Player to watch
Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears
Cutler was probably the most hyped player entering the season because of the drama surrounding him last offseason. He failed to deliver for the Bears, having thrown 23 touchdown passes and 26 interceptions. He’s playing behind a weak line and with no legitimate No. 1 receiver. But he also forces a lot of passes, foolishly trying to make plays. Still, here’s a list of quarterbacks who have led the league in interceptions: Peyton Manning (28 in 1998), Brett Favre (29 in 2005; 24 in 1993; 23 in 1999), Ben Roethlisberger (23 in 2006); Trent Green (24 in 2001); Drew Bledsoe (27 in 1994). The good news for Cutler? Sunday’s opponent, Detroit, has intercepted the second fewest passes this season (nine). — John Keim
Recommended Stories
Story lines
1. One thing is clear in the jumbled AFC playoff race: Pittsburgh’s postseason dreams are out of their hands » Could there be anything worse than winning a 1 p.m. game on the final week of the regular season, only to sit and helplessly watch as your postseason fate is determined later? The defending Super Bowl-champion Steelers will do just that, as three of the four teams that can determine their destiny play at 4 p.m. or later. In fact, the New York Jets don’t start until 8:20 against the Cincinnati Bengals, who certainly wouldn’t mind seeing their division rivals miss the playoffs. The Steelers think it’s about them. “All of them lay down,” LaMarr Woodley said Wednesday. “No one wants to see Pittsburgh in it. That’s just how it is.” But the Jets won’t care what happens to Pittsburgh because they need the win. And conspiracy theories won’t change the fact that Pittsburgh lost five in a row, including games against Oakland, Kansas City and Cleveland. Hey, LaMarr, who laid down then? – Craig Stouffer
2. Moving forward » Chris Johnson stands just 128 yards from joining a very select few in NFL history. The Titans running back would become just the sixth rusher to reach the 2,000-yard mark during a single season. Johnson has averaged 124.8 rushing yards per game and Seattle gives up an average of 109.5, so he’ll have to have a strong game to reach the rushing plateau. But a below average game still gives him an NFL single-season record he can call his own. Any rushing/receiving combination that amounts to 75 yards or more will give Johnson (2,355 yards: 1,872 rushing, 483 receiving) the single-season mark for yards from scrimmage, which was set in 1999 by the Rams’ Marshall Faulk (2,429 yards). With all that being said, he still could finish fifth in the MVP race behind a group of quarterbacks. – Leon Saffelle
3. It seems like destiny » The Arizona Cardinals host the Green Bay Packers this weekend at University of Phoenix Stadium. Chances are high they’ll see each other again in the first round of the NFL playoffs. There are eight possible outcomes Sunday for the Cardinals — and six of them end with the Packers. With a win, Arizona could still get the No. 2 seed if Minnesota and Philadelphia lose. The Cardinals could also host Dallas if Minnesota loses and Philadelphia wins. But that’s it. All other scenarios mean Green Bay. Most intriguing? Neither team can afford to hold back on Sunday and conceal things for the playoffs. Green Bay’s other options are games at Dallas or Minnesota. – Brian McNally
Upset special
Chiefs over the Broncos
The Chiefs are double-digit underdogs at Denver this weekend. Their season ended sometime around Week 4. The Broncos are desperately fighting for a playoff spot in the AFC and have a home game against one of the NFL’s worst teams. And they already blew out Kansas City on the road, 44-13. Then again — do the Broncos look like a team capable of winning a pressure game? They have lost three in a row and couldn’t beat AFC West rival Oakland at home two weeks ago. The receiving corps has been decimated by injuries, add in Friday’s announcement that Pro-Bowler Brandon Marshall will be benched for the finale, and the Broncos are in serious trouble. — Brian McNally
Game to watch
Eagles at Cowboys, 4:15 p.m., FOX
Both teams are assured of a playoff berth, but the winner will win the NFC East title. And if Philadelphia wins, it will clinch the No. 2 seed in the NFC behind New Orleans. Considering the way both teams are playing, the Eagles would enter the playoffs as the favorites to win the NFC. However, Dallas also can earn the No. 2 seed if it wins and Minnesota (which hosts the Giants) and Arizona (which hosts Green Bay) both lose. But this should be a fun game between two explosive offenses. Dallas quarterback Tony Romo is having his best December while the Eagles have averaged 30 points a game in the second half of the season. — John Keim
Examiner Power Rankings
— James Irwin
| No. | Team (Record) | Comment |
| 1 | Colts (14-1) | Hand away perfection and we punish them by … doing nothing |
| 2 | Chargers (12-3) | Hottest team in the NFL, by far |
| 3 | Saints (13-2) | Uh, what happened guys? |
| 4 | Eagles (11-4) | As always, Philly is peaking late in the season |
| 5 | Cowboys (10-5) | As always, Dallas is peaking la … wait a minute |
| 6 | Vikings (11-4) | Another loss this weekend and a first-round exit? |
| 7 | Packers (10-5) | Rodgers, Pack playing better than Favre, Vikings |
| 8 | Bengals (10-5) | Will they lay down and let the Jets waltz into the playoffs? |
| 9 | Patriots (10-5) | Will they lay down and close the door on the Steelers? |
| 10 | Cardinals (10-5) | In wide-open NFC playoff field, why not them again? |
| 11 | Ravens (8-7) | Control their own destiny, and that’s all they can ask for |
| 12 | Jets (8-7) | Ditto |
| 13 | Steelers (8-7) | Should be furious for putting themselves in this position |
| 14 | Broncos (8-7) | Another December, another Denver collapse |
| 15 | Texans (8-7) | Late surge probably saves Kubiak’s job regardless of outcome |
| 16 | Dolphins (7-8) | Need win and Jets, Ravens, Texans, Jaguars losses to get in |
| 17 | Jaguars (7-8) | Wait … they’re still alive?! |
| 18 | Giants (8-7) | Good riddance |
| 19 | Falcons (8-7) | No Ryan + no Turner = No playoffs |
| 20 | Panthers (7-8) | Dismantled Giants in Meadowlands Massacre |
| 21 | Titans (7-8) | A nice recovery, but not enough to climb out of that 0-6 hole |
| 22 | 49ers (7-8) | Plenty to build on in San Francisco |
| 23 | Bears (6-9) | MNF win over Vikings makes everything OK … for now |
| 24 | Raiders (5-10) | Have beaten Eagles, Bengals, Steelers and Broncos. Ravens next? |
| 25 | Bills (5-10) | In this spot because we didn’t know what else to do with them |
| 26 | Seahawks (5-10) | Time for a massive overhaul in Seattle |
| 27 | Redskins (4-11) | Wrecking ball is ready to roll |
| 28 | Browns (4-11) | Will late push be enough to save Mangini’s job? |
| 29 | Buccaneers (3-12) | We watched Saints film twice before we believed the Bucs won |
| 30 | Chiefs (3-12) | Third year in a row with at least 12 losses |
| 31 | Lions (2-13) | Let’s ship them down to college and promote Alabama |
| 32 | Rams (1-14) | Five first-round picks might not be enough to fix this team |
