Notes

Corner making music

Darrelle Revis is hoping to produce a big hit someday.

In the recording studio.

The New York Jets cornerback, having an outstanding season shutting down the likes of Randy Moss, Terrell Owens and Steve Smith, has his sights set on being a songwriter or music producer when his football career ends.

“It’s a big passion for me,” the 24-year-old Revis said.

“I’ve always loved music growing up. I played drums in my church for a bunch of years and I’ve ventured off to play other instruments like piano, acoustic guitar.

You’ve just got to balance it out. When I’m playing football, I’m playing football.

That’s my No. 1 job. These are hobbies that I love to do and get into.”

Revis, in his third season, has already written a few songs and during the bye week helped record them at I GOT Records, the production company owned by his uncle, former NFL defensive lineman Sean Gilbert.

“If it ventures off to get me money off the field, it does, but I’m not going to clash the things I’m doing off the field with the things I’m doing on the field,” Revis said. “I love music, I’m starting to get into producing, starting to make beats, and it’s just something that’s cool.”

Revis, who enjoys everything from rap and R&B to Christian music, sometimes doesn’t listen to anything before games so he doesn’t get too amped up.

That approach has worked as Revis has six interceptions and an NFL-leading 33 passes defensed, and is garnering serious consideration for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

“My uncle said I should shape my game into where it’s like I’m making music out there, you’re very smooth and just trying to do things in a smooth way,” Revis said.

“You’re still going hard, but just relax in what you’re doing and everything will take care of itself.” Who to flex

Wondering which game will be switched to Sunday night next week when the NFL season concludes?

Judging by the three previous decisions, expect a gameinvolving playoff implications to be the choice.

If so, and if the Indianapolis Colts are 15-0, their quest for an undefeated season will remain an afternoon contest in Buffalo.

The league will not lack for possibilities for prime time, including Philadelphia at Dallas, the New York Giants at Minnesota, New England at Houston, Pittsburgh at Miami or Cincinnati at the New York Jets - all depending on what happens this weekend.

Unlike in previous weeks, CBS and Fox do not have any flex protection for Week 17 and can’t block movement of a game to prime time on NBC. CBS and Fox each can protect five games in the six earlier weeks of flexible scheduling.

A team is allowed a maximum five prime-time appearances per season, with three teams permitted to play a sixth as long as one of those six games is on NFL Network. No club has reached the limit and is blocked from being in the NBC game on Jan. 3.

Last year, the San Diego-Denver matchup to decideAFC was to prime time. The previous season, it was Tennessee at Indianapolis as the Titans sought a playoff berth. And in 2006, it was Green Bay at Chicago as the Packers chased a wild-card spot.

Christmas package

The NFL seems to find Christmas Day - or night - a good time for a football game. That was certainly true this season, when it also lucked out with a terrific matchup of San Diego at Tennessee for NFL Network.

Overall, 14 games have been played on Christmas since the 1970 merger, including the longest contest in league history: the epic playoff at Kansas City in which Miami beat the Chiefs 27-24 in double overtime.

Garo Yepremian ended that 1971 classic 7:40 into the second extra period with a 37-yard field goal.

Somewhat forgotten is that there was another playoff game on that Christmas, with Dallas beating Minnesota 20-12. The Cowboys went on to win the Super Bowl over the Dolphins, so playing onChristmas was fortuitous that year.

Other Christmas games: Minnesota over Cincinnati 29-21 in 1989; Houston over San Francisco 10-7 in 1993;

Miami over Detroit 27-20 in 1994; Dallas over Arizona 37-13 in 1995; Denver over Detroit 17-7 in 1999; Tennessee over Dallas 31-0 in 2000; Kansas City over Oakland 31-30 and Denver over Tennessee 37-16 in 2004; Chicago over Green Bay 24-17 and Baltimore over Minnesota 30-23 in 2005;

Philadelphia over Dallas 23-7 and the New York Jets over Miami 13-10 in 2006.

Dallas, traditionally the team that draws the best TV ratings, appeared in four Christmas games, a number the Titans (and their predecessor, the Houston Oilers) matched this year.

Equipment grants

USA Football is awarding football equipment grants totaling $1 million to youth and high school programs based on merit and need for the 2010 season. It’s the largest amount of money USA Football has allocated to equipment grants since its program was established in 2006. The award last year was $500,000 in grants, the previous high.

More than 800 programs will share in the grants from USA Football, the official youth football development partner of the NFL and the NFL Players Association.

Each selected youth league receives a $1,000 package that includes equipment from Riddell or apparel from Under Armour. High schools receive similar packages valued at $1,500.

“This is going to enable a lot more kids to play,” said Cassandra Jetter-Ivey of the Newark (N.J.) North Ward Scorpions youth football program, which received a $1,000 equipment grant. “This grant keeps kids on the field.

It’ll definitely help us and we are so very grateful.”

Super Bowl odds

New Orleans’ loss to Dallas last weekend did not drop it from co-favorite to win the Super Bowl, according to BetUS.com.

The Saints remain at 5-to-2 odds, the same as the 14-0 Indianapolis Colts.

Next shortest odds belong to Minnesota at 11-2, followed by San Diego at 7-1 and New England at 10-1.

Longest odds among teams still in the running?

Try Jacksonville and Houston each at 250-1. Defending champion Pittsburgh is 100-1.

x-clinched division y-clinched playoff spot FRIDAY’S GAMES San Diego at Tennessee, (n) SUNDAY’S GAMES - All times Central Buffalo at Atlanta, noon Houston at Miami, noon Seattle at Green Bay, noon Carolina at NY Giants, noon Baltimore at Pittsburgh, noon Tampa Bay at New Orleans, noon Oakland at Cleveland, noon Kansas City at Cincinnati, noon Jacksonville at New England, noon Detroit at San Francisco, 3:05 p.m.

St. Louis at Arizona, 3:05 p.m.

NY Jets at Indianapolis, 3:15 p.m.

Denver at Philadelphia, 3:15 p.m.

Dallas at Washington, 7:20 p.m.

MONDAY’S GAME Minnesota at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, JAN. 3 Chicago at Detroit, noon Cincinnati at NY Jets, noon Philadelphia at Dallas, noon Pittsburgh at Miami, noon New England at Houston, noon Indianapolis at Buffalo, noon San Francisco at St. Louis, noon Atlanta at Tampa Bay, noon New Orleans at Carolina, noon Jacksonville at Cleveland, noon NY Giants at Minnesota, noon Tennessee at Seattle, 3:15 p.m.

Washington at San Diego, 3:15 p.m.

Kansas City at Denver, 3:15 p.m.

Baltimore at Oakland, 3:15 p.m.

Green Bay at Arizona, 3:15 p.m.