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FOR USE AS DESIRED SEASON’S SECOND HALF BEGINS AS HOT STEELERS MATCH EAGLES & PATRIOTS FOR BEST RECORDS Pitts-berger is sizzling! As the NFL begins the second half of its season, three teams lead the pack, and one of them – the BEN ROETHLISBERGER-led Pittsburgh Steelers – has just notched record-setting victories over the other two. With their 27-3 win over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, following a 34-20 triumph over the New England Patriots the week before, the Steelers now match both teams for the NFL’s best record (7-1). Those victories also made Pittsburgh the first team in history with back-to-back wins over clubs with at least 6-0 records. And it’s the way the Steelers, led by rookie quarterback Roethlisberger (who has a personal-game winning streak of 19 in a row when adding his NFL rookie record-tying six consecutive victories to his 13 of last year at Miami of Ohio) have been winning, especially the past two weeks, that has brought the Steel City renewed attention. The team has matched the best starts in franchise history (1973, 1975, 1978). In the past two weeks, Pittsburgh has a plus-445 rushing-yard total over its opponents, and a plus-476 total yards total. That’s old-time Steeler football! How the team compares through nine weeks this year compared to last season at this point in 10 key categories: STEEL CAN BE MOLDED
"Nobody ever thought we’d do this," says Steelers wide receiver HINES WARD, fresh off a two-touchdown game. "We’re giving defensive coordinators heck trying to figure out what we’re going to do, with weapons all over the field and a quarterback who just keeps getting better." In Week 10, Pittsburgh keeps trying to get better against the AFC North – and ol’ time rival – Cleveland Browns. Some other highlight games of the week, with some big division matchups in store: BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-3) at NEW YORK JETS (6-2): An ol’ time ground-game in the making? Could be, for several reasons. First, the teams are two of nine NFL clubs that show a run-oriented offense, running more than they pass. Two, Ravens running back JAMAL LEWIS says he wants more carries, and head coach BRIAN BILLICK says he wants to accommodate him. "He needs the ball more," says Billick. "Anytime he doesn’t have the ball 25 times, it’s something we’ve got to go back and check." Finally, although no team can eschew a balanced offense, the Jets might depend even more on workorse running back CURTIS MARTIN – the NFL’s third leading rusher (865 yards) – to take some of the burden off quarterback QUINCY CARTER, starting his first game with the club in place of the injured CHAD PENNINGTON. Seven of Martin’s top 11 rushing performances have come in cold-weather November. Matchup to watch: The Jets’ Carter against S ED REED, he of the NFL record 106-yard interception TD return last week. The three-year veteran has 16 pickoffs in 39 career games. ****************************************************************************************************************************************** NFL FACTOID 4-4 (OR WORSE) CAN MEAN PLAYOFFS: Twenty-four teams in the past 10 years have made the playoffs after beginning the season with a 4-4 or worse record, including the 4-4 Green Bay Packers last season. ****************************************************************************************************************************************** SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-3) at ST. LOUIS RAMS (4-4): This one will definitely bring back memories of a month ago. There Seattle was, midway through the fourth period, cruising with a 27-10 lead before quarterback MARC BULGER and the Rams turned the game into the season’s largest comeback victory with a 17-point surge and a 33-27 overtime win. The Seahawks lost their next two before head coach MIKE HOLMGREN scaled down the offense a bit, resulting in two victories. "It’s a simplified offense," says running back SHAUN ALEXANDER, coming off a 160-yard, two-TD rushing game in Week 9. "But we have enough talent to really make things simple and still make great plays." Matchup to watch: Bulger against the Seahawks’ defensive backfield, the key cogs in a ball-hawking defense that tops the league in interceptions with 12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (5-3) at GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-4): One team coming off three wins (and a bye), one coming off two losses, including this past Monday night. But this is Green Bay-Minnesota outside in the Wisconsin cold…a division game…and a "great rivalry," says quarterback BRETT FAVRE of the three-in-a-row Packers. That is true. The series, begun in 1961, is tied, 42-42-1, and has been split the past three seasons. In spite of their two consecutive losses, the Vikes still rank as the NFL’s top offense, averaging an explosive 414.0 yards per game with or without injured receiver RANDY MOSS. The key to that production, of course, is unpredictable quarterback DAUNTE CULPEPPER, the league’s second-ranked passer (115.0) who has averaged almost 40 yards rushing against Green Bay (39.8). Matchup to watch: A rejuvenated Green Bay DL, keyed by the recent return of NT GRADY JACKSON, against a rush attack that has averaged at least 4.0 yards per carry in 18 consecutive games. BUFFALO BILLS (3-5) at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (7-1) (Sunday night, ESPN, 8:30 PM ET): Watch out, Bills, for those tricky Pats! Kickers throwing touchdown passes…linebackers catching touchdown passes…receivers playing defensive back. Those were some of the bag-of-tricks moves pulled by New England head coach BILL BELICHICK last week in a 40-22 victory in the dome in St. Louis. But this one’s outdoors, at night, in the November cold. Might just be time for some good old smashmouth football! And both teams can deliver. The Bills have won three of their last four. In each of those victories, new starting running back WILLIS MC GAHEE, the team’s No. 1 pick in 2003, has run for 100-plus yards, including 132 (and a TD) last Sunday against the Jets. "We’re all getting comfortable right now," says McGahee. "We know what it takes to win." Of course, the Patriots – winners of 22 of their past 23 overall – certainly know what it takes to win, too. They added to that "knowledge" this year by trading for RB COREY DILLON, the AFC’s No. 5 rusher (749 yards) and on pace (1,498 yards) to become New England’s first 1,000-yard rusher in three seasons and second in the past six. Matchups to watch: Buffalo’s 650 pounds-plus DT combo of SAM ADAMS and PAT WILLIAMS vs. middle of Pats line. Who can forget Adams’ 37-yard rumbling interception-TD return against New England on Kickoff ’03 Weekend? PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (7-1) at DALLAS COWBOYS (3-5) (Monday night, ABC, 9:00 PM ET): A throw-out-the-records division battle. It’s Cowboys-Eagles…Parcells vs. Reid…T.O. on MNF. Philly had defeated Dallas six times in a row before Cowboys head coach BILL PARCELLS returned to the NFL last year. The teams split in ’03, and Parcells carries a 7-2 record as Cowboys coach against the NFC East into the game. Eagles head man ANDY REID has his own proud numbers. Philadelphia is 13-1 on Monday nights under him, and he owns a 17-6 (.739) November record. The Cowboys will have their hands full with Philadelphia’s DONOVAN MC NABB-TERRELL OWENS combination. McNabb is 12-1 in primetime in his career. Owens has caught at least one TD pass in his past six Monday games, tying JERRY RICE for the best such streak in Monday Night Football history. Interesting MNF stat: Eagles LB NATE WAYNE has four forced fumbles in 10 Monday night games. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-5) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (6-2)
STATS
NOTES BUCCANEERS: Club seeks 4th win in past 5 after 0-4 start……QB
BRIAN GRIESE has played in 4 games with Bucs, starting 3, & has 100.0+
passer rating in 3 of 4. Leads NFL with 0.9 INT pct (1 INT, 116 att)……RB
MICHAEL PITTMAN has 990 career rushing attempts & needs 10 for 1,000.
Rushed for career-high 3 TDs, including career-best 78-yard TD run, vs. KC……
Rookie 1st-round WR MICHAEL CLAYTON leads NFL rookies with 42
receptions & 595 yards receiving. Has 90+ yards receiving in 3 of past 5……WR
JOEY GALLOWAY returned to action for 1st time since Week 1 & had 2
catches for 40 yards vs. Chiefs. WR TIM BROWN has 100 career TD
catches & needs 1 to pass STEVE LARGENT (100) in 3rd all-time. WR
JOE JUREVICIUS had career-best 100 yards receiving vs. Falcons (8
catches) on 12/8/02……Defense surrenders 174.3 passing yards per game,
4th-fewest in NFL……DE SIMEON RICE has 97 career sacks & needs 3 to
become 3rd active player with 100…… KR TORRIE COX avgs 27.4 yards per
KR, 2nd in NFL……ATLANTA: Club seeks 7-2 start for only 2nd
time in team history (1998)……Team averages 149.6 rushing yards per game,
3rd-most in NFL……QB MICHAEL VICK has 18-10-1 (.638) record as
starter, including wins in 8 of past 10. Leads QBs with 463 rushing yards.
Has 4 100-yard rushing games & needs 100-yard game to pass BILLY KILMER
(4) for most 100s by QB in NFL history……RB WARRICK DUNN ties for 4th
in NFC with 7 rushing TDs & needs 2 for career-high (8, ’00). Spent 1997-01
with Bucs, posting 2 1,000-yard seasons. RB TJ DUCKETT avgs. 4.7
yards per carry (47-219)……WR PEERLESS PRICE has catch in 79 games in
row & had 1st multiple TD game with club in Week 8. WR BRIAN FINNERAN
has 115 catches with club since ’01, 70.4 pct. for 1st downs (81 of 115)……TE
ALGE CRUMPLER leads club with 31 receptions & 441 receiving
yards……Defense has 20.0 sacks & DE PATRICK KERNEY has 7.0 sacks in
past 7 games…… PR ALLEN ROSSUM ranks 2nd in NFL with 15.6 PR avg. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-1) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-5)
STATS
NOTES AFC’S OLDERST RIVALRY, clubs meet for 105th time, including 2
playoffs……STEELERS: Club ranks No. 1 in NFL in both rush
offense (160.8) & rush defense (81.0). Head coach BILL COWHER is 16-5
(.762) in career vs. Cle. Cowher is 7-1 (.875) vs. Browns’ BUTCH DAVIS……Rookie
QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER (No. 11) is native of Findlay, OH, 124 miles
west of Cleveland. Rookie has 100.0+ pass rtg in 5 consecutive games w/ 8
TDs vs. 2 INTs in those 5. With win, sets record for most winning starts by
rookie QB to begin career, surpassing MIKE KRUCZEK (Pitt., 6, 1976)……RB
DUCE STALEY has 4 100s in past 5 games played. Rushed for 117 yds on 25
carries w/ 1 TD in Wk 5 meeting. RB JEROME BETTIS rushed for 149 yds
vs. Phil. last week, his most since gaining 163 vs. Cle. on 11/11/01 (41
games ago). Bettis (12,631) needs 109 yds to surpass HOFer TONY DORSETT
(12,739) to be NFL’s 5th-leading rusher all-time…… Among players w/ 24+
catches, WR PLAXICO BURRESS has highest rec. avg. of 20.4
yards……Defense (261.6) tops in AFC. LB JAMES FARRIOR (3) tied for
2nd-most FRs by defensive player. Club tied w/ NE for AFC-high 24 sacks……
BROWNS: Club is 3-1 at home & aims for 1st 4-1 home start since
1994 when team was 11-5 & made playoffs. Offense has scored 21+ pts in 3 of
past 4……In 4 home games, QB JEFF GARCIA has 7 TD passes & 2 rushing
TDs vs. 3 INTs ……RBs WILLIAM GREEN & LEE SUGGS have combined
for 134 & 142 rush yards in past 2 home games……In 1st 2 games w/ Browns
after trade from Dallas, WR ANTONIO BRYANT has 6 catches for 69 yards
(11.5 avg.). TEs AARON SHEA & STEVE HEIDEN combined for 138
receiving yards & 1 TD on 15 catches in past 2……In past 3, opponents’
leading rusher averaging 62.0 yards/game. DE EBENEZER EKUBAN tied for
3rd among AFC DEs w/ 5.0 sacks. Club denying 1st down on 30.2 pct. of 3rd
down tries, 2nd-best in AFC……K PHIL DAWSON has kicked club-record 26
FGs in row & is only kicker not to miss this season. Dawson has made 100 of
119 career FG tries, making him NFL’s 2nd-most accurate of all-time, min.
100 FGs made. KR-WR RICHARD ALSTON recorded 93-yd KOR-TD last wk at
Balt. HOUSTON TEXANS (4-4) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (5-3)
STATS
NOTES MATCHUP BETWEEN 2 former No. 1 overall draft selections – Houston
QB DAVID CARR (2002) & Indianapolis QB PEYTON MANNING (1998).
Offenses stand No. 1 (Indy, 38) & No. 2 (Hou., 35) in completing most 20+
yard pass plays in NFL……TEXANS: Club has won 4 of past 6 & are
2-0 in division……In 2 divisional games, QB Carr has completed 42 of 60 (70.0
pct.) for 442 yards & 2 TDs vs. 1 INT for 95.4 passer rating……Last week at
Den., RB DOMANICK DAVIS registered 6th multi-rush TD game in past 16
games played. Davis (5) ties for 5th-most rush TDs in AFC……WR ANDRE
JOHNSON (693) stands 2nd in AFC receiving yards. Johnson had at least 4
catches in each of 2 career games vs. Colts as rookie. Johnson has 111
receptions in 1st 24 games (4.6/game). Since 2002, WR COREY BRADFORD
has 12 TDs w/ avg. length of TD play reaching 43.6 yards. WR JABAR
GAFFNEY has 85+ yards & 5+ catches in past 3 games…… G CHESTER PITTS
has played in all 2,356 offensive plays in Texans history……Club tied for NFL
lead w/ 11 INTs, led by rookie CB DUNTA ROBINSON (No. 10) with 3……COLTS:
Club has never lost to Texans (4-0) & is 11-4 (.733) all-time vs. AFC
South……Head coach TONY DUNGY is NFL-best 39-0 (1.000) when team has
14+ lead. QB Manning has 9 TDs vs. 1 INT in past 2 & has reached 26th TD of
season in fewest games (8) in NFL history. Last week, Manning & WR MARVIN
HARRSION (666) surpassed Buffalo’s JIM KELLY & ANDRE REED
(663) for most completions between teammates in league annals……RB
EDGERRIN JAMES (36) stands tied for 5th among active NFL RBs in 100s. In
past 2 vs. Hou., James has 2 100s (275 yards). WR Harrison reached 800th
career reception last week in 131st game for fewest games played in history
to reach mark. Former record was 154 games (JERRY RICE)……Club rec.
yard leader REGGIE WAYNE (603) & BRANDON STOKLEY (533) are
both are on pace for 1st 1,000-yd seasons of careers. TE MARCUS POLLARD
(33) is Manning’s 2nd-leading career TD receiver & caught 2 last weke vs.
Minn. (Harrison 75) ……DE DWIGHT FREENEY posted 7th career multi-sack
game last week in 39th career game. DETROIT LIONS (4-4) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (5-3)
STATS
NOTES LIONS: Club leads NFL with +11 turnover ratio after finishing even in ’03. Offense has 68.8 red zone TD pct. (16 trips, 11 TDs), 5th in NFL……QB JOEY HARRINGTON has posted 90.0+ passer rating in 3 of past 5 games. Has 13 TD passes & needs 4 to equal career-best 17 in ’03. Has 106.0 4th-quarter passer rating (43-66, 506 yards, 2 INT) & ties for 2nd in NFL with 6 4th quarter TD passes……Rookie 1st-round WR ROY WILLIAMS (No. 7) leads rookies with 5 TDs & avgs. 1 TD every 5.4 receptions. Needs 2 TD catches to tie WILLIE GREEN (7, ’91) for club rookie mark……WR AZ-ZAHIR HAKIM leads clubs with 16.3 yards per catch avg. (24-391). Had 7 catches for 120 yards last week…D-line has posted 19.0 of club’s 23.0 sacks……DE JAMES HALL leads club with career-high 5.5 sacks……Rookie 2nd-round LB TEDDY LEHMAN has started all 8 games……CB FERNANDO BRYANT spent 1st 5 seasons with Jags (1999-03), starting 71 of his 72 games……KR EDDIE DRUMMOND ranks 3rd in NFC with 25.7-yard KR avg. K JASON HANSON has played in 200 games & needs 1 to pass WAYNE WALKER (200) for most in team history......JAGUARS: Team returns from bye. Club is 5-3 after 8 games for 1st time since 1999 (7-1). Third-year QB DAVID GARRARD has completed 34 of 60 (56.7 pct.) career passes, including 2 of 2 in Wk. 7 for 28 yards. Has 1 career NFL start. Threw school-record 60 TDs in 44 games at East Carolina……RB FRED TAYLOR (510) is on pace for 4th 1,000-yard rushing season in past 5 years. Rookie RB GREG JONES (No. 55) is 3-for-3 on converting 3rd & 1 rush attempts into 1st downs……WR JIMMY SMITH leads NFL w/ 13 receptions of 20+ yards & has 100+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4. WR TROY EDWARDS leads club with 10 catches on 3rd down. Offense is 7 of 12 (58.3 pct.) on 4th down conversion tries……LB MIKE PETERSON has led club in tackles 8 games in row, tying club record (HARDY NICKERSON, 2001-02). S DONOVIN DARIUS leads NFL defensive players with 4 FRs. Jaguars are No. 2 in NFL in KO coverage, allowing 17.8 yards per return. Opponents’ avg. drive start after kickoff is 22.6, poorest field position in AFC.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3-5) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-5)
STATS
NOTES CHIEFS: Head coach DICK VERMEIL is 9-2 (.818) in career vs. Saints……QB TRENT GREEN threw for 369 yards last week & needs 1 more 300-yd game to surpass BILL KENNEY (15) for most by KC QB. Green has posted passer rating of 100.0+ in 4 games in row & has compiled 99.0+ passer rating in each of past 3 on road. Club has 28 pass plays of 20+ yards, 7th-most in NFL……In 4 road games, RB PRIEST HOLMES has 410 rush yards (102.5 avg.) & 6 rush TDs. Holmes (892) is NFL’s leading rusher & has 14 more points (90) than next-closest player, including kickers. Has 15 TDs (14 rush, 1 rec.) & next-closest AFC player has 8. RB LARRY JOHNSON had career-high 10 carries last week……WR EDDIE KENNISON (104) & TE TONY GONZALEZ (123) both registered 100+ rec. yards last week. Gonzalez (52) is tied with HOFer DAVE CASPER for 4th-most TD catches by TE in league history & needs 3 TDs to surpass WESLEY WALLS (54) for 3rd-most…...S ERIC WARFIELD (4) tied for 4th-most INTs in AFC……SAINTS: Play 3rd of 4 games in row vs. AFC West (W 31-26 at Oak; L 43-17 at SD; vs. Den, 11/21)……Head coach JIM HASLETT has 38 wins & needs 2 to become 2nd Saint coach with 40 (JIM MORA, 93)……QB AARON BROOKS has 7 career 300-yard passing games, 2nd-most in club history (ARCHIE MANNING, 9). Has thrown 4 INTs in 281 atts for 1.4 INT pct, 4th-best among starters. Has 1,177 career completions & needs 26 & to pass BOBBY HEBERT (1,202) for 2nd-most in club annals……RB DEUCE MC ALLISTER rushed for 63 yards last week, giving him 3,463 career, passing RUEBEN MAYES (3,408) for 3rd-most in team history. Has club-best 18 career 100-yd rush games……WR JOE HORN spent 1st 4 NFL seasons with KC (1996-99), posting 53 receptions for 879 yds. Has 392 catches & 38 TDs with NO & needs 8 catches to become 2nd player in club annals with 400 (ERIC MARTIN, 532) & 2 TDs to become 3rd with 40 (DALTON HILLIARD, 53; Martin, 48). WR JEROME PATHON avgs. career-best 18.1 yds per catch (17 for 307)……DE CHARLES GRANT has 7.5 sacks & needs 2.5 for 2nd 10.0-sack year in row……K JOHN CARNEY has scored 1,490 points & needs 10 for 1,500.BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-3) AT NEW YORK JETS (6-2)
STATS
NOTES RAVENS: Club has won 5 of past 7……Under head coach BRIAN BILLICK (since 1999), Ravens are 42-2 (.956) w/ positive turnover ratio, including 35 wins in row. QB KYLE BOLLER is 10-7 (.588) as starter. Boller has completed 58.6 pct. of passes in past 3 (51 of 87)……RB JAMAL LEWIS has 2 100s in past 4 games & has 302 rush yards in past 2 road games (6.6 per carry avg.). Since 1999, Ravens are 27-6 (.818) w/ 100-yard rusher……After returning from injury, WR TRAVIS TAYLOR has 13 catches in past 2 for 138 yards. TE DANIEL WILCOX has 7 catches & 1 TD in past 2. Wilcox was member of Jets for 10 weeks in ’01, active for 1 game……AFC All-Stars TE TODD HEAP & T JONATHAN OGDEN may return from injury this week……S ED REED posted NFL-record 106-yd INT-TD last week vs. Cle. Club is 5-0 when recording INT. Defense tied w/ Pitt. (17) for allowing fewest 20+ yard pass plays in NFL. Opposing QBs have 62.4 passer rating, lowest in NFL. LB TERRELL SUGGS is 2nd in AFC w/ 7.5 sacks. K MATT STOVER (1,420) needs 3 points to surpass MATT BAHR (1,422) for 14th place on NFL’s all-time scoring list……JETS: Club is 4-0 at home for 1st time since 1985. Under head coach HERMAN EDWARDS, team is 10-3 (.769) in November. Edwards owns 3rd-best Nov. win pct. in NFL history w/ min. of 10 Nov. games coached (JOHN MADDEN, .780; GEORGE ALLEN, .776)……QB QUINCY CARTER started all 16 games for Dallas in 2003 & led team to 10-6 (.625) record & playoffs & has TD pass in 6 starts in row…… RB CURTIS MARTIN ranks 3rd among NFL rushers w/ 865 yards & stands 4th among AFC RBs w/ 25 receptions. Martin 2nd in NFL w/ 56 1st downs (50 rush). Club tied for 3rd-fewest fumbles in AFC (4)……WR JUSTIN MC CAREINS has TD catch in consecutive games. WR SANTANA MOSS posted career-high 157 receiving yards last week vs. Buffalo. WR WAYNE CHREBET has catch of 25+ yards in 4 of past 6……Team No. 4 in AFC in points-per-game differential (+5.9). DE JOHN ABRAHAM has 7.5 sacks in past 6 gms, leads NFL w/ 8.5. Rookie LB JONATHAN VILMA (No. 12) & Ravens LB RAY LEWIS both attended Miami of Fla. Defense tied for 4th-most INTs in AFC (9). SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-3) AT ST. LOUIS RAMS (4-4)
STATS
NOTES SEAHAWKS: Club averages 141.4 rushing yards per game, 5th in NFL……Head coach MIKE HOLMGREN has 58-38 (.604) record vs. division opponents in 13 years as head coach……QB MATT HASSELBECK has 59 career TD passes & needs 1 to become 3rd Seahawk with 60. Has 65.5 comp. pct. (38 of 58) in past 2 games……RB SHAUN ALEXANDER seeks 3rd 150-yard rushing game in row. Has 355 yards in past 2 & needs 121 yards for 4th consecutive 1,000-yard season. Has 55 career rushing TDs & needs 1 to pass CURT WARNER (55) for team record. WR DARRELL JACKSON has 298 career receptions & needs 2 for 300. Had 114 yards on 5 catches (2 TDs) last week, his 12th career 100-yard game. Needs 100-yard game to pass JOEY GALLOWAY (12) for 3rd most in team history. WR KOREN ROBINSON ranks 2nd on team with 29 catches (445 yards). TE JERRAMY STEVENS has 19 catches for 200 yards & needs 53 yards for career-high (252, ’02)……Club has 1+ INT in 13 consecutive games & leads NFL with 12. Defense allows 16.3 1st downs per game, 4th-fewest in league……LB ANTHONY SIMMONS scored 2nd career TD on 23-yard INT vs. SF. RAMS: Offense avgs. 6.0 yards per play, 3rd-most in NFL……MIKE MARTZ is 19-7 (.731) vs. division foes as head coach……QB MARC BULGER has 22-8 (.733) record as starter. Has multiple TD pass games in 15 of 30 starts. Avgs. 283.8 pass yards per game & club has 7-2 mark when he passes for 300 yards. Has 48 career TD passes & needs 2 for 50. Has 60.0+ comp. pct. in 17 of past 23 games……RB MARSHALL FAULK had 88 yards from scrimmage last week, giving him 18,256 career, passing BARRY SANDERS (18,190) for 4th all-time. Rookie RB STEVEN JACKSON avgs. 5.3 yards per carry & has 261 rush yards, 2nd among NFL rookies......WR ISAAC BRUCE has 4 100-yard games in ’04 & needs 1 for his 3rd season with 5+ 100s & 1st since ’96. WR TORRY HOLT leads club with 5 TDs. Second-year WR SHAUN MC DONALD has 16 catches for 245 yards & avgs. team-best 15.3 yards per catch……DE LEONARD LITTLE has 47.5 career sacks & needs 2.5 for 50…….Second-year LB PISA TINOISAMOA has 7-career 10 tackle games. CHICAGO BEARS (3-5) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (3-5)
STATS
NOTES BEARS: Rookie 5th-round QB CRAIG KRENZEL has 2-0 mark as starter after passing for 144 yards & 1 TD last week……RB THOMAS JONES has 702 yards from scrimmage (511 rush, 191 rec) & accounts for 33.9 pct. (702 of 2,070) of club’s total production. Has team-leading 26 receptions & bids to become 1st Bear to lead team in rushing & receptions since NEAL ANDERSON in ’89 (1,275 rush, 50 rec). Has 511 rushing yards & needs 117 yards for career best (627, ’03). Is perfect 5 of 5 converting 3rd & 1 rushing attempts. RB ANTHONY THOMAS made 1st start of season vs. Giants, rushing for 110 yards (2 TDs). Has rushed for 208 yards in past 2 games……WR DAVID TERRELL has team-leading 361 receiving yards (22 catches) & averages career-best 16.4 yards per catch……Defense hold opponents to 40.0 red zone TD pct. (30 trips, 12 TDs), 2nd in NFC……DE ALEX BROWN posted the 3rd 4.0-sack game in team history last week. LB BRIAN URLACHER has 4.0 sacks in 6 games, 2nd among NFC LBs……Rookie 4th round CB NATHAN VASHER has started past 5 games & has 3 INTs……TITANS: Team has won 6 of past 7 vs. NFC. Since ‘97, head coach JEFF FISHER has led Titans to 22-8 (.733) interconference record……QB STEVE MC NAIR is 15-4 (.789) in past 19 vs. NFC with TD pass in 17 of those 19. Has 28 TDs vs. 10 INTs in those 19 vs. NFC. In past 2 games, QB BILLY VOLEK has completed 38 of 68 passes for 55.9 pct……In 1st season as starter, RB CHRIS BROWN is tied for NFL’s 5th-leading rusher with 810 yards & 4.9-per-carry avg. Brown also has 17 catches for 128 yards & ties for 3rd in AFC total yards (938). Club has lost 3 fumbles, tied for fewest in AFC……WR DERRICK MASON leads NFL WRs with 52 catches. In 4 of past 7 games, Mason has 8+ catches. WR DREW BENNETT has already equaled career-high in receptions (33) for season. Rookie TE BEN TROUPE (No. 40) has 13 catches……S LAMONT THOMPSON has 3 INTs, tied for 4th-most in AFC. DE KEVIN CARTER (2.5) & rookie DE TRAVIS LA BOY (2.5) tie for club-high in sacks. LaBoy had 2.0 sacks vs. Minn. in Week 7……P CRAIG HENTRICH leads AFC with 40.0 net & only 3 TBs on 32 punts.CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-5) AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-5)
STATS
NOTES TEAMS MEET IN WASHINGTON for 1st time in 19 years (1985)……BENGALS: Club has won 2 of past 3…...Head coach MARVIN LEWIS was Redskins assistant head coach & defensive coordinator in 2002……QB CARSON PALMER posted 94.8 passer rating last week & 1st career rushing TD in win vs. Dallas. Palmer has 50+ yard completion 3 games in row……RB RUDI JOHNSON has 95+ rush yards in 4 of past 6. In past 5 vs. NFC, Johnson has 4.7-yard per carry avg. (93 for 434) w/ 4 TDs…...In past 3, WR CHAD JOHNSON has 21 catches for 290 yards & 1 TD. TE MATT SCHOBEL had career-long 76-yard catch (TD) last week……Club owns +7 turnover ratio, 4th-best in AFC……Rookie S MADIEU WILLIAMS (No. 56) attended Maryland & grew up in Lanham, MD, 5 miles from FedEx Field. Williams has INT in 2 games in row & is tied for 2nd on club w/ 32 tackles. CB TORY JAMES has 4 INTs in past 4 games & leads NFL w/ 5…… K SHAYNE GRAHAM was 4-for-4 in FG tries last week & is tied for 2nd-most points (68) among AFC kickers…… REDSKINS: Head coach JOE GIBBS has 30-15 (.667) record vs. AFC opponents……QB MARK BRUNELL has 103.4 passer rating in past 8 games vs. Bengals (136 of 218, 1,500 yards), tossing 16 TD passes vs. 2 INTs & posting 7-1 record. Had career-best 4 TD passes vs. Cin on 11/29/98.……RB CLINTON PORTIS has rushed for 810 yards & is on pace for club-record 1,620 yards . Rushed for 120 yards (24 carries) including 2 TDs, in only career game vs. Bengals (9/7/03, w/Den). Ranks 3rd in NFC with 961 yards from scrimmage (810 rush, 151 rec)……WR LAVERANUES COLES has 5 catches of 20+ yards & 29 1st downs. WR ROD GARNDER leads team with 5 TDs & ranks 2nd on club with 26 catches for 383 yards……Rookie 3rd-round TE CHRIS COOLEY leads all rookie TEs with 2 TD catches……Defense ranks 1st overall (261.0), 3rd vs. run (84.0) & 5th vs. pass (177.0). Opponents converting 26.8 pct. on 3rd downs (30 of 112), lowest pct. in NFL……CB SHAWN SPRINGS has notched career-high 3.0 sacks & ties for NFL lead among DBs. CB WALT HARRIS scored on 13-yard blocked PR vs. Det.NEW YORK GIANTS (5-3) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-5)
STATS
NOTES TEAMS MEET FOR 120TH TIME……GIANTS: Club seeks 4th consecutive road win for 1st time since ’00. Team leads NFC & ties for 2nd in NFL with 13 rushing TDs……QB KURT WARNER has 40-18 (.690) record as NFL starter & makes 1st career start vs. Cards. Has 65.0+ comp. pct. in 4 of 8 games……RB TIKI BARBER needs 180 yards rushing for 4th-career & 3rd consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season. Leads NFL with 1,231 yards from scrimmage (820 rush & 411 rec). Has 100+ yards rushing or receiving in 6 of 1st 8 games. Has 18-career 100-yard rushing games & needs 1 to tie JOE MORRIS (19) for most in club history……WR AMANI TOOMER has reception in club-record 91 games in row. Has 449 career receptions, 2nd to Barber (453) in club annals……TE JEREMY SHOCKEY has 5+ catch games in 5 of past 7 & ties for NFC lead among TEs with 3 TD catches……Defense has intercepted 4.0 pct. of opponents’ pass attempts (10 of 248), 4th-best in NFL……DT FRED ROBBINS had 2 sacks last week & has career-high 4, tied for 3rd-most among NFL DTs……Rookie 5th-round S GIBRIL WILSON ties for NFL rookie lead with 3 INTs & NFL lead among DBs with 3 sacks. CARDINALS: Club has forced 20 turnovers, tied with NYG for 2nd-most in NFL (Cin)……QB JOSH MC COWN has 60.0+ comp. pct. & 0 INTs in 4 of 8 starts in ‘04……RB EMMITT SMITH is NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 17,983 yards & needs 17 to become 1st player with 18,000. With 565 yards in 8 games, is on pace for his NFL record 12th 1,000-yard season. Has 19 TD runs vs. NYG, his 3rd-most vs. any club. RB TROY HAMBRICK avgs. 4.8 yards per carry (53 for 252)……WR ANQUAN BOLDIN has 5+ catches in 13 of 18 career games. WR LARRY FITZGERALD ranks 2nd among rookie WRs with 31 rec. & 463 rec. yards. Had game-winning 2-yard TD catch last week. Second-year WR BRYANT JOHNSON has 29 catches (275 yards) & needs 7 to surpass rookie total (35 for 438)……TE FREDDIE JONES has 382 career catches, 2nd among active TEs (TONY GONZALEZ, 511)…...Defense hold foes to 33.3 red zone TD pct. (30 trips, 10 TDs), best in NFL. Club has 18.0 sacks after finishing ’03 with 21.0. Second-year DE CALVIN PACE ranks 2nd on club with 4.0 sacks……CB DUANE STARKS had 41-yard INT TD, his 2nd career & 1st with club.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (5-3) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-4)
STATS
NOTES AFTER 85 MEETINGS, clubs separated by 115 points (GB
1,730-1,615)……VIKINGS: QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER has 20-TD
pass season for 3rd time in 6-year career. Has 137.0 rating on 3rd downs
(52-69, 738 yards, 11 TDs, 2 INTs), best in NFL……Rookie RB MEWELDE MOORE
leads rookies with 376 rushing yards & ranks 2nd with 614 yards from
scrimmage. RB MICHAEL BENNETT has 8 career 100-yard rushing games,
including 3 vs. Packers. RB ONTERRIO SMITH avgs. 5.1 yards per carry
(55-278) & scored on 24-yard TD run last week……WR RANDY MOSS has 15
TDs in past 12 games. Has 39 career 100-yard games & needs 1 to tie CRIS
CARTER for team record. Club has 28-11 record when Moss tops 100. In 12
games vs. Packers, has 64 catches for 1,213 yards & 11 TDs. Second-year
WR NATE BURLESON has team-leading 426 rec. yards & needs 30 to surpass
’03 rookie total (455). Had 91-yard PR TD vs. Ind, 2nd-longest in team
history……Second-year DT KEVIN WILLIAMS leads NFL DTs with 6 sacks……GREEN
BAY: After starting year 1-4, club has won 3 games in row… Team
converts 50.9 pct. (54 of 106) on 3rd downs, 2nd in NFL……QB BRETT FAVRE
expected to play in 200th consecutive game & make 198th consecutive start.
Has thrown TD pass in 33 games in row, 2nd-longest streak all-time (JOHNNY
UNITAS, 47)……RB AHMAN GREEN ranks 9th in NFL with 890 yards from
scrimmage (719 rushing, 171 receiving)……WR JAVON WALKER leads league
with career-best 783 yards receiving. His 46 receptions ranks 5th in NFC.
Leads NFL with 321 3rd down receiving yards (17 catches)…...TE BUBBA
FRANKS has 171 career catches & needs 5 to pass RICH MC GEORGE
(175) for 4th-most among GB TEs ……Defense surrendered 142 points in 1st 5
games & 44 in past 3. Team hold opponents to 29.4 3rd down conversion rate
(25 of 85), 3rd in NFL……DE KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA has 39.5 career sacks
& needs 0.5 to become 4th Packer with 40.0…….S BHAWOH JUE started &
finished with 6 tackles & 1 INT vs. Wash. CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-7) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-7)
STATS
NOTES CLUBS SPENT 1995-01 as members of NFC West……PANTHERS:
Club has surrendered 11.0 sacks, 5th fewest in NFL……QB JAKE DELHOMME
has 12 TD passes & is on pace for career-best 24, which would be 2nd-most in
club history. Has multiple TD passes in 4 of 8 games. Averages 231.5 passing
yards per game & ranks 2nd in NFL with 285 pass attempts……RB STEPHEN
DAVIS has 25 career 100-yard games & seeks 1st vs. 49ers. RB BRAD
HOOVER had 16-yard TD catch vs. Oak…… Rookie 2nd-round WR KEARY
COLBERT (No. 62) averages 16.8 yards per catch, 2nd-most among NFL
rookies. Ranks 2nd on club with 27 catches & 453 receiving yards……WR
MUHSIN MUHAMMAD seeks 3rd consecutive 8-catch game. Has 21 career
100-yard games, including 3 vs. SF, tied for his most vs. any club. Had
career-high 3 TD catches vs. 49ers on 12/18/99……Defense surrenders 185.6
passing yards per game, 3rd-fewest in NFC……DE JULIUS PEPPERS had 2.0
sacks last week, his 5th-career multiple-sack game. DE MIKE RUCKER
has 36.5 career sacks & needs 5.5 to pass KEVIN GREENE (41.5) for
club record. DT BRENTSON BUCKNER played in 45 games with SF from
1998-00……49ERS: Offense has converted 75.0 pct. of 4th down
attempts (6 of 8), tied for 5th-best in NFL……QB TIM RATTAY has
started 5 games this season, posting 90.0+ passer rating in 3 of 5, tossing
9 TDs vs. 4 INTs. Ranks 2nd in NFC & 6th in NFL with 97.2 3rd down passer
rating (27-45, 347 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT)……RB KEVAN BARLOW has 636
yards from scrimmage (484 rush, 152 rec)……WR CURTIS CONWAY leads club
WRs with 29 catches (318 yards). Second-year WR BRANDON LLOYD leads
club with 3 TD catches……TE ERIC JOHNSON ranks 2nd among NFL TEs with
51 catches. Has team-leading 547 yards receiving & is 1st SF TE with 500
receiving yards since BRENT JONES in ’95 (595). Ranks 2nd in NFC with
14 3rd down receptions (165 yards)……DT BRYANT YOUNG has 68.5 career
sacks, most in club history, & needs 1.5 to become 1st 49er with 70……LB
JAMIE WINBORN has team-leading & career-high 4.5 sacks, tops among NFC
LBs. BUFFALO BILLS (3-5) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (7-1)
STATS
NOTES BILLS: Are last AFC East team to beat NE (Wk 1, 2003, 31-0). QB DREW BLEDSOE has 88.0+ passer rating in 3 of past 4 games. Bledsoe (210) needs 3 TDs to surpass HOFers TERRY BRADSHAW (212) & Y.A. TITTLE (212) for 19th most TD passes in NFL history……RB WILLIS MC GAHEE has 100+ rush yards in each of 1st 3 career starts & can tie record for most 100s in consecutive starts to begin career (STUMP MITCHELL, 4). McGahee was college teammate (Miami) of NE rookie DT VINCE WILFORK……WR ERIC MOULDS is 4th in AFC w/ 47 catches & needs 3 receptions for 7th-consecutive 50-catch season. Rookie WR LEE EVANS (No. 13) has 20+ yard catch in 5 of 7 games & 12 of 16 catches have come on 3rd down……Offensive line has not allowed sack in consecutive games……LB LONDON FLETCHER posted 1 FF last week, recovered by Bills; club has scored on past 4 Fletcher FFs recovered by teammate ……CB-KR TERRENCE MC GEE had 98-yard KR-TD in last meeting & leads NFL w/ 2 KR-TDs on season. McGee tops AFC w/ 27.3 KR avg……PATRIOTS: Have won 15 consecutive home games (incl. playoffs). QB TOM BRADY has 41-13 (.759) record, tops in NFL among QBs with 30+ starts. In career, has 20 games with 100.0+ passer rating & Pats are 20-0. Has 4 such games in past 5 vs. Bills. Brady has TD pass in 11 consecutive games, longest streak in AFC……RB COREY DILLON has 3 consecutive 100s. Dillon is AFC’s 4th-leading rusher, averaging 107.0 yards per game played. RB KEVIN FAULK has 20 receptions in past 4 games……WR DAVID GIVENS has 100 rec. yards in 3 consecutive games & 36 of his 37 catches have resulted in 1st downs……LB MIKE VRABEL caught 2-yd TD last week as TE & has 2 TD catches in past 9, including SB XXXVIII. LB TEDY BRUSCHI had 2.0 sacks & game-clinching FF in last meeting (Wk. 4). Defense had 7 sacks vs. Buf. in Wk. 4. CB TY LAW has 36 career INTs & needs 1 to surpass RAYMOND CLAYBORN (36) for club record. Defense is AFC’s best in redzone, allowing 11 TDs on 31 trips (35.5 pct.). MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (7-1) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (3-5)
STATS
NOTES EAGLES: Head coach ANDY REID has 24-13 (.649) division
record as club’s head coach……QB DONOVAN MC NABB has won 4 of past 5
starts vs. Dal, tossing 11 TD passes vs. 1 INT & posting 100.0+ passer
rating in 3……RB BRIAN WESTBROOK returned to action last week after
missing Week 8. Ties for NFL RB lead with 34 rec. (253 yards)……WR TERRELL
OWENS leads NFL with 9 TD receptions. Has 90 career TD catches, tied for
6th-most in NFL history, & multiple-TD games in 2 of past 3 vs. Cowboys. Has
6 catches of 40+ yards, most in NFL. WR TODD PINKSTON has 4 TD
catches vs. Cowboys, his most vs. any opponent. Avgs 17.9 yards per catch in
past 13 games (37 for 662). WR FREDDIE MITCHELL avgs. club-best 17.7
yards per catch (9 for 159)……TE L.J. SMITH has 3 TD catches,
tied for most among NFC TEs……Defense leads NFL with 27.0 sacks & allows 5.9
yards per pass attempt, 5th in NFL……Second-year DT SAM RAYBURN ranks
2nd in NFL among DTs with 5.0 sacks…… COWBOYS: Head coach
BILL PARCELLS has faced Eagles 18 times with 11 decided by 7 points or
less……QB VINNY TESTAVERDE has 260 TD passes & needs 2 to pass DAVE
KRIEG (261) for 8th-most in NFL history. Has 42,994 career passing yards
& needs 47 to pass DAN FOUTS (43,040) for 6th-most all-time. Has
3,498 completions & needs 2 to become 7th player all-time with 3,500……RB
EDDIE GEORGE has 67 career rushing TDs & needs 3 to become 6th active
player with 70. Native of Philly, avgs. 71.5 yards per game vs. hometown
team……WR KEYSHAWN JOHNSON leads club with 4 TD catches & is on pace
for 5th-career 1,000-yard receiving season……Second-year TE JASON WITTEN
has 45 catches (488 yards), 2nd among NFC TEs. Has 5+ catches in 9 of past
13 games…… Club holds foes to 18.0 KR avg, 3rd-lowest in NFL. DENVER, MIAMI, OAKLAND & SAN DIEGO HAVE OPEN DATES IN WEEK 10 DENVER (6-3) : Club is tied with San Diego for best record in AFC West……Club is 60-2 (.968) under head coach MIKE SHANAHAN when scoring 30+ points & is 38-0 (1.000) when scoring 30+ at home……QB JAKE PLUMMER has 8 TDs in past 2 games, 2nd Bronco QB to accomplish feat (CRAIG MORTON, 1981). Plummer stands 2nd in AFC with 2,282 passing yards (PEYTON MANNING, Ind., 2,429)……RB REUBEN DROUGHNS has 4 100s in past 5. Droughns had 30 rush yards through 4 weeks and currently stands 9th in AFC with 678 rushing yards……WR ROD SMITH (677) surpassed SHANNON SHARPE (675) as club’s all-time leading receiver in Wk. 9 & is tied for 7th in AFC with 44 receptions. WR DARIUS WATTS (No. 54) leads AFC rookie WRs with 22 receptions……DE REGGIE HAYWARD paces club w/ 3.5 sacks & team owns +12 sack differential (19 vs. 7). Defense ranked No. 4 overall in NFL (274.2)……K JASON ELAM is 15 of 17 (.882) in FG tries.MIAMI (1-8): Club has sold-out 50 consecutive home games……JIM BATES takes over for DAVE WANNSTEDT as club’s head coach. Bates was team’s defensive coordinator. Dolphins’ defense ranks No. 7 in NFL (295.7)……Offense compiled 403 total yards in Wk 9 vs. Cards, most since gaining 436 on 12/9/02. QB JAY FIEDLER is 37-22 (.627) as starter……RBs TRAVIS MINOR (90) & SAMMY MORRIS (56) accounted for 146 rush yards in Wk. 9 vs. Arizona……WR CHRIS CHAMBERS has 2 100s in past 3. TE RANDY MC MICHAEL stands 4th in NFL among TEs in catches (43) & 3rd in receiving yards (551). McMichael aims to surpass 1994 stats of KEITH JACKSON to become Dolphins’ single-season leading TE in catches (59) and yards (673). Defense has not allowed 300-yard passer in 23 games, longest active streak in NFL. LB ZACH THOMAS (120) has already registered 9th consecutive 100-tackle season & is on pace to surpass personal best 195 tackles (2002). Defense allowing AFC’s lowest percentage of 3rd down conversions (28.2), 2nd-lowest in NFL. OAKLAND (3-6): QB KERRY COLLINS has 230+ passing yards in past 3 games & is completing 55.4 pct. of 4th quarter passes (41 of 74)……RB TYRONE WHEATLEY has 3 rushing TDs in past 2 games. Wheatley is 5 for 5 in 3rd & 1 rush attempts. RB AMOS ZEREOUE has 3 TDs through 9 games; scored 2 TDs in all of 2003 w/ Steelers. Zereoue has catch in 8 consecutive games……WR JERRY PORTER has 4+ catches in 6 of 8 games. WR RONALD CURRY stands 6th in AFC w/ 13 catches on 3rd down w/ 2 TDs. WR DOUG GABRIEL averages 17.9 yards per catch on 19 receptions. TE DOUG JOLLEY has 147 rec. yards on 10 catches & 1 TD in past 3……Defense ranks 4th in AFC in rush yards allowed per attempt (3.7). D-linemen TED WASHINGTON, WARREN SAPP, & TYLER BRAYTON have started every game this season……P SHANE LECHLER leads NFL with 48.5 avg. on 37 punts. No punter in history has averaged 50.0 yards for season. SAN DIEGO (6-3): Among AFC, team stands 3rd in points per game (29.1) & 2nd in TDs scored (32). Chargers lead NFL in average point differential (+9.9)……QB DREW BREES is NFL’s No. 3-rated passer (108.7). Brees has 9 TDs w/o INT in past 2 games. Brees owns league’s 2nd-best 4th qtr passer rating of 120.5 & among AFC passers on 3rd down stands 4th (102.9)……RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON has rushing TD in 8 of 9 games, including past 6 in row. Among NFL’s top 50 rushers, RB JESSE CHATMAN has second-highest 7.2 yard-per-carry avg……TE ANTONIO GATES leads all NFL players with 54 catches & is league’s leading 3rd down receiver w/ 19 receptions. Gates’ 8 TD catches tied for 2nd-most in NFL…….Club’s +8 turnover ratio is tied for 2nd-best in AFC. Only defense in NFL not to allow run of 20+ yards. LB STEVE FOLEY ranks 2nd among AFC LBs w/ 6.0 sacks, including 1.5 in last game vs. NO……Rookie K NATE KAEDING (No. 65) is tied for 2nd among AFC kickers in scoring (68).
LAST WEEK’S NFL RESULTS (NOV. 7-8) Byes: Atlanta, Green Bay, Jacksonville, Tennessee Sunday, November 7
Sunday, November 7, cont.’d 2004 NFL STANDINGS
WEEK 10 NFL SCHEDULE – NOVEMBER 14-15 Byes: Denver, Miami, Oakland, San Diego
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