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IMMEDIATE RELEASE NFL PRESS BOX NOTES – DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS RICE STILL COOKIN’: Oakland wide receiver JERRY RICE can claim two NFL playoff records when the Raiders host the New York Jets on Sunday. Rice needs 39 yards to pass former Buffalo Bills running back THURMAN THOMAS for the most combined playoff yards in history (yards on rushing; receiving; interception, punt, kickoff and fumble returns). The top five in the category:
Rice needs two touchdowns to pass both Thomas and Dallas Cowboys running back EMMITT SMITH for the most postseason career touchdowns. The top five in the category:
POINTS NOT TAKEN: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who make their 2002 playoff debut this Sunday when they host the San Francisco 49ers, allowed an NFL-low 196 points during the season – the fifth lowest total for a team since the NFL began the 16-game schedule in 1978. The fewest points allowed since 1978:
RETURN TO SENDER: Philadelphia Eagles kickoff-punt returner BRIAN MITCHELL has the opportunity to set two playoff records in Saturday night’s Divisional Playoff meeting with the Atlanta Falcons. Mitchell needs 12 punt-return yards to pass DAVE MEGGETT for the most in playoff history:
With one kickoff return, Mitchell will set the NFL playoff record for the most in the category:
GANNON SEEKS TO FOLLOW SUPER TREND: Oakland Raiders quarterback RICH GANNON will begin his quest this Sunday to become the 11th NFL MVP, as chosen by the Associated Press, to help his team to a Super Bowl title. The last player to achieve the feat was St. Louis Rams quarterback KURT WARNER in 1999. NFL MVPs who have led their teams to Super Bowl titles:
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The New York Jets’ CURTIS MARTIN ranks third with 262 carries without a fumble and did not lose the ball in the Jets’ Wild Card game on 15 carries. The Tennessee Titans’ EDDIE GEORGE is sixth with 228 such carries, followed by the Oakland Raiders’ CHARLIE GARNER in seventh place with 227 attempts. The longest active streaks of rushing attempts without a fumble:
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2002 NFL PLAYER PLAYOFF SHARES
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Wild Card (Division Winner) |
$17,000 |
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$12,500 |
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Division Playoff |
$17,000 |
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Conference Championship |
$35,000 |
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Super Bowl XXXVII (Winning Team) |
$63,000 |
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(Losing Team) |
$35,000 |