The Panthers have signed cornerback Chris Gamble to a contract extension that will keep him in Carolina through the 2014 season. Gamble's extension is reportedly for six years and will make him one of the five top-paid cornerbacks in the league. That would make it worth more than $50 million. "I wanted to be in Carolina. I didn't want to be with any other team," Gamble said. "I like the organization, the coaching staff, the fans, my teammates, and I just wanted to get it out of the way."

The NFC, beginning with the Giants' victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII this past February, has begun to put a dent into the AFC's recent dominance in the NFL. Through Week 12 of the 2008 season, the NFC has a 22-19-1 record against the AFC. Cut out the horrendous NFC West ? which has a 2-7 mark against the AFC ? and that mark jumps to 20-12-1. Prior to New York's shocking win over New England in Glendale, Ari., the AFC had won four-straight Super Bowls. Even with the Giants recent triumph, the American Conference has taken eight of the last eleven titles.

Lions' quarterback Daunte Culpepper praised Panthers' defensive end Julius Peppers after he was sacked twice by the defender on Sunday. "When we do our game plans on Wednesday, he's the guy who has 'red alert' on him," said Culpepper, who previously faced Peppers while playing for the Vikings. "We always have to know where he is. "He's a game-changer. He's an absolute beast out there. I love competing against him because he's one of the best." Peppers has nine sacks on the season.