Player to watch
Ricky Williams, RB, Miami Dolphins
When Ronnie Brown was lost for the season, the Dolphins’ offense figured to change. Brown operated the Wildcat attack better than anyone. But Miami is 4-2 since he was hurt thanks to Williams. That would not have sounded so odd in, say, 2003, when he was coming off his third straight season of at least 1,200 yards. But then came his mini-retirement and a slow re-integration back into the lineup. Last season he rushed for 659 yards. This season, he has 1,055. And in the six games minus Brown, Williams has four 100-yard games, 599 yards overall and five touchdowns. He’ll need a strong finish for the 7-7 Dolphins to beat Houston and Pittsburgh for a shot at the postseason. — John Keim
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Story lines
1. The Colts are chasing undefeated history, whether they want to or not » Of course Rex Ryan would open his midweek press conference with a wish list for Santa, reeling off more than half-dozen Indianapolis starters that he’d prefer not play against his desperate New York Jets. Remember, this is the same guy who earlier in the year was leaving voicemails for Jets fans back in September, trying to get them to show up en masse when New England came to town. But the story isn’t New York’s slim chances of finding a playoff berth in a stocking. It’s the undefeated Colts (14-0). Peyton Manning isn’t going to play scared, which means he will play. How much won’t matter because the Colts know that perfection isn’t the goal. Success is. — Craig Stouffer
2. Familiar faces return to the Linc » Even as tough as a rep as Philadelphia has for its sports fans, expect there to be less booing Sunday. Safety Brian Dawkins and running back Correll Buckhalter make their return to the City of Brotherly Love for the first time since becoming Denver Broncos this past offseason. “If you’re on the opposing team, you are no longer on their team,” Dawkins told the AP this week. “I don’t expect 100 percent cheers out there.” However, Dawkins’ departure caused quite a stir as the sports talkers in Philly got their phone lines jammed with outrage over the four-time All-Pro’s departure. Buckhalter was a mainstay behind the oft-injured Brian Westbrook and believes there will be a good amount of cheers with the usual jeers: “I think the fans will probably embrace us. At the same time, we play for Denver now.” — Leon Saffelle
Upset special
Bears over the Vikings
No reason to panic yet Vikings fans. Your team is 11-3, has already clinched the NFC North and is likely one win away from a playoff bye. Then again, Minnesota has also lost two of three games. One more might spell trouble. The Vikings travel to 5-9 Chicago on Monday night. And while the Bears are long out of the playoff picture, four of those wins came at Soldier Field. In fact, two home losses — 24-20 to Philadelphia and 21-14 to Green Bay — went down to the wire. The Bears can’t afford another three-interception game from Jay Cutler (19 touchdowns). But there’s no question he has the talent to cause a banged-up Minnesota defense problems. — Brian McNally
Game to watch
Ravens at Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS
The Ravens (8-6) are the No. 5 seed in the AFC, one spot ahead of Denver, also 8-6. Baltimore could clinch if it beats Pittsburgh and Miami, Denver and the New York Jets all lose. In another scenario, the Ravens make it if they win and Jacksonville, Denver and the Jets lose. The Steelers (7-7), currently 10th in the AFC, will need lots of help to avoid becoming the 13th Super Bowl winner to miss the playoffs the following year. The Ravens won the first meeting and surely would love to end Pittsburgh’s hopes after losing to the Steelers in the AFC Championship last season. The Steelers best hope that safety Troy Polamalu returns from his knee injury; they’ve lost six of the nine games he’s missed. — John Keim
