31.   Indeed, the Kings played desperately, knowing full well that their playoff hopes get slimmer with every loss.

32.   It was their Big Sky opener and the loss was a huge blow for their playoff hopes.

33.   It was the fifth straight defeat for the Eagles, whose fragile playoff hopes could be obliterated when they face the resurgent Giants next Sunday in Philadelphia.

34.   It will be enough to throw off the tenacious Colts and dash their playoff hopes.

35.   New York plays host to Minnesota in a game the Giants must win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

36.   Now the Braves are counting on him to be a cornerstone of their playoff hopes this season.

37.   Now there is pressure to salvage playoff hopes, and the Revolution will make little pretense of striving for anything other than pragmatic goals.

38.   Now, the Bills are asking Reich to perform another miracle -- revive their playoff hopes and steer them to a fifth consecutive Super Bowl.

39.   Not if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.

40.   Not only does another loss ruin hopes of a conference title for either CSUN or Weber State, it would also squash faint playoff hopes.