Trivia

Q:  Sunday's 41-28 AFC divisional playoff win over Houston gave New England Patriots QB Tom Brady a record 17th career postseason victory, surpassing the player he idolized as a youngster in California. Name that former NFL record holder.

A: Brady surpassed the 16 career playoff wins by former San Francisco 49ers QB Joe Montana. Montana still holds the career mark for going 4-for-4 in Super Bowl victories, to Brady's 3-for-5.

Today in … 

2003 – In the highly anticipated first meeting between seven-foot-six Rockets rookie center Yao Ming and 7'1” Lakers post man Shaquille O'Neal, Houston prevails 108-104 in overtime at the Compaq Center. Yao blocks Shaq's first three shots and alters Kobe Bryant's shot at the end of regulation. O'Neal finishes with 31 points, 13 rebounds, four assists. Yao manages 10 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks. Rockets guard Steve Francis leads all scorers with 44 points, which turns out to be his personal high in a nine-year NBA career.

Birthdays

Bengals wide receiver Cris Collinsworth, born 1959. Browns linebacker Dick Ambrose, born 1953.