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FOR USE AS DESIRED ************************************************************************************************************************************* HIGHEST-SCORING, MOST COMPETITIVE KICKOFF WEEKEND EVERThe NFL kicked off its 83rd season last week, and any way you slice it, it was exciting, unpredictable and just plain wild. The New York Times said, “Never in the 83-year history of the league had there been a Week 1 like this.” The 16 games of Kickoff Weekend averaged 49.3 points per game, the highest ever for an opening weekend. A total of 788 points were scored -- most ever for any weekend in NFL history……There were 89 touchdowns scored, the most ever on a Kickoff Weekend…..And even with all the scoring, 11 out of the 16 games were decided by eight points or less – a Kickoff Weekend record -- 10 by seven points or less, and six by three points or less. *************************************************************************************************************************************
IT’S RIVALRY WEEK: PATS-JETS, COLTS-DOLPHINS, In the “new” NFL, some old feuds are about to be re-kindled. The participants may still be grouped in their old division, may have moved on to a new one, or may simply have a long and fractious history with each other. But for many teams in Week 2 of the NFL season, it’s back to the “old days.” “Every time we play them, it’s a personal vendetta,” says New York Jets running back CURTIS MARTIN about his team’s opponent this week, the visiting Super Bowl XXXVI-champion New England Patriots. Martin could be describing the emotion in all of this week’s rivalry games. One of the interesting themes of the Jets-Pats rivalry is the familiarity of the participants. These guys know each other. Fifteen players/coaches in Sunday’s game have bled Jets’ green and Pats’ blue. Martin (New England, 1995-97) and Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK (New York assistant head coach/secondary, 1997-99) are two prime examples. Belichick has named a former Jet, defensive end ANTHONY PLEASANT, as one of his captains this season. And he added three Jets to his Super Bowl troop this offseason – defensive linemen RICK LYLE and STEVE MARTIN, and safety VICTOR GREEN. The Patriots have seven former Jets players on their roster – the most from one team on another team in the NFL. You would think that all this familiarity might produce balanced games between the two. In one way it has, in another it hasn’t. Seven of the past nine games between the teams have been decided by 10 points or less. But…five of those seven have been won by the Jets. The key for New York in most of those games has been Martin, who is nursing a left ankle sprain. He has averaged 104 yards rushing the eight times he has faced his old mates. “I feel like the Patriots bring out the best in me,” says Martin. Of course, the Patriots have their own rushing threat in ANTOWAIN SMITH, who himself came from a division rival last year (Buffalo) to end up as New England’s first 1,000-yard rusher (1,157) in three seasons. The teams split last year, and the games mirrored the Patriots’ championship campaign. New England dropped to 0-2 on September 23 with a loss to the Jets, lost their quarterback DREW BLEDSOE to injury, and had to go with unknown TOM BRADY. Two months later, a 17-16 win over New York was the second of six consecutive Patriots victories to finish an 11-5 season, and Brady was known throughout the league and on his way to Super Bowl MVP.
******************************************************************************************************************************** ALL-TIME “DOMERS” MEET: When the Oakland Raiders play in Pittsburgh Sunday night, it will be a meeting of Notre Dame’s all-time NFL rusher (Steelers’ JEROME BETTIS; 10,911 yards) and all-time NFL receiving yards leader (Raiders’ TIM BROWN; 13,283 yards). ********************************************************************************************************************************* “You can turn it around in a hurry,” says Belichick, coming off the Patriots’ 30-14 Monday night victory over Pittsburgh. “It’s just so competitive in the NFL that it’s unpredictable. It’s unpredictable what’s going to happen week to week.” For unpredictability, just look at another “rivalry” game this week, one that will not be played again at Sunday’s site until 2006. It’s the Miami Dolphins at the Indianapolis Colts – two former AFC East rivals who now live in different divisions (Miami still in the AFC East, Indianapolis now in the AFC South). Tough playing on the road in the NFL (see Brian Billick quote below)? Not for the Dolphins in Indy. Miami has won for the past four years at the RCA Dome, the last three times with comeback victories. Of course, this is a different Colts team, one that is trying to emphasize defense to go along with its explosive offense. In the offseason, it brought in TONY DUNGY as head coach. As head man of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dungy took them from a 27th NFL defensive ranking the year before he joined them (1995) to a position no lower than ninth his last five years there. “Tony will do a good job in Indianapolis,” says Dolphins head coach DAVE WANNSTEDT. “You know how good of a defensive guy he is.” Dungy will have to prepare for something coaches have not had to really plan for recently when playing the Dolphins – a running game. Miami’s offseason trade with New Orleans for running back RICKY WILLIAMS immediately paid dividends on Kickoff Weekend. The former Heisman Trophy winner rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns in his Dolphins debut. With another 100 this week, Williams will become the first Dolphin with back-to-back 100-yard rushing games since BERNIE PARMALEE in 1994. “When a defense knows Ricky is back there,” says 335-pound Miami guard JAMIE NAILS, “not only do they have to worry about me running them over, but they have to worry about Ricky running them over.” Of course, the Dolphins have their own defensive worries – in the Colts’ “Triplets + 1.” Indy has added wide receiver QADRY ISMAIL (six catches for 84 yards and two TDs in Week 1) to go along with their basic explosive triumvirate of QB PEYTON MANNING (14th career three-TD game last Sunday), RB EDGERRIN JAMES (back from a knee injury with 26 carries for 99 yards) and WR MARVIN HARRISON (four catches, 34 yards, one TD). The director of it all is Manning. And Dolphins linebacker ZACH THOMAS is not at all sad to see him leave his division. “Even when we blitz him,“ Thomas says, “he goes ‘hot’ and gets rid of the ball.” On Sunday night (ESPN, 8:30 PM ET), one of the all-time great NFL rivalries will be renewed in the 30th anniversary year of perhaps its most memorable game, the “Immaculate Reception.” It’s the Oakland Raiders at the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the 1970s, the mention of these two teams meant one thing – playoff football. In the space of an amazing five-year span from 1972-76, the teams met annually in either an AFC divisional or championship game. The final three were for the conference championship, with the first two being taken by the Steelers and the last by the Raiders. All three times, the winner went on to capture the Super Bowl. But it is the 1972 matchup of the teams in an AFC Divisional Playoff game in Pittsburgh that people remember best. The names alone are unforgettable – NOLL…MADDEN…BRADSHAW…STABLER…HARRIS…FUQUA…TATUM. With 22 seconds left in the game, the Steelers were down 7-6 on their own 40-yard line with a fourth-and-10. After scrambling in the pocket, Steelers quarterback TERRY BRADSHAW rifled a pass to fullback FRENCHY FUQUA. The ball, Fuqua and Raiders safety JACK TATUM all collided. The ball rebounded like a rubber ball off a house, and headed straight for Pittsburgh running back FRANCO HARRIS, who had leaked out of the backfield and tried to get open when he saw his scrambling QB looking for a receiver. “I saw Frenchy and Tatum go up,” said Harris. “I saw the ball go up in the air and I said, ‘Oh no!’ But then I saw the ball coming toward me and I figured we’re not out of this yet.” The ball caromed nearly eight yards backwards and was caught in full stride by Harris a hair’s length from the turf. Sixty yards later, he scored, and one of the most memorable plays ever – forevermore called the “Immaculate Reception” – and NFL games ever became etched in history. Fast forward to this Sunday night and you’ve still got playoff teams battling. The Raiders (Divisional) and Steelers (Championship) lost to the Patriots in the 2001 playoffs. For the teams’ defenses, it’s “pick your poison” night. Gang up on the RBs (Pittsburgh’s JEROME BETTIS and Oakland’s CHARLIE GARNER) and the WRs (Raiders’ JERRY RICE and TIM BROWN; Steelers’ PLAXICO BURRESS and HINES WARD) will run you wild. And so will the QBs – KORDELL STEWART of the Steelers and RICH GANNON of the Raiders. On Monday night (ABC, 9:00 PM ET), let’s call it an “old-new” rivalry when two longtime NFC East foes meet in Washington when the Redskins host the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL Conference Call: Redskins LB LA VAR ARRINGTON, Thursday, September 12, 12:15 PM ET, 712/271-0329. Passcode: NFL). “Old” because it’s been contested since 1934. “New” because it -- and every other NFC East matchup this year – has a whole new aspect to it in Washington’s “ball coach” (as he calls himself), STEVE SPURRIER. The former Florida coach (with a 122-27-1 record and 11 bowl appearances with the Gators) made his highly anticipated NFL coaching debut a successful one on Kickoff Weekend with a 31-23 win over Arizona. And, yes, the Eagles’ pass defense – ranked No. 2 in the NFL last year – will have to be ready for that Spurrier air game (Redskins quarterback SHANE MATTHEWS threw 40 times Sunday). But what was that coming out of the Washington backfield last week? Running back STEPHEN DAVIS, who many thought might be an afterthought in Spurrier’s “Fun ‘n Gun” air game, but who ran 26 times for 104 yards and a TD (and added seven catches for another 46). “Maybe you’ll see more of me as a runner and receiver,” says Davis hopefully. The Redskins will have their own hands full Monday night in trying to contain the QB who led the Eagles to the NFC Championship Game last year, DONOVAN MC NABB. With three TD passes, he had Philadelphia up by 24-13 at the end of the third quarter last Sunday in Tennessee before the Titans rallied for a 27-24 victory. “It’s going to be a fight,” says Redskins defensive end RENALDO WYNN. “It’s a big division rivalry, and they already lost their season opener. They’re going to be looking forward to coming in here and winning.” No matter who wins Monday night, if the past in this series holds true, it will be a close game. Seventeen of the past 21 meetings in the series have been decided by seven points or less. And finally this week, it’s not a big rivalry game by description, but when the Denver Broncos visit the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, two of the rivals on the field will want to prove they’re the best – just as they have been among the five best at their position the past five years. It will be the NFL leader in receptions in 2001 – wide receiver ROD SMITH of the Broncos (113) – against the wideout who topped the league in touchdown catches, TERRELL OWENS (16). Since 1998, Smith and Owens have ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, in the NFL in receiving yards: YARD-MAKERS
…AND YOU CAN QUOTE ME! Interesting quotes from around the NFL… · “The reason that I’m still around after 14 years is that I still have that feeling of excitement for that opportunity to get on the field and play” – Carolina Panthers quarterback RODNEY PEETE. · “You look at Brett Favre and Kurt Warner and those guys – they make some unbelievable throws. But they also make some throws that look horrible. But they keep firing away. That’s why they’re two of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game” – Washington Redskins quarterback SHANE MATTHEWS. · “Playing on the road in the NFL is the toughest thing in all of professional sports” -- Baltimore Ravens head coach BRIAN BILLICK. · “I’ve got to depend on our line to do what they’ve got to do. If they study and get their work in, I’ve got to go into the game feeling confident that they are going to get a hat on a hat, and I’ve got to be in proper running lanes to do what I need to do” – Dallas Cowboys running back EMMITT SMITH. · “I was born talking. I believe I came out of the womb talking” – Cleveland Browns cornerback COREY FULLER.
WEEK 2 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 CHICAGO BEARS (1-0) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (0-1) SERIES
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NOTES BEARS: QB JIM MILLER improved to 14-7 (.667) as Bears’ starter with win vs. Vikings. Completed 20 of 33 attempts for 297 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT for 97.7 passer rating last week. Completed 65.4 percent (17 of 26) for 196 yards in last meeting……WR MARTY BOOKER had career-high, NFL Week 1-best 198 yards receiving (8 receptions, 1 TD) vs. Vikings. Had 63-yard TD catch, 34-yard TD pass in last meeting……WR MARCUS ROBINSON had 9 receptions, 114 yards, 1 TD vs. Falcons last year……QB CHRIS CHANDLER passed for 87 TDs, 13,268 yards with Falcons (1997-01), leading club to berth in SB XXXIII ……RB ANTHONY THOMAS had first career TD (32 yards) vs. Falcons……LB BRIAN URLACHER had 1 INT, 1.0 sack, 90-yard fumble return TD in last meeting……CB REGGIE AUSTIN had first career INT last week……LB ROSEVELT COLVIN had career-high 2.5 sacks vs. Falcons last year. Had 1.0 sacks vs. Vikings...... FALCONS: Club aims for third consecutive win in home openers……Head coach DAN REEVES has 188 career wins and needs 6 to pass CHUCK KNOX for sixth all-time……QB MICHAEL VICK completed career-best 15 passes (23 attempts) for 209 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs for 108.8 passer rating vs. Packers. Vick completed career-long 55-yard pass & rushed for career-high 72 yards (9 carries, 1 TD)……RBs WARRICK DUNN & T.J. DUCKETT made Falcons’ debuts. Dunn had 69 yards rushing, 2 TDs. Duckett rushed for 39 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per carry……LB KEITH BROOKING set career high with 22 tackles vs. GB. Most by Falcon since JESSIE TUGGLE (22, 9/29/91)……K JAY FEELY tied for NFL best (HAYDEN EPSTEIN, Jax) with 4 touchbacks on kickoffs. Connected on 2 of 2 FGs vs. Packers, including 52-yarder with 0:05 remaining to force OT……LB JOHN THIERRY was Bears’ first-round draft pick (No. 11 overall) in ’94. Spent 1994-98 with Chicago……KR ALLEN ROSSUM averaged 26.0 yards on 6 KOR & returned 1 punt 36 yards vs. GB. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (0-1) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (0-1) SERIES
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NOTES COACHES’ JON GRUNDEN & BRIAN BILLICK last matched wits in 2000 AFC Championship Game (Baltimore defeated Oakland, 16-3)……BUCCANEERS: RB MIKE ALSTOTT averaged 5.7 yards per carry (80 yards) and scored on 32-yard TD run in last meeting……WRs KEENAN MC CARDELL & JOE JUREVICIUS scored first TDs with Bucs vs. Saints. McCardell has 4 career 100-yard receiving games & 78 receptions for 903 yards in 12 career games vs. Ravens……KR AARON STECKER averaged 29.5 yards per KR vs. NO……RB MICHAEL PITTMAN rushed for 50 yards & added 5 receptions for 31 yards in Buccaneers’ debut……DT WARREN SAPP has sacked 31 different QBs in 7-year career. Looks for first sack vs. Baltimore QB Redman……K MARTIN GRAMATICA connected on a 52-yard FG vs. NO & is 9 of 16 (56.2 percent) all-time from 50-plus yards……RAVENS: Club has won past 2 home openers and is 10-2 overall in past 12 at home. Team is 2-0 vs. new Tampa Bay head coach Gruden (Oakland), including 2000 AFC Championship game win en route to Super Bowl XXXV victory. Against Carolina this past Sunday, club had 10 players starting their first NFL game and one (DT KELLY GREGG) starting his second…….In first NFL game since Super Bowl XXXV (Jan. 2001), RB JAMAL LEWIS ran for 64 yards on 17 carries and added 33 yards on 4 receptions……First reception by rookie WR RON JOHNSON was TD from QB CHRIS REDMAN. Play capped 9-play, 80-yard drive on club’s second possession……Redman made first NFL start last week ……WR BRANDON STOKLEY set career highs in catches (6) and yards (83) against Panthers in Week 1……In only meeting vs. TB, held Bucs to 213 total yards & 90 passing yards……Defense held Carolina to 10 points last week. In 2001, Ravens held opponents to 10 points or less 6 times. Club’s defense surrendered 120 passing yards in Week 1, only Houston surrendered fewer (112). DETROIT LIONS (0-1) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-0) SERIES
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NOTES LIONS: First-round draft pick (No. 3 overall) QB JOEY HARRINGTON made his NFL debut last week, completing 4 of 11 attempts for 41 yards……RB JAMES STEWART had career-long 44-yard (TD) run, rushing for 124 yards with 2 TDs in last game vs. Panthers (9/19/99, with Jaguars)……WR AZ-ZAHIR HAKIM made first start for Lions, posting career-best 9 receptions (97 yards) vs. Miami……Had career-high 147 yards receiving (8 receptions) vs. Panthers (11/5/00, with Rams)……WR BILL SCHROEDER had TD catch in last game vs. Panthers (9/30/01, with Packers)……PR-KR DESMOND HOWARD has 8 career PR-TDs and needs 2 to tie ERIC METCALF for most all-time……QB TY DETMER passed for career-high 342 yards vs. Carolina (10/27/96, with Eagles)……CB ERIC DAVIS is Panthers all-time leader with 25 INTs. Started 78 games for club from 1996-00…… DE ROBERT PORCHER had 1.5 sacks in last meeting. PANTHERS: QB RODNEY PEETE completed 12 of 19 attempts (63.1 comp. pct.) for 136 yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs for 102.1 passer rating vs. Ravens. Won first start since 17-12 win vs. Washington (10/11/98, with Eagles)……RB LAMAR SMITH made his Carolina debut vs. Baltimore, rushing for 84 yards. In 2 career games vs. Lions, has averaged 136.5 yards, 4.8 yards per carry with 3 TDs……TE WESLEY WALLS had 7 receptions for 83 yards in last meeting……WR MUHSIN MUHAMMAD starred collegiately at Michigan State and at Waverly HS in Lansing, MI……DT KRIS JENKINS had 1.0 sack vs. Ravens. Rated among Michigan’s best prep players by Detroit Free Press following senior season at Belleville HS in Ypsilanti, MI……K JOHN KASAY connected on 3 of 3 FGs in last meeting……Offensive Coordinator DAN HENNING (1992-93) and Offensive Line coach PAUL BOUDREAU (1994-96) coached with Lions. CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-1) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-1) SERIES
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NOTES RIVALS SEPARATED by only 221 air miles. All-time points in series: Bengals 1,158, Browns 1,156. Both teams’ roots stem from Hall of Fame coach and football innovator PAUL BROWN. BENGALS: RB COREY DILLON has 741 rush yards (four 100s) & 5 TD runs in 6 career games vs. Browns for 123.5 yards per game avg. Dillon has rushed for 130+ yards 4 times vs. Cleveland & Bengals are 4-0 in those games……QB GUS FREROTTE makes first career start against Browns……In first meeting against Browns in 2001, Bengals threw 0 INTs in 24-14 win in Cincinnati. It was one of only five games in ’01 in which Cleveland did not register INT ……DE JUSTIN SMITH was drafted by Cincinnati (No. 4) immediately following Cleveland’s selection of DT GERARD WARREN in 2001 NFL Draft……Head coach DICK LE BEAU was drafted by Browns in 1958 (Ohio State) as offensive & defensive back. BROWNS: In past 3 vs. Cincy, QB TIM COUCH is 2-1 (.667) & has completed 49 of 86 passes (57.0 comp. pct.) for 642 yards & 5 TDs vs. 3 INTs for 85.5 passer rating……QB KELLY HOLCOMB ’s 326 passing yards vs. KC in Week 1,tied the 29th-best single-game passing yard performance in club history (699 games)…... WR QUINCY MORGAN recorded career-bests last week in receptions (9), yards (151) & TDs (2)……WR KEVIN JOHNSON has 37 catches for 635 yards (17.2 avg.) in 6 career games vs. Bengals. Has 4 career 100-yard games vs. Cincy, including 3 in a row. Has 20 receptions for 368 yards (122.7 yards per game) & 2 TDs in those 3……Browns’ QBs have thrown for more than 300 yards in two of past three games (Couch: 336 vs. Tenn., 12/30/01; Holcomb: 326 vs. KC, 9/8/02)……First reception for rookie WR ANDRE DAVIS was TD……K PHIL DAWSON has made 19 consecutive FGs – longest current streak in NFL. TENNESSEE TITANS (1-0) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (0-1) SERIES
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NOTES TITANS: Franchise’s first game in Texas Stadium as Tennessee Titans……QB STEVE MC NAIR is 2-0 vs. Dallas in career……In first NFL game this past Sunday vs. Eagles, rookie DE CARLOS HALL (7th Rd.) notched 7 tackles, 3.0 sacks and 1 forced fumble after substituting for injured DE JEVON KEARSE. Became 2ND rookie in NFL history to record 3.0 sacks in NFL debut (LB CHIP BANKS, Cleveland, 1982). Hall made all 3.0 sacks in 2nd half as Titans rallied from 14 points behind to win……Club tied with Oakland for NFL’s best interconference record since 1997 (15-5, .750). Team has recorded at least 3.0 sacks vs. NFC East teams in past 5 games……Titans are one of only two teams to hold Cowboys RB Smith to per-game rushing average below 46.0 yards (45.3). In four career games vs. Smith, Titans have held him to 181 yards rushing on 61 carries…….TE FRANK WYCHECK has caught a pass in 89 consecutive games and has started 98 consecutive……COWBOYS: RB EMMITT SMITH has 16,254 career rushing yards and is second on NFL all-time rushing list. Needs 473 yards to surpass Pro Football HOFer WALTER PAYTON (16,726) as all-time leading rusher……Defense posted 6 sacks and surrendered only 3.2 yards per offensive play vs. Houston……DT LA’ROI GLOVER had 1 INT & 1.5 sacks in Cowboys’ debut vs. Houston……DE GREG ELLIS had 0.5 sacks vs. Texans & 1.0 in last meeting with Titans……WR JOEY GALLOWAY led club with 6 receptions for 69 yards vs. Texans……RB MICHAEL WILEY scored first career rushing TD (46 yards) last week……Rookie WR ANTONIO BRYANT made first NFL start vs. Texans & finished with 4 receptions for 47 yards……Rookie K BILLY CUNDIFF scored first career NFL points on 33-yard FG……CB DWAYNE GOODRICH was college standout at Tennessee. MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-0) SERIES
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NOTES FORMER AFC-EAST DIVISION RIVALS MEET for first time in newly realigned NFL. Six of past 7 meetings (including playoffs) decided by 7 points-or-less (with GW score in 5 of those in 4th quarter). Road team has won 5 of past 6…… DOLPHINS: Club’s previous 3 wins in RCA Dome have come in form of 4th quarter comebacks. Outscored Indy 92-30 in 4th quarter and OT periods in past 7 meetings……QB JAY FIEDLER is 3-1 all-time vs. Colts (including 1-0 in playoffs). Threw 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs in last meeting. In previous game at Indy, Fiedler teamed with WR CHRIS CHAMBERS for 74-yard TD, longest career play for each…… RB RICKY WILLIAMS had 168 yards from scrimmage (120 rushing, 48 receiving) & 1 TD in only career meeting vs. Colts (11/18/01 with NO). Could become first Dolphin to start season with consecutive 100-yard games since RB MARK HIGGS in 1991 and most recent Miami rusher with consecutive 100-yard games since RB BERNIE PARMALEE in 1994……Defense has 14 INTs in 8 games vs. Indy QB Manning……DE JASON TAYLOR aims for 4th consecutive game with sack vs. Colts……COLTS: New head coach TONY DUNGY (Tampa Bay) has lifetime 5-2 record vs. Miami’s Wannstedt. Has never lost to Miami (2-0). Dungy’s defense in TB forced Miami QB Fiedler into throwing career-high 4 INTs in 12/10/00 meeting……QB PEYTON MANNING has 9 TD passes in 4 games vs. Miami at home. Recorded 17TH career game with 3 or more TD passes in Wk. 1. Has completed at least 50% of passes in 54 consecutive games……WR MARVIN HARRISON has 21 receptions for 441 yards (21.0 avg.) & 7 TDs in past 4 vs. Dolphins at Indy……In 5 career games vs. Miami (incl. playoffs), RB EDGERRIN JAMES has rushed for 548 yards (109.6 yards per game), including 4 100-yard games……Offense posted top 3rd down conversion pct. in NFL for Wk. 1 (9 of 14 for .643)…… WR QADRY ISMAIL spent ’97 with Miami, was active for 3 games. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (0-1) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-0) SERIES
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NOTES JAGUARS-CHIEFS CONNECTION: Jaguars partner DERON CHERRY was Pro Bowl safety with KC from 1981-91. Cherry recorded 50 career interceptions and was inducted into the Chiefs’ Hall of Fame in 1996…… JAGUARS: Aiming for fourth win in past five road games……Under head coach TOM COUGHLIN, club has won four of previous five road openers……In three career starts vs. KC, QB MARK BRUNELL has completed 42 of 75 passes (56.0 comp. pct.) for 608 yards & 3 TDs vs. 1 INT for 90.3 passer rating. Brunell has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 13 consecutive games, extending his team record. Started his 100th game last week, also extending franchise record……TE KYLE BRADY tied longest TD reception of his career against Chiefs (20 yards) with NY Jets in 1998……Club’s 17-play first-quarter drive last week against Indy tied franchise record set three times (9/10/00 vs. Baltimore; 9/3/00 at Cleveland; 9/22/97 vs. Pittsburgh)……Against Indy in Week 1, LB ERIC WESTMORELAND recorded 8 tackles to lead team. Second-year player had 36 career tackles entering the game……CHIEFS: First home game of 2002 season. Since 1989, KC is 11-2 in home openers and is 9-0 in home openers falling on Week 2 dating back to 1981……RB PRIEST HOLMES scored career-high 4 TDs on 122 rushing yards vs. Browns in 40-39 victory last week. Holmes’ 4 rushing TDs tied Chiefs record (ABNER HAYES vs. Oak., Nov. 26, 1961). Marked Holmes’ 15th 100-yard game of career, 8TH with KC……In 3 games vs. Jax, TE TONY GONZALEZ has more catches (22) than against any current or former non-divisional opponent……G WILL SHIELDS shares longest consecutive starting streak in team history with former CB EMMITT THOMAS (1966-78)……Seven-year vet WR EDDIE KENNISON posted 4TH-best career day in receiving yards (120) vs. Browns in Wk. 1 ……Shields and T WILLIE ROAF have 14 combined Pro Bowl honors – most among league’s active G-T duos. GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-0) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0) SERIES
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NOTES PACKERS: QB BRETT FAVRE has thrown career-best 153 consecutive passes without INT. Has passed for 289 career TDs and needs 3 to pass JOHNNY UNITAS (290) & WARREN MOON (291) for fourth all-time. Favre has 3,336 career completions & needs 74 to pass JOE MONTANA (3,409) for fourth all-time. In 2 career games vs. Saints, completed 39 of 62 passes for 458 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs for 112.2 passer rating. Led GB to SB XXXI win (35-21 vs. NE) at Superdome……RB AHMAN GREEN rushed for 155 yards vs. Falcons. Pack 11-0 all-time when he rushes for 100……WR DONALD DRIVER had career-highs with 7 receptions, 78 yards vs. Falcons……Rookie WR JAVON WALKER made Packers’ debut, finishing with 4 receptions for 56 yards, including first career TD catch (13 yards)……DE JOE JOHNSON started first game for GB after joining club in offseason. Spent 1994-01 with Saints, totaling 50.5 sacks. Had 1.0 sack vs. Falcons……SAINTS: RB DEUCE MC ALLISTER had career highs with 31 carries, 109 yards last week……QB AARON BROOKS was selected by GB in fourth-round of ’99 NFL Draft. Traded to NO on 7/31/00……Rookie first-round draft pick (No. 13 overall) WR DONTE STALLWORTH started vs. TB & had first career TD (41 yards)……TE BOO WILLIAMS had career-long 32-yard TD reception vs. TB……WR JOE HORN had 8 receptions for 108 yards vs. TB……Club had 3 sacks vs. TB & aims to lead NFC in sacks for third consecutive season……Rookie fifth-round draft pick LB JAMES ALLEN scored game-winning TD on INT in OT last week. Pick was Allen’s first INT since sophomore season at Oregon State……Rookie first-round draft choice (No. 25 overall) DE CHARLES GRANT started & had first career sack vs. TB. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-0) AT NEW YORK JETS (1-0) SERIES
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NOTES FIVE OF PAST 6 MEETINGS decided by 7 points-or-less……In all-time 83-game series, teams separated by only 2 TDs (Jets 220, Patriots 218)…… PATRIOTS: QB TOM BRADY is 1-0 vs. Jets & completed 20 of 28 passes for 71.4 comp. pct. in only career start vs. NYJ. Threw for 294 passing yards vs. Pitt. in Wk. 1, his 3rd-best passing game of career, including playoffs……WR TROY BROWN has 22 catches in past 4 vs. Jets……CB TERRELL BUCKLEY recorded 2 INTs in Wk. 1, leads NFL. First 2-INT game since 10/8/00 (vs. SD) ……Defense held Jets to 284 passing yards in 2001 (142.0 yards per game)……S VICTOR GREEN returns to New York. Member of Jets from 1993-2001. Ranks 4th in tackles (964) & 3rd in INTs (24) in Jets’ annals……Team’s 30-14 win on MNF vs. Pitt was franchise’s second largest margin of victory on MNF in 24 appearances (def. NYJ 41-7 on 10/18/76)……Pats’ TEs combined for 8 receptions vs. Pitt.. In 2001, most completions to TEs in one game was 3……K ADAM VINATIERI has made 10 consecutive FGs ……JETS: Have won 4 of past 5 vs. Pats……This past Sunday vs. Buffalo, KR CHAD MORTON became first player in NFL history to return kickoffs for TDs in regulation & OT……RB CURTIS MARTIN has rushed for 833 yards in 8 career games vs. former team NE (104.1 yards per game). Has 5 100-yard games in those 8 & Jets are 5-0 in those games. Jets are 19-5 (.792) when Martin rushes for 100 yards. Has rushed for 4 TDs in past 3 against Pats……QB VINNY TESTAVERDE has completed 194 of 318 passes (61.0 comp. pct.) for 2,347 yards & 20 TDs vs. 10 INTs for 91.5 passer rating. Testaverde’s 20 TD passes vs. NE is his second-most vs. any opponent (Indy, 23)……Defense has recorded 17 sacks & 6 INTs in past 4 meetings while holding NE to 195.8 passing yards per game. DE JOHN ABRAHAM aims for 5th consecutive game vs. Patriots with sack (5.0 sacks in 4 career games)……In 9 games vs. Patriots’ RB ANTOWAIN SMITH, Jets have allowed him one 100-yard rushing performance. NEW YORK GIANTS (0-1) AT ST. LOUIS RAMS (0-1) SERIES
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NOTES GIANTS: QB KERRY COLLINS passed for 342 yards vs. 49ers and has thrown for 300 yards in 4 consecutive games for first time in career. Has thrown for club-record 1,416 consecutive passes, longest current streak in NFL by QB with one team……WR AMANI TOOMER tied career-high with 9 receptions vs. SF. His 134 yards were most since 193 vs. Jax (12/23/00)……WR IKE HILLIARD has at least 1 catch (5 for 65 yards vs. 49ers) in 63 consecutive games, setting new club-record……RB RON DAYNE rushed for 88 yards and 1 TD in last meeting……DE MICHAEL STRAHAN had 4.0 sacks in last meeting, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors……T MIKE ROSENTHAL blocked first career FG last week, Giants first FG block since 10/31/99 (CHRISTIAN PETER vs. Philadelphia)……TE JEREMY SHOCKEY made first career start vs. 49ers, finishing with 3 catches for 44 yards……KR RON DIXON averaged 30.5 yards per return and added 40 yards receiving (3 catches) vs. SF……RAMS: QB KURT WARNER has passed for 300 yards in both career games vs. Giants, including 316 in last meeting. Warner passed for 315 yards vs. Denver and has thrown for 300 yards in 5 of past 10 games……RB MARSHALL FAULK ranks ninth in NFL history with 111 TDs and needs 3 to pass Hall of Famer LENNY MOORE for eighth all-time. Faulk had career-high 14 receptions (91 yards) vs. Broncos……WR ISAAC BRUCE has club-record 29 100-yard receiving games……DE LEONARD LITTLE has 2.0 sacks in past 2 vs. Giants and 5.0 in past 3 overall……CB DEXTER MC CLEON has 1 INT in each of past 2 vs. Giants……CB AENEAS WILLIAMS has 8 career INT-TDs and needs 2 to pass KEN HOUSTON (9) and tie ROD WOODSON (10) for all-time NFL lead……LB DON DAVIS had first career INT vs. Broncos. ARIZONA CARDINALS (0-1) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (0-1) SERIES
STATS
NOTES
TEAMS MEET
for first
time as division rivals in new NFC West……CARDINALS: WR
DAVID BOSTON had 15th career 100-yard receiving game last week vs.
Redskins (138 yards, 7 receptions, 1 TD)……QB JAKE PLUMMER had 7-yard
TD run last week, his first rushing TD since 12/5/99 (vs. Philadelphia,
21-17 win)……G PETE KENDALL played in 76 games (75 starts) with
Seattle from 1996-2000……Offensive line did not surrender sack vs. Redskins
last week and has given up only 3 sacks in past 4 games……TE FREDDIE JONES
made first start for Cards last week. Has 29 receptions, 349 receiving
yards in past 6 vs. Seattle……K BILL GRAMATICA connected on 3-of-4 FGs
in first game since 12/15/01……Offensive coordinator RICH OLSON
coached with Seahawks (1995-98) and played QB and S at Washington State
(1968-69)……LB RONALD MC KINNON led club with 10 tackles (3 solo) vs.
Washington…… BUFFALO BILLS (0-1) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-1) SERIES
STATS
NOTES SERIES NOTE: Six of past seven meetings decided by 7 points or less…….BILLS: Club seeking first franchise victory vs. Vikings in Minnesota (0-3)……QB DREW BLEDSOE is 72 passing yards from 30,000 for career. Would tie Green Bay’s BRETT FAVRE for 3rd-quickest to reach 30,000 (126 games). Had career highs vs. Vikings on Nov. 13, 1994 in yards (426), completions (45) and attempts (70, also NFL record) in 26-20 OT win……Against Jets last week, RB TRAVIS HENRY posted career-bests in rushing yards (149) and TDs (3)……In his most recent game vs. Minnesota (with St. Louis, 12/10/00), LB LONDON FLETCHER earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors with 14 tackles and 2.0 sacks…….WR ERIC MOULDS recorded 13th 50-yard or more reception in Wk. 1 vs. Jets. In his only career meeting vs. Vikings (10/22/00), Moulds recorded career-best 12 receptions……VIKINGS: QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER completed 17 of 29 attempts for 251 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT for 121.5 passer rating in only career meeting vs. Bills. Won 2 of past 3 starts vs. AFC foes……WR RANDY MOSS had 5 receptions for 110 yards & 1 TD in only career game vs. Bills……Culpepper & Moss have connected for 22 career TDs and need 5 to become most prolific scoring tandem in club history (WARREN MOON/CRIS CARTER)……WR DERRICK ALEXANDER had career-long 69-yard PR-TD vs. Buffalo (10/2/95). Had 7 receptions for 146 yards in last meeting vs. Bills (11/19/00, with Chiefs)…..RB MICHAEL BENNETT tied career-high with 16 carries (53 yards) vs. Bears……TE JIM KLEINSASSER had career high 58 yards receiving (5 catches) vs. Chicago……Head coach MIKE TICE & Bengals’ DICK LE BEAU lead all NFL head coaches with 14 years NFL playing experience……WR D’WAYNE BATES & S COREY CHAVOUS were teammates at Silver Bluff HS in Aiken SC in 1993. HOUSTON TEXANS (1-0) AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (1-0) SERIES
STATS
NOTES GAME FEATURES AFC’s youngest starting QBs in SD’s DREW BREES and Houston’s DAVID CARR. Both 23-year-olds vie for second consecutive win Sunday……TEXANS: Play first regular-season road game. Became second expansion team to win opener (Minnesota, 1961) last week and aim to become first expansion team in NFL history to start 2-0. Carr led Texans to TD in opening drive vs. Dallas, first completion was TD. Since 1995, only one rookie first-round QB won season opener: RYAN LEAF, San Diego (16-14 vs. Buffalo) ……TE BILLY MILLER scored club’s first TD in preseason and regular season on receptions from Carr……Seven current Texans players have earned Super Bowl rings…… RB JAMES ALLEN made first NFL start at San Diego while with the Bears in 1999. Rushed for 21 yards on 5 carries……LB JAMIE SHARPER recorded 10 tackles vs. Chargers in 2000 as Raven……Defense held Dallas RB EMMITT SMITH to 67 rush yards on 17 attempts in Wk. 1. Including last week vs. Texans, for career, Smith has carried ball 17 times or more in 135 games and was held to 67 yards or less in only 15 of those games……CHARGERS: Home debut for head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER. Schottenheimer’s teams at home are 94-46 (.671)……Club is 5-0 in past five games when they lead at halftime……In first NFL start, Brees completed 9 of first 11 passes vs. Cincy…… Defense held Bengals RB COREY DILLON to fewest rushing yards (10) when given 9 or more attempts….RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON reached fifth career 100-yard game last week (114) in his 17th game……CB ALEX MOLDEN led defense in tackles vs. Bengals last week (5) and recorded 1 INT. Marked second consecutive season Molden made an interception on Kickoff Weekend…….CB QUENTIN JAMMER, San Diego’s first-round draft pick in 2002 (No. 5 overall), makes NFL debut…… DE AARON DINGLE recorded 2.0 sacks last week after managing 3.5 in first 28 games of NFL career. DENVER BRONCOS (1-0) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-0) SERIES
STATS
NOTES
SUPER BOWL HISTORY:
Teams met 13 years ago in Super Bowl XXIV: 49ers 55, Broncos 10.
BRONCOS: SUNDAY NIGHT OAKLAND RAIDERS (1-0) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (0-1) SERIES
STATS
NOTES GAME MARKS only second time since 1981 that Oakland has played in Pittsburgh. This season marks 30th anniversary of Steelers RB FRANCO HARRIS’ “Immaculate Reception” at Three Rivers Stadium for improbable playoff victory vs. Oakland…...RAIDERS: Head coach BILL CALLAHAN makes road debut with club. Raiders’ coaches are 7-5 all-time in road debuts and have won 6 of past 9……In 5 career meetings against Pitt., WR JERRY RICE has 29 receptions for 280 yards and 4 TDs……Defense stymied standout Seattle RB SHAWN ALEXANDER in Wk. 1, limiting him to 36 yards on 13 carries……WR TIM BROWN has scored at least 1 receiving TD against 25 NFL clubs……DT SAM ADAMS recorded his single-game season-high in tackles against Pitt. in 2001 with 4 (11/4)……In Wk. 1 home opener vs. Sea., RB CHARLIE GARNER ran for more than 100 yards (15-127-1) for first time since 11/12/00 vs. KC (102)……STEELERS: Home opener……Head coach BILL COWHER has never lost to Raiders (3-0). Needs one 1 win to reach 100……QB KORDELL STEWART has thrown for more than 240 yards in 5 of past 9 games. Has completed at least 50% of passes in 22 consecutive games. In past meeting vs. Oak., completed 14 of 23 passes (60.9 pct.) for 136 and 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 106.4 passer rating……RB JEROME BETTIS needs 326 rushing yards to surpass O.J. SIMPSON as NFL’s 11th all-time leading rusher. Against Oak. in 2000, ran for 128 yards on 24 attempts (5.3). Game included 30-yard run, his longest of 2000…….Rookie WR ANTWAAN RANDLE EL made NFL debut with 87 receiving yards on 6 receptions in Wk. 1……Team has not allowed receiving TD by Raiders’ WR Brown in 4 games – one of only 5 clubs to do so (not counting Texans, only NFL team Brown has not played against). Steelers have contained Brown to 181 yards on 16 catches. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (0-1) AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-0) SERIES
STARTERS ’02 STATS
NOTES
EAGLES:
In 6 career games vs. Redskins, QB DONOVAN MC NABB has rushed 43
times for 348 yards (8.1 avg.) & 1 TD. Had career-high 125 yards rushing,
career-long 55-yard run & 1 TD vs. Washington (11/26/00)……Rookie third-round
draft choice BRIAN WESTBROOK (Villanova) led club with 42 yards
rushing vs. Titans……RB DUCE STALEY rushed for 122 yards & 1 TD in
35-28 win vs. Redskins (11/14/99)……WR TODD PINKSTON had career-long
62-yard TD in last meeting……WR FREDDIE MITCHELL had first career TD
in last meeting (4 yards)……Eagles have 5 former Redskins on roster – K
DAVID AKERS (1998), LB SHAWN BARBER (1998-01), DE N.D. KALU
(1998-00), KR BRIAN MITCHELL (1990-99) and WR JAMES THRASH
(1997-00)……Mitchell has 12 career KR-TDs & needs 1 for sole possession of
all-time lead (ERIC METCALF)……LB LEVON KIRKLAND started first
game with club. Has started 124 consecutive games……REDSKINS:
QB SHANE MATTHEWS completed 28 of 40 attempts for 327 yards, 3 TDs, 1
INT for 109.1 passer rating in first career start with club. Matthews was
11 of 11 for 120 yards & 1 TD on 3rd downs……RB STEPHEN DAVIS rushed
for 104 yards & 1 TD vs. Cardinals & has 100 yards rushing in 5 of past 6
games. Tied career high with 7 receptions (Oak, 11/29/98)……WR ROD
GARDNER had career-high 7 receptions (131 yards, 1 TD) last week……WR
DERRIUS THOMPSON had career highs with 4 receptions & 45 yards (1 TD)
vs. Cardinals……LB JEREMIAH TROTTER played for Eagles from 1998-01 and
faces former club for first time……CB DARRELL GREEN has INT in 2 of
past 4 vs. Eagles……DE BRUCE SMITH has 186.0 career sacks and needs
12.5 to pass former Eagles’ great REGGIE WHITE (198.0) for first
all-time……P BRYAN BARKER averaged 40.8 yards per punt with Eagles in
’94. 2002 NFL STANDINGS
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS (Home teams in caps)
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE – SEPTEMBER 15-16 (All times local)
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