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Hester, Bears Knock Playoff Halo Off Saints

Atlanta outscores Seattle's 2nd string, Browns best San Fran

By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 30, 2007 6:00 PM CST

(Newser) – Chicago played spoiler for the second straight week, this time out-hustling New Orleans 33-25 despite gaining only 275 yards to the Saints' 413. The Bears' Devin Hester scored a record sixth kick return touchdown on the season and tacked on a TD reception in the win. Saints quarterback Drew Brees broke the NFL single-season completions record, nailing three TD passes in a losing effort. In other action:

  • Seattle rested players and lost a high-scoring game against hapless Atlanta, which got four touchdown passes from quarterback Chris Redman.
  • Rookie Brady Quinn finally played for Cleveland in its 20-7 win over San Francisco, but the Browns still need a Tennessee loss tonight to make the postseason. Joshua Cribbs had a punt return TD for Cleveland.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Chris Redman, right, eludes Seattle Seahawks linebacker Julian Petterson during the first quarter of a football game Sunday , Dec. 30, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Chris Redman, right, eludes Seattle Seahawks linebacker Julian Petterson during the first quarter of a football game Sunday , Dec. 30, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)   (Associated Press)
Atlanta Falcons interim head coach Emmit Thomas jogs off the field after checking on an injured player in the first quarter of a football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday , Dec. 30, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Atlanta Falcons interim head coach Emmit Thomas jogs off the field after checking on an injured player in the first quarter of a football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday , Dec. 30, 2007, in Atlanta....   (Associated Press)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn fires a pass in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, in Cleveland. The Browns rookie got his first taste of regular season action in relief of Derek Anderson. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn fires a pass in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, in Cleveland. The Browns rookie got his first...   (Associated Press)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Darrell Jackson, front, celebrates with teammate Arnaz Battle after Jackson's 7-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Darrell Jackson, front, celebrates with teammate Arnaz Battle after Jackson's 7-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Cleveland...   (Associated Press)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Darrell Jackson (82) wrestles a pass away from Cleveland Browns defensive back Leigh Bodden (28) in thre second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, in Cleveland. The pass was incomplete as Jackson stepped out of bounds before controlling the ball. (AP...
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Darrell Jackson (82) wrestles a pass away from Cleveland Browns defensive back Leigh Bodden (28) in thre second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007,...   (Associated Press)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Chris Weinke passes to Arnaz Battle for 10 yards in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Chris Weinke passes to Arnaz Battle for 10 yards in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark...   (Associated Press)
Cleveland Browns fans in the Dawg Pound hang a banner asking for help from the Indianapolis Colts before the Browns' final regular season NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, in Cleveland. If the Colts beat the visiting Tennessee Titans Sunday night in Indianapolis, the...
Cleveland Browns fans in the "Dawg Pound" hang a banner asking for help from the Indianapolis Colts before the Browns' final regular season NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec....   (Associated Press)
Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher signals a safety after the New Orleans Saints were called for holding in the end zone during the fourth quarter of their 33-25 win over the Saints at Soldier Field in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher signals a safety after the New Orleans Saints were called for holding in the end zone during the fourth quarter of their 33-25 win over the Saints at Soldier Field...   (Associated Press)
Chicago Bears cornerback Devin Hester salutes his fans after his two touchdowns lifted the Bears to a 33-25 win over the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007. Hester scored on a pass from quarterback Kyle Orton, and a punt return. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Chicago Bears cornerback Devin Hester salutes his fans after his two touchdowns lifted the Bears to a 33-25 win over the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007. Hester scored...   (Associated Press)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees throws during the first quarter of their football game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees throws during the first quarter of their football game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)   (Associated Press)
New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) carries the ball past Chicago Bears defensive end Alex Brown, left, and cornerback Ricky Manning Jr., right, during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) carries the ball past Chicago Bears defensive end Alex Brown, left, and cornerback Ricky Manning Jr., right, during the second quarter of an NFL football...   (Associated Press)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram (84) reaches past Atlanta Falcons' Antoine Harris for a touchdown after making a catch in the second quarter of a football game Sunday , Dec. 30, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram (84) reaches past Atlanta Falcons' Antoine Harris for a touchdown after making a catch in the second quarter of a football game Sunday , Dec. 30, 2007, in Atlanta....   (Associated Press)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) breaks through the line for a touchdown as Atlanta Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking (56) closes in during the first quarter of a football game Sunday , Dec. 30, 2007, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) breaks through the line for a touchdown as Atlanta Falcons linebacker Keith Brooking (56) closes in during the first quarter of a football game Sunday...   (Associated Press)
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NFL • Atlanta Falcons • Cleveland Browns • football • Chicago Bears • San Francisco 49ers • New Orleans Saints • Seattle Seahawks • Derek Anderson • Devin Hester

 
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