Leading Off: Pictures of the Week

Leading Off: Pictures of the Week

John W. McDonough/SI

Chargers tight end Kris Wilson loses his helmet as he is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals safety Chinedum Ndukwe in the Chargers' 27-24 victory on Dec. 20 in San Diego.

Bob Rosato/SI

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees fumbles after being hit by Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware just before halftime of their Dec. 19 game. Ware also caused a fumble by Brees in the last minute of the game to seal the Cowboys' 24-17 win over the previously undefeated Saints.

Bob Rosato/SI

Linebacker Jonathan Vilma goes for a ride as he tries to tackle Dallas running back Marion Barber during the Saints' 24-17 loss on Dec. 19. Barber had 62 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns to help snap the Saints' winning streak at 13.

John W. McDonough/SI

Cincinnati wideout Chad Ochocinco beats San Diego's Antonio Cromartie for a 49-yard touchdown reception in their Dec. 20 game. The Chargers won 27-24.

Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP/Getty Images

Do Thi Nhan of Vietnam kicks Kindala Phomemathang of Laos during the wushu's sanshou 45kg class at the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos on Dec. 17. Nhan won the gold medal.

Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images

An unidentified skier takes part in the first training session of the men's World Cup downhill on Dec. 16 in Val Gardena, Italy. Austria's Michael Walchhofer clocked the best time.

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Seth Wescott (far left) of the U.S., De Le Rue Xavier (7) of France, Ross Powers (6) of the U.S. and Pierre Vaultier (14) of France compete at the FIS Snowboardcross World Cup on Dec. 19 in Telluride, Colo. Vaultier won the event. Powers placed third.

Mustafa Ozer/AFP/Getty Images

Daniel Gyurta of Hungary won the 200-meter breaststroke with a world-record time of 2:00.67 at the European short course championships in Istanbul on Dec. 13.

Greg Nelson/SI

North Carolina forward Ed Davis (left) and guard Leslie McDonald (center) get to a loose ball before the Texas Longhorns can during the first basketball game played at Cowboys Stadium. Texas won 103-90 in the Dec. 19 showdown.

Michal Cizek/AFP/Getty Images

Jasper Gronkjaer of FC Copenhagen (left) vies for the ball with Ondrej Kusnir of Sparta Prague during the UEFA Europa League Group K match on Dec. 16 in Prague. FC Copenhagen won 3-0.

Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images

Francisco Molinero of Dinamo Bucharest (front) fights for the ball with Ante Rukavina of Panathinaikos during their Europa League game at the Athens Olympic stadium on Dec. 16. Panathinaikos defeated Dinamo 3-0.

Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

Simon Ammann of Switzerland jumps during the World Cup ski jump competition on Dec. 20 in Engelberg, Switzerland. Ammann won the event, which was cut short by wind.

Lou Capozzola/SI

Duke guard Nolan Smith slides into spectators while chasing a loose ball against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half of the Aeropostale Classic at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 19. Smith led all scorers with 24 points as Duke defeated Gonzaga 76-41.