Actual Score/Recap: Saints 23, Falcons 7. Aaron Brooks passed for 285 yards, Terry Allen rushed for 82 yards, and the Saints were in the playoffs for only the fifth time in franchise history by the end of week 16.
Actual Score/Recap: Lions 10, Jets 7. The Lions stayed in contention for a playoff berth when guard Jeff Hartings fell on a fumble in the end zone for the winning touchdown with 5:43 to play.
Actual Score/Recap: Bengals 17, Jaguars 14. Neil Rackers kicked a 27-yard field goal as time ran out to lift the Bengals to the victory and snap the Jaguars’ four-game winning streak.
Actual Score/Recap: Patriots 13, Bills 10 (OT). Adam Vinatieri’s 24-yard field goal into the wind and in the snow lifter the Patriots to the victory just 19 seconds before the end of overtime.
Actual Score/Recap: Packers 33, Vikings 28. Brett Favre passed for 3 touchdowns, and Ahman Green rushed for a career-high161 yards as the Packers handed the NFC Central-leading Vikings theirs second consecutive defeat. Playoff Scenario: Green Bay must beat Tampa Bay in their season finale and hope the Eagles lose to Cincinnati in their finale OR New Orleans closes out their season with losses to Atlanta and St. Louis. Green Bay is eliminated if they finish with identical records as Philadelphia and New Orleans due to tiebreakers.
Actual Score/Recap: Chiefs 20, Broncos 7. Tony Richardson rushed for 156 yards and a touchdown as the Chiefs foiled the Broncos’ bid to take control of the AFC West. NOTE: With the Denver victory, the N.Y. Jets are officially eliminated from post-season discussion.
Actual Score/Recap: Seahawk 27, Raiders 24. A bizarre safety and Jon Kitna’s touchdown pass to Darrell Jackon in the final minute helped lift the Seahawks to a dramatic come-from-behind victory over the Raiders.
Actual Score/Recap: Steelers 24, Redskins 3. With many Steelers greats from the past three decades in attendance, Pittsburgh relied on a couple of staples from that era – a stalwart defense and a devasting rushing attack – to close Three Rivers Stadium with a rout of the Redskins.
