Panthers maul Cowboys Web-posted 12/9/97   IRVING, Texas -- The Carolina Panthers unceremoniously ended the Dallas Cowboys' five-year reign as NFC East champion.

Falcons could make playoffs Web-posted 12/9/97   SUWANEE, Ga. -- Six weeks ago the Atlanta Falcons were studying the various tie-breakers to see where they stood in the battle for the No. 1 draft pick. Now, they are actually contemplating their chances of making the playoffs.

Reeves doesn't blame assistants Web-posted 12/9/97   SUWANEE, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons' offense ranks second-to-last in the NFL, and the line has performed shoddily all year. Even so, coach Dan Reeves says he doesn't place the blame on his assistant coaches and won't force out any of them after this season.

Hanspard's play key to Falcon's win Web-posted 12/7/97   SAN DIEGO On an afternoon of intermittent rain and ugly football, Atlanta rookie Byron Hanspard had the only brilliant play.

49ers dedicate romp to DeBartolo Web-posted 12/7/97   SAN FRANCISCO - Storming off the muddy field into their locker room, the San Francisco 49ers took up the chant, ``Eddie! Eddie!''

Bledsoe, defense guide Patriots to win Web-posted 12/7/97   JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - On a chilly Sunday with playoff fever in the air, the New England Patriots showed what it takes to win big games in December.

Chiefs blank Raiders, 30-0 Web-posted 12/7/97   KANSAS CITY, Mo. - So complete was Kansas City's domination of its oldest archrival - the Oakland Raiders - that the Chiefs were able to do some old-fashioned scoreboard watching on Sunday.

Stewart's passes burn Broncos Web-posted 12/7/97   PITTSBURGH - Kordell Stewart didn't wait until the second half to start playing, and John Elway uncustomarily stopped before the fourth quarter. Suddenly, the road to the playoffs may be exactly that for the Denver Broncos.

Packers wrap up NFC Central title Web-posted 12/7/97   TAMPA, Fla. - The Green Bay Packers left no doubt. There won't be a changing of the guard in the NFC Central this season.

Rebounding Falcons can join Packers Web-posted 12/6/97   The Atlanta Falcons were scoffed at a few weeks ago when they began talking about finishing the season 8-8.

Week 15 NFL matchups Web-posted 12/6/97   The Buffalo Bills are a long, long shot for the playoffs (they finish vs. Jacksonville, at Green Bay). But they still have that hope to motivate them. How hard the Chicago Bears play in their home finale may have a lot to say about whether Dave Wannstedt can keep his job.

Bengals romp past Oilers Web-posted 12/5/97   CINCINNATI -- Corey Dillon needed only three quarters to surpass the best rushers in Cincinnati Bengals history. In the closing minutes, he even bested Jim Brown.

Travis Hall earns defensive honor Web-posted 12/3/97   ATLANTA -- Considered one of the best-kept secrets in the NFL by his coaches, Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Travis Hall lost some of his anonymity Wednesday when he was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Some fantasies don't turn out like they should Web-posted 12/3/97   Take heart, fantasy football losers. You have company down there in the dark, dank cellar. Me.

Owner of 49ers resigns Web-posted 12/3/97   SAN FRANCISCO -- Edward DeBartolo Jr., whose San Francisco 49ers won five Super Bowls under his leadership, stepped down as owner Tuesday after two Louisiana newspapers reported he would be indicted for gambling fraud.

Despite Super Bowl title, Packers have things to prove Web-posted 12/3/97   GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Even as defending NFL champions, the Green Bay Packers are on a mission to prove themselves.

Packers dominate Vikings Web-posted 12/1/97   MINNEAPOLIS -- Mike Holmgren has no more demons to exorcise and neither does a Green Bay defense that just two weeks ago gave up 41 points and 467 yards to the worst team in the NFL.

Falcons' surge may be better that high draft Web-posted 12/1/97   ATLANTA -- Dan Reeves has maintained all along that the Atlanta Falcons will benefit more by winning as many games as possible this year than losing most of them and getting a high draft pick. Maybe he's right after all.