- Seahawks vs Bears:
Seattle had no problems showing fear of Chicago's rookie return ace Devin Hester, the former University of Miami star who had an NFL-record six touchdown returns this season. Seattle kicker Josh Brown sent the opening kickoff skipping across the grass and, with a couple of lucky bounces, just inside the pylon for a touchback. Other kickoffs were similarly squibbed or just popped up short. Seattle was happy to let Hester start his returns between the 10 and 20, giving him little time to accelerate. (Miami Herald)
- The offense botched a few short-yardage situations and that wound up preventing Seattle from putting Josh Brown in position to win this game with a field goal. (The News Tribune)
- Ravens vs Colts: The Ravens finally got something going in the first half thanks to a nifty punt return by Cory Ross. The rookie took a shaky Hunter Smith boot back 18 yards to the Colts 42. Baltimore then managed one first down before bogging down and Stover came on to kick a 40-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter to get the Ravens on the board, 6-3. (WJLA.com)
- For the moment, Cory Ross leads postseason participants in punt return average. Ross returned two punts for an average of 15 yards, nearly 5 yards more than 2nd place Terrence Wilkins of Indianapolis (6 returns, 10.2 avg).
- Rookie punter Sam Koch, though, has had better games. (Baltimore Sun)
- An 18-yard punt return by Cory Ross late in the quarter set up the Ravens for their first points, a 40-yard field goal by Matt Stover on the first play of the second quarter. (Baltimore Sun)
- Saints vs Eagles: When it looked as if the Eagles' running game just wasn't working - they had a total of 12 yards on the ground in the first half - Brian Westbrook exploded off right tackle and kept right on going for a 62-yard touchdown. He carried the ball and Saints defensive back Josh Bullocks the final 5 yards. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
- Buckhalter starts, but Tapeh plays
- Seahawks vs Bears: Grant Wistrom recorded 11 tackles in five December games. He made up for lost stats on Sunday, tallying seven tackles - six solo - a quarterback hurry and a sack.
"He played his best game this year," Seahawks defensive end Bryce Fisher said of Wistrom. "He played his ass off. He doesn't play a whole lot in the nickel, and he still made a bunch of plays. He's meant a lot to me the last few years." (Seattle Times)
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