Buffalo Wild Wings

What started as a 32-team journey has been whittled down to the final two, who will settle the season on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis. See the twists and turns that have defined the Giants' and Patriots' marches to Super Bowl XLVI, as well as the 10 other playoff teams knocked out along the way.

    1. MILESTONE

    2. INJURY

      The Andy Dalton era begins, and a 2-yard TD pass to TE Jermaine Gresham gives the Bengals a 10-0 first-quarter lead. But a wrist injury to Dalton forced Bruce Gradkowski into action, and his fourth-quarter 41-yard TD pass to rookie WR A.J. Green was the go-ahead score in a 27-17 win at Cleveland.

    3. BIG GAME

      The Bengals' improving defense came up with 5 sacks of 49ers' QB Alex Smith and held the San Francisco offense to 226 total yards. But rookie QB Andy Dalton threw a pair of interceptions, and Marvin Lewis' team didn't score a touchdown as Cincinnati lost for the second straight week, 13-8.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BIG GAME

      Buffalo was 3-0 and had just snapped a 15-game losing streak to the Patriots. The Bengals had dropped 10 straight to the Bills and trailed 17-3 at halftime. But QB Andy Dalton overcame 2 INTs by throwing and running for a score, and Mike Nugent's 43-yard field goal won it at the gun, 23-20.

    2. BIG GAME

      The Bengals were starting to make comebacks a weekly occurrence as they fell behind the Jaguars 20-16 midway through the fourth quarter. But both the offense (RB Bernard Scott) and defense (DT Geno Atkins) scored touchdowns in the final 1:56 as Cincinnati won at Jacksonville, 30-20.

    2. BIG GAME

      Cincinnati had dropped seven straight to Indianapolis, all while Colts QB Peyton Manning was at the helm. But Andy Dalton threw for 264 yards and a TD to fellow rookie A.J. Green, Marvin Lewis' team forced three turnovers, and the Bengals' defense scored once again in a 27-17 win.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      The host Seahawks outgained the Bengals 411-252. But while Andy Dalton threw as many interceptions as TD passes (2), Cincinnati's special teams (Brandon Tate's 57-yard punt return) and defense (Reggie Nelson's 75-yard INT return) scored twice in the fourth quarter in a 34-12 victory.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      In a game that would eventually prove to be the difference between staying home and reaching the playoffs, the Bengals shut out the Titans in the second half and turned a 17-7 deficit at intermission into a 24-17 win, as rookie Andy Dalton finished the day with 217 yards and 3 touchdowns.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BIG GAME

      In the team's first real acid test of the season, the Bengals spotted the Steelers a 14-0 first-quarter lead but would tie the score at 17 in the third quarter. But Pittsburgh responded with a Rashard Mendenhall TD and intercepted Andy Dalton twice in the fourth quarter to win at Cincinnati, 24-17.

    2. INJURY

      Minus Pro Bowl rookie WR A.J. Green, Andy Dalton still managed to throw for a season-high 373 yards. But the rookie quarterback was also picked off a season-high three times in a 31-24 loss at Baltimore, the team's second straight loss after a 5-game winning streak.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      After a pair of tough losses to the Steelers and Ravens, Marvin Lewis' team trailed the rival Browns, 20-10, in the third quarter. But the Bengals scored 13 unanswered points, and a 51-yard catch by A.J. Green set up Mike Nugent's game-winning 26-yard field goal in the 23-20 win.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BIG GAME

      Off a 35-7 loss to Pittsburgh, the Bengals were feeling better after taking a 16-3 halftime lead over eventual AFC South champion Houston. But fellow rookie QB T.J. Yates drove his Texans 80 yards, and his 6-yard TD pass to Kevin Walter with 2 seconds left beat Cincinnati, 20-19.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. MILESTONE

      Off back-to-back wins over the Rams and Cardinals, the Bengals looked to wrap up a playoff berth with a win over Baltimore. Despite a 24-16 loss to the Ravens in which they allowed a season-high 221 yards rushing, Cincinnati earned a postseason invite when the Jets, Broncos and Raiders all lost.

    1. CIN 10
      HOU 31

      Bengals battered in Houston

      Andy Dalton threw three interceptions, including a game-changing pick six to J.J. Watt, as the Bengals were defeated by the Texans in Houston. Cincy hasn't won a playoff game since 1990, the longest active streak in the NFL.

    1. MILESTONE

      A 35-7 loss at Baltimore sees the Steelers drop their first season opener since 2002, as the Ravens roll up 385 yards while the defending AFC champions commit seven turnovers. It was Pittsburgh's worst loss since a 37-7 setback to Dallas in the 1997 season opener.

    1. BIG GAME

      Mike Tomlin's team bounced back from a Week 1 lopsided loss to the Ravens by shutting out the Seahawks, 24-0. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger threw for 298 yards and a touchdown, the one score and 126 of those yards courtesy of WR Mike Wallace on eight receptions.

    1. BIG GAME

      Pittsburgh opened an early 10-0 lead thanks mainly to Ben Roethlisberger's 81-yard TD connection with Mike Wallace. The Colts forged a 20-20 tie with 2:09 to play, but Roethlisberger drove his team 60 yards, and a 34-yard field goal with 4 seconds left capped off a 23-20 Sunday night win.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. INJURY

      Defending NFL rushing champion Arian Foster looked the part against the Steelers, running for 155 yards and a score in the Texans' 17-10 win. It was a long day for QB Ben Roethlisberger, who was sacked five times, while the team lost OLB James Harrison indefinitely to a broken orbital bone.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      The Steelers rolled up 431 yards of total offense in a convincing 38-17 win over the Titans, as Ben Roethlisberger threw for 228 yards and 5 touchdowns, including a pair to WR Hines Ward. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's running game amassed 174 yards, 107 by Jonathan Dwyer.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. MILESTONE

      In the teams' first meeting since Super Bowl XLIII, no late heroics were needed as Pittsburgh held off the Cardinals, 32-20. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 361 yards and three scores, including a 95-yard scoring strike to WR Mike Wallace in the second quarter -- the longest pass play in franchise history.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      Pittsburgh used a ball-control passing attack to keep QB Tom Brady on the sidelines in a 25-17 win over New England. Courtesy of a 36-of-50, 365-yard, 2-TD performance from Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers owned the ball for 39:22 and held the Patriots to a season-low 17 points.

    3. BIG GAME

      Trailing 16-6 in the fourth quarter, the Steelers rallied to take a 20-16 lead with 4:59 to play thanks to touchdowns by RB Rashard Mendenhall and WR Mike Wallace. But Pittsburgh couldn't prevent a 92-yard TD drive by QB Joe Flacco in a 23-20 loss, the second of the season to the Ravens.

    1. BIG GAME

      Pittsburgh jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead at Cincinnati, but QB Andy Dalton and company would eventually forge a 17-17 tie. A 9-yard TD run by Rashard Mendenhall gave the Steelers a 24-17 lead and a pair of interceptions preserved a 7-point victory.

    1. BIG GAME

      Rookie DE Cameron Heyward blocked a Bengals field goal attempt early to spark the Steelers, who exploded for 28 second-quarter points thanks to 2 TD runs by RB Rashard Mendenhall, the first of 2 Mike Wallace scores and a 60-yard punt return by Pro Bowl KR Antonio Brown in a 35-7 win.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. INJURY

      The Steelers took an early 7-0 lead over the Browns, but QB Ben Roethlisberger would go down in the second quarter with a high ankle sprain. But Big Ben ignored the pain and would finish with 280 yards and 2 scores (1 INT), while the defense intercepted QB Colt McCoy twice in a tough 14-3 win.

    1. BIG GAME

      In a Monday night showdown with the NFC West champion 49ers, a hobbled Ben Roethlisberger was ineffective despite throwing for 330 yards. The Steelers' quarterback threw three interceptions, was sacked three times and lost a fumble in a painful 20-3 loss at San Francisco.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      It was veteran QB Charlie Batch to the rescue, as well as the running game and defense, in a 27-0 win over the Rams. It was a big afternoon for RB Rashard Mendenhall, who totaled 151 yards from scrimmage (116 rushing) and a score, while the Steelers recorded their second shutout of the season.

    3. INJURY

      Still alive to win the AFC North heading into Week 17, the Steelers were forced to play to win with starters against the division-rival Browns. The result was an ultimately meaningless win (thanks to the Ravens' triumph over the Bengals) and a potentially devastating injury to running back Rashard Mendenhall.

    3. PIT 23
      DEN 29

      Steelers stunned in overtime

      The Steelers, one of the most storied NFL franchises, ran into a rejuvenated Tim Tebow and the Broncos, who prevailed on a shocking 80-yard pass play for a touchdown from Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime.

    2. MILESTONE

      In what proved to be the lone win in Denver's first five contests, then-starting QB Kyle Orton threw a pair of touchdown passes, and veteran RB Willis McGahee ran for 101 yards and a touchdown, as John Fox's team held off the Bengals, 24-22, in a meeting between eventual playoff teams.

    2. BIG GAME

      It was close but no cigar for John Fox's team in a 29-24 loss to the visiting Chargers. But the loss proved to be a springboard for the rest of the season, as Tim Tebow replaced Kyle Orton at QB in the third quarter, although a touchdown run and pass wasn't enough to bring Denver back.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. MILESTONE

      In his first start of 2011, Tim Tebow watched the Dolphins build a 15-0 fourth-quarter lead. But Tebow threw two TD passes in the final 2:44, while his 2-point conversion run following the second score sent the game into overtime. And Matt Prater's 52-yard field goal won it for the Broncos, 18-15.

    2. BIG GAME

      After a 45-10 home loss to the Lions, the Broncos turned a 17-7 deficit at Oakland into a 38-24 win, as both RB Willis McGahee (163 yards, 2 TDs) and Tim Tebow (118) rushed for 100-plus yards. Tebow added a pair of touchdown passes, and Eddie Royal returned a punt 85 yards for a TD.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BIG GAME

      John Fox's team turned to old-fashioned football, running for 244 yards on 55 carries, while QB Tim Tebow (who ran for a TD) completed only 2 of 8 passes attempts but one for a 55-yard score. Rookie OLB Von Miller added 7 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the 17-10 win at Kansas City.

    1. MILESTONE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      For the second straight game, OLB Von Miller totaled 1.5 sacks. Down 13-10 in the fourth quarter, Denver's lone TD of the game came on an INT return by CB Andre Goodman. But Tim Tebow capped a 95-yard drive with a 20-yard TD run with 58 seconds left to beat the Jets, 17-13.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      The Chargers opened up a 10-0 second-quarter lead over the Broncos in a game where Tim Tebow would total more rushing attempts (22) than passing attempts (18). But it was reliable Matt Prater who scored the game's final nine points, including a 37-yard field goal in OT for a 16-13 win.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BIG GAME

      Denver got a solid game for RB Willis McGahee, who rushed for 111 yards and a score, and a pair of TD passes from Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas, who totaled 144 of Tebow's 202 passing yards. But two more Matt Prater field goals, the second as time expired, gave Denver a 35-32 win at Minnesota.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      The Bears owned a 10-0 fourth-quarter lead. But QB Tim Tebow threw a 10-yard TD pass to Demaryius Thomas with 2:08 to play, Matt Prater hit a 59-yard field with 3 seconds left to send the game into OT, and a Marion Barber fumble set up Prater's game-winner from 51 yards out.

    2. BIG GAME

      Denver rushed for 167 yards in the first quarter, and John Fox's team owned a 16-7 second-quarter lead over the hot Patriots. But the Broncos committed three turnovers in the second quarter and turned a 9-point lead into a 27-16 halftime deficit, and eventually a 41-23 loss to Tom Brady and company.

    2. BIG GAME

      Hard-running Tim Tebow gave Denver a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter at Buffalo and also threw a touchdown pass, but those would be the lone bright spots for the Broncos quarterback, as two of his four turnovers (3 INT, 1 lost fumble) were returned for scores in a 40-14 setback.

    3. MILESTONE

      The Broncos would fall for the third straight week as former starter Kyle Orton returned to the Mile High City with the Chiefs, and Kansas City came away with a 7-3 win. But when the Raiders lost at home to San Diego, Denver claimed its first AFC West title and playoff berth since 2005.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      Tim Tebow hit Demaryius Thomas for the winning score on the first play of overtime to oust the defending AFC champion Steelers. At 11 seconds, it was the shortest overtime period in NFL history.

    1. DEN 10
      NE 45

      Patriots halt Tebow Time

      One of the 2011 NFL season's most exciting storylines came to a humbling conclusion in Foxborough, Mass., with the Broncos on the wrong end of a 45-10 dismantling at the hands of the playoff-tested Patriots.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. MILESTONE

      For just the third time in 19 tries -- and the first not facing Peyton Manning -- Houston defeated the Colts, rolling to a 34-0 halftime lead en route to a lopsided win. Houston was missing 2010 NFL rushing champion Arian Foster, but second-year RB Ben Tate ran for 116 yards and a TD in the win.

    1. BIG GAME

      The Texans ran their lifetime record vs. the Dolphins to 6-0 thanks to a 23-13 win at Miami. For the second straight week, Ben Tate rushed for 100-plus yards, running for 82 of his 103 in the second half, as Arian Foster returned but reinjured his hamstring in the second quarter.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BIG GAME

      Just when coordinator Wade Phillips and Houston's new-look defense was starting to open some eyes, they ran into QB Drew Brees. And after giving up just 37 points in their first 11 quarters, the Saints' offense exploded for 23 points in the final 7:10 as the Texans fell at the Superdome, 40-33.

    1. INJURY

      The good news in a 17-10 win over the Steelers was that RB Arian Foster looked very healthy, carrying 30 times for 155 yards and a touchdown. The bad news was another hamstring injury, and the victim was perennial Pro Bowl WR Andre Johnson, who went to the turf untouched in the second quarter.

    1. INJURY

      It was a very bad day for the Texans in a home loss to the Raiders, as QB Matt Schaub theow an interception in the end zone from the 5-yard line on the final play of the game. Even worse was the loss of OLB Mario Williams, done for the season after tearing a pectoral muscle in the 25-20 setback.

    1. BIG GAME

      The Texans' 3-1 start was all but forgotten following a 29-14 loss at Baltimore, the team's second straight setback, which saw Houston's supposedly-improved defense give up 402 total yards. And while QB Matt Schaub threw for 220 yards and a score, he was sacked a season-high four times.

    1. BIG GAME

      Off two straight losses and with just two wins in nine previous trips to Nashville, Gary Kubiak's team overwhelmed the host Titans as Arian Foster totaled 100-plus yards both rushing (115) and receiving (119) and scored 3 touchdowns, while Ben Tate added 104 yards on the ground in a 41-7 victory.

    1. INJURY

      Houston's offense rolled up 420 yards in a 37-9 win at Tampa, as Matt Schaub completed 11 of 15 passes for 242 yards and a pair of touchdowns. But the victory was severely tempered when it was learned that the Texans' quarterback would miss the remainder of the season with a Lisfranc injury.

    1. INJURY

      Making his first start in two seasons, QB Matt Leinart's 2011 campaign was short-lived as he threw a TD pass in a 20-13 win at Jacksonville but also broke his collarbone. On the brighter side, WR Andre Johnson returned after a 6-game absence and OLB Connor Barwin had four of the team's seven sacks.

    1. BIG GAME

      For the third time in three games, the Texans had a new starting quarterback as rookie T.J. Yates threw for 188 yards and a score in a 17-10 win over Atlanta. While Arian Foster ran for 111 yards and a touchdown, Andre Johnson injured his other hamstring (left) after catching 4 passes for 97 yards.

    1. MILESTONE

      Thanks to QB T.J. Yates' 2-yard TD pass to WR Kevin Walter with 2 seconds to play, the Texans not only rallied from a 16-3 deficit for a 20-19 victory at Cincinnati, but they clinched their first division title, their first-ever playoff berth, as well as the first 10-win season in franchise history.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BIG GAME

      Off a loss to Carolina, Gary Kubiak's team jumped to a 7-0 lead over the Colts less than a minute into the game. But Colts QB Dan Orlovsky threw a 1-yard TD pass to Reggie Wayne with 19 seconds left for a 19-16 win and kept the Texans winless all-time at Indianapolis (0-10). It cost Houston a shot at a first-round bye.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. MILESTONE

      Rookie defensive end J.J. Watt returned an interception for a touchdown, and Andre Johnson and Arian Foster put the game away with second-half scores to power the Texans over the Bengals.

    2. HOU 13
      BAL 20

      Turnovers costly for Texans

      A fierce defense led by linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed came up with four turnovers, preventing the Texans from reaching their first AFC Championship Game in franchise history.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BIG GAME

      Ravens RB Ray Rice ran 36 yards on the team's first play from scrimmage, Joe Flacco threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin two plays later, and Baltimore was on its way to a 35-7 rout of the Steelers. Rice finished with 149 yards from scrimmage and two scores.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      It was a coming-out party for speedy Ravens rookie WR Torrey Smith, who made the first three catches of his NFL career all count, scoring from 74, 41 and 18 yards -- all in the first quarter -- as Baltimore bounced back from a loss at Tennessee to rout the Rams, 37-7.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      On a Sunday night at Baltimore in which the offense totaled just 267 yards and scored one touchdown, the defense took matters into its own hands, returning three turnovers by QB Mark Sanchez for touchdowns (2 fumbles, 1 interception) in a 34-17 win over the Jets.

    1. BIG GAME

      In arguably their most impressive outing of the season, the Ravens outgained the visiting Texans 402-293 and scored the final 16 points of the game in a 29-14 win. The defense sacked QB Matt Schaub four times, one of those by LB Ray Lewis, who had a game-high 12 tackles in the victory.

    1. BIG GAME

      John Harbaugh's team found itself down 24-3 in the second quarter to the visiting Cardinals. But three short TD runs by RB Ray Rice were part of a rally that ended with a 30-27 win thanks to a 25-yard field goal by PK Billy Cundiff on the final play of the game.

    3. MILESTONE

      Pittsburgh owned a 20-16 advantage with less than 5 minutes to play. But Joe Flacco capped off a 92-yard drive with a 26-yard TD toss to rookie Torrey Smith with just 8 seconds to play as the Ravens completed their first sweep of the Steelers since 2006 courtesy of a 23-20 victory.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. INJURY

      Once again, John Harbaugh's team couldn't sustain the momentum built by a big win as the Ravens ran for just 75 yards and turned over the ball three times (including two fumbled kickoffs by KR David Reed) in a 22-17 loss at Seattle. More significantly, veteran LB Ray Lewis went down with a toe injury.

    1. BIG GAME

      In a first-place showdown between 6-3 teams, the Ravens held on for a 31-24 win over the visiting Bengals. Unsung LB Jameel McClain led the Ray Lewis-less defense with 9 tackles while rookie CB Jimmy Smith had one of the team's three interceptions of Bengals rookie QB Andy Dalton.

    1. MILESTONE

      The Thanksgiving night showdown with the 49ers -- the first ever between head-coaching brothers -- went to John Harbaugh and the Ravens, as LB Terrell Suggs had three of the team's franchise-record nine sacks in Baltimore's 16-6 win. Joe Flacco's 8-yard TD pass to TE Dennis Pitta was the game's only touchdown.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      The Ravens avoided the potential upset bug at Cleveland by grinding out a 24-10 win at Cleveland. Led by RB Ray Rice's 204 yards rushing and a touchdown on 29 carries, Baltimore ran 55 times for 290 yards, while ILB Dannell Ellerbe had seven tackles filling in for injured ILB Ray Lewis.

    3. MILESTONE

      Despite a somewhat-disturbing 34-14 Sunday night loss at San Diego, the Ravens did get two pieces of good news as John Harbaugh's team had already wrapped up a playoff berth for the fourth straight year while veteran Ray Lewis returned to the lineup and led the Ravens with 10 tackles.

    2. BIG GAME

      A fierce defense led by linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed came up with four turnovers, leading the Ravens to a 20-13 victory over the Texans and into the AFC Championship Game.

    1. BAL 20
      NE 23

      Missed field goal dooms Ravens

      Billy Cundiff's 32-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide left, taking the Ravens' Super Bowl hopes with it. Instead, the Patriots advanced to the Super Bowl for their fifth appearance under coach Bill Belichick.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      After spotting the host Dolphins an early 7-0 lead, it would prove to be a huge evening for Patriots QB Tom Brady, who would throw for 517 yards (fifth-highest single-game total in NFL history) and 4 scores, including a record-tying 99-yard TD strike to WR Wes Welker, in a 38-24 win.

    3. BIG GAME

      Tom Brady followed his 517-yard effort vs. the Dolphins by throwing for only 423 yards and 3 TDs in a 35-21 win over San Diego. New England gave up 378 passing yards and two scores to Philip Rivers, but DT Vince Wilfork rumbled with one of two interceptions of the Chargers' QB.

    3. MILESTONE

      While all good things must come to an end, it didn't figure to be all at once. New England blew a 21-0 lead in a 34-31 loss at Buffalo, ending their 15-game winning streak vs. the Bills. And after throwing just four interceptions during all of 2010, Tom Brady was picked off four times in the loss.

    3. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      The Patriots avenged their 2010 playoff loss to the Jets with a 30-21 win. While Tom Brady threw for 321 yards and a score, the key was RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who finished with 27 carries for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns, 59 yards on 10 attempts on the team's final drive of the game.

    3. BIG GAME

      For the second time in four weeks, the Patriots committed four turnovers and found themselves down 16-13 with the ball at their own 20-yard line with 2:31 to play. But Tom Brady capped a 10-play drive with an 8-yard TD pass to TE Aaron Hernandez with 22 seconds left to beat Dallas, 20-16.

    3. BIG GAME

      It was a frustrating afternoon for the usually explosive Patriots, who were held to a season-low 17 points in a 25-17 loss at Pittsburgh in which the Steelers controlled the ball for nearly 40 minutes, while limiting Tom Brady to a season-low 198 passing yards (2 TDs) and sacking him three times.

    3. MILESTONE

      New England owned a 13-10 lead in the fourth quarter of this Super Bowl XLII rematch, but the teams combined for three scores in the final 3:03. Eli Manning's 1-yard TD toss to TE Jake Ballard with 15 seconds left beat the Pats, 24-20, and snapped their 20-game regular-season home winning streak.

    3. BIG GAME

      Down 9-6 in the second quarter to the Jets, Tom Brady threw an 18-yard TD pass to TE Rob Gronkowski nine seconds before intermission. Brady would finish with 329 yards and three scores, and LB Rob Ninkovich returned a Mark Sanchez interception 12 yards for a score to cap a 37-16 win.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      Down 10-0 to the Eagles midway through the first quarter, it was mostly Patriots the rest of the way as RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis scored twice and WRs Wes Welker and Deion Branch combined for 14 catches for 240 yards. Tom Brady threw for 361 yards and 3 more TD passes, 2 to Welker, in a 38-20 victory.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. MILESTONE

      New England outlasted the game Redskins, 34-27, when LB Jerod Mayo intercepted QB Rex Grossman at the New England 5-yard line in the closing minute. Rugged TE Rob Gronkowski caught six passes for 160 yards and a pair of scores and set a new NFL record for TD receptions by a tight end (15).

    3. BIG GAME

      The Patriots gave up 167 yards rushing in the first quarter and trailed 16-7 in the second, but Bill Belichick's team took advantage of three Broncos' turnovers in the second quarter and outscored Denver 34-7 the rest of the way for a 41-23 win. A loss by the Jets gave the Pats the AFC East title.

    3. BIG GAME

      Bill Belichick's team spotted visiting Miami a 17-0 halftime lead but the Patriots would come all the way back as Tom Brady would throw for 304 yards and a score (the 10th 300-yard passing performance of the season) as New England secured a first-round bye courtesy of a 27-24 victory.

    1. MILESTONE

    2. BIG GAME

      Tom Brady's way of dealing with Tebowmania was to silence it with a record-tying performance. Brady threw six touchdowns passes, including five in the first half, and put the Patriots into the AFC Championship for the sixth time during the Bill Belichick era.

    2. BIG GAME

      The Patriots booked a fifth Super Bowl appearance under coach Bill Belichick after Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff's potential game-tying boot sailed wide left in the closing moments of the AFC Championship Game.

    3. NYG 21
      NE 17

      Patriots fall again to Giants

      Tom Brady and the Patriots were one-upped by Eli Manning and the Giants once again, as New York rallied for a last-minute score to defeat New England 21-17.

    1. BIG GAME

      The Giants' summer had been marked by injuries, arguably the biggest to CB Terrell Thomas, the team's leading tackler and interceptor in 2010. And the New York defense didn't appear to be ready for Redskins' QB Rex Grossman, who threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns in Washington's 28-14 win.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BIG GAME

      It was tale of three games at Philadelphia as the Giants bolted to a 14-0 first-quarter lead, fell behind 16-14, then scored 15 unanswered points in a 29-16 win. Eli Manning threw four TD passes, including a pair to speedy WR Victor Cruz -- in the lineup in place of injured WR Mario Manningham.

    1. BIG GAME

      Down by 10 at Arizona with 5:16 to play, QB Eli Manning continued his better-late-than-never theme by throwing a pair of touchdown passes in the fourth quarter for the second straight week, the second a 29-yard score to Hakeem Nicks with 2:39 to play as Tom Coughlin's crew survived, 31-27.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BIG GAME

      The struggling Seahawks were perhaps thought to be easy prey, but the Giants' defense, despite six sacks of Seattle quarterbacks, gave up 424 total yards. Meanwhile, Eli Manning threw for 420 yards and three touchdowns but also committed four of the team's five turnovers in a disturbing 36-25 home setback.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      The Bills' big-play offense had already produced touchdowns of 80 and 60 yards in the first quarter. But Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 104 of what would be a season-high 122 yards rushing for New York, as well as three touchdowns, and a late Lawrence Tynes field goal was the difference in a 27-24 win.

    2. BIG GAME

      The winless Dolphins were back at the Meadowlands for the second time in three weeks and opened up a 14-3 second-quarter lead. But it was another big day for Eli Manning, who threw for 349 yards and 2 scores, the second a 25-yard pass to Victor Cruz with 5:58 remaining in a 20-17 win.

    3. BIG GAME

      In the teams' first meeting since Super Bowl XLII, Eli Manning did what he does best and that's beating the Patriots with late heroics. The teams combined for three TDs in the final 3:03, including Manning's 1-yard score to TE Jake Ballard with only 15 seconds left in a 24-20 victory.

    2. BIG GAME

      In a showdown between division leaders, Tom Coughlin's team took a 13-12 lead into the fourth quarter. But a short punt and an interception proved costly as the 49ers scored a pair of touchdowns in a 1:01 span and this time, Eli Manning didn't have enough down the stretch to avoid a 27-20 loss.

    2. BIG GAME

      The Giants were without Ahmad Bradshaw, but he doesn't play defense and that was the issue for Tom Coughlin's team in a 49-24 Monday night loss at the Superdome as the Saints rolled up 577 total yards while Drew Brees threw for 363 yards and four touchdowns.

    2. BIG GAME

      Off three straight losses, the Giants forged a 35-35 tie with the undefeated Packers with 58 seconds to play thanks to Eli Manning's 2-yard TD pass to Hakeem Nicks and a 2-point conversion. But it took Aaron Rodgers five plays to set up Mason Crosby's 31-yard field goal at the gun and a 38-35 win.

    2. BIG GAME

      In a shootout in Dallas, Eli Manning threw for 400 yards and two scores as the Giants rallied from a 34-22 deficit with 5:41 left and took a 3-point lead with 46 seconds to play. And DE Jason Pierre-Paul (2 sacks) blocked Dan Bailey's 47-yard field goal attempt in the closing seconds to preserve a 37-34 win.

    1. MILESTONE

    2. BIG GAME

      The battle of New York was once again played in New Jersey, and it went to the Giants for the fifth consecutive time, 29-14. Although Giants' QB Eli Manning was just 9 of 27 for 225 yards and a touchdown, 99 of those yards and the lone scoring pass went to Victor Cruz in the second quarter.

    2. BIG GAME

      It was winner take all at the Meadowlands and Tom Coughlin's team opened a 21-0 halftime lead over Dallas en route to a 31-14 win as Eli Manning threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns. The 9-7 Giants became the first team to win the NFC East with fewer than 10 victories.

    3. MILESTONE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes -- including two to Hakeem Nicks -- and the Giants ran all over the inept Falcons.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      For Eli Manning and the Giants, Lambeau Field has become a familiar launching pad. The Giants beat the Packers at home for the second time in four years, earning a trip to San Francisco.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      It's déjà vu all over again for New York, which needed overtime to prevail in an NFC Championship Game to advance to play the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      Just as Eli Manning did four years ago when the Giants ruined New England's perfect season, he guided them 88 yards to the decisive touchdown, this one coming with 57 seconds left.

    3. MILESTONE

      Clinging to a 2-point lead in the fourth quarter against the defending NFC West champion Seahawks, oft-criticized KR Ted Ginn returned a kickoff 102 yards and a punt 55 yards for scores less than a minute apart as Jim Harbaugh's head coaching debut was a success, 33-17.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      An ankle injury limited RB Frank Gore at Cincinnati as the Pro Bowl runner was held to 42 yards on 17 carries. But enter fourth-round draft choice Kendall Hunter, with 8 of his 9 carries and 22 of his 26 rushing yards coming in the fourth quarter, including a 7-yard TD run in the 49ers' 13-8 win.

    1. BIG GAME

      Down 23-3 in the third quarter at Philadelphia, Jim Harbaugh's travel strategy (staying east after playing at Cincinnati) was probably questioned. But the 49ers rallied for 21 unanswered points via two scores from QB Alex Smith and a 12-yard TD run by Frank Gore with 3:00 to play in a 24-23 win.

    3. BIG GAME

      San Francisco ran its record to 4-1, the team's best start since 2002, in a 48-3 rout of the Buccaneers. It was an overall team effort from the Niners, who saw Frank Gore run for 125 yards and a score, Alex Smith throw for 3 touchdowns and rookie LB Aldon Smith pick up a pair of sacks.

    1. BIG GAME

      Trailing 19-15 in the fourth quarter against the unbeaten Lions, Ted Ginn's 40-yard punt return set up unsung TE Delanie Walker's 6-yard TD catch with 1:56 to play in the Niners' 25-19 win. Of course, the postgame handshake between Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz earned more attention.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      Injured RB Frank Gore gained 0 first-half yards on 6 carries. Down 13-12 in the fourth, the 49ers scored two quick touchdowns via TE Vernon Davis' 31-yard catch and then Kendall Hunter's 17-yard run (following a Carlos Rogers interception), then held on for a 27-20 win over the Giants.

    2. BIG GAME

      San Francisco's defense intercepted Cardinals' QB John Skelton three times and kept Arizona out of the end zone until midway through the fourth quarter. Rookie OLB Aldon Smith ran his sack total to 10.5 for the season as the 49ers ran their winning streak to 8 straight games, 23-7.

    1. MILESTONE

      In a Thanksgiving showdown with the Ravens, it proved to be a long night for 49ers QB Alex Smith, who was sacked 9 times while his team was limited to just two field goals as the first-ever battle between head coaching brothers went John's way, 16-6, ending the Niners' 8-game winning streak.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. MILESTONE

      The good news was that Alex Smith threw for 274 yards and two scores in a 26-0 win over the Rams, clinching the NFC West and sending the 49ers to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. The bad news was that perennial Pro Bowl ILB Patrick Willis suffered a hamstring injury.

    3. BIG GAME

      In a Monday night clash of top defenses, the 49ers stifled hobbled QB Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers, 20-3. And ILB Larry Grant, starting his second straight game for the injured Patrick Willis, was all over the field, totaling 4 tackles and knocking down a game-high 4 passes.

    2. MILESTONE

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. MILESTONE

      Alex Smith completed a 14-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis with nine seconds left, answering a late go-ahead score for the Saints and sending the 49ers to their first NFC Championship Game since the 1997 season.

    2. NYG 20
      SF 17

      49ers knocked off by Giants in OT

      Two botched punt returns by Kyle Williams helped set up Giants points, including the winning field goal in overtime, as the upstart 49ers were foiled in their quest for a sixth Super Bowl appearance.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      Talk about opening with a bang. Mike McCarthy's team held on for a thrilling 42-34 win over the Saints in a battle between the last two Super Bowl champions and found a new weapon in rookie RB Randall Cobb, who caught a 32-yard TD pass and returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown.

    1. INJURY

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      The Packers found themselves trailing the Panthers 13-0 in the second quarter, but Aaron Rodgers would throw for 308 yards and a pair of scores, including an 84-yard TD to WR Jordy Nelson, while CB Charles Woodson had three of Green Bay's four takeaways, including two of Cam Newton's three INTs.

    1. BIG GAME

      In a rematch of last season's NFC title game, the results were the same. Green Bay posted a 27-17 win at Chicago as TE Jermichael Finley caught all three of Aaron Rodgers' TD tosses. Second-year SS Morgan Burnett, who missed most of his rookie season, picked off Bears' QB Jay Cutler twice.

    1. BIG GAME

      Mike McCarthy's team was clicking in a 49-23 rout of the visiting Broncos as QB Aaron Rodgers threw for 408 yards and 4 touchdowns (1 INT), plus ran for a pair of scores. And CB Charles Woodson made it 11 interception returns for touchdowns when he returned a Kyle Orton pick 30 yards.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. INJURY

      In the team's second playoff rematch in three weeks, the Packers spotted the host Falcons a 14-0 second-quarter lead before scoring the game's final 25 points. While Aaron Rodgers threw for 396 yards and two scores, he was sacked four times as veteran LT Chad Clifton went down with a hamstring injury.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      The Packers picked off Chargers' QB Philip Rivers three times, returning two for touchdowns, in a 45-38 win. And Charlie Peprah (a starter after Nick Collins went down in Week 2) not only had one theft for a score (40 yards), his second interception and 76-yard return helped end a late San Diego rally.

    3. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    1. BIG GAME

      The Packers were hardly sharp at Ford Field on Thanksgiving Day, but the Lions were their own worst penalty-plagued enemies. And a 7-0 halftime lead would turn into a 24-0 third-quarter advantage as the Green Bay defense intercepted QB Matthew Stafford three times in Green Bay's 27-15 win.

    2. MILESTONE

      The host Giants forged a 35-35 tie with 58 seconds left. But Aaron Rodgers led the team 68 yards in five plays and Mason Crosby's 32-yard field goal not only ran the team's record to a perfect 12-0, the Lions' loss later that night at the Superdome gave the Packers the NFC North title.

    2. INJURY

      Another decisive victory for the defending Super Bowl champions as QB Aaron Rodgers and company rolled to a 31-0 halftime lead and a 46-16 win over the Raiders. But the win was somewhat marred by a knee injury to WR Greg Jennings while NT Ryan Pickett suffered a concussion.

    1. INJURY

      In a big-time shocker, the Packers saw their 19-game overall winning streak come to an end at Arrowhead Stadium as Romeo Crennel's Chiefs held on for a 19-14 stunning win. More importantly, the champs lost a pair of blockers in RT Bryan Bulaga and rookie Derek Sherrod, the latter for the season.

    3. MILESTONE

      It was a Merry Christmas for the Pack, who rebounded from the loss to the Chiefs via a 35-21 win over Chicago that wrapped up a team-record 14th win and the NFC's top seed as Aaron Rodgers threw a career-high 5 TD passes and wasn't sacked behind a new-look line featuring RT T.J. Lang.

    1. MILESTONE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      With Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines resting up for the playoffs, backup QB (and soon-to-be free agent) Matt Flynn made the most of his opportunity, throwing for 480 yards and six touchdowns (both franchise records) as the Packers topped the Lions 45-41 in a wild offensive shootout at snowy Lambeau.

    3. NYG 37
      GB 20

      Quest to repeat ends in heartbreaker

      The Packers' ambitions to repeat as Super Bowl champions came to a crashing end in a devastating divisional playoff loss to the visiting Giants, who also dealt the team a painful defeat in the 2007 NFC Championship Game.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BIG GAME

      It was close but no cigar for Sean Payton's team at Lambeau Field. Drew Brees threw for 419 yards and 3 touchdowns, but with an opportunity to send the game into overtime, rookie RB Mark Ingram was stopped at the Packers' 1-yard line on the final play of the game in a 42-34 loss.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BIG GAME

      New Orleans spotted the visiting Bears a 7-0 first-quarter lead but it was all Saints after that as the defense sacked QB Jay Cutler six times while QB Drew Brees and company outscored Chicago 30-6 the rest of the way as Sean Payton's team won comfortably minus injured WR Marques Colston.

    2. BIG GAME

      A new-look Texans defense was proving to be more than a handful for Drew Brees, whose second interception of the game set up a Houston touchdown and put the Saints in a 26-17 fourth-quarter hole. But Brees led his team to 23 points in less than a quarter as New Orleans rallied for a 40-33 win.

    2. BIG GAME

      Despite throwing for 359 yards and 2 scores (1 INT), Drew Brees looked like he would be outdone by rookie QB Cam Newton as Carolina owned a 27-23 fourth-quarter lead. But Brees capped off an 89-yard drive with a 6-yard toss to RB Pierre Thomas with 50 seconds left and the Saints survived, 30-27.

    2. BIG GAME

      The Saints' offense rolled up 453 yards of total offense and Drew Brees threw for 383 yards and a score. But the perennial Pro Bowler also threw a season-high 3 interceptions, the last of those coming in the Buccaneers' end zone with just over three minutes to play in a 26-20 loss at Tampa Bay.

    2. MILESTONE

      It was a short evening for Drew Brees and a long night for the visiting Colts as the Saints' signal-caller completed 31 of 35 passes for 325 yards and 5 touchdowns in only three quarters of play as Sean Payton's club set a franchise record for points scored in a 62-7 Sunday night win over Indianapolis.

    2. BIG GAME

      The 0-6 Rams had scored 56 points in six games, while the Saints were coming off a 62-point explosion vs. the Colts. So naturally, St. Louis rolled to a 31-21 win behind Steven Jackson's 159 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Drew Brees was picked off twice and sacked six times in the upset loss.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. MILESTONE

      For the 37th straight game, Drew Brees threw a TD pass (second-longest streak in NFL history). More importantly, the Saints were given new life in overtime when the Falcons opted to go on fourth-and-1 at their own 29. Four plays later, John Kasay's 26-yard FG gave the Saints a 26-23 win.

    2. BIG GAME

      Following a scoreless first quarter by both teams, the Saints made it look easy against the visiting Giants as Drew Brees would finish the evening with 363 yards and 4 touchdown passes and wasn't sacked. Sean Payton's club rolled up 577 total yards in a Monday night thrashing, 49-24.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      While QB Drew Brees threw for 342 yards and 3 scores, including a 67-yard TD to WR Robert Meachem, in a 31-17 win over the Lions, the bigger news was the return of Jonathan Vilma, who totaled a team-high 10 tackles after missing the previous three games following knee surgery.

    2. MILESTONE

      In a performance reminiscent of the prime-time win over Indianapolis, Drew Brees carved up the Minnesota secondary in completing 80 percent of his throws (32 of 40) for 412 yards and 5 scores in a 42-20 win over the Vikings. It was the Saints' first win at the Metrodome since 1993 (five straight losses).

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. MILESTONE

      A memorable Monday night at the Superdome as QB Drew Brees threw for 307 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 45-16 win over Atlanta. His final pass of the game was a 9-yard TD to Darren Sproles that gave Brees 5,087 yards, a new single-season NFL mark, and the Saints the NFC North title.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. MILESTONE

    1. BIG GAME

      Drew Brees continued where he left off during a record-setting regular season, throwing for 466 yards and three touchdowns in a rout of the Lions.

    1. NO 32
      SF 36

      Saints ousted in classic

      The resurgent 49ers capitalized on five New Orleans turnovers for a thrilling 36-32 playoff victory, sending the Saints' record-setting offense home without a second Super Bowl appearance in three years.

    2. BIG GAME

      The good news for the Falcons was a defensive performance that limited the Bears to 88 yards rushing and sacked QB Jay Cutler five times. The bad news was that Cutler managed to throw for 312 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while the Atlanta offense failed to find the end zone in a 30-12 loss at Chicago.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      Michael Vick made his first start against his former team and rallied the Eagles from a 21-10 deficit to a 31-21 lead late in the third quarter. But Matt Ryan's fourth touchdown pass of the game and a 3-yard TD run by RB Michael Turner with 4:48 to play were the difference in a 35-31 win.

    3. BIG GAME

      The Falcons had beaten the Buccaneers five consecutive times and with Matt Ryan throwing for 330 yards and a score, you would expect a similar result. But Ryan was sacked four times as the Atlanta ground game managed only 30 yards on 15 carries and a late rally couldn't prevent a 16-13 loss.

    3. BIG GAME

      The host Falcons appeared primed to avenge last year's playoff loss to the eventual Super Bowl champions as Atlanta took a 14-0 second quarter lead. But Mike Smith's team wouldn't score the rest of the evening and despite sacking Aaron Rodgers four times, they couldn't prevent a 25-14 setback.

    3. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      If it's the Panthers, it must be Michael Turner, who rumbled for 139 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. But the Falcons needed 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to put away the Panthers and rookie QB Cam Newton, who ran for a score but was picked off three times in Atlanta's 31-17 win.

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      The Falcons would be without injured rookie wideout Julio Jones for the second straight game and were facing a Lions team coming off its first loss of 2011 after a 5-0 start. But Michael Turner's 122 yards rushing on 27 carries helped Atlanta control the ball for nearly 35 minutes in a 23-16 victory.

    1. MILESTONE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      The Falcons wasted little time putting away the winless Colts as Matt Ryan threw for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns, including scores of 50 and 80 yards to rookie WR Julio Jones as Atlanta beat the Colts for only the second time in 15 tries and the first time in either Baltimore or Indianapolis.

    3. BIG GAME

      Atlanta was down 23-13 with 7:13 to play. But a Tony Gonzalez TD and Matt Bryant's 27-yard field goal as time expired sent the game into overtime. In OT, Mike Smith opted to go on fourth-and 1 at his 29, but the decision backfired and John Kasay's 26-yard boot gave New Orleans the win.

    3. BIG GAME

      In what could be deemed a possible Super Bowl preview, Matt Ryan found out how improved the Texans' defense was, throwing for one score while being intercepted twice in a tough 17-10 loss that also saw Atlanta's usually-solid run defense give up 162 yards, 111 by Arian Foster.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      After taking a 7-0 first-quarter lead at Carolina, the Falcons watched the Panthers score the next 23 points to take a 16-point lead at intermission. But the remainder of the game belonged to Matt Ryan, who threw two of his four TD passes that day to Julio Jones (17 and 75 yards) in the 31-23 win.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      The Falcons were going to the playoffs for a second straight year for the first time in team history and could still win the NFC South. But after taking a 10-7 first-quarter lead Atlanta got only two field goals the rest of the night and had no answers for record-setting QB Drew Brees in a 45-16 loss.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. ATL 2
      NYG 24

      Falcons go one-and-done again

      For the second consecutive year, the Falcons' season came to an abrupt end with a humbling playoff setback. Eli Manning threw for three touchdowns and the Falcons offense never got on track in the 24-2 rout.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      QB Matthew Stafford overcomes an early interception return for a score via Buccaneers' CB Aqib Talib by throwing for 305 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a pair to WR Calvin Johnson, as the Lions won at Tampa for the second time in less than a year, 27-20.

    3. BIG GAME

      After gaining 50 yards of offense and falling behind 20-0 in the first half at the Metrodome, the Lions scored 23 consecutive points to take a 3-point lead with 2:30 to play. The Vikings tied the game just over a minute later, then Detroit won it in overtime via PK Jason Hanson's 32-yard FG, 26-23.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    2. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      Jim Schwartz's team dug itself a huge hole for the second straight week and trailed by 24 points in the third quarter before a pair of interception returns for scores and the fourth straight game with two Matthew Stafford-to-Calvin Johnson TDs led the Lions to a stunning 34-30 win at Dallas.

    3. MILESTONE

      Playing and hosting a Monday night game for the first time since 2001, the Lions got a 73-yard TD reception from Matthew Stafford to WR Calvin Johnson and an 88-yard touchdown run from RB Jahvid Best and held off Chicago, 24-13, raising their record to 5-0, the franchise's best start since 1956.

    3. INJURY

      All good things must come to an end and the Lions' saw their nine-game winning streak end at the hand of the 49ers, who rallied from a 10-0 first-quarter deficit for a 25-19 win. More significantly, Detroit's running game was limited to 66 yards on 18 carries and RB Jahvid Best suffered a concussion.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      Jim Schwartz's team bounced back from two straight losses to win at Denver, 45-10. While Matthew Stafford threw TD passes of 41 (Titus Young) and 56 yards (Calvin Johnson), Detroit took back a pair of Tim Tebow turnovers for scores, including a 100-yard interception return by CB Chris Houston.

    3. BIG GAME

      Detroit made life easy for the host Bears by committing six turnovers (after giving up the ball just five times in their first eight games) in a 37-13 loss. The Lions saw Devin Hester return a punt 82 yards for a touchdown, while Chicago returned 2 of QB Matthew Stafford's 4 interceptions for scores.

    3. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

      The Lions relied on a blast from the recent past, as RB Kevin Smith, re-signed by the team two weeks earlier, totaled 201 yards from scrimmage and three scores and Matthew Stafford overcame two interceptions by throwing for five TDs as Detroit rallied from 24-7 down to beat Carolina, 49-35.

    3. BIG GAME

      Detroit hosted the undefeated defending Super Bowl champions on Thanksgiving as the Lions looked to end the Packers' 16-game overall winning streak. But three interceptions by Matthew Stafford and 11 penalties by Jim Schwartz's team, including an ejection of DT Ndamukong Suh, spelled doom, 27-15.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. BIG GAME

      Another comeback for the Lions, who trailed at Oakland, 27-14, midway through the fourth quarter before Matthew Stafford showed his mettle, leading TD drives of 71 and 98 yards, the latter capped off with a 6-yard score to WR Calvin Johnson with 39 seconds to play in a huge 28-27 win.

    1. BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

    3. MILESTONE

      With a chance to wrap up their first playoff berth since 1999, Matthew Stafford threw for 260 yards and three scores in the first half alone en route to a 38-10 win over the visiting Chargers. And DE Cliff Avril put the cherry on the sundae with a one-handed 4-yard interception return for a touchdown.

    2. MILESTONE

    1. DET 28
      NO 45

      Lions have no answer for Saints

      Matthew Stafford threw for three touchdowns, including two to Calvin Johnson, but the Lions -- making their first playoff appearance sine 1999 -- could not keep pace with the potent Saints.