51.   That is, still in playoff contention.

52.   That broke the spirit of the Clippers, who have dropped six of their past seven games and are close to being eliminated from playoff contention.

53.   The acquisition of Shareef Abdur-Rahim has given the Hawks a quick, mobile front line that could lead them back into playoff contention next season.

54.   The Browns trail the Pittsburgh Steelers by a game in the AFC Central, and the Saints are all but eliminated from playoff contention.

55.   The defeat eliminated Tampa from playoff contention.

56.   The Cubs are leading the National League wild-card chase, but the Cardinals have long since drifted out of any kind of playoff contention.

57.   The Giants knew at halftime that Tampa Bay had defeated Cincinnati and that they were eliminated from playoff contention.

58.   The masses apparently believe he should play, especially with the team out of playoff contention and the starting quarterback nursing a bad thumb.

59.   The Mariners have taken an unusual path to playoff contention this season.

60.   The Patriots went on to win after another highly questionable call, knocking the Bills out of a first-place tie and keeping the Pats in playoff contention.