LEADING OFF

Bird's-Eye View

Cardinals linebacker Chike Okeafor (56) gave Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers his undivided attention during their NFC wild-card game in Glendale, Ariz., on Sunday (page 46). Rodgers completed 28 of 42 passes for 422 yards and four touchdowns, but his counterpart, Kurt Warner, was even better in guiding Arizona to an epic 51--45 overtime victory: 29 of 33 for 379 yards and five TDs.

The Drop Of a Cat

Bengals wide receiver Andre Caldwell plunged headfirst to the turf in Cincinnati after being tackled by Jets safety Jim Leonhard (36) in the first quarter of their AFC wild-card game last Saturday (page 50). The initial ruling of a completion was overturned after a challenge and video review. With its defense holding the Bengals to 110 passing yards, New York prevailed 24--14.

Miles High

Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin jumped into the arms of tackle Flozell Adams last Saturday after his six-yard second-quarter touchdown catch against the Eagles in Arlington, Texas (page 46). Austin caught seven passes for 82 yards in Dallas's 34--14 NFC wild-card win, and Adams, the longest-tenured Cowboy, celebrated the first playoff victory of his 12-year career.

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Photograph by Peter Read Miller

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Photograph by David Bergman

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Photograph by Bill Frakes