NFL Roundup

Terrell Owens made history on a day when only the New York Giants could wrap up a playoff berth. <br><br>Owens broke a 50-year-old record Sunday, catching 20 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown as San

Monday, December 18th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Terrell Owens made history on a day when only the New York Giants could wrap up a playoff berth.

Owens broke a 50-year-old record Sunday, catching 20 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown as San Francisco shut out Chicago 17-0 in what could be Jerry's Rice's last home game with the 49ers.

Owens' 20 catches surpassed Tom Fears' record 18 with the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 3, 1950, against Green Bay. Owens also broke Rice's franchise record of 16 receptions set against the Los Angeles Rams in 1994.

``What I did by no means overshadows No. 80,'' Owens said about his mentor. ``He's been a big part of my success.''

While Miami and the New York Jets missed opportunities to clinch the postseason, the Giants rallied from 13 points down to win 17-13 at Dallas and win the NFC East.

New Orleans all but wrapped up its first playoff bid since 1992 with a 23-7 win over Atlanta at the Superdome. Only a tie in Monday night's game between St. Louis and Tampa Bay â€” there has not been a tie in the NFL since 1997 â€” can prevent the Saints from reaching postseason play.

``I don't know of too many teams that go 3-13, then have won 10 games to this point this season,'' coach Jim Haslett said. ``The way these guys have stuck together and really become a family, the way they feed off one another, that's the biggest thing I'm proud of.''

Edgerrin James ran for 112 yards as Indianapolis averted elimination and left Miami on the brink of another late-season collapse with a 20-13 win.

Detroit kept its postseason hopes alive and severely damaged those of the Jets with a sloppy 10-7 victory at the Meadowlands.

And Minnesota missed a chance to wrap up home-field advantage in the NFC, losing its second straight game, 33-28 to Green Bay.

In other games, it was Kansas City 20, Denver 7; Tennessee 24, Cleveland 0; Baltimore 13, Arizona 7; Cincinnati 17, Jacksonville 14; New England 13, Buffalo 10, in overtime; and Carolina 30, San Diego 22.

Philadelphia was off this week.

On Saturday, Seattle stopped Oakland 27-24 and Pittsburgh beat Washington 24-3.

49ers 17, Bears 0

After Jerry Rice's daughter sang the national anthem, the NFL's most prolific pass catcher made a 25-yard reception on San Francisco's first play.

With video tributes on the scoreboard all day, Rice finished with seven catches for 74 yards. The crowd saluted him throughout the game with chants of ``Jerry! Jerry!'' and he took a victory lap after it was over.

``This is home. It will always be home,'' said Rice, who is expected to be released because of salary cap constraints. ``I will always look back on these memories.''

Jeff Garcia was 36-of-44 for 402 yards and two touchdowns. Greg Clark caught a short scoring pass on the first drive for the 49ers (6-9), and Owens added a 27-yard scoring catch in the third quarter.

The Bears (4-11) never got their offense past midfield.

Giants 17, Cowboys 13

Kerry Collins threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Amani Toomer, and an interception by Emmanuel McDaniel set up an 8-yard TD run by Tiki Barber for New York.

The Giants (11-4) won for the fourth straight time since coach Jim Fassel guaranteed they were going to the playoffs. New York can clinch the NFC's top seed with a victory Saturday at home against Jacksonville.

The Cowboys fell to 5-10.

Saints 23, Falcons 7

Aaron Brooks, making just his fourth NFL start, completed 24 of 35 passes for 285 yards for New Orleans.

The Saints (10-5) are hoping to earn the fifth playoff berth in their 34-year history.

Atlanta (3-12) scored on an 88-yard kickoff return by Darrick Vaughn to start the second half.

Colts 20, Dolphins 13

Peyton Manning threw for 206 yards for visiting Indianapolis and Miami (10-5) missed a chance to clinch a playoff spot for the second straight week.

``We will rally,'' Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said. ``We will hang together and bounce back.''

The Colts (9-6) will make the postseason if they beat Minnesota and the New York Jets lose at Baltimore in the season finale.

Lions 10, Jets 7

James Stewart ran for a career-best 164 yards and guard Jeff Hartings scored Detroit's only touchdown when he recovered Stewart's fumble in the end zone.

The Lions (9-6) need to beat Chicago next week and get help to reach the postseason.

John Hall of the Jets missed a 35-yard field goal try with nine second left. New York (9-6) must win at Baltimore next week or get lots of help to make the playoffs.

``We let a hell of an opportunity slip away,'' quarterback Vinny Testaverde said. ``We don't have time to feel sorry for ourselves.''

Titans 24, Browns 0

Tennessee moved closer to clinching home-field advantage throughout the playoffs as Eddie George ran for 176 yards and three touchdowns at Cleveland.

The defending AFC champion Titans (12-3) posted their first shutout in seven seasons, when the team was located in Houston.

The Browns (3-13) lost their fifth in a row to finish off their second season back in the NFL.

Chiefs 20, Broncos 7

Tony Richardson ran for 156 yards, the most by a Kansas City back in a decade, and the Chiefs stopped Denver's six-game winning streak.

The loss at chilly Arrowhead Stadium cost the Broncos (10-5) a chance to tie Oakland for the AFC West lead. Kansas City (7-8) swept the season series for the second straight year.

Ravens 13, Cardinals 7

Jamie Sharper's interception set up Baltimore's only touchdown as the playoff-bound Ravens once again relied on defense to win.

The Ravens (11-4) were outgained 309-214 at Arizona, yet still won their sixth in a row.

If the Ravens hold the Jets to 41 points or fewer next week they will break the mark for fewest points allowed in a 16-game season of 187 set by the 1986 Chicago Bears.

Packers 33, Vikings 28

Brett Favre threw three touchdown passes and Ahman Green ran for a career-high 161 yards as Green Bay stopped Minnesota's 13-game home winning streak.

The Vikings (11-4) can still clinch home-field advantage with a victory against Indianapolis.

Ryan Longwell kicked four field goals for the Packers (8-7), who must beat Tampa Bay next Sunday at Lambeau Field to have a chance at reaching the playoffs.

Bengals 17, Jaguars 14

Rookie Neil Rackers kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired, lifting Cincinnati over visiting Jacksonville (7-8).

Danny Farmer, a Los Angeles native playing for the first time in the snow, caught passes of 38, 22 and 19 yards as the Bengals (4-11) drove toward a tying touchdown with 3:22 left.

Patriots 13, Bills 10, OT

Adam Vinatieri redeemed himself by making a 24-yard field goal with 19 seconds left in overtime for New England (5-10).

Vinatieri had missed seven of his 11 previous field-goal tries at Buffalo, including a 27-yarder at the end of regulation.

The Bills (7-8) had a chance to win with six minutes left in overtime, but Steve Christie's 30-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

Panthers 30, Chargers 22

Iheanyi Uwaezuoke scored on a 64-yard punt return and Doug Evans returned a blocked field goal 54 yards for another touchdown as Carolina (7-8) beat San Diego (1-14).