Week 15 Breakdown

Plot: While Seahawk trainers pore over the results of Matt Hasselbeck's ankle MRI -- warming up in the bullpen ... Jeff George -- the Falcons and the media and fans in Atlanta are concerned with happier issues, such as which candy Michael Vick is going to endorse. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Web site conducted a poll asking, "What candy endorsement would best suit Mike Vick's playing style best?" Tied for the lead with 25% of the vote: Mr. Goodbar (the Vikings are still looking for him) and 100 Grand. What about Nestle's Crunch? Or didn't they watch Vick against Tampa Bay last game?

Monday's headline: "Vick Pours It On Good & Plenty"

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N.Y. JETS AT CHICAGO

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: New York by 6 1/2

Quick slant: Poor Dick Jauron.

Plot: The pressure appears to be getting to Chicago's Jauron, who in 12 months has regressed from NFL Coach of the Year to a hollow-eyed wreck muttering to himself like a crazy person. Recently, when asked by reporters about the status of his radio show, Jauron replied, "It's not my show, but I'm on that show." When asked how Bear Roosevelt Williams could get caught and dragged down from behind on his fumble return against Green Bay, Jauron said it was because of Williams "not getting into an athletic rhythm." Judging from Chicago's 3-10 record, Williams isn't the only Bear with that affliction.

Monday's headline: "Still Waiting For Bears To Get Into Athletic Rhythm"

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OAKLAND AT MIAMI

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

TV: Channel 2

The line: Miami by 1 1/2

Quick slant: Save Marino's record!

Plot: That's the Dolphins' battle cry as Raider Rich Gannon invades Miami on pace to break Dan Marino's single-season passing mark of 5,084 yards. After logging his 10th 300-yard passing game this season, which broke another Marino record, Gannon remains on pace to pass for 5,175 yards. As you might expect, this hasn't sat well with Marino, who says Gannon should not be the league's most valuable player because "I would pay to watch Michael Vick play. I wouldn't pay to watch Rich Gannon play, so Michael Vick is the MVP." With logic like that, Jay Fiedler would be out of football by now.

Monday's headline: "Gannon Makes Marino, Dolphins Pay"

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TAMPA BAY AT DETROIT

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Tampa Bay by 8 1/2

Quick slant: Be careful what you wish for.

Plot: The Buccaneers chew up young quarterbacks, don't they? It hasn't been a week since the Tampa Bay defense clamped down on Michael Vick and here goes Detroit's Joey Harrington, popping off about wanting to get "ear-holed" by Warren Sapp. See, young Joey tried to explain, he once read an interview in which Sapp said he respected Brett Favre because Favre kept getting up after Sapp hit him and, well, young Joey, wants that same kind of respect. Sapp told Detroit reporters he would try to accommodate the rookie. "Oh, yeah, definitely," he said. "If they're going to give up one of them."

Monday's headline: "Harrington's Ear Hole Still Ringing"

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BALTIMORE AT HOUSTON

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Baltimore by 3

Quick slant: Houston's offensive strategy? Yes, it is.

Plot: "Nothing from nothing leaves nothing." Old Billy Preston lyric? Or new Texan offensive game plan? Sunday in Pittsburgh, the Texans amassed 47 yards and three first downs -- and still won, 24-6, thanks to three defensive touchdowns. Texan tight end Billy Miller was so embarrassed, he returned to practice wearing a cap that read "Texans Special Teams." And this was after Miller probably set a record by becoming the first tight end to make all his team's catches in a single game. Yes, he caught all three. So why the embarrassment? The Ravens once won a Super Bowl playing exactly this way.

Monday's headline: "Ravens Remember Good Old Days, Win, 9-3"

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SAN DIEGO AT BUFFALO

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Buffalo by 3

Quick slant: Me and you and two quarterbacks named Drew.

Plot: It's old Drew against new Drew as Bledsoe and Brees try to keep their respective teams' playoff hopes flickering Sunday amid snow blowers and hand warmers. At 6-7, Bledsoe's Bills are at the end of their rope, which explains why they are favored over the 8-5 Chargers. Another reason: The Chargers are 2-4 in their last six games. "We're definitely living on the edge," San Diego Coach Marty Schottenheimer says. "We've got a few plays with [Doug] Flutie at wide receiver ... I'm serious. Why not?" Other than Flutie being 40, pint-sized and a quarterback, it sounds like a stroke of genius.

Monday's headline: "Brees Freezes"

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CAROLINA AT PITTSBURGH

Kickoff: Sunday, 10 a.m.

The line: Pittsburgh by 8 1/2

Quick slant: Steelers give thanks: No more expansion teams on the schedule.