DeShaun Foster, if he can be re-signed, will be their featured back. Foster's late-season surge was enough to convince the coaching staff and front office he can handle 20 carries a game. Whether fans like it or not, a strong attempt will be made to re-sign Foster. The broken fibula he suffered in the playoffs was his third major injury in four seasons, and could hold his price tag down a bit. However, he would likely be a hot commodity on the open market, and the Panthers will make an offer before the start of free agency. Their hope is to pair Foster with Eric Shelton, a second-round pick last year, who missed his rookie season with a foot injury. The Panthers won't break the bank for Foster. If he tests free agency and the price tag gets too high, the Panthers will take their chances in free agency or the draft.

The next stop for Big Ben, The Bus and all those Terrible Towels will be the Super Bowl in Detroit, thanks to a 34-17 dismantling of the Denver Broncos on Sunday in the AFC title game. "We were sitting, looking at an outside shot to be in the Super Bowl," Steelers linebacker Clark Haggans said. "This is an unbelievable feeling to be here right now." Unbelievable and almost unprecedented. Led by 275 yards and two passing touchdowns from Ben Roethlisberger and a touchdown by Jerome Bettis, the Steelers became the first team since the 1985 Patriots to win three road games en route to the Super Bowl. Counting the regular season, they've played five of their final six away from Pittsburgh. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers by a final score of 34-14 in the nightcap.

Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers practiced Friday -- the first time this week he hit the field in preparation of the NFC championship game against Seattle. Peppers sat out Wednesday and Thursday's practices with a shoulder injury, then an illness. He's still listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks. "He practiced today and he felt much better," coach John Fox said. "He's still day to day on the shoulder." Asked if he had a feeling if Peppers would play on Sunday, Fox revealed nothing, "I do, but I'm not willing to share it." However, fellow defensive end Mike Rucker said he was confident Peppers would be a go against Seattle. "He's doing good," Rucker said. "There's not going to be too many things holding the big man down."

Steve Smith won the triple crown and while he didn?t win the MVP award, there was clearly no player that meant more to his club. Not only was he the most productive receiver in the game, he was the most exciting as well. For this, he was named the top player of the NFL by RealGM. Rounding out the top 5 were Shaun Alexander, Tiki Barber, Carson Palmer and Larry Johnson. Click read for the full list.

Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers was one of seven players to miss practice Wednesday as the Panthers prepared to play Seattle in the NFC championship. Peppers injured his shoulder in the third quarter of Carolina?s win over Chicago when he knocked Thomas Jones out of bounds to prevent him from scoring a touchdown. Peppers left the game and did not return, and is listed as questionable for Sunday?s game.

Shaun Alexander expects to be more than a cheerleader in the NFC championship game. Two days after a concussion knocked him out of Seattle's playoff win over Washington, a smiling Alexander was looking and feeling better, talking optimistically about being ready to play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. But when someone asked if he felt as good as he looked, the NFL MVP wouldn't go that far. "Um, no," Alexander said, jokingly running his hand against the side of his shaved head. "I wish."

Carolina running back DeShaun Foster broke his right ankle in the third quarter Sunday against the Chicago Bears, ending his season before the Panthers go to Seattle next week to play for the NFC championship. "It's disappointing. DeShaun was doing so well. But he'll be back," Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme said. Nick Goings replaced Foster and will be called upon next week. Foster was injured early in the second half on a tackle by Chicago linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer. "Nick and DeShaun are similar. He can get it done," Delhomme said.

NFL MVP Shaun Alexander did not help the Seattle Seahawks win their first playoff game in 21 years. Alexander suffered a concussion after being tackled for a one-yard loss by defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin with 4:29 left in the first quarter of the Seahawks' 20-10 victory over the Washington Redskins in the NFC divisional playoffs. The top-seeded Seahawks (14-3) will host the Carolina-Chicago winner in the NFC championship game next weekend. Alexander's status is uncertain for next weekend, but Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren is optimistic. "They (the trainers) seem to think that he's going to be fine for next week," Holmgren said. "They will do more tests on him, but I think he's going to be fine."

Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers and running back DeShaun Foster were forced out of Sunday's playoff game against Chicago with injuries. Peppers hurt his shoulder while driving Bears running back Thomas Jones out of bounds near the goal line in the fourth quarter. Peppers went to the locker room after the play, then returned to the bench but not the game. Foster was injured early in the second half when he hurt his right ankle on a tackle by Chicago linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer. Foster rushed for 151 yards last week to lead the Panthers over the Giants 23-0. He had 54 yards on 16 carries Sunday before the injury. He was replaced by Nick Goings.

The Chicago Bears signed defensive end Jamaal Green to the active roster Tuesday to replace defensive back Brandon McGowan, who went on injured reserve with a knee injury. McGowan appeared in eight games and had 31 tackles -- 23 solo. Green had been on the Bears' practice squad since Oct. 19.