The Napa Valley Register from Napa, California • 9

Monday December 18, 1995 The Napa Valley Register 4 4 San Francisco wants to Niners need expect a full night's work tonight, unlike the 49ers last stay home for got going." San Francisco, which has next two games and play well, see If we can things to fall playoffs timing and combination between Warren Moon and Crls Carter has get our way." Minnesota and San Francisco both have been playing to their December form. The Vikings have won five of their last six mid the 49ers have won five straight The two teams have the NFLs best December records since 1992, with San Francisco going 1 1-3 in the month and Minnesota going 11-4. Last year, we kind of charged at the end of the year, too, but were playing much better offensively. Green said. I think the meeting with the Vikings.

With the division, a bye and homefleld locked up, San Franciscos regulars saw only spot duty In a 21-14 loss to Minnesota in the 1994 regular season finale. It's diametrically opposite of where we were playing the Vikings last year, having wrapped up everything and it was kind of a meaningless game, said Young. This game is the most important we've had all year because of the significance in the overall playoff scheme and our roll that weve Raiders fall apart, drop 5th straight Minnesota Vikings (8-6), who have postseason aspirations of their own. Until we have all that we want, these games are of utmost importance, absolutely," said San Francisco quarterback Steve Young. That means Young and the rest of San Francisco's regulars can hit on Oakland quarterback Jeff 2 more wins By DENNIS GEORGATOS Associated Press Writer SAN FRANCISCO This time, there's something on the line for the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers (10-4) own a playoff berth, having clinched the NFC West title when Atlanta lost to Carolina on Sunday. But they will still be playing for homefleld advantage and a first-round playoff bye tonight when they take on the Seattles Michael Sinclair puts a The possibilities for the NFL playoffs through IS games, according to the league: AFC BAST BUFFALO: Clinched division tide and will host a wild-card round game. MDUltAFOUS: Can clinch a playoff spot with a win or a Seattle loss and ther a Miami loss or an Oakland loss. lOAMfs Can clinch a playoff spot with a win and one of the following; An Indianapolis loss or tie; a San Diego loss or tie; an Oakland loss or tie; or a Seattle win; or three of the Mowing; An Indianapolis loss; a San Dhgo toss; an Oakland loss; apd a Seattle loss, AFC CENTRAL PITTSBURGH; Clinched division title and first-round bye. Can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffe with a win ends Kansas City jggg Arc west KANSAS CTTTi Clinched division ttfle and first-round bye.

Can clinch big been very good, and I think we've got a lot of young guys on our team that are getting better." Moon has thrown 18 of his 28 touchdown passes in die last six weeks with Carter catching nine of his career-high 14 IDs in that same span. Moon, who came over to Minnesota prior to last season after playing In Houstons run-and-shoot, also has had the benefit of another year In a more conven- See 49ERS, Page 3B: Seahawks 44 Raiders 10 Next game: vs. Denver, Dec. 24, 1 pjiL, KNEW-910 AM, NBC Channel 4. Hostetler's status for the Denver game is uncertain; he left the locker room without comment, and Raiders officials offered no insight into his condition.

The mood obviously was solemn. This was the worst loss for the Raiders since Jan. 20, 1991, when they fell to Buffalo, 51-3, in the AFC championship game. Among the self-destructive happenings: Guard Kevin Gogan and de-, fensive back Najee Mustafaa be-; came engaged in a brief, spirited -scuffle on the sideline. Several players shoved Gogan (6-foot-7, 325 pounds) one way.

Hostetler wrapped bis arms around Mustafaa (6-1, 190) and took him the other way. The Raiders were offsides on the first play from scrimmage. This actually qualifies as an improvement They were called for two penalties on the opening kickoff last week against Pittsburgh. Seahawks running back Chris Warren (105 yards rushing) discovered his quickest route to the end zone: run into any Oakland defensive player. Tackling was not a popular concept among the Raiders.

Seattle rookie Joey Galloway found another easy path to the end zone: go there. Nobody bothered to cover Galloway early In the second quarter, when he dashed downfield and caught a 43-yard touchdown pass all by himself. Rocket Ismail flat-out dropped a certain touchdown pass on the first play of the second half. Wide receiver Daryl Hobbs took the ball on a reverse, suddenly stopped and lofted a perfect pass to Ismail, who had slipped behind Seattles defensive See RAIDERS, Page 3B Many of the crowd of 55,875 there were 10,769 no-shows carried signs leaving no doubt about their bitter feelings toward Modell. who bought a controlling interest In the Browns in 1961.

One sign said: All I want for Christmas is Arts two front teeth The Browns began in Cleveland in 1946 in the All-America Football Conference, which merged into the NFL In 1950. The Browns won the NFL championship that same year. At 1:06 p.m.. with game See BROWNS, Page 3B won five straight, can ensure It goes Into the playoffs as the NFC's top seed by winning its last two games. Minnesota, meanwhile, probably has to win both of its games to qualify for the postseason for a fourth straight year under Dennis Green.

I think everybody knows what theyre playing for," Green said. We are Just In the hunt for the playoffs. A lot of things are going to have to happen. So what we have to do is just come out the Can cfinch a playoff spot wtth two wins or one win and a Chicago loss or tie and an Atlanta toaa or tie. CHICAGO: Can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Minnesota loss in either of its last two games and an Atlanta loes or tie.

KKX2ST CAR mrccoi candied dMston title. Can first-round bye with one win or a Green Day loss and a De trott loss. Can clinch borne field advantage throughout the jyoSi with two wins or one win and a loea and a Philadelphia loss or tie. ATLANTA: Can clinch a playoff spot with a win and etthef a Minnesota fans and a Chicago loss and a St Louis loss. ST LCC3: Can clinch a playoff spot with a win and two Minnesota losses and a Chicago loss and an Atlanta loss.

i afternoon, the Cowboys forced the Giants to go three plays and out and handed the ball back to an offense that had, Itself, been largely ineffective. The Cowboys needed to move into field-goal position, which they did, courtesy of three consecutive thlrd-and-long conversions. The last came on a pass on third-and-10 from the New York 38 to wide receiver Kevin Wiliams on the right sideline for 1 1 yards. Wiliams had to dive for the ball to make the catch. The little-used receiver had not caught a pass in three of the Cowboys past four games.

This was his third of the drive. I hope thats the switch that turns the Cowboys on," Wiliams said. By RON KROICHICK NY Times News Service SEATTLE The picture came together with remarkable clarity. Denver obediently lost earlier in the day. as did Miami.

The Oakland Raiders needed to clear only one more hurdle to clinch a playoff berth. Then they stepped on the field. The men in silver and black promptly fell apart They even fought among themselves, adding a lively sideshow to Seattles 44-10 joyride at the Kingdome. The Seahawks stayed alive In this wacky AFC wild-card race. The Raiders would have clinched a wild-card berth by winning Sunday night Instead they dropped their fifth consecutive game and moved perilously close to watching the playofls on television.

Somehow, defying all logic, the Raiders manage to play worse with each passing week. "I accept responsibility for a poorly prepared football team, coach Mike White said. It's a team lacking discipline, a team with veiy little confidence. When things dont go our way, we unravel." Or, as comerback Albert Lewis said, Tve never been lower and I've been around a long time." The Raiders let the playoffs slip out of their sole control. They are one of five wild-card hopefuls at 8-7 alongside Miami, Indianapolis, San Diego and Seattle.

None of the tiebreaking formulas favor the Raiders. Now, making the playoffs requires this: Oakland must beat Denver next Sunday at the Coliseum and hope other contenders stumble. Otherwise, the Raiders will spend a long offseason pondering what went wrong. Given this ugly, five-week collapse, even White was surprised to learn his team could still make the playoffs. "That seems like some sort of minor miracle to me," he said.

Not even quarterback Jeff Hostetler's return made ary difference. Hostetler started Sunday night, his first appearance since reinjuring his left shoulder November 19 against Dallas. He completed 10 of 20 passes before painfully landing on the shoulder In the third quarter. fijjrlL Hostetler. The Seahawks won, 44-10.

iweginiLiiniE throughout the playoffs wtth either a win or tie and a San Ftantisco lots either of its final two $une or with i Philadelphia loot or tie and two San Francisco losses, PHILADELPHIA: Clinched playoff spot Can clinch division title and flrst-, round bye with a win and a Dallas loss. Can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win and a Dallas loss ami a San Francisco loss in dtir oi its final two games, -RFC CENTRAL GREEK BAT; Clinched playoff spot Can clinch division title wtth win or tie or a Detroit loss or tie Can clinch first-round bye with a win and two San Francisco losses, DETROIT; Can clinch playoff spot wtth win or tie or a Minnesota loss in either of its last two games or an Atlanta loss or tie. Can clinch division title with a win and a Green Day loss. Can clinch a first-rohnd bye with a win and two San Francisco losses and a Green Bay loss. against the Arizona Cardinals, the 11-4 Cowboys can match their record from last season, win the NFC East and secure a first-round playoff bye.

They can also win the NFC East if the Eagles lose to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. With 3 12 minutes to play yesterday, aill of that was very much in doubt. Troy Alkman had just watched Phillippl Sparks intercept a pass Intended for Irvin. Alkman is still wondering how Sparks, who had harassed Irvin all day, caught the ball and stayed in bounds. At that point the Cowboys trailed 20-18, and the defense had done little to suggest that the offense would get another chance to score.

But, for the first time all home-field advantage throughout play-oil with a win or tie or a Pittsburgh loss or tie next week. OAKLAND: Can clinch a playoff spot with a win and either a Seattle loan or any two of the following: An Indlanapo- lls loss, a Miami loss and a San Diego toss. SAN DIEQO: Can clinch playoff spot with a win or either an Oakland loss and a Seattle lose or an Indianapolis loss and either a Miami loss or a Seattle toss. SEATTLE: Can clinch playoff spot with a win and any of the following: An Indianapolis loss or tie; a Miami toss or tie; or a San Diego loea or tie. a DCXVHt Can clinch playoff spot with a win and an Indianapolis loss and a Seattle win and either a Miami loss or a San Diego ka.

Rye EAST DALLAS: Clinched playoff spot. Can clinch division title and first-round bye wtth a win or tie or a Philadelphia loss or tie. Can clinch home-field advantage i on a 35-yard Chris Bonlol field goal, the Cowboys beat the Giants, 21-20. Afterward, there were the usual scenes that accompany winning. Smiles.

Laughter. Super fan Crazy Ray walking around the locker room. But mixed in with the relief of ending a two-game losing streak and retaining control of their last link to league superiority, the NFC East title, there was anxiety. Championship teams dont go down to the last play with the New York Giants," wide receiver Michael Irvin said. "Not to put the Giants down, but their record (5-10) speaks for themselves.

We dont want to make more of this win than it is." With a victory Christmas night BonioPs five FGs rescue Dallas, 21-20 Cleveland fans tearful over proposed move By JOSIE KARP NY Times News Service IRVING, Texas Last week. Cowboys guard Nate Newton talked about winning. Anyhow. Any way. By one point.

Yesterday, the Cowboys obliged. The defense could not stop New York Giants running back Rodney Hampton, who ran for 187 yards. Tlie Cowboys won anyhow. The offense could score only one touchdown. The Cowboys won anyway.

For almost an entire game they looked as listless as they had in back-to-back losses to the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. But the offense and the defense put together one spirited stand to come from behind and, By MJL KROPKO Associated Press Writer CLEVELAND r- Everything was a bit unusual Sunday at Cleveland Stadium. The mid-December sky was blue, a soft wind blew in off Lake Erie, and the Browns won what may be? their last home game as Cleveland's football team. Unless a growing movement to keep the team somehow overcomes long odds, the Cleveland Browns will be Baltimores NFL franchise in 1996. Ait Modell, Browns owner and president, made his deal with Baltimore public on Nov.

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