Tebow's magic hikes TV ratings

In 2011, the Packers-Eagles playoff game attracted 39.3 million viewers and earned the highest rating for a wild-card round contest in a dozen years.

Denver's overtime win over Pittsburgh on Tim Tebow's electrifying 80-yard touchdown passess to Demaryius Thomas on Sunday averaged 42.4 million viewers, an 8 percent increase.

Maybe they wanted to see Matt Prater kick?

The Jets named former Miami head coach Tony Sparano their offensive coordinator on Wednesday to replace Brian Schottenheimer and take over an offense that struggled all season.

The team announced the hiring about 12 hours after announcing that Schottenheimer wouldn't return next season. Offensive line coach Bill Callahan and wide receivers coach Henry Ellard also are not expected back.

Sparano is a strong proponent of a run-first approach, something head coach Rex Ryan prefers and the type of system in which QB Mark Sanchez thrived during his first two seasons.

Sparano was fired by the Dolphins last month after going 29-32 in three-plus seasons.

Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew led the NFL with 1,606 yards this season. Only three running backs since 1978 - New Orleans' George Rogers in 1981, Los Angeles' Eric Dickerson in 1986 and Baltimore's Jamal Lewis in 2003 - won the rushing title on a team ranked last in passing.

After naming Mike Mularkey head coach, Jacksonville would like to bring back interim coach Mel Tucker, who interviewed for the defensive coordinator position in Minnesota, and several of his assistants.

The Oshkosh Police Department issued a statement saying an autopsy showed the cause of 21-year-old Michael Philbin's death Saturday night was fresh-water drowning. No evidence suggesting foul play was found during the investigation of the death of Green Bay offensive coordinator Joe Philbin's son.

The Fritz Pollard Alliance has created the Paul J. Tagliabue Award of Excellence in honor of the former NFL commissioner.

The award goes to a league or team executive who demonstrates the integrity and leadership Tagliabue exhibited in career development opportunities for minority candidates, the league said.

Redskins linebacker London Fletcher is the recipient of the Bart Starr Award, for outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community. The award is voted on by the players. Other finalists were Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.

Falcons receiver Roddy White was added to the NFC Pro Bowl team as a replacement for injured Detroit Lions star Calvin Johnson.