers 46, 4:39.

SF—FG Akers 22, 14:02.

Ari—Doucet 60 pass from Skelton (Feely kick), 7:10.

SF—FG Akers 27, 1:58.

SF—FG Akers 22, :00.

SF—Gore 37 run (Akers kick), 12:24.

Ari—Fitzgerald 46 pass from Skelton (Feely kick), 9:04.

Ari—Roberts 3 pass from Skelton (Feely kick), 11:50.

Total Net Yards233325

Rushes-yards21-9023-55

Kickoff Returns4-1000-0

Interceptions Ret.2-160-0

Comp-Att-Int18-37-020-29-2

Sacked-Yards Lost5-322-14

Penalties-Yards5-354-45

Time of Possession30:5629:04

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—San Francisco, Gore 10-72, Hunter 8-20, K.Williams 1-7, Ale.Smith 1-(minus 3), Walker 1-(minus 6). Arizona, Wells 15-27, Skelton 6-25, Stephens-Howling 2-3.

PASSING—San Francisco, Ale.Smith 18-37-0-175. Arizona, Skelton 19-28-2-282, Kolb 1-1-0-2.

RECEIVING—San Francisco, Crabtree 7-63, K.Williams 4-42, Hunter 2-19, Ginn Jr. 2-14, Miller 2-5, V.Davis 1-32. Arizona, Fitzgerald 7-149, Doucet 3-73, King 3-16, Stephens-Howling 2-22, Taylor 2-13, Roberts 2-8, Wells 1-3.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—San Francisco, Akers 50 (WR).

Patriots 60-second rant: Dolphins provide tricky Christmas Eve matchup

If there is a team to knock the Patriots down a peg and keep them from going into the playoffs with a big winning streak, it’s the Miami Dolphins.

Bill Belichick’s club is not one to look past opponents, but the way the Patriots’ defense plays, they keep opponents in the game, even inferior opponents (see: Colts, Redskins).

Before Tom Brady threw for 517 yards in Week One, including a 99-yard touchdown to Wes Welker, Chad Henne marched the Dolphins downfield with ease to take the lead. Then, the Dolphins couldn’t stop Brady, which started Miami on a seven-game losing streak to open its season.

This Dolphins team is very different. They have won five of their last seven contests and the offense has moved the ball well with Matt Moore at QB. RB Reggie Bush is excelling in his role as an every-down back, with three consecutive 100-yard rushing games.

What makes this matchup most concerning for the Patriots is the way Miami’s defense has played. The Dolphins will enter Foxborough with the league’s third-best run defense, and the Patriots have struggled to move the ball at times when their run is bottled up.

Miami will counter the Patriots’ receivers with a pair of young, physical corners — Vontae Davis and Sean Smith. And LBs Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett match up better with the Patriots’ tight ends than most teams do. Mike Nolan’s aggressive 3-4 defense could cause problems for Brady.

The Patriots could clinch a first-round bye, and even home-field advantage in the AFC — which is pretty impressive considering how poor their defense has played and the fact that this team lost back-to-back games earlier this season. They need to view this game with a playoff lens, as the Dolphins will provide a good test for the Patriots to get ready for the playoffs.

With Todd Bowles as interim head coach, there was no drop-off in the Dolphins’ chip-on-their-shoulder attitude and confidence, and they have nothing to lose against New England this week. They would love nothing more than playing the spoiler role.

This is not a team for the Patriots to look past and it will be the toughest opponent New England has faced since playing the Eagles in Week 12. The Patriots should win, but the NFL has taught us this season that nothing is a given, especially if you can’t stop anyone. Saturday’s game also could offer a glimpse of what to expect from New England in the playoffs, for better or worse.

Jets’ Mark Sanchez will start vs. Giants despite apparent neck injury

John O’Boyle / The Star-LedgerJets QB Mark Sanchez needed his neck stretched out on the sidelines after taking a hit from Jason Babin in Sunday’s loss.

Jets coach Rex Ryan said quarterback Mark Sanchez received treatment today and will start against the Giants on Saturday, despite suffering an apparent neck injury in the 45-19 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

“He took some good shots in the game, but he never missed any snaps and he’ll be starting on Saturday,” Ryan said in his weekly spot on The Michael Kay Show on ESPN 1050 Radio. “So I feel good about that.”

Sanchez, in attendance at a charity event for teammate Bart Scott’s foundation tonight, said he feels fine and did not need any follow-up tests after the game. He expects to take all his usual reps in practice this week and said he was headed back to the facility tonight to continue film study for the Giants game on a short week.

“Feeling good, feel good,” Sanchez said. “Practice all week, get treatment as the week goes, but I feel good.”

Sanchez was hit across the face by Eagles defensive end Jason Babin on a failed third-down play in the third quarter. He required help from center Nick Mangold to walk off the field, bent over in apparent pain with his right arm hanging. Sanchez seemed unable to lift his head for a few minutes as he sat on the bench, at one point covering his head with a towel.

Trainers shook out his arm and worked on his neck on the sideline, and he was able to return for the next series without missing a play. Sanchez was only taken out of the game for the last series in the fourth quarter, though Ryan did say he mulled pulling his quarterback earlier.

“I considered it, but I thought that Mark needed to go back out there; he wanted to go out back out there and be with his guys and lead the guys down the field,” Ryan said. “But after we scored, I thought that was the right time to get him out of the game.”

Back-up Mark Brunell came in after Plaxico Burress caught a 9-yard touchdown, but not without Sanchez pleading to finish the game.

“He was definitely not wanting to come out of the game,” Ryan said. “But at that stage of the game, I was like, ‘Hey look, we went down and scored,’ so it was great. Leave that message with the team. I understand him wanting to finish the game, but by then you’re thinking about next week, and the best thing for our team was to put Brunell in the game to finish it.”

RB/KR Joe McKnight separated his right shoulder against the Eagles, and Ryan is “not real sure” if he will play against the Giants. Ryan said it is a wait-and-see situation, depending on how fast McKnight heals, though it doesn’t help that the Jets are on a short week. McKnight hyperextended the elbow in that same arm against the Redskins and sat out the following game, before returning with a custom brace.

Staff writer Conor Orr contributed to this story.

For more Jets coverage, follow Jenny Vrentas on Twitter at twitter.com/Jennyvrentas

Jenny Vrentas:

Column: Imagine If ‘Battle of NY’ Really Mattered

The rest of us should be grateful the Jets and Giants only play each other once every four years.

Imagine the hype if next weekend’s “Battle of New York” actually meant something.

“There’s no way I’m going to be second fiddle,” blustery Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “If we were playing the New York Yankees, I don’t want to be second fiddle to them. This is the same type of deal. I want to be the best team in football, not just the best team in this city. But we’ll start by being the best team in this city.”

Smart man that Rex, framing the Christmas Eve collision as a fight for supremacy instead of survival. Though the winner remains in the playoff picture, both Ryan and the Giants’ Tom Coughlin know deep down that neither team is likely to make much of a dent in the postseason. Then again, nobody would tune in if promos for the game began, “If you can’t make it there, you can’t make it anywhere!”

So Ryan did his level-best Monday to sell it.

“There’s a lot of talk going back and forth, most of it driven by me,” he said. “But I’ll stand by anything I’ve ever said. I didn’t come here to be anybody’s little brother. I came here to win, to be looked at that way and to take over not just this city, even though it’s the city to take over, but also this league. I haven’t accomplished that yet. Saturday, I think, will go a long way to doing that.

“We have to win this game. We have to get in the playoffs, and the Giants have to do the same,” Ryan added. “So it’s going to be huge.”

In the Big Apple, maybe. Disappointing seasons on both sides of the divide have left Jets and Giants fans churlish, and with good reason. They are coming off what might be their worst performances of the season. The Jets’ humbling in Philadelphia a day earlier contained elements of all the flaws that have made them maddeningly inconsistent — lousy offensive line, lousy run defense and a lack of discipline, evidenced by Santonio Holmes’ penalty for a touchdown celebration — even though the Jets trailed the Eagles by 18 points at the time.

Small wonder Ryan was so eager to distract attention by throwing down a challenge. Or that the businesslike Coughlin was in no hurry to pick it up. He’s still sorting through the wreckage left by the loss to the Redskins.

“The responsibility always comes right back to me and I accept it. I told the players that I just expected to see more,” he said. “I expected to see quality, quality execution and really, quite frankly, we didn’t get much of that.”

Stay tuned. The contrast between the two coaches might turn out to be the most fascinating storyline of the week. Ryan isn’t going to tone down his act and Coughlin isn’t going to rachet his up. The Jets actually play better when Ryan writes a check with his mouth and leans on them to cash it. Think back to last year’s playoffs, when he went after the Patriots and pulled off an upset, then quieted down ahead of the Steelers and got whipped.

Indianapolis Colts owner says QB Peyton Manning staying

NFL

From Our Press Services

INDIANAPOLIS — It doesn’t look as if Peyton Manning will go anywhere next season — unless he’s not healthy.

On Thursday, Colts owner Jim Irsay told NFL Network he couldn’t foresee a scenario in which Manning would play anywhere but Indianapolis unless he can’t play at all.

Manning his missed the entire season and has not participated in full team practices since having the third and most invasive surgery on his neck Sept. 8.

“I think the situation is if he’s back and he’s healthy, I see him coming back and playing here,” Irsay said in a 10-minute interview before the game with Houston began. “I think the hope is that his health is in the position where he could return again. That remains uncertain and that’s something that’s first and foremost on my mind.”

The signs are encouraging.

On Dec. 1, surgeon Dr. Robert Watkins issued a statement saying the fusion between two vertebrae had healed firmly and that Manning could increase the intensity of his workouts.

Last Wednesday, for the first time since having the surgery, Manning put on pads and a helmet and threw with teammates. He took snaps from center Jeff Saturday and worked with running back Joseph Addai, receiver Anthony Gonzalez and an unnamed receiver from the practice squad.

Colts vice chairman Bill Polian and coach Jim Caldwell both watched the session. Polian and Addai have given Manning good reviews.

Manning was inactive Thursday night and has already been ruled out of next week’s season-finale at Jacksonville. Caldwell also said this week that Manning would continue to do individual work but would not participate in team work the rest of the season.

The only four-time MVP in league history also is due a $28 million bonus in early March — a prospect that had some thinking Thursday night could be the final time Manning would be on the home team’s sideline at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Irsay also said the Colts would take a quarterback, Manning’s successor, if the right one is available in April’s draft. The Colts (1-13) are the front-runners for the No. 1 overall pick, a slot that most analysts believe will be filled by Stanford’s Andrew Luck. Another possible candidate, Southern California’s Matt Barkley said Thursday that he would return to school for his senior season.

Thursday’s game

Colts 19, Texans 16 at Indianapolis: Reggie Wayne caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Dan Orlovsky with 19 seconds left and the Indianapolis Colts beat the Houston Texans.

The Colts (2-13) have now won two straight, both against division foes, behind Orlovsky, the former Texans quarterback who lost his first nine NFL starts.

AFC South champion Houston hardly looked playoff-ready. It settled for two red-zone field goals, didn’t convert a third down until getting a lucky bounce late in the fourth quarter, its running game was stymied late and the defense helped the Colts with three penalties on the decisive drive.

Other DEVELOPMENTS

Ex-players blame league for brain injuries: Jamal Lewis, Dorsey Levens and two other former NFL players have sued the league over brain injuries that they say left them struggling with medical problems years after their playing days ended.

Lewis and Levens, along with Fulton Kuykendall and Ryan Stewart, filed the lawsuit against the National Football League and NFL Properties LLC this week in U.S. District Court in Atlanta.

Miami’s Fasano questionable: Miami Dolphins interim coach Todd Bowles says tight end Anthony Fasano is questionable for Saturday’s game at New England because of a low-grade concussion.

Fasano didn’t practice Thursday. He has missed only three games in the past four seasons.

Samuel misses 2nd practice for Eagles: Four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel has missed a second consecutive practice Thursday with a hamstring injury.

NFL Week 16: Predictions and Storylines for Every Game on the Schedule

Note: The quotes in this article are fictional.

Houston @ Indianapolis (+6 1/2)

On the same day that the undefeated Packers fell, the winless Colts knocked off the Titans 27-13 for their first win. Now 1-13, Indy could make it two in a row with a win over the favored Texans.

“Indeed,” Jim Caldwell said. “We can win without Peyton Manning. But not as easily as we can lose without him.

“Peyton is throwing, and he’s already started preparing for next year, which is early for him, because he usually doesn’t start next year’s preparation until after the first or second week of the playoffs.”

The Texans lost to the Panthers 28-13, and as a result, lost their hold on the AFC’s No. 1 seed. At 10-4, Houston now holds the third seed, behind the 11-3 Patriots and 11-3 Ravens.

“The Colts finally have a win,” Gary Kubiak said. “But do they want more and risk losing a shot at Andrew Luck? I think not. That’s why Jim Caldwell’s rallying cry of ‘Just win, baby’ was appropriate.”

Arian Foster rushes for 98 yards and a score, and adds a receiving touchdown.

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Houston wins 24-13.

Miami @ New England (-10 1/2)

The Patriots clinched the AFC East with a 41-23 win at Denver, as Tom Brady outdueled Tim Tebow. Brady passed for 320 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for another score.

“Tebow’s been placed on a pedestal,” Brady said. “But only because he plays in a city a mile higher than every one else.

“But he showed me something last Sunday, and I showed him something. He prays before and after games; I prey during games. I don’t advocate Tebowing in Denver, and I don’t advocate teetotaling in New England. So drink up, Patriots fans. We’re set to be the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Let’s just hope the alcohol, like our porous defense, is ‘40’ proof.”

In their first game since the firing of Tony Sparano, the Dolphins beat the Bills 30-23 under the guidance of interim head coach Todd Bowles. Miami is 5-9 in the East, tied with the Bills in last.

“I think I relate well to the players,” Bowles said, “especially specialist Brandon Fields. We’re both placeholders.”

Reggie Bush ran wild last week against the Bills, rushing for 203 yards. In Foxboro, the New England defense employs the ‘Kim Kardashian’ defense, because he’s not getting any more.

Rob Carr/Getty Images

New England wins 31-24.

NY Giants @ NY Jets (-3)

With their playoff lives on the lines, both the Giants and Jets laid eggs last Sunday. The Giants lost 23-10 to the Redskins, while the Eagles blasted the Jets 45-19.

“We had the NFC East in our grasp,” Tom Coughlin said. “I can’t begin to express my disappointment. Therein lies the problem. I can’t ‘begin,’ and my team can’t ‘finish.’

“But kudos to Hakeem Nicks for trying his best to fire us up. Obviously, he’s not David Tyree, but I appreciated his attempt to catch a ball with his facemask.”

At 8-6, the Jets currently hold the AFC’s final playoff spot, with a tiebreaker edge over the Bengals due to a better record against common opponents.

“This game will remind many of the old Meadowlands,” Rex Ryan said. “There will be at least one implosion, and even more collapses.”

“A foot fetish isn’t my only kinky vice. I’m also into erotic asphyxiation, not to be confused with autoerotic asphyxiation. I’m not turned on by choking myself, but I get a kick out of seeing others choking. The Giants really do it for me.”

Jets win 31-27.

Oakland @ Kansas City (-1)

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

In the year’s most shocking upset, the Chiefs stunned the previously undefeated Packers 19-14, ending Green Bay’s run at a perfect season. Romeo Crenel, who took over when Todd Haley was fired last week, designed a game plan that stymied Aaron Rodgers and the world champs.

“I hate to use Haley’s firing as a platform for my own head coaching job,” Crenel said. “Almost as much as I hate calling myself the ‘Round Mound Of Rebound.’ I like to think beating the Packers was my Jim Caldwell moment—one win should be enough to keep the job.”

The Raiders blew a 27-14 fourth quarter lead to the Lions last week in a 28-27 loss that kept Oakland one game behind the Broncos in the AFC West. Oakland has lost three in a row to fall to 7-7 in the division.

“This was the ‘Heidi’ game, circa 2011,” Hue Jackson said. “No, the game wasn’t preempted for a showing of the goofy children’s classic. However, our defense in the final quarter looked like Swiss cheese.”

Oakland wins 23-20.

Minnesota @ Washington (-6)

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

The Redskins knocked the Giants out of the NFC East lead with a 23-10 win at MetLife Stadium last week, giving the Cowboys the division lead. Washington is 5-9, with two of those wins coming against the Giants.

“I guess my prediction of an NFC East title won’t be coming to fruition,” Rex Grossman said. “In fact, we’ve clinched last place. So, the Redskins division finish is like where I should be on a depth chart—behind three others.”

The Vikings are 2-12 after a 42-20 loss to Drew Brees and the Saints last week in Mall Of America Stadium. Minnesota gave up 573 yards of total offense and forced only one New Orleans punt.

“Adrian Peterson accused the Saints of trying to injure him,” Leslie Frazier said. “He said Jabari Greer twisted his already injured ankle. When confronted with the accusation, Greer, naturally, said, ‘You’re pulling my leg.’ A hilarious back-and-forth reminiscent of an Abbott and Costello skit ensued.”

The Redskins played spoiler last week; this week, there’s nothing to spoil, because the Vikings are already rotten.

Washington wins 27-17.

Cleveland @ Baltimore (-13 1/2)

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The Ravens surrendered 415 total yards, including 145 on the ground, in a 34-14 loss in San Diego last week. Luckily for Baltimore, the Steelers lost on Monday night, and the Ravens still hold the AFC’s No. 2 seed.

“I’ll have to thank my brother Jim for that,” John Harbaugh said. “The Harbaugh’s are 3-0 against the Steelers this year. That’s probably why Mike Tomlin calls us the ‘bro foes.’”

The Browns, without Colt McCoy, lost 20-17 in overtime in Arizona. McCoy is expected to miss Sunday’s game as he recovers from a concussion suffered from a James Harrison hit in week 14.

“’McCoy is a surname of Irish descent,” Colt McCoy said. “Fittingly, my father got his Irish up at the Browns’ handling of my injury. As such, the Ravens have agreed to a pre-game rendition of ‘Daddy’s Boy,’ sung to the tune of the Irish ballad ‘Danny Boy.’”

The Ravens defense was exposed against the Chargers last week. Suddenly, there’s concern about the vaunted Ravens defense, and, just as suddenly, Joe Flacco’s not the biggest worry in Baltimore. But against the Browns, the Ravens take care of business.

Baltimore wins 26-10.

Arizona @ Cincinnati (-4 1/2)

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Bengals are 8-6 after last week’s 20-13 win in St. Louis, a win that, coupled with losses by the Jets, Titans, and Raiders, left Cincy in good position for a wildcard playoff berth. The final playoff berth will likely come down to the Bengals and Jets, who are also 8-6.

“There’s a jolly fat man up North who holds our upcoming fate in his hands,” Marvin Lewis said. “Yes, that’s right, I’m talking about Rex Ryan. I’ll be interested to see how Ryan handles the recent surfacing of news that Mark Sanchez is dating 19-year-old Victoria’s Secret model Kate Upton. That can only be a distraction. Apparently, Sanchez can’t keep a Secret.

“I know Sanchez has an affinity for much younger women. He should be careful, lest they erect a ‘statue-tory’ outside MetLife Stadium in his honor.”

The Cardinals won their third overtime game of the year, turning back the Browns 20-17 on Jay Feeley’s 22-yard field goal in the extra period. Arizona is 7-7 and tied with the Seahawks for second in the NFC West.

“We’ve yet to lose an overtime game,” Ken Whisenhunt said. “I’ll be interested to see how we react to even more ‘extra time,’ when we’ll have plenty of it during the playoffs.”

Bengals win 23-20.

Denver @ Buffalo (+3)

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Despite a 41-23 loss to the Patriots, the Broncos still hold the AFC West lead thanks to the Raiders 28-27 loss to the Lions. With two wins in their final two games, the Broncos would host a wildcard playoff game.

“Jesus works in mysterious ways,” Tebow said. “And so does the Raiders defense.”

“This has to be the biggest game in Buffalo in years. It’s the second coming, of the ‘white Bronco.’”

The struggling Bills lost their seventh game in a row, dropping a 30-23 decision to Miami to fall to 5-9.

“I believe it’s time to circle the wagons,” Chan Gailey said. “That should distract everyone while I high-tail it out of town in a chauffeured white Bronco. The white Bronco in association with the Buffalo Bills can mean only one thing: O.J. Simpson. So, the white Bronco the vehicle is just like the white Bronco known as Tim Tebow—they both ‘drive away evil.’”

Tebow rushes for one score and passes for another, and the Broncos hold on for a 27-22 win.

St. Louis @ Pittsburgh (-16)

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

The Rams hung tough with the Bengals before losing 20-13 last week. Now 2-12, St. Louis shares the NFC’s worst record with the Vikings.

“The Saints haven’t lost since we beat them 31-21 in Week 8,” Steve Spagnuolo said. “At least someone’s season turned around with that win.”

With a hobbled Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers produced little offense in a 20-6 loss in San Francisco on Monday night. With Baltimore’s loss to the Chargers, Pittsburgh had a chance to take the outright lead in the AFC North, but came up short against the inspired 49ers.

“The door was left open,” Roethlisberger said. “I must have though it was the bathroom door, because I closed it, in the form of three interceptions. I was just in too much pain to be effective. I tried to tell the team doctors that cortisone shots work best with a chaser. But they weren’t buying.”

Roethlisberger sits, but Charlie Batch is effective, and James Harrison, known in the fearful St. Louis locker room as the “Battering Ram,” records two sacks and one TKO.

Steelers win 27-3.

Tampa Bay @ Carolina (-7)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The Panthers whipped the Texans 28-13 last week, shocking the AFC South champs in Houston behind two touchdowns from Cam Newton. On Sunday, Carolina hosts the 4-10 Buccaneers, whom the Panthers whipped 38-19 in Week 13.

“I’m tired of all the talk about Tim Tebow,” Newton said, ‘when I’m clearly the best dual threat quarterback in the league. And I love Jesus just as much as Tebow. Tebow may be Jesus’ favorite white male, but my dad Cecil says I’m Jesus’ favorite blackmail.”

Tampa fell behind the Cowboys 28-0 last Saturday before finally succumbing 31-15, the Bucs eighth-straight loss. Tampa is 4-10, last in the NFC South.

“We give ‘plundering’ and ‘pillaging’ a bad name,” Raheem Morris said. “Heck, Napster’s done more pirating than the Buccaneers. And served less jail time.”

Newton passes for two scores and runs for another, and the Panthers win 31-21.

Jacksonville @ Tennessee (-9 1/2)

The Jaguars suffered their worst loss of the season, a 41-14 defeat at Atlanta last Thursday. That came on the heels of their biggest win of the season, a 41-14 triumph over Tampa. In his short tenure as Jacksonville’s owner, Shahid Khan has seen the best and worst of the Jags.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

“That’s right,” Khan said. “There’s a new ‘sharif’ in town. This Khan is a little bit ‘Genghis,’ and a little bit ‘Chaka.’ Jaguars fans should understand that I can be a little ruthless, but ‘I feel for you.’”

The Titans playoff hopes took a big hit last Sunday, as Tennessee lost to the lowly Colts 27-13 in Indianapolis. At 7-7, Tennessee will need to win its final two games and hope for help.

“We’re staying with Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback,” Mike Munchak said. “He gives us the best shot at Jake Locker playing later. Plus, Jake makes Chris Johnson look even less effective as a runner.”

Tennessee wins 27-11.

San Diego @ Detroit (-1 1/2)

With a win over the Chargers, the Lions would clinch their first playoff berth since 1999. Last week, Detroit pulled out a 28-27 win in Oakland on Matthew Stafford’s six-yard pass to Calvin Johnson with 39 seconds left.

“Don’t forget Ndamukong Suh’s contribution,” Jim Schwartz said. “He blocked Sebastian Janikowski’s 65-yard field goal attempt to preserve the victory. Finally, he did something with a hand, and not his foot or mouth.”

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

San Diego stayed alive in the AFC West race with a decisive 34-14 win over the Ravens last week. The Chargers are 7-7, tied with the Raiders for second in the division, one game behind the Broncos.

“Many people say the Lions are much like the Chargers,” Norv Turner said, “in that both teams have adopted the demeanor of their respective coaches. I agree. The Chargers don’t know where they’ll be in two weeks, and neither do I.”

Detroit wins 27-24.

Philadelphia @ Dallas (-3)

The Eagles stayed alive in the NFC East race with a 45-19 win over the Jets last week. At 6-8, Philadelphia needs two wins, two Dallas losses, and a Giants loss to capture an unlikely division crown.

“I sense a divided locker room,” Andy Reid said. “Some players have faith that we can make the playoffs. To them, I say ‘Keep dreaming.’ Others don’t think we have a chance. They tell me to ‘Keep dreaming.’”

Dallas now sits in the driver’s seat in the East after Saturday’s 31-16 win in Tampa. The Cowboys could clinch the division with a win and a loss by the Giants to the Jets.

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

“That sounds simple enough,” Jerry Jones said. “At least for the Jets.”

“But the Eagles scare me. They’re peaking for the first time since mid-August. Me? I’m peeking, because I’m afraid to look.”

Philadelphia wins 34-30.

San Francisco @ Seattle (+1)

The 49ers beat the Steelers 20-6 on Monday night in a game delayed by two power outages at Candlestick Park. San Francisco improved to 11-3 and currently holds the NFC’s No. 2 seed.

“We’ve dealt with power outages before,” Jim Harbaugh said, “usually inside our opponents’ 20-yard line. That’s called the ‘red zone.’ We just call it the ‘zone,’ and David Akers, who leads the NFL in scoring, has been ‘in the zone’ all year.

“Ideally, we’d like to maintain the No. 2 seed. We’d much rather have New Orleans visit San Francisco than vice versa. The Saints are a different team outdoors. We’d prefer the city of Santa Clara put a roof over our heads as opposed to the Saints.”

The Seahawks blasted the Bears 38-14 last week to improve to 7-7, and are still alive in the playoff hunt.

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

“Right now,” Pete Carroll said, “we are the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoff picture. I’m impressed. We weren’t even the seventh-best team in the NFC last year, and we made the playoffs.”

San Francisco wins 22-14.

Chicago @ Green Bay (-12)

The Bears lost to the Seahawks 38-14 and fell to 7-7, and although they are still mathematically alive in the playoff race, their chances of a postseason berth are extremely slim.

“Let’s face it,” Lovie Smith said. “Our season ended when Jay Cutler got hurt. Just like last year. Apparently, it’s harder to throw with a broken thumb than it is to ride a bike with a knee injury.

“Caleb Hanie completed only 10 of the 23 passes he threw. Apparently, he had less intent to distribute than Sam Hurd. It seems we didn’t do our background checks on either one of them.”

The Packers look to rebound from last week’s 19-14 loss in Kansas City that derailed their quest for a perfect season. Now 14-1, the Packers can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win over the struggling Bears.

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

“I’m speechless,” Aaron Rodgers said. “More appropriately, I’m at a loss for words.”

“Nobody’s perfect. Except the 1972 Dolphins. Apparently, they can’t lose anything, except members.”

Packers win 31-13.

Atlanta @ New Orleans (-6 1/2)

Drew Brees passed for 412 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Saints to a 42-20 win over the Vikings. Brees has passed for 4,780 yards on the season, and needs just 305 yards in the final two games to surpass Dan Marino’s NFL record of 5,084.

“I hope Marino is under the mistletoe,” Brees said, “because he can kiss that record goodbye. Let’s just say I could break that record wearing Isotoner gloves.”

The 9-5 Falcons could win the NFC South with two wins in their final two games, coupled with two New Orleans losses.

“Those odds are long,” Mike Smith said. “But I’ve been known to buck odds, as well as conventional wisdom, common sense, and percentages.”

New Orleans wins 31-27.

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