NFC WILD-CARD SPOTS UP FOR GRABS WHEN PACKERS HOST THE GIANTS ON SPORTSNET IN WEEK 16

Sportsnet has four NFL games this week, all in high definition

TORONTO (December 22, 2010) – The NFL playoff picture heats up on Rogers Sportsnet with NFC wild-card positions on the line when the Green Bay Packers host the New York Giants on Sunday, December 26 at 4 p.m. (ET) on Sportsnet East.

At the same time, Sportsnet will broadcast the game featuring a pair of AFC teams looking to stay in the playoff hunt when the Indianapolis Colts visit the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, December 26 at 4 p.m. (ET)/2 p.m. (MT)/1 p.m. (PT) on the Sportsnet Ontario, West and Pacific channels.

In addition, Sportsnet will be the exclusive Canadian broadcaster of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers game on Thursday, December 23 at 8 p.m. (ET)/5 p.m. (PT) and the Christmas Day match-up between the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, December 25 at 7:30 p.m. (ET)/4:30 p.m. (PT) on the Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific channels.

Throughout each week, Sportsnet Connected has expert NFL analysis of key match-ups featuring former Pro Bowl safety Rod Woodson, former NFL lineman Jamie Dukes and former NFL defensive back Charles Davis. Woodson, Dukes and Davis are all analysts for the NFL Network.

Giants (9-5) currently hold one of the wild-card spots in the NFC. New York can clinch a playoff spot this weekend with a win over Green Bay. Giants are still trying to recover from a stunning 38-31 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last week. Giants held a 24-3 lead at halftime before the Eagles stormed back to win it on a 65-yard punt return by DeSean Jackson on the last play of the game. Packers coach Mike McCarthy expects quarterback Aaron Rodgers to start this Sunday at home against the Giants. Rodgers is 9-1 in his last 10 starts at home. Green Bay must win their final two games for a wild-card berth. If the Packers finish the season in a tie with the Giants, they will qualify for the post-season. Green Bay’s defence leads the league with15.7 points allowed per game.

Colts (8-6) moved into a first-place tie with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South after scoring 34-24 win against them in Week 15. Indianapolis controls their own destiny if they win their final two games which would secure the division title. Colts QB Peyton Manning continues to top all passers with 4,257 passing yards and 407 completions. Indianapolis has won two straight against Oakland. Raiders (7-7) are 5-0 in the AFC West and sit third behind the first-place Kansas City Chiefs. Oakland meets the Chiefs next week and if they end up in a tie for the division lead, the Raiders would win it. Raiders QB Jason Campbell is 4-0 as a starter at home this year. Oakland is tied with the Pats and Eagles for the NFL lead with 17 rushing touchdowns this season.

Steelers (10-4) have clinched a playoff spot and can capture the AFC North and a first-round bye this weekend with a win and a Baltimore Ravens loss. Pittsburgh has given up the fewest rushing yards in the league with 63.4 per game. Carolina (2-12) owns the league’s worst record but are coming off a 19-12 win over the Cardinals.

Cowboys (5-9) posted a 33-30 win over the Washington Redskins last week. Dallas improved to 4-2 under interim coach Jason Garrett, guaranteeing no worse than a break-even finish in his tenure. Arizona (4-10) remains last in the NFC West behind the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks who are tied for first. Cardinals won 30-24 in overtime when they last met the the Cowboys back in 2008.

For all the scores, highlights, breaking news and inside stories from the NFL tune in to Sportsnet Connected and log on to sportsnet.ca. “Your home team. First.”

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