NFC NOTES FOR USE AS DESIRED FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, 12/8/15 CONTACT: RANDALL LIU http://twitter.com/NFL345

NFL ENTERS FINAL QUARTER AS TEAMS MAKE PUSH FOR

The NFL season enters the home stretch with four games remaining in the regular season. The final quarter of the season kicks off this week with playoff berths on the line.

“This is the time of the season where we really need our playmakers to make plays,” says Arizona safety , who was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month in November. “December football is very important. We just have to continue to get better.”

Since 2010, the New England Patriots (21-4, .840) own the best record in the month, which also includes regular-season games played in January. The Green Bay Packers (18-6, .750) lead the NFC.

TEAM WINS LOSSES PCT. New England Patriots 21 4 .840 Green Bay Packers 18 6 .750 Steelers 18 6 .750 Seattle Seahawks 18 7 .720 Carolina Panthers 17 8 .680 Indianapolis Colts 17 8 .680

“The games in December are the most important regular-season games by far,” says NFL Network analyst and former NFL head coach STEVE MARIUCCI. “It’s extremely important to win in December and to make a run at the playoffs and show improvement. You want your team to peak in December. It’s important to stay healthy and keep your players fresh. You remember what happens in December.”

With four games remaining, 20 teams are either in or within one game of a playoff spot.

“We’re playing December football now and it’s good to have these games be meaningful,” says Washington linebacker RYAN KERRIGAN. “This is going to be an exciting time.”

The leaders in December/January regular-season games since 2010 among players on active rosters:

PLAYER PASS YARDS PLAYER RUSH YARDS PLAYER REC YARDS 7,590 2,019 2,269 6,958 LeSean McCoy 1,661 Roddy White 1,911 Eli Manning 6,499 Matt Forté 1,590 1,783 Matt Ryan 6,300 1,528 Demaryius Thomas 1,767 Philip Rivers 6,045 1,390 Brandon Marshall 1,718

PLAYER OVERALL TDs PLAYER SACKS PLAYER INTS Marshawn Lynch 25 Jared Allen 24.5 Richard Sherman 11 Dez Bryant 19 Tamba Hali 17.5 Reggie Nelson 10 16 J.J. Watt 17.0 Sam Shields 7 Antonio Brown 15 16.5 Vontae Davis 6 Marques Colston 15 Jason Pierre-Paul 16.0 Dre Kirkpatrick 6 Eric Decker 15 Devin McCourty 6 LeSean McCoy 15 Glover Quin 6