Linebacker LaMarr Woodley predicts the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals will "lay down" for their virtually meaningless games Sunday because they don't want the Super Bowl champion Steelers to make the playoffs.
The Steelers (8-7) would reach the postseason for the fifth time in six seasons if they beat Miami, the Patriots defeat Houston, and the Bengals beat the New York Jets. There are other combinations that would get them in, but all include either a New England or Cincinnati victory.
Pittsburgh's problem: The Patriots (10-5) and Bengals (10-5) have little at stake other than which team will be seeded No. 3 in the AFC. With a wild-card playoff game awaiting both teams next week, New England and Cincinnati are expected to rest some starters.
New England coach Bill Belichick hasn't revealed who will play. Woodley, last week's AFC Defensive Player of the Week and a Pro Bowl alternate, thinks he knows already.
"All of them lay down," Woodley said Wednesday. "No one wants to see Pittsburgh in it. That's just how it is. Everybody knows we're a dangerous team once we get into the playoffs, no matter how we played the whole year. Once we get into the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Steelers is a playoff team."
LABOR CONTRACT:Miles Austin of the Cowboys, Brandon Marshall of the Broncos and six other Pro Bowl picks are among more than 200 NFL players who would lose their status as unrestricted free agents this offseason if the league and its union can't agree on a new labor contract. According to a list obtained by the Associated Press, 212 players would be considered restricted free agents - instead of unrestricted - if there is no salary cap in 2010.
Pro Bowl RostersAFC
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks - Tom Brady, New England; Peyton Manning, Indianapolis; Philip Rivers, San Diego
Running backs - Chris Johnson, Tennessee; Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville; Ray Rice, Ravens
Wide receivers - Andre Johnson, Houston; Brandon Marshall, Denver; Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis; Wes Welker, New England
Tight ends - Dallas Clark, Indianapolis; Antonio Gates, San Diego
Fullback - Le'Ron McClain, Ravens
Centers - Nick Mangold, N.Y. Jets; Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis
Guards - Kris Dielman, San Diego; Alan Faneca, N.Y. Jets; Logan Mankins, New England
Tackles - Ryan Clady, Denver; Jake Long, Miami; Joe Thomas, Cleveland
DEFENSE
Ends - Dwight Freeney, Indianapolis; Robert Mathis, Indianapolis; Mario Williams, Houston
Interior linemen - Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh; Haloti Ngata, Ravens; Vince Wilfork, New England
Inside-middle linebackers - Ray Lewis, Ravens; DeMeco Ryans, Houston
Outside linebackers - Brian Cushing, Houston; Elvis Dumervil, Denver; James Harrison, Pittsburgh
Cornerbacks - Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland; Champ Bailey, Denver; Darrelle Revis, N.Y. Jets
Strong safety - Brian Dawkins, Denver
Free safeties - Jairus Byrd, Buffalo; Ed Reed, Ravens
Specialists
Punter - Shane Lechler, Oakland
Kick return specialist - Joshua Cribbs, Cleveland
Placekicker - Nate Kaeding, San Diego
Special teamer - Kassim Osgood, San Diego
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks - Drew Brees, New Orleans; Brett Favre, Minnesota; Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
Running backs - Steven Jackson, St. Louis; Adrian Peterson, Minnesota; DeAngelo Williams, Carolina
Wide receivers - Miles Austin, Dallas; Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona; DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia; Sidney Rice, Minnesota
Tight ends - Vernon Davis, San Francisco; Jason Witten, Dallas
Fullback - Leonard Weaver, Philadelphia
Centers - Andre Gurode, Dallas; Shaun O
Hara, New York Giants
Guards - Leonard Davis, Dallas; Jahri Evans, New Orleans; Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota
Tackles - Bryant McKinnie, Minnesota; Jason Peters, Philadelphia; Jon Stinchcomb, New Orleans
DEFENSE
Ends - Jared Allen, Minnesota; Trent Cole, Philadelphia; Julius Peppers, Carolina
Interior linemen - Darnell Dockett, Arizona; Jay Ratliff, Dallas; Kevin Williams, Minnesota
Inside-middle linebackers - Jonathan Vilma, New Orleans; Patrick Willis, San Francisco
Outside linebackers - Lance Briggs, Chicago; Brian Orakpo, Washington; DeMarcus Ware, Dallas
Cornerbacks - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Arizona; Asante Samuel, Philadelphia; Charles Woodson, Green Bay
Strong safety - Adrian Wilson, Arizona
Free safeties - Nick Collins, Green Bay; Darren Sharper, New Orleans
Specialists
Punter - Andy Lee, San Francisco
Kick return specialist - DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia
Placekicker - David Akers, Philadelphia
Special teamer - Heath Farwell, Minnesota