FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFL-REG-15    12/18/01

 

TWO DIVISION TITLES, THREE PLAYOFF SPOTS UP FOR GRABS;
THREE CHRISTMAS-WEEKEND SATURDAY GAMES ON TAP, INCLUDING RAIDERS-TITANS IN PRIME-TIME

 

Ho, ho, ho…who’s going to go? 

That’s the question asked by NFL clubs this week as Christmas approaches and visions of just one gift dance in their heads – a trip to the playoffs. 

Five teams already are in the 2001 playoffs.  In Week 15, four more can earn berths.  With three weeks to go in the season, 23 clubs are in contention for Super Bowl XXXVI.  This week, 11 of the 15 games on the NFL schedule have playoff ramifications. 

“We’ve got three games left,” says head coach HERMAN EDWARDS, talking about his New York Jets, but in reality, speaking for every team still in playoff contention.  “We’ve got a chance to get in the playoffs.”    

And NFL fans have a chance to take out their tiebreaker sheets early this week thanks to three Saturday nationally televised games, including one in prime-time. 

How the playoff races shape up as the NFL enters Week 15: 

• AFC EAST:  Two clubs can clinch a playoff spot this week, and they meet on Saturday in New England (CBS-TV, 1:30 PM ET).

The Miami Dolphins (9-4) hold a half-game lead over the New England Patriots (9-5).  The Dolphins can clinch their fifth consecutive playoff berth with:

         New England earns its first playoff spot in three years with: 

·         AFC CENTRAL:  The Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2, best record in the AFC), on their first six-game winning streak since 1995, have clinched their first division title since ’97, and can earn a first-round bye with a win against visiting Detroit this week, plus a Miami loss or tie.

·         AFC WEST:  The Oakland Raiders (10-3) have won their second consecutive division crown, the first AFC West

team to do so since the Denver Broncos in 1986-87.  “We are excited to do it back-to-back,” says Raiders quarterback RICH GANNON.  “That is the way that things are supposed to be around here in Oakland.” 

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NFL CHRISTMAS FACTOID

FIRST NATIONAL TV TITLE GAME 50 YEARS AGO:  This weekend, there are four national TV games.  But 50 years ago this Sunday – on December 23, 1951 – the first national telecast of an NFL Championship game took place.  The DuMont Network paid $75,000 to televise the Los Angeles Rams’ 24-17 defeat of the Cleveland Browns from Los Angeles.

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The Raiders host the Tennessee Titans in a special edition of ABC’s NFL Monday Night Football on Saturday night at 9:00 PM ET.

• NFC EAST:  The Philadelphia Eagles (9-4) – with a 6-0 road record this year -- can capture their first division championship since 1988 when they visit the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday (FOX-TV, 5:00 PM ET).     

“We can’t get comfortable with ourselves,” says Eagles running back DUCE STALEY of the team that has won six of its past seven.  “There’s still more fighting to do.”  The Eagles win the division with:

   ·         NFC CENTRAL:  Last Sunday, the Chicago Bears (10-3) earned their first playoff berth since 1994.  “Da Bears Are Playoff-Bound,” flashed the Soldier Field scoreboard as 67,000 Bear faithful went wild.  Chicago has posted its first double-digit-win season since 1991 (11-5).  “Chicago should be excited,” says Bears quarterback JIM MILLER.  “The guys on the team are excited.”

The second-place Green Bay Packers (9-4) can secure a playoff berth for the first time in three years with:

·         NFC WEST:  The St. Louis Rams (11-2), with the best record in the NFC, have clinched their third playoff berth in a row, and can take their second division championship in the past three years with a victory Sunday over host Carolina, and with a San Francisco loss.        

The second-place 49ers (10-3) – who have matched their combined victory total of the past two seasons – have taken their first playoff spot in three years.  “We have become more confident each week,” says 49ers quarterback JEFF GARCIA.  “It’s a growing period, a growing situation on a weekly basis and it’s definitely moving in a positive direction.”

Week 15 is packed with interesting games…      

*  MIAMI AT NEW ENGLAND:  What a way to start the holiday weekend!  The winner not only can secure a playoff berth, but holds first place in the division with two weeks to go.  “It’s big,” says Patriots safety LAWYER MILLOY.  “Everyone can talk about the playoffs, but the No. 1 goal you set on the first day of training camp is winning the AFC East.  It’s what December football is all about.”

The thing for the Patriots, though, is that they have lost five consecutive games to the Dolphins, including a 30-10 defeat on October 7 that dropped New England to 1-3.  But from that point on, the Pats won eight of their next 10, and their second-year quarterback TOM BRADY has equaled BABE PARILLI (9-3) for the best QB start in franchise history.

Brady will face the conference’s second-ranked defense and the league’s No. 1 pass defense.  (NFL Conference Call: Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK, Wednesday, December 19, 11:15 AM ET, 712/271-0064.)  

*  PHILADELPHIA AT SAN FRANCISCO:  Who’ll prevail?  The team that has surrendered only 38 points on the road this year (the Eagles)?  Or the club that has shut out its last two home opponents (the 49ers)?

Two guys who may have considerable say in the matter are two tank-like running backs who are almost mirror images of each other – 5-11, 215-pound GARRISON HEARST of the 49ers and 5-11, 220-pound Duce Staley of the Eagles.  Hearst (1,042 yards) is the NFC’s fourth leading rusher, and Staley, rebounding from injuries, has run for 546 yards.  Each comes off a plus-100 all-purpose-yardage game (Hearst, 123 and Staley, 109).

They are matched by the game’s quarterbacks, who are two of only five NFC QBs to have thrown for 20 TD passes – San Francisco’s Garcia (25) and Philadelphia’s DONOVAN MC NABB (22).  

One of the keys to the game could be the ability of the Eagles’ fourth-ranked NFC defense to prevent the long, clock-eating drives (such as 13 plays, 64 yards, 7 minutes; and 17 plays, 98 yards, 11 minutes) the Niners engineered last week in their shutout of Miami.  (NFL Conference Call: Eagles defensive end HUGH DOUGLAS, Wednesday, December 19, 12:00 PM ET, 212/519-0807.) 

* TENNESSEE AT OAKLAND:  Just the kind of team the Raiders do not want to face – one coming off a victory and still believing in their playoff chances.  Sure, the Titans (6-7) have a tough road to the postseason, but they handled with aplomb the 9-4 Packers last week in almost all phases of the game.

The Titans held then-NFC rushing leader AHMAN GREEN to a season-low nine yards, and limited the Pack and quarterback BRETT FAVRE to 196 net passing yards. 

Meanwhile, Tennessee quarterback STEVE MC NAIR, directing drives that amounted to 37 minutes in possession time, threw for two touchdowns (for a career-high 17) and 283 yards.  “You can ‘if’ yourself to death,” says Titans linebacker RANDALL GODFREY of the team’s up-and-down season.  “We have to build on what we have now.”

But that “building” may be tough Saturday night.  The Titans face the NFL’s top-ranked passer, RICH GANNON (100.8)…a team that has won 11 of its past 12 home games…and, roughest of all, the “Raider Nation” -- Oakland fans who will be out in full force and regalia for their prime-time national television appearance. 

*  NEW ORLEANS AT TAMPA BAY:  Two 7-6 teams that know that time is getting short. 

The game-makers in this matchup could be two brash-talking wideouts who can back up their words – KEYSHAWN JOHNSON of the Buccaneers and JOE HORN of the Saints.  Each has more than 1,000 yards receiving.  Johnson leads the NFL with 100 catches, and Horn has the fourth-best reception average (15.6) among the NFC’s top-10 receivers.

“Obviously, the team that wins this game will have the head-to-head tiebreaker advantage and put the other team in a situation where you’re just hoping for somebody else to help you,” says Tampa Bay head coach TONY DUNGY.  “That’s the way we’ve got to look at it.  We’ve got to win this game and put ourselves in position where we don’t need any help.”

Each team fields a tough, opportunistic defense.  The Bucs tie Carolina and Philadelphia for the most takeaways in the NFC (30), and the Saints tie for the third-most (28) in the category.

This is New Orleans’ first visit to Raymond James Stadium, but it will become an annual trip for the Saints.  They join the Bucs next year in the new NFC South Division. 

*  NEW YORK JETS AT INDIANAPOLIS (Sunday, ESPN, 8:30 PM ET):  While the Bucs and Saints will be previewing a new division rivalry, the Colts (in the AFC South in 2002) and Jets will be concluding one. 

It will be a battle of No. 1 vs. No. 2 – the Colts’ top-ranked AFC passing game (259.0), ignited by the AFC’s most prolific passer this year, PEYTON MANNING (3,517), against the conference’s second-ranked pass defense (180.4).

“You can’t go into a game against Indianapolis and say we’re only going to score 14 points and expect to win,” says Jets coach Edwards.  “You’ve got to score touchdowns.  That will be our mindset.  We’ve got to score.”

The matchup – 10 of the past 14 meetings between the teams have been decided by eight points or less – could turn on the Jets’ pickoff prowess.  The strong-armed Manning will be throwing against a unit tied with Carolina and Tampa Bay for the second-most interceptions in the league (20) behind Cleveland’s 29. 

30 YEARS AGO ON CHRISTMAS DAY – “THE LONGEST GAME”

It was the first NFL playoff game to be played on Christmas Day, and it turned into the longest NFL game ever.   

On December 25, 1971 in an AFC Divisional Playoff game, the visiting Miami Dolphins took on the Kansas City Chiefs.  Four quarters and two overtimes later, the Dolphins won 27-24 in a contest that lasted 82 minutes and 40 seconds.  It was – and still is – the NFL’s “Longest Game” ever played.   

With 2:39 remaining in overtime, Miami had a chance to win, but GARO YEPREMIAN’s 52-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide left.  The game then went into a second overtime before Yepremian kicked a game-winning 37-yard field goal 7:40 into the period.   

It was the first playoff victory in franchise history for Miami and started the club’s run to three consecutive Super Bowls, two of which the Dolphins won. 

“In many senses that game really launched the Dolphins into their dynasty,” says Miami Pro Football Hall of Fame running back LARRY CSONKA.  “That game proved to us that we could overcome any adversity, that we could defeat anyone.  It is fair to say that it was not only a great game, but also a defining moment in NFL history.” 

 

WEEK 15

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22

MIAMI DOLPHINS (9-4) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (9-5)

SERIES

	DOLPHINS	PATRIOTS
LEADER	43-26
STREAKS	Past 5
COACHES VS. OPP.	Wannstedt: 3-2	Belichick: 0-5
LAST WEEK	L 21-0 at 49ers	W 12-9 (OT) at Bills
LAST GAME	10/7/01: Patriots 10 at Dolphins 30.  Miami RB Lamar Smith rushes for 144 yards & 1 TD on 29 carries as DE Jason Taylor records 1.0 sack & recovers 2 fumbles, one for TD.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/24/00: Dolphins 27, Patriots 24.  Miami K Olindo Mare hits 49-yard game-winner with 9 seconds left, clinching AFC East title for Dolphins.
BROADCAST	CBS (1:30 PM ET): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian (Field reporter).  CBS Radio: Larry Michael, Jack Ham

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	Fiedler: 227-368-2,669-16-18-77.8	Brady: 236-365-2,537-16-10-88.1 (3C)
RBs	L. Smith: 264-773-2.9-5	A. Smith: 240-920-3.8-10
WRs	Gadsden: 52-659-12.7-2	Brown: 90 (3C)-1,095-12.2-5
OFFENSE	302.9	305.1
TAKE/GIVE	-11	+1
DEFENSE	281.3 (2C)	333.0
SACKS	J. Taylor: 7.5	Hamilton: 6.0
INTs	Marion: 3	Buckley, O. Smith: 3
PUNTING	Turk: 41.3	Walter: 40.2
KICKING	Mare: 76 (31/32 PAT; 15/16 FG)	Vinatieri: 97 (34/35 PAT; 21/27 FG)

NOTES

FINAL REGULAR-SEASON GAME IN FOXBORO STADIUM……Six of past 9 meetings have been decided by 3 points-or-less……DOLPHINS: Miami NFL-best 9-4 (.692) in Saturday games……Club has won 19 of past 25 vs. Pats. Miami has won 19 games at Foxboro Stadium – most at any road venue……QB JAY FIEDLER needs 331 yards to become second QB in club history with 3,000-yard season (DAN MARINO,NFL-record 13). He is 3-0 all-time vs. Patriots & 20-9 (.690) all-time as starter……RB LAMAR SMITH has 3 TDs in past 2 meetings & had 144 yards rushing in last meeting vs. Pats……Rookie WR CHRIS CHAMBERS has 7 TD catches in past 6 games (5 in 4th quarter)……Club has NFL’s No. 1 pass defense (173.5)……K OLINDO MARE has converted 20 of past 21 FG attempts vs. Patriots…… PATRIOTS: Team aims for five consecutive wins for first time since 1994 (7 in a row)……Patriots look for first 4-0 December since 1994 (AFC Wild Card)……Club is 5-2 vs. AFC East……Have won 5 of past 6 in Foxboro…… QB TOM BRADY 9-3 as starter, 5-1 at home……RB ANTOWAIN SMITH needs 80 rush yards for first 1,000-yard season since 1998. He has 13 TD runs in past 15 games. He has TD run in his past 2 games vs. Dolphins……WR TROY BROWN (90 catches) needs 7 catches to pass BEN COATES (96 in 1994) for club season record. He has 70 catches for 839 yards in past 10 games. WR TERRY GLENN had TD catch in his last game vs. Miami (12/24/00)……Club allows 18.1 points per game (vs. 21.1 last season). Red-zone defense (40.9 TD pct.) second in AFC……K ADAM VINATIERI (97 points) needs 3 points to become second player in NFL history to open career with six consecutive 100-point seasons (Jason Elam).

 

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (9-4) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (10-3)

SERIES

	EAGLES	49ERS
LEADER		14-6-1
STREAKS	Past 2 at SF
COACHES VS. OPP.	Reid: 0-0	Mariucci: 1-0
LAST WEEK	W 20-6 at Redskins	W 21-0 vs. Dolphins
LAST GAME	11/10/97: Eagles 12 at 49ers 24.  San Francisco wins ninth consecutive game as S Merton Hanks returns fumble for TD & Chuck Levy scores on punt return.
LAST GAME AT SITE	10/2/94: Eagles 40, 49ers 8.  Philadelphia RB Charlie Garner rushes for 111 yards & 2 TDs in NFL debut.
BROADCAST	FOX (2:00 PM PT): Pat Summerall, John Madden, Ron Pitts (Field reporter).  CBS Radio: Tony Roberts, James Lofton

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	McNabb: 241-420-2,731-22-10-84.5	Garcia: 267-423-2,910-25-12-91.2 (3C)
RBs	Staley: 143-546-3.8-2	Hearst: 209-1,042-5.0-4
WRs	Staley (RB): 52-524-10.1-2	Owens: 82 (3C)-1,139-13.9- 13 (1L)
OFFENSE	305.7	365.6 (2C)
TAKE/GIVE	+11 (1C)	+10 (T2C)
DEFENSE	292.4	316.6
SACKS	H. Douglas: 8.5	Carter (R): 4.5
INTs	Vincent: 3	Plummer: 7
PUNTING	Landeta: 43.9 (3C)	Baker (R): 40.9
KICKING	Akers: 101 (3C) (32/33 PAT; 23/25 FG)	Cortez: 83 (38/38 PAT; 15/21 FG)

NOTES

EAGLES: Can win first NFC East title since 1988 with win or tie OR NYG loss or tie……Have won 6 of past 7 December games (including 2000 playoffs)……Have won 9 in a row on road & are 6-0 this year……QB DONOVAN MC NABB needs 269 passing yards to become first Eagles’ QB since RANDALL CUNNINGHAM (1988-90) & fourth in club history (RON JAWORSKI, 1980-81; SONNY JURGENSEN, 1961-62) with consecutive 3,000-yard seasons……RB DUCE STALEY has 818 scrimmage yards in past 6 games……Have allowed 24 points-or-fewer in 29 consecutive games, longest streak since Minnesota’s 31 from 1973-75……Lead NFL with 17 fumble takeaways & tie for NFC lead with 30 total takes (Carolina & Tampa Bay)……Have NFC’s No. 1 pass defense (175.6)……Opponents 161 points allowed are fewest in NFL…...Rookie DE DERRICK BURGESS ranks third on club with 5.0 sacks……K DAVID AKERS has made club-record 16 consecutive FGs……49ERS: Have won 7 of past 9 meetings between teams, including 1996 Wild Card playoff……QB JEFF GARCIA has completed 80 of 116 passes (69.0 pct.) for 870 yards with 10 TDs vs. 2 INTs for 112.4 in past 4 home games. Needs 90 passing yards for second 3,000-yard season (had 4,278 in 2000)……Have NFC’s No. 1 rush offense (149.4)……RB GARRISON HEARST has rushed for fourth career 1,000-yard season & first since 1998. Needs 29 rushing yards for career second-best (1,070 in 1995 with Arizona). His 1,365 scrimmage yards are already career second best……In past 5 at home, WR TERRELL OWENS has 7 TDs. His 1,139 receiving yards are second-best total of career……Have NFC’s fewest total (17) & fumble (5) giveaways. Have 2 consecutive home shutouts ……CB AHMED PLUMMER’s 7 INTs are most since MERTON HANKS’ 7 in 1994. Can become first 49er with 8 since RONNIE LOTT’s 10 in 1986…...S ZACK BRONSON has 3 INTs in past 2 games.

 

SATURDAY NIGHT

TENNESSEE TITANS (6-7) AT OAKLAND RAIDERS (10-3)

SERIES

	TITANS	RAIDERS
LEADER		20-15
STREAKS	5 of past 6
COACHES VS. OPP.	Fisher: 2-0	Gruden: 0-1
LAST WEEK	W 26-20 vs. Packers	W 13-6 at Chargers
LAST GAME	12/9/99: Raiders 14 at Titans 21.  Tennessee RB Eddie George rushes for 199 yards & 2 fourth-quarter TDs.
LAST GAME AT SITE	10/30/94: L.A. Raiders 17, Houston Oilers 14.  Raiders’ QB Jeff Hostetler throws 11-yard TD pass to WR Tim Brown with 1:49 remaining in game.
BROADCAST	ABC (6:00 PM PT): Al Michaels, Dan Fouts & Dennis Miller; Eric Dickerson & Melissa Stark (Field reporters).  CBS Radio: Howard David, Boomer Esiason, Warren Moon, John Dockery (Field reporter)

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	McNair: 222-361-2,725-17-10-88.9 (2C)	Gannon: 274-412-3,042-23 (T1C)-6-100.8 (1L)
RBs	George: 257-736-2.9-3	Garner: 173-678-3.9-1
WRs	Mason: 56-783-14.0-6	Brown: 73-1,007-13.8-9
OFFENSE	331.5	336.8
TAKE/GIVE	-3	-2
DEFENSE	335.5	328.9
SACKS	Kearse: 10.0	Coleman: 5.5
INTs	Bullock, A. Dyson (R), Rolle: 2	James, Thomas: 3
PUNTING	Hentrich: 42.8	Lechler: 46.3 (1C)
KICKING	Nedney: 76 (25/26 PAT; 17/25 FG)	Janikowski: 102 (3C) (39/39 PAT; 21/23 FG)

NOTES

TWO OF PAST 3 meetings decided by 3 points……TITANS: QB STEVE MC NAIR 2-0 all-time vs. Raiders (he rushed for TD in last meeting). He has won 10 of past 11 December/January regular-season starts with 18-to-4 TD-to-INT ratio…… Club second in AFC with 31:53 avg. possession time. RB EDDIE GEORGE has rushed for 415 yards & 3 TDs on 63 carries for a 6.59 yards/rush avg. in 2 career games against the Raiders. Vs. Packers, RB SKIP HICKS rushed for career-high 142 yards (1 TD)……WRs DERRICK MASON & KEVIN DYSON have combined for 733 receiving yards in past 4 games.  Mason (107 yards & 1 TD vs. Packers) has 4 TD catches in past 3 & three 100s in past 4.TE FRANK WYCHECK ranks third among AFC TEs with 10 catches of 20+ yards (TONY GONZALEZ 13, MARCUS POLLARD 12)……RAIDERS: Team aims for consecutive 11-win seasons for first time since 1983-85……Club 7-4 on Saturdays since 1970 (1-0 in 2001)……Club has won 11 of past 12 home games…… Have +38 first-quarter scoring margin…… Club’s past 4 games decided by 8 points-or-less (3-1)……QB RICH GANNON has thrown for 1,476 yards with 15-to-4 TD-to-INT ratio for 108.2 passer rating in 6 home games this season……WR JERRY RICE has 34 receptions for 330 yards & 2 TDs in 5 career games against Tennessee.  He needs 111 receiving yards for 13th career 1,000-yard season. Rice (9 TD catches, 6 in past 5 games) needs 1 TD reception for 10th 10-TD catch season. WR TIM BROWN has 9 TDs (8 receptions, 1 PR) in past 7 games. He has 5 TDs in 5 career games against Titans……Offensive line has allowed only 21 sacks – tied for third in AFC (S.D.)……Club has 32.1 avg. drive start – second in AFC.

 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23

BUFFALO BILLS (2-11) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (6-7)

SERIES

	BILLS	FALCONS
LEADER	4-3
STREAKS	Past 2
COACHES VS. OPP.	Williams: 0-0	Reeves: 2-7
LAST WEEK	L 12-9 (OT) vs. Patriots	L 41-27 at Colts
LAST GAME	11/12/95: Falcons 17 at Bills 23.  Buffalo QB Jim Kelly passes for 272 yards & 2 TDs while Bills’ rookie RB Darick Holmes rushes for 100 yards.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/5/89: Falcons 30, Bills 28.  Atlanta’s Paul McFadden kicks 50-yard FG with 2 seconds remaining to lift Falcons past Buffalo.
TV	CBS (1:00 PM ET): Craig Bolerjack, Trevor Matich

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	Van Pelt: 142-242-1,644-10-10-75.8	Chandler: 188-314-2,365-14-11-83.6
RBs	Henry (R): 213-729-3.4-4	M. Smith: 200-685-3.4-3
WRs	Centers (RB): 72-543-7.5-1	Mathis: 39-416-10.7-2
OFFENSE	317.0	302.9
TAKE/GIVE	-15	+5
DEFENSE	318.4	366.4
SACKS	Schobel (R): 6.5	Kerney: 10.5
INTs	Winfield: 2	Ambrose: 4
PUNTING	Moorman: 41.7	Mohr: 38.8
KICKING	Graham: 16 (1/1 PAT; 5/7 FG)	Feely (R): 91 (22/22 PAT; 23/30 FG)

NOTES

TEAMS MEET in Atlanta for first time since 1989……BILLS: Are 7-2 (.778) vs. Falcons’ head coach Reeves…… Opponents in final 3 contests have .590 win pct. (6-7 Falcons; 8-5 N.Y. Jets; 9-4 Dolphins)……Bills 2-3 in games decided by 3 points-or-less. Three of club’s past 4 losses by 7 points-or-less……QB ALEX VAN PELT has 1,289 passing yards in 5 starts……RB TRAVIS HENRY has two 100s & needs 1 to tie club rookie record (JOE CRIBBS, 1980; GREG BELL, 1984). RB LARRY CENTERS (757 catches) needs 7 receptions to tie JAMES LOFTON for ninth all-time. He tops NFL with 27 third-down receptions……WR ERIC MOULDS needs 245 yards over final three games to post third career 1,000……DE AARON SCHOBEL (2.0 sacks vs. Patriots) has 6.5 sacks & needs 2.0 to tie club rookie record (CORNELIUS BENNETT, 8.5 in 1987)……FALCONS: Have won past 2 meetings at home vs. Bills……Have outscored opponents 81-44 in first quarter……QB CHRIS CHANDLER leads NFL with 111.6 fourth-quarter passer rating. Has completed 68.1 percent of his passes & has 5 TDs vs. 2 INTs in fourth quarter. Ranks second in NFC with 91.3 third-down passer rating……Club has rushed for at least 100 yards in 9 of 13 games vs. 3 for entire 2000 season……WR TERANCE MATHIS needs 11 receptions for eighth consecutive 50-catch season. WR TONY MARTIN leads club with 432 receiving yards (31 catches)……Nine players have at least 1 TD reception……DE PATRICK KERNEY needs 2.0 sacks for most by Falcon since sacks became official statistic in 1982, passing CHUCK SMITH’s 12.0 in 1997……CB ASHLEY AMBROSE has 4 INTs in past 5 games.

 

CHICAGO BEARS (10-3) AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS (6-7)

SERIES

	BEARS	REDSKINS
LEADER	18-15-1
STREAKS		Past 6
COACHES VS. OPP.	Jauron: 0-1	Schottenheimer: 2-2
LAST WEEK	W 27-3 vs. Buccaneers	L 20-6 vs. Eagles
LAST GAME	10/31/99: Bears 22 at Redskins 48.  Washington RB Stephen Davis rushes for 143 yards & 2 TDs as Redskins build 45-0 lead.
LAST GAME AT SITE	10/31/99
TV	FOX (1:00 PM ET): Dick Stockton, Troy Aikman, Daryl Johnston, Pam Oliver (Field reporter)

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	Miller: 179-311-1,790-10-10-71.3	Banks: 153-287-1,902-9-8-73.0
RBs	Thomas (R): 196-865-4.4-6	Davis: 275-1,116 (1C)-4.1-2
WRs	Booker: 78-845-10.8-8	Westbrook: 45-536-11.9-4
OFFENSE	293.0	272.2
TAKE/GIVE	+5	+4
DEFENSE	316.6	323.8
SACKS	Daniels: 7.0	Lang, Smith: 4.0
INTs	Brown: 4	Smoot (R): 4
PUNTING	Maynard: 43.7	Barker: 41.3
KICKING	Edinger: 83 (26/26 PAT; 19/24 FG)	Conway: 71 (17/17 PAT; 18/25 FG)

NOTES

BEARS: Clinched first playoff berth since 1994 & won 10 games for first time since 1991 (11 wins)……Are 10-0 when scoring 13+ points……Are 7-0 in games decided by 7 points-or-less……Have NFL-low 15 sacks allowed……QB JIM MILLER has passed for career high 1,790 yards & 10 TDs. Had 2,144 yards & 10 TDs in previous 7 years combined ……Rookie RB ANTHONY THOMAS has TD run in 3 of past 4 road games. Leads all NFC rookies with 865 rushing yards. Can become first Bears’ rookie to rush for 1,000 yards since RASHAAN SALAAM (1,074) in 1995. Only other Bears’ rookie RB to accomplish was BEATTIE FEATHERS in 1934 (1,004)……WR MARTY BOOKER needs 155 yards for first-career 1,000-yard season……Opponents’ 175 points scored are second fewest in NFC. On pace to allow 215, fewest since 215 in 1988……Defense allowing 11.2 points per game on road……Have NFC’s No. 1 rush defense (82.2) ……REDSKINS: Have won 6 in a row vs. Bears, outscoring Chicago 157-63……Have held 8 of past 9 opponents to 20 points-or-less……QB TONY BANKS completed 24 of 31 passes (77.4 pct.) for 202 yards with 1 TD vs. 0 INTs for 104.5 passer rating in last game vs. Bears (11/15/98 with Rams)……RB STEPHEN DAVIS had 12 carries for 143 yards (11.9 avg.) & 2 TDs in last meeting, including career-long 76-yard run. In past 4 home games, Davis has rushed for 512 yards & 1 TD ……In last game vs. Chicago, WR MICHAEL WESTBROOK had 5 receptions for 85 yards (17.0 avg.) & 1 TD. WR ROD GARDNER leads club & all NFC rookies with 653 receiving yards……DT DAN WILKINSON had 88-yard INT-TD in last contest vs. Bears, longest INT-TD by Redskin at home……CB DARRELL GREEN had INT vs. Philly in Week 14. Has INT in NFL record 19 consecutive seasons.

 

CINCINNATI BENGALS (4-9) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-5)

SERIES

	BENGALS	RAVENS
LEADER		7-4
STREAKS		6 of past 7
COACHES VS. OPP.	LeBeau: 1-1	Billick: 4-1
LAST WEEK	L 15-14 at Jets	L 26-21 vs. Steelers
LAST GAME	9/23/01: Ravens 10 at Bengals 21.  Cincinnati RB Corey Dillon rushes for 57 yards & catches 1-yard TD pass as LB Takeo Spikes scores on 66-yard INT TD.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/5/00: Ravens 27, Bengals 7.  Baltimore QB Trent Dilfer completes 23 of 34 attempts for 244 yards & 3 TDs as rookie RB Jamal Lewis rushes for 109 yards.
TV	CBS (1:00 PM ET): Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	Kitna: 234-427-2,312-10-17-61.5	Grbac: 218-373-2,487-14-16-73.2
RBs	Dillon: 273-1,010-3.7-8	Allen: 103-360-3.5-2
WRs	Warrick: 54-518-9.6-1	Ismail: 66-961-14.6-7
OFFENSE	272.2	323.9
TAKE/GIVE	-7	-12
DEFENSE	298.8	290.2 (3C)
SACKS	J. Smith (R): 7.5	Boulware: 9.0
INTs	Hawkins: 2	Starks, Woodson: 3
PUNTING	Harris (R): 40.4	Richardson: 39.8
KICKING	Rackers: 55 (19/19 PAT; 12/21 FG)	Stover: 88 (22/22 PAT; 22/26 FG)

NOTES

BENGALS: Play second consecutive road game……Past 3 losses came by total of 8 points……RB COREY DILLON (85 rush yards & 2 TD runs vs. Jets) aims for fourth consecutive game with TD. He has 8 TDs in past 7 games (6 rushing, 2 receiving)……WR DARNAY SCOTT has 15 catches for 232 yards & 2 TDs in his past 3 vs. Ravens……Club ranks third in AFC with 38 sacks. DE JUSTIN SMITH has NFL rookie-high 7.5 sacks & needs 1.0 to break club rookie mark (JAMES FRANCIS, 8.0 in 1990)……Defense forced 6 turnovers (3 INTs, 3 FRs) in last game vs. Baltimore. LB TAKEO SPIKES returned INT for 66-yard TD in last meeting……Defense allows 4.39 yards per first-down play – second in AFC (Cleveland, 4.30)……RAVENS:  Play 2 of final 3 contests at home. Baltimore has won 8 of past 10 at PSINet Stadium. Under BRIAN BILLICK, club 21-5 (.808) after Nov. 1 (includes playoffs)……TE SHANNON SHARPE has 20 catches & 3 TDs in past 3 games vs. Cincinnati. Sharpe leads all TEs with 63 catches……WR QADRY ISMAIL (4 catches for 53 yards & 1 TD vs. Steelers) aims for third consecutive game with TD catch. He has career-high 7 TD catches……Defense third in AFC (290.2)…… Rushing defense (80.9) second in NFL & has NFL-best 3.2 defensive yards/carry avg……Defense has not allowed 100-yard rusher in 46 consecutive regular season games. Run defense has allowed only 4 carries of 20+ yards – tied for tops in AFC (S.D.; Sea)……K MATT STOVER has 43 FGs & 182 career points vs. Cincinnati – both tops vs. any club……WR-KR JERMAINE LEWIS tops AFC with 14.0 PR avg. & ranks second with 24.5 KOR avg.

 

CLEVELAND BROWNS (6-7) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-4)

SERIES

	BROWNS	PACKERS
LEADER		8-6
STREAKS		Past 3 at home
COACHES VS. OPP.	Davis: 0-0	Sherman: 0-0
LAST WEEK	L 15-10 vs. Jaguars	L 26-20 at Titans
LAST GAME	11/19/95: Packers 31 at Browns 20.  Green Bay QB Brett Favre scores 4 TDs, passing for 3 & running for another.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/6/83: Packers 35, Browns 21.  Green Bay QB Lynn Dickey completes 20 of 33 passes for 228 yards & 4 TDs.
TV	CBS (3:15 PM CT): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstein (Field reporter)

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	Couch: 217-368-2,351-13-15-72.6	Favre: 264-424-3,300-27-15-92.9 (2C)
RBs	J. Jackson (R): 195-554-2.8-2	Green: 243-1,103 (3C)-4.5-6
WRs	K. Johnson: 65-893-13.7-8	Green (RB): 55-542-9.9-2
OFFENSE	248.7	344.5
TAKE/GIVE	+12 (2L)	+4
DEFENSE	316.0	290.3 (3C)
SACKS	J. Miller: 13.0 (1C)	Gbaja-Biamila: 13.0 (T2L)
INTs	Henry (R): 9 (1L)	Sharper: 4
PUNTING	Gardocki: 43.5	Bidwell: 43.5
KICKING	P. Dawson: 82 (22/23 PAT; 20/23 FG)	Longwell: 82 (34/34 PAT; 16/25 FG)

NOTES

FIRST EVER regular season meeting at Lambeau Field (previous contests played in Milwaukee).  Teams meet for first time at Packers since 1983……BROWNS: Play first of 3 consecutive road games. Remaining opponents have .667 winning pct. (9-4 Packers; 6-7 Titans; 11-2 Steelers)……WR KEVIN JOHNSON needs 107 receiving yards for first career 1,000. He has 6 TDs in past 9 games……Club second in AFC with 40 sacks. LB JAMIR MILLER (13.0 sacks) needs 1.5 sacks for most by Browns player since 1982 (REGGIE CAMP, 14.0). He has 7.0 sacks in past 6 games……Club tops NFL with 29 INTs & needs 3 to match season-record (32 in 1968). CB ANTHONY HENRY (INT TD vs. Jaguars) has 9 INTs & needs 1 to match club record (THOM DARDEN, 10 in 1978). Browns top NFL with 55.5 defensive passer rating. Defense has allowed 18 TDs – tops in AFC. Defense tops NFL allowing 4.30 yards/first-down play……PACKERS: Have won 10 of past 11 home games……QB BRETT FAVRE is 18-2 (.900) at home in December. Needs 3 TD passes for sixth career 30-TD season, extending own NFL record. DAN MARINO has 4, no other player has 3. Second in NFL with 27 TD passes. Can become fourth player in NFL history to lead league 4 times (1995-97): joining Johnny Unitas (1957-60), Len Dawson (1962-63, 1965-66) & Steve Young (1992-94, 1998). In 3 games vs. AFC this year, Favre has 8 TDs vs. 1 INT & 106.4 passer rating. In last game vs. Clev., Favre had career-best 82.1 comp. pct. (23 of 28)……RB AHMAN GREEN can become first player in club history to lead team in rushing & receiving in 2 consecutive seasons, & first in NFL since Roger Craig led 49ers in 1987-88. Needs 73 rushing yards to pass career-best 1,175 yards (2000).  Needs 161 scrimmage yards to break DORSEY Levens’ club record of 1,805 (1997). In past 10 home games, Green has 1,455 scrimmage yards & 11 TDs……Club’s 16 fumble takes are second in NFC ……DE KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA has 12.0 sacks in 11 games on grass……S DARREN SHARPER has 7 INTs in past 10 at GB.

 

DALLAS COWBOYS (4-9) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (5-8)

SERIES

	COWBOYS	CARDINALS
LEADER	52-25-1
STREAKS	Past 2
COACHES VS. OPP.	Campo: 2-1	McGinnis: 0-1
LAST WEEK	L 29-3 at Seahawks	L 17-13 at Giants
LAST GAME	10/28/01: Cardinals 3 at Cowboys 17.  Dallas’ defense holds Arizona to 292 total yards on offense & has 2 INTs, including LB Dexter Coakley’s 10-yard INT-TD.
LAST GAME AT SITE	9/10/00: Cardinals 32, Cowboys 31.  Arizona QB Jake Plummer throws 17-yard TD pass with 1:54 remaining for 12th career fourth-quarter comeback.
TV	FOX (2:05 PM MT): Ray Bentley, Jeff Lageman

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	Carter (R): 48-98-529-5-5-61.1	Plummer: 264-446-3,182-16-13-81.0
RBs	Smith: 191-690-3.6-2	Pittman: 207-680-3.3-4
WRs	Ismail: 46-717-15.6-2	Boston: 86 (2C)-1,387 (1L)-16.1-6
OFFENSE	259.6	320.8
TAKE/GIVE	-6	-8
DEFENSE	287.6	360.3
SACKS	Ellis: 6.0	Fredrickson: 3.0
INTs	Woodson: 3	Lassiter: 8 (T1C)
PUNTING	Knorr: 40.4	Player: 42.2
KICKING	Hilbert: 28 (7/7 PAT; 7/11 FG)	Gramatica (R): 73 (25/25 PAT; 16/20 FG)

NOTES

COWBOYS: Are 19-3 (.864) in past 22 regular season meetings vs. Cards. Have outscored Arizona 592-278 in those 22 (avg. score: Dallas 26.9, Arizona 12.6)……In past 2 division games, rookie QB QUINCY CARTER has completed 24 of 40 passes (60.0 pct.) for 324 yards with 2 TDs vs. 1 INT for 92.1 passer rating……Have NFC’s No. 2 rush offense (132.2) ……Cowboys have rushed for 345 yards in past 2 against Arizona (172.5 per game)……RB EMMITT SMITHhas rushed for 2,076 yards on 486 attempts (4.3 average) with 25 TDs in 23 career games vs. Cards. His 25 rushing TDs are most vs. any team. Has 10 career 100-yard games vs. Cards……In past 3 vs. Cards, defense has allowed 608 passing yards (202.7 yards per game) & 890 total yards (296.7 yards per game)……Have NFC’s No. 2 pass defense (175.7)……S DARREN WOODSON’s 3 INTs are most since career-high tying 5 in 1996……CARDINALS: Have won past 2 at home vs. Cowboys & 3 of past 4……QB JAKE PLUMMER has thrown for second career 3,000-yard season. Needs 2 TD passes to break career high of 17 set in 1998. His 81.0 passer rating is also on pace for career best. Set career high vs. Cowboys with 465 passing yards on 11/15/98. Also set career high with 75.0 comp. pct. (18 of 24) vs. Cowboys on 9/10/00……WR DAVID BOSTON needs 16 catches & 198 yards in final 3 games to break club records held by LARRY CENTERS (101 catches) & ROB MOORE (1,584 yards). Averages 116.0 rec. yards per home game (812 yards in 7 games)……Defense has allowed 227 passing yards in past 2 vs. Dallas (113.5 per game)……S KWAMIE LASSITER’s 8 INTs tie career-high in 1998. Needs 1 to tie NFL 2000 season-high of 9 set by Packers’ DARREN SHARPER. With 2, will become first player since MARK CARRIER in 1990 with 10 INTs.

 

DETROIT LIONS (1-12) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (11-2)

SERIES

	LIONS	STEELERS
LEADER	14-12-1
STREAKS		8 of past 10
COACHES VS. OPP.	Mornhinweg: 0-0	Cowher: 2-1
LAST WEEK	W 27-24 vs. Vikings	W 26-21 at Ravens
LAST GAME	11/26/98: Steelers 16 at Lions 19 (OT). Detroit K Jason Hanson makes 42-yard FG in OT, his fourth of game, as WR Herman Moore has 8 receptions for 148 yards & 1 TD.
LAST GAME AT SITE	9/3/95: Steelers 23, Lions 20.  Pittsburgh K Norm Johnson makes 31-yard FG as time expires & RB Bam Morris rushes for 2 TDs.
TV	FOX (1:00 PM ET): Kenny Albert, Tim Green

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	McMahon (R): 41-87-553-1-0-71.7	Stewart: 222-365-2,560-8-5-83.6
RBs	Stewart: 128-615-4.8-1	Bettis: 225-1,072 (3C)-4.8-4
WRs	Morton: 60-947-15.8-3	Ward: 80-862-10.8-3
OFFENSE	318.8	366.8 (2C)
TAKE/GIVE	-9	+6
DEFENSE	346.3	251.5 (1L)
SACKS	Porcher: 10.0	Gildon, Porter: 8.0
INTs	Lyght: 4	Scott: 5
PUNTING	Araguz: 41.9	Miller: 43.2
KICKING	Hanson: 81 (21/21 PAT; 20/26 FG)	K. Brown: 104 (2C) (23/24 PAT; 27/39 FG)

NOTES

PAST 3 MEETINGS decided by 3 points each & decided in last 3 minutes of game or OT……LIONS: Rookie QB MIKE MC MAHON has gone 87 passes without throwing INT. Rushed for 74 yards & 1 TD vs. Vikings in Week 14. Has rushed for 124 yards on season, averaging 5.0 yards per carry (25 carries). Played at North Allegheny (Pa.) High School. Completed 84 of 161 passes for 1,431 yards & rushed for 385 yards during his senior season in 1996……RB JAMES STEWART rushed for career second-best 145 yards (30 carries & 1 TD) in last meeting vs. Steelers (12/2/99 with Jax). Has 389 scrimmage yards in past 4 games……WR JOHNNIE MORTON needs 53 yards for fourth career 1,000-yard season……In last meeting, DE ROBERT PORCHER had career-best 13 tackles……K JASON HANSON has 21 points in past 2 vs. Steelers……STEELERS: Aim for AFC-best 7th consecutive victory. Have won 6 of past 8 vs. NFC (2-0 in 2001) ……QB KORDELL STEWART has won 6 of past 7 December starts. He has won 15 of past 18 starts. Stewart has 7 TD passes (vs. 1 INT) in past 8 games……Ground game (174.2) tops NFL. Club leads NFL with 34:11 avg. possession time. Club has NFL-high 21 carries of 20+ yards (9 ahead of second-place Atlanta)RB JEROME BETTIS has 180 yards rushing in 2 career games vs. Lions. Steelers 3-0 when he has TD run……WR HINES WARD (80 receptions) needs 6 catches to break club season record (85 by YANCEY THIGPEN, 1995) & 138 receiving yards for first career 1,000. WR PLAXICO BURRESS (164 yards & 1 TD vs. Balt.) has two 100s in past 4 games (vs. 1 in previous 22 career games) ……Defense (251.5) & run defense (70.2) lead NFL. Club has AFC-high 43 sacks. Run defense second in NFL with 3.3 yards/carry avg. Have held foes to less than 75 rush yards in 10 of 13 games.

 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (5-8) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (5-8)

SERIES

	JAGUARS	VIKINGS
LEADER		1-0
STREAKS		1-0
COACHES VS. OPP.	Coughlin: 0-1	Green: 1-0
LAST WEEK	W 15-10 at Browns	L 27-24 at Lions
LAST GAME	12/20/98: Jaguars 10 at Vikings 50.  Minnesota scores 38 second-half points & Vikings’ QB Randall Cunningham throws 3 TDs.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/20/98
TV	CBS (12:00 PM CT): Gus Johnson, Brent Jones

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	Brunell: 231-376-2,620-15-9-85.6	Bouman: 51-86-795-8-4-101.6
RBs	Mack: 159-575-3.6-6	Bennett (R): 123-509-4.1-2
WRs	Ji. Smith: 92 (2C)-1,137 (3C)-12.4-7	Moss: 75-1,180 (3C)-15.7-10
OFFENSE	288.4	345.4
TAKE/GIVE	-4	-13
DEFENSE	320.7	359.9
SACKS	Brackens: 8.0	Hovan: 5.0
INTs	Beasley: 3	Griffith, E. Kelly (R): 2
PUNTING	Hanson: 44.1	Johnson: 44.6
KICKING	Hollis: 62 (23/24 PAT; 13/21 FG)	Anderson: 61 (28/29 PAT; 11/13 FG)

NOTES

JAGUARS: Play third consecutive road game……Past 4 games decided by 7 points-or-less (2-2)……QB MARK BRUNELL fourth in AFC with 91.8 third-down passer rating (7 TDs, 3 INTs)……Vs. Browns, RB STACEY MACK had first career 100-yard game (115 yards)……WRs JIMMY SMITH & KEENAN MC CARDELL have 521 receiving yards in past 3 games. Smith needs 8 receptions for his second 100-catch season. He also tops AFC with 18 catches of 20+ yards. Smith tied for NFL-high with 5 third-down scoring catches (TERRELL OWENS). McCardell needs 150 receiving yards for second consecutive & fourth career 1,000……DE TONY BRACKENS (1.0 sack vs. Browns) has 7.0 sacks in past 6 games……Run defense allows 3.4 yards/carry – tied for third in AFC (San Diego)……VIKINGS: In only meeting between teams (12/20/98), Minnesota outgained Jacksonville 417-207 in total yards……QB TODD BOUMAN has 6 TD passes in past 2 games……WR RANDY MOSS has 43 catches for 737 yards (17.1 avg.) & 8 TDs in past 6 games. Moss averaged 24.0 yards per catch in only meeting vs. Jags (3 receptions for 72 yards) & had 43-yard TD. Has 4 consecutive 10-receiving TD seasons, which ranks third in NFL history with 5 others. Needs 120 receiving yards for NFL-record fourth consecutive 1,300-yard season.  Currently tied with MICHAEL IRVIN (1991-93) & JERRY RICE (twice; 1988-90 & 1993-95)……WR CRIS CARTER needs 104 rec. yards to pass HENRY ELLARD (13,777) for fourth all time……Defense held Jaguars to 69 passing yards in only meeting.

 

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-6) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-6)

SERIES

	SAINTS	BUCCANEERS
LEADER	13-6
STREAKS	5 of past 7
COACHES VS. OPP.	Haslett: 0-0	Dungy: 2-1
LAST WEEK	L 34-21 vs. Rams	L 27-3 at Bears
LAST GAME	11/7/99: Buccaneers 31 at Saints 16.  Tampa Bay QB Trent Dilfer passes for 227 yards & 3 TDs while RB Mike Alstott rushes for 117 yards.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/24/96: Buccaneers 13, Saints 7.  Tampa Bay forces 4 turnovers & holds seventh consecutive opponent to 17 points or less.
TV	FOX (1:00 PM ET): Sam Rosen, Bill Maas

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	Brooks: 256-459-3,338-22-11-84.9	B. Johnson: 308-495-3,063-10-11-77.2
RBs	R. Williams: 275-1,112 (2C)-4.0-6	Alstott: 124-488-3.9-8 (1C)
WRs	Horn: 74-1,153-15.6-7	K. Johnson: 100 (1L)-1,196 (2L)-12.0-1
OFFENSE	355.1 (3C)	298.5
TAKE/GIVE	+7	+10 (T2C)
DEFENSE	310.5	294.5
SACKS	Clemons: 11.5 (3C)	S. Rice: 8.0
INTs	S. Knight: 6	Barber: 6
PUNTING	Gowin: 42.3	Royals: 41.5
KICKING	Carney: 106 (T1C) (28/28 PAT; 26/29 FG)	Gramatica: 81 (24/24 PAT; 19/25 FG)

NOTES

SAINTS: Are 11-3 (.786) in past 14 meetings vs. Bucs. Are 4-2 (.667) all-time at TB……Saints are 11-4 (.733) on road under head coach JIM HASLETT……Have outscored opponents 101-24 in third quarter……Club’s 11 INTs thrown tie for second-fewest in NFC (Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Washington)……In past 6 games, QB AARON BROOKS averaging 296.8 passing yards per game. Has 13 TDs vs. 4 INTs on road in 2001. On pace for 4,108 passing yards, which would be first 4,000-yard season in club history. Current record is 3,970 by JIM EVERETT (1995)……In 5 games vs. NFC Central, RB RICKY WILLIAMS has 633 scrimmage yards for 126.6 yards per game avg. Needs 151 rushing yards to pass DALTON HILLIARD (1,262 in 1989) for third-most in club history……WR JOE HORN has caught 41 passes & averaged 110.5 rec. yards per game in past 6……Lead NFL in sacks with 49 & have 21 in past 3 games……S SAMMY KNIGHT leads NFL with 11 takeaways (6 INTs, 5 fumbles)……BUCCANEERS: First of 3 consecutive home games……Head coach Tony Dungy is 2-1 all-time vs. Saints……In 2 career games vs. Saints, QB BRAD JOHNSON has 73.3 comp. pct. (33 of 45)……RB MIKE ALSTOTT ties career high (1998) & leads NFC with 8 rush. TDs……RB WARRICK DUNN ranks second on club with 61 receptions & needs 4 catches for career high (64 in 1999)……WR KEYSHAWN JOHNSON is on pace to tie HERMAN MOORE’s NFL record of 123 catches. Needs rec. 227 yards to break club record set by MARK CARRIER (1,422 in 1989). In 7 career games vs. NFC West, has 7 TDs……In only meeting, defense held Saints’ RB Williams to 41 yards & 2.9 avg. (14 att.)……Tie for NFC lead with 30 total takeaways (Carolina & Philadelphia) & 20 INTs (Carolina)……Have NFC’s No. 3 pass defense (182.2) ……DE SIMEON RICE has 5.0 sacks in past 3 games. His 8.0 for season is better than 2000 output (7.5).

 

ST. LOUIS RAMS (11-2) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-12)

SERIES

	RAMS	PANTHERS
LEADER		7-6
STREAKS		2 of past 3
COACHES VS. OPP.	Martz: 1-2	Seifert: 17-5
LAST WEEK	W 34-21 at Saints	Bye (Wk 13: L 25-24 at Bills)
LAST GAME	11/11/01: Panthers 14 at Rams 48.  St. Louis RB Marshall Faulk rushes for 183 yards & 2 TDs while Rams’ RB Trung Canidate adds 145 rushing yards & 1 TD.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/3/00: Panthers 16, Rams 3.  Carolina controls ball for 37:55 & forces 7 turnovers, including CB Jimmy Hitchcock’s 88-yard INT-TD.
TV	FOX (1:00 PM ET): Curt Menefee, Brian Baldinger

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	Warner: 309-463-3,974 (1L)-28 (1L)-16-99.2 (1C)	Weinke (R): 218-390-2,252-9-15-64.4
RBs	Faulk: 185-894-4.8-6	Huntley: 113-361-3.2-1
WRs	Faulk (RB): 68-610-9.0-8	Muhammad: 50-585-11.7-1
OFFENSE	410.5 (1L)	247.1
TAKE/GIVE	-8	+4
DEFENSE	273.3	377.1
SACKS	Little: 10.0	Rucker: 7.0
INTs	Bly: 5	Evans: 8 (T1C)
PUNTING	Baker: 41.1	Sauerbrun: 47.8 (1L)
KICKING	Wilkins: 106 (T1C) (43/43 PAT; 21/24 FG)	Kasay: 70 (19/20 PAT; 17/19 FG)

NOTES

RAMS: Are 7-0 on road. Five teams since 1970 have had perfect road record & all have won Super Bowl……QB KURT WARNER needs 26 passing yards for second career 4,000-yard season & third in club history. In past 2 road games, Warner has completed 40 of 55 passes (72.7 pct.) for 680 yards with 8 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 153.8 passer rating……In past 4 games vs. Carolina, RB MARSHALL FAULK has 659 scrimmage yards for 164.8 per game avg. Faulk has 1,180 scrimmage yards in past 7 division games for 168.6 yards per game. RB TRUNG CANIDATE had 16 carries for 145 yards (9.1 avg.) & 1 TD in only career meeting vs. Panthers……WR TORRY HOLT needs 23 yards receiving for second 1,000-yard season. WR ISAAC BRUCE has 56 career TDs & needs 3 to pass ERIC DICKERSON (58) for most in club history……Have not allowed 100-yard rusher in past 13 games……Defense has posted 13 sacks in past 3 games vs. Panthers…...Rams have allowed 383 total yards in past 2 vs. Panthers (191.5 yards per game)……LB LONDON FLETCHER had career-high 18 tackles with 1.0 sack & 1 INT in last meeting at Carolina……PANTHERS: Past 4 games & 7 of past 9 decided by 4 points-or-less……Head coach GEORGE SEIFERT is 17-5 (.773) in career vs. Rams……QB CHRIS WEINKE needs 6 completions to pass TIM COUCH (1999) for third-most ever by rookie. Also needs 50 attempts to pass JIM ZORN (1976) for third-most ever by rookie……TE WESLEY WALLS has 7 TDs in 7 contests vs. St. Louis as member of Panthers……In last game at Carolina, defense intercepted Rams’ QB Warner 4 times, held Rams to 2000 season-lows with 278 total yards & 179 net passing yards. Have 7 INTs in past 2 vs. Rams……Tie for NFC lead in both total takeaways (30; Philly & TB) & INTs (20; TB)……CB DOUG EVANS has INT in each of past 2 vs. SL. Ties for NFC lead with career-high 8 INTs. Needs 1 to tie NFL 2000 season-high of 9 set by Packers’ DARREN SHARPER. With 2, will become first player since MARK CARRIER in 1990 with 10 INTs.

 

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-9) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (4-9)

SERIES

	CHARGERS	CHIEFS
LEADER		43-39-1
STREAKS		3 of past 4
COACHES VS. OPP.	Riley: 2-3	Vermeil: 1-1
LAST WEEK	L 13-6 vs. Raiders	W 26-23 (OT) Vs. Broncos
LAST GAME	11/4/01: Chiefs 25 at Chargers 20.  Kansas City RB Priest Holmes rushes for 181 yards & 1 TD as RB Tony Richardson rushes for 23 yards & 2 TDs.
LAST GAME AT SITE	9/17/00: Chiefs 42, Chargers 10.  Kansas City QB Elvis Grbac throws for 255 yards & 5 TDs as rookie WR Sylvester Morris has 6 receptions for 112 yards & 3 TDs.
TV	CBS (12:00 PM CT): Don Criqui, Steve Tasker

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	Flutie: 245-441-2,912-12-16-69.8	Green: 236-427-3,102-13-19-70.0
RBs	Tomlinson (R): 298-1,053-3.5-10	Holmes: 254-1,267 (1L)-5.0-7
WRs	Conway: 56-912-16.3-4	Gonzalez (TE): 61-808-13.2-4
OFFENSE	319.5	359.8 (3C)
TAKE/GIVE	+2	-5
DEFENSE	305.3	319.6
SACKS	Wiley: 12.0 (2C)	Clemons: 6.0
INTs	McNeil: 7 (T2C)	Warfield: 3
PUNTING	Bennett: 42.5	Stryzinski: 40.9
KICKING	Richey: 89 (26/26 PAT; 21/31 FG)	Peterson: 84 (21/22 PAT; 21/26 FG)

NOTES

MEETING FEATURES AFC’s No. 2 yards/carry team (Chiefs, 4.7) vs. AFC’s No. 3-tying yards/carry defense (S.D. 3.4)……CHARGERS: All 9 San Diego losses by 10-points-or-less……QB DOUG FLUTIE needs 88 yards passing for second career 3,000……RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON (NFL-rookie high 1,053 rush yards) needs 110 rushing yards to pass DON WOODS (1,162 yards in 1974) for club rookie record. He leads all rookies with 10 TDs……WR JEFF GRAHAM has 315 receiving yards & 3 TDs in past 4 games. WR CURTIS CONWAY needs 88 receiving yards for first 1,000 since 1996. TE FREDDIE JONES has 3 TD catches in past 2 meetings vs. Chiefs……Run defense has allowed only 4 carries of 20+ yards – tied for tops in AFC (Balt.; Sea)……Club tied for fourth in AFC with 37 sacks (Balt.). DE MARCELLUS WILEY (2.0 sacks vs. Raiders) has 18.0 sacks in past 18 games. He ranks second in AFC with 12.0 sacks (JAMIR MILLER, 13.0) & aims to become first Charger to top conference since 1992 (LESLIE O’NEAL, 17.0)……KR RONNEY JENKINS leads AFC with 27.5 avg. Club has NFL-best 33.5 avg. drive start……CHIEFS: Past 2 games decided by 5 total points (1-1)……Have won 29 of 32 home games since 1995 when leading at halftime. Also, Chiefs 25-3 at Arrowhead since 1995 when scoring at least 21 points……RB PRIEST HOLMES has 772 scrimmage yards in past 4 games for 193.0 yards/game avg. (vs. 99.2 per game in first 10). Holmes (121 rush yards vs. Broncos) has 1,267 rush yards & needs 214 over next 3 games (71.3 per game) to break CHRISTIAN OKOYE’s club mark (1,480 in 1989). He has six 100s & needs two to tie for club season record (Okoye, 8 in 1989)……TONY GONZALEZ tops all TEs with 13 receptions of at least 20 yards……DE ERIC HICKS aims for 5th consecutive game vs. Chargers with sack (7.0 in past 4).

 

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-6) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (6-7)

SERIES

	SEAHAWKS	GIANTS
LEADER		5-3
STREAKS		Past 2 of 3
COACHES VS. OPP.	Holmgren: 2-1	Fassel: 0-0
LAST WEEK	W 29-3 vs. Cowboys	W 17-13 vs. Cardinals
LAST GAME	11/5/95: Giants 28 at Seahawks 30.  Seattle’s Todd Peterson kicks 3 FGs, including game-winning 32-yarder with 1:27 remaining.
LAST GAME AT SITE	10/25/92: Giants 23, Seahawks 10.  New York QB Jeff Hostetler runs for 1 TD & passes for another as Giants score 17 unanswered points.
TV	CBS (1:00 PM ET): Kevin Harlan, Craig James, Beasley Reece (Field reporter)

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	Hasselbeck: 161-295-1,838-6-7-70.4	Collins: 239-423-2,737-16-14-74.9
RBs	Alexander: 238-1,036-4.4-12 (1L)	Barber: 129-682-5.3-3
WRs	D. Jackson: 55-871-15.8-4	Toomer: 56-782-14.0-4
OFFENSE	293.6	305.5
TAKE/GIVE	+5	0
DEFENSE	313.8	303.2
SACKS	Randle: 9.5	Strahan: 17.0 (1L)
INTs	W. Williams: 4	Allen (R), Sehorn, S. Williams: 3
PUNTING	Feagles: 44.3	R. Williams: 43.4
KICKING	Lindell: 79 (25/25 PAT; 18/28 FG)	Andersen: 77 (23/24 PAT; 18/23 FG)

NOTES

SEAHAWKS: Face NFC opponent for second consecutive week……QB MATT HASSELBECK has won 4 of past 6 starts (vs. 1-4 record in his first 5)……Ground game (125.2) fourth in AFC. RB SHAUN ALEXANDER has NFL-high 12 TD runs. He averages 109.1 yards per start in 2001……WR DARRELL JACKSON second in AFC with 17 catches of at least 20 yards (JIMMY SMITH, 18). Jackson averages NFL-best 19.7 yards per third-down reception. He has four 100s & needs 1 to tie STEVE LARGENT (1984) & BRIAN BLADES (1989) for second-most in season in club history (Largent, 6 in 1979)……Run defense has allowed only 4 carries of 20+ yards – tied for tops in AFC (Balt.; S.D.)……DT JOHN RANDLE (1.0 sack vs.Cowboys) has 4.0 sacks in his past 4 games……Defense allows 4.69 yards per first-down play – fourth in AFC……GIANTS: Have won 6 of past 8 home games vs. AFC……Are 3-1 (.750) all-time vs. Seattle at home. Have outscored Seahawks 78-46 in those 4……QB KERRY COLLINS needs 263 yards for second career 3,000-yard season & second consecutive (3,610 in 2000). Would become first Giant with back-to-back 3,000-yard seasons since PHIL SIMMS (1988-89)……RB TIKI BARBER has 78 carries for 492 yards (6.3 avg.) & 2 TDs in past 5 games……In past 9 games vs. AFC, WR AMANI TOOMER has 51 catches for 925 yards (18.1 avg.) & 10 TDs. Toomer has TD reception in 9 of past 13 games vs. AFC……Have NFC’s No. 3 rush defense (94.0)……DE MICHAEL STRAHAN leads NFL with career-high 17.0 sacks, second-most in club history. On pace for 21.0, which would tie for second all time with REGGIE WHITE (1987) & CHRIS DOLEMAN (1989). Has 79.0 career sacks & needs 1.0 to pass LEONARD MARSHALL (79.5) for second in club history. In 6 home games, Strahan has 9.0 sacks.

 

SUNDAY NIGHT

NEW YORK JETS (8-5) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (5-8)

SERIES

	JETS	COLTS
LEADER		38-24
STREAKS		5 of past 6
COACHES VS. OPP.	Edwards: 0-1	Mora: 5-6
LAST WEEK	W 15-14 vs. Bengals	W 41-27 vs. Falcons
LAST GAME	9/9/01: Colts 45 at Jets 24.  Indianapolis RB Edgerrin James rushes for 135 yards & 2 TDs as QB Peyton Manning throws for 231 yards & 2 TDs.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/12/00: Colts 23, Jets 15.  Indianapolis RB Edgerrin James rushes for 131 yards & 1 TD on 31 carries as K Mike Vanderjagt makes 3 FGs.
BROADCAST	ESPN (8:30 PM ET): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire, Suzy Kolber (Field reporter). ESPN Deportes: Eduardo Varela, Fuad Reveiz, Luz Ramos (Field reporter). CBS Radio: Tony Roberts, Bob Trumpy

 

STAT LEADERS

QBs	Testaverde: 195-328-2,010-12-8-79.2	Manning: 287-454-3,517 (1C)-23 (T1C)-21-84.7
RBs	Martin: 274-1,218 (2L)-4.4-10	Rhodes (R): 165-754-4.6-7
WRs	Coles: 43-606-14.1-6	Harrison: 83-1,173 (2C)-14.1-12 (1C)
OFFENSE	282.1	382.0 (1C)
TAKE/GIVE	+23 (1L)	-16
DEFENSE	311.9	350.9
SACKS	Abraham: 11.0 (3C)	Washington: 6.5
INTs	V. Green, Jones: 3	Burris, Cota, Peterson: 2
PUNTING	Tupa: 38.9	H. Smith: 44.5 (3C)
KICKING	Hall: 72 (27/27 PAT; 15/21 FG)	Vanderjagt: 95 (35/36 PAT; 20/25 FG)

NOTES

TEN OF PAST 14 MEETINGS decided by 8 points-or-less……JETS:QB VINNY TESTAVERDEhas 16 TDs & 7 INTs in past 7 starts vs. Colts. He has 93.9 third-down passer rating with 5 TDs & 0 INTs (vs. 73.2 rating; 7 TDs & 8 INTs on other downs).……Club third in AFC with 4.5 yards/carry avg. RB CURTIS MARTIN has 1,418 yards (seven 100s) in 13 games vs. Colts. Martin aims for fourth consecutive game with TD run vs. Colts. Martin (10 TD runs) needs 1 to tie club season record (11 by three players)……Offense line has allowed 16 sacks – fewest in AFC……Pass defense has allowed 24 pass plays of 20 yards-or-more – fewest in NFL…… Defense has 4 INTs in past 2 vs. Colts……Red-zone defense (42.1 TD pct.) third in AFC……COLTS:  Club plays final AFC East game (moves to AFC South in 2002)……Aim for 4th consecutive win vs. Jets at RCA Dome. Club’s 38 wins vs. Jets most vs. any foe……QB PEYTON MANNING has 2 TD passes in each of past 2 vs. Jets…… Rookie RB DOMINIC RHODES (177 yards & 2 TDs vs. Atlanta) has 611 rushing yards & 6 TD runs in 7 starts. Rhodes (754 rushing yards) needs 246 rush yards in final 3 games to become third Colts’ rookie to rush for 1,000……WR MARVIN HARRISON has TD catch in 2 of past 3 vs. Jets. He has 57 receptions for 840 yards (five 100s) & 13 TDs in past 7 home games. Harrison (496 career catches) needs 6 receptions for most by player in first six years of career (STERLING SHARPE, 501).WR-PR TERRENCE WILKINS aims for TD in third consecutive game vs. Jets (1 reception, 1 PR). MARCUS POLLARD has 16.2 avg – tops among TEs with at least 30 catches. He has two 100s & needs 1 to tie club mark by TE (JIM MUTSCHELLER, 3 in 1956).

 

 

DENVER BRONCOS HAVE OPEN DATE IN WEEK 15

 

DENVER (7-7): Club third in AFC with 31:48 avg. possession time……WR ROD SMITH (100 receiving yards & 1 TD vs. Chiefs) tops AFC with 98 receptions & 1,195 receiving yards.  He needs two receptions for second consecutive 100-catch season & 4 catches to break ED MC CAFFREY’s club record (101 in 2001). Smith ranks second in AFC with 10 TD catches……Denver TEs have combined for 95 receptions, 950 yards & 12 TDs……Club third in AFC with 33 takeaways……K JASON ELAM tops NFL with 109 points & could become first Bronco since 1962 to top league in scoring (GENE MINGO, 137 points). He has converted 15 of past 16 FG attempts……Broncos hold foes to 26.8 avg. drive start – second in AFC……Vs. Oakland, 12/30.

 

 

 

2001 NFL STANDINGS

 

x- Clinched Playoff Berth

y- Clinched Division Title