Jacksonville and Indianapolis wrapped up playoff spots, and the Jaguars did so without even playing. St. Louis, already the NFC West champ, moved closer to securing the home-field advantage through the NFC playoffs.
Jacksonville (11-1), which plays Denver on Monday night, clinched the berth thanks to the New York Giants’ victory over Buffalo and San Diego’s victory over Seattle. A win Monday night would clinch a first-round playoff bye.
The Jaguars hold a 1 1/2-game lead in the AFC Central over Tennessee and lead the Colts by a half-game in the race for AFC home-field advantage.
The Colts (11-2), meanwhile, clinched a spot when the Dolphins lost to the Jets. Indianapolis leads Miami and Buffalo by three games in the AFC East with three to play.
At 5-2 in the division, the Colts own the tiebreaker over Miami. Buffalo, 4-2 in the AFC East, can still win the division by winning its last three while the Colts lose three in a row.
THEY’RE IN TROUBLE
Green Bay, Minnesota and New England took a major step backward Sunday, while Seattle continued its flirtation with disaster.
Losing on the final play of the game to Carolina dropped Green Bay to 7-6, two games out of first place in the NFC Central. The Packers have three games remaining, including successive road games at Minnesota and division leader Tampa Bay.
Minnesota also faces a big game next Monday night against the Packers. The loser drops to 7-7 and will need help to have a chance at the postseason.
With Buffalo and Miami (both 8-5) ahead of the 7-6 Patriots for the last two AFC wild-card spots, New England must turn it around quickly. The Patriots do face the Bills on Dec. 26.
The Seahawks (8-5), who had a three-game lead in the AFC West three weeks ago, lost their third straight and fell into a tie with Kansas City for the division lead. The Chiefs beat Minnesota 31-28 Sunday night.
“It’s very painful for us right now,” said Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, who was hired by owner Paul Allen to get Seattle into the playoffs for the first time since 1988. “We’re fighting for our lives.”
SO LONG, CINERGY
The Bengals won their last game at Cinergy Field on Sunday, beating the archrival Cleveland Browns 44-28.
Cincinnati played 30 years at the stadium formerly known as Riverfront, going 133-101. That includes a 4-1 playoff record highlighted by AFC title-game victories after the 1981 season over San Diego in the brutal cold, and after the ’88 season over Buffalo. The Bengals will move a few blocks away to Paul Brown Stadium next year.
A ROUGH DAY
Emmitt Smith and Greg Ellis, two of the Cowboys’ most productive players, were injured Sunday in Dallas’ 20-10 victory over Philadelphia.
Smith, who joined Barry Sanders last week as the only players to rush for 1,000 yards in nine straight seasons, strained a groin muscle on the first play and never returned. He will be re-evaluated Monday.
Ellis, a defensive lineman who leads the Cowboys in sacks with 7 1/2 and has scored two touchdowns this season, broke his left leg early in the first quarter and will miss the rest of the regular season.
Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was knocked out of the same game with a sprained left knee. He limped off when he was pulled down by defensive lineman Leon Lett after a fumbled snap late in the third quarter.
Patriots rookie running back Kevin Faulk broke his ankle in the first quarter of a 20-15 loss to Indianapolis. Cleveland’s Ronnie Powell was taken off the field on a backboard as a precaution after spraining his neck on a kickoff return against Cincinnati. He had full sensation in his arms and legs.
Other injuries: Falcons QB Chris Chandler (ribs), Vikings WR Cris Carter (ankle), Patriots CB Steve Israel (ankle), Patriots S Chris Carter (hamstring), Steelers C Dermontti Dawson (hamstring), 49ers P Chad Stanley (concussion), Falcons C Robbie Tobeck (hamstring).
