While not close to the purge of 2006 (10 teams), next month could be interesting - anywhere from four to eight teams will be looking for a new coach.

The list below doesn't even include two 2007 playoff teams who already have 10 losses this year (Green Bay and Jacksonville), a team (Philadelphia) whose coach benched his starting quarterback for a half last month, one that already has its successor (Seattle), another (Denver) that is on the brink of a colossal collapse and an organization (Cincinnati) that is simply too cheap to pay a coach for not working.

* Dick Jauron, Buffalo: He was in extension talks when the Bills started 5-1, but Buffalo has managed to top the Redskins in the Fast First Half/Stinky Second Half Dept. Buffalo is 2-7 in its last nine games.

Verdict: Gone. The Bills lost at home to Cleveland and San Francisco, for crying out loud.

* Romeo Crennel, Cleveland: Twice, he's gotten too much credit - when he was New England's defensive coordinator during its three Super Bowl victories and when the Browns went 10-6 last year. Reality set in this year with a 5-10 mark.

Verdict: Gone. Paging Bill Cowher.

* Wade Phillips, Dallas: Phillips has nothing to do with an offense that can't really run it (19th in NFL) and a quarterback (Tony Romo) who remains prone to interceptions. The Cowboys can still get into the playoffs with a win Sunday in Philadelphia.

Verdict: Stays. If Jason Garrett's offense were rolling and the defense were bad, Phillips would be in more trouble, but that's not the case.

* Rod Marinelli, Detroit: Where to start? He's part of the first 0-15 team in NFL history and has a great chance to finish 0-16. The Lions are terrible on offense (30th) and defense (last), and the man who hired him (Matt Millen) has been fired.

Verdict: Gone. Ownership has endorsed Martin Mayhew and Tom Lewand as the brain trust for 2009. At least let them hire their own coach.

* Herm Edwards, Kansas City: He's playing to win the games, but Edwards entered the year knowing full well the Chiefs wouldn't be very good. But this bad (2-13)?

Verdict: Stays. Carl Peterson is out, so the new president and general manager will keep Edwards to use 2009 as an evaluation year.

* Tom Cable, Oakland: Since taking over for Lane Kiffin, Cable is 3-8, and the Raiders are in the group with Detroit, St. Louis and Seattle for worst team honors. An experienced coach is needed to rebuild and deal with Al Davis.

Verdict: Gone ... maybe Can anybody ever know what Al is thinking?

* Mike Singletary, San Francisco: The 49ers are 4-4 since he took over, and his decision to insert Shaun Hill at quarterback (12 touchdowns, seven interceptions) begs the question of why Mike Nolan didn't make the same decision. The players seem to believe in him.

Verdict: Staying. A published report Thursday said Singletary will get the full-time job.

* Jim Haslett, St. Louis: After wins over the Redskins and Dallas, he appeared to be a front-runner. St. Louis hasn't won since. New GM Billy Devaney (a scout during Bobby Beathard's Redskins years) figures to bring in his own guy.

Final verdict: Gone. It's time to start over.

INSIDE THE AFC

* Personnel chief James "Shack" Harris became the first domino to fall in Jacksonville, where the Jaguars are 5-10. Jack Del Rio doesn't figure to be next because Harris' departure signals a power struggle win for Del Rio. But Gregg Williams isn't expected to return, and more staff changes could follow.

* It's Week 17, which means it's time for Jim Sorgi's annual mop-up start. The Colts backup quarterback took all of the key reps in the preseason while Peyton Manning recovered from two knee surgeries. This week's contest against Tennessee is meaningless. Sorgi is 44-for-79 for 447 yards and five touchdowns in regular-season finales.

* Braylon Edwards said he's not appreciated by Cleveland's fans. Judging by his numbers, why should he be? According to Stats Inc., Edwards leads the NFL with 16 dropped passed and passes intended for him but not caught (79). Edwards has been targeted 133 times.

* Despite having the not-so-mobile Kerry Collins at quarterback, Tennessee has allowed a league-low nine sacks. The league average is 30.9.

"To go half a season with only nine, let alone an entire season, is a feat in itself," center Kevin Mawae said. "If you can hold it down under double digits, then you've done something pretty special."

INSIDE THE NFC

* With 52 more yards by Derrick Ward, the Giants will be only the fourth team to have two running backs reach 1,000 yards. Brandon Jacobs is at 1,089. The other three teams are Miami (1972, Larry Czonka and Mercury Morris), Pittsburgh (1976, Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier) and Cleveland (1985, Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack).

* What a season for Giants graybeard kicker John Carney. The 44-year-old earned his second Pro Bowl appearance (and first in 14 years) by hitting 31 of 33 field goal attempts. His two misses were blocks, so he has been perfect when the Football clears the line of scrimmage.

* Arizona (8-7) has packed it in since winning the NFC West earlier this month, losing to Minnesota and New England by a combined 82-21.

"We've worked hard to create something here, to gain the trust of a lot of our fans," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "We feel like we've let them down the last two weeks because of what's happened here."

* The Saints have one thing to play for this week against Carolina: history. Drew Brees needs 402 yards to break Dan Marino's record of 5,084 set in 1984. The Saints are 6-3 when Brees eclipses 300 yards. He threw for only 231 yards in New Orleans' previous game this season vs. the Panthers, who are playing for a first-round bye.

WEEKEND PICKS

Redskins THIS WEEK

Redskins (8-7) at 49ers (6-9)

Sunday, 4:15 p.m.

TV: Chs. 5, 45

Line: 49ers by 3

Outlook: A win and the Redskins have consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1996-97. That's something to play for. Defeating Philadelphia last week should have made this week a lot easier for the Redskins, who won their other West Coast trip this season (Seattle). They finally reach the 30-point plateau.

The pick: Redskins 30-24

GAME OF THE WEEK

Dolphins (10-5) at Jets (9-6)

Sunday, 4:15 p.m.

Line: Jets by 3

Outlook: It's simple for Miami - win and cap an incredible turnaround from 1-15 to AFC East champion. The Dolphins won the coldest game in their history last week despite giving up 492 yards to Kansas City. The Jets lost to lowly Seattle and need a win and losses by either New England or Baltimore to reach the postseason. Miami will cause too many problems for a wilting Brett Favre, perhaps playing in his last game.

The pick: Dolphins 18-14

UPSET WATCH

Broncos (8-7) at Chargers (7-8)

Sunday, 8:30 p.m.

TV: Chs. 4, 11

Line: Chargers by 8

Outlook: The Broncos are on the verge of NFL history. Not since divisional play began in 1967 has a team lost a three-game lead in the final three weeks. Two young quarterbacks will duel - Jay Cutler's 4,210 yards are a Denver single-season record, and Philip Rivers is one TD pass from tying Dan Fouts' team record of 33. The Chargers have won 13 straight games in December, but Cutler makes one more play.

The pick: Broncos 38-34

THIS WEEK'S LOCK

Patriots (10-5) at Bills (7-8)

Sunday, 1 p.m.

TV: Chs. 9, 13

Line: Patriots by 6 1/2

Outlook: The 1985 Broncos are the only 11-5 team to miss the playoffs since the 16-game schedule was instituted in 1978. New England needs a win and a Miami loss to win the AFC East or a win and a Baltimore loss to get the wild card. Expect the Patriots to pound out their frustration on the Bills, who allowed 532 yards last week. The Patriots have scored 96 points the last two weeks.

The pick: Patriots 49-14

FRIDAY'S FIVE

Assistants who could be coaching candidates this offseason:

Jim Schwartz, Tennessee defensive coordinator - Interviewed for Redskins job last year and will be an attractive candidate for many teams.

Josh McDaniels, New England offensive coordinator - Has tutored Matt Cassel to a 21-touchdown year. Maybe a package deal with Cassel?

Steve Spagnuolo, Giants defensive coordinator - Turned down Redskins job last year despite what those inside Redskin Park lead you to believe. Will have more suitors this year.

Leslie Frazier, Minnesota defensive coordinator - The Vikings rank sixth in yards and first against the run. A Tony Dungy disciple, which is never a bad thing.

Rex Ryan, Baltimore defensive coordinator - His teams are almost always in the top 10 (second this year). He deserves a shot somewhere.