Many teams didn't come through.
Of all the inopportune losses suffered Sunday, the New England Patriots may have suffered the worst, getting crushed by the Pittsburgh Steelers 33-10 at Heinz Field. The loss dropped the 7-5 Pats a game behind Baltimore and Indianapolis in the AFC wild-card hunt.
''A couple of weeks ago, all the games became must wins,'' New England running back Sammy Morris said. ''Now it puts a little more emphasis on every game.''
San Diego was two games back of Denver in the unimpressive AFC West. But after a 22-16 loss to Atlanta and the Broncos' surprising victory over the Jets, the 4-8 Chargers are three back with four to play.
''We got our butts kicked - plain and simple,'' said San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson, the two-time defending NFL rushing champion who was held to a season-low 24 yards on 14 carries.
Plenty of other teams took hits to their playoff hopes, too. New Orleans (6-6) lost to Tampa Bay 23-20 to remain in last place in the NFC South. Buffalo, which began the season 5-1, dropped to 6-6 after losing to San Francisco 10-3. The Green Bay Packers, in a tight NFC North battle, fell two games back of first place after losing to Carolina 35-31. And Washington, after a 6-2 start, lost for the third time in four games, falling to the Giants 23-7.
''There's still a long road ahead of us,'' Redskins running back Clinton Portis said. ''We're not out of the playoffs. Back two weeks ago, everybody was crucifying the Cowboys. Now they're back to America's greatest team. Now we're in the same situation.''
BRONCOS 34, JETS 17
Denver quarterback Jay Cutler shines, while New York QB Brett Favre struggles as the Broncos derail the Jets' five-game winning streak. D4
STEELERS 33, PATRIOTS 10
Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel returns to Earth, throwing two interceptions, losing two fumbles and getting sacked five times. D5
PANTHERS 35, PACKERS 31
Running back DeAngelo Williams scores his fourth touchdown of the game with 1:30 left, lifting Carolina to a victory at Lambeau Field. D4
* Miami 16, St. Louis 12
* Carolina 35, Green Bay 31
* N.Y. Giants 23, Washington 7
* San Francisco 10, Buffalo 3
* Baltimore 34, Cincinnati 3
* Indianapolis 10, Cleveland 6
* Tampa Bay 23, New Orleans 20
* Atlanta 22, San Diego 16
* Denver 34, N.Y. Jets 17
* Kansas City 20, Oakland 13
* Pittsburgh 33, New England 10
* Minnesota 34, Chicago 14
* Jacksonville at Houston,
6:30 p.m., ESPN, 1320 AM
* RUSHING: Thomas Jones, Jets, 16 carries, 138 yards, 2 TDs
* PASSING: Jay Cutler, Broncos, 27-for-43, 357 yards, 2 TDs
* RECEIVING: Mark Clayton, Ravens, 5 receptions, 164 yards, 1 TD
