FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-REG-1         9/7/99

The millennium’s ahead. And football is back.

And the final NFL season of the century promises to deliver a great deal of excitement, beginning this Sunday and Monday, September 12-13 with Kickoff ’99 Weekend.

"The world starts again," says MIKE WALLACE of CBS’s 60 Minutes, "when the NFL starts again."

The start of the NFL’s 80th season will feature the rebirth of a team…the first step towards a Super Bowl first…new stadiums…and Marino adding to his "miles."

The 15 games – the San Diego Chargers have drawn a bye – of Kickoff ’99 Weekend:

The rebirth of a team? It can be summarized in four words: The Browns are back!

History will be made on Sunday night when the first expansion team with a history – the Cleveland Browns – returns to the NFL to play their old rust-belt rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, on ESPN at 8:20 PM ET.

And perhaps the three players on the field at the new 72,000-seat Cleveland Browns Stadium who can most appreciate what the return of the Browns means to the city of Cleveland are former Browns who are now present Browns – defensive tackle JERRY BALL, tackle ORLANDO BROWN and cornerback-safety ANTONIO LANGHAM.

"I’m back now," says Langham. "It’s Cleveland football again. Your blood starts to bleed brown again."

It was 50 seasons ago that the Browns debuted – with a bang -- in the NFL. On September 16, 1950, the Browns – fresh from the old AAFC – shocked the Philadelphia Eagles and the rest of the NFL when they soundly defeated the defending NFL champions, 35-10. They would go on to tie the New York Giants for the best record in the league (10-2), and then capture the NFL championship with a 30-28 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, thanks to two late scoring drives led by quarterback OTTO GRAHAM and a game-winning, 16-yard field goal by LOU GROZA with 28 seconds remaining.

Those players and many more became revered by Cleveland fans through the next five decades. When the original franchise moved to Baltimore in 1995, the NFL forged a unique agreement with the city – and fans – of Cleveland to grant a team to the city that retained the Browns’ history, records, and colors. That rebirth takes place Sunday night.

"It may be a different stadium," says former Browns linebacker (1980-82) and assistant coach (1985-88) BILL COWHER, now head coach of the Steelers, "but it will be the same as in the past – rowdy and loud."

The next night, a quest begins.

The Denver Broncos, champions of Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII, start their journey towards playing in – and winning -- Super Bowl XXXIV when they host the Miami Dolphins on NFL Monday Night Football (ABC, 9:00 PM ET).

If the Broncos accomplish the feat, they achieve a standard – winning three consecutive Super Bowls -- that has stymied six teams before them. The 1966-67 Green Bay Packers, 1972-73 Miami Dolphins, 1974-75 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1978-79 Steelers, 1988-89 San Francisco 49ers and 1992-93 Dallas Cowboys were unable to produce a "three-peat."

But that doesn’t daunt Denver. Many Broncos wear T-shirts that say, "Back to back to BACK!"

"We just got started," says a big part of their offense, running back TERRELL DAVIS, whose personal motto this year could be "Two for Two" – his second consecutive 2,000-yard rushing season.

The Broncos, with the retirement of JOHN ELWAY (whose No. 7 jersey will be retired by the team Monday night with ceremonies televised live at halftime by ABC), will be quarterbacked by second-year pro BRIAN GRIESE. Monday will be his first NFL start. Ironically, Griese’s father BOB was the quarterback of the 1972-73 Dolphins who could not capture a third consecutive Super Bowl.

Of course, there are challengers out there who are ready to deny Denver. Not the least of which is the team they beat in Super Bowl XXXIII, the Atlanta Falcons, and the two clubs which lost in their respective championship games – the Minnesota Vikings and New York Jets.

"The Super Bowl is in Atlanta (on January 30)," says Falcons running back JAMAL ANDERSON. "That’s our house. I foresee us making it back to Super Bowl."

The Vikings – who set a record in 1998 for most points in a season (556) – visit Jamal and the Falcons’ "house" on Kickoff Weekend in a reprise of the NFC Championship decided in overtime on a MORTEN ANDERSEN field goal. "Our objective is to break their 10-game home win streak," says Vikings head coach DENNIS GREEN.

The Jets? They’ve got their own specialized T-shirts that read, "Start Over."

"The mistake teams make is that just because last year was good, we’re going to pick up where we left off," says Jets head coach BILL PARCELLS. "That’s a big mistake, because things are never the same. Different cast of characters, different everything."

Meanwhile, everything will not be different in the NFL this year, but some noticeable things will be…

• NEW NAME/NEW HOME: Adelphia Coliseum is the new home of the newly-named Tennessee Titans (formerly Oilers). It’s a 67,000-seat open-air, natural-grass stadium that sits on the east bank of the Cumberland River overlooking downtown Nashville. Its regular-season debut is Sunday, when the Titans host the Cincinnati Bengals.

• INSTANT REPLAY: A review of officials’ decisions different than that used by the NFL from 1986-91 will be utilized. Prior to the two-minute warning of each half, a coaches’ challenge system will be in effect. After the two-minute warning, and throughout any overtime period, a review will be initiated by a replay assistant in the replay booth.

• BYES: With 31 teams, at least one team will have a bye each week of the season. The first club to draw a bye is San Diego. Cleveland has a bye in the final week of the season.

• TV CHANGES: NFL television will look a little different in ’99. ABC has switched the start time of Monday Night Football – celebrating its 30th season – back to its original time – 9:00 PM ET. Last year, it was 8:20 PM……ABC will join ESPN and CBS in using the "virtual first-down marker" that superimposes on the TV screen a colored stripe positioned at the distance a team needs to earn a first down……ABC will broadcast its games in HDTV (high-definition television), an improved video system that produces sharper and wider video images, and all its games in Spanish through SAP – secondary audio programming……CBS will have a revamped NFL Today pregame show……and FOX will start its Sunday-morning NFL previewing an hour earlier with its NFL This Morning on FOX Sports Net, and will introduce NFL Under the Helmet, a 26-week, youth-oriented series on Saturday morning produced by NFL Films.

On the field, records can be set, milestones reached…

• The BRONCOS, with victories in their first four home games, will surpass the Green Bay Packers (25) and Miami Dolphins (27) for most consecutive home wins. Denver has won 24 in a row at Mile High Stadium.

• DAN MARINO, with 1,087 passing yards, can become the first passer to throw for 60,000 yards – or 34.1 miles.

• BRETT FAVRE, with starts in the Packers’ first eight games, tops RON JAWORSKI (116) for most consecutive starts by a quarterback since 1970.

• EMMITT SMITH, with 12 total touchdowns, passes MARCUS ALLEN (145) in second place in the category.

And, finally, in a year of looking back – the NFL will ask fans to vote for the 10 Most Memorable Games of the Century – there are numerous anniversaries being celebrated:

80th Season NFL and Chicago Bears (known as Decatur Staleys) founded (1920).

75th Season New York Giants founded (1925).

10th Anniversary Paul Tagliabue becomes NFL’s seventh commissioner (10/26/89).

So as the NFL century draws to a close, one of the league’s newest members, rookie linebacker AL WILSON of the Broncos, sums up what Kickoff Weekend means.

"It’s not about all the money and fame," he says, "it’s about the love of the game."

CARDINALS: Swept Eagles in ’98 for first time since ’84. Have won 3 straight vs. Philly & have not won 4 since 5 straight from 1982-84……Cardinals finished fourth in NFC in passing offense in ’98 behind Vikings (1), 49ers (2) & Packers (3). QB JAKE PLUMMER’s 3,737 yards passing were third in NFC. Had 2,317 yards & 8 INTs in last 8 games vs. 1,420 & 12 INTs in first 8……RB ADRIAN MURRELL rushed for 145 yards, including 25-yard TD, vs. Eagles on 9/20/98……WR FRANK SANDERS led NFC with 89 catches & finished fifth in conference with 1,145 rec. yards. His 31 third-down catches ranked second in NFL……Defense forced 39 takeaways, second-most in NFC. Club’s 19 fumble takes ranked second in NFC, 20 INTs were third……LB RONALD MC KINNON had career-high & team second-best 5 INTs……S KWAMIE LASSITER led NFC with 8 INTs, including NFL-record tying 4 vs. Chargers in season finale……EAGLES: ANDY REID makes NFL head-coaching debut……QB DOUG PEDERSON makes first career start. Completed 14 of 24 passes for 128 yards, 2 TDs & 0 INTs for 100.7 passer rating in ’98 as backup in Green Bay……RB DUCE STALEY led Philly with 1,065 yards on 258 carries (4.1 avg.) & 5 TDs in ’98. Also topped club with 57 receptions. First Eagle to lead team in rushing & rec. since HERSCHEL WALKER in ’93 (746 yards & 75 rec.)……LB William Thomas is only player in NFL to record at least 1 sack & 1 INT in each of last 7 seasons (1992-98).

RAVENS: Club welcomes new head coach BRIAN BILLICK, who was Vikings offensive coordinator for their NFL-record 556-point season in ’98……New QB SCOTT MITCHELL passed for 12,647 yards & 79 TDs in 5 seasons with Lions (1994-98). New QB TONY BANKS threw for 8,333 yards & 36 TDs in 3 seasons with Rams (1996-98)……PRIEST HOLMES was one of four RBs to lead club in rush yards & catches in ’98……WR JERMAINE LEWIS had 6 TDs of at least 50 yards last season – tied for NFL lead (ANTONIO FREEMAN) & most since BILLY "WHITE SHOES" JOHNSON’s 6 in ’77……First-round CB CHRIS MC ALISTER is 1 of only 7 players in college football history with PR, KOR and INT-return TDs in a season……Club had 5 Pro Bowl selections last season – third most in AFC (Denver, Buffalo)……RAMS: QB KURT WARNER makes first NFL start……RB MARSHALL FAULK, (Trade-Ind.), finished second in AFC in ’98 with 1,319 rushing yards & tied for second in conference with 86 catches for 908 yards (10.6 avg.) & 4 rec. TDs. Led NFL with 2,227 yards from scrimmage. Career high of 192 rushing yards (including career high 68-yard run) came at Balt. on only 17 carries (11.3 avg) & 1 TD. Also had 7 catches for 75 rec. yards & 1 TD in the game (11/29/98)……WR ISAAC BRUCE had 11 catches for 229 yards vs. Ravens (10/27/96). Had 10 catches for 131 yards vs. Saints in ’98 season opener……DE KEVIN CARTER finished tied for sixth in NFC with career-high 12.0 sacks, most by Ram since KEVIN GREENE’s 13.0 in 1990. Voted club MVP in ’98 by teammates. Has 2 career safeties, one shy of Rams record. Also has 3 career blocked FGs.

EIGHT OF PAST 9 MEETINGS decided by 7 points or less……Colts QB PEYTON MANNING connected with Bills rookie WR PEERLESS PRICE on 6 TDs at Tennessee in 1997……BILLS: Club 24-10 in Sept. in ’90s……Bills (38-34) only AFC team with above-.500 record in road games in ’90s……Club had AFC’s No. 2 ground game (135.9) in ’98. In his last 4 vs. Colts, RB ANTOWAIN SMITH has 408 rushing yards (three 100s) & 7 TDs. Club has won past 6 when Smith rushes for TD……QB DOUG FLUTIE is 16-8 as NFL starter (7-3 in ’98)……WR ERIC MOULDS had club-record six plays of 50+ yards in ’98. WR ANDRE REED has 15 TD catches vs. Colts – tops vs. any club……Club’s 32:26 avg. time of possession led conference in ’98……DE BRUCE SMITH has sacked 58 different QBs, but never Colts’ Manning…… COLTS: In ’98, 10 of Indy’s 16 games were decided by 8 points or less (2-8)……Club third in AFC last season in first quarter scoring (105)……Manning was only QB to take every snap in 1998 & set NFL rookie marks for passing yards (3,739), touchdown passes (26), completions (326) and 300-yard games (four)……First-round choice EDGERRIN JAMES rushed for 1,416 yards and 17 touchdowns for Miami Hurricanes in ’98……OL allowed AFC-low 22 sacks last year……Club welcomes new defensive coordinator VIC FANGIO (def. coordinator for Carolina, 1995-98)……Colts have 6 new defensive starters from Kickoff ’98, including newcomers DEs CHAD BRATZKE (N.Y. Giants) & SHAWN KING (Carolina), LBs CORNELIUS BENNETT (Atlanta) & JEFF BRADY (Carolina), & S CHAD COTA (New Orleans). Sixth new starter is LB MICHAEL BARBER.

PANTHERS: New head coach GEORGE SEIFERT has league’s highest all-time winning percentage .755 (108-35). Has .766 regular-season win. pct. & needs 2 victories for 100 career (98-30)……QB STEVE BEUERLEIN ranked fifth in NFC with 88.2 passer rating. His 63.0 comp. pct. (216-343) tied for league lead with Packers’ BRETT FAVRE……RB FRED LANE has 3 consecutive 100-yard games vs. Saints (101 & 100 last season, & 112 in ’97)……WR MUHSIN MUHAMMED had career-highs with 9 catches for team-record 192 yards & 1 TD vs. Saints on 9/13/98……LB KEVIN GREENE tied for second in NFC with 15.0 sacks in ’98, third-most of career. Ranks third all-time with 148.0 career sacks & nine 10.0-sack seasons behind REGGIE WHITE (192.5 & 12) & BRUCE SMITH (164.0 & 12) in both categories…… Club’s 19 INTs tied for fourth in NFC. CB ERIC DAVIS has 5 INTs in each of past 3 seasons……K JOHN KASAY kicked 61-yard FG in preseason……SAINTS: QB BILLY JOE HOBERT starts after missing 15 games in ’98 with Achilles injury……Heisman Trophy winner RB RICKY WILLIAMS rushed for NCAA record 6,279 career yards, including 2,124 in ’98……Starting WR EDDIE KENNISON acquired via trade with St. Louis……DT WAYNE MARTIN has started club record 128 consecutive games. Will pass ERIC MARTIN (143) for second on Saints all-time list if he starts all 16 games in ’99. DT LA’ROI GLOVER, member of ’97 Barcelona Dragons, led Saints & had career-high 10.0 sacks in ’98. Had 2.0 sacks vs. Carolina on 9/13/98……S SAMMY KNIGHT led club in ’98 & was fourth in NFC with 6 INTs.

FIRST REGULAR SEASON GAME at Adelphia Coliseum……BENGALS: In 6 career starts vs. Tennessee, QB JEFF BLAKE is 3-3, completing 113 of 201 passes for 1,388 yards with an 11-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio & a 93.9 passer rating……RB COREY DILLON has averaged 6.3 yards per carry vs. Tennessee (80 for 500 yards) vs. 4.2 against all other foes (415 for 1,759). Dillon has 7 TD runs in 4 games vs. Tennessee. He has 8 career 100s & needs 1 to pass HAROLD GREEN in sole possession of third in club history. Dillon one of 18 players in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of first 2 seasons……Club’s 69 turnovers in past three seasons are second fewest in NFL (Dallas, 67)……TITANS: QB STEVE MC NAIR has not thrown INT in 5 games vs. Bengals. Has 8 TDs & 107.6 passer rating in those meetings. Oilers 9-2 when McNair has TD run……RB EDDIE GEORGE has rushed for 538 yards (three 100s) in six games vs. Bengals. Oilers 13-5 when George runs for 100 yards (3-0 vs. Cincy). He is one of six players in NFL history to rush for 4,000 yards in first 3 seasons……WR YANCEY THIGPEN has 15 catches for 308 yards (20.5 average) & 2 TDs in past 3 vs. Bengals (includes two 100-yard games)……C BRUCE MATTHEWS has played in 248 games – third-most by an OL in NFL history……K AL DEL GRECO has converted 23 of past 26 FGs vs. Bengals. Del Greco needs 1 FG to become 12th player in NFL history with 300 FGs……Club features new nickname and uniforms. Last four teams to change uniforms (’96 Eagles, ’97 Broncos, ’97 Buccaneers, ’98 Jets) made playoffs same season.

COWBOYS: QB TROY AIKMAN is third all-time with 61.81 career completion percentage. Needs 1,654 passing yards for 30,000 career……’Boys allowed league-low 19 sacks in ’98……RB EMMITT SMITH (134) needs 12 TDs to pass MARCUS ALLEN (145) into second all-time. He needs 174 rushing yards to pass TONY DORSETT (12,739) for fourth on all-time list & 694 to pass ’99 HOF inductee ERIC DICKERSON (13,259) in third place. Has averaged 103.3 yards/game vs. ‘Skins.……WR MICHAEL IRVIN needs 263 receiving yards to become eighth player all-time with 12,000 career. Irvin has 740 career receptions & needs 11 to pass CHARLIE JOINER into ninth all-time. His 91 career catches & 11 rec. TDs vs. Redskins are personal best vs. any team……REDSKINS: Won 4 of last 5 in ’98 & have won 4 of past 5 at home……New QB Brad Johnson (trade, Vikings) has 44 career TDs. vs. 29 INTs. Has career comp. pct. of 62.1……RB SKIP HICKS tied for first on club with 8 TDs as rookie in ’98. Acquired RB LARRY CENTERS, who had 69 catches for 559 yards (8.1) & 2 TDs with Arizona in ’98. Centers has 7 straight 50-catch seasons…... RB-KR-PR Brian Mitchell (3,144) needs 26 punt return yards to pass VAI SIKAHEMA (3,169 career) into third place all-time. Mitchell (9) moves into sole possession of second place all-time with 1 punt OR kick return TD……WR IRVING FRYAR needs 17 yards to become eighth player in NFL history with 12,000 receiving yards……CB DARRELL GREEN needs 3 INTs for 50 career. Needs 1 INT to break tie with WILLIE BROWN (16) for most consecutive seasons with an INT.

5 OF 7 MEETINGS decided by 7-points-or-less……CHIEFS: GUNTHER CUNNINGHAM promoted to head coach after 4 seasons as defensive coordinator (1995-98)……Kansas City tied for NFL-best 8-1 opening game record in ’90s (Dolphins)……Chiefs have NFL-best 28-10 (.737) Sept. record in ’90s……QB ELVIS GRBAC has 16-9 (.640) career starting record……WR ANDRE RISON has 23 catches for 300 yards & 4 TDs in 3 career games at Soldier Field……Club has positive turnover ratio for 9 consecutive seasons – second-longest streak since 1970 (Eagles, 10, 1986-95)……LB DERRICK THOMAS has 3 sacks in 3 career games vs. Chicago……BEARS: Have won 12 of past 15 home openers……Club’s 13 INTs thrown in ’98 tied for second fewest in NFC. QB SHANE MATTHEWS makes first career NFL start. Rookie QB CADE MC NOWN’s UCLA team averaged 40.5 points & 482.6 yards per game in ’98……Despite missing 7 games due to injury, RB CURTIS ENIS finished second on club with 497 rushing yards on 133 carries (3.7). Will start at tailback……WR BOBBY ENGRAM led Bears with career highs of 64 catches & 987 receiving yards. In last three season openers, WR CURTIS CONWAY (missed ’97 because of injury) has totaled 15 catches for 234 yards, 2 TDs & 1 passing TD (1996 vs. Dallas)……DT JIM FLANIGAN led club with 8.5 sacks in ’98 & shared team lead with 6.0 in ’97. Can become first Bear to have at least share of team lead for 3 consecutive seasons since RICHARD DENT (1989-91)…….S TONY PARRISH was first Bears defensive rookie to start 16 games since MARK CARRIER in ’90.

GAME FEATURES 2 of AFC’s 3 CBs voted to Pro Bowl – Pats’ TY LAW & Jets’ AARON GLENN (Seahawks’ SHAWN SPRINGS)……PATRIOTS: Coach PETE CARROLL has best winning pct. (.571) in club history……QB DREW BLEDSOE 6-5 vs. Jets. Has seven 300-yard games vs. AFC East – none vs. Jets. Bledsoe has connected with TE BEN COATES for 43 TDs – second-best combo among active players (STEVE YOUNG & JERRY RICE, 72). Pats 3-1 vs. Jets when Coates catches TD pass……Club 7-1 in ’98 games in which WR TERRY GLENN caught 3-or-more passes……In 1998, CB Law became first New England player to lead NFL in INTs with 9……JETS: Have won 5 of past 7 home games vs. Pats……Club opens at home for only the 10th time in 40-year history……Jets have 7 home wins in row – tying 1984-85 streak for second-best in club history (9, 1968-69)……Club plays NFL-most 10 ’98 playoff teams…… Head coach BILL PARCELLS 60-25 (.706) all-time in regular season at Meadowlands (including with New England). In two seasons under Parcells, Jets have allowed 553 points – fewest in NFL……QB VINNY TESTAVERDE has 15-6 TD-to-INT ratio & 104.6 career passer rating vs. Pats. He was 12-1 as starter in ’98 & had 4.14 TD-to-INT ratio (29-to-7) for fourth-best such season in NFL history (minimum 15 TD passes)……Ex-Pat RB CURTIS MARTIN had 100s in both ’98 games vs. NE……WR KEYSHAWN JOHNSON has TD catch in 8 of last 9 home games (includes playoffs). WR DEDRICK WARD had TD catch in each game vs. Pats in ’98.

RAIDERS: Club has NFL’s toughest schedule (.570 opponents’ ’98 win pct.)……Raiders were AFC-best 5-1 in games decided by 3-points-or-less in ’98……New QB RICH GANNON (KC) was third in AFC with 90.4 third-down passer rating in ’98 (55 of 93, 651 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT). Gannon has career 31-27 (.534) record as starter……DE LANCE JOHNSTONE (11.0) & DT DARRELL RUSSELL (10.0) AFC’s only double-digit sack duo in ’98……’98 pass defense (179.8) led AFC……Raiders had 26.3 defensive third-down conversion percentage – best in NFL in ’98……New CB DARRIEN GORDON (Broncos) is NFL all-time punt return leader (13.2)……PACKERS: Home record of 60-20 (.750) since ’89 second in NFC (49ers, 67-13, .838). Have won 30 of past 31 home games. Have won 14 of last 15 at home vs. AFC, including 9 straight……QB BRETT FAVRE has started 109 consecutive games & needs to start in next 8 to break RON JAWORSKI’s (116) record for QBs since 1970. Favre’s 89.0 career passer rating ranks third all-time. His 61.7 comp. pct. fourth all-time. In last 9 at home vs. AFC, Favre is 9-0 with 105.6 passer rating (188 of 292 for 2,256, 23 TDs & 6 INTs)……WR ANTONIO FREEMAN’s 26 receiving TDs over past 2 seasons leads league & his 35 over last 3 years ties with Vikings’ CRIS CARTER……Over past 3 seasons, Packers have allowed fewest yards in league (13,490) ……As ’98 rookie, DE VONNIE HOLLIDAY tied for second on club with DE KEITH MC KENZIE with 8.0 sacks, which tied club rookie record & was most in league by rookie.

LIONS: In 2 games vs. AFC in ’98, QB CHARLIE BATCH threw 3 TDs & 0 INTs. He ended ’98 throwing 136 consecutive passes without INT, tying BERNIE KOSAR (1985) for rookie record. Streak still active. Has not thrown INT since 11/1 vs. Arizona……RB RON RIVERS has 5.0 career average (427 yards on 85 carries) & 3 TDs. Was voted by teammates as Lions Special Teams MVP in 1995 & 1998……In last 6 season openers, WR HERMAN MOORE has 48 catches for 700 yards & 7 TDs, including five 100-yard games. WR JOHNNIE MORTON led club with 1,028 receiving yards on 69 receptions in ’98. Had 9 catches for 96 yards in last year’s opener……DE ROBERT PORCHER led Lions with 11.5 sacks in ’98 -- first Lion since AL "BUBBA" BAKER (1978-81) to have 3 straight 10-sack seasons…… SEAHAWKS: Have won last 3 vs. Lions in Seattle……New coach MIKE HOLMGREN led Green Bay to 48-16 regular-season mark (.750) from 1995-98 – matching 49ers for best in NFL over that span. Holmgren’s 49-7 (.875) record in home games is best since 1970……QB JON KITNA has 4-2 career record as starter……RB RICKY WATTERS’ teams are 23-2 when he rushes for 100 yards (4-0 w/ Seattle in ’98). Watters has 3 TDs in his past 3 vs. Lions (includes 1 playoff game)……New WR SEAN DAWKINS (UFA, New Orleans) has catch in 42 straight games……C KEVIN GLOVER started 161 games in 13 seasons with Lions (1985-97)……Defense ranked second in league in sacks (53) & takeaways (42) last season……DE MICHAEL SINCLAIR has 41.5 sacks since 1996 – tops in NFL.

VIKINGS: QB RANDALL CUNNINGHAM led NFL with 106.0 passer rating in ’98, eighth-highest all-time……RB ROBERT SMITH needs 1,598 yards to pass CHUCK FOREMAN (5,879) & become Vikes’ all-time leader……WR CRIS CARTER needs 66 catches for 900 career. Also needs 553 receiving yards for 11,000 career. WR RANDY MOSS set rookie record & led league with 17 receiving TDs in ’98……With Pro Bowl season in ’99, G RANDALL MC DANIEL can tie REGGIE WHITE for most AFC-NFC Pro Bowls played with 11. Has started every game of ’90s……DT JOHN RANDLE leads league with 95.0 sacks since 1991……K GARY ANDERSON needs 158 points to pass GEORGE BLANDA (2,002) as NFL all-time scoring leader. Has current streak of NFL-record 40 consecutive FGs without miss……FALCONS: QB CHRIS CHANDLER ranked third in NFC in ’98 with career-high 100.9 passer rating. His 9.65 yards per attempt led league & were highest of ’90s. Completed 27 of 43 attempts (62.8) for 340 yards, 3 TDs & 0 INTs vs. Vikings in NFC Championship……RB JAMAL ANDERSON set NFL record with 410 carries & led NFC with career-high 1,846 yards. His 14 rushing TDs tied for second in league……WR TERANCE MATHIS had 6 catches for 73 yards & 2 TDs, including game-tying 16-yarder, vs. Vikes in title game……Defense set club record for fewest rushing yards allowed in season (1,203) & game (18). Rush defense (75.2) led NFC. Allowed 7 rushing TDs, tying with Green Bay for second-fewest in NFL (Miami, 6)……CB RAY BUCHANAN tied for second in NFC with 7 INTs……K MORTEN ANDERSEN has scored in 237 consecutive games.

TEAMS RANK Nos. 1 & 2 in fewest points allowed in NFC over past 2 seasons (Bucs-558, Giants 574)……GIANTS: Have won last two openers……Won 5 of last 6 in ’98 including last 4……QB KENT GRAHAM finished ’98 with 5-1 record as starter……Rookie RB SEAN BENNETT, fourth-round choice from Northwestern, starts for injured GARY BROWN (knee)……DE MICHAEL STRAHAN leads NFL with 29.0 sacks over past 2 seasons, including career-high 15.0 in ’98, which tied for second in NFC……S PERCY ELLSWORTH led club with 5 INTs & 2 INT-TDs in ’98 primarily as nickel back……P BRAD MAYNARD finished second in NFC with 45.2 avg. His 33 punts inside 20 tied for best in conference ……BUCCANEERS: QB TRENT DILFER matched career-high and Bucs’ record with 21 TD passes in ’98. Has 42 TDs vs. 26 INTs in past 2 years……Rush offense second in NFC in ’98 (134.2). RB MIKE ALSTOTT ran for career-high 846 yards & 8 TDs in ’98. Combined for 115 rush & rec. yards & 1 TD vs. Giants in ’98. RB WARRICK DUNN rushed for career-high 1,026 yards in ‘98……Bucs total defense led NFC in ’98 (271.6). Pass defense (172.6) second in conference. Also led league with fewest first downs (244) & passing TDs (15) allowed. Vs. Giants in ’98, defense allowed 135 total yards & 8 first downs, while forcing 3 turnovers……DT BRAD CULPEPPER led Bucs with 9.0 sacks last season & has 17.5 in last 2 seasons……LB DERRICK BROOKS topped club with 189 tackles. LB HARDY NICKERSON has led team in tackles in 4 of 6 seasons with Bucs.

49ERS: Are 56-24 (.700) on road since 1989, best in league. Club’s 65 interconference wins are most by NFC team. Are 26-10 (.722) in interconference games in ’90s……Head coach STEVE MARIUCCI has best winning pct. (.781) in history, minimum 25 games (25-7)……QB STEVE YOUNG is all-time leader with 97.6 career passer rating. If he leads NFL in ’98, will break tie with SAMMY BAUGH (6) for most seasons topping league. Most accurate passer in history (64.5 comp. pct.). Club is 70-13 (.843) when Young throws 0 INTs……WR JERRY RICE’s 14-year tenure with 49ers is second longest with one club in NFC behind Washington’s DARRELL GREEN (16). WR TERRELL OWENS led 49ers & tied for second in NFL with 14 TD catches. Has active 8-game streak of at least 1 TD catch……RB LAWRENCE PHILLIPS has 5 TDs in 2 season openers……49ers tied with New Orleans for most INTs in NFC in ’98 with 21. Four players tied for team lead with 4……JAGUARS: Have won 21 of past 24 at home……Jags 5.45 avg. yards per first down play ranked second in AFC in ’98……QB MARK BRUNELL (86.3) ranks fifth all-time in passer rating……RB FRED TAYLOR tied with RANDY MOSS for NFL rookie-high 17 total TDs – third-most ever by rookie – last season. His 14 rushing TDs tied for third-most ever by rookie……WR JIMMY SMITH’s 3,750 receiving yards since 1996 tops in NFL……Jags’ 56.4 red-zone TD pct. ranked third in AFC (31 TDs in 55 trips)……Defense headed by new coordinator DOM CAPERS (Carolina head coach, 1995-98)……New CB CARNELL LAKE (Steelers) had 7 INTs over past 2 seasons……K MIKE HOLLIS is NFL’s all-time FG pct. leader with 81.6 success rate (102 of 125).

NEW CLEVELAND BROWNS STADIUM opens……LAST 5 MEETINGS in Cleveland decided by 8-points-or-less…… STEELERS: Club 33-17 vs. AFC Central under head coach BILL COWHER. Cowher spent 7 combined years with Browns as player (1980-82) and coach (1985-88)……Ten Steelers were with club in last game vs. Cleveland, 11/26/95 ……Steelers 141.9 rushing average since ’96 ranks second in NFL (Denver, 150.2)……QB KORDELL STEWART is 9-7 as starter vs. AFC Central……RB JEROME BETTIS has 100s in 12 of his 22 Steelers starts vs. AFC Central……WR COURTNEY HAWKINS was fourth in AFC in ’98 with 25 third-down catches (297 yards)……Club’s 37.8 red-zone defense pct. (11 TDs in 34 trips) led NFL in ’98……C DERMONTTI DAWSON makes 165th consecutive start ……Club allowed NFL-low 24 first-quarter points last season……BROWNS: Club plays first game since 12/24/95 (at Jacksonville; 24-21 loss)……Team is 33-13 at home against Steelers…...Browns aim for first-ever Sunday-night victory (0-3)…… Cleveland has 13-11 (.542) September record in ’90s……Head coach CHRIS PALMER has been to playoffs each of past 3 seasons (1997-98 as off. coord. w/Jax & ’96 as QB coach w/N.E.)……TY DETMER (Trade with S.F.) starts at QB. Backup is 1999 No. 1 overall draft choice TIM COUCH……Rookie WR KEVIN JOHNSON (2nd round, Syracuse) tied for third in AFC with 3 preseason TD catches……Rookie CB DAYLON MC CUTCHEON (3rd round, USC) tied for NFL preseason lead with 3 INTs.

MNF kicks off 30th season……SECOND-STRAIGHT ALL-AFC MNF season opener (New England vs. Denver)……Five of past 6 meetings between clubs decided by 7 points or less……DOLPHINS: Miami needs 1 win for 300 regular-season victories……Club has won NFL-high 7 straight openers……Face a defending SB champion for fifth straight season……Dolphins make NFL-high 61st MNF appearance & have NFL-best 34 MNF wins……Head coach JIMMY JOHNSON 6-2 in career openers……In 34 career MNF appearances (33 starts), QB DAN MARINO has completed 732 of 1,184 attempts for 8,866 yards, 68 TDs & 30 INTs for 93.4 passer rating. Marino’s 68 TD passes most in MNF history……RB KARIM ABDUL-JABBAR’s 32 TD runs since 1996 second-most in NFL (TERRELL DAVIS, 49)……Defense held Broncos’ Davis to 29 yards on 16 carries in ’98 meeting……BRONCOS: Have set club scoring record in each of past 4 seasons (501 in ’98)……Have won 46 regular & postseason games over last 3 seasons – best 3-year total in league history……Have won last 24 regular-season home games – four shy of besting 1971-74 Dolphins for most in league history……Head coach MIKE SHANAHAN 54-18 (including playoffs) in 4 seasons with Broncos. Shanahan has 6-0 opening-game record – tops among active coaches……QB BRIAN GRIESE makes first career NFL start. Was 17-5 as a starter at Michigan……RB Davis has 9 TDs in 8 career MNF games. His career averages of 105.1 rush yards per game & .92 rush TDs per game both tops in NFL history……JASON ELAM (730) needs 13 points to pass JIM TURNER as club’s all-time scoring leader.