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AVOIDING HISTORY

Compiled from staff and wire reports
Published December 11, 2005

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A three-game losing streak has the Steelers (7-5) teetering on missing the playoffs, which would become their biggest collapse in club history. No team in the franchise's 72 seasons started 7-2 or better and missed the playoffs. SILENCE NOT GOLDEN?

Several Patriots players criticized their home crowd for its lack of noise during last weekend's 16-3 victory against the Jets. Pro Bowl defensive end Richard Seymour was dismayed the biggest cheers were for Victoria's Secret model Giselle Bundchen. "It's really disappointing," Seymour said. "The loudest they ever got was when there was a Victoria's Secret model on the scoreboard. They don't know when to cheer."

QUOTABLE

"I feel younger right now than I did at the start of the season.I'm having fun."

- Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil, 69, whose contract expires after the season.

QB CONTROVERSY

The Bears have won eight games in a row with rookie quarterback Kyle Orton entering today's game at Pittsburgh, but parallels with last year's Steelers end with the comparison between Orton and Ben Roethlisberger. Chicago has scored one touchdown on offense in the past two weeks, that on a 1-yard drive against Tampa Bay. Orton's passer rating of 60.2 ranks last in the league among starters and the slump has sparked debate now that Rex Grossman is healthy. Grossman will be the No. 2 quarterback for the first time since breaking an ankle during the preseason.

STAT OF THE WEEK

Six of Giants quarterback Eli Manning's 12 interceptions have come inside the opponent's 10-yard line.

FAIR-WEATHER QB?

Vikings quarterback Duante Culpepper hasn't earned many leadership points since telling team officials he will retreat to his home state of Florida to rehabilitate his injured knee. Culpepper, who received an $8-million raise during the summer, was put on injured reserve after tearing three ligaments in his left knee. Meanwhile, injured teammates such as center Matt Birk are seen every day rehabbing with trainers at the team facility. The Vikings are 5-0 since Culpepper was hurt.

SLIPPING AWAY

Three weeks ago, the Cowboys seemed in position to make the playoffs, but consecutive losses have them battling for a spot in the NFC. The nose dive can be tied to the play of quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who has fallen from being the conference's top-rated passer to fifth with a rating of 86.1. Once on pace to set the team record for passing yards in a season, Bledsoe has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in three of the past four games. The team went 2-2 during that span as Bledsoe threw five interceptions and lost three fumbles.

SACKS IN BULK

Tampa Bay defensive end Simeon Rice needs one sack to post his fifth consecutive 10-sack season, which would tie for fifth most in league history. Rice has eight sacks in seven career games against the Panthers, but none in the past two meetings.

- Compiled by Times staff writer Joanne Korth using information from the Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Kansas City Star, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Newsday and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

[Last modified December 11, 2005, 02:15:36]

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