With Buddy Nix taking over football operations, Bills players know that Week 17 will be an audition for the future.
CB Jason Allen and WR Ted Ginn top the list of Dolphins players whose job security could be affected by an uncapped 2010.
The biggest question about Sunday’s Patriots game is how long QB Tom Brady will play.
The New York Post lists the five best and five worst Jets games at Giants Stadium in advance of Sunday night’s finale.
Said Ravens WR Derrick Mason of overlooking the Raiders, “Nope. Even if we were not in this circumstance, we wouldn’t overlook the Raiders. They’ve beaten some very good teams.”
Bengals RB Cedric Benson has a chance to become the third back in franchise history to rush for more than 1,300 yards in a season.
The Browns placed rookie LB David Veikune on injured reserve and promoted RB Thomas Brown from the practice squad.
Steelers QB Charlie Batch has used his sister’s murder as an inspiration to help others in the Pittsburgh community.
Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle doesn’t think the future of Texans coach Gary Kubiak should rely on Sunday’s result.
Said Colts QB Curtis Painter, “I try to focus on the guys in [the locker room]. If they have confidence in me going in, then I still have confidence. That’s not an issue.”
The Jaguars placed DT Atiyyah Ellison on injured reserve and promoted CB Kennard Cox from the practice squad.
TItans running backs coach Earnest Byner spliced the number 2,105 into game film this week to keep his team’s mind on RB Chris Johnson’s bid for history.
Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post gives fans a primer on lesser-known wide receivers Brandon Lloyd and Matt Willis.
Said Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe, “Two thousand nine. I wish I never knew you. By far, 2009 had the most obstacles I’ve ever faced as a young man. I’m not even saying as a professional. Just all around: a death in the family, never getting in trouble for nothing and then getting suspended, coming back. It’s been a steppingstone.”
Monte Poole of the Oakland Tribune thinks the Raiders should reach out to ex-Texas Tech coach Mike Leach.
Could Sunday be RB LaDainian Tomlinson’s final regular-season game with the Chargers?
Jean-Jacques Taylor of the Dallas Morning News believes there’s no way the Cowboys lose to the Eagles.
The Giants and DT Fred Robbins might be ending their relationship after the 2009 season.
Said Eagles RB Brian Westbrook, “You want to play every game like it’s your last. I think I cherish every moment that I’m with these guys more because of the situations that have happened to me in the past, the injuries and all those types of things.”
Michael Richman of the Washington Post calls the 2009 Redskins season the worst for the franchise since 1961.
Lovie Smith will return as Bears coach while Ron Turner gets axed as offensive coordinator, according to Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.
Finding a weapon in the passing game to take pressure off of WR Calvin Johnson will be an offseason priority for the Lions.
If the Cardinals are playing for the #2 seed in the NFC, it figures to be a good test for Packers cornerbacks Jarrett Bush and Tramon Williams.
Vikings G Steve Hutchinson denies that there’s any rift between coach Brad Childress and QB Brett Favre when it comes to running the offense.
The Falcons’ long quest for consecutive winning seasons can end on Sunday.
Dealing with DE Julius Peppers will be one of the first tasks of the Panthers offseason.
For Saints coach Sean Payton, the health of his players outweighed the knowledge that no team has lost its last three games of the regular season and won the Super Bowl.
Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune finds that Buccaneers RB Cadillac Williams’s long comeback from knee injuries has resulted in a stronger, more mature man than before.
Said Cardinals DE Bertrand Berry, “It’s too hard to win in this league to try and take your foot off the gas. We’re going to try to keep that thing going on into the playoffs.”
The Rams are working to figure out ways to get fans back into the stadium after years of high demand for tickets.
WR Arnaz Battle doesn’t think he’ll be back with the 49ers in 2010, and several other veterans may be leaving the team as well.
Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times writes that the Seahawks are playing for a head start on next year.