The Best and Worst NFL Franchises

Each game this round is a rematch, but don't expect similar results

(NEWSER) - All four match-ups for next weekend's NFL playoffs are been-there, done-that this season, but the outcomes aren't necessarily givens, USA Today reports:

• Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco's interceptions helped the Titans as much as Kerry Collin's 80-yard touchdown drive in defeating the Ravens, but Flacco's seen a lot of play since then.

Pats give up paltry fourth-round pick to continue offense upgrade

(NEWSER) - Hampered by a lack of receiving options last year, the Patriots are looking more and more terrifying in 2007 with the acquisition of talented but troubled receiver Randy Moss. Moss had been agitating to leave a humorously dysfunctional relationship with the Raiders, who have also succeeded in alienating budding star receiver Jerry Porter. More»

Patriots top Bills, Saints crush Panthers, 49ers thump Rams

(NEWSER) - The New England Patriots overcame a 21-point deficit today with 49 unanswered points to rock the Buffalo Bills 49-21, the AP reports. The win earned the Pats home-field advantage and the AFC's top seed. Tom Brady threw for 338 yards and finished with the second-most passing yards in NFL history, 5,235—behind only Drew Brees, who threw for 5,486 this year with the New Orleans Saints. More»

Departure follows end-of-season collapse

(NEWSER) - With the NFL season freshly over, the New York Jets, the Cleveland Browns, and the Detroit Lions have fired their coaches, the Washington Post reports. The Lions' Rod Marinelli was sacked after having the NFL's first 0-16 season. The Jets' Eric Mangini, at 37 the NFL’s youngest head coach, was plagued by a late-season collapse, the New York Times writes. The Browns' Romeo Crennell lost his job the day after the team's general manager was fired, USA Today notes. More»

Lions have worst record at 0-16

(NEWSER) - The Detroit Lions today achieved the perfect record that last season eluded the New England Patriots—only perfectly losing at 0-16, reports the AP. In other NFL games:

• The Minnesota Vikings secured their place in the playoffs as a walk-off field goal from Ryan Longwell put them 20-19 over the Giants.
• A year after finishing 1-15, Miami clinched the AFC East title with a 24-17 win over Brett Favre and the Jets.
• Philly clinched an improbable playoff berth, plowing over Dallas 44-6.