Game Balls and Penalty Flags- Week 13

GAME BALLS

Marshawn Lynch, RB Seattle: The former Bill who couldn't seem to stay out of trouble is having a stellar, problem free season for the Seahawks. Lynch ran for a 148 yards and two scores, one which he basically ran through each Eagles defender as Seattle has all the sudden become respectable.

T.J. Yates, QB Houston: Yates was not expected to ever see the field this year, but after injuries to the top two Matt's, Yates not only kept the Texans in the game, but looked good leading the team to a win over a very good Falcons squad. Yates is now the only North Carolina Tar Heel to ever start at QB in the NFL.

Miami Dolphins: The 'fins are 4-1 in the last five games and have outscored opponents 139-54, with the lone loss a one-point defeat at Dallas on Thanksgiving. Reggie Bush ran for 100 yards and a score as Miami pounded the AFC West leading Raiders 34-14.

Tim Tebow, QB Denver: Talk all you want about how bad a QB Tebow is, but the numbers don't lie. He has passed for 10 TDs against only one INT leading the Broncos once again on a late rally, passing for a season-high 202 yards and two touchdowns to help Denver win their fifth consecutive game with a 35-32 victory over the Vikings. I think there are at least 10 teams that would like their QB to have a 10-1 TD-INT ratio and five straight wins.

Alex Smith, QB San Francisco: Smith threw two second-half touchdowns of 52 and 56 yards to Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams, respectively leading San Francisco right into the playoffs shutting out St. Louis 26-0. The niners clinched their first NFC West title and postseason berth since 2002. Head coach Jim Harbaugh joined George Seifert (1989) and Steve Mariucci (1997) as the only rookie coaches in 49ers history to win the division.

Justin Houston, LB Kansas City: Bears QB Caleb Hanie may still be having nightmare's of Houston who tallied three sacks, two QB hits, a forced fumble and a pass deflected.

Patrick Robinson, CB New Orleans: Robinson flew in from the corner to block a Jason Hanson field goal try as the clock expired at the end of the first half. It is rare to see a FG blocked in the NFL and even more rare when the guy who blocks it comes off the edge.

PENALTY FLAGS

ESPN: The world-wide leader makes a cameo for the non-sense non-story they published yesterday about Brett Favre and the Chicago Bears. ESPN cited a "source familiar with Brett Favre." Really? We are all familiar with that glory hound and your network's need to talk about him any chance you get. Do us all a favor and get over #4.

Jason Garrett, Head Coach Dallas: His kicker booted what would have been the game-winning FG only to call a timeout right before it was snapped. And yes, after the time out, said kicker shanked it sending the game into OT which Dallas lost. Dear coaches, stop over thinking the room!

Chan Gailey, Head Coach Buffalo: Much criticized RB C.J. Spiller has 80 yards at halftime (not including another 41 on a TD that was called back on a lousy holding call) and is finally playing with confidence. So what do you do in the second half? Oh yes, you stop giving Spiller the ball even though he was the only offensive player having success for the Bills. Dear coaches, PLEASE stop over thinking the room!

Ndamukong Suh, DL Detroit: Two women say they were injured when Suh crashed his car into a tree in downtown Portland, Ore., over the weekend. CBSSports.com reported Monday that one of the women requested her name be removed from the report and all subsequent documents out of fear of retaliation from Suh or his family or friends. All of this coming after he was suspended by the NFL for his continued dirty play.