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Saints go marching into playoffs, with Ravens
2006-12-18
The Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints clinched playoff spots in contrasting fashion on Sunday as the NFL post-season picture began to come into sharper focus. The Ravens booked their playoff place with a gritty 27-17 win at home against the Cleveland Browns, returning to the post-season for the first time since 2003. In New Orleans, Saints fans celebrated their first division crown since 2000 but there was little other reason to cheer as the Washington Redskins spoiled the party with a 16-10 win. The (9-5) Saints, however, secured top spot in the NFC South when the Carolina Panthers were crushed 37-3 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, eliminating them from the division title chase. Despite the loss the Saints remain the NFL's feel-good story of the season. A year ago the Saints were a team without a home, orphaned when Hurricane Katrina slammed into the city, severely damaging the Superdome and forcing the team to play all its games on the road. But the Superdome has been rebuilt and so have the Saints, going from a 3-13 record in 2005 to 9-5 and back into the playoffs. The Saints have even been touted as Super Bowl contenders but displayed few championship credentials against the (5-9) Redskins. Quarterback Jason Campbell hit Santana Moss with a 31-yard touchdown strike and Shaun Suisham booted the first of his three field goals as Washington raced out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead and then held on for the win. BUSH MISFIRES New Orleans' top ranked offense, led by league MVP candidate Drew Brees and rookie sensation Reggie Bush, never got into gear. Brees, who entered the contest the league leader in passing yardage, completed 21-of-38 attempts for 207 yards without a touchdown and one interception. The Redskins' maligned defense also produced a strong effort, limiting Saints running back Deuce McAllister to 48 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries while Bush gained just 14 yards on seven carries. In Baltimore, Kyle Boller, standing in for Steve McNair, came off the bench to toss a pair of touchdown passes, including a 77-yard strike to Demetrius Williams in the third quarter than put the home team in front to stay 24-17. Taking over after McNair suffered a gash on his right hand, Boller completed 13-of-21 pass attempts for 238 yards while Jamal Lewis rushed for 109 yards on 22 carries, including a seven-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter. Browns quarterback Derek Anderson also passed for a pair of touchdowns. The Ravens improved to 11-3 with the win and can clinch the AFC North division on Monday if the Cincinnati Bengals lose to the Indianapolis Colts. *Brett Favre tossed three interceptions but still enjoyed a record-setting day leading the Packers to a 17-9 win over the Detroit Lions in Green Bay. Late in the second quarter, Favre tossed a 21-yard pass to Carlyle Holiday for his 4,968th career completion breaking the all-time record held by Dan Marino. The record aside, Favre did not enjoy one of the more memorable games, the three-time league MVP completing 20-of-37 attempts for 174 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. With Favre off target, Vernand Morency rushed for a pair of touchdowns, including a 21-yard scamper with just three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to give Green Bay 17-9 margin of victory. *In Chicago, Robbie Gould booted a 25-yard field goal with 3:37 left in overtime to earn the (12-2) Bears a 34-31 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
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