The Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The man who made the Packers' playoff berth possible, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Nathan Poole, got a hero's welcome Saturday when he arrived in Green Bay as the mayor's weekend guest.

"Thanks for the catch!" shouted dozens of fans who greeted Poole and his wife, Neville, at Austin Straubel International Airport.

Poole caught the game-winning touchdown pass as time ran out in Arizona on Sunday to defeat the Minnesota Vikings 18-17. The Vikings' loss gave the Packers the NFC North title and eliminated Minnesota from the playoffs.

The Pooles will attend today's wild-card game between the Packers and Seattle Seahawks with mayor Jim Schmitt and his wife, Dona.

"The Packers deserve to be in the playoffs. But they couldn't have done it without the help of the Arizona Cardinals, particularly the miraculous catch of Nathan Poole," Schmitt said.

"I was asked as mayor what would I do for him, and I said I can't name a bridge or a boulevard after him, but I do have four tickets to the game."

Poole also will get a key to the city.

"I heard these fans were great, but this is unbelievable," Poole said. "I can't put what's happening to me into words."

PRO BOWL: Steve McNair, Jamal Lewis and Ray Lewis, all NFL postseason award winners, will start for the AFC in next month's Pro Bowl.

McNair, who shared The Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award with Peyton Manning, was chosen Saturday to start at quarterback. McNair guided the Tennessee Titans to a 12-4 record and a wild-card playoff berth.

Jamal Lewis, who rushed for 2,066 yards this season, second most in NFL history, was one of three Baltimore Ravens to win AP awards. The NFL Offensive Player of the Year will start at running back. Also in the starting AFC backfield will be Kansas City fullback Tony Richardson.

Baltimore inside linebacker Ray Lewis, the AP Defensive Player of the Year, also will start the game Feb. 8 at Aloha Stadium. He'll be joined at linebacker by fellow Raven Peter Boulware and Buffalo's Takeo Spikes.

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