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NFL

Quick reads

Compiled from staff and wire reports
Published January 1, 2006

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THE LAST BUS RIDE

Today likely will be the final home game for Steelers running back Jerome Bettis. He will wait until after the season to reveal his plans, but it sounds as if his 13th season will be his last. "I'm a realist in a sense that I do understand there is a good chance it is my last game," Bettis said. "I look at it like it'll last forever. But I know it has to come to an end. If this is it, then I want to enjoy it."

Bettis is perhaps the best power running back the NFL has seen. He ranks fifth all-time with 13,621 yards and likely will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His role this season was reduced with Willie Parker taking over as the starter. "This guy has been a consummate pro, a tremendous team player," Steeler coach Bill Cowher said. "I don't know if I've ever been around a player more respected on a football team."

QUOTABLE

"Unless they sign Barry Sanders out of retirement, I wouldn't say their chances for helping us are very good."

- Kansas City tackle Willie Roaf, on his team needing the Lions to beat the Steelers.

RECORD-SETTING DILEMMA

Seattle running back Shaun Alexander needs one touchdown to break Priest Holmes' NFL record of 27 in a season. Last season, Alexander was denied the NFL rushing title when coach Mike Holmgren removed him from the final game. This season, the rushing title is all-but assured, but will Holmgren leave Alexander in today's meaningless game at Green Bay to score a touchdown?

STAT OF THE WEEK

Since the NFL instituted a 12-team playoff format in 1990, three teams have failed to make the playoffs with a 10-6 record. That number could be matched this season. In 2003, a record 13 teams had 10 or more wins. This season, there could be 15.

PAYING RESPECT

Tight end Marcus Pollard, who played three seasons under coach Tony Dungy in Indianapolis before signing with Detroit this season, was among many former players who showed support by attending the funeral service for Dungy's 18-year-old son, James. "To see Coach Dungy under circumstances like that was tough," Pollard said. "I wish I was more like him. I told him that before I left. I've never met a man in my life or come across a man I can say that about. I wish I was more like him in every area of his life - being a father, being a Christian man, being a coach, being a motivator."

QUOTABLE II

"I am the biggest duck you've ever seen - 6-8, 280."

- Vikings coach Mike Tice on whether he and his staff are lame-duck coaches

OPERATOR?

Lost in the fuss over whether the league should fine Falcons coach Jim Mora for using a cell phone on the sideline last week against the Bucs is this disturbing fact: An NFL head coach went to overtime not knowing the implications a tie would have on his team's playoff chances. Shouldn't that call have been placed, say, Tuesday?

SIBLING REVELRY

Cowboys running back Julius Jones is 42 yards away from making he and Bears running back Thomas Jones the first brothers to rush for 1,000 yards in the same season. Thomas, who has 1,273 yards, could join Walter Payton as the only Chicago backs to top 1,300 in a season.

OLD-SCHOOL "SKINS

The Redskins have won four straight for the first time in four years to put themselves on the brink of their first playoff berth in six years. As in their glory days under Joe Gibbs from 1981-92, the Redskins are playing smashmouth football, averaging 173 yards on 37 carries during their win streak.

- compiled by staff writer Joanne Korth using information from the Detroit Free Press, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Kansas City Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Washington Times.

[Last modified January 1, 2006, 00:29:14]

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