1.   His presence goes a long way toward explaining why the Seahawks have gone from early-season underachievers to playoff contenders.

2.   Anaheim Pretender or playoff contender?

3.   And these all are playoff contenders.

4.   And, more importantly, from a team seemingly headed toward another losing season to a playoff contender.

5.   Approaching the midpoint of the season, a victory over the Lions would mean the Giants might be ready to handle the status of a playoff contender.

6.   Behring fired Tom Flores as coach last year and hired Dennis Erickson, a native of Everett, Wash., to establish the team as a playoff contender.

7.   Bill Parcells worked fast enough, with his New England Patriots now a bonafide playoff contender, but even he suffered some Foxboro embarrassments.

8.   Both teams have only a handful of games left against playoff contenders.

9.   Above the line are eight obvious playoff contenders.

10.   After the events of yesterday, the Mavericks might feel comfortable calling themselves a legitimate playoff contender.