The first NFL playoff outing for quarterback Cam Newton was a
disappointment.
"Playoff football is a different speed than the regular season," he
said. "I learned that firsthand today."
Newton completed 16 of 25 passes for 267 yards, though 59 of those
yards came on the game's second-to-last play when the 49ers had
backed off.
"I'm going to focus on how I can get better than this," he said.
"You have to seize the moment when the moment arrives."
Carolina Panthers: Smith, Steve
WR Steve Smith was back in action for the Panthers after missing the
regular-season finale with a knee injury. He scored Carolina's only
touchdown and made four catches for 74 yards.
Smith finished his 13th NFL season, and he said he expects to be
back for another.
"It doesn't take much for me to get fired up," Smith said about the
ability to be excited about playing another season.
He made his eighth postseason touchdown catch in the second quarter
against the 49ers.
San Diego Chargers: Mathews, Ryan
RB Ryan Mathews started the game but he wasn't able to finish.
Mathews, who missed practice last week because of a lingering ankle
injury, rushed for 26 yards on five carries, and he didn't play in
the second half.
San Diego Chargers: Clary, Jeromey
RG Jeromey Clary was among the team's inactive players after missing
practice all week due to a shoulder injury.
San Diego Chargers: Te'o, Manti
LB Manti Te'o did not play in the second half after suffering a
concussion making a tackle just before halftime.
San Diego Chargers: Gilchrist, Marcus
CB Marcus Gilchrest left the game in the second half after colliding
helmets with a teammate while making a tackle.
New England Patriots: Brady, Tom
QB Tom Brady's first thoughts on playing Peyton Manning and the
Broncos in the AFC title game came during his weekly Monday morning
interview on sports radio WEEI in Boston. Brady expects the world to
be predicting a Broncos win on Sunday and that New England feels it
is in the underdog role that the team has embraced so openly in the
past.
"I know when we played Baltimore (in Week 16) nobody picked us to
win, and I'm sure no one is going to pick us to win this week,"
Brady told WEEI. "We've got a bunch of underdogs on our team and
we'll be an underdog again, and we'll see how that shapes up at the
end of the week. But I know we're as tough, as physical as we've
ever been, and that's how we're going to need to go out and play
this game."
New England Patriots: Dobson, Aaron
WR Aaron Dobson missed the Colts game due to a foot problem that he
re-injured in the regular-season finale against the Bills. The
rookie receiver missed Weeks 13-15 with the injury late in the
regular season and has not practiced since limping off against
Buffalo.
New England Patriots: Dennard, Alfonzo
CB Alfonzo Dennard returned to action against the Colts after
sitting out the regular-season finale with knee and shoulder
injuries. Dennard started and played the whole way in the win over
Indy, finishing with a pair of interceptions.
New England Patriots: Allen, Ryan
P Ryan Allen left the divisional round victory over the Colts with a
right shoulder injury late in the second quarter and did not return.
The rookie suffered the injury chasing down an errant punt snap that
led to a safety. He stayed into the game for the ensuing free kick,
but then went to the locker room and did not return.
New England Patriots: Davis, Ja'Gared
LB Ja'Gared Davis was promoted from the practice squad Jan. 7 and
made his Patriots debut with special teams action in the divisional
round win over the Colts.
Denver Broncos: Manning, Peyton
QB Peyton Manning wasn't spectacular, but completed 25 of 36 passes
for 230 yards, two touchdowns and an interception Sunday. Manning
kept the focus on checkdowns, quick outs and screens, which is why
he had no completions longer than 21 yards.
Denver Broncos: Thomas, Julius
TE Julius Thomas had the most eventful game of any Bronco on Sunday.
He caught two third-down passes on the game-sealing drive at the end
of regulation and led the Broncos with 76 yards on six catches, but
also dropped one pass, fumbled after another reception and committed
a false-start penalty.
Denver Broncos: Mincey, Jeremy
DE Jeremy Mincey notched the first of the Broncos' four sacks
Sunday. Mincey joined the team before the Week 16 win over Houston
and has been used often as a pass-rush specialist when the Broncos
go into nickel and dime packages.
Denver Broncos: Moreno, Knowshon
RB Knowshon Moreno powered through the Chargers for 82 yards and a
touchdown on 23 carries Sunday. Moreno played 69 percent of the
Broncos' 72 offensive snaps.
Denver Broncos: Phillips, Shaun
DE Shaun Phillips terrorized his former team with two sacks Sunday.
Phillips led the Broncos in the regular season with 10 sacks. His
performance in Sunday's win represented a return to his early-season
form after he closed the regular season with one sack in six games.
Denver Broncos: Ramirez, Manuel
C Manny Ramirez had one of his best games of the season during
Sunday's win, helping Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball combine for
134 yards on 33 carries, most of which came up the middle.
Denver Broncos: Jammer, Quentin
CB Quentin Jammer replaced the injured Chris Harris in the second
half Sunday and struggled, allowing three completions for 95 yards,
including a 49-yard connection from Philip Rivers to Keenan Allen on
a fourth-and-5 play midway through the fourth quarter.
Denver Broncos: Welker, Wes
WR Wes Welker returned after missing three games because of a
concussion and finished with 38 yards and a touchdown on six
receptions. The return of Welker helped the Broncos convert 69
percent of their third-down attempts after succeeding on just 22
percent in a Week 15 loss to San Diego, when Welker did not play.
Denver Broncos: Webster, Kayvon
CB Kayvon Webster returned to the lineup after missing two
consecutive games following surgery to repair a fractured thumb on
Dec. 13. Webster played one snap on defense and seven on special
teams while wearing a cast on his hand. He will continue wearing the
cast for as long as the Broncos advance in the postseason.
Denver Broncos: Wolfe, Derek
DL Derek Wolfe missed a sixth consecutive game after suffering
seizure-like symptoms on Nov. 29, two days before the Broncos'
second win over the Chiefs this season. Wolfe has practiced just
twice since the condition developed, on Dec. 25 and 27.
Denver Broncos: Vallos, Steve
C Steve Vallos returned after missing Week 17 because of a
concussion suffered when he was hit by Houston's Jared Crick on a
first-quarter kickoff return Dec. 22.
Carolina Panthers: Newton, Cam
QB Cam Newton was 8-for-10 for 136 yards with a touchdown, an
interception, one sack and one pass deflected in the first half.
Newton was 8-for-15 for 131 yards, an interception, four sacks,
eight hits and four passes deflected in the second half.
Carolina Panthers: Smith, Steve
WR Steve Smith caught all four of his passes for a season-high 74
yards in the first half. He was targeted just once in the second
half. Smith's 31-yard touchdown catch was his 10th-career playoff
touchdown. He has accounted for 60 of Carolina's 229 all-time points
in the playoffs.
Carolina Panthers: Williams, DeAngelo
RB DeAngelo Williams had just five carries and 13 yards, his fewest
carries since Oct. 21, 2012 and fewest yards since Nov. 11, 2012.
Carolina Panthers: Davis, Thomas
LB Thomas Davis matched a career high with 17 games played this
season. The ninth-year player, who finished with eight tackles, also
played 17 games in 2008.
Carolina Panthers: Hardy, Greg
DE Greg Hardy, who had eight sacks in the Panthers' final three
regular-season games, did not have a sack. Hardy finished with six
tackles and two quarterback hurries.
RB Jonathan Stewart, who said he was healthy, was inactive
Sunday. Stewart did not play the rest of the season after
tearing his MCL in Week 14.
Carolina Panthers: Mikell, Quintin
SS Quintin Mikell, who with 12 playoff games played was
Carolina's most experienced postseason player, injured his foot
in the first half and did not return. He was replaced by
undrafted rookie Robert Lester.
Indianapolis Colts: Brazill, LaVon
WR LaVon Brazill has had a strong final month of the season.
Brazill caught two passes for 73 yards and a pair of touchdowns
in the AFC divisional playoff loss to New England. He had
scoring catches of 38 and 35 yards against the Patriots. It was
his first multi-touchdown post-season game and the fifth
multiple touchdown game by a receiver in franchise post-season
history.
Indianapolis Colts: Mathis, Robert
OLB Robert Mathis had three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble
in the AFC divisional playoff loss to New England. Mathis now
has 6.5 career playoff sacks, 2.5 sacks behind former
Indianapolis OLB/DE Dwight Freeney (9.0). He also moved into a
tie with Justin Snow and Reggie Wayne for the third most
post-season games played in franchise history (18).
New Orleans Saints: Robinson, Khiry
RB Khiry Robinson, an undrafted free agent, made his first NFL
start in the divisional playoff game against the Seattle
Seahawks.
New Orleans Saints: Humber, Ramon
OLB Ramon Humber got a rare start in place of an injured Parys
Haralson for the playoff game with the Seahawks.
New Orleans Saints: Dawson, Keyunta
OLB Keyunta Dawson returned and played against the Seahawks
after missing six games with a calf injury.
New Orleans Saints: Thomas, Pierre
RB Pierre Thomas did not play in the divisional playoff game
with the Seahawks because of a chest injury.
Seattle Seahawks: Lynch, Marshawn
RB Marshawn Lynch rushed for 140 yards against New Orleans, a
Seattle playoff high. That beat his own record of 132 at
Washington last year, which he shared with Shaun Alexander (132
vs. Carolina in 2006).
Seattle Seahawks: Chancellor, Kam
SS Kam Chancellor had 14 tackles against the Saints, third in
Seattle post-season history.
Seattle Seahawks: Hauschka, Steven
PK Steven Hauschka was 3-for-3 against the Saints, tying his own
team record for a playoff game. He also improved to 36-for-38
for the season, one of which was blocked.
Seattle Seahawks: Harvin, Percy
WR Percy Harvin sat out the second half against the Saints with
a concussion. His status for the NFC title game is uncertain,
coach Pete Carroll said Monday, as he must go through the NFL's
concussion protocol. He said it will start to become more clear
on Wednesday or Thursday if Harvin has a chance to play.
Seattle Seahawks: Wright, K.J.
LB K.J. Wright, out since breaking his foot against San
Francisco on Dec. 8, has a chance to play, coach Pete Carroll
said. Wright did some running on Monday and if he recovers well
could get on the field for practice on Wednesday.
San Francisco 49ers: Rogers, Carlos
CB Carlos Rogers was out for the second straight week after he
suffered a right hamstring strain in the final moments of Week
17's win in Arizona. Rogers hasn't participated in practice
since sustaining the injury and his status remains week-to-week.
He said prior to the Panthers game he wouldn't risk reinjuring
his hamstring if he wasn't 100 percent because it would likely
end his season.
San Francisco 49ers: Tukuafu, Will
FB Will Tukuafu, a defensive lineman converted to fullback, left
Sunday's game in the first quarter with an apparent injury to
his lower right leg. He did not return to the game after playing
just three snaps. Coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday that Tukuafu
underwent an MRI Monday morning and the team is awaiting those
results. His status for Sunday's game in Seattle remains up in
the air. The 49ers re-signed Tukuafu after starter Bruce Miller
hit injured reserve after breaking his left scapula in Dec. 15
against Tampa Bay. Anthony Dixon and tight end Vance McDonald
spent time at fullback in Tukuafu's stead.
San Diego Chargers: Troutman, Johnnie
LG Johnnie Troutman was overwhelmed early on in replacing
Jeromey Clary in Sunday's game. Clary aggravated a shoulder
injury during practice leading up to the game which led to
Troutman being inserted into the lineup. The right side of the
line was leaky too many times against the Broncos.
Indianapolis Colts: Vinatieri, Adam
PK Adam Vinatieri has now scored 213 career points in the
playoffs. He has made 51 post-season field goals, which is also
an NFL record, including two against the Patriots on Saturday
night. Vinaiteri is a unrestricted free agent.
Indianapolis Colts: Wayne, Reggie
WR Reggie Wayne says that he expects to be ready for the start
of training camp next summer. Wayne missed the second-half of
the 2013 season after suffering a knee injury. He helped the
Colts coaching staff work with the team's young receiving corps.
But he is itching to return to the practice field and be ready
for the 2014 season.
Indianapolis Colts: Allen, Dwayne
TE Dwayne Allen hopes to be cleared by team medical personnel to
start off-field work after he missed most of the 2013 season
with a groin injury. Allen's surgical procedure was more
extensive than originally planned, which pushed his rehab
schedule from an expected four months to six months. He is not
sure if he will be participating in the Colts' OTA workouts in
the spring but fully expects to be ready to go by the start of
training camp.
Indianapolis Colts: Havili, Stanley
FB Stanley Havili (shoulder) had his shoulder wrapped on Monday
after he was injured in Saturday's divisional playoff game at
New England game. No word on if his injury will require surgery.
Indianapolis Colts: Thornton, Hugh
OG Hugh Thornton (neck/shoulder) left the Patriots game and did
not return. It has not been determined if he will require
additional medical procedures for his injury.
Indianapolis Colts: Butler, Darius
CB Darius Butler (leg contusion) was injured against New
England. He returned once and then and was sidelined for the
remainder of the game. Butler is not expected to have to undergo
surgery but a final decision has not been made.
Indianapolis Colts: Gordy, Josh
CB Josh Gordy (collarbone) was hurt against New England on
Saturday. Gordy did not return. It has not been determined if he
will have to undergo surgery.
San Diego Chargers: Mathews, Ryan
RB Ryan Mathews (ankle) would likely not play if there was a
regular-season game on this weekend. He will be fine for
training camp.
San Diego Chargers: Lissemore, Sean
DE Sean Lissemore (shoulder) missed his second straight game but
it isn't considered a serious injury.
San Diego Chargers: Te'o, Manti
ILB Manti Te'o (concussion) left the game and didn't return. His
status is unknown.
San Diego Chargers: Gilchrist, Marcus
SS Marcus Gilchrist (concussion) left the game and didn't
return. There was no update provided for him.
San Diego Chargers: Butler, Donald
ILB Donald Butler (concussion) played throughout the game and
was diagnosed afterward. No update was provided. Butler, once
again, proved what a valuable player he is when he made an
athletic interception in the end zone right before halftime to
keep the Chargers in the game. Butler is a free agent and
priority for the Chargers to sign this offseason.
San Diego Chargers: Clary, Jeromey
RG Jeromey Clary (shoulder) wasn't able to play on Sunday but
his injury isn't considered serious.
