NFL Today, Saturday Week 16

Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004 | 5:13 a.m.

San Diego (11-3) at Indianapolis (11-3), 1 p.m. EST (CBS). The winner will be the AFC's third-seed in the playoffs, at worst. Peyton Manning needs one touchdown pass to tie Dan Marino's 20-year-old record of 48 in a season.

Monday, Dec. 27

Philadelphia (13-1) at St. Louis (6-8), 9 p.m. EST (ABC). The Eagles play their first game this season without injured receiver Terrell Owens. The Rams likely need to win their final two games to make the playoffs.

STARS

Quarterbacks

- Brett Favre, Packers, went 30-for-43 for 365 yards and three touchdowns in leading Green Bay from behind for a 34-32 victory over Minnesota that clinched the NFC North.

- Daunte Culpepper, Vikings, went 16-for-23 for 285 yards and three touchdowns - on three consecutive passes.

- Trent Green, Chiefs, went 32-for-45 for 358 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-30 victory over Oakland.

- Jake Plummer, Broncos, came out of a slump with a 21-for-26 effort for 303 yards and two TDs in a 37-16 win at Tennessee.

Receivers

- Javon Walker, Packers, caught five passes for 90 yards, including a blitz-beater with 25 seconds left that covered 31 yards to set up the winning field goal in a 34-31 victory at Minnesota. Donald Driver added 11 catches for 162 yards and a game-tying touchdown on fourth-and-goal with 3:34 left.

- Nate Burleson, Vikings, caught two passes for 110 yards and a score.

- Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs, caught two TD passes in a 31-30 victory over Oakland, gaining 124 yards on 11 catches.

Running Backs

- Michael Bennett, Vikings, finished with 159 yards on 20 touches in the 34-31 loss to Green Bay. He had 92 yards on 17 runs and caught three passes for 67 yards and a touchdown .

- Larry Johnson, Chiefs, had two TD runs among his 25 rushes for 79 yards in a 31-30 win over Oakland.

- Reuben Droughns, Broncos, rushed for 91 yards and scored three TDs, two rushing, in a 37-16 win over the Titans.

Special Teams

- Ryan Longwell, Packers, kicked a 29-yard field goal to end the game and beat the Vikings 34-31. He kicked a 33-yarder to beat Minnesota 34-31 in Green Bay last month.

- Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders, made field goals of 40, 45 and 46 yards in a 31-30 loss at Kansas City.

- Punter Craig Hentrich, Titans, made the longest field goal of his career, a 50-yarder, in a 37-16 loss to Denver.

Defense

- Chris Claiborne, Vikings, returned an interception 15 yards for a touchdown in a 34-31 loss to Green Bay. He also took part in 10 tackles.

- Reggie Hayward, Broncos, had three of Denver's six sacks in a 37-16 romp at Tennessee.

HIRING

LSU coach Nick Saban is joining the Miami Dolphins, agreeing to a five-year deal worth almost $5 million a year. Saban disclosed his decision shortly after the Tigers arrived in Orlando for their Jan. 1 bowl game against Iowa.

"It's a tremendous challenge for me," he said, "and a great opportunity for me and my family."

DEDICATION

The Green Bay Packers dedicated their division-clinching 34-31 victory over Minnesota on Christmas Eve to WR Robert Ferguson, who is still experiencing numbness on his left side a week after a clothesline hit by Donovin Darius that drew a $75,000 fine from the NFL. As the Packers celebrated their third straight NFC North crown, they carried coaches' greaseboards inscribed with "Ferg 89" and "4 U Fergie."

MILESTONES

The Packers won their third straight NFC North crown by beating the Vikings 34-31 on Friday. ... With 37 touchdown passes, Daunte Culpepper broke the Vikings' season record of 34, set by Randall Cunningham in 1998. ... Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs, caught two TD passes in a 31-30 victory Saturday against Oakland, tying him for third among tight ends with Wesley Walls at 54 touchdowns. ... The Broncos gave coach Mike Shanahan his 100th career regular-season victory with a 37-16 win at Tennessee.

STREAKS

Kansas City has won four straight. ... Tennessee has lost five a row, allowing at least 31 points in each.

SWINGS

Titans QB Billy Volek, who threw for more than 900 yards and eight TDs in the previous two games, was 8-for-20 for 111 yards and two interceptions. He also was sacked five times in the loss to Denver. ... Usually strong at home, the Titans are 1-6 in Nashville this season.

SPEAKING

"Anybody who says they're not nervous in a situation like that is lying. My mom's been sick, and she was here for the first time. It's pretty special. It's pretty cool." - Chiefs kicker Lawrence Tynes, whose 38-yard field goal with 22 seconds remaining beat Oakland 31-30.