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The Atlanta Falcons began training camp with Michael Vick’s federal indictment for dogfighting hanging over their heads. From there, the season quickly fell apart. By the time Atlanta ended a six-game losing streak on Sunday, Vick was three weeks into a 23-month prison sentence and former coach Bobby Petrino was recruiting at Arkansas.

In a Washington Redskins season that has all the emotional swings of a Shakespearean drama, Todd Collins is the comic relief. Players who speak with somber voices when discussing the aftereffects of the death of Sean Taylor break out in goofy grins and shake their heads in amazement when the name Todd is mentioned.

And the Pittsburgh Steelers thought they had a tough road to the Super Bowl two years ago. Steelers linebacker Larry Foote is convinced this is the toughest field in AFC playoff history, and he makes a convincing argument. Some evidence: Indianapolis followed up its Super Bowl championship season by going 13-3, yet is only second-seeded to New England (16-0).

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Brian Billick was fired as coach of the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, less than a day after his team concluded a disappointing 5-11 season. Players were told of the dismissal as they packed up their lockers at the team's practice facility.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Baltimore Ravens sacked long-time head coach Brian Billick on Monday, a day after finishing a disappointing 5-11 season.

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — Bill Parcells' shakeup of the Miami Dolphins began Monday with the firing of general manager Randy Mueller.

A day after Carolina finished out of the playoffs for the second straight year, John Fox remained confident that he’ll return as the Panthers’ coach. But speculation about Fox’s status won’t end until owner Jerry Richardson makes his decision public. When asked Monday if Richardson would finally address the status of Fox and general manager Marty Hurney, team spokesman Charlie Dayton said it was…

Brian Billick was fired as coach of the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, less than a day after his team concluded a disappointing 5-11 season. Players were told of the dismissal as they packed up their lockers at the team’s practice facility. Billick won the 2001 Super Bowl in his second season with the Ravens, and led the team to a franchise-best 13-3 record in 2006.

Bill Parcells’ shakeup of the Miami Dolphins began Monday with the firing of general manager Randy Mueller. Assistant director of player personnel Mike Baugh and college scouting coordinator Rick Thompson also departed. Also at risk of being fired was coach Cam Cameron, who said he would discuss his future with Parcells this week.

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Stockar McDougle was charged with battery after he pushed a store owner and his employee, authorities said Monday. McDougle was arrested Friday and charged with battery on a person 65 and older, a felony, and touch-strike battery, a misdemeanor, after he went to a landscaping company to pay off a debt, according to a Broward Sheriff’s Office report.

Hoping to win, hop on a plane and receive good news when they got back to New Orleans, the Saints instead headed home Sunday knowing their season was over.

St. Louis 3 3 13 0–19 .

NEW YORK (AP) — The Washington Redskins will play the Seattle Seahawks at 4:30 p.m. EST next Saturday afternoon in an NFC wild-card game that will open the NFL playoffs.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson claimed his second straight NFL rushing title when he gained 56 yards in the playoff-bound Chargers' 30-17 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Norv Turner got just what he wanted in his return to Oakland: a win against his former team, a rushing title for his star running back, and most importantly, the third seed in the AFC playoffs.

As Saturday night’s game against the Patriots showed, the Giants’ inability to finish big games is a big issue as the playoffs arrive.