NFL: Week 17

Terence Newman chases Victor Cruz — AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman (41) chases New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) as he runs down the sideline to score on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes, including a momentum-grabbing 74-yarder to Cruz early, and the Giants claimed the final spot in the NFL playoffs, beating the Cowboys 31-14 on Sunday night to win the NFC East.

Giants send Cowboys to offseason>

Spoiler Chargers eliminate Raiders

Philip Rivers celebrates after throwing a touchdown — AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) celebrates with wide receiver Malcom Floyd (80) after throwing a touchdown to wide receiver Vincent Jackson during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif., Jan. 1, 2012. Rivers threw three touchdown passes as San Diego ended Oakland's playoff hopes by beating the Raiders 38-26.

Quarterback Kyle Orton (8) of the Kansas City Chiefs gestures toward the Denver Broncos bench as running back Dexter McCluster (22) of the Kansas City Chiefs rushes 21 yards for a first quarter touchdown at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Jan. 1, 2012, in Denver. Orton got his revenge in leading the Kansas City Chiefs to a 7-3 win over Denver, but it's the Broncos who clinched the AFC West and are headed to the postseason.

Cardinals win OT for fourth time

Larry Fitzgerald pulls in a one-handed pass — AP Photo/Paul Connors

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) pulls in a one-handed pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half Jan. 1, 2012, in Tempe, Ariz. Fitzgerald's spectacular one-handed grab set up a 28-yard field goal by Jay Feely to give Arizona a 23-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks, the Cardinals' fourth overtime victory at home in the last nine weeks of the season.

Redman lifts Steelers over Browns

Running back Isaac Redman (33) of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs by Eric Hagg (27) of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium Jan. 1, 2012, in Cleveland. Redman replaced an injured Rashard Mendenhall and ran for a touchdown as Pittsburgh limped into the AFC playoffs with a 13-9 win over Cleveland, the Steelers' 16th victory in 17 games against the Browns.

Rice, Ravens trip up Bengals to secure bye week

Ray Rice runs for a 70-yard touchdown — AP Photo/Darron Cummings

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) runs for a 70-yard touchdown in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals Jan. 1, 2012, in Cincinnati. Rice finished with 191 yards on 24 carries and set a club record with his 15th touchdown of the season, leading Baltimore to a 24-16 victory.

Falcons crush Bucs, clinch No. 5 seed

Julio Jones scores a touchdown — Getty Images/Grant Halverson

Julio Jones (11) of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown as defender Elbert Mack (33) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on at the Georgia Dome Jan. 1, 2012, in Atlanta. Jones caught two touchdown passes in a span of 26 seconds, Michael Turner ran for two scores and the Falcons used a team-record 42 first-half points to cruise to a 45-24 win.

Niners secure No. 2 seed in NFC

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree jogs into the end zone for a touchdown after catching a pass from 49ers kicker David Akers on a fake field goal attempt during the third quarter against the St. Louis Rams Jan. 1, 2012, in St. Louis. Record-setting kicker David Akers showed off a strong left arm to match his left leg in a 34-27 victory over the Rams.

Eagles end season with 4th straight win

Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field Jan. 1, 2012, in Philadelphia. Vick threw for 335 yards and three touchdown passes, including a 62-yarder to DeSean Jackson, and the Eagles beat the Redskins 34-10 for their fourth straight win.

Saints rout Panthers for 8th in a row

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes as Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Jason Shirley (71) rushes during the second quarter in New Orleans Jan. 1, 2012. Brees passed for 389 yards and five touchdowns, and the Saints set a slew of NFL and club records in a 45-17 blowout of the Panthers.

Patriots rally again, clinch No. 1 seed

Tom Brady looks to pass — AP Photo/Stephan Savoia

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to pass as Buffalo Bills linebackers Chris Kelsay (90) and Arthur Moats (52) close in during the first quarter in Foxborough, Mass., Jan. 1, 2012. The Patriots have clinched home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs by scoring the final 49 points in a 49-21 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Bears win; J. Allen short of sack mark

Charles Tillman celebrates his 22-yard interception return — AP Photo/Jim Mone

Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (33) celebrates his 22-yard interception return with cornerback Tim Jennings (26) in the first half in Minneapolis, Minn., Jan. 1, 2012. Tillman's interception return in the second quarter gave Chicago the lead for good, and the Bears finished the season by stopping their five-game losing streak with a 17-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings despite 3

Jets' season ends with loss to Dolphins

Jason Taylor is carried off the field — AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Jason Taylor (99) is carried off the field after winning against the New York Jets Jan. 1, 2012, in Miami. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 19-17. Taylor played his last game before retiring on Sunday.

Jags prevail, but Colts clinch top pick

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) makes a move to get past Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Ricardo Mathews (91) during the first half of an NFL football game Jan. 1, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jones-Drew ran for a season-high 169 yards -- clinching the NFL rushing title and breaking the franchise's single-season record -- and led the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 19-13 victory.

Titans edge gimpy Texans, stay alive

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck of the Tennessee Titans looks downfield as he is pressured out of the pocket against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium Jan. 1, 2012, in Houston. Hasselbeck threw two touchdown passes, and Tennessee staved off Houston's last-minute rally in a 23-22 victory. Tennessee earned its first winning record since 2008 in Mike Munchak's first season, but its postseason fate depended on the outcome of later games in Cincinnati, Oakland, Calif., and Denver.

Flynn stars in shootout win over Lions

Matt Flynn celebrates with teammate Ryan Taylor, Detroit Lions — AP Photo

Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn (10) celebrates with teammate Ryan Taylor (82) after throwing a touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson during the first half against the Detroit Lions Jan. 1, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. Flynn set franchise records with 480 yards passing and six touchdowns -- the final one to Jermichael Finley with 1:10 left -- giving the Packers a 45-41 victory over the Detroit Lions in a wild regular-season finale.