Defending-Champ Steelers Work OT to Beat Titans

Troy Polamalu wanted to let her know he was OK

(NEWSER) - The NFL isn't making exceptions about its policy that players stay unplugged during games: It fined Troy Polamalu of the Steelers $10,000 for making a call from the bench during last Sunday's game, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Polamalu, though, wasn't showboating or looking for some digital advantage—he borrowed a trainer's phone to call his wife and let her know he was OK after leaving the game with concussion symptoms. More»

And 10 other things Peter King thinks about the Super Bowl

(NEWSER) - Kurt Warner has a clock in his head, and he'll need to pay attention to its ticking in order to best the Pittsburgh defense, writes Peter King in Sports Illustrated. King feels that the Cardinals' chances are all in Warner's hands and head: If he can avoid turnovers, he could clinch it. King has other thoughts, as well: More»

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.

Tennessee upsets the Steelers' shot at top playoff berth

(NEWSER) - In NFL games today, New York Jets likely blew their playoff chances in a snowy loss to Seattle, while Tennessee clinched home-field advantage, AP reports:

• Seattle coach Mike Holmgren topped his former star player Brett Favre as the Jets missed several scoring chances and lost their bid to stay atop the AFC East, 13-3.
• The lowly Bills upended Denver, 30-23, as the Broncos failed to clinch a playoff berth.
• Tennessee routed the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-14 to clinch the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage for the playoffs.
• With a 42-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Detroit Lions became the first team ever to go 0-15.

San Diego, AFC East teams rejoice; Belicheck, NFL not so much

(NEWSER) - Tom Brady’s season-ending injury sent shockwaves through the NFL —and not everyone was celebrating. Don Banks breaks down the winners and losers in Sport Illustrated:

• Winner: The Chargers —The Patriots always seem to knock San Diego out of the playoffs.
• Loser: The NFL —The league loses its face, and reigning MVP.
• Winners: The Bills, Jets, and Titans —The other AFC East teams now have a dramatically better chance of taking the division, while the Titans’ wildcard hopes improve.