WHAT TO LOOK FOR – WEEK 13

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NEVER SAY NEVER:Since the current 12-team playoff format was instituted in 1990, 15 teams have reached the postseason despite having a losing record after 11 games.

This includes a streak of seven consecutive seasons (2004-2010) in which a sub-.500 team after 11 games reached the playoffs. Six of those seven won at least one playoff game.

The teams with a losing record after 11 games to make the playoffs since 1990:

*Won Division

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KEEPING IT CLOSE: Through Week 12, there have been 95 games decided by eight points or fewer, the most through the first 12 weeks of a season in NFL history.

If five games are decided by eight-or-fewer points this weekend, 2012 would become just the fourth season in NFL history to feature 100 such games through Week 13.

The most games decided by eight points or fewer through Weeks 12 and 13:

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COMPLETE PLAYER: Denver quarterback PEYTON MANNING has completed 277 passes for 3,260 yards with 26 touchdowns for a 104.8 passer rating this season, leading the 8-3 Broncos to first place in the AFC West.

Manning has 4,959 completions in his career, and with nine completions against Tampa Bay this Sunday would surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (4,967) for the second-most completions all-time. BRETT FAVRE holds the record, completing 6,300 passes in his career.

The players with the most completions in NFL history:

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NO LUCK NEEDED:Indianapolis rookie quarterback ANDREW LUCK has totaled 3,205 passing yards this season, the most by a rookie through 11 games in NFL history.

With 308 passing yards on Sunday when the Colts face Detroit, Luck can pass ANDY DALTON (3,398 in 2011), MATT RYAN (3,440 in 2008) and SAM BRADFORD (3,512 in 2010) for the third-most passing yards by a rookie in NFL history.

The rookies with the most passing yards in NFL history:

                                                                         *Through 11 games

Luck has recorded seven wins, tied for the most by a rookie quarterback who was drafted number one overall in the Super Bowl era (SAM BRADFORD in 2010). With a victory this weekend against the Lions, Luck would surpass Bradford to become the first rookie quarterback drafted number one overall to record eight victories since 1966.

The players selected number one overall with the most wins in their rookie seasons in the Super Bowl era: 

                                     *Through 11 games     

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1,200 CLUB:Indianapolis wide receiver REGGIE WAYNE has recorded a league-leading 84 receptions this season for 1,105 yards and three touchdowns.

With 95 receiving yards on Sunday against Detroit, Wayne would notch his sixth season with at least 1,200 receiving yards and tie MARVIN HARRISON and TORRY HOLT for the third-most such seasons all-time. Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE holds the record, recording 1,200 receiving yards 11 times in his career.

The players with the most seasons of at least 1,200 yards receiving:

                                                                           *1,105 yards through 11 games in 2012

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GOLD RUSH:San Francisco linebacker ALDON SMITH leads the league with 16.5 sacks and last week became the fastest to reach 30 career (30.5) since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.

With a sack this weekend against St. Louis, Smith would surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer REGGIE WHITE (31) for the most sacks by a player in his first two seasons since 1982.

Smith, who will play in his 12th game of the season, is already tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer LAWRENCE TAYLOR and MICHAEL STRAHAN for the second-most sacks through 12 games since 1982. With a half sack against the Rams, Smith would surpass Taylor and Strahan for the second-most and can challenge MARK GASTINEAU (18.5 in 1984) for the record.

The players with the most sacks through a team's first 12 games since the sack became an official statistic in1982:

                                                    *Through 11 games

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DECEMBER TO REMEMBER: NEW ENGLAND has won 11 consecutive regular-season December games, a streak that began with a win over the Carolina Panthers on December 13, 2009.

With a victory over Miami this Sunday, the Patriots would become the fourth team in NFL history to win 12 consecutive regular-season games played in December. SAN DIEGO holds the record, posting 18 consecutive regular-season wins in December from 2006-2009.

The teams to win at least 12 consecutive regular-season games in December: