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KANSAS CITY AT INDIANAPOLIS SATURDAY,

SAN DIEGO AT CINCINNATI SUNDAY

IN AFC WILD CARD PLAYOFFS

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS–AFC WEST (11-5) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS–AFC SOUTH (11-5)

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TEAMS MEET for fourth time in postseason play. Colts defeated Chiefs, 23-8, in Wild Card on 1/6/07. 

CHIEFS: ANDY REID has made 5 NFC Championship appearances & Super Bowl appearance as NFL head coach…1st postseason appearance since 2010 for KC…Chiefs seek 1st playoff win since 1/16/94 (at Hou.)…KC (11) tied 2008 Dolphins & 2012 Colts for most wins by team that won 2 or fewer games in previous season…For career, QB ALEX SMITH has 1-1 postseason record with 5 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 101 passer rating. On road in 2013, Smith completed 134 of 222 passes (60.4 pct.) for 287 yards with 11 TDs vs. 1 INT & 94.6 rating. Had career-high 3,313 passing yards in 2013. In 2013, Smith (431) had most rush yards ever in single-season by Chiefs QB. Since 2011, Smith is 30-9-1(.763) as starter…RB JAMAAL CHARLES rushed for 82 yards on 9 att. (9.1 avg.), incl. 41-yard rush TD, in only career postseason games (vs. Bal. on 1/9/11). Charles (1,287) led AFC in rushing for 2nd consecutive season. Had NFL-best 19 total TDs (12 rush, 7 rec.). Averaged 132 scrimmage yards per game in 2013, best in AFC. Totaled 144 scrimmage yards (106 rush, 38 receiving) in last reg. season game vs. Ind. Rookie RB KNILE DAVIS had career-best 2 rush TDs last week…WR DWAYNE BOWE(6,401) has 4th-most career rec. yards in club history. WR-PR DEXTER MC CLUSTER had career-best in catches (53), receiving yards & TD catches (2) in 2013. Posted 2 PR-TDs this season, most in NFL…WR DONNIE AVERY had 60 catches for 781 yards & 3 TDs with Colts in 2012…Defense allowed 19.1 points per game in 2013, tied for AFC-low…Had 11 return TDs in 2013, most in NFL…LB DERRICK JOHNSON led team with 107 tackles in 2013…LB TAMBA HALI (11) has registered 10 sacks for 3rd time in career. Had 2 career sacks in last postseason game. Hali (11) & LB JUSTIN HOUSTON (11) combined for 22 sacks this season…DT DONTARI POE had career-best 4.5 sacks in 2013…S ERIC BERRY had 3.5 sacks in 2013, tied for 2nd-most among NFL DBs. S QUINTIN DEMPS had career-high 4 INTs in 2013…Rookie CB MARCUS COOPER had team-high 20 passes defensed…Club had 8 players selected to 2014 Pro Bowl (T BRANDEN ALBERT, S Berry, RB Charles, CB BRANDON FLOWERS, LB Hali, LB Houston, PR McCluster, DT Poe).

COLTS:Club has reached postseason for 2nd straight season under head coach CHUCK PAGANO & 11 of past 12 seasons overall…Clinched AFC South title for 8th-time since 2003…Colts are 3-0 vs. Chiefs in postseason…QB ANDREW LUCK has 13 home wins in his 1st 2 seasons, tied with MATT RYAN for 2nd-most in Super Bowl era. Has 8,196 career passing yards & is 1st player in NFL history with 8,000 passing yards in his 1st 2 seasons. Luck (10) has most game-winning drives by QB in 4th qtr./OT in 1st 2 seasons of career since '70. In 2 career reg. season meetings vs. KC, Luck is 2-0 & has completed 43 of 72 passes (59.7 pct.) for 446 yards with 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 86.9 rating. Will make 2nd postseason start of career (1st at home)…RB DONALD BROWN had career-high 8 TDs (6 rush, 2 receiving) in 2013. Brown totaled 110 scrimmage yards with 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 receiving) in last game against KC. RB TRENT RICHARDSON had rush TD last week…WR T.Y. HILTONhad career-best in catches (82) & receiving yards (1,083) in 2013. Had career-best in catches (11) & receiving yards (155) last week. Hilton is 6th player in NFL history to register 10 100-yard receiving games in the 1st 2 seasons of a career. Is averaging 90 receiving yards per game at home this season. WR GRIFF WHALENhas TD reception in 2 of past 3…TE COBY FLEENER had career-highs in catches (52), receiving yards (608) & TDs (4) this season…LB ROBERT MATHIS (111 career; 19.5 in 2013) has most sacks in career by Colt & in single-season since 1982. Has 3 sacks vs. KC (incl. postseason). LB JERRELL FREEMAN led team with 126 tackles. Had 5 tackles, sack, INT, FF, FR & 2 passes defensed in last game vs. Chiefs. Ranked 2nd on team with career-best 5.5 sacks…S ANTOINE BETHEA has 4 career postseason INTs. S LA RON LANDRY had 2 INTs in only career postseason game (w/ Was. on 1/5/08 at Sea.)…CB DARIUS BUTLER has 4 INTs in each of past 2 seasons. Led team with 15 passes defensed…Last week, K ADAM VINATIERI (2,004) became 7th player in NFL history to reach 2,000 career points (reg. season games only). Vinatieri owns NFL-postseason record in made FGs (48) & points (196)…Club had 1 player selected to 2014 Pro Bowl (LB Mathis).

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS–AFC WEST (9-7) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS–AFC NORTH (11-5)

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TEAMS MEET for 2nd time in postseason.

CHARGERS:1st postseason appearance since 2009…Have won 4 consecutive games, longest active streak in AFC…QB PHILIP RIVERS (4,478) is 6th player in NFL history to register 5 4,000-yard seasons. Has passed for 32,369 career passing yards & 254 TD passes, trailing only HOFer DAN FOUTS for most in Chargers history. In 3 career postseason road games, Rivers has completed 54 of 91 passes (59.3 pct.) for 783 yards with 6 TDs vs. 4 INTs & 91 passer rating. In last road postseason game (at Pit. on 1/11/09), Rivers completed 21 of 35 passes (60 pct.) for 308 yards with 3 TDs vs. 1 INT & 105.4 passer rating. Has completed 51 of 76 passes (67.1 pct.) for 594 yards with 4 TDs vs. 1 INT & 102.6 rating in 2 career reg. season games at Cin…RB RYAN MATHEWS (1,255) became 1st Charger to reach 1,200 rush yards since LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON in 2007 (1,474). Led AFC with 534 rush yards in December. Totaled 92 scrimmage yards (61 rush, 31 receiving) in last game vs. Bengals. RB DANNY WOODHEAD ranked 2nd in NFL in receptions (76) & receiving yards (605) among RBs in 2013…TE ANTONIO GATES (77 catches, 872 receiving yards) posted 6th season of career with at least 70 catches & 800 receiving yards. Gates had 8 catches for 93 yards in last postseason game (1/17/10 vs. NYJ)…Rookie WR KEENAN ALLEN (71 catches for 1,046) has most receptions & receiving yards by Chargers rookie. Allen had 8 catches for 106 yards (13.3 avg.) in last game vs. Bengals. Has 5 TDs in past 4 games. Led NFL rookies in catches & receiving yards. WR EDDIE ROYAL had career-high 8 TD receptions this season…TE LADARIUS GREEN posted career-best 3rd TD catch of season last week. Averages 22.1 yards per catch in 2013…S ERIC WEDDLE leads club with 103 tackles in 2013. Has 2 sacks in past 2 playoffs games. Weddle had INT & FR in last game against Cin.

BENGALS:Club has reached postseason for 5th time under head coach MARVIN LEWIS (2005, 2009, 2011-2013).  Reached postseason in 3 straight seasons for 1st time in franchise history. Bengals aim for 1st postseason win since 1/6/91 against Houston Oilers (Wild Card)…Clinched 1st AFC North title since 2009…Club posted 8-0 record at home for 1st time since 1988…Have won 9 consecutive home games dating back to 2012…Offense has 73.9 TD pct. inside 20 this season, 2nd-best in NFL…QB ANDY DALTONpassed for 4,296 yards with 33 TD passes in 2013, most in single-season in team history. Cin. is 15-1 (.938) when Dalton has 100 rating. Dalton is 30-18 (.625) as starter, highest all-time win pct. by Bengals QB (min. 20 starts). Is 2-0 against Chargers. Dalton totaled 20 TDs vs. 9 INTs & 98.4 passer rating at home this season…RB GIOVANI BERNARD (1,209) is 1st Bengals rookie RB to reach 1,000 scrimmage yards since COREY DILLON in 1997 (1,388). RB BEN JARVUS GREEN-ELLIS has rushed for 246 yards on 58 carries in 5 career postseason games…WR A.J. GREEN (260) surpassed ANQUAN BOLDIN (259) for most catches in 1st 3 seasons of career in NFL history. Green (3,833) has 2nd-most receiving yards in 1st 3 seasons of career in NFL history, trailing only RANDY MOSS (4,163). Green is 1st WR to be selected to Pro Bowl in each of his 1st 3 seasons since Randy Moss. Has 14 catches for 168 yards with 1 TD in 2 career games vs. SD. WRs Green (11) & MARVIN JONES (10) combined for 21 TD receptions…Defense allowed 19.1 points per game in 2013, tied for fewest in AFC…LB VONTAZE BURFICT led team with 171 tackles in 2013....DE WALLACE GILBERRY had career-high 7.5 sacks this season…CB TERENCE NEWMAN has played in 6 career postseason games (5 with Dal, 1 with Cin.). CB DRE KIRKPATRICK had career-best 2 INTs last week, incl. 21-yard INT-return TD. Had INT in last game vs. SD…Club had 2 players selected to 2013 Pro Bowl (LB Burfict, WR Green).

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NFC NOTES

NEW ORLEANS AT PHILADELPHIA SATURDAY,

SAN FRANCISCO AT GREEN BAY SUNDAY,

IN NFC WILD CARD PLAYOFFS

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS–NFC SOUTH (11-5) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES–NFC EAST (10-6)

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TEAMS MEET for 3rd time in postseason (1992 WC: PHI 36-20; 2006 Div: NO 27-24). Clubs split previous 2 playoff meetings. PHI leads all-time series, including postseason, 16-12. 

SAINTS: Are in playoffs for 5th time under head coach SEAN PAYTON. Club has won 4 of past 6 postseason games, incl. win in SB XLIV…Saints had 5 players selected to Pro Bowl: QB DREW BREES (8th), G JAHRI EVANS (5th), TE JIMMY GRAHAM (2nd), G BEN GRUBBS (2nd) & DE CAMERON JORDAN (1st)…Team ranked 2nd in NFL in pass offense (307.4) & pass defense (194.1) & ranked 4th in NFL in total offense (399.4) & total defense (305.7)…QB Brees was 2nd in NFL in pass yards (5,162), TDs (39), comp. (446) & comp. pct. (68.6). Had 104.7 passer rating, his 4th season with 100 rating. Brees has 3 consecutive 5,000-yard seasons & 4 overall. There have only been 8 such seasons in NFL history & Brees is only player with multiple 5,000-yard performances. In postseason career, has 104.2 rating, 2nd-best mark in NFL history. His 67.0 comp. pct. in postseason is highest mark ever. Brees has 3 consecutive 300-yard games in playoffs & needs 1 to tie record (4) set by HOFer DAN FOUTS. Brees has 1.02 INT pct. (4 INTs, 391 att.) in playoffs, best mark in NFL history…RB DARREN SPROLES has 7 TDs (4 rush, 3 rec.) in 8 career playoff games. Since 2011 (incl. playoffs), leads NFL RBs with 251 catches, 2,133 rec. yards & 17 rec. TDs. RB PIERRE THOMAS has 4 TDs (2 rush, 2 rec.) in 5 career playoff games. Recorded 1st season with 500 rush (549) & rec. (513) yards…TE Graham had 86 catches for 1,215 yards & 16 TDs. Is 1st TE in NFL history with 1,200 yards & 10 TDs in 2 different seasons. Graham's 16 TDs are 2nd most by TE in season. Had 6 100-yard games, tied for most ever in season by TE. Since 2011 (incl. playoffs), leads NFL TEs with 282 catches, 3,665 yards & 39 TDs. WR MARQUES COLSTON has 45 catches & 628 yards in postseason, both team records. Had 75 catches for 943 yards, his 7th season with 70 catches & 900 yards. Has 3 TDs in past 2 vs. Phi. Rookie WR KENNY STILLS led NFL with 20.0 avg. (32 catches for 641 yards)…DE Jordan (12.5) & LB JUNIOR GALETTE (12) each set career-highs in sacks. 1st Saints teammates with 12 sacks each since 2000. Jordan ranked 5th in NFL in sacks & Galette was 6th. LB CURTIS LOFTON led team with 125 tackles & LB DAVID HAWTHORNE was 2nd on club with 89 tackles. CB KEENAN LEWIS led team with career-best 4 INTs & was 2nd on club with 11 PD. Since entering NFL in 2006, S ROMAN HARPER leads NFL DBs with 18.5 sacks (incl. playoffs).

EAGLES: Have 10 playoff appearances since 2000, incl. 7 division titles…CHIP KELLY is 1st rookie head coach in franchise history to win division title in 1st year…Eagles have won 7 of past 8, incl. 4 in row at home. Team set franchise records for points scored (442), total net yards (6,676) & touchdowns (53). Eagles led NFL in rush offense (160.4) & ranked 2nd in total offense (417.3). Club had 4,110 pass & 2,566 rush yards & joined 1998 SF as only teams with 4,000 pass & 2,500 rush yards in season…Eagles had 2 players selected to Pro Bowl: RB LE SEAN MC COY (2nd) & T JASON PETERS (6th)…Team is 1st in NFL history to have QB with 100 passer rating (QB NICK FOLES, 119.2), 1,600-yard rusher (RB McCoy, 1,607) & 1,300-yard receiver (WR DE SEAN JACKSON, 1,332)…QB Foles led NFL in rating (119.2), avg. gain (9.12) & TD pct. (8.5). Had 27 TDs & 2 INTs, best TD/INT ratio in NFL history. Foles' 119.2 rating was 3rd best mark in season in NFL history. In 4th Q, Foles had 127.8 rating, highest in NFL this season…RB McCoy led NFL with 1,607 rush yards & 2,126 scrimmage yards, both franchise records. Is 1st Eagle to lead NFL in both categories in same season since HOFer STEVE VAN BUREN in 1948. McCoy is 1st Eagle to win rushing title since Van Buren in 1949. McCoy led NFL with 79 rush 1st downs & was 2nd with 102 overall 1st downs…WR Jackson had career-high 82 catches & 1,332 yards. His 1,332 yards are 2nd most in team history & his 82 catches are most by Eagle WR since 1997 (IRVING FRYAR, 86). WR RILEY COOPER had career-high 47 catches, 835 yards & 8 TDs. Averaged 17.8 yards per catch, 3rd best mark in NFL. TE BRENT CELEK has 3 postseason TDs, tied for most by Eagles TE…LB DE MECO RYANS led team with 127 tackles. LB MYCHAL KENDRICKS had 4 sacks & 3 INTs, 3rd Eagle to accomplish feat in season & 1st since 1996 (WILLIAM THOMAS). Kendricks led NFL with 4 defensive FR. Team tied for 2nd in NFC with 31 turnovers & 12 turnover differential. LB TRENT COLE led team with 8 sacks. Has 80.5 career sacks, incl. postseason. Cole & HOFer REGGIE WHITE are only Eagles with 80 career sacks with team. LB CONNOR BARWIN was 2nd on team with 5 sacks. CB BRANDON BOYKIN tied for 2nd in NFL with career-best 6 INTs. CB CARY WILLIAMS had 2 INTs in last year's postseason & won SB with Bal. CB BRADLEY FLETCHER was 2nd on club with career-high 15 PD.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS–NFC WEST (12-4) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS–NFC NORTH (8-7-1)

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TEAMS MEET for 7th time in postseason; GB is 4-2 in previous 6 playoff meetings. SF defeated GB 45-31 in last year's Divisional. SF won Week 1 meeting 34-28. Teams have met 3 teams since Week 1, 2012 (incl. playoffs) & SF is 3-0. Packers lead all-time series (incl. playoffs) 34-29-1.

49ERS: Are 28-19 (.596) in postseason. Team's 28 playoff wins are 4th most in NFL history & .596 win pct. is 3rd among teams with 25 playoff games…JIM HARBAUGH is 1st head coach in franchise history to lead team to playoffs in each of 1st 3 seasons…49ers had 8 players selected to Pro Bowl, tied for most in NFL: LB NA VORRO BOWMAN (2nd), LB AHMAD BROOKS (2nd), TE VERNON DAVIS (2nd), RB FRANK GORE (5th), G MIKE IUPATI (2nd), DT JUSTIN SMITH (5th), T JOE STALEY (3rd) &LB PATRICK WILLIS (7th)…QB COLIN KAEPERNICK (3,197 pass, 524 rush) joined HOFer STEVE YOUNG (1992) as only 49ers QBs with 3,000 pass & 500 rush yards in season. Has 100.9 passer rating in postseason career, highest by SF QB with 3 starts (HOFer JOE MONTANA, 98.2). In last year's playoffs, had 100.9 rating with 4 pass TDs & rushed for 264 yards with 3 TDs. Only QB in NFL history with 100 rating & 200 rush yards in single postseason. Incl. playoffs, when Kaepernick starts & has 100 rating, 49ers are 13-0. In last year's Divisional, rushed for 181 yards with 2 TDs & passed for 263 yards with 2 TDs…RB Gore rushed for 1,128 yards, his franchise-record 7th 1,000-yard season. Averages 96.4 rush yards per game in postseason career (482 yards, 5 games)…TE Davis has 100 rec. yards in 4 of 5 career postseason games. Averages 109.2 yards per playoff game (546 yards, 5 games), 2nd highest in NFL history (min. 5 games). Has 5 career postseason TDs, tied for 4th most by TE. Since 2009 (incl. playoffs), leads NFL TEs with 49 TDs. Has 11 TDs in past 13. WR MICHAEL CRABTREE has 20 catches for 285 yards (95 per game) & 3 TDs in past 3 playoff games. WR ANQUAN BOLDIN had 1,179 yards, his 6th 1,000-yard season. Has 52 catches for 806 yards & 7 TDs in 11 playoff games. His 806 rec. yards are most by active player in 2013 playoffs…LB Bowman led team with 143 tackles. Only player in NFL this season with 100 tackles (143), 5 sacks (5), 4 FFs (4) & INT-TD (1, 89 yards). LB Willis was 2nd on team with 104 tackles, his 6th season with 100 tackles. Since entering NFL in 2007, is only player with 20 sacks (20.5), 15 FF (16) & 7 INTs (7). Since 2010 (incl. playoffs), DT Smith has 27.5 sacks, 3rd most by NFL DT. Since entering NFL in 2011, LB ALDON SMITH has 44 sacks, 2nd most in NFL (incl. playoffs). LB Brooks had career-high 8.5 sacks & tied for team lead (A. Smith). CB TRAMAINE BROCK led team with 5 INTs & 15 PD, both career highs. Rookie S ERIC REID was only NFC player this season with 4 INTs & 2 FR.

PACKERS: Have won 13 NFL championships, most all-time. Team's .625 postseason winning pct. (30-18) is best in NFL history (min. 25 games). Club has 30 playoff wins, 3rd most in NFL annals. Team's 29th playoff appearance, 3rd most in NFL history. Won division for 21st time in team history & 3rd in row…MIKE MC CARTHY has led team to playoffs in 6 of his 8 seasons as head coach…QB AARON RODGERS had 104.9 rating & is 1st QB in NFL history with 5 consecutive seasons with 100 rating. In career, has 103.6 postseason passer rating, 3rd highest in NFL history. His 1.71 INT pct. (5 INTs, 292 att.) is 3rd lowest in NFL postseason annals. In 44 career starts at home (incl. playoffs) with 10 att., Rodgers is 35-9 (.795) with 108.6 rating. In 5 starts vs. SF (incl. playoffs), has 12 TDs, 3 INTs & 104.5 rating. …Rookie RB EDDIE LACY was named 1st alternate for Pro Bowl. Set franchise rookie records with 1,178 rush yards & 11 rush TDs. Is 2nd in NFL with 1,127 rush yards since Oct. 1. Has 10 rush TDs in past 11, most in NFL since Week 7. FB JOHN KUHN is 1 of 2 active players with 3 rush (3) & 3 rec. (3) TDs in postseason…WR JORDY NELSON had career-high 85 catches & 1,314 yards. Had 10 catches for 161 yards in Week 17, his 5th 100-yard game in 2013. Had 7 catches for 130 yards & TD in Week 1. WR JAMES JONES had career-high 817 rec. yards. In last year's Divisional, had 4 catches for 87 yards (21.8 avg.) & TD. WR-PR-KR RANDALL COBB & HOFer GALE SAYERS are only 2 in NFL history with 60 yard run, 60 yard catch, 100 yard KR & 80 yard PR in 1st 3 seasons. Cobb had 2 rec. TDs in Week 17, incl. GW 48-yarder. In 3 games vs. SF (incl. playoffs), has rec. TD & 75-yard PR-TD. WR JARRETT BOYKIN had career-high 49 catches, 681 yards & 3 TDs…LB A.J. HAWK led team with 118 tackles. Had career-high 5 sacks. Since 2010 (incl. playoffs), CB TRAMON WILLIAMS ranks 3rd in NFL with 18 INTs & CB SAM SHIELDS is tied for 4th with 17 INTs. Shields aims for 3rd playoff game in row with INT. In last year's Divisional, had 52-yard INT-TD. Has 4 INTs in past 5 postseason games. Led team with 17 PD. DT MIKE DANIELS was 2nd on team with career-high 6.5 sacks. LB MIKE NEAL had career-best 5 sacks. LB NICK PERRY set career-high with 4 sacks. S MORGAN BURNETT ranked 2nd on team with 93 tackles…K MASON CROSBY had career-high 33 FGs & 89.2 pct. (33 of 37). Scored 141 points, tied for his most in season (2007).