The Desert Sun from Palm Springs, California • Page 29

NFL ThE CESERT SUN MONDAY. JAVJASY 4, 20' cs WEEK 17 PLAYOFFS BEGIN SATURDAY NFC STAR Hi top running backs Stud: Kansas Gty running back Jamaal Charles had team-record 259 rushing yards and two TDs in top quarterbacks top wide receivers Stud: Vk.rss Brett Favre ai 36 varis passjrg and 4 IDs. Art. Yds -2 2E9 22 XT .2 '47 TO 2 0 3 0 P1ay tern Kyie Crtm arcs Brat Fan 'urge, cry "onx; Cxroc. Vat 3caLt Bars Cmp Art 32 56 3 31 24 34 24 35 Yds TD 431 I 316 4 3H 2 3G 2 ftay team Jacar Garfrai Srcras-Mjot Rcyt Rec Yds TD 23 0 9 MO 0 5 IS Jamaal Chafe, Fred Jadsoi Efc McGatee Raes.

Jason Sneirg Facns victory. jets 37, bengals 0 chargers continue roll team has bye in playoffs Chargers on H-game run i -j UTKY WftlflO r- New York Jets w'de receiver Brad Smith (left) fends off Cincinnati Beng3is cornerback Leon Hail while running for a 57-yard gam Sunday in East Rutherford. NJ, Jets win to clinch playoffs 'fi)s San Dieso waits for foe after victory BY BERNIE WILSON The Associated Press SAN DIEGO The San Diego Chargers head into the playoffs on an 1 1 -game winning streak, courtesy in large part to their backups. Jim Zom faces unemployment after yet another Washington Redskins loss. Billy Volek threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to fullback Mike Tolbert with 35 seconds to go to rally San Diego to a 23-20 victory over the Redskins on Sunday in Zom's last game as their coach.

The Redskins (4-12) plan to fire Zom on Monday, an official within the NFL told The Associated Press during Sunday's game. The AFC West champion Chargers (13-3) already clinched the AFCs No. 2 playoff seed and a first-round bye and had nothing to play for except to avoid injuries. After the starters went out, the game had the feel of an exhibition. San Diego deactivated five starters who'd been playing hurt, and quickly pulled most starters, including Pro Bowl quarterback Philip San Diego Chargers wide receiver Buster Davis (84) splits Washington Redskins defenders while gaining 9 yards on a pass recpetion during the first quarter Sunday in San Diego.

TWO MINUTE DRILL On the clock The Rams clinched the No. 1 overall pick with a 28-6 loss to the 49ers. St Louis has the No, 1 pick for the first time since 1997, when it traded up to get seven-time Pro Bow) tackle Orlando Pace. Tassing mention Ten quarterbacks each passed for at least 4.000 yards this season: Matt Schaub Peyton Manning Tony Romo Aaron Rodgers Tom Brady Drew Brees Ben Roethlisberger Philip Rivers Brett Favre (4,202) and ES Manning the most in a single season in NFL history. The previous record was seven in 2007.

Twelve QBs passed for at least 25 touchdowns this year Brees (34), Favre (33), P. Manning (33), Rodgers GO), Schaub (29), Brady (28), Rivers (28), Jay Cutler (27), Manning (27), Roethlisberger (26), Romo (26) and Kurt Warner (26), the most in a single season in NFL history. The previous record was 10 in 2007. Milestones The Titans' Chris Johnson became the sixth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. The Saints' Drew Brees broke the NFL record for completion percentage in a season with 70.60, besting the previous NFL record of 70.55 by Ken Anderson of Cincinnati set in 1982.

The 49ers' Vernon Davis tied the NFL record for touchdown receptions by a tight end with his 13th of the season. The Colts' Dallas Clark became the NFL's second tight end to have a 100-catch season, joining Tony Gonzalez. Teammate Reggie Wayne had five catches to reach 100 for the second time in his career. Houston (9-7) finished with its first winning record. Stats The Broncos joined the 1978 Redskins and '03 Vikings as the only teams since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to miss the playoffs after a 6-0 start.

Jonathan Stewart (1,133 yards) surpassed Pro Bowl pick DeAngelo Williams (1,117 yards) for the team rushing lead as i BY DENNIS WASZAK JR. coach Norv Turner, who was fired by the Redskins after 13 games in the 2000 season. "You work hard to position yourself You work hard to get the bye and the home game. Now we want to take advantage of that" Those sitting out to heal were outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, wide receiver Vincent Jackson, fullback Jacob Hester, safety Eric VVeddle and defensive end Jacques Cesaire. San Diego took a 10-0 lead after its first two possessions and Rivers made w-ay for Yokk, who hadn't had significant playing time since leading the winning drive in a 28-24 divisional-round playoff victory at Indianapolis two seasons ago.

"It feels good to get hit asain," Volek said. Volek was 19of30for216 yards, with one interception. Next for Chargers Opponent TBD Chargers will host face highest-seeded winner of games between No. 3 seed New England and No. 6 Baltimore, and No.

4 Cincinnati and No. 5 New York Jets. Rivers, running back LaDainian Tomlinson and the offensive line. "You work hard to get to this point," said Chargers texans 34, patriots 27 Texans win, but miss playoffs The Associated Press EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. Rex and The Sanchise are headed to the playoffs, lucky breaks and all Same Old J-E-T-S? Nope, not this time.

Rex Ryan's top-ranked defense shut down Cincinnati and axikie Mark Sanchez efficiently led a dock-eating offense as the New York Jets clinched their first playoff berth in three seasons with a 37-0 victory Sunday night at the frigid Meadow-lands. "It's a special feeling," Sanchez said. "A few weeks ago, people had us counted out." Needing a victory to keep their season going, and playing in front of frosted fans braving Arctic conditions, the lets (9-7) set up a rematch against the AFC North champion Bengals (10-6) in the first round Saturday at Cincinnati. "This wasn't our goal to make the playoffs. Our goals are much higher," said Ryan, heading to the postseason in his first year as a head coach.

"We were 4-6 and we had a mission with the team. It went from impossible to improbable, back to impossible and then to inevitable." The Bengals opened with most of their starters running back Cedric Benson was the only healthy starter to not play but pulled Carson Palmer early in the third quarter. Palmer was ineffective when he was in, going 1 for 1 1 for no yes, zero yards before J.T. O'Sullivan replaced him. The Jets ran 24 plays and the Bengals had three, and Cincinnati was outgained 138 yards to 1 in the first quarter.

New York had 250 yards at halftime, including 190 on the ground, to 7 for Cincinnati despite New England (10-6) having already clinched its playoff spot He was replaced by rookie Brian Hover in the second quarter and on the Patriots' last drive. Five starters, including leading rusher Laurence Maroney, were inactive for the AFC East champion Patriots, but Randy Moss and Wes Welker started with Brady. Belichick's decision to play many of his starters will likely be second-guessed after leading receiver Welker was carted off the field with a left knee injury in the first quarter. Welker's left leg buckled as he turned to go upfield after a 12-yard reception on New England's first possession. He remained on die turf for a couple of minutes before hobbling to the sideline with help from Patriots officials and was soon taken to the locker room on a cart Belichick did not have an update on Welker's status after the game.

Patriots lose WR Welker to knee injury The Associated Press HOUSTON The Houston Texans did what they could on Sunday, but didn't get enough help to make their first trip to the playoffs. Rookie Arian Foster scored two touchdowns and Bernard Pollard recovered a fumble for a touchdown and had a key interception as the Texans rallied to beat the New England Patriots 34-27. The victory gave Houston (9-7) its first winning record, but the New York Jets clinched the final AFC wild-card spot with a win over the Bengals on Sunday night Houston entered the day competing primarily with the Jets, Ravens and Broncos for a wild-card spot and needed a a victory and losses by two of those teams to get in. Bal- DAVI EINSO. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS New England wide receiver Wes Welker (center) is driven off the field after injuring his left knee during the first quarter against the Houston Texans, Sunday in Houston.

"I'm disappointed with the way Cincinnati played," Texans owner Bob McNair said. "I thought that probably that game, the odds were a little more in our favor than any of the other games (Sunday). As it turned out they just left their game at home." Patriots quarterback Tom Brady played most of the game timore grabbed the first spot with a victory, but Houston stayed in the hunt for a few extra hours with Kansas City's win over Denver. Their hopes for the first postseason trip in their eight-year history were dashed with New York cruising to a 37-0 win over the playoff-bound Bengals. they became the first teammates since the AFL-NFL merger to each rush for more than 1,100 yards.

Detroit set a league record with 30 losses over two seasons. Wes Welker's NFL-high 123 receptions this season are tied with Herman Moore for second most in NFL history. The Giants gave up 427 points this season, their most since 1966. Only Detroit (2-14) and St. Louis (1-15) allowed more in the NFC.

Streaks Cleveland had its first four-game winning streak since 1994. The Browns' string of four consecutive rushing games of at least 160 yards is the club's longest since 1968. Andre Johnson finished with 1,569 yards receiving for his second straight season. Johnson and Marvin Harrison (2001-02) are the only players in NFL history to do it Sidelined Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Pat White was carted off the field with a head injury after a chilling helmet-to-helmet collision with Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor. New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker injured his left knee in the first quarter against Houston.

cowboys 24, eagles 0 McGahee leads Ravens to win You will Slash Cowboys win to host Eagles again Romo sets records in shutout Your Golf Score in 90 Minutes GUARANTEED! No matter wKJt levef you aimnttt pk I mm rtryeme will liiwr their sam this REVOLimO.m imratr Rcfrf PonGOUCUSK. Kit tins PKOttV METHOD ill disnurr thi PERnCtSiWiC. mil Itm km' to 1 wSs; Speaking "I think it's proof of what id it." SPECIAL BONUS ravens 21, raiders 13 BY JOSH DUB0YV The Associated Press OAKLAND With one vicious stiff-arm, Willis McGahee pushed aside the last obstacle standing between the Baltimore Ravens and another playoff bid on his way to a career-best day. McGahee ran for a career-high 167 yards and three touchdowns, pushing down Hiram Eugene on a 77-yarder, and the Ravens clinched an AFC wild-card berth by beating the Oakland Raiders 21-13 on Sunday. "We're in the same position as last year where we had to win the last couple of games," McGahee said.

"Once we get in there, we know we can do damage, and now we're in there." Baltimore will open the playoffs next weekend at New England. The Raiders (5-11) were unable to pull it out in the end behind former starter JaMar- 1 for the first time since 19 and ending a nine-game losing streak in season finales. Philadelphia came in having already set the franchise scoring record and riding a six-game winning streak during which it averaged 31-2 points per game. The Eagles Hd a lot to plav for because a victory would've locked up the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.

The loss sinks them all the way to the sixth seed, the lower of two wild cards. "It's kind of embarrassing," said tight end Brent Celek. who led Philadelphia with seven catches for yards. Romo finished this season with the most attempts, completions and yards passing ever by a Cowboys quarterback. His nine interceptions are by far the fewest of his career.

Dallas (also set a record for single-season yards. BY JAIME AR0N The Associated Press ARLINGTON, TEXAS For an entire year, the Dallas Cowboys have had to deal with the fallout from a crushing, season-ending loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Now it is the Eagles' turn for this week, it Tony Romo threw a pair of early touchdown passes and the defense took over from there, carrying Dallas to a 24-0 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday that was filled with milestones for the Cowboys, the most important being that they won the NFC East and will host a rematch in the first round of the playoffs next weekend. Some of the other good stuff for Dallas: Posting consecutive shutouts for the first time in team history, Romo and the entire offense setting all sorts of single-season records, having a winning record after Dec UNICC0ST: $25 we're capable of doing. Where it takes us from here, I have no iHea Pi it it wi! riefinitplv a momentum boost and confidence." Vikings quarterback Brett Favre after completing 25 of 31 passes for 316 yards and four touchdown passes in less than three quarters of Minnesota's 44-7 victory over the Giants.

"We haven't arrived and we haven't accomplished anything. This is a step in the process to continue to get to where we want to go. It's a positive one, definitely, but we still need to keep improving. There's hopefully a lot of season left" Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo after clinching the NFC East by beating Philadelphia. WE ASSOCIATED PRESS i Woodhaven Country Club 4I-5SS WoodhMM Dr.EuC.Pilm Dewtl PAUL SAAUMA I nc AMOUAitD rnol Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee (23) celebrates after scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday in Oakland.

cus Russell, who came in the game in the third quarter after an injury to Charlie Frye. The loss gave the Raiders seven seasons in a row with at least 1 1 defeats, the worst run in NFL history. It also could mark the end of coach Tom Cable's stint in Oakland as his job status will likely bedecided in the next few days, WED, JAN 6 1 0:00 AM TO 1 1:30 A.M. OR Cimmaron Golf Course 30th An. CatlMdraJ City THURS.JAN 7 or SAT, JAN 1 0:00 AM TO 1 1:30 A.M.

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