RAVENS 35, BROWNS 0
Story line: Just 48 yards shy of joining the elite 2,000-yard club, Jamal Lewis was finally brought down–by his own coach. The Browns (4-11) certainly didn’t lay a hand on him. Lewis rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns before coach Brian Billick benched him for the final 8:23.
Star: With a 7-0 third-quarter lead, Lewis darted for a 72-yard score. Lewis added a 24-yard TD run with 11:55 left to give the Ravens (9-6) a 21-0 lead.
Extra point: In two games against Cleveland this season, Lewis had 500 yards on 52 carries and four TDs. He is the first back to have two 200-yard games against one team in the same season since O.J. Simpson, who rushed for 250 and 219 yards in 1973 against New England.
Quote: “He’s one of the biggest, most powerful backs in the league. Old school, like Earl Campbell.”
–Browns safety Earl Little on Lewis.
RAMS 27, BENGALS 10
Story line: The Rams (12-3) finished 8-0 at home and extended their home winning streak to a franchise-best 14.
Stars: All Rams. Marshall Faulk had 121 yards on 22 carries, his fifth 100-yard game in six weeks, and scored two touchdowns. Torry Holt caught 10 passes for 124 yards, his 10th 100-yard receiving game this season. Grant Wistrom tied his career best with 21/2 sacks
Extra point: The Bengals (8-7) were held to 99 yards rushing by a team that had been allowing 160.5 yards the last five games, ending a run of six straight 100-plus games.
Quote: “It hurts to practice hard all week and come out with a loss. They’re the greatest show on turf, we’re the greatest improvement on grass.”–Bengals receiver Chad Johnson.
COWBOYS 19, GIANTS 3
Story line: The first time Bill Parcells spoke to the Cowboys (10-5), he told them to “get your expectations up.” For the first time since 1999, they’re going to the playoffs. The Giants (4-11) were handed their seventh straight loss.
Stars: Quincy Carter avoided the impulsive decisions that irk Parcells. He finished 17-of-25 for 240 yards with one touchdown, no interceptions and no fumbles. . . . Billy Cundiff kicked field goals of 24, 42, 21 and 49 yards
Extra point: Carter became the first Dallas QB to throw for more than 3,000 yards since Troy Aikman in 1997.
Quote: “You think about Staubach and Meredith and Aikman. It’s an honor.”–Carter on the fraternity of quarterbacks who’ve taken the Cowboys to the playoffs.
PANTHERS 20, LIONS 14
Story line: The playoff-bound Panthers (10-5) had to make a choice: Rest some of their ailing starters or play them in pursuit of a momentum-building win. Lowly Detroit (4-11) made it an easy decision. Carolina rested five starters, including Pro Bowl running back Stephen Davis, but still sent the Lions into NFL infamy with their 24th consecutive road loss.
Star: Filling in for Davis, DeShaun Foster ran for 76 yards and had six catches for 38 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jake Delhomme.
Extra point: The Lions moved past the 1981-84 Houston Oilers for most successive road losses. The Lions have not won away from home since Dec. 17, 2000.
Quote: “It eats me alive and makes me absolutely sick to my stomach to think about it. Everybody on the team is part of the streak, and it’s nothing to be proud of.”
–Lions guard Ray Brown.
DOLPHINS 20, BILLS 3
Story line: Terrell Buckley’s interception return for a touchdown led a stout Miami defense that collected six sacks and limited the Bills (6-9) to 177 yards–11 in the first half. But Denver’s win Sunday night eliminated the Dolphins.
Star: Miami defensive end Jason Taylor had a dominating effort. He had 21/2 sacks, giving him 691/2 for his career to become the Dolphins’ all-time sack leader.
Extra point: Miami (9-6) snapped a two-game losing streak and won on the road for the first time in December or later since closing the 2000 season with a win.
Quote: “I don’t care, I don’t read, I don’t pay attention. And I wish all the guys would realize that that’s just talk.”
–Buckley on criticism of Miami’s defense.
STEELERS 40, CHARGERS 24
Story line: Steelers (6-9) ended their home season the way they started it, with a commanding victory. It was those pesky 13 games in between that were the problem.
Stars: Tommy Maddox threw three touchdown passes, two to Plaxico Burress.
Extra point: Steelers coach Bill Cowher is 6-1 against San Diego (3-12), with the only loss coming in the AFC title game in January 1995.
Quote: “I told him when you play for Marty Schottenheimer, you can’t turn the ball over. You turn the ball over, you’re going to lose.” — Schottenheimer, on yanking QB Drew Brees after his third turnover.
SEAHAWKS 28, CARDINALS 10
Story line: The win wasn’t a work of art, with the Seahawks (9-6) committing two fumbles and throwing two interceptions, but it was enough to help them finish 8-0 at home for the first time in the 26-year history of the franchise.
Stars: Shaun Alexander ran for two TDs and 135 yards on 21 carries. . . . Chike Okeafor had two of Seattle’s eight sacks.
Extra point: Arizona (3-12) lost its seventh straight game and 13th in a row on the road, including all eight this season.
Quote: “If you told me before the season we’d not win a game on the road, I would have told you that you were crazy.”–Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin.
Monday matchup
Packers (8-6) at Raiders (4-10)
Time: 8 p.m., WLS-Ch. 7, WSCR AM-670.
Line: Packers by 5.
Last meeting: Packers won 28-24 at Green Bay on Sept. 12, 1999.
The buzz: Packers are getting better, winning four of their last five. Ex-Packer Rick Mirer won’t get in the way.
Terry Bannon’s pick: Packers 27, Raiders 20.WEEK 16 REPORT
