Pack, Broncos in Super show Web-posted 1/11/98   SAN FRANCISCO -- With a defense that ground the proud 49ers into the mud, Green Bay showed San Francisco who's boss of their NFC family.

Broncos win AFC title Web-posted 1/11/98   PITTSBURGH (AP) -- John Elway didn't need a fourth-quarter comeback to get back to the Super Bowl this time. The Denver Broncos took a 10-point lead on Elway's two touchdown passes in the final two minutes of the first half, then held off turnover-stricken Pittsburgh for a 24-21 victory Sunday in the AFC championship game.

Stewart's mistakes cost Steelers dearly Web-posted 1/11/98   PITTSBURGH -- Kordell Stewart couldn't explain his four turnovers.

Elway master at beating the clock Web-posted 1/11/98   PITTSBURGH -- In football, the clock rules the game. And no quarterback rules the clock the way John Elway does.

Elway hoping Pittsburgh stop isn't the last Web-posted 1/10/98   PITTSBURGH -- They're calling it the Revenge Tour, the Denver Broncos' cross-country journey in January against opponents who previously tormented them. The next stop is today's AFC championship game (12:30 p.m., NBC-Channel 26) at Pittsburgh.

Green Bay, 49ers have `family' ties Web-posted 1/10/98   SAN FRANCISCO -- Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre credits San Francisco coach Steve Mariucci with his development. Steve Young, Favre's 49ers counterpart, gives similar credit to the Packers' Mike Holmgren.

Scalpers' boasts lead to arrests Web-posted 1/10/98   PITTSBURGH -- Thirty-one seats, some near the 50-yard line, could go empty during today's AFC championship game following the arrest of two suspected ticket scalpers who bragged about their business.

Seifert top choice for Cowboys' coaching job Web-posted 1/9/98   Now he says a third is upon him, and he's excited about the NFL championships it's going to produce.

Thigpen drives Steelers in hunt for Super Bowl Web-posted 1/9/98   PITTSBURGH -- Yancey Thigpen has spent no time at all perusing the propaganda plastered all over the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room bulletin board. There are some inflammatory quotes, each highlighted in yellow marker, from Denver players and Coach Mike Shanahan insinuating the Broncos beat themselves by dropping 11 passes the last time these teams played here, Dec. 7.

Pack more concerned with Owens, Stokes Web-posted 1/9/98   SAN FRANCISCO -- The Green Bay Packers are concerned because the San Francisco 49ers DON'T have Jerry Rice for Sunday's NFC championship game.

Elway's last hurrah? Web-posted 1/8/98   DENVER (AP) -- Could this be John Elway's last season? His coach and some of his Denver Broncos teammates think he's too much of a competitor and having too much fun to quit now. But the only person who knows for sure isn't talking.

College stars leaving early for NFL riches Web-posted 1/8/98   Randy Moss moved on Thursday and, by most accounts, Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson will do the same Friday. Ricky Williams, however, passed on the NFL draft for another season at Texas.

Big strides being made by Brown Web-posted 1/7/98   DETROIT -- Reggie Brown of the Detroit Lions walked to the podium Wednesday, and that was a triumph in itself. ``When it first happened, I thought I'd never be able to walk again,'' he said, wearing a halo-style neck brace. ``It was a freak accident. I'm looking forward to getting back home and getting my life together.''

Packers must draw the line against 49ers Web-posted 1/7/98   GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Warren Sapp gave Green Bay's interior linemen fits last week. Now Brett Favre and the Packers are staring at double trouble in San Francisco's Dana Stubblefield and Bryant Young.

Friendship now a rivalry Web-posted 1/6/98   SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The way Steve Mariucci sees it, he and Brett Favre grew up together in the NFL.

Bugel fired after 4-12 record Web-posted 1/6/98   OAKLAND, Calif. -- Joe Bugel promised to return the Oakland Raiders to their glory days. Instead, he led them to their worst record in 35 years, and was fired after one season.

NFC notes: Rookie kicker has played for both teams Web-posted 1/6/98   GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Rookie kicker Ryan Longwell was an afterthought for both teams that have reached the NFC championship.

NFL manages to get fearsome foursome Web-posted 1/5/98   Even before the Kansas City-Denver game, one thing was clear: The NFL would have four of its best teams -- if not the four best -- in the Super Bowl semifinals.

49ers blend in a running game Web-posted 1/5/98   SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- In playoff losses to Green Bay the past two years, the 49ers' running backs went nowhere. It's a shortcoming the 49ers believe they've addressed through the addition of Garrison Hearst and the emergence of Terry Kirby.

Steelers expect no excuses Web-posted 1/5/98   PITTSBURGH -- The way the Pittsburgh Steelers see it, there was no excuse for the way the Denver Broncos talked after losing in Three Rivers Stadium last month.

Phillips to boss Buffalo Web-posted 1/5/98   ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Wade Phillips succeeded Marv Levy as coach of the Buffalo Bills on Monday and made it clear this team has a long road back to the Super Bowl.

Home field doesn't save Chiefs Web-posted 1/4/98   KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Denver Broncos couldn't get to the Super Bowl the easy way last season. Now they're one game away from making it the hard way.

Errors help Green Bay to oust Bucs Web-posted 1/4/98   GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers better have eliminated the rust. Their next opponent, the San Francisco 49ers, won't be as charitable as the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Special team finds new sparks Web-posted 1/4/98   GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers can finally say it with a straight face: They don't miss Desmond Howard -- quite as much.