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FOR USE AS DESIRED PRESSURE MOUNTS AS NFL HEADS INTO DECEMBER; December’s here. Pressure’s up! With five weeks left to the 2004 NFL season, everybody is staying positive, but everybody is feeling the pressure. The 12 playoff spots are starting to fill up. One was taken last week (Philadelphia), and one can be earned this week (Atlanta). "Who knows what can happen?" says JULIUS PEPPERS of the Carolina Panthers, who have won three in a row. The Green Bay Packers, winners Monday night over St. Louis, are a perfect example of that "who knows?" philosophy. Now 7-4 and tied with Minnesota for the NFC North lead, the Packers are bidding to become the ninth team in history to start the season at 1-4 and make the playoffs. Last week, the Eagles clinched their fourth division title in a row. This week, the Falcons can take the NFC South crown with a win or tie at Tampa Bay. It would make enthusiastic head coach JIM MORA – who runs the stadium steps for a workout before every game -- a division winner in his first year at the Falcons’ helm. "We’re 9-2 and we’re for real," says Atlanta tight end ALGE CRUMPLER, who caught Sunday’s game-winning TD pass from MICHAEL VICK. On Monday, the Falcons rewarded their leading receiver with a contract extension. So as the NFL enters December, here are key Week 13 games for clubs trying to prove they are "for real": CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-6) at BALTIMORE RAVENS (7-4): Can Cincy pull off another point explosion against the vaunted Ravens defense? Last week, the Bengals (58) and Cleveland Browns (48) combined for the second most points (106) in an NFL game, scoring 13 touchdowns and amassing 966 total yards, the fourth most in a game this season. "It was crazy, just crazy," said Cincy running back RUDI JOHNSON, who ran for 202 yards. Now it’s on to Baltimore – where the Bengals have lost seven of the eight games against the Ravens – to face linebacker RAY LEWIS and his stingy crew that have allowed only 164 points this season, tying Philadelphia for the fewest in the league. In their last seven games, the Ravens have scored four defensive touchdowns and surrendered only six, including COREY DILLON’s one-yard run Sunday in New England’s 24-3 victory. "They're a tough defense," says former Bengal Dillon. "They’re known for intimidating people." Matchup to watch: NT KELLY GREGG, the Ravens’ top run stuffer, against the middle of the Bengals’ line. He missed the last meeting between the teams on September 26 and Rudi Johnson ran for 98 yards. GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-4) at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-1): The Cheeseheads vs. the Cheesesteaks. In other words, a replay of last season’s pulsating NFC Divisional Playoff game won in overtime by the Eagles 20-17. The visiting Packers took a 14-0 first-quarter lead before Philly tied it at 14 early in the fourth. With Green Bay ahead 17-14 with 2:21 left, Philly started a march on its own 20. With 1:12 left, quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB fired a fourth-down 28-yard bullet to FREDDIE MITCHELL to the Green Bay 46. With 10 seconds left, DAVID AKERS’ 37-yard field goal tied it at 17 and put things into overtime. NFL FACTOID BEN-MANIA!: Forget all those "Roethlis-bergers" the Pittsburgh Steelers’ faithful are scarfing down in honor of their rookie quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER, who has equaled (9, tying JOE FERGUSON, 1973; and CHRIS CHANDLER, 1988) the NFL record for most wins by a rookie quarterback. The new hot item in Pittsburgh is a black Reebok T-shirt imprinted with that familiar yellow diamond-shaped construction sign that reads -- "BEN AT WORK." After a three-and-out by the Eagles, Packers quarterback BRETT FAVRE’s pass intended for JAVON WALKER was intercepted by BRIAN DAWKINS. Six plays later, Akers’ 31-yarder put the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. Favre said it was one of his toughest losses ever. But that was then. This is now. McNabb ranks in the top five in nine of 10 NFC passing categories. Favre – fresh off his 200th consecutive start – is in the top five in seven of the spots. The man who has coached them both – Philly head coach ANDY REID (seeking his 67th Eagles victory, most in club annals) – says the two are quite similar. "Both can be the funniest guy in the locker room," says Reid, "yet the most serious guy in the huddle." Matchup to watch: The Eagles will test the Packers’ first-round draft choice of this year, CB AHMAD CARROLL, with WR TERRELL OWENS, who has the most TD receptions (13) in the NFL. Carroll comes off a fumble-return-TD and one-interception Monday night. DENVER BRONCOS (7-4) at SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (8-3): Denver has defeated the AFC West-leading Chargers seven out of the past nine times the teams have met, and by an average of a three-TD margin the last three times, including 23-13 this past September 26. But from that game on, the Bolts ignited, winning seven of their past eight, including five in a row. Chargers quarterback DREW BREES is the league’s third-ranked passer (108.0), has thrown 18 touchdowns with one interception in his past eight games, and has formed a lethal tandem with tight end ANTONIO GATES, who is second in the league in receptions (69) and tied for second in TD catches (11). "Things are so much better now because guys can’t just focus on me" says Chargers running back LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON, who is tied for second in the league with 11 rushing TDs. "They’ve got many other weapons to worry about. It feels good to look up and Drew hits Antonio way down the field, or KEENAN MC CARDELL." Of course, the Broncs have weapons too. Quarterback JAKE PLUMMER – 8-2 against the AFC West in his two years in Denver – is tied with Favre for the fourth-most TD passes in the league (22) while being sacked only seven times, third fewest in the league. And surprise running back REUBEN DROUGHNS, who entered 2004 with the grand total of 97 rushing yards in four NFL seasons, is on pace for 1,376. Fourth-quarter matchup: Something’s got to give in the final quarter. The Chargers – the league’s second-highest-scoring club (319 points behind Indianapolis’ 380) have registered more points in the fourth quarter than any other (86, third-most in the NFL). The Broncos have allowed the NFL’s third fewest fourth-quarter points (38). PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-1) at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (6-5) (Sunday, ESPN, 8:30 PM ET): Ben vs. Byron. Two MAC quarterbacks who have made the season exciting. The Steelers’ BEN ROETHLISBERGER (Miami of Ohio) can set a rookie QB record for wins this week (10). Second-year pro BYRON LEFTWICH (Marshall) has led the Jags to five last-minute wins. He tops the AFC passers in third-down completion percentage (65.9), with Roethlisberger No. 2 (65.4). The Steelers have a three-game lead in the AFC North. The Jaguars are battling it out in the AFC South, two games behind Indianapolis. "People ask if Pittsburgh is the biggest game of the season," says Jacksonville running back FRED TAYLOR. "All of them are big, and are going to get bigger and bigger." Jaguars head coach JACK DEL RIO says he will try to give Taylor even more than the 22 carries he had against Minnesota last week (for almost 7.0 yards a carry; 22 for 147 [6.7]). Pittsburgh’s No. 1-ranked NFL rush defense (75.4, one 100-yard-game allowed) will have something to say about that. DALLAS COWBOYS (4-7) at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (6-5) (Monday, ABC, 9:00 PM ET): Run, Shaun. Run, Julius. That could be the simple strategy for both clubs Monday night. And why not? The NFC West first-place Seahawks – coming off a 38-9 loss to Buffalo that head coach MIKE HOLMGREN has told his team to use as inspiration to show they are better than they played – will look to pound the NFL’s rushing leader, SHAUN ALEXANDER (1,190 yards), early and often to take a lead. Dallas’ BILL PARCELLS may well have the same idea for rookie JULIUS JONES, who rushed 33 times for 150 yards and two TDs on Thanksgiving in only his third NFL game. He has fresh September legs in December. And speaking of December, the two head coaches have always done well in the month. Parcells (39-22) and Holmgren (33-17) have combined for a .649 (72-39) winning percentage in the NFL’s final month. WEEK 13 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5 CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-6) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (7-4)
STATS
NOTES GAME FEATURES 2 QBs drafted in 1st round of 2003 NFL Draft –
Cincinnati’s CARSON PALMER (No. 1) & Baltimore’s KYLE BOLLER
(No. 19)……BENGALS: Head coach MARVIN LEWIS was
defensive coordinator for Ravens from 1996-01 & helped team to SB XXXV
championship; club allowed 165 points, lowest in NFL history (16-game
schedule). Club scored 58 points last week, most since 1989……QB Palmer threw
for 316 yards in last meeting, including career-best 52 attempts & 25
completions. Last week vs. Browns, had career-high 4 TDs……RB RUDI JOHNSON
rushed for career-high 202 yards last week (2 TDs) & had 98 yards in Week
3……WR CHAD JOHNSON led team with 8 receptions (99 yards) in last
meeting & had 10 catches for 117 yards (1 TD) last week. WR T.J.
HOUSHMANDZADEH had team-best & career-high 116 yards (7 catches) in Week
3 & had 2 TDs last week……Team has 3rd-most INTs in NFL (15) INTs, paced by
league leader TORY JAMES (7). CB DELTHA O’NEAL had 31-yard INT-TD
last week……RAVENS: Head coach BRIAN BILLICK is 9-2
(.818) in career vs. Cin……QB Boller had 1st 300-yard game (302) vs. Bengals
(10/19/03) & posted 100.7 passer rating in Week 3 meeting. Boller is 12-8
(.600) in 20 career starts……RB JAMAL LEWIS rushed for 186 yards on 18
carries (10.3 avg.), including 75-yard TD in last meeting. Lewis has 100+
yards in all 7 games vs. Bengals. Ravens are 19-5 (.792) when Lewis has 100+
rush yds……WR RANDY HYMES led team with 4 catches & 61 yards in last
meeting, including 38-yard TD. WR KEVIN JOHNSON is 2nd on club in
catches (23)……In past 2 mtgs, defense has forced 9 turnovers. In last game
vs. Cincinnati, S ED REED had 2 INTs & 90 return yds (45.0 avg.).
Stands 2nd in NFL w/ 6 INTs & has 48.3 return avg. In career, has 18 INTs &
32.7 return avg., highest in NFL history. Club allowing 14.4 points/gm,
2nd-fewest in NFL & is 7-0 on season when recording INT. Team has 17 sacks
in past 5 vs. Cin. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-4) AT CHICAGO BEARS (4-7)
STATS
NOTES VIKINGS: Head coach MIKE TICE is 10-5 vs. NFC North……QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER has NFL best 130.9 rating on 3rd downs (66-90, 907 yards, 14 TDs, 3 INTs) & club converts 52.2 pct. (71 of 136) on 3rd down, tops in NFL. Has 28 TD passes & needs 6 to tie team record (RANDALL CUNNINGHAM, 34)……Rookie RB MEWELDE MOORE ranks 3rd among rookies with 376 rushing yards. RB ONTERRIO SMITH rushed for 242 yards in last 2 vs. Bears, avging 5.5 yards per carry……WR RANDY MOSS returned from injury last week & had 2-yard TD catch. Has 16 TDs in past 13 games. Has 39 career 100-yard games & needs 1 to tie CRIS CARTER for team record. Club is 28-11 when Moss tops 100. Has 82 catches in 13 games vs. Bears (1,122 yards), his most vs. any club. Second-year WR NATE BURLESON has team-leading & career-high 640 rec. yards. WR MARCUS ROBINSON spent 1998-02 with Chi, posting 1,400 yards (84 rec.) in ’99, most in Chi history……TE JERMAINE WIGGINS has career-high with 47 rec. (465 yards) & needs 3 to become 3rd Viking TE with 50-catch year since ‘90……Second-year DT KEVIN WILLIAMS ranks 2nd among NFL DTs with 7 sacks BEARS: Club’s last 7 wins in series by 8 points or less……QB CHAD HUTCHINSON makes 1st start for Bears. Spent spring of ’04 with NFL Europe’s Rhein Fire, posting 80.1 rating & tossing league-low 4 INTs……RB THOMAS JONES has 616 rushing yards & needs 12 for career best (627, ’03). Has 36 rec. (262 yards), 4th among NFC RBs. Rushed for 110 yards in last game vs. Min……Rookie 3rd-round WR BERNARD BERRIAN ties for team-lead with 2 TD catches & avgs. 16.0 yards per catch (9 for 144). WR DAVID TERRELL has team-leading 482 rec. yards (28 catches) & avgs. career-best 17.2 yards per catch……DE ALEX BROWN has 5 sacks in past 4 games. DE ADEWALE OGUNLEYE had 2 sacks in last meeting. Rookie 1st-round DT TOMMIE HARRIS has 3.5 sacks, most among NFL rookie DTs……Rookie 4th-round CB NATHAN VASHER ties for NFL rookie lead with 4 INTs & ranks 3rd in NFC with 139 INT return yards.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-1) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-8)
STATS
NOTES PATRIOTS: Head coach BILL BELICHICK was Browns head coach
(1991-95) & guided 1994 team to 11-5 (.688) record & Wild Card win over Pats
(20-13). Under Belichick, NE is 47-1 (.979) w/ 14+ point lead. Team has
scored 1st in NFL-record 16 games in row……QB TOM BRADY is 32-4 (.889)
as starter after Nov. 1 in career (incl. playoffs). Brady is 18-1 (.947) in
games decided by 6 points or less……RB COREY DILLON has 98+ rush yards
in 6 consecutive games. Dillon has 6 rush TDs over past 6 games. In past 10
vs. Cle, Dillon has 5 100s: 192, 168, 140, 137, & 108……WR DAVID PATTEN
(5) & TE DANIEL GRAHAM (5) tie for club-high in TD catches. Patten
played 14 gms for Cle. in 2000, catching 38 passes for 546 yards (14.4
avg.). In last meeting, Graham posted career-highs in catches (7) & yards
(110) & earned AFC Offensive Player of Week honors……LB WILLIE MC GINEST
leads team & stands 3rd among NFL LBs in sacks (6.5). Team registered 4
sacks last wk vs. Balt. DE JARVIS GREEN recorded 1st career TD last
wk on FR in endzone ……K ADAM VINATIERI has made 21 FGs in row,
including 3-for-3 last wk on sloppy field ……BROWNS: Interim
head coach TERRY ROBISKIE makes debut, was 1-2 as Redskins interim
head coach (2000). NFL interim head coaches are 10-15 (.400) in their debuts
since 1985……Last wk, QB KELLY HOLCOMB became 4th QB in club history
to pass for 5 TDs in game & 1st since BRIAN SIPE (10/7/79 vs. Pitt.).
Holcomb passed for 413 yds last wk, 3rd-most in club history & most since
BERNIE KOSAR passed for 414 yds vs. Pitt. on 11/23/86……RB WILLIAM
GREEN posted 5.0-yd avg. last wk on 15 carries w/ 1 TD……Joining team 5
games ago via trade, WR ANTONIO BRYANT is 4th on club w/ 19 catches,
including career-high 8 receptions for 131 yards & 2 TDs. TE STEVE HEIDEN
scored career-high 3 TDs last week. Heiden (4) & TE AARON SHEA (4)
vie to become 1st Browns TE to record 5 TDs in season since OZZIE NEWSOME
(1985)……Only team to limit NE to less than 10 points during NE’s 21-game win
streak in 9-3 loss (10/26/03). DE EBENEZER EKUBAN has 1.0 sack in 3
of past 6. Browns are 2-0 at home when CB ANTHONY HENRY has INT. ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-7) AT DETROIT LIONS (4-7)
STATS
NOTES CARDINALS: Club’s past 8 wins in series by 7 points or less. Team has forced 21 turnovers after forcing 23 in ’03…… Rookie 7th-round QB JOHN NAVARRE expected to make 1st NFL start. Three-year starter at Michigan, finished as school record holder with 9,254 pass yards & 72 TD passes, posting 31-11 record (.738) as starter……Rookie free agent RB LARRY CROOM makes 1st NFL start. Rushed for 932 yards as senior at UNLV……Second-year WR ANQUAN BOLDIN made NFL debut in last meeting vs. Det, posting 10 catches for 217 yards (2 TDs), most yards by player in 1st game in NFL history. Has 5+ catches in 16 of 21 career games. Rookie 1st-round WR LARRY FITZGERALD (No. 3) ranks 2nd among NFL rookie WRs with 41 receptions (578 yards). Second-year WR BRYANT JOHNSON has 32 rec. (307 yards) & needs 4 to surpass rookie total (35 for 438)……TE FREDDIE JONES has 392 career catches & needs 8 to become 2nd active TE with 400 (TONY GONZALEZ, 532)…...Defense hold foes to 41.7 red zone TD pct. (36 trips, 15 TDs), 2nd-best in NFC. DE BERTRAND BERRY is 1st Card with 10.0 sacks since ’99 (SIMEON RICE, 16.5)……Rookie 2nd-round LB KARLOS DANSBY leads NFL rookie LBs with 4.0 sacks……LIONS: Club has +5 turnover ratio after finishing even in ’03……QB JOEY HARRINGTON has TD pass in 9 of 11 games. Has 14 TD passes & needs 3 to equal career-best 17 in ’03. Has 90.3 4th-quarter passer rating (48-81, 574 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT), 4th-best in NFC. QB MIKEMC MAHON completed 11 of 15 attempts for 77 yards vs. Colts……Rookie
1st-round RB KEVIN JONES (No. 30) rushed for 99 yards on 12 carries
vs. Indy & 280 in past 3 games. His 507 rushing yards lead NFL
rookies……Rookie 1st-round WR ROY WILLIAMS (No. 7) leads all NFL
rookies with 5 TDs, despite missing 2 games (ankle). Needs 2 TD catches to
tie WILLIE GREEN (7, ’91) for club rookie mark….. WR AZ-ZAHIR
HAKIM leads club with 16.3 yards per catch (24 catches for 391
yards)……D-line has posted 22.5 of club’s 29.0 sacks…… DE JAMES HALL
leads club with career-high 8.5 sacks……Rookie 2nd-round LB TEDDY LEHMAN
is only NFL rookie LB to start every game & ranks 2nd on club with 74
tackles……CB DRE BLY had 1st INT with Lions in last meeting vs. Ariz,
returning INT 48 yards for TD. TENNESSEE TITANS (4-7) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-3)
STATS
NOTES GAME FEATURES 2003 co-MVPs: Indianapolis QB PEYTON MANNING
& Tennessee QB STEVE MC NAIR…… TITANS: Head coach
JEFF FISHER is 48-32 (.600) in career vs. division foes. Offense gained
389 yards in Wk 2 mtg vs. Colts……QB McNair is 37-24 (.607) vs. division as
starter. Has 5 TDs vs. 1 INT in career vs. Colts……RB CHRIS BROWN
rushed for 152 yards on 26 atts (5.8 avg.) & had 20-yard TD run in last
meeting. Has 5 100-yd games in 2004 ……WR DERRICK MASON leads NFL with
70 receptions. Led club with 8 catches for 104 yards (13.0 avg.) in Week 2.
WR DREW BENNETT added 7 catches for 85 yards in last meeting. TE
ERRON KINNEY had season-high 6 catches vs. Colts in Week 2……In earlier
meeting, Titans had 34:55-25:05 TOP edge……Team has 10 sacks in past 3.
Rookie DE RANDY STARKS (No. 71) had 2.0 sacks last week & has 4.5
this year, 2nd-most among rookies. Rookie DE TRAVIS LA BOY (No. 42)
has 3.5 sacks on season. CB ANDRE DYSON (4) needs 1 INT to set
career-high……COLTS: Team has scored 24+ points every game.
Head coach TONY DUNGY ties Titans’ Fisher w/ NFL’s best record since
1999: 60-31 (.659)……Last wk, QB Manning set NFL record w/ 5th gm in row w/
4+ TD passes. Has 41 TD passes & reached 40 TDs faster than any QB (11 gms).
Needs 8 TDs to pass DAN MARINO (48) for single-season record. Tops
NFL w/ 126.6 passer rtg; single-season record is 112.8……RB EDGERRIN JAMES
leads AFC w/ 1,186 rush yds. Ran for 124 yds & 2 TDs in last mtg……WR
MARVIN HARRISON (11) is NFL’s only player w/ 10+ TDs in past 6 yrs.
Manning & Harrison have connected for 79 TD passes, tied for 2nd in NFL
history (DAN MARINO & MARK CLAYTON, Miami). WR REGGIE WAYNE
has 6 TDs in past 5 & has TD in 4 of 5 at home. Club can be 1st in
history to have 3 players w/ 10+ receiving TDs: Harrison (11), Wayne (9),
WR BRANDON STOKLEY (8)……Club has NFL-best +17 turnover ratio (29 takes,
12 gives). DE ROBERT MATHIS tied for NFL lead w/ 10.0 sacks. Mathis &
DE DWIGHT FREENEY combine for 17.0 sacks – most among NFL duos……CB
NICK HARPER had INT in end zone in last mtg & 75-yard INT-TD last year
vs. Tenn. BUFFALO BILLS (5-6) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-9)
STATS
NOTES CLUB LEADING turnover ratio has won 14 of past 15 in series......BILLS:
Head coach MIKE MULARKEY won 1st game vs. Dolphins (10/17/04)……QB
DREW BLEDSOE has 5,120 passing yards & 26 TDs in career vs. Mia., his
most vs. opponent. Bledsoe (214) needs 1 TD to pass JOHN BRODIE (214)
for 18th-most TD passes in NFL history……RB WILLIS MC GAHEE made 1st
career start vs. Dolphins, rushing for 111 yds in Wk 6. Has rushed for 100+
yards in 5 of 6 career starts & averages 99.7 yards per start (598 yards).
Rushed for career-best 4 TDs last week……WR ERIC MOULDS has catch in
105 consecutive games & led team w/ 5 catches & 99 yards in last mtg. TE
MARK CAMPBELL had 5-yard TD in previous meeting & recorded 3 TDs in last
home game. Rookie WR LEE EVANS (No. 13) had 70 yards on 6 catches (1
TD) last week……Defense held Miami to 212 total yards in Week 6. Bills
recorded 5 sacks, including 2.5 by DE AARON SCHOBEL. Schobel aims for
4th game in row vs. Miami w/ sack. LB TAKEO SPIKES had 11-yard INT-TD
in last mtg. CB NATE CLEMENTS has 6 INTs in past 5 vs. Miami,
including 2 INT-TDs…… DOLPHINS: Have won 6 of past 9 in
series. Head coach JIM BATES registered 1st career win last week……QB
A.J. FEELEY passed for season-high 2 TDs in win last week at SF……RB
TRAVIS MINOR has led team in rushing 3 games in row……WR CHRIS
CHAMBERS has 4 TDs in 6 career mtgs. WR DERRIUS THOMPSON had
24-yard TD reception in Week 6 vs. Bills. WR MARTY BOOKER has catch
in 69 games in row. TE RANDY MC MICHAEL leads club w/ 622 rec. yds &
needs 52 more to pass KEITH JACKSON (673) for most in season by Miami
TE. McMichael stands 5th in receptions (51) & 6th in yards among NFL TEs……Defense
has recorded 11 sacks & has forced 7 turnovers in past 3 mtgs. DE JASON
TAYLOR has 3.0 sacks in past 2 meetings & has 10.5 sacks in past 9 vs.
Bills. Has sacked Buffalo QB Bledsoe 6.5 times in career. LB ZACH THOMAS
has 28 tackles & FR in previous 2 mtgs. Defense has sacked Bills QB Bledsoe
47 times & recorded 29 INTs. Defense has not allowed 300-yard passer in 24
games in row, NFL’s longest active streak. CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-7) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (4-7)
STATS
NOTES PANTHERS: Club seeks 4th consecutive win after 1-7 start……Offense has 66.7 red zone TD pct. (18 TDs, 27 trips), tied for 3rd in NFL……QB JAKE DELHOMME has multi-TD passes in 9 of last 13 games. Has 19 TD passes & needs 1 for career high & 1st 20-TD pass season by Panther since ’99 (STEVE BEUERLEIN, 36)......RB NICK GOINGS seeks 3rd 100-yard rushing game in row……Rookie 2nd-round WR KEARY COLBERT (No. 62) avgs 16.2 yards per catch, 2nd-most among NFL rookies. Has club-rookie record 600 receiving yards. Has 37 receptions & needs 8 to pass RAE CARRUTH (44, ’97) for team rookie record……WR MUHSIN MUHAMMAD has career-high 9 TDs, including 5 in last 3 weeks. Had career-high & 1st-career 100-yard game on 9/13/98 vs. NO (9 catches, 192 yards)……Club allows 4.30 yards per 1st down, 3rd-fewest in NFL……DE JULIUS PEPPERS has 7.0 sacks in past 4 games. Has 9.0 sacks in ‘04 & needs 1.0 for 2nd-career 10.0-sack season. Scored on 45-yard INT return & blocked 1 FG vs. TB……Rookie 1st-round CB CHRIS GAMBLE (No. 28) has team-leading 3 INTs & needs 1 for franchise rookie record……SAINTS: Head coach JIM HASLETT has 39 wins & needs 1 to become 2nd Saints coach with 40 (JIM MORA, 93)….QB AARON BROOKS has 8 career 300-yard passing games & needs 1 to tie ARCHIE MANNING (9) for most in club history. Has 99 career TD passes & needs 1 to join Manning (115) as only Saints with 100. Has started 64 consecutive games, 3rd-longest active streak among QBs (BRETT FAVRE, 200; PEYTON MANNING, 107)……RB DEUCE MC ALLISTER rushed for 100 yards last week, becoming 1st player in club annals with 20 100-yard games. Seeks 4th 100-yard game in row vs. Car & avgs. 114 per game in past 3 vs. Panthers……WR JOE HORN had 7-yard TD catch vs. Atl, becoming 3rd Saint with 40 career. Needs 60 yards for 4th 1,000-yard season & 7 catches for 5th 75-catch year in row. Third-year WR DONTE STALLWORTH has career-high 43 catches (488 yards). WR JEROME PATHON avgs. career-best 17.8 yards per catch (24 catches for 427 yards)……DE CHARLES GRANT has 7.5 sacks & needs 2.5 for 2nd 10.0-sack year in row…… Special teams hold foes to 6.3-yard PR avg, 6th in NFL……P MITCH BERGER has 40.0 net punting avg, best in NFL. HOUSTON TEXANS (5-6) AT NEW YORK JETS (8-3)
STATS
NOTES TEXANS: Club is 5-3 (.625) vs. AFC……QB DAVID CARR has TD
pass in 8 of past 10. Carr is AFC’s No. 3 passer in 4th quarter (91.5) w/ 5
TDs vs. 1 INT……In past 4, RB DOMANICK DAVIS has 5 rush TDs & 1 rec.
TD. Davis posted season-high 129 yards on 16 carries (8.1 avg.), including
51-yd TD run, last week. Is 2nd on team w/ 48 catches; has 6+ receptions in
past 3……WR ANDRE JOHNSON tied for NFL lead in receptions of 20+ yards
(15). Johnson stands 3rd in AFC w/ 893 rec. yards. WR JABAR GAFFNEY
has 14 catches in past 3 on road. WR DERICK ARMSTRONG has catch in 10
games in row. TE BILLY MILLER posted 1st TD of season last wk……CBs
MARCUS COLEMAN & AARON GLENN were selected from NYJ in expansion
draft. Coleman played in 91 games (1996-01) with Jets & Glenn spent 8 years
(1994-01) in NY, earning 2 Pro Bowl berths (1997, 98). S MARLON MC CREE
posted game-saving INT last wk. Five Texans have 2+ INTs, led by 4 from
Glenn & rookie CB DUNTA ROBINSON (No. 10)…… JETS: Have
won past 2, allowing just 10 total points (5.0 per game). Are 4-1 at home……QB
CHAD PENNINGTON may return from injury. Ranks 2nd in AFC with 66.7 comp.
pct. Is 6-2 (.750) as starter in 2004. QB QUINCY CARTER is 13-7
(.650) in past 20 as starter. In 3 starts with NYJ, is 2-1 & has 59.3 comp.
pct. (32 of 54) w/ 2 TDs vs. 1 INT……RB CURTIS MARTIN is NFL’s No. 3
rusher (1,171) & has 3rd-most 1st downs in NFL (70). Martin has 100+ rush
yards in 3 consecutive home games (5 TDs). RB LA MONT JORDAN
averaging 5.4 yards per carry on 55 atts. Club owns AFC’s 3rd-best rushing
offense (146.9)……WR JUSTIN MC CAREINS has catch in every game & has 3
TDs in past 5. McCareins has made 1st down on 25 of 34 catches. WR
SANTANA MOSS had career-long 69-yard TD catch last week & leads team
with 656 yards (21.9 avg.). Club has scored 23 times in 27 redzone trips
(85.2 pct.)……Own 2nd-best turnover ratio in NFL (+14). Defense ranks No. 7
in NFL (296.4). DE JOHN ABRAHAM is 2nd in AFC w/ 9.5 sacks. Has 1.0+
sack in all 5 home games. Rookie LB JONATHAN VILMA (No. 12) had INT &
FR last week & CB DAVID BARRETT had INT & FF. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-10) AT ST. LOUIS RAMS (5-6)
STATS
NOTES 49ERS: Offense has converted 80.0 pct. of 4th downs (8 of 10), tied for 2nd-best in NFL……QB TIM RATTAY has started 8 games, posting 90.0+ rating in 3 of 8, tossing 10 TDs vs. 9 INTs. Avgs. 256 passing yards per game……RB KEVAN BARLOW has 6 TDs & needs 2 for career-high (7, ’03). Has 761 yards from scrim (581 rushing, 180 receiving).. WR CEDRICK WILSON leads club WRs with 37 rec. & 493 yards. Second-year WR BRANDON LLOYD has 4 TD catches in past 7 games…… TE ERIC JOHNSON ranks 2nd among NFL TEs with 65 catches. Has team-leading 684 yards & needs 16 to become 1st SF TE with 700 since BRENT JONES in ’93 (735). Ties for 3rd in NFC with 17 3rd down catches (196 yards)……Rookie 2nd-round G JUSTIN SMILEY has played in every game, starting 9……DT BRYANT YOUNG has 69.0 career sacks, most in club history, & needs 1.0 to become 1st 49er with 70. DE ANDRE CARTER had 1st-career multi-sack game vs. StL, posting 2.0 sacks on 12/9/01……LB JAMIE WINBORN has team-leading & career-high 4.5 sacks, tops among NFC LBs……RAMS: Club needs win for 500th in team history (reg. season & playoffs)…… Offense avgs. 273.5 passing yards per game, 4th-most in NFL……Head coach MIKE MARTZ has 20-7 (.741) record vs. NFC West……QB MARC BULGER has 23-10 (.697) record as starter. Has multiple TD passes in 17 of 33 starts. Posted 97.1 rating last week, passing for 448 yards, 2nd-highest total in MNF history. Has 60.0+ comp. pct. in 20 of past 26 games……RB MARSHALL FAULK has 41 career 100-yard games & 27 with Rams. Club has 27-0 record when he rushes for 100 yards. Has 11,896 rushing yards & needs 104 to become 12th player in NFL history with 12,000. Has 6,560 career receiving yards & needs 132 to pass LARRY CENTERS (6,691) for most in NFL history by RB. Rookie RB STEVEN JACKSON has 377 rush yards, 2nd-most among NFL rookies……WR ISAAC BRUCE has 93 career catches & 1,434 yards vs. 49ers, his most vs. any club. WR TORRY HOLT has 30-career 100-yard games & needs 1 to tie LANCE ALWORTH (31) for 3rd-most in 1st 6 seasons……DE LEONARD LITTLE has 49.5 career sacks & needs 0.5 for 50.0.ATLANTA FALCONS (9-2) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (4-7)
STATS
NOTES FALCONS: Club needs win for 1st division title since ’98……Head coach JIM MORA bids to become 1st Falcon coach to win division in 1st season with club……QB MICHAEL VICK has 21-10-1 (.672) record as starter, including wins in 11 of past 13, best QB winning percentage in team history. Leads QBs with 709 rushing yards & ties for NFL lead with 7.2 yards per carry avg……RB WARRICK DUNN has 7 TDs & needs 3 for career-high (9, ’00). Has rushed for 642 yards, avging 4.1 yards per carry. Spent 1997-01 with Bucs, posting 2 1,000-yard seasons. RB T.J. DUCKETT avgs. 4.7 yards per carry, rushing for 360 yards. Club avgs 162.6 rushing yards per game, most in NFL……WR PEERLESS PRICE leads Atl WRs with 27 catches & 428 receiving yards……TE ALGE CRUMPLER leads team with 43 catches & 709 receiving yards & needs 4 catches for most in team history by TE (JUNIOR MILLER, 46, ‘80). Has 16 catches of 20+ yards & avgs. 16.5 yards per catch, best among NFL TEs (min. 20 catches).……DE PATRICK KERNEY has 8.5 sacks in past 10 games……PR ALLEN ROSSUM has 1,168 PR yards with Falcons & needs 84 to pass BILLY JOHNSON (1,251) for most in club history……BUCCANEERS: Club has won 4 of past 7 after 0-4 start……Offense has 40-yard play in 8 of past 9 games……QB BRIAN GRIESE has played in 7 games & has TD pass in each, posting 95.0+ passer rating in 6 of 7……RB MICHAEL PITTMAN has 434 rushing yards in last 5 games. Has 9 TDs (6 rushing, 3 receiving) in 8 games…… Rookie 1st-round WR MICHAEL CLAYTON leads NFL rookies with 60 catches & 828 yards. Needs 6 catches to pass MIKE ALSTOTT (65, ’96) for most by rookie in club history. Has 90+ receiving yards in 4 of past 8……WR JOEY GALLOWAY avgs. 17.8 yards per catch (44 catches, 783 yards) in past 20 games. WR TIM BROWN has 100 career TD catches & needs 1 to pass STEVE LARGENT (100) for 3rd all-time. WR JOE JUREVICIUS had career-high 100 receiving yards (8 catches) vs. Atl (12/8/02)……Defense has forced turnover in 66 of past 68 games. Club surrenders 166.1 passing yards per game, 2nd in NFL……DE SIMEON RICE has 99.0 career sacks & needs 1.0 to become 3rd active player with 100……Second-year KR TORRIE COX avgs 26.0 yards per KR, 3rd-most in NFL.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3-8) AT OAKLAND RAIDERS (4-7)
STATS
NOTES ALL-TIME SERIES edge goes to Chiefs: 43-42-2 in regular
season......CHIEFS: Offense ranks No. 2 in NFL (411.5). Head
coach DICK VERMEIL is Calistoga, CA native, 70 miles north of
Oakland. QB TRENT GREEN has 300+ passing yards in 5 of past 7 games……RB
DERRICK BLAYLOCK has 7 rush TDs on season, including 2 last wk vs. SD.
In past 3 games as featured RB, Blaylock has 401 rushing yards on 60 carries
for 6.7 per carry average. Team has 22 rushing TDs, tops in NFL……In past 2
road games, WR EDDIE KENNISON has 225 receiving yards on 13 catches
w/ 1 TD. WR JOHNNIE MORTON has 23 receptions in past 4 on road w/ 1
TD. TE TONY GONZALEZ has 6+ catches in 6 of past 7 & has 5 career TDs
vs. Oak. – his most vs. any opponent……Defense is 9th in NFL in 4th-down
efficiency (4 of 11 for 36.4 pct.). Rookie DE JARED ALLEN (No. 126)
leads team & NFL rookies w/ 5.0 sacks……WR-KR-PR DANTE HALL recorded
96-yard KR-TD last week. Hall has scored 12 career TDs for avg. of 81.6
yards – longest career avg. in NFL history among players with 10+ TDs. Hall
needs 1 special teams TD to surpass TAMARICK VANOVER (8) for most in
club history……RAIDERS: Have won 6 of past 9 in series & have
5-4 (.556) record vs. Chiefs coach Vermeil, including playoffs……In past 2
vs. AFC West, QB KERRY COLLINS has passed for 6 TDs vs. 2 INTs,
completing 38 of 75 (50.7 pct.) for 566 yards. Collins completing 57.0+ pct.
in 5 consecutive games……RB TYRONE WHEATLEY rushed for 109 yards on 24
carries (4.5 avg.) w/ 1 TD vs. KC in 2003. Wheatley is 6 of 7 (85.7 pct.) on
3rd & 1 rushes. RB J.R. REDMOND has 2+ catches in 5 games in row……WRs
JERRY PORTER (135) & RONALD CURRY (110) both totaled 100+
receiving yards last wk at Den. Porter (658) needs 31 receiving yards to
surpass career-high of 688 yards in 2002. Curry has TD catch in consecutive
games. TE DOUG JOLLEY has catch in every game……Undrafted rookie DT
TOMMY KELLY has 1.0 sack in 3 of 1st 5 games of career. CB PHILLIP
BUCHANON recorded 12th career INT in 33rd career game last week at
Denver. Defense No. 4 in AFC in net pass yards allowed (227.3). DENVER BRONCOS (7-4) AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (8-3)
STATS
NOTES FIRST PLACE in AFC West at stake……BRONCOS: Head
coach MIKE SHANAHAN is 17-5 (.773) in career vs. Chargers, his most
wins vs. opponent. Denver has won 12 of past 15 in series, including Week 3
win, outscoring SD 421-246……QB JAKE PLUMMER had 112.5 passer rating
in last meeting & has 8 TDs vs. 1 INT in past 3 vs. SD……RB REUBEN
DROUGHNS has 100+ rush yards in 6 of past 7 & is averaging 130.9 yards
per game in those 7 (916 yds)…… WR ROD SMITH had career-best 187
receiving yards vs. Chargers (11/19/00), 1 of 3 career 100-yard gms vs. SD.
Smith (75 yards, 1 TD) & TE JEB PUTZIER (66) tied for team-lead with
5 catches in Wk 3 mtg. WR ASHLEY LELIE had 33-yd TD in last game vs.
SD. Has 30+ yard catch in 10 of 11 games this year & all 6 TDs have been 30+
yds……Defense held SD RB Tomlinson to 60 yds (2.7 avg.), QB Brees to 59.7
passer rating & TE Gates to 30 yards in Week 3. Broncos posted 4 sacks in
last mtg. CB CHAMP BAILEY played for SD’s Schottenheimer in ’01 at
Wash., earning Pro Bowl honor ……CHARGERS: Team has won 5 in
row, 7 of past 8 & past 4 at home. Head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER’s
teams are 4-3 (.571) vs. Denver QB Plummer……QB DREW BREES has
career-best 108.0 passer rating & has 21 TDs vs. 3 INTs. In past 4 home
games, Brees has 14 TDs vs. 0 INTs. In 8 SD wins, Brees has 19 TDs vs. 0
INTs……RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON has 313 rush yds (156.5/gm) in past 2
at home vs. Broncos, including 220 yds & 3 TDs (12/1/02). Also had 11
receptions in that game (51 yards)……TE ANTONIO GATES tied for AFC
lead w/ 11 TD catches. Gates had 2 TDs last week & surpassed club record for
most TD catches by TE (10), shared by WILLIE FRAZIER (1967) and HOFer
KELLEN WINSLOW (1981). Needs 2 TD catches to set NFL record for most
by TE in single season. Since joining team via trade (5 games ago), WR
KEENAN MC CARDELL has 26 catches for 348 yards & 1 TD……Defense allowed
just 37 rushing yards on 21 attempts (1.8 avg.) in last game vs. Broncos. Of
those 21 rushing attempts, SD recorded 5 plays for loss. Club’s +10 turnover
ratio is 4th-best in AFC……Rookie K NATE KAEDING (No. 65) was 2-for-2
in FGs in last mtg. GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-4) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-1)
STATS
NOTES HEAD COACHES MIKE SHERMAN (TE) & ANDY REID (QB) were part of GB coaching staff together from 1997-98….. PACKERS: Club seeks 7th consecutive win……QB BRETT FAVRE has started 200 consecutive games & club has NFL’s best record over that span (132-68, .667). Has 2,841 passing yards & needs 159 for 13th 3,000-yard season, tying DAN MARINO (13) for most all-time……RB AHMAN GREEN needs 121 yards rushing for 5th consecutive 1,000-yard season, tying JIM TAYLOR (5) for most in team history. RB NAJEH DAVENPORT started vs. StL, rushing for 178 yards (1 TD)……WR JAVON WALKER has 60 catches for 960 yards & needs 40 for 1st-career 1,000-yard season. Leads NFL with 436 yards on 3rd downs & ties for 1st with 24 catches. WR DONALD DRIVER has 61 catches & needs 9 for 2nd-career 70-catch season……Offensive line has surrendered 5.0 sacks, fewest in NFL……DE KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA has 6.0 sacks in past 4 games……Rookie 1st-round CB AHMAD CARROLL scored 1st NFL TD on 40-yard FR & had 1st INT last week.…K RYAN LONGWELL has 198 career FGs & needs 2 for 200……EAGLES: Clinched 4th NFC East title in row, becoming 3rd team to clinch after 11 games since 16-game schedule instituted in ’78 (’85 Bears, ’97 49ers)......Team 8-0 vs. NFC, NFL’s only unbeaten in conference play, winning each by 10+ points…ANDY REID has 66 wins & needs 1 for most in club history (GREASY NEALE, 66-44-5)……Club 20-1 when QB DONOVAN MC NABB has 100+ rating. Has 23 TD passes & needs 3 for career high (25, ’01). Has 15,943 career pass yards & needs 57 to become 3rd player in club annals with 16,000……RB BRIAN WESTBROOK has 48 rec. (410 yards), tied for most among NFL RBs…… WR TERRELL OWENS leads NFL with 13 TD catches & needs 1 to pass MIKE QUICK (’83) & TOMMY MC DONALD (’60, ’61) for club record. Needs 31 yards for 5th 1,000-yard season in row. WR TODD PINKSTON seeks 3rd game in row with 75+ yards. Avgs 19.6 yards per catch in last 16 games (46 for 902)……Club has allowed 164 points, tied for fewest in NFL (Bal)……DE JEVON KEARSE has 7.5 sacks & needs 2.5 for 4th 10-sack year.NEW YORK GIANTS (5-6) AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-8)
STATS
NOTES GIANTS: Team ties for 3rd in NFL with 14 rushing TDs……QB ELI
MANNING has started past 2 games. Had 2 50+ yard completions last week……RB
TIKI BARBER leads NFL with 1,641 scrim. yards (1,145 rush & 496 rec).
Has 100+ yards rushing or receiving in 9 of 11 games. Has 21-career 100-yard
rush games, most in Giants history. Has 8 100-yard rushing games in ’04 &
needs 1 to pass JOE MORRIS (8, ‘’86) for single-season team record.
Has run for 37 TDs & needs 3 to pass ALEX WEBSTER (39) for 3rd-most
in club annals…… WR AMANI TOOMER has catch in club-record 94 games in
row. Avgs. 14.7 yards per catch in last 3 games at Wash (17 for 250)…… TE
JEREMY SHOCKEY has 5+ catch games in 6 of past 10 & ties for 2nd among
NFC TEs with 5 TD catches. Had 1st career 100-yard game vs. Wash (111 yards,
11 catches) on 11/17/02……DT FRED ROBBINS has career-high 4.5 sacks.
DE OSI UMENYIORA has started last 3 games, totaling 1.5 sacks.
Second-year KR WILLIE PONDER ranks 2nd in NFL with 26.3-yard KR avg……REDSKINS:
Head coach JOE GIBBS is 59-39 (.602) vs. NFC East……QB PATRICK
RAMSEY has started last 2 games, completing 58.8 pct (40 of 68). Has 24
TDs vs. 19 INTs in 22 career games……Club has 3-0 record when RB CLINTON
PORTIS rushes for 100 yards. Has 945 rushing yards & needs 55 for
3rd-career 1,000-yard season & 1st by Redskin since ’01. Ranks 3rd in NFC
with 1,124 yards from scrim. (945 rush, 179 rec)…… WR LAVERANUES COLES
had 6 catches (55 yards) vs. Pit, & needs 2 for 3rd consecutive 60-catch
season. WR ROD GARNDER leads team with 5 TDs & ranks 2nd with 447
yards & 33 catches……Rookie 3rd-round TE CHRIS COOLEY has 20 catches
(149 yards), including career-high 7 (31 yards) last week. Has 4 TDs, most
among NFL rookie TEs…… Defense ranks 2nd overall (267.6), 3rd vs. run (91.2)
& 5th vs. pass (176.5). Hold foes to 4.25 yards per 1st down, 2nd-fewest in
NFL……CB FRED SMOOT ties for club lead with 3 INTs & may lead club for
team record 4th year in row. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-1) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (6-5)
STATS
NOTES STEELERS: Club aims for 1st 10-1 start since 1975 when team
finished 12-2 & won Super Bowl X. Under head coach BILL COWHER, team
is 71-1-1 when posting lead of 14+ points…..Rookie QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER
(No. 11) is 1st rookie QB in NFL history to win 1st 9 starts to begin
career. Has posted 100.0+ passer rating in 6 of past 8. Ranks 3rd in AFC
with 98.4 passer rating……RB JEROME BETTIS has 100+ rush yards in 4
games in row. Has 11 TD runs, tied for 2nd in NFL. Bettis (12,863) needs 297
rush yards to surpass HOFer ERIC DICKERSON (13,259) for 4th on
all-time rush list……WR HINES WARD (60) stands 8th in AFC in catches.
Has 28 catches in past 4 vs. Jags w/ 5+ in each of those 4 ……Team leads NFL
with 34:58 TOP mark; since 16-game schedule in 1978, No. 1 TOP margin is
35:08 (Chi., 1984)…… Defense is No. 1 in NFL (244.2). Defense leads NFL w/
35 sacks, led by LB JOEY PORTER (7.0) & DE AARON SMITH (7.0).
Last week, LBs CLARK HAGGANS (2.0), Porter (2.0) & JAMES FARRIOR
(1.0) combined for 5 sacks. Defense held Redskins to 156 total yards last
week, including 105 passing……JAGUARS: Club has won 7 of past 9
at home. Eight of team’s 11 games decided by less than 10 points……QB
BYRON LEFTWICH is 4-0 at home after Nov. 1. Has 5 TDs vs. 2 INTs in
those 4. Leftwich’s INT percentage is 2.3, 4th lowest in AFC……RB FRED
TAYLOR rushed for 147 yards on 22 attempts (6.7 avg.) last week. Had
career-high & club-record 234 yards vs. Steelers (11/19/00) & had 4 TDs (3
rush, 1 rec.) in that meeting……WR JIMMY SMITH (15) tied for most 20+
yard catches in NFL. Smith has led club in rec. yards in 12 consecutive
games & needs 91 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for 8th time in career.
WR TROY EDWARDS (33) needs 3 catches to surpass his 2003 total. Edwards
was Steelers’ 1st Round pick (No. 13 overall) in 1999 & played in 46 of 48
possible games w/ Pitt. (1999-2001)……Team has allowed 2 100-yd rushers in
past 26 games. Defense held Minnesota to 330 total yards & 218 passing yards
last week. CB DEWAYNE WASHINGTON, former Steeler (1998-2003), to play
in 153rd consecutive game……KR coverage 3rd best in NFL, allowing 18.6 yds/return. MONDAY, DECEMBER 6 DALLAS COWBOYS (4-7) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (6-5)
STATS
NOTES COWBOYS: Club 23-13 (.639) in game after Thanksgiving……BILL PARCELLS coached against MIKE HOLMGREN in SB XXXI (GB 35, NE 21)……QB VINNY TESTAVERDE has 263 TD passes, 8th-most all-time, & closes in on JOE MONTANA (273) in 7th. Passed for 418 yards vs. Sea on 12/6/98 (w/Jets), 4th-highest total of career. Has 3 300-yard games in ’04 & needs 1 to break 3-way tie for club record. QB DREW HENSON made 1st start vs. Chi......Rookie 2nd-round RB JULIUS JONES rushed for 150 yards & 2 TDs last week, tying for 2nd-best rookie total in team history (TONY DORSETT, 206)……WR KEYSHAWN JOHNSON leads club WRs with 47 rec. & 657 yards……TE JASON WITTEN ranks 4th among NFL TEs with 58 rec. (667 yards). Needs 2 catches for 1st 60-catch year by club TE since JAY NOVACEK in ’95 (62-705)……DE GREG ELLIS has 8 sacks & needs 2 for 1st 10-sack season since ’96 (TONY TOLBERT, 12). DE ERIC OGBOGU had career-best 3.5 sacks vs. Bears……SEAHAWKS: Club has been penalized 59 times, fewest in NFL……QB MATT HASSELBECK has 39 TDs vs. 2 INTs in red zone since ’01. Has 93.8 November passer rating since ’02, including 19 TDs vs. 6 INTs (256-412, 3,032 yards)……RB SHAUN ALEXANDER has NFL best 1,190 rushing yards, including 666 yards in past 5 games, & needs 210 to become 1st player in team history with consecutive 1,400-yard rushing seasons……WR DARRELL JACKSON has 12 career 100-yard games & needs 1 to pass JOEY GALLOWAY (12) for 3rd most in club annals. WR JERRY RICE has 35 TDs, 246 catches & 3,884 receiving yards on Monday Night Football, tops in MNF history. Has 23,324 combined yards gained & needs 7 to pass BRIAN MITCHELL (23,330) for most all-time……TE JERRAMY STEVENS has career-high 268 receiving yards (25 catches)…… Club leads NFL with 17 INTs……Rookie 2nd-round S MICHAEL BOULWARE ties for NFL rookie lead with 4 INTs.LAST WEEK’S NFL RESULTS (NOV. 25, 28-29) Thursday, November 25
Sunday, November 28, cont.’d 2004 NFL STANDINGS
* Clinched Division WEEK 13 NFL SCHEDULE – DECEMBER 5-6 (All times local)
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