The Nickel Package

5 STRONG FINISHERS

* Tiki Barber, New York Giants -- Leads the NFL with 430 yards from scrimmage in the fourth quarter.

* LaMont Jordan, Oakland -- His team might fade, but Jordan doesn’t -- 406 yards in the fourth.

* Larry Johnson, Kansas City -- The way this guy is playing (393), Chiefs should give last rites to Priest.

* LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego -- If the Chargers can finish like Tomlinson (393), they’ll be fine.

* Ronnie Brown, Miami -- Even sharing time with Ricky Williams, rookie Brown is hanging tough (364).

*--* 5 COLT CLASSICS

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* 1964 -- Baltimore went 12-2 before losing in the NFL championship game.

* 1968 -- Colts went 13-1 but wound up losing Super Bowl III to Namath’s Jets.

* 1999 -- Indy went 13-3 in Peyton Manning’s second year, then lost in divisional playoff.

* 2003 -- Colts finished 12-4, only to lose in a snowy game at New England.

* 2004 -- Another 12-4 season, another loss to Patriots. Can Manning win the big one?

*--* 5 TELLING STATISTICS

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* In his last five games, Chicago cornerback Nate Vasher has four interceptions, two touchdown returns and two forced fumbles.

* The Bengals face Cleveland’s Charlie Frye. The other rookie quarterback to play them, Chicago’s Kyle Orton, had five interceptions.

* New England’s Tom Brady has a 58.2 quarterback rating in his last two road starts, including six interceptions.

* Jet running back Curtis Martin has averaged only 2.3 yards a carry in his last four games against the Raiders.

* In his last five home games, Denver’s Jake Plummer has eight touchdown passes and no interceptions.

*--* 5 STARS: 2000 1ST ROUNDERS

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***** Brian Urlacher, Chicago -- Potential Hall of Fame linebacker taken after LaVar Arrington.

**** Shaun Alexander, Seattle -- Leads the NFL in rushing and touchdowns.

*** Jamal Lewis, Baltimore -- Had one spectacular season but hasn’t been the same since.

** Chad Pennington, New York Jets -- Showed flashes of promise but is injury prone.

* R. Jay Soward, Jacksonville -- Jaguars ignored character warnings, then paid the price.

*--* 5 LOCKS

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* Cincinnati over Cleveland -- The way Carson Palmer is playing, Browns don’t have a chance.

* New York Giants over Philadelphia -- The Eagles are ready to have this season done and gone.

* Denver over Baltimore -- The Ravens have lost a franchise-record nine consecutive road games.

* Seattle over San Francisco -- 49ers played the Seahawks tough in Week 11. Not this time.

* Atlanta over New Orleans -- Falcons have played their best football on Monday nights this season.

SOURCE: STATS LLC