FSU Cowgirls Abbie Cornish Krista Allen Hayden Panettiere Jules Asner
Rihanna America Ferrera Haylie Duff Talisa Soto Julianne Hough
Yvonne Strzechowski Rhona Mitra Kelly Rowland Danica Patrick Josie Maran
While the Patriots might be careful with their starters on Sunday against the Dolphins, rookie TE Rob Gronkowski will likely play most of the game. They will want to rest Aaron Hernandez, who missed Week 16 with an injury and possibly veteran Alge Crumpler as well, meaning Gronkowski will continue seeing many snaps. The Dolphins struggle covering opposing tight ends and Gronkowski is second among rookies with nine touchdown catches this season. He led the Patriots in receiving last week and is worth a start, even though the Patriots have the No. 1 seed locked up.
Titans TE Jared Cook's nine targets in Week 16 equaled a team-high for the game, and his five catches for 96 yards and a TD were all career-bests. He's a player to watch in 2011 and a viable starting option this week, too.
The Saints have made rookie TE Jimmy Graham a bigger part of the offense since their Week 10 bye, and he has had three touchdown catches in the past two games. Sean Payton is looking to get the ball in Graham's hands in the red zone, and owners looking for a tight end ought to consider starting Graham against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Steelers TE Heath Miller caught five passes for a season-high 73 yards in his return to the lineup in Week 16 after missing time with a concussion. Miller, whose lone TD catch of the season came vs. Cleveland in Week Six, merits starting consideration in the rematch with the Browns.
Browns TE Benjamin Watson hauled in six passes for 88 yards and a TD in the first matchup with the Steelers and rates as a solid starting option in Week 17. The 88 yards were the third-most Watson has accumulated in a single game this season.
After being a surprising nonfactor most of the season, Seahawks TE John Carlson was the team's leading receiver in Seattle's loss to Tampa Bay last week, catching three balls for 27 yards. Don't rule him out as a valuable weapon against the Rams' erratic back seven this Sunday evening.
Jennifer Sky Samantha Mathis Samantha Morton Grace Park Jill Wagner
Amanda Bynes Ana Ivanovi Jessica Cauffiel Emmanuelle Vaugier Sarah Silverman
Gabrielle Union Alessandra Ambrosio Amanda Detmer Emma Stone Raquel Alessi
Jennifer Scholle Tatiana Zavialova Tila Tequila Tamie Sheffield Kelly Monaco
Pamela Anderson Amber Arbucci Christina Aguilera Kate Hudson Adriana Lima
Monet Mazur Rozonda Thomas Rachel Weisz Miranda Kerr Sarah Shahi
Michelle Malkin Charlies Angels Rose Byrne Willa Ford Desiree Dymond
Tatiana Zavialova Tila Tequila Tamie Sheffield Kelly Monaco Gisele Bündchen
Mena Suvari Georgina Grenville Michelle Trachtenberg Amanda Bynes Ana Ivanovi
Charlize Theron Eva Mendes Sarah Polley Aisha Tyler K. D. Aubert
Tara Conner Drea de Matteo Trista Rehn Moon Bloodgood Kristin Kreuk
Hilary Swank Whitney Port Minka Kelly Carol Grow Erika Christensen
With a win in Week 16, the Buccaneers became the first team since the NFL merger to start 10 different rookies at some point in the season and finish with a winning record. The Bucs received a big impact from rookies, even with a few of their top picks landing on injured reserve.
Here are the teams that have gotten the most out of their rookie class this season, giving credit to teams that had impacts from multiple rookies, not just one.
1. New England Patriots
While the Pats haven't had as many guys start one game as the Bucs, they had enough regular contributors and get the edge with a 13-2 record. OLB Jermaine Cunningham, CB Devin McCourty and TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez were starters for the Pats. Gronkowski and Hernandez have had prolific seasons, combining for 15 touchdown catches. McCourty is making a run for Defensive Rookie of the Year with his six interceptions. Cunningham has five tackles for loss this season. Rookie Brandon Deaderick has two sacks and fellow DL Kyle Love has one, and both have seen significant time on the D-line. LB Dane Fletcher has a sack and three QB hits, and S Sergio Brown has been a solid special-teams contributor. P Zoltan Mesko drastically improved the team's net punting average.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If you had told me the Bucs would be ranked this high on a list like this without the services of Gerald McCoy, Brian Price and Cody Grimm for most of the season, well, I wouldn't have believed you. Fourth-round WR Mike Williams had a breakout season, leading rookie receivers in every category. RB LeGarrette Blount went undrafted because of character concerns and will now finish the season as the league's top first-year back. Before injuries ended their seasons, McCoy recorded three sacks and two forced fumbles, and Grimm added 51 tackles and two picks. WR Arrelious Benn and ORG Derek Hardman have also been steady contributors.
3. St. Louis Rams
The turnaround Rams have the Offensive Rookie of the Year being protected by a rookie at left tackle. Sam Bradford is on the verge of possibly leading the Rams into the playoffs and broke the record for most completions by a rookie, and OLT Rodger Saffold has emerged as one of the top rookie O-linemen. WR Danario Alexander and TE Michael Hoomanawanui have four TD catches between them, and defensive players George Selvie, Jerome Murphy and Jermelle Cudjo have made impacts.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs' secondary looks as though it will be good for a long time. Playmaker Eric Berry has four picks, including a pick-six, and CB Javier Arenas has three sacks and has been a steady punt and kickoff returner. WR-KR Dexter McCluster has been an electric returner when healthy, as well as a weapon on offense out of the backfield or the slot. TE Tony Moeaki is second on the team in receiving with 46-539-3.
5. Cleveland Browns
The Browns will also have a good secondary for a long time, thanks to the rookie tandem of the hard-hitting T.J. Ward and CB Joe Haden. Ward is the rookie leader in tackles while Haden is the rookie leader in passes defensed and is tied for the rookie lead in interceptions. The Browns also found their quarterback this season with Colt McCoy. Week 16 was a week to forget, but he has completed 63.5 percent of his passes this season and has wins over the Patriots and Saints.
6. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders didn't get the production they were expecting early on from MLB Rolando McClain, but he has come on of late. He is third on the team with 76 tackles and has five passes defensed. DE Lamarr Houston had a solid first year, recording four sacks and 11 QB hits. WR Jacoby Ford has been stellar in the return game with a league-high three kick-return touchdowns. He is also fourth on the team in receiving yards. And third-round pick Jared Veldheer has been starting at left tackle.
Honorable mention: Packers, Eagles, Colts
Now, onto the Meter.
1. Rams QB Sam Bradford (first round, first overall)
Last week's ranking: 1
Bradford not only brought his team one step closer to the playoffs with a 25-17 win over the 49ers, he may have locked up Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. The No. 1 pick had been struggling of late, but he had a big game in a must-win for St. Louis. Bradford set an NFL record for most pass completions by a rookie in a season while completing 28-of-37 passes for 292 yards and a touchdown. A good game in Seattle next week to clinch the division should be enough to give Bradford the title.
2. Lions DT Ndamukong Suh (1, 2)
Last week's ranking: 3
The for-all-intents-and-purposes Defensive Rookie of the Year has had to hold off secondary members Devin McCourty and Eric Berry. Suh did so on Sunday when he recorded five tackles and his rookie-leading ninth sack. He has 13 tackles for loss and a whopping 16 QB hits this season.
3. Buccaneers WR Mike Williams (4, 101)
Last week's ranking: 2
He didn't have huge yardage numbers, but Williams made the best of his catches. Two of his three receptions in Sunday's win went for scores. He had 44 yards receiving, putting him just 76 short of 1,000. He continues to lead rookies in every receiving category, and the big-play rookie averages just over 15 yards per catch.
4. Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount (undrafted)
Last week's ranking: 5
Blount had his best game while helping keep the Bucs' playoff hopes alive. He didn't find paydirt but rushed for 164 yards on 18 carries, an astounding 9.1-yard average. The bruising back will finish the season as the best rookie running back in the league.
5. Patriots CB Devin McCourty (1, 27)
Last week's ranking: 4
McCourty had a quiet game, considering his recent play, in the Patriots' win over the Bills. The corner recorded four tackles and forced a fumble on a Ryan Fitzpatrick scramble. He is tied for the rookie lead with six interceptions this season and should get a good test in the season finale from Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall.
6. Chiefs FS Eric Berry (1, 5)
Last week's ranking: 6
The Chiefs drafted Berry for his big-play abilities, and he showed that on Sunday with a 54-yard interception return for a touchdown. It was his fourth pick of the season. He added four tackles, and his fifth tackle for loss on the year for the AFC West champs.
7. Browns CB Joe Haden (1, 7)
Last week's ranking: 9
Imagine if Haden had been starting all season, he could be battling Suh for defensive honors. The former Gator had five tackles, an interception and his first career sack on Sunday. He is tied with McCourty for the rookie lead with six picks and has 17 passes defensed this season.
8. Browns SS T.J. Ward (2, 38)
Last week's ranking: 7
The tackling machine totaled just two in Sunday's loss to the Ravens. He did record his ninth pass defensed of the season. The hard-hitting Ward has 98 tackles and four tackles for loss on the year.
9. Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul (1, 15)
Last week's ranking: 8
It was a tough afternoon for the Giants' defense in their loss to the Packers, but Pierre-Paul did his part with three tackles, including a tackle for loss. On the season he has 4½ sacks, seven tackles for loss and six passes defensed, a pretty good number for a D-lineman.
10. Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (2, 42)
Last week's ranking: NR
Gronkowski and fellow rookie TE Aaron Hernandez have been swapping places at the bottom of this Meter, but "Gronk" gets the nod this week after a two-touchdown performance last week gave him nine on the year, just one behind Williams for the rookie lead. Gronkowski led the Patriots with four catches for 54 yards in Hernandez's absence and was on the field for almost every snap, helping block for an offense that rushed for over 200 yards.
On the cusp (listed alphabetically)
Lions RB Jahvid Best (1, 30)
Bengals DE Carlos Dunlap (2, 54)
Raiders WR Jacoby Ford (4, 108)
Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez (4, 113)
Raiders DE Lamarr Houston (2, 44)
Raiders MLB Rolando McClain (1, 8)
Dolphins OLB Koa Misi (2, 40)
Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey (1, 18)
Rams OLT Rodger Saffold (2, 33)
Titans CB Alterraun Verner (4, 104)
Michelle Branch Melissa Howard Samantha Mumba Busy Philipps Thora Birch
Adrianne Curry Jennifer Gimenez Katie Cassidy Estella Warren Cinthia Moura
Tina Fey Gina Philips Jamie Gunns Ananda Lewis Kate Bosworth
Janet Jackson Georgianna Robertson Reese Witherspoon Jordana Brewster Laetitia Casta
1. New England Patriots: Have run more than 425 plays since their last turnover.
2. Philadelphia Eagles: Would like to end this season better vs. Cowboys than in 2009.
3. Atlanta Falcons: Don't buy the Tony Gonzalez retirement talk just yet.
4. Baltimore Ravens: Ed Reed beginning to heat up — and not just his on-fire jacket.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers: Have extra rest to make sure they seal up a first-round bye.
6. New Orleans Saints: Have to keep CB Jabari Greer healthy for the postseason.
7. Chicago Bears: Offense has gone a little more vertical in recent games.
8. Green Bay Packers: Suddenly, everyone is scared of them again.
9. New York Jets: Have no incentive to play Mark Sanchez in Week 17.
10. Kansas City Chiefs: Note to first-round opponent: They're unbeaten at Arrowhead.
11. Indianapolis Colts: Manning's late slide angered fantasy owners, pleased Indy fans.
12. New York Giants: Tom Coughlin fired after a 10-6 season? It would be unlikely.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Freeman's amazing season can't be understated.
14. San Diego Chargers: Played their worst games against lesser opponents this season.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars: Bottom line: Team must invest in Garrard's eventual replacement.
16. St. Louis Rams: Sentimental favorites to win West, and not just because they'd be 8-8.
17. Oakland Raiders: Heyward-Bey's goal for next year: 40 catches.
18. Miami Dolphins: Better believe they could try to reel in big-fish coach if Sparano is gone.
19. Dallas Cowboys: Mike Jenkins must come back in 2011 a completely different player.
20. Seattle Seahawks: If they beat Rams, future playoff format could change.
21. Washington Redskins: Can't deny their defensive effort with several players hurt.
22. Minnesota Vikings: Two delays of games have been out of their control.
23. Tennessee Titans: Straight-faced Fisher says Moss worth every penny as a teammate.
24. Detroit Lions: You can see why they have been excited about DeAndre Levy's potential.
25. Cleveland Browns: Colt McCoy earned respect for postgame accountability.
26. Arizona Cardinals: Might not be the last we've heard of John Skelton.
27. Houston Texans: And now we can say they really have the worst pass defense ever.
28. San Francisco 49ers: GM choice might be just as interesting as their next head coach.
29. Buffalo Bills: How many years until they beat the Patriots?
30. Cincinnati Bengals: Only four of their losses have been by more than one score.
31. Denver Broncos: Tebow making things interesting for next head coach.
32. Carolina Panthers: Charles Johnson quietly has emerged as top pass rusher.
Denise Richards Jennifer Sky Samantha Mathis Samantha Morton Grace Park
Not only are the Colts one home win away — against a Titans team that has packed it in for the winter — from capturing their seventh AFC South title in nine years, they have added two fresh running backs and a reborn run defense to their arsenal of weapons.
In beating the Raiders 31-26 on Sunday, the Colts' defense held a top-five rushing offense to fewer than 100 yards for a second consecutive week and the offense surpassed the 150-yard rushing mark in consecutive weeks for the first time since the 2006 Super Bowl season.
The PFW Spin
Peyton Manning makes the Colts one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL each week regardless of the players around him. A healthy Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes, who were playing at a different speed than the rest of the guys on the field on Sunday, gives Manning the luxury of having a running game again, which doesn't bode well for opposing defenses come postseason time.
The 191 rushing yards the Colts gained Sunday were the most since Week Four of the 2007 season. Addai showed no ill effects from the neck injury that has sidelined him since Week Six, scoring on a six-yard scamper off right guard on only his second touch of the game.
Rhodes, whom head coach Jim Caldwell called an insurance policy after he was brought in last month, was electric, racking up 98 yards on 17 carries. He also brought to the table an element in the return game that has been missing since Devin Moore went down for the season in Week Four.
Rhodes' enthusiasm is contagious, and Manning said recently that the vibrant back has provided a much-needed shot in the arm for the Colts.
So much for an insurance policy.
Great news for Indianapolis; not so much for the rest of the league, as a position that was decimated by injuries earlier in the season and could not alleviate the pressure from Manning is suddenly leading the way for the Colts.
Manning tossed a pair of second-half interceptions similar to the uncharacteristic miscues that plagued him in a three-week skid a few weeks back, but instead of pressing to make up for his mistakes, he leaned on his running game.
In fact, perhaps the most unlikely play of the day came as a result of the Colts' revitalized ground game.
With a five-point lead and less than two minutes to play, the Colts faced a 3rd-and-2 at the Raiders' 31-yard line. Manning faked a handoff to Rhodes, but held on to the football, running to his left on the bootleg for 27 yards — his longest rush since 2001. Raiders DE Matt Shaughnessy, who had outside contain, bit so hard on the play-fake that Manning was left to run — horse on back — down to the three-yard line where he slid, icing the victory for his club. Manning could have taken it in for the touchdown, but he elected to slide — or so he says.
"If I wanted to score," the veteran QB with not-so-blazing speed said, "I would have scored. I chose not to."
On the other side of the ball, MLB Gary Brackett continued the tear he has been on the past two weeks against two of the most physically gifted ballcarriers in the league. If Brackett's turf toe is still an issue, he sure fooled us.
Robert Mathis registered another 1½ sacks, giving him 11 on the season; Antoine Bethea played an outstanding football game; Fili Moala was extremely disruptive in the backfield. Really, it was an outstanding effort across the board for the much maligned Colts' "D."
While it certainly hasn't gone as planned for the Colts this season, they're one win away from accomplishing their goal regardless of the path it took to get there. And it just might turn out for the better, as they appear to be reinventing themselves along the way.
Zoe Saldana Rachel Perry Mary Elizabeth Winstead Piper Perabo Anna Kournikova
Dominique Swain Jamie Chung Alicia Witt Radha Mitchell Melissa Rycroft
Luján Fernández Charli Baltimore Denise Richards Jennifer Sky Samantha Mathis
Ali Campoverdi Giuliana DePandi Pamela Anderson Amber Arbucci Christina Aguilera
"ALL" refers to the staff consensus pick. HOME TEAM IN CAPS. Asterisk (*) denotes team will cover pointspread but lose game. Boldface selections indicate best bets.
BEST BETS| Pittsburgh -6 vs. CLEVELAND |
| DETROIT -6 vs. Minnesota |
| INDIANAPOLIS -7½ vs. Tennessee |
| St. Louis vs. SEATTLE (43 ) UNDER |
| Last week: 3-1 / Season: 34-26-4 |
PFW STAFF SELECTIONS| Early Las Vegas line | Hub | Keith | Mike H | Dan A | Eric | Mike W | Dan P | Michael | Kevin | ALL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday ATLANTA -9 vs. Carolina | Atl. | Atl. | Atl. | Atl. | Car.* | Car.* | Atl. | Atl. | Atl. | Atl. |
| Pittsburgh -6 vs. CLEVELAND (37½) | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. | Cle.* | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. | Pitt. |
| DETROIT -6 vs. Minnesota | Det. | Det. | Det. | Det. | Det. | Det. | Det. | Minn.* | Det. | Det. |
| GREEN BAY -5 vs. Chicago | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. | Chi.* | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. | G.B. |
| INDIANAPOLIS -7½ vs. Tennessee (47½) | Ind. | Ind. | Ind. | Ind. | Ind. | Tenn.* | Ind. | Ind. | Ind. | Ind. |
| KANSAS CITY -4 vs. Oakland | Oak. | K.C. | K.C. | K.C. | K.C. | K.C. | K.C. | K.C. | K.C. | K.C. |
| NEW ENGLAND -5 vs. Miami | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. | Mia.* | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. | N.E. |
| N.Y. Giants -3 vs. WASHINGTON (44½) | NYG | NYG | NYG | NYG | NYG | Wash. | NYG | NYG | NYG | NYG |
| BALTIMORE -10½ vs. Cincinnati (43½) | Balt. | Cin.* | Cin.* | Cin.* | Cin.* | Balt. | Cin.* | Cin.* | Cin.* | Cin.* |
| Jacksonville -2½ vs. HOUSTON | Hou. | Jax. | Hou. | Jax. | Jax. | Hou. | Jax. | Jax. | Jax. | Jax. |
| NEW ORLEANS -7 vs. Tampa Bay | N.O. | N.O. | T.B.* | N.O. | T.B.* | T.B.* | T.B.* | N.O. | T.B.* | T.B.* |
| N.Y. JETS -3 vs. Buffalo | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | Buff. | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ |
| PHILADELPHIA -11½ vs. Dallas | Phil. | Dal.* | Dal.* | Dal.* | Dal.* | Dal.* | Dal.* | Phil. | Phil. | Dal.* |
| SAN FRANCISCO -7 vs. Arizona (38) | S.F. | Ariz. | Ariz.* | Ariz. | Ariz.* | Ariz.* | Ariz.* | Ariz.* | Ariz.* | Ariz.* |
| San Diego -3½ vs. DENVER (471?2) | S.D. | S.D. | S.D. | S.D. | S.D. | S.D. | S.D. | S.D. | S.D. | S.D. |
| St. Louis -2½ vs. SEATTLE (43) | St.L. | St.L. | Sea. | St.L. | St.L. | Sea. | St.L. | St.L. | St.L. | St.L. |
| Last week vs. spread | 9-6 | 10-5 | 7-8 | 11-4 | 9-6 | 8-7 | 10-5 | 12-3 | 8-7 | 11-4 |
| Season to date vs. spread | 107-122-9 | 117-112-9 | 121-108-9 | 128-101-9 | 114-115-9 | 122-107-9 | 117-112-9 | 115-114-9 | 123-106-9 | 111-118-9 |
| Last week best bets | 3-0 | 0-1 | 2-1 | 2-0 | 2-1 | 2-1 | 2-1 | 2-1 | 2-1 | 3-1 |
| Season to date best bets | 27-20-1 | 21-24-1 | 23-24-1 | 32-14-1 | 27-20-1 | 24-23-1 | 27-20-1 | 23-24-1 | 24-23-1 | 34-26-4 |
| Last week straight-up | 9-6 | 9-6 | 6-9 | 10-5 | 9-6 | 7-8 | 9-6 | 10-5 | 8-7 | 9-6 |
| Season to date straight-up | 147-91 | 151-87 | 149-89 | 149-89 | 143-95 | 138-100 | 152-86 | 151-87 | 156-82 | 147-91 |
LOCK OF THE WEEK
Which of your picks do you feel strongest about and why?
Hub Arkush: It's hard to take a team playing for nothing but pride as a lock, but few teams have played as inspired or improved as much in recent weeks as the Lions have.
Keith Schleiden: Pittsburgh still has something to play for in this one: playoff position. The Browns, on the other hand, are already mentally loading the U-hauls. Steelers win by more than a TD.
Mike Holbrook: I'm banking on a bounce-back game for the Chargers, as their talent is too great for the Broncos, even if Tebow tries to work his magic. The Chargers love to score big in Denver.
Dan Arkush: I see Green Bay winning, but as was the case in their first encounter, this will be a game that will go right down to the wire. Most of the Packers' games have been close.
Eric Edholm: The Lions have gained a lot of momentum and will be playing a Vikings team — on short rest — that gave up 3-4 weeks ago. Look for the Lions to win big.
Mike Wilkening: When the Steelers last played the Browns, Cleveland was just starting to get into good form. Now, the Browns are fading, and Pittsburgh can clinch a bye with a win.
Dan Parr: Pittsburgh is still fighting for positioning in the playoffs, and Cleveland is fading. The Steelers should win by at least one touchdown against another weak opponent.
Michael Blunda: The Steelers showed how easily they can dominate bad teams last week, and I see them doing a number on Cleveland, which has tailed off lately and is ready for the offseason.
Kevin Fishbain: The Colts are giving a lot of points, but with a playoff berth on the line, at home, against the hapless Titans, I'll take my chances with Peyton Manning piling on points.
Rachel Hunter Heidi Montag Katharine McPhee T.A.T.u. Amber Valletta
Monica Bellucci Minki van der Westhuizen Katharine Towne Malia Jones Jennifer ODell
By Chris Jenkins, AP Sports WPriter
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers returned from a concussion to turn in his sharpest performance of the season, keeping the Green Bay Packers on a path toward the playoffs with 404 yards and four touchdowns.
It all came at the expense of the New York Giants, whose season is spinning out of control after the Packers blew them out 45-17 at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
Rodgers was back, and so was his sense of humor. Backup Matt Flynn played well when Rodgers sat out last week with his second concussion of the season, so Rodgers joked that he had something to prove Sunday.
''I had to get my job back,'' Rodgers said.
There wasn't much to smile about for the Giants (9-6), who are clinging to fading playoff hopes and certainly appeared to still be in a daze after the previous week's collapse against Philadelphia.
''There's no denying what took place,'' Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. ''Facts are facts. We're responsible for it. I'm responsible for it. So we have to live with it. And as we say in this game, the only chance you have is to turn around and line up the next week.''
The Giants couldn't stop Rodgers and couldn't hold onto the ball, as one of the league's most turnover-prone teams lost two fumbles and watched Eli Manning throw four interceptions.
As if that wasn't enough misery for one team to handle, the Giants were stuck in Wisconsin on Sunday night because of a major snowstorm on the East Coast.
At this point, they might not want to go home.
''I don't care where we're at, it's going to be a long night regardless,'' safety Deon Grant said. ''If we'd go back to New York, it'd probably be a worse night. I know they're not going to be happy. I looked up, the Jets lost, we lost, it's not a good look.''
Green Bay (9-6) came into Sunday's game needing to win their final two games to make the playoffs. The Packers host division-rival Chicago in their final regular-season game next Sunday.
Safety Nick Collins said it felt like a playoff game.
''That's how it's going to be next week, too,'' Collins said.
John Kuhn ran for two touchdowns and caught a pass for a score for the Packers. The unheralded fullback is embracing his growing folk-hero status with Packers fans, who chant ''Kuuuuuuuuuhn!'' when he touches the ball.
''It's pretty funny,'' Kuhn said. ''It's nice. I don't want to let them down. They call for you ahead of time, so I've got to try and come through.''
Greg Jennings caught seven passes for 142 yards for Green Bay, while Jordy Nelson had four catches for 124 yards and a touchdown.
Rodgers was sacked twice, but wasn't under much pressure otherwise as his offensive line delivered one of its best pass protection efforts of the year.
''Those guys were ready to play,'' Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. ''They were sick and tired of hearing about how tough the Giants were all week.''
Rodgers was anything but tentative after sustaining two concussions this season, but he definitely had safety on his mind when he took off running. Rodgers made a baseball umpire's ''safe'' sign with his arms after sliding instead of taking a big hit after an early scramble - a salute, he said, to a team doctor who is reminding him to be more careful when he runs.
''I got a lot of texts in the last two weeks from friends and family,'' Rodgers said. '''Slide' was the main subject.''
Manning threw for 301 yards with two touchdowns and the four interceptions.
''If you have interceptions, it's my fault and we had four today,'' Manning said. ''There's not one that wasn't my fault, so I've got to be smarter with the ball and toward the end of the game, you're in desperate mode, you try to force some things and it didn't go our way.''
Already trailing 21-14, the Giants began the second half with yet another major mistake. On a third-down play in Packers territory, Charles Woodson stripped the ball from Ahmad Bradshaw and the Packers recovered at the 50. The Packers drove but had to settle for a field goal, taking a 24-14 lead.
The Giants answered with a drive for a field goal, but Rodgers was at his absolute best on the Packers' next possession. Taking over at the Green Bay 30, Rodgers threw for big gains on back-to-back plays - Donald Driver for 33 yards and Jennings for 36 - then threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Donald Lee two plays later to give the Packers a 31-17 lead with 4:44 left in the third quarter.
Hakeem Nicks appeared to fumble on the ensuing kickoff, but Coughlin challenged the play and New York kept the ball. Brandon Jacobs then broke free for a long run - but Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews punched the ball, it popped into the air and the Packers recovered.
This time, Coughlin's replay review was unsuccessful and Green Bay kept the ball.
''We came out and we played like we didn't have anything to play for,'' Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said.
Notes: It was a rematch of the Giants' overtime victory in the NFC title game in below-zero conditions at Lambeau nearly three years ago. Sunday's conditions weren't nearly as challenging, with 25-degree temperatures and little wind at kickoff. ... The Packers have won 10 of their last 11 home games. ... The Giants' Mario Manningham caught four passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. ... Rodgers has passed for 12,165 yards and joins Kurt Warner (12,612) and Peyton Manning (12,287) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to pass for at least 12,000 yards in the first three seasons as a starter.
Copyright 2010 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Sophia Bush Megan Fox Michelle Malkin Charlies Angels Rose Byrne
Veronika Vaeková Eve Brittany Lee Daisy Fuentes Asia Argento
Reese Witherspoon Jordana Brewster Laetitia Casta Claudette Ortiz Julia Stiles
Kate Bosworth Tamala Jones Yamila Diaz Alicia Keys Tyra Banks
Nicky Hilton Garcelle Beauvais Kristy Swanson Ali Campoverdi Giuliana DePandi
Tyra Banks Vanessa Hudgens Sarah Michelle Gellar Olivia Munn Melissa Sagemiller
Jordana Brewster Laetitia Casta Claudette Ortiz Julia Stiles Marisa Miller
Angela Marcello Paz Vega Rebecca Mader Eva Green Lauren Conrad
Avril Lavigne Bridget Moynahan Noureen DeWulf Nicollette Sheridan Amber Heard
Salma Hayek Jennifer Scholle Tatiana Zavialova Tila Tequila Tamie Sheffield
Leslie Bibb Chelsea Handler Salma Hayek Jennifer Scholle Tatiana Zavialova
Julie Berry Lori Heuring Nicole Scherzinger Jill Arrington Tami Donaldson
Nikki Reed Natasha Bedingfield Audrina Patridge Simone Mütherthies Carrie Underwood
Gwen Stefani Sunny Mabrey Karolína Kurková Laura Harring Naomi Watts
Here are some whispers we've been hearing from around the AFC South:
• The Texans downplayed an incident between DE Antonio Smith and SLB Brian Cushing in the Week 15 loss at Tennessee, during which Cushing's helmet came off — which caused some to suggest that the two players were fighting. Smith's explanation: "What happened is he came to me, and I can't remember what he said, but he grabbed me and head-butted me. It was a in-the-heat-of-the-moment type thing. I grabbed his facemask to pull him close to me so we can get eye-to-eye to say what I had to say, and as we are doing that, teammates come in between and the helmet comes off and it looks like a big ordeal." Said Cushing later: "I patched things up with Antonio right after the play."
• Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew (knee), who missed two consecutive days of practice for the first time this season leading up to the Week 15 loss to the Colts, was clearly not himself in Indy. Coming off six straight 100-yard rushing efforts, Jones-Drew managed only 46 yards on 15 carries. We're told that the diminutive back has not been effective when he is playing at less than 100 percent, as witnessed by his 14-game stretch — the final seven games of 2009 and the first seven games of '10 — when he notched only two 100-yard rushing days. Jones-Drew is in his second full season as the Jaguars' featured back, and word is the pounding he subjects himself to limits his effectiveness. He didn't practice at all leading up to the Week 16 game vs. Washington and was listed as doubtful on the injury report.
• How Titans C Fernando Velasco fares during his stint in the starting lineup could go a long way in determining whether he vies for a bigger role next season, the way we hear it. Velasco is filling in for Eugene Amano, who is out for the season with a neck injury.
• The signing of Colts RB Dominic Rhodes was a "much-needed shot in the arm," according to QB Peyton Manning. Rhodes looked good in his first significant action in Week 15, spelling Donald Brown with nine carries for 26 yards, one reception for four yards and a terrific block on blitzing Jaguars LB Daryl Smith. Word is Rhodes' biggest contribution to the team could come from his contagious energy and excitement that we hear was noticeably present from the moment he walked onto the practice field after being re-signed.
Jessica Biel Christina Milian Kelly Brook Robin Tunney Kate Groombridge
Each week we'll talk to former Patriots star and current broadcaster Gino Cappelletti. This week, Gino talked about the impacts that NT Vince Wilfork and CB Devin McCourty are having on the defense and why the Patriots excel in the snow.
PFW: How important has NT Vince Wilfork's play been this season?
Cappelletti: He picks up that D-line every now and then. In this game (against the Packers), he was really getting a good push up the middle and made it difficult for (Matt) Flynn to step up in the pocket. With the rush coming from the edge, the quarterback is supposed to step up into that pocket, but Wilfork was very instrumental in pushing the interior part of that line back into Flynn's face. They move him all over and to defensive end. He was taking care of things nicely, playing a two-gap, going in one gap or the other and trying to find his way in there. He's been a solid performer for them.
PFW: How impressed have you been with CB Devin McCourty?
Cappelletti: He certainly has been able to stay with receivers longer and tighter than what you might expect from a rookie. He's making a good read on what pattern is being run. He shows a knack for the ball, turns around and finds the ball, which is all good. He is very much in tune to what their breaks and cuts are and he reacts to it quickly.
PFW: Why are the Patriots so good in the snow?
Cappelletti: They are taught, and they have accepted it, that they're not playing the weather but they're playing the Bills this week, like they played the Bears two weeks ago. That's the opponent, not the weather. Bill (Belichick) has been able to get through to them on that. They just ignore the weather and play the game. Tom Brady throws the ball as well as anyone in bad weather because he doesn't think about it. He's not losing the handle. He's throwing passes the way they have to be thrown for a reception to be made. He's an excellent pass thrower and he doesn't let the weather affect him. Somewhere along the line, winds could affect it, but (Brady) doesn't make any allowances for it; he plays like it's normal conditions.
Norah Jones Nicky Hilton Garcelle Beauvais Kristy Swanson Ali Campoverdi
