Saudi Cabinet upbeat about Riyadh summit strengthening joint action to stop Gaza war    "Tilal" launches "Heart of Khobar" project costing SR6 billion at "Cityscape Global" in Riyadh    Saudi Arabia advances 22 ranks in World Bank's Statistical Performance Index    EXPRO chief: Financial proceeds of expenditure efficiency amounted to SR1.15 trillion    Saudi drivers' income from delivery applications reaches SR1.1 billion in first 9 months of 2024    Saudi Champion Saeed Al-Mouri scores notable feat in Radical World Championship in Abu Dhabi with support from Bin-Shihon Group    'Marvels of Saudi Orchestra' to dazzle audience in Tokyo on Nov. 22    Pakistan PM visits MWL headquarters in Makkah    Riyadh: The hub of wisdom and the pillar of solidarity    Toxic smog in Pakistan is so bad you can see it from space    New Zealand PM says sorry for 'horrific' care home abuse    New arrests made in Amsterdam over violence after football match    Climate fight 'bigger than one election', says Biden's top envoy    Saudi Arabia launches Young Researchers Awards at UNCCD COP16 science pavilion Total prize pool of $70,000 for students and researchers from across the world    Red Sea International Film Festival returns to Al Balad in its fourth edition    Rita Ora is tearful in tribute to Liam Payne at MTV Awards    'Art of the Kingdom': First traveling exhibition of contemporary Saudi art launched in Rio de Janeiro    France to deploy 4,000 police officers for UEFA Nations League match against Israel    Al Nassr edges past Al Riyadh with Mane's goal to move up to third    Al Ahli continues strong form with 2-0 win over Al Raed in Saudi Pro League    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



NFL playoff dreams are on the line
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 23 - 12 - 2012

SEATTLE — Sunday's divisional clash between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers headlines a fascinating penultimate weekend of regular season National Football League (NFL) action where playoff dreams are on the line.
Nineteen teams still have a mathematical shot at qualifying for the playoffs but the field of hopefuls dreaming of a berth in February's Super Bowl will be cut after the weekend action.
The New England Patriots (AFC East), Houston Texans (AFC South), Denver Broncos (AFC West), Green Bay Packers (NFC North) and Atlanta Falcons (NFC South) have already secured their respective division titles.
The Baltimore Ravens and 49ers, still looking to lock up their division titles, are guaranteed places in the 12-team playoff where five more spots are up for grabs.
Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck, who took over a team that finished with the NFL's worst record last season, can cap a remarkable Colts turnaround as a win at the Kansas City Chiefs or a Pittsburgh Steelers loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, would give his team a playoff berth.
A victory by the Bengals, who enter the game having won five of their last six contests, will give head coach Marvin Lewis's team a surprise ticket to the playoffs and knock the Steelers out contention.
Several other teams know that a win Sunday keeps their playoff hopes alive going into the final day of the regular season on Dec. 30.
There is much at stake in Seattle this week where two stingy defenses meet when the Seahawks, undefeated at home this season, host the 49ers in a matchup featuring two teams chasing the NFC West division crown.
The 49ers are ranked first in scoring defense, allowing just 15.6 points per game, while Seattle have given up just one more point over the season.
Seattle needs a win to secure a playoff spot while a victory for the 49ers secures them the divisional title.
The 49ers have also hit form at the right time. Since Colin Kaepernick took over at quarterback from Alex Smith, San Francisco have gone 4-1.
The defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants have won just two of their last six games and need another late-season turnaround to make it out of the tough NFC East, starting at Baltimore on Sunday.
The Minnesota Vikings are one of the teams hoping their ambitions last until at least the final week of the season but they face a tough test at Houston.
While the focus is on team achievement at this crucial stage of the campaign, the Vikings can be forgiven for celebrating if their running back Adrian Peterson reaches an individual goal.
Peterson is 188 yards shy of his first 2,000-yard season and also has a chance to beat Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984. — Reuters


Clic here to read the story from its source.