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NEW ORLEANS -- Thoughts on the New Orleans Saints’ 45-16 victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

What it means: The Saints (12-3) clinched the NFC South, which means they’ll be one of the top four seeds in the playoffs. They still have a shot at going as high as the No. 2 seed, but they’ll need to win their finale and hope San Francisco loses. The Falcons (9-6) already are in the playoffs, but now they can’t do any better than the No. 5 seed. Also, New Orleans’ victory means that, once again, no team has won the NFC South in consecutive years since the division came into existence in 2002.

Record time: With two minutes and 51 seconds left in the game, Drew Brees made history. With a touchdown pass to Darren Sproles, Brees broke Dan Marino's record for passing yards in a season. Marino had 5,084 yards in 1984. Brees came into the game needing 305 yards to break the record. He finished with 307 yards. Brees also threw four touchdown passes.

The Sproles factor: I might be overlooking someone, but I don’t think I’m too far off in saying Sproles was the best free-agent signing in the NFL this year. Sproles has made huge contributions as a runner, receiver and a return man. Early this season, I still saw some fans wearing Reggie Bush jerseys. I don’t think I’ve seen one in a couple of months.

The great debate: After watching the Saints absolutely dominate what had been a good Atlanta team for the past month or so, I think it’s fair to start talking about how the Saints match up with the Green Bay Packers. Remember, the Saints took the Packers down to the wire in the season opener at Lambeau Field. I know for certain the Saints are a better team now than they were in September. Yeah, you can bring San Francisco into the argument too, but that kind of waters things down. The Saints and Packers play great offense and a postseason game between them would be as exciting a game as you could ask for.

What I didn't like: From an Atlanta perspective, the way the Falcons lost this game had to be demoralizing. The Falcons had seemed to be on a roll in recent weeks. They’re already in the playoffs and they should have an easy finale. But the momentum Atlanta had built over the past month or so has been shattered. If they somehow end up facing the Saints again in the playoffs, that’s not a good psychological matchup. The Saints have defeated the Falcons twice already and that’s got to be in the heads of the Atlanta players.

What's next: The Saints host the Carolina Panthers in the regular-season finale on Sunday. The Falcons host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Some thoughts on a rare blowout between NFC North rivals:

What it means: The Green Bay Packers improved to 14-1, setting a franchise record for victories in a season and clinching home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. They'll have a decision to make on how to approach Week 17, which will carry no playoff implications for them. Coach Mike McCarthy has previously indicated he wouldn't veer from his regular lineup in that situation, but we'll see. The injury-devastated Chicago Bears lost their fifth consecutive game and were officially eliminated from playoff contention.

RivalryWatch: The Packers have now swept the Bears in the teams' season series in two of the past three years. Overall, the Packers have won five of the past six games between the two teams. It was the biggest margin of defeat for either team in the series since their first meeting in 2008, a 37-3 Packers victory.

RodgersWatch: Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers had the first five-touchdown game of his career, throwing two apiece to receivers Jordy Nelson and James Jones and another to tight end Jermichael Finley. Rodgers completed his first eight passes and finished 21 of 29 for 283 yards. Along the way, he broke Lynn Dickey's franchise record for passing yards in a season and now has 4,739. He also extended his team record for touchdown passes in a season; he's now at 45. Finally, Rodgers set a new NFL record by recording a 13th game with a passer rating of at least 100.0 in a single season. Sunday's rating was a cool 142.7.

McCownWatch: Bears quarterback Josh McCown performed much more credibly than I'm sure most people expected. I suppose some of you might be turned off by his dunk over the crossbar after taking in a 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter. I thought it was fun. This is a guy that hadn't started a game since 2007 and began the fall coaching high school football. McCown never imagined he would be starting a game again on national television. Give him a break. The Bears smartly limited his opportunities with a steady diet of running plays in the first half and into the third quarter. Bears running back Kahlil Bell ran hard and had 121 yards on 23 carries, and overall the Bears rushed for 199 yards. But that sort of offense can't keep up with the opponents go on a scoring spree. That began midway through the third quarter, a 21-0 run that quashed the Bears' game plan.

Injury report: Packers running back James Starks again left with an ankle injury that looks like it's going to be a factor for a while. This has been going on for more than a month. The Bears lost right tackle Lance Louis to a illness in the first half and he returned only as part of a goal-line set thereafter. Frank Omiyale replaced him at right tackle.

What's next: The Packers will host the Detroit Lions next Sunday in a game that will have relevance only for the Lions, whose postseason seeding -- No. 5 or No. 6 -- has yet to be determined. The Bears will close out this disappointing season with a game at the Minnesota Vikings.

SEATTLE -- Thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers following their Week 16 game Saturday at CenturyLink Field:

What it means: The 49ers eliminated the Seahawks from playoff contention while tightening their grip on the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. This was a gritty, meaningful performance from the 49ers -- and from the Seahawks. Marshawn Lynch ended the 49ers' 36-game streak without allowing a 100-yard rusher and their 15-game streak without allowing a rushing touchdown. Those feats served notice that Seattle is ready to hold up its end in what should be a hotly contested rivalry for years. But the 49ers are the only NFC West team heading to the playoffs this season.

What I liked: Both teams were ready for a hard-nosed, physical fight. Periodic skirmishes interrupted play and neither team was backing down. The offenses fared better than anticipated in the running game. That helped the 49ers get into third-and-short situations frequently. Seattle deserves lots of credit for getting its ground game going against the NFL's top run defense while playing with a line featuring three backups, including journeyman guard Paul McQuistan at left tackle and the little-known Lemuel Jeanpierre at right guard. Niners quarterback Alex Smith recovered from a rough first half to lead San Francisco on a fourth-quarter drive to the winning field goal, keyed by a 41-yard strike to Michael Crabtree. And the 49ers' defense, though unusually vulnerable throughout this game, provided the clinching turnover when Tarvaris Jackson held the ball too long, inviting a fumble-forcing tackle. The 49ers weathered a rough first half without wavering. They opened the second half with a touchdown drive featuring two clutch sideline receptions by tight end Vernon Davis. Smith scrambled effectively. David Akers made 4 of 5 field goals for the 49ers, setting a single-season NFL record for made field goals.

What I didn't like: Both teams suffered critical breakdowns at key moments. Seattle's Chris Clemons jumped offsides to give the 49ers an early first down. Davis and Crabtree dropped passes deep in Seattle territory. The 49ers allowed a blocked punt to set up the go-ahead touchdown for Seattle in the closing minutes. Seattle botched a goal-line situation in the first half and had to settle for a field goal. Both sides could stand to work on their sportsmanship, it appears. Fans chanted for the Seahawks while medical personnel tended to an obviously injured Kyle Williams following a scary collision. Williams took a hard hit from two Seahawks after slipping during a kickoff return. The play resulted in a 15-yard penalty against Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson. As the game was ending, 49ers coaches were heard yelling, "Merry Christmas" as they left for the locker room. I retreated to the area where they were walking and saw offensive coordinator Greg Roman yell, "Merry Christmas" one more time. This was an emotional game for all involved.

Tactical adjustment: The Seahawks, sustained by Lynch's running in recent weeks, came out throwing against the 49ers' top-ranked rush defense. They found rookie Ricardo Lockette for a 44-yard gain up the right sideline, the first career reception for Lockette. They closed the drive with a scoring pass to receiver Doug Baldwin.

Field position battle: The 49ers have led the NFL in average drive start and opponents' average drive start. The Seahawks beat the 49ers at their own field-position game in building a 10-3 halftime lead. They began first-half drives at their own 36.6-yard line on average. The 49ers began their first-half drives at their own 16.3-yard line on average.

Infirmary report: The 49ers lost tight end Delanie Walker to a jaw injury after a frightening collision in the first half. Walker took an inadvertent knee to the head. The impact was hard enough to twist around Walker's helmet and send it flying off his head. Walker then fell over backward, striking his unprotected head on the turf. Walker was down for an extended period before medical personnel drove him off the field on a cart. Walker waved to fans as he left the field. The 49ers' Ahmad Brooks and Justin Smith returned to the game after suffering injuries in the first half.

What's next: The 49ers close the regular against the St. Louis Rams in the Edward Jones Dome. The Seahawks close the regular season against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The game didn't mean much thanks to the Giants' win over the Jets earlier Saturday, but the Cowboys didn't play well the entire day.

Philadelphia, with nothing to play for either, beat the Dallas Cowboys, 20-7, at Cowboys Stadium.

Jerry Jones said this week that he was scared of the Eagles, but he should be scared of what next week might represent: A loss to the Giants in the regular-season finale could end the Cowboys' hopes of a postseason berth.

What it means: The Cowboys lost quarterback Tony Romo to a hand injury and any potential momentum going into the the Giants game next Sunday. The loss also raised more questions about the defense, which struggled in pass coverage and wrapping up Michael Vick. It's the first time the Eagles have swept the Cowboys since 2006.

Home shutout avoided: The Cowboys avoided being shut out for the first time in the three-year history of Cowboys Stadium with Miles Austin's 4-yard touchdown reception with seven seconds left. It would have been the first time the Cowboys were shut out in a home game since Sept. 15, 1991. The Cowboys have gone 20 years, three months and nine days between shutouts -- Philadelphia blanked Dallas, 24-0 at Texas Stadium.

Tony Romo injures hand: Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo injured his right hand on the fourth offensive play of the game when Jason Babin smashed into him on third down. Romo did not return and had his right hand wrapped. Stephen McGee finished the game despite getting hit a few times himself. This is the first time Romo started a game and didn't complete a pass. He was 0-for-2.

Jason Garrett plays the starters: When the Cowboys took the field Saturday afternoon, the Giants-Jets game had yet to finish. If the Giants had lost, the Cowboys would have clinched the NFC East with a win. With several players nicked up, including starters Felix Jones (hamstring), Jay Ratliff (ribs) and DeMarcus Ware (neck), there was a thought Garrett would rest them. He didn't. Jones played fewer than five snaps in the game, and Ware and Ratliff played well into the fourth quarter.

What's next? The NFC East divisional championship game. The Cowboys take on the Giants at Met Life Stadium, with the winner clinching a playoff spot. However, there are scenarios in which the Cowboys can clinch a wild-card berth with a lot of help. But New Year's Day will determine the Cowboys' fate. It's a reminder of the ending of the 2008 season, in which a Cowboys victory at Philadelphia would have sent them to the postseason. The Eagles won, 44-6.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The big-talking New York Jets sabotaged their playoff chances with a mistake-filled loss to the New York Giants, 29-14 Saturday at MetLife Stadium.

What it means: The Jets (8-7) dropped their second straight and fell a game behind the Cincinnati Bengals (9-6). They also fell into a tie with the Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans. In short, they choked their brains out.

Humble pie: If the Jets played as big as Rex Ryan talks, they'd be Super Bowl-bound. But they're a mediocre team with an average quarterback, making Ryan, he of the incessant trash talking, look like the fool.

Deep freeze: Inexcusable. That's the only way to describe the Jets' offensive performance. Facing the 29th-ranked pass defense, the Jets scored on their first possession -- and then failed to score again until midway in the fourth quarter, an 11-yard drive after a takeaway. They were brutal on third down, and the Giants' pass rush wasn't a factor until the second half.

QB Mark Sanchez (30-for-59, 258 yards) struggled with his accuracy, his receivers couldn't gain consistent separation and … well, it was a mess. They should've been able to move the ball against the Giants, the league's lowest-rated third-down defense since Week 11. The Jets made them look like the Giants of Taylor, Carson and Banks.

If the Jets don't make the playoffs and they look for a scapegoat, the top candidate will be offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. This was a terrible game by Schottenheimer. He gave up on the run too early and, inexplicably, he had Sanchez in shotgun, throwing deep, on a fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter.

The offensive ineptitude afforded the defense a slim margin for error -- and it got burned.

Mark vs. Eli: This wasn't a vintage quarterback duel, that's for sure. Sanchez is supposed to be a big-game quarterback, but he took a step backward. It makes you wonder if his lingering neck injury, an apparent pinched nerve, was a factor. Either way, Sanchez will wear the goat horns. With a chance to get back in the game, he fumbled a snap at Giants' 2. It wasn’t a good snap by C Nick Mangold. Either way, they failed to execute the most basic play in football.

Tone deaf: For the second week in a row, Santonio Holmes choked. This time, he didn't get any stupid penalties, but he dropped two passes.

The play from hell: The Jets' defense dominated the first 28 minutes, limiting the Giants to only 83 yards on their first 25 plays. The 26th play was a killer -- Victor Cruz's 99-yard touchdown. Credit Cruz, who made a brilliant stop-cut on a routine, 10-yard catch, but the Jets helped him make the longest play in Giants history.

Nickel back Kyle Wilson and CB Antonio Cromartie were in the immediate area, and Cromartie whiffed. S Eric Smith tried to chase him down at midfield, but he slipped off Cruz like a snowball on a heat shield.

If the Jets don't make the playoffs, Cruz's TD and Tim Tebow's game-winning TD run in Denver -- also involving Smith -- will be remembered as the moments that wrecked the season.

Safety dance: Do the Jets miss Jim Leonhard, or what? Smith and Brodney Pool missed tackles on both Giants touchdowns. In the third quarter, Pool got trucked by Ahmad Bradshaw on a 14-yard scoring run. Pool suffered a possible concussion and was taken to the locker room. Moments earlier, Pool was late in deep help on a 46-yard pass to Cruz.

Safety has to be on their offseason shopping list.

Revis answers: Darrelle Revis is a pretty decent cornerback for a "decent" corner, as Giants WR Hakeem Nicks called him. Revis was tested, but he responded with excellent coverage, including a pass break-up in the end zone. He also caused a deflection that was intercepted by LB David Harris. Revis dominated.

What's ahead: The Jets close the season in Miami, and it won't be easy. The Dolphins, led by interim coach Todd Bowles, lost a close one, 27-24 to New England.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Rapid reaction from the Patriots' come-from-behind 27-24 win over the Miami Dolphins:

What it means: The Patriots clinch a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs and keep pace in the race for the No. 1 seed. A win next Sunday over the visiting Bills would clinch the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Patriots trailed the Dolphins 17-0 at the half, but came roaring back in the second half. That type of mental toughness has been shown by the team throughout the year as they've proven to be a tough team to knock out. On the individual record front, quarterback Tom Brady (27 of 46, 304 yards, 1 TD throwing, 2 rushing TD) set a single-season career high for passing yards, while receiver Wes Welker (12 receptions, 138 yards) passed Randy Moss to set a franchise record for receiving yards in a season.

Kicker Gostkowski’s tackle an unsung play: Early in the third quarter, the Patriots had sliced the 17-0 halftime deficit to 17-3 when kicker Stephen Gostkowski kicked off and Dolphins returner Clyde Gates burst through the hole and looked like he had open space for a touchdown. If not for Gostkowski swiping at him with his arm, and bringing him down, it might have been 24-3 and a greater uphill climb for a comeback. Instead, the Patriots defense recovered a Matt Moore botched center/quarterback exchange and scored to make it 17-10. Big swing.

Offensive line shuffle with Light and Mankins injuries: Patriots starting left tackle Matt Light had his right ankle flare up before the game and was a surprise scratch. The Patriots moved left guard Logan Mankins to left tackle, but Mankins injured his knee on the second series and did not return the rest of the game. All the changes up front hurt the Patriots in the first half as the Dolphins controlled the line of scrimmage – which was a big early storyline -- before the revamped line settled in over the final 30 minutes. Until then, quarterback Tom Brady was out of rhythm. Brady had just 87 yards passing in the first half.

Much maligned Patriots defense delivers: The Patriots’ defense, which ranks last in the NFL in yards allowed but 14^th in terms of scoring, put the clamps down in the second half. Pouncing on a Matt Moore fumble on a center/QB exchange was big in the third quarter, but the unit also dialed up some pressure on third down to slow down the Dolphins. Linebacker Jerod Mayo had two sacks and the unit (5 sacks overall) turned things around after a tough opening 30 minutes. There were some big plays given up on defense, and the secondary remains shaky, but the D ultimately delivered.

Marshall and Bush star for Dolphins: The Dolphins received solid performances from receiver Brandon Marshall (7 catches, 156 yards, TD) and running back Reggie Bush (22 carries, 113 yards). They became the first running back/receiver tandem in Dolphins history to each go over 1,000 yards in the same season (receiving for Marshall, rushing for Bush). But the story of the game was the Dolphins' second-half struggle. They had built the big lead early but couldn't finish off the Patriots when they had the chance.

What’s next: The Patriots host the Bills next Sunday, Jan. 1, with another 1 p.m. kickoff. The Dolphins return home to host the Jets on that day.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- A few thoughts on the New York Giants' potentially season-saving 29-14 victory over the New York Jets on Saturday afternoon at MetLife Stadium.

What it means: A couple of things. First, it means next Sunday's game between the Giants and the Dallas Cowboys here at MetLife will decide the NFC East. The winner advances to the playoffs as division champ. The Cowboys could theoretically still make it as a wild card if they beat the Eagles this afternoon, but the Giants' only way in is to win the game and the division. This Giants win also means that the Philadelphia Eagles are, at long last, eliminated from contention for this year's postseason.

Toughening up: In their previous five games, the Giants had allowed opponents to convert 54 percent of their third downs. But in this game, the Jets were a miserable 4-for-21 on third down. The Giants' coverage in the secondary was drastically improved in this game, and they were able to generate enough pressure to rattle Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and disrupt a surprisingly pass-heavy Jets offensive game plan. The offense played its second straight shaky game, but this time the defense was able to bail it out by making a few big stops.

The big play: The Jets were manhandling the Giants on defense in the first half, but with a little more than two minutes left before halftime, Eli Manning completed a 99-yard touchdown pass to Victor Cruz that put the Giants on top 10-7. It was the play of the game and possibly, as it turns out, the Giants' season, as it sent the Jets into the halftime locker room demoralized and apparently determined to throw the ball to make up for it.

Touchy at the end: The Giants appeared to have the game locked up when they recovered a fumble in the end zone at the end of a long Jets drive. But even though they were up 20-7, they came out throwing, and Manning threw an interception on the first play that the Jets would later convert into a touchdown. The Jets got the ball back at their own eight-yard line with 2:24 left, but the Chris Canty sacked Sanchez in the end zone for the safety that sealed the Giants' win.

What's next: The Giants host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday here at MetLife Stadium in the game that will decide the division title.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Thoughts on the Tennessee Titans’ 23-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at LP Field Stadium.

What it means: The Titans remain alive for the No. 6 seed in the AFC with a win that moved them to 8-7. They still need a win at Houston and help to qualify for the postseason. The Jaguars fell to 4-11.

What I liked, Titans: A week after the Titans were far too conservative against a Colts defense lacking in the secondary, they found a weak spot to attack down field against a team missing three starters in the secondary. Tight end Jared Cook caught eight passes for 169 yards and a touchdown, finding himself alone with middle linebacker Paul Posluszny a few times. That’s a franchise record for tight end receiving yards in a game. Dave Casper had 150 for the Oilers in 1980.

What I didn’t like, Jaguars: The Jaguars had too many three-and-outs and were in third-and-long far too often. With ineffective plays on first downs, they just couldn’t get a lot of drives started. The defense set things up several times. They had two interceptions and a fumble recovery that could have really gotten them back in the game, but the offense managed to convert them into just 10 points.

Second-guess city: A pass play on fourth-and-1 from the Tennessee 9-yard line wound up intercepted by Michael Griffin. It’s easy to say they should have handed off to Maurice Jones-Drew. But they should have handed off to Maurice Jones-Drew.

What I wonder: How in the world can Jones-Drew top 100 yards and be in the lead for the rushing title when the Jaguars passing offense has been so ineffective this season?

What’s next: The Titans head for Houston, where they hope to mess up Houston's playoff positioning and squeeze into the postseason field. The Jaguars host the Indianapolis Colts. If they beat Indianapolis, the Jaguars assure Indianapolis of the top pick in the April draft.

BALTIMORE -- Thoughts on the Baltimore Ravens' 20-14 win over the Cleveland Browns:

What it means: Even though they struggled to put away the Browns in the second half, the Ravens (11-4) move on step closer to the AFC North title, a home playoff game and a first-round bye. Baltimore can clinch all of that with a win at Cincinnati next Sunday. The Ravens went undefeated at home for the first time in team history and won for the 10th straight time at M&T Bank Stadium. The Browns (4-11) lost for eighth time in nine games, including five in a row.

Dumb penalty: The Browns made some inexcusable mistakes in this game but none more than the one with two minutes remaining. On fourth-and-2, the Ravens lined up obviously looking to get the Browns to jump offside -- and rookie nose tackle Phil Taylor did. Taylor grabbed his helmet in disbelief, but it allowed the Ravens to run out the final minutes of the game.

Return problems: Josh Cribbs broke the Browns' shutout in the third quarter when he returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown. It was the third touchdown allowed by the Ravens special teams this year (two on punt and one on kickoff). This is the first time that Baltimore has allowed multiple touchdowns on punt returns since 2002. Cribbs has 11 touchdowns off returns, but this was the longest of his career.

Bad decision: Down 17-0, the Browns made a head-scratcher of a decision to end the first half. On second-and-goal at the 3-yard line, the Browns chose to run the ball in the final seconds without any timeouts. Peyton Hillis was stopped for no gain with about five seconds remaining, and Cleveland went into halftime without any points. It was just a poor decision by coach Pat Shurmur, who should have either thrown the ball in that situation or kicked the field goal.

Can't cover: It was a rough first half for Cleveland linebacker D'Qwell Jackson. He allowed both touchdowns in pass coverage -- a 5-yarder on a back-shoulder throw to Ed Dickson and a 42-yarder to Ray Rice on a wheel route.

Showing strong leg: Shayne Graham more than filled in for Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff, converting from 48 and 43 yards. Cundiff was inactive because of a left calf injury. It will be interesting how the Ravens handle the kicking situation next Sunday.

What's next: The Ravens end the regular season at the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns close it out by hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers.