Seattle 24, N.Y. Giants 21 (OT): On a day of multiple statement games for the NFC, the Seahawks made a huge one by surviving -- yes, that's the right word -- to win this game. Jay Feely had three chances to win the game with a field goal, once at the end of regulation and twice in overtime, and missed them all. The Giants did an amazing job of bottling up Shaun Alexander, and that went a long way toward making this game so close for its duration. But Alexander finally got going when it counted, with back-to-back runs of eight and 13 yards in overtime to help set up Josh Brown's winning kick. For the Giants, frustration will go beyond the fact that it was a game they thought they had won three different times. They will also look at the squandered brilliant performances by Tiki Barber (151 rushing yards and five receptions for 27 yards) and Eli Manning (29 of 53 for 344 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception). It was a draining performance, but the Seahawks still have the distinction of being one of two teams to beat -- if not THE team -- in the NFC.

San Diego 23, Washington 17 (OT): Let's not get too hasty about that Shaun Alexander for MVP talk. LaDainian Tomlinson keeps himself very much in the conversation by doing the sort of thing he did in this game, which is score three touchdowns, including a 41-yarder in overtime. Tomlinson ripped through a very good defense for 184 rushing yards, and also caught six passes for 29 more yards. His efforts allowed the Chargers to overcome a three-interception day for Drew Brees, who seemingly could do no wrong in Week 11 against Buffalo. San Diego's defense merits recognition for limiting Mark Brunell to under 200 passing yards and one scoring throw, and holding Clinton Portis to 83 yards on the ground. Once again, the Redskins were not able to get any big plays because their biggest play-maker, Santana Moss, finished with a mere 65 receiving yards (and a long of 22) on six catches.

Kansas City 26, New England 16: It's tough enough to win at Arrowhead Stadium with a complete offense. It's nearly impossible to do so without the help of a running game. And the Patriots simply don't have one, which allowed KC's defense to intercept Tom Brady four times. Brady has done a remarkable job of carrying the Super Bowl champions on his passing arm, but the load has become too heavy. The Chiefs dominated this game in all phases. With the ground support of Larry Johnson's 119 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries, Trent Green was free to further take apart New England's injury-shredded defense for 323 yards and a score. Amazingly, the loss did nothing to damage New England's hold on first place in the AFC East, because the Bills also lost. Even more incredible is that the Patriots, at 6-5, still have the inside track on winning the division.

St. Louis 33, Houston 27 (OT): The indication of a poor team isn't limited to its won-loss record, which told the story of the Texans' nightmarish season long before kickoff. No, it is when a team goes to unbelievable lengths to find a way to lose, as the Texans did in falling to 1-10. They found a way to squander a 21-point halftime lead. Perhaps, as a team that has found itself buried so deeply in a losing atmosphere this season, the Texans simply didn't know how to go about closing the sale. The Rams deserve credit for their big-hearted effort, especially considering they were without injured starting quarterback Marc Bulger and that rookie third-stringer Ryan Fitzpatrick led the comeback after Jamie Martin left late in the first quarter with a blow to the head. The Texans sacked Fitzpatrick five times, but he kept his composure well enough to throw for 310 yards and three touchdowns.

Minnesota 24, Cleveland 12: The Vikings have become perhaps the best story of the second half of the season. To merely pick up the shattered pieces of their first half of the year is impressive enough. To put themselves into the postseason hunt is almost beyond comprehension. Like the Bears, the Vikings are doing it with defense. Minnesota made it a long and miserable day for Trent Dilfer, forcing him into four turnovers (two interceptions and two fumbles), while also discouraging the Browns from getting their usual strong production from Reuben Droughns. And with the Vikings' defensive dominance setting the tone, Brad Johnson, who has been a steadying force since replacing injured Daunte Culpepper at quarterback, was in great position to throw for three touchdowns.

Cincinnati 42, Baltimore 29: The Ravens certainly opened a few eyes with their stunning win against the Steelers in Week 11, but they returned to reality seven days later. The Bengals had no problem doing anything they pleased against Baltimore's defense. And it all began with the constant big-play threat of Cincinnati's passing game, which saw Carson Palmer throw for 300-plus yards and three touchdowns along with an interception. Rudi Johnson complemented Palmer with a 100-plus-yard, two-touchdown rushing day as the Bengals offensive line once again demonstrated its ability to dominate. The Bengals and Steelers are going to continue to wage this two-team battle for the AFC North title, and the outcome will likely be decided by how each team does in games it is supposed to win.

Carolina 13, Buffalo 9: Despite the Panthers' 7-3 record entering the game, this was a critical win. After their Week 11 loss to Chicago, the Panthers needed to keep their solid footing in the competitive NFC postseason picture, and they have done so by assuming sole possession of first place in the NFC South. Their defense did enough to make the difference in the outcome, holding Willis McGahee to a mere 53 rushing yards and constantly harassing J.P. Losman, who was sacked four times and threw a late interception to seal the game. But their offense -- especially their running game -- struggled too much against a beat-up and struggling Bills defense that can't stop anyone on the ground.

Jacksonville 24, Arizona 17: The Jaguars had the necessary depth at quarterback and running back, to go along with a solid defensive performance, to dispose of the Cardinals. David Garrard took over after Byron Leftwich left with what reportedly is a broken ankle. Although Garrard didn't do anything special with his arm, he did run for 61 yards and a touchdown. Garrard also avoided mistakes and kept the Jags offense on track. Greg Jones, filling in for injured Fred Taylor at running back, produced 78 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Jacksonville's defense forced Kurt Warner to throw an interception and lose a fumble. It was the sort of effort that continues to make the Jaguars a strong factor in the AFC playoff picture, but the team could have serious trouble down the stretch with Leftwich likely out for an extended period.

Miami 33, Oakland 21: By the end, it seemed as if neither team wanted to win. The Raiders had opportunity after opportunity, and failed to capitalize. Ditto for the Dolphins. But after such a dreadful showing in Cleveland in Week 11, the Dolphins did show plenty by traveling across the country and coming out with a win that keeps them alive in the AFC East, a division that none of its members seem to want to win. Ricky Williams was impressive, rushing for 82 yards and a touchdown. Gus Frerotte was effective enough, throwing for 261 yards and two scores, while also throwing an interception. But at the end of the day, Miami's MVP might very well have been Kerry Collins, who threw for no scores, had two interceptions and fumbled. The one Raiders bright spot: LaMont Jordan's 97 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Philadelphia 19, Green Bay 14: Who said the Eagles can't run the ball? They churned out 180 yards, including 117 and a touchdown from Brian Westbrook. And that was all the Eagles needed on a day when the Packers had a decent running game of their own (111 yards by Samkon Gado) but killed themselves with mistakes. Brett Favre threw two interceptions, and Green Bay also lost three fumbles. Mike McMahon didn't do all that much to help the Eagles win, but he did nothing to hurt them in throwing for 91 yards.

Tennessee 33, San Francisco 22: There was no coincidence that Steve McNair had his best performance since 2003 against the league's lowest-ranked overall defense and pass defense. But let's not take anything away from McNair. Regardless of the opponent, he did look like the McNair of old, throwing for 343 yards and three touchdowns. The Titans also looked like their old, playmaking selves on defense, forcing four turnovers (including two interceptions and a fumble by Niners quarterback Ken Dorsey).