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Compiled from staff and wire reports
Published December 24, 2005

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PROLIFIC BENGALS

Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer and receiver Chad Johnson are closing in on important milestones. Palmer needs one game with a passer rating of 100 or more for an NFL season record of 12. Johnson can join former 49er Jerry Rice and former Raider Tim Brown as the only players to lead their conference in receiving yards three consecutive seasons. Brown and Rice led theirs from 1993-95.

HOWDY, NEIGHBOR

The Steelers-Browns game renews the rivalry between Ohio natives and former Mid-American Conference quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger, of the Steelers and Miami (Ohio), and Charlie Frye, of the Browns and Akron. They grew up in small towns 50 miles apart, Roethlisberger in Findlay and Frye in Willard, where Roethlisberger earned Division I and Frye Division III player of the year honors. In college, Roethlisberger went 3-0 against Frye before entering the draft as a junior.

QUOTABLE

"I like being by the heat. When it's cold, I like to see them run that ball and run that clock."

- Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, on the luxury of watching Denver's running game from the bench

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

Since Larry Johnson replaced injured Priest Holmes as the Chiefs starting running back on Nov. 6, his 1,019 rushing yards and 1,212 yards from scrimmage lead the league. In a 16-game season, his 145.5 rushing yards per game would equal a whopping 2,329 yards, which would shatter Eric Dickerson's NFL season record of 2,105 set in 1984.

NOT JUST NASCAR

For most of Carolina's existence, Charlotte, N.C., has not been a very good football town. Fans are reserved and slow to return to the seats after halftime. Two notable exceptions were playoff games in 1997 and 2004 against the Cowboys, whom the Panthers host today. "It's a chance for our fans to show the NFL that this is a football city," defensive tackle Brentson Buckner said. "Everybody talks about, "You don't want to go to the Giants,' or, "You don't want to play in Chicago because of the fans.' This is a chance for our fans to show that Charlotte can make some noise, too; that this is a hostile environment come playoff time."

UNLUCKY REX

Bears quarterback Rex Grossman sustained a broken finger in his third start as a rookie in 2003, a torn ACL in his third start in 2004 and a broken ankle in his second preseason start in 2005. Sunday at Green Bay, Grossman will attempt to complete his first game since a 21-10 victory Sept. 19, 2004, at Green Bay.

STAT OF THE WEEK

The Colts-Seahawks game is the first in NFL regular-season history featuring teams with 25 combined victories.

SECOND CHANCES

After spending most of August in rehab for alcoholism, Vikings receiver Koren Robinson made the Pro Bowl as a return specialist. Robinson, who had not returned kickoffs before as a pro, has seven of at least 40 yards and leads the NFC with a 26.6-yard average. He has resurrected a career that seemed in doubt after the ninth overall pick in 2001 was arrested in May for drunk driving and released by the Seahawks. "I thought I had burned all my bridges. I didn't think I would get another chance," Robinson said. "But I got another chance, and I've been able to play and be productive. I have a newfound respect for life. I feel like I am whole mentally, physically and spiritually. I am more mature. I just had a son. Everything is falling into place."

BEST NORM CROSBY IMITATION

Arizona coach Dennis Green had this to say about the understated style of receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin: "Both can score touchdowns and don't need geriatrics to prove they can breakdance or anything else." Uh, we know what you meant, Dennis.

OLD DOG, SAME TRICK

The Giants' Tiki Barber needs 2 yards to become the second-oldest running back to reach 2,000 yards from scrimmage in a season behind Walter Payton. Barber also would join Payton (1984-85) as the oldest players to accomplish the feat in consecutive seasons. On the final day of the regular season, Barber will be 30 years, 268 days.

Compiled by Times staff writer Joanne Korth using information from the Charlotte Observer, Chicago Tribune, Cincinnati Enquirer, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Rocky Mountain News, Kansas City Star and Minneapolis Star Tribune.

[Last modified December 24, 2005, 01:10:16]

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