ATLANTA: The Falcons are threatening to break the NFL record for fewest yards allowed on punt returns in a season. Through 13 games, they have yielded 26 yards on 48 punts by Michael Koenen. The Buffalo Bills set the 16-game record in 1991, yielding 53 return yards on 54 punts by Chris Mohr.

CAROLINA: It wasn't long ago when Coach John Fox and GM Marty Hurney were criticized for spending first-round picks on running backs DeAngelo Williams (2006) and Jonathan Stewart (2008) so soon after blowing a second-round pick on running back Eric Shelton (2005). After taking up roster space for two unproductive and injury-riddled seasons, Shelton was released before the 2007 season. Now, Fox and Hurney are reaping the rewards for their persistence. Williams and Stewart have combined for 1,840 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns this season, including 301 yards and four scores in Monday night's 38-23 victory against Tampa Bay.

NEW ORLEANS : The Saints can still overtake Atlanta in NFC South, but they cannot finish higher than third in the division. With that in mind, here is a peek at their 2009 schedule with two foes still to be determined: (home) Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Dallas, New York Giants, New England, New York Jets, and a team from the NFC North, likely Detroit or Green Bay; (away) Atlanta, Carolina Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, Washington, Buffalo, Miami and a team from the NFC West, likely Seattle or St. Louis.

NOTE: The two foes still in question will be determined by where the Saints finish in the NFC South. For example, if they remain in fourth place, they would play the corresponding teams from the NFC North and NFC West. As of today, that would be Detroit at home and St. Louis on the road. If the Saints overtake Atlanta and finish third in the South, they would play the corresponding teams from the North and West. As of today, that would be Green Bay at home and Seattle on the road. Although it is highly improbable, playing Chicago on the road is not out of the realm of possibility based on the current standings.

TAMPA BAY: Lost in the Buccaneers' 38-23 beatdown by Carolina was the breakout performance by wide receiver Antonio Bryant, who caught nine passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Afterward, Bryant took exception to criticism leveled by former teammates/turned ESPN analysts Emmitt Smith and Trent Dilfer, who rehashed run-ins between the receiver and former coaches Bill Parcells in Dallas and Mike Nolan in San Francisco. "I'm still trying to figure out what all this baggage is I'm supposed to have," Bryant said. "I'm a hard worker. I've always been a hard worker. So don't take that away from me, man. If you've got something to say to me, say it. Don't disrespect me like that."

OPENING DRIVE

FIRST DOWN

After logging 30 sacks in the first eight games of the season, the New York Giants have just six in the past five, and four of those came against the Washington Redskins in Week 13. After getting 8.5 sacks in the first eight games, defensive end Justin Tuck has just three in the last five, two against the Redskins.

SECOND DOWN

Too bad the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award can't be split evenly among Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, Tennessee running back Chris Johnson, Chicago running back Matt Fort? and Houston running back Steve Slaton. Each has made a strong case for the honor.

THIRD DOWN

Saints running back Deuce McAllister is five yards rushing shy of reaching 6,000 for his career. Perhaps, he'll get a chance to reach that mark before the season ends, now that a federal judge has extended a preliminary injunction against the NFL's suspension of McAllister, teammates Will Smith and Charles Grant, and Minnesota defensive linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for violating the league's anti-doping policy. McAllister turns 30 on Dec. 27, the day before the Saints close out their season at home against Carolina .

FOURTH DOWN

The Miami Dolphins are on pace to set an NFL record for fewest turnovers in a 16-game season. They have a league-low 10 giveaways through 13 games, which projects to 12 for the season. The record is 14, held by the Super Bowl XXV-champion New York Giants. Bill Parcells coached the 1990 G-Men, the same man who has helped restore the Dolphins' good name.

INSIDE THE AFC/NFC

Buffalo has failed to score a touchdown in eight consecutive quarters, its longest drought since 2005. . . . New England could win its last three games at Oakland, vs. Arizona and at Buffalo and still not make the playoffs at 11-5. No team has ever finished 11-5 and not reached the postseason since the league expanded to a 12-team playoff format in 1990. . . . A week ago, Green Bay lost in 3-degree weather at Lambeau Field to the warm-weather Houston Texans. The Packers have been installed as slight favorites today at Jacksonville, where temperatures are expected to reach in the low 70s. Go figure. . . . News out of Dallas reached the bizarre last week, even by Cowboy standards. Consider: Terrell Owens no longer feels that he is the passing fancy of quarterback Tony Romo and is upset that he has been replaced in that role by tight end Jason Witten. No mention of the Cowboys' real problems -- an 18-37 record since 1996 in December and January, including 0-5 in the postseason.

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

Will the real "Smash & Dash" please stand up. It appears there is some question which running back tandem should answer to those nicknames -- Chris Johnson and LenDale White in Tennessee or DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart in Carolina. Johnson and White maintain they are the original "Smash & Dash" and that Williams and Stewart are trying to steal their thunder. White joked that Williams and Stewart should be re-named "Identity & Theft" for "swagger-jacking" him. "(White) said he's got it copyrighted," Williams said. "I'm waiting on the documents, though."

BY THE NUMBERS

6 -- Sacks by the Kansas City Chiefs, the fewest in the NFL through Week 14. The 1981 Baltimore Colts hold the record for fewest sacks in a 16-game season with 13. The Colts had 11 sacks in the strike-shortened, nine-game season of 1982.

WORTH REPEATING

"They did do that a couple years ago, they sold their tickets to Pittsburgh fans, the ultimate disrespect. Don't sell your tickets. This is probably one you might want to be in attendance for. You might want to see this one go down." -- Baltimore outside linebacker Terrell Suggs to Ravens fans in advance of today's AFC North showdown at M&T Bank Stadium against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Brian Allee-Walsh may be reached at ballee-walsh@timespicayune.com or at 504.826.3805.