SIMON EVANS

The Houston Texans reached the National Football League (NFL) playoffs for the first time while the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots both edged closer to booking their spots in the post-season.

The Texans wrapped up the AFC South title with a 20-19 comeback victory at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday to secure their first playoff berth since joining the league in 2002.

Rookie quarterback T.J. Yates won the game for the Texans with a six yard touchdown pass to Kevin Walter with just two seconds left on the clock.

The conversion sealed Houston’s seventh straight victory and saw them join the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs after they both secured their positions last week.

New Orleans, Super Bowl champions two seasons back, clinched their fifth straight win after quarterback Drew Brees threw two fourth quarter touchdowns to Marques Colston as they won 22-17 at the Tennessee Titans.

Brees threw for 337 yards and his two touchdowns meant he had thrown for at least one touchdown in 40 consecutive games, a record bettered only by Johnny Unitas’ 47.

The NFC South leading Saints would be assured of their playoff spot later on Sunday if the Chicago Bears lost to the Denver Broncos.

The Atlanta Falcons kept up the chase in the NFC South after a 31-23 victory over the Carolina Panthers with quarterback Matt Ryan throwing for 320 yards and four touchdowns.

The New England Patriots were also hitting form at the right time, picking up a fifth successive win with a 34-27 triumph over the Washington Redskins, masterminded by quarterback Tom Brady, who threw for 357 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to tight-end Rob Gronkowski.

The Patriots (10-3) led the AFC East ahead of the New York Jets (8-5) who enjoyed a 37-10 romp over Kansas City.

The Baltimore Ravens (10-3) took advantage of the woeful and winless Indianapolis Colts to record a 24-10 win and grab the joint leadership with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North.

The Detroit Lions have struggled of late, losing five of their last seven games, but their hopes of playoff football remained alive after they scraped together a 34-28 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

In the final seconds, Minnesota had a great chance to win but their back-up quarterback Joe Webb fumbled on first and goal and the ball was recovered by Lions defensive end Cliff Avril.

– Reuters

MIAMI (Reuters) – The New England Patriots and the New York Jets clash on Sunday with top spot in the National Football League‘s (NFL) AFC East division at stake while the Big Apple’s other contenders, the Giants, face the San Francisco 49ers in a match-up of divisional leaders.

After contrasting starts to the season – the Patriots racing out of the traps and the Jets making a false start – the two teams both enter Sunday’s game with 5-3 records.

The Buffalo Bills, the early pacesetters, have fallen back to 5-3, meaning there is intense competition for the playoffs in what has been, in recent years, one of the toughest of divisions.

The form team are the Jets – they are 3-0 since losing to the Patriots in week five while the Patriots have lost their last two games, including a dramatic late loss to the New York Giants last week.

The rivalry pits some of the league’s big characters against each other – Tom Brady, the Patriots’ quarterback always relishes taking center stage in the Boston-New York City sporting rivalry, while Darelle Revis, the Jets cornerback, loves nothing more than picking off the Patriots.

On the sidelines are two of the league’s most fascinating coaches – the stern, austere-appearing Bill Belichick of the Patriots and the larger and louder than life Jets boss Rex Ryan.

“You want to win your division, that was our goal. The two years I’ve been here, obviously New England has won the division both times. They’ve beat us already. So we know what this game represents, we’re not afraid to talk about it,” said Ryan.

“We’re approaching it like we have to have this game. We want to win our division. We think it goes through New England. There’s that old saying: ‘To be the champ, you have to beat the champ’, and they’re sitting right in front of us,” he added.

Belichick, typically, was more circumspect.

“The Jets are certainly playing well – have a three-game win streak, scoring points, not giving up many. They’re doing a good job,” said Belichick.

“I don’t think there are a whole lot of new things, just they’re doing a good job. It’ll be a big challenge down there for us this week. I’m sure it will be a very lively crowd, emotional atmosphere.”

SMART FOOTBALL

The Giants are buzzing from their victory over the Patriots, which recalled the Super Bowl triumph at the end of the 2007 season, but now the NFC East leaders face the NFC West’s top dogs in San Francisco.

Eli Manning, who in the absence of his injured brother Peyton, is enjoying some positive time in the spotlight, knows a tough task awaits at Candlestick Park.

“You have to play smart football. They are really talented on defense. Their front seven is really good and you don’t see a whole lot of teams running against them. They get good pressure on the quarterback, just bringing four guys a lot of times. They don’t turn the ball over on offense and they get turnovers on defense,” said Manning.

“They have a great turnover margin so I think it is a matter of playing football. Don’t give them easy breaks and make it tough on their offense. They don’t give up many big plays so it is a matter of being consistent and getting in good third down situations and trying to convert there,” he added.

Monday night’s game sees the rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings return to normality without the additional presence of Brett Favre in the Vikings quarterback role.

The Packers (8-0) are the only unbeaten team in the league while Minnesota are struggling this year on 2-6.

(Editing by Clare Fallon)

Christina Scavo and Shannon O’Toole filed the suit against Favre and the Jets in New York seeking unspecified monetary damages and a chance to resume working for the team after being the target of lewd e-mails sent when Favre was with the Jets in 2008.

Scavo and O’Toole accuse Favre of sexual harassment and the Jets of refusing to hire them for massage work after Scavo’s husband called Favre to complain.

O’Toole and Scavo also sued Jets therapist manager Lisa Ripi and claimed the Jets, who have advanced to next weekend’s opening round of the NFL playoffs, had an atmopshere of “sexual harassment, sexism and inappropriate behaviour.”

Favre texted O’Toole with the messages: “Brett here you and crissy want to get together im all alone.” and “Kinda lonely tonight I guess I have bad intentions.”

Scavo told her husband, according to the lawsuit, and he contacted Favre seeking an apology and an end to such contacts. Favre “responded in an inappropriate manner and refused to apologize,” according to the lawsuit.

“He essentially told him to go away and as a celebrity he couldn’t be bothered with the little people,” David Jarosclawicz, the therapists’ lawyer, told the New York Post.

The lawsuit claims the Jets never again called O’Toole or Scavo to provide massage work.

Ripi, according to the lawsuit, sent Scavo several e-mails that referred to Favre as “a pervert” but also showed Ripi was angry that Scavo did not keep the matter private.

“There are ways to handle things in a professional manner and ways to be compensated not in public. … All this nonsense is unnecessary,” the lawsuit says Ripi wrote Scavo.

“For sure feel horrible that u had to go thru that w a pervert. … He was wrong on all counts…and we cldve helped u a lot more at that time.”

The lawsuit also says Ripi told O’Toole “keep your mouth shut” and said neither woman would ever work for the Jets again.

The lawsuit came one day after Favre’s off-again, on-again NFL career appeared to conclude once and for all, the 41-year-old quarterback reduced to a spectator due to a concussion as the Minnesota Vikings lost Sunday at Detroit.

Favre, the NFL all-time passing leader in most meaningful cateogories, returned from retirement in 2008 to play for the Jets then retired before coming back again with Minnesota, then retired again before a 2010 comeback.

Favre was fined 50,000 dollars last week by the NFL for failing to cooperate with an investigation into accusations that he sent a Jets game-day hostess, Jenn Sterger, lewd photos and suggestive messages.

But after a two-month probe by the league, NFL officials were careful to say they did not have evidence that Favre violated the league’s conduct policy because Favre could not be linked to photographs sent to Sterger.

Jaroslawicz called Favre’s fine by the NFL a joke, adding, “It’s like letting a drunk driver plead guilty to a broken tail light.”

Last September, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell complained the Jets created an inhospitable locker room atmosphere for Mexican television reporter Ines Sanchez.

Elizabeth Eilender, also a lawyer for O’Toole and Scavo, told ABC News that she suspects the situation is not restricted to the Jets.

“I suspect that this case is only the tip of the iceberg with respect to the harassment and discrimination experienced by women working for NFL teams and their players as well as all of men’s professional sports,” she said.

Brett Favre was fined $50,000 by the NFL for a “failure to cooperate” with its investigation into inappropriate messages and lewd photos he allegedly sent to former New York Jets employee Jenn Sterger, a decision her lawyer called extremely disappointing.

The league said Wednesday that Commissioner Roger Goodell “could not conclude” that Favre violated the league’s personal conduct policy based on the evidence available to him.

“The forensic analysis could not establish that Favre sent the objectionable photographs to Sterger,” the statement said. “The review found no evidence to contradict the statements of both Favre and Sterger that they never met in person, nor was there anything to suggest that Sterger engaged in any inappropriate conduct.”

The decision comes a couple of weeks after Favre’s NFL record for consecutive starts was snapped at 297 and ahead of the season finale for the 41-year-old Minnesota Vikings quarterback, who will play what might be his last game — if he’s healthy enough.

The NFL said its sole focus was on whether Favre violated workplace conduct policy, not to “make judgments about the appropriateness of personal relationships.”

Favre’s fine will help fund a new training program on workplace conduct around the NFL, Goodell said in a memo sent to clubs Wednesday, though for the multimillionaire quarterback the penalty is a pittance.

“It clearly shows that an NFL star player was given preferential treatment and tells all other players that failure to cooperate may cost you some money but will not result in other punishment,” said Sterger attorney Joseph Conway, who added that there was “ample evidence” the photos were of Favre.

“Additionally, today’s decision is an affront to all females and shows once again that, despite tough talk, the NFL remains the good old boys’ league.”

Goodell determined Favre was “not candid in several respects during the investigation resulting in a longer review and additional negative public attention for Favre, Sterger and the NFL,” the league’s statement said. The NFL’s investigation began in early October.

Reaching a conclusion in the case dragged out because of difficulties in setting up interviews with “certain key individuals,” the complication of retrieving and reviewing electronic records and Goodell’s decision to meet with both Favre and Sterger before reaching a conclusion, the NFL’s statement said.

Vick’s status is uncertain

Eagles Coach Andy Reid said he hasn’t decided if Michael Vick’s leg bruise will keep the quarterback out of Philadelphia’s regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Vick sustained a bruised quadriceps on the first play of the Eagles’ 24-14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday night.

Reid described Vick as feeling tight and sore Wednesday, but the Eagles did not say which leg is hurt.

“I’m not even sure he can get back from what he’s got here with the quad,” Reid said.

Vick said after the game he tried to “tolerate” the injury and get through the game.

The Eagles don’t need Vick to play Sunday. They are locked into the NFC’s No. 3 seeding and will play host to the sixth-seeded team Jan. 8 or 9. Their final game against the Cowboys is meaningless in the standings, so it’s likely Vick and most of the starters will rest.

Sanchez might not play

Rex Ryan is unsure whether Mark Sanchez will play in the New York Jets’ regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills.

The Jets coach said he was leaning toward playing Sanchez “some,” but might not make a decision on the sore-shouldered quarterback until before the game Sunday at New Meadowlands Stadium. The Jets (10-5) have clinched a playoff berth.

Sanchez said he is preparing to start, but he was limited at practice with a sore right shoulder, the same ailment that bothered him last week. He was injured in the Jets’ win at Pittsburgh on Dec. 19, but played well through it — as he did against Chicago last Sunday.

Both Ryan and Sanchez say the shoulder is further along than it was at this time last week.

Willis’ start streak will end

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis had a second surgical procedure this week on his broken right hand. He will miss a start for the first time in his four-year career in Sunday’s season finale against Arizona.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Willis said in the locker room Wednesday, his hand heavily wrapped.

Willis, who played the last two games with a bulky cast on his hand, was voted to his fourth Pro Bowl on Tuesday. It’s unclear if he will play for the NFC squad in the game at Honolulu on Jan. 30. Willis planned to talk to San Francisco’s team doctors before making a decision. He missed the 2010 game with an inflamed right knee that later required surgery.

Meanwhile, interim 49ers Coach Jim Tomsula said Alex Smith will start at quarterback Sunday. Smith was benched for last Sunday’s game at St. Louis in favor of Troy Smith.

Etc.

The New England Patriots signed wide receiver Buddy Farnham to their practice squad. … The Tampa Bay Buccaneers put rookie receiver Arrelious Benn on injured reserve and promoted defensive tackle Doug Worthington from the practice squad. … Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola said the team fined him $15,000 for his actions after beating the Miami Dolphins. Raiola was filmed responding to a fan in Miami with obscene words and a hand gesture as he walked off the field Sunday after the Lions’ 34-27 win. … Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard will sit out the season finale at Houston because of a finger injury. Trent Edwards is likely to start in Garrard’s place. … New York Giants leading receiver Hakeem Nicks is likely to sit out New York’s regular-season finale against the Washington Redskins because of a broken big toe on his left foot.

Brett Favre was fined $50,000 by the NFL for a “failure to cooperate” with its investigation into inappropriate messages and lewd photos he allegedly sent to former New York Jets employee Jenn Sterger, a decision her lawyer called extremely disappointing.

The league said Wednesday that Commissioner Roger Goodell “could not conclude” that Favre violated the league’s personal conduct policy based on the evidence available to him.

“The forensic analysis could not establish that Favre sent the objectionable photographs to Sterger,” the statement said. “The review found no evidence to contradict the statements of both Favre and Sterger that they never met in person, nor was there anything to suggest that Sterger engaged in any inappropriate conduct.”

The decision comes a couple of weeks after Favre’s NFL record for consecutive starts was snapped at 297 and ahead of the season finale for the 41-year-old Minnesota Vikings quarterback, who will play what might be his last game — if he’s healthy enough.

The NFL said its sole focus was on whether Favre violated workplace conduct policy, not to “make judgments about the appropriateness of personal relationships.”

Favre’s fine will help fund a new training program on workplace conduct around the NFL, Goodell said in a memo sent to clubs Wednesday, though for the multimillionaire quarterback the penalty is a pittance.

“It clearly shows that an NFL star player was given preferential treatment and tells all other players that failure to cooperate may cost you some money but will not result in other punishment,” said Sterger attorney Joseph Conway, who added that there was “ample evidence” the photos were of Favre.

“Additionally, today’s decision is an affront to all females and shows once again that, despite tough talk, the NFL remains the good old boys’ league.”

Goodell determined Favre was “not candid in several respects during the investigation resulting in a longer review and additional negative public attention for Favre, Sterger and the NFL,” the league’s statement said. The NFL’s investigation began in early October.

Reaching a conclusion in the case dragged out because of difficulties in setting up interviews with “certain key individuals,” the complication of retrieving and reviewing electronic records and Goodell’s decision to meet with both Favre and Sterger before reaching a conclusion, the NFL’s statement said.

Vick’s status is uncertain

Eagles Coach Andy Reid said he hasn’t decided if Michael Vick’s leg bruise will keep the quarterback out of Philadelphia’s regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Vick sustained a bruised quadriceps on the first play of the Eagles’ 24-14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday night.

Reid described Vick as feeling tight and sore Wednesday, but the Eagles did not say which leg is hurt.

“I’m not even sure he can get back from what he’s got here with the quad,” Reid said.

Vick said after the game he tried to “tolerate” the injury and get through the game.

The Eagles don’t need Vick to play Sunday. They are locked into the NFC’s No. 3 seeding and will play host to the sixth-seeded team Jan. 8 or 9. Their final game against the Cowboys is meaningless in the standings, so it’s likely Vick and most of the starters will rest.

Sanchez might not play

Rex Ryan is unsure whether Mark Sanchez will play in the New York Jets’ regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills.

The Jets coach said he was leaning toward playing Sanchez “some,” but might not make a decision on the sore-shouldered quarterback until before the game Sunday at New Meadowlands Stadium. The Jets (10-5) have clinched a playoff berth.

Sanchez said he is preparing to start, but he was limited at practice with a sore right shoulder, the same ailment that bothered him last week. He was injured in the Jets’ win at Pittsburgh on Dec. 19, but played well through it — as he did against Chicago last Sunday.

Both Ryan and Sanchez say the shoulder is further along than it was at this time last week.

Willis’ start streak will end

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis had a second surgical procedure this week on his broken right hand. He will miss a start for the first time in his four-year career in Sunday’s season finale against Arizona.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Willis said in the locker room Wednesday, his hand heavily wrapped.

Willis, who played the last two games with a bulky cast on his hand, was voted to his fourth Pro Bowl on Tuesday. It’s unclear if he will play for the NFC squad in the game at Honolulu on Jan. 30. Willis planned to talk to San Francisco’s team doctors before making a decision. He missed the 2010 game with an inflamed right knee that later required surgery.

Meanwhile, interim 49ers Coach Jim Tomsula said Alex Smith will start at quarterback Sunday. Smith was benched for last Sunday’s game at St. Louis in favor of Troy Smith.

Etc.

The New England Patriots signed wide receiver Buddy Farnham to their practice squad. … The Tampa Bay Buccaneers put rookie receiver Arrelious Benn on injured reserve and promoted defensive tackle Doug Worthington from the practice squad. … Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola said the team fined him $15,000 for his actions after beating the Miami Dolphins. Raiola was filmed responding to a fan in Miami with obscene words and a hand gesture as he walked off the field Sunday after the Lions’ 34-27 win. … Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard will sit out the season finale at Houston because of a finger injury. Trent Edwards is likely to start in Garrard’s place. … New York Giants leading receiver Hakeem Nicks is likely to sit out New York’s regular-season finale against the Washington Redskins because of a broken big toe on his left foot.

Brett Favre was fined $50,000 by the NFL for a “failure to cooperate” with its investigation into inappropriate messages and lewd photos he allegedly sent to former New York Jets employee Jenn Sterger, a decision her lawyer called extremely disappointing.

The league said Wednesday that Commissioner Roger Goodell “could not conclude” that Favre violated the league’s personal conduct policy based on the evidence available to him.

“The forensic analysis could not establish that Favre sent the objectionable photographs to Sterger,” the statement said. “The review found no evidence to contradict the statements of both Favre and Sterger that they never met in person, nor was there anything to suggest that Sterger engaged in any inappropriate conduct.”

The decision comes a couple of weeks after Favre’s NFL record for consecutive starts was snapped at 297 and ahead of the season finale for the 41-year-old Minnesota Vikings quarterback, who will play what might be his last game — if he’s healthy enough.

The NFL said its sole focus was on whether Favre violated workplace conduct policy, not to “make judgments about the appropriateness of personal relationships.”

Favre’s fine will help fund a new training program on workplace conduct around the NFL, Goodell said in a memo sent to clubs Wednesday, though for the multimillionaire quarterback the penalty is a pittance.

“It clearly shows that an NFL star player was given preferential treatment and tells all other players that failure to cooperate may cost you some money but will not result in other punishment,” said Sterger attorney Joseph Conway, who added that there was “ample evidence” the photos were of Favre.

“Additionally, today’s decision is an affront to all females and shows once again that, despite tough talk, the NFL remains the good old boys’ league.”

Goodell determined Favre was “not candid in several respects during the investigation resulting in a longer review and additional negative public attention for Favre, Sterger and the NFL,” the league’s statement said. The NFL’s investigation began in early October.

Reaching a conclusion in the case dragged out because of difficulties in setting up interviews with “certain key individuals,” the complication of retrieving and reviewing electronic records and Goodell’s decision to meet with both Favre and Sterger before reaching a conclusion, the NFL’s statement said.

Vick’s status is uncertain

Eagles Coach Andy Reid said he hasn’t decided if Michael Vick’s leg bruise will keep the quarterback out of Philadelphia’s regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Vick sustained a bruised quadriceps on the first play of the Eagles’ 24-14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday night.

Reid described Vick as feeling tight and sore Wednesday, but the Eagles did not say which leg is hurt.

“I’m not even sure he can get back from what he’s got here with the quad,” Reid said.

Vick said after the game he tried to “tolerate” the injury and get through the game.

The Eagles don’t need Vick to play Sunday. They are locked into the NFC’s No. 3 seeding and will play host to the sixth-seeded team Jan. 8 or 9. Their final game against the Cowboys is meaningless in the standings, so it’s likely Vick and most of the starters will rest.

Sanchez might not play

Rex Ryan is unsure whether Mark Sanchez will play in the New York Jets’ regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills.

The Jets coach said he was leaning toward playing Sanchez “some,” but might not make a decision on the sore-shouldered quarterback until before the game Sunday at New Meadowlands Stadium. The Jets (10-5) have clinched a playoff berth.

Sanchez said he is preparing to start, but he was limited at practice with a sore right shoulder, the same ailment that bothered him last week. He was injured in the Jets’ win at Pittsburgh on Dec. 19, but played well through it — as he did against Chicago last Sunday.

Both Ryan and Sanchez say the shoulder is further along than it was at this time last week.

Willis’ start streak will end

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis had a second surgical procedure this week on his broken right hand. He will miss a start for the first time in his four-year career in Sunday’s season finale against Arizona.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Willis said in the locker room Wednesday, his hand heavily wrapped.

Willis, who played the last two games with a bulky cast on his hand, was voted to his fourth Pro Bowl on Tuesday. It’s unclear if he will play for the NFC squad in the game at Honolulu on Jan. 30. Willis planned to talk to San Francisco’s team doctors before making a decision. He missed the 2010 game with an inflamed right knee that later required surgery.

Meanwhile, interim 49ers Coach Jim Tomsula said Alex Smith will start at quarterback Sunday. Smith was benched for last Sunday’s game at St. Louis in favor of Troy Smith.

Etc.

The New England Patriots signed wide receiver Buddy Farnham to their practice squad. … The Tampa Bay Buccaneers put rookie receiver Arrelious Benn on injured reserve and promoted defensive tackle Doug Worthington from the practice squad. … Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola said the team fined him $15,000 for his actions after beating the Miami Dolphins. Raiola was filmed responding to a fan in Miami with obscene words and a hand gesture as he walked off the field Sunday after the Lions’ 34-27 win. … Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard will sit out the season finale at Houston because of a finger injury. Trent Edwards is likely to start in Garrard’s place. … New York Giants leading receiver Hakeem Nicks is likely to sit out New York’s regular-season finale against the Washington Redskins because of a broken big toe on his left foot.

A look at NFL Week 16′s game between the New York Jets and Chicago Bears:

Three key story lines to watch

1. Plenty to play for. The Bears are 10-4 and coming off Monday’s victory over the Minnesota Vikings in which they became the first team to clinch a division title. Now they want to claim a first-round bye. Also, after getting blown out by the Patriots in Week 14, they are eager to prove they can hang with an AFC contender, which will be tough on short rest.

2. Within reach. Thanks to last week’s dramatic win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Jets are 10-4 and can clinch a playoff spot by winning one of their final two games. There are several scenarios in which they could back in to the postseason, so this isn’t a must-win.

3. Well-armed? Jets QB Mark Sanchez produced what could have been a breakthrough victory against Pittsburgh after a inconsistent season, but he came away with a sore right shoulder and he will be monitored closely. With the Bears fresh off knocking Brett Favre out of Monday night’s game, Sanchez will no doubt be under fire from a strong pass rush.

Three key Jets

RB LaDainian Tomlinson: Tomlinson’s versatility makes him a good weapon against a cover 2 defense, whether it’s blocking when Julius Peppers is rushing Sanchez or circling out of the backfield. Tomlinson might not have the breakaway speed he once had, but his persistence is a strength. Teams that have fared well against the Bears’ third-ranked run defense are those that haven’t abandoned the running game.

WR Santonio Holmes: Holmes has the ability to wreak havoc in different areas of the Bears’ defense, much as Deion Branch did two weeks ago. Provided Sanchez has the time to find him, Holmes could take the crossing route under the Bears’ cover 2 or stretch the zone in the deep middle.

P Steve Weatherford: Coach Rex Ryan has said he isn’t against punting out of bounds to keep the ball out of dangerous returners’ hands, and considering the Jets face Devin Hester, the NFL’s all-time leader in return TDs, that’s likely what they’ll do here. The Jets will need Weatherford to put the ball down out of bounds or high inside the 20 to prevent returns.

Three key Bears

FB/TE Brandon Manumaleuna: A guard-sized tight end at 6-2, 295 pounds who lines up in the backfield to give Jay Cutler extra pass-blocking protection, Manumaleuna will have his work cut out for him. The Jets will bring pressure on QB Jay Cutler, as they do with most quarterbacks, from all angles. Manumaleuna can provide the time Cutler needs to find a hot read running free in areas vacated by blitzing defenders.

LT Frank Omiyale: He’ll have to handle OLBs Jason Taylor and Calvin Pace, both solid pass rushers, and he’ll have to do it by himself because the Bears will likely want to send help to rookie RT J’Marcus Webb if the Jets start blitzing off the right edge.

TE Greg Olsen: After three total receptions in the previous three games, Olsen caught four passes against the Vikings — but for only 28 yards. It will be critical for Olsen to get open on short routes because WRs Johnny Knox, Devin Hester and Earl Benneett will have a hard time getting open against Jets CBs Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Considering the Jets’ injury problems at safety, look for the Bears to try to test the deep middle with Olsen.

Bottom line

With these defenses, this should be a low-scoring, physical field position game. Sanchez is starting to feel more confidence, and the Jets’ relentless, blitzing defense is exactly the kind Cutler struggles against. Plus the Jets, still seeking a playoff spot, have the extra motivation that the Bears might have lost after clinching the NFC North. Prediction: Jets 21, Bears 17.

– Sporting News correspondent Gene Chamberlain

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — New York Jets coach Rex Ryan plans to avoid Chicago Bears return specialist Devin Hester at all costs when the teams play Sunday at Soldier Field.

“I think it’s pretty safe to say we’re planning on not kicking to him,” Ryan said Wednesday on a conference call with the Chicago media. “I think you can write that down.”

Hester broke the NFL record for career return touchdowns by returning a punt 64 yards for a score against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. He now has 10 career punt return touchdowns and four kickoff return scores. The two-time Pro Bowl selection leads the league this year with an average of 16.4 yards per punt return, which marks the highest total of Hester’s decorated career.

“I don’t think you can deal with him as a returner. It’s ridiculous, he’s got to go down as the best punt returner in the history of the game,” Ryan said. “I have no idea [why the ball keeps going to him.] I hope the ball that we kick doesn’t go to him.”

Bears coach Lovie Smith said he can’t worry about whether the Jets will avoid Hester.

“We can’t spend too much time thinking if they are,” Smith said. “You just have to assume that they are. And if they don’t, you can’t do anything about that. We go into [every game] assuming that those teams will kick to him. As you mentioned, the Jets are a good special teams ballclub, so normally a pair of good special teams groups going against each other [will] kick to each other and see what happens.”

Jeff Dickerson covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000. ESPNNewYork.com’s Mike Mazzeo contributed to this report.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — New York Jets coach Rex Ryan plans to avoid Chicago Bears return specialist Devin Hester at all costs when the teams play Sunday at Soldier Field.

“I think it’s pretty safe to say we’re planning on not kicking to him,” Ryan said Wednesday on a conference call with the Chicago media. “I think you can write that down.”

Hester broke the NFL record for career return touchdowns by returning a punt 64 yards for a score against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. He now has 10 career punt return touchdowns and four kickoff return scores. The two-time Pro Bowl selection leads the league this year with an average of 16.4 yards per punt return, which marks the highest total of Hester’s decorated career.

“I don’t think you can deal with him as a returner. It’s ridiculous, he’s got to go down as the best punt returner in the history of the game,” Ryan said. “I have no idea [why the ball keeps going to him.] I hope the ball that we kick doesn’t go to him.”

Bears coach Lovie Smith said he can’t worry about whether the Jets will avoid Hester.

“We can’t spend too much time thinking if they are,” Smith said. “You just have to assume that they are. And if they don’t, you can’t do anything about that. We go into [every game] assuming that those teams will kick to him. As you mentioned, the Jets are a good special teams ballclub, so normally a pair of good special teams groups going against each other [will] kick to each other and see what happens.”

Jeff Dickerson covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000. ESPNNewYork.com’s Mike Mazzeo contributed to this report.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — New York Jets coach Rex Ryan plans to avoid Chicago Bears return specialist Devin Hester at all costs when the teams play Sunday at Soldier Field.

“I think it’s pretty safe to say we’re planning on not kicking to him,” Ryan said Wednesday on a conference call with the Chicago media. “I think you can write that down.”

Hester broke the NFL record for career return touchdowns by returning a punt 64 yards for a score against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. He now has 10 career punt return touchdowns and four kickoff return scores. The two-time Pro Bowl selection leads the league this year with an average of 16.4 yards per punt return, which marks the highest total of Hester’s decorated career.

“I don’t think you can deal with him as a returner. It’s ridiculous, he’s got to go down as the best punt returner in the history of the game,” Ryan said. “I have no idea [why the ball keeps going to him.] I hope the ball that we kick doesn’t go to him.”

Bears coach Lovie Smith said he can’t worry about whether the Jets will avoid Hester.

“We can’t spend too much time thinking if they are,” Smith said. “You just have to assume that they are. And if they don’t, you can’t do anything about that. We go into [every game] assuming that those teams will kick to him. As you mentioned, the Jets are a good special teams ballclub, so normally a pair of good special teams groups going against each other [will] kick to each other and see what happens.”

Jeff Dickerson covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000. ESPNNewYork.com’s Mike Mazzeo contributed to this report.