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FOR USE AS DESIRED THREE SATURDAY NATIONAL TV GAMES If it’s Saturday, things must be sizzling! Along with blustery winds in Green Bay, tiebreaker scenarios, and worried looks on coaches’ faces, nothing says that the NFL is getting down to the final weeks of its regular season more than Saturday football. If the NFL is playing on Saturday, things are really serious. That certainly is the case this Saturday, when fans can put off their holiday shopping with a gift of almost 10 hours of NFL football from 1:30 PM ET to around 11:30 PM ET. By that time, they will have seen three games on national TV featuring five teams either in the playoffs or in contention. "There’s a lot of football left," says Carolina Panthers head coach JOHN FOX. "A lot of people can go in different directions. We want to make sure we’re going in the right one." Getting those directions straight starts Saturday: 1:30 PM ET (CBS): PITTSBURGH STEELERS at NEW YORK GIANTS – Just like the old NFL days. Steelers against the Giants outdoors in who-knows-what-kind-of-weather? Featured will be two pounders on the ground -- Pittsburgh’s JEROME BETTIS and New York’s TIKI BARBER -- and the first meeting of two 2004 first-round quarterback selections, the Steelers’ BEN ROETHLISBERGER (No. 11) and Giants’ ELI MANNING (No. 1). The game has playoff implications, with the division-champion Steelers able to earn a first-round bye. 5:00 PM ET (FOX): WASHINGTON REDSKINS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – Fans can see the futures of the teams, like 49ers running back MAURICE HICKS, a free agent last year who spent the past two springs with Scotland in the NFL Europe League and carried 34 times for 139 yards and a TD last week in San Francisco’s overtime win over Arizona. "It’s just the love of the game," said Hicks about playing football for almost 10 months straight. "The love of the game." Interesting stat: JOE GIBBS, concluding the first year of his second stint with the Redskins, won the final three games of his first season with the team (1981), and then won Super Bowl XVII the next year. 8:30 PM ET (ESPN): CAROLINA PANTHERS at ATLANTA FALCONS – Enjoy your Saturday night! A big one. The division-champ Falcons can clinch a first-round bye with a win (and other scenarios). The 2003 NFC Champion Panthers have shocked everybody by winning their last five games after starting 1-7. The Falcs have defeated their division partners eight of the past nine times they’ve met. With three weeks to go, how do the numbers add up? First, you’ve got three history-making "12-1s" – the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers. Their identical 12-1 records mark the first time in NFL history that three teams have started the season with that record. All three have won their divisions. Then, adding the other two teams that have clinched division berths, Atlanta and Indianapolis, a total of 22 remaining teams are feverishly fighting for the seven playoff berths left. Looked at in another way, with three weeks to go, a record-tying 27 teams are still in contention for the two Super Bowl NFL FACTOID NO. 5 FOR NO. 4: BRETT FAVRE’s autobiography FAVRE, co-published by the NFL and Rugged Land LLC, will climb to No. 5 on the New York Times’ hardcover non-fiction best-seller list this Sunday (December 19). berths (tying 1995 for the most such teams with three weeks to go). Add up all the 12-1s, 22-for-7s, and 27-for-2s, and the NFL has 1 heck of a race going! How it all breaks down for Week 15, with 13 of the 16 games having playoff implications this week: AFC EAST: The New England Patriots (12-1) – going for their third Super Bowl title in the past four years – have clinched their third division title in the same amount of time. "It’s always an honor, and we accept the honor, of making the playoffs," says Patriots defensive lineman RICHARD SEYMOUR. "But we still have work to do." Like this week. The Pats can earn a first-round bye Monday night in Miami (ABC, 9:00 PM ET) with:
The New York Jets (9-4), already with three more wins than they posted all of last year, can take their third playoff spot in the past four years with:
The Buffalo Bills (7-6) are in playoff contention, but cannot clinch a berth this week. Miami has been eliminated. AFC NORTH: A division champ tailed by two playoff hopefuls. The Pittsburgh Steelers (12-1) have won their third division title in the past four years and a team record-tying 11 games in a row (1975). "Everyone’s excited," says nose tackle CHRIS HOKE. "Everyone knows what we accomplished. We won the division. Now we have a game coming up against the Giants." And the Steelers can earn a first-round bye in that game:
The Baltimore Ravens (8-5) and Cincinnati Bengals (6-7) are still in playoff contention, but cannot clinch a berth this week. Cleveland has been eliminated. AFC SOUTH: The Indianapolis Colts (10-3) last week won their second consecutive division title with a hard-fought 23-14 victory over the division-rival Houston Texans (5-8). "As we move on, the games will be more like that," says Colts head coach TONY DUNGY. The Jacksonville Jaguars (7-6) and Houston are still in playoff contention but cannot clinch a spot this week. Tennessee has been eliminated. AFC WEST: The San Diego Chargers (10-3) have won 10 games for the first time since their Super Bowl XXIX season of 1994. And linebacker DONNIE EDWARDS, who had two interceptions on Sunday with the last going for a 30-yard touchdown for the go-ahead score in a victory over Tampa Bay, knows the Chargers have to keep up the pace. "I’ve been playing nine years and to get 10 wins is awesome," says Edwards. "These times don’t come around too often, so you have to take advantage." San Diego can take advantage and clinch the division this week with:
The Chargers can earn a playoff berth with:
The Denver Broncos (8-5) and Kansas City Chiefs (5-8) are still in playoff contention but cannot clinch a berth this week. Oakland has been eliminated. NFC EAST: The division-titlist Philadelphia Eagles (12-1) have already clinched a first-round bye. But for a team that has gone to the last three NFC Championship Games, the hard part is just starting. "Once the playoffs start, it’s anybody’s ballgame," says wide receiver TERRELL OWENS. "This is just the beginning." The Eagles can earn homefield advantage throughout the playoffs (they have yet to lose at home this year) with:
The Dallas Cowboys (5-8), New York Giants (5-8) and Washington Redskins (4-9) are still in playoff contention, but cannot clinch a berth this week. NFC NORTH: Along with the NFC West, this is the closest division race in the league. One game separates the top two teams. Entering Week 15, the Green Bay Packers (8-5) are in the lead, one game atop the Minnesota Vikings (7-6). Each has two division games left, one of which is a big head-to-head meeting in Week 16 on Christmas Eve (FOX, 3:00 PM ET). The Pack won the first meeting this year. Green Bay can clinch their fourth playoff berth in a row this week with:
The Vikings, Chicago Bears (5-8) and Detroit Lions (5-8) are still in contention but cannot earn a berth this week. NFC SOUTH: JIM MORA of the Atlanta Falcons (10-3) last week became the ninth rookie head coach since 1990 to lead his team to a division title. "It’s nice," says Mora, "but there are other things we want to do." Like earn a first-round bye, which the Falcons can do this week with:
The Carolina Panthers (6-7) are still in playoff contention, cannot clinch a playoff spot this week, but can become only the fourth team in history to win six consecutive games immediately after losing six in a row (1970 Cincinnati: lost 6, won 7; 1974 NY Jets: lost 6, won 6; 1994 NY Giants: lost 7, won 6). The New Orleans Saints (5-8) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-8) are still in playoff contention. NFC WEST: The other "closest race," along with the NFC North. One game separates the top two clubs, the Seattle Seahawks (7-6) and St. Louis Rams (6-7). The Seahawks have had a topsy-turvy season, going on winning and losing streaks. On Sunday, rookie safety MICHAEL BOULWARE’s interception right before the two-minute mark sealed a victory over Minnesota that, coupled with a St. Louis loss, broke a first-place tie in the division. "We’ve been down, but we know that we’ll never give up," says Boulware. That fortitude may pay off this week because Seattle can clinch its second successive playoff berth with:
The Rams and Arizona Cardinals (4-9) are still in contention. San Francisco has been eliminated. WEEK 15 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18 PITTSBURGH STEELERS (12-1) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (5-8)
STATS
NOTES GAME FEATURES QBs drafted in 1st round of 2004 NFL Draft (NY’s ELI MANNING, No. 1 & Pittsburgh’s BEN ROETHLISBERGER, No. 11)……STEELERS: Team has clinched AFC North title. Head coach BILL COWHER is 5th coach all-time to win 8+ division titles (DON SHULA, 11; CHUCK NOLL, 9; BUD GRANT, 9; TOM LANDRY, 9). QB Roethlisberger (No. 11) has won 11 consecutive starts to begin career & ties TERRY BRADSHAW for longest consecutive winning start streak in franchise history (1975)……RB JEROME BETTIS has TD in 8 of 13 games; ties for 6th in NFL w/ 12 TDs (all rush). Rush offense ranks No. 2 in NFL (151.1). RB DUCE STALEY had career-long 64-yd run vs. NYG on 12/27/98 (w/ Phil)……WR HINES WARD (491) needs 9 catches to be 2nd Steeler w/ 500 career (JOHN STALLWORTH, 537)……Defense No. 1 in NFL (257.0). LB JAMES FARRIOR tied for lead among NFL LBs w/ 4 INTs & leads team w/ 104 tackles. Three Steelers have 4+ INTs. DE AARON SMITH leads team in sacks (8.0) & 3 Steelers have 6.0+ sacks……GIANTS: Club has 8-2 record in last 10 Dec. games vs. AFC……QB Manning has started last 4 games vs. clubs entering contest with combined 26-16 (.619) record. Giants QBs have 10 INTs in 388 attempts, for 2.6 INT pct, 4th in NFC……RB TIKI BARBER has 6,647 career rushing yards & needs 251 in final 3 games to pass RODNEY HAMPTON (6,897) for franchise record. Has 8 100-yard rushing games & needs 1 to pass JOE MORRIS (8, ’86) for single-season team record. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 1,743 yards from scrimmage (1,238 rush & 505 rec)……WR AMANI TOOMER has catch in club-record 96 games in row. Has 464 career receptions, tied with Barber (464) for most in club history……TE JEREMY SHOCKEY ties for 2nd among NFC TEs with 5 TD catches. Has 5+ catches or 80+ yards in each of last 7 games vs. AFC……Defense holds foes to 179.3 passing yards per game, 6th in NFL……DE OSI UMENYIORA has team-leading & career-high 5.0 sacks & scored 1st NFL TD on 50-yard fumble return vs. Bal.WASHINGTON REDSKINS (4-9) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-11)
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NOTES REDSKINS: Head coach JOE GIBBS has 33-12 (.733) record in December……QB PATRICK RAMSEY expected to play in 25th career game & has 27 TD passes vs. 20 INTs. Has started last 4 games, completing 65.2 pct (88 of 135)……Club has 4-0 record when RB CLINTON PORTIS rushes for 100 yards. Has 1,173 rushing yards & needs 27 for 1st 1,200-yard year by Redskin since ’01 (STEPHEN DAVIS, 1432) & 3rd in row to start his career. Ranks 4th in NFC with 1,388 yards from scrimmage (1,173 rush, 215 rec)……WR LAVERANUES COLES needs 4 catches for 3rd consecutive 80-catch season. Has 23 3rd down receptions (237 yards), 5th in NFL. Had career-high 12 catches (100 yards) last week……Rookie 3rd-round TE CHRIS COOLEY has 28 catches for 245 yards & ties for 3rd among NFL rookies with 5 TDs. T RAY BROWN has started 200 games all-time & is 8th active player with 200 starts. Started 79 games with 49ers from 1996-01……Defense ranks 2nd overall (261.6), 3rd vs. run (85.2) & tied for 3rd vs. pass (176.4)……DT CORNELIUS GRIFFIN leads club d-line with 84 tackles……49ERS: Six of club’s last 7 wins in series decided by 10+ points……Team ties for 1st in NFL converting 83.3 pct. on 4th down (10 of 12)……QB KEN DORSEY made 4th career start last week, passing for 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs & posting 99.0 passer rating. QB TIM RATTAY was college standout at Louisiana Tech while Ramsey starred at Tulane…… RB MAURICE HICKS made 1st career start last week, rushing for 139 yards & 1 TD. Avgs. 4.4 yards per carry (65 for 283) & is 1 of record 257 NFL Europe vets (Scottish Claymores, ’03-‘04) to appear on NFL rosters in ’04. RB KEVAN BARLOW has 6 TDs & needs 2 for career-high (7, ’03). Has 830 yards from scrimmage (629 rushing, 201 receiving) & needs 170 for 1,000. WR CEDRICK WILSON leads club WRs with 42 receptions & 576 yards……TE ERIC JOHNSON ranks 3rd among NFL TEs with 69 catches. Bids to be 1st TE to lead club in receptions since TED KWALICK (47, ’73). Has 707 yards & needs 41 to pass BRENT JONES for most by TE in club history (747, ‘90)……Defense ranks 3rd in NFC allowing 3.8 yards per rush……DE JOHN ENGELBERGER has career-best 5.0 sacks……LB DEREK SMITH spent 1st 4 NFL seasons with Wash, playing in 64 games, starting 61.CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-7) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (10-3)
STATS
NOTES PANTHERS: Seek 6th win in row after 1-7 start, averaging 28.2 points in last 6 games……QB JAKE DELHOMME has 100.0+ passer rating in 3 of last 5 starts & 9 TDs vs. 3 INT in club’s 5-game winning streak. Nine of career-best 21 TD passes have come in 4th-quarter, 2nd-most in NFL……RB NICK GOINGS seeks 5th consecutive 100-yard rushing game. Has rushed for 457 yards in last 4 games……WR MUHSIN MUHAMMAD has career-high 11 TDs, including 7 in last 5 weeks. Needs 194 receiving yards for career-high & franchise single-season record (1,253, ’99). Rookie 2nd-round WR KEARY COLBERT (No. 62) has 668 receiving yards, 2nd-most among NFL rookies, & his 15.5 yards per catch avg. ties for 2nd. Has 43 receptions & needs 2 to pass RAE CARRUTH (44, ’97) for team rookie record……Defense leads NFL with 22 INTs after totaling club-record 6 last week……DE JULIUS PEPPERS has 8.0 sacks in past 6 games……LB DAN MORGAN returned to action after missing last 3 games due to injury & had career-high 2 INTs & team-leading 9 tackles… FALCONS: Club has clinched 1st division title since ’98. JIM MORA is winningest 1st-year head coach in club history… QB MICHAEL VICK is 22-11-1 as starter, including wins in 12 of last 15, & his .662 winning pct. is best in team annals. Leads QBs with 821 rush yards & tops NFL with 7.5 yards per carry avg. Club 5-0 all-time when he rushes for 100 yards. RB WARRICK DUNN has rushed for 788 yards & needs 212 in final 3 games for 3rd 1,000-yard season. RB T.J. DUCKETT had career-best & team-record 4 rushing TDs last week. Club avgs 167.0 rush yards per game, 1st in NFL….. WR PEERLESS PRICE leads Atl WRs with 31 catches & 476 yards……TE ALGE CRUMPLER has 45 catches (736 yards) & needs 2 to pass JUNIOR MILLER (46) for club TE record. Has 17 catches of 20+ yards, best among NFL TEs… DT ROD COLEMAN ranks 2nd among NFL DTs with 8.5 sacks. Had 1st career INT vs. Oak, returning 39 yards for TD……PR ALLEN ROSSUM has 1,235 PR yards with Atl & needs 17 to pass BILLY JOHNSON (1,251) for club record.SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19 HOUSTON TEXANS (5-8) AT CHICAGO BEARS (5-8)
STATS
NOTES TEAMS MEET for 1st time……TEXANS: Club has scored 29 TDs – scored 29 TDs in 2003 & 22 in 2002……QB DAVID CARR has 10 200+ yard pass games in ‘04; had 9 such games in 2002-03 combined. Last week, surpassed 3,000 yards for 1st time in career (3,066). Leads AFC QBs w/ 236 rush yards on 54 carries (4.4 avg.)……RB DOMANICK DAVIS has rushing TD in 5 of past 6 games. Davis needs 168 rush yds for 2nd 1,000-yard season to begin career. Davis leads AFC RBs w/ 493 receiving yds & is only player in NFL to have 40+/20+ 1st downs rushing/receiving (40/23)……WR ANDRE JOHNSON tied for 3rd in NFL in 20+ yard catches (17)……Since ’02, WR COREY BRADFORD has 12 TDs w/ avg. length of TD play reaching 43.6 yards. Offense has recorded 28 plays of 25+ yards; had 18 such plays in all of 2003……Defense tied for 4th in NFL w/ 17 INTs, led by rookie CB DUNTA ROBINSON (No. 10) w/ 5. Team has INT in 9 of past 12 games. Since 1998, LB KAILEE WONG has 40 starts at inside LB & 45 starts on outside. Since 2003, LS BRYAN PITTMAN has 247 long snaps w/o mishap. Team has punted 54 times thru 13 games; punted 114 times in 2003. BEARS: Club has 7-1 (.875) record in last 8 Dec. home games……QB CHAD HUTCHINSON has started last 2 games, passing for 425 yards & 3 TDs. Has 1 INT in 63 att. Spent spring of ’04 with NFL Europe’s Rhein Fire. Is 1 of record 257 NFLE vets on NFL rosters in ’04……RB THOMAS JONES has career-high 691 rushing yards & has increased rush total every season since entering league in ’00. RB ANTHONY THOMAS has 95+ rush yards in 6 of his last 11 games vs. AFC……WR DAVID TERRELL has team-leading 549 receiving yards (33 catches). Avgs 16.6 yards per catch, 2nd in NFC (min. 30 catches). WR BOBBY WADE has 32 catches (404 yards), 15 on 3rd down……Defense holds foes to 29.6 pct. 3rd down conversion rate (53 of 179), 2nd in NFL, & 16.7 pct. on 4th down (2 of 12), 3rd-best in league… DE ALEX BROWN has 6.0 sacks in last 6 games. Rookie 1st-round DT TOMMIE HARRIS has 3.5 sacks, 2nd among NFL rookie DTs……Rookie 4th-round CB NATHAN VASHER ties for NFL rookie lead with 5 INTs. Three-year starter in college at Texas. S MIKE GREEN ties for NFL lead with 4 def. fumble recoveries……Club avgs. 11.9 yards per PR, 3rd in NFL.BUFFALO BILLS (7-6) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (6-7)
STATS
NOTES BILLS: Club has won 6 of past 7 & aim to become 2nd team since
1990 to make playoffs after starting season 0-2 (1992 Chargers). Team has
scored franchise-record 154 points in past 4 games & limited Cle. to 17
total offensive yds last wk ……QB DREW BLEDSOE needs 13 completions to
surpass JOE MONTANA (3,409) for 7th most in NFL history & needs 393
pass yds to be 7th QB to post 10,000 w/ 2 teams……RB WILLIS MC GAHEE
needs 78 rush yds for 1st 1,000-yd season. McGahee has 91+ rush yds in 7 of
past 9 & has catch in 10 games in row……WR ERIC MOULDS (878 yds) seeks
4th career 1,000-yd season. Tied for 4th-most catches in AFC (71). Posted
196 rec. yards at Cin. on 12/6/98, tying regular season career-high. Rookie
WR LEE EVANS (No. 13) leads AFC rookies in catches (33), rec. yds
(587) & NFL rookies in TD catches (6). Among AFC players w/ 30+ catches,
Evans’ 17.8 avg. ties for 5th……Defense has 7 INTs & 8.0 sacks in past 2
games. With DTs PAT WILLIAMS & SAM ADAMS in middle, defense
ranks No. 3 in NFL overall (268.7), No. 2 vs. pass (176.4) & No. 4 vs. run
(92.3)……KR-CB TERRENCE MC GEE is 1st Bills player to record 3 KR-TDs
in season; NFL record is 4……BENGALS: Team is 5-1 (.833) ww/
lead after 3 qtrs……QB CARSON PALMER has posted 96.9 passer rating in
games 8-13 after compiling 62.6 passer rating in games 1-7……RB RUDI
JOHNSON (1,194) on pace to set club record for rush yds in season (COREY
DILLON, 1,435, 2000). R. Johnson ranks 4th in AFC in rush 1st downs
(60)……WR CHAD JOHNSON (80) stands 2nd in NFL in receptions & aims to
become 1st Bengal to lead NFL in category for season. In past 3 games, WR
T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH has 26 catches for 395 yds & 3 TDs……T WILLIE
ANDERSON has missed only 2 of 140 NFL games……Defense tied for 5th in NFL
w/ 29 takes. DBs have 14 of club’s 16 INTs, paced by CB TORY JAMES
(7), No. 2 among NFL INT leaders. James needs 2 INTs to tie club record for
most in season (KEN RILEY, 9, 1976). No Bengal has led NFL in INTs.
Rookie S MADIEU WILLIAMS (No. 56) has played in each game & is tied
for 4th on club in tackles (72)……LB MARCUS WILKINS leads in ST
tackles (14). JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (7-6) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-5)
STATS
NOTES JAGUARS: Club is 4-2 (.667) in games decided by 3 points or less & is 3-3 on road, improving from 0-8 road record in 2003……Under head coach JACK DEL RIO, team has limited foes to less than 100 total rush yds in 16 of 29 games ……In 4 starts vs. NFC, QB BYRON LEFTWICH has thrown 5 TDs vs. 2 INTs. Since returning from injury (Wks 10-11), Leftwich has thrown 106 passes w/ 1 INT vs. 4 TDs. Leftwich stands 5th among AFC passers on 3rd down w/ 98.5 rating……RB FRED TAYLOR has 118+ rush yards in each of past 5 vs. NFC for 724 total rush yards (144.8/game). Taylor ranks 4th in AFC w/ 1,404 total scrimmage yards (1,059 rush & 345 receiving)……WR JIMMY SMITH is 1 of 4 AFC players w/ 1,000+ yds & ties for NFL lead w/ best per-catch avg. (16.3) among players w/ 50+ catches (Stokley, Ind.). Last wk vs. Chi., Smith surpassed 1,000 rec. yds for 8th time. Rookie WR REGGIE WILLIAMS (No. 9) has catch in 11 of 13 games & caught 1st career TD last wk......DTs MARCUS STROUD & JOHN HENDERSON help team tie for No. 6 in NFL vs. rush (101.3). LB JASON GILDON has 1.0 sack in consecutive games……PACKERS: Offense has posted 400 total yards in 8 of 13 games in ‘04 after accomplishing feat 9 times from 2001-03……Club is 17-3 (.850) in Dec. under head coach MIKE SHERMAN & has 37-9 (.804) December record in last 10 seasons, best in NFL…QB BRETT FAVRE passed for 188 yards last week, giving him 3,160 yards in ’04, tying DAN MARINO (13) for most 3,000-yard passing seasons all-time. Has started 202 games in row, posting 133-69 (.658) record during streak. Has 31-17 (.646) mark all-time vs. AFC……RB AHMAN GREEN needs 8 yards rushing for 5th 1,000-yard season in row, tying JIM TAYLOR (5) for most in team history. Has 1,488 career rushing attempts & needs 12 for 1,500……WR JAVON WALKER has 1st career 1,000-yard receiving season. Is 1st Packer with 10 TD catches since ANTONIO FREEMAN in ’98 (14)……WR DONALD DRIVER has 924 receiving yards (68 catches) & needs 76 for 2nd 1,000-yard season. Club last had 2 1,000-yard WRs in ’99 (Freeman, BILL SCHROEDER)……Defense ranks 3rd in NFC allowing 110.8 rushing yards per game……DE KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA has 7.0 sacks in past 6 games. Club 13-3 since signing DT GRADY JACKSON on 11/4/03.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-6) AT DETROIT LIONS (5-8)
STATS
NOTES VIKINGS: Club avgs. 6.4 yards per play, 2nd-most in NFL……Head coach MIKE TICE is 10-6 (.625) vs. NFC North…… QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER has NFL best 128.6 rating on 3rd downs (75 of 105, 991 yards, 16 TDs, 3 INTs) & club converts 51.9 pct. (81 of 156) on 3rd down, tops in NFL. Has 31 TD passes & needs 4 to pass RANDALL CUNNINGHAM for single-season club record (34, 1998). Has 8-0 mark vs. Lions……Second-year RB ONTERRIO SMITH has rushed for team-leading 533 yards in 9 games & needs 47 to surpass rookie total (579)……WR RANDY MOSS has 17 TDs in last 15 games. Has 40 career 100-yard games & needs 1 to pass CRIS CARTER for team record. Club is 28-12 when Moss tops 100. In 12 games vs. Lions, has 68 catches for 1,080 yards & 8 TDs. Second-year WR NATE BURLESON has team-leading & career-high 713 rec. yards (57 rec). WR MARCUS ROBINSON ranks 2nd on club with 594 rec. yards (42 rec) & 7 TD catches……Second-year DT KEVIN WILLIAMS leads NFL DTs with 10 sacks… LB CHRIS CLAIBORNE spent 1st 4 NFL seasons with Lions, starting 58 games from 1999-02……LIONS: Club ranks 4th in NFC with +8 turnover ratio after finishing even in ’03……QB JOEY HARRINGTON has TD pass in 10 of 13 games. Has 15 TD passes & needs 3 for career-best (17)…… Rookie 1st-round RB KEVIN JONES aims to become 1st rookie in NFL history with 3 consecutive 150-yard rushing games. Has rushed for 352 yards in last 2 games & 632 in last 5. Leads NFL rookies with 859 rushing yards & needs 141 to become 1st Lion rookie with 1,000 yards since BARRY SANDERS in ’89 (1,470)……Rookie 1st-round WR ROY WILLIAMS (No. 7) ties for 2nd among NFL rookies with 5 TDs. Needs 2 TD catches to tie WILLIE GREEN (7, ’91) for club rookie mark…..WR AZ-ZAHIR HAKIM avgs. 16.4 yards per catch (25 for 409), 4th in NFC (min. 25 catches)……D-line has 24.5 of club’s 31.0 sacks……DE JAMES HALL leads club with career- high 9.5 sacks. Needs 0.5 for 1st 10.0 sack year by Lion since ’01 (ROBERT PORCHER, 11.0). SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (10-3) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-10)
STATS
NOTES CHARGERS: Head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER was Browns head
coach from 1984-88, posting 44-27 (.620) reg. season record, w/ 4 playoff
berths, 3 division titles & 2 AFC Championship appearances……Club has won 7
in row & has secured 1st 10-win season since ’94 when SD was 11-5 & advanced
to Super Bowl XXIX ……QB DREW BREES is AFC’s 2nd-ranked passer (102.7)
& in past 3 on road has completed 90 of 134 (67.2 pct.) passes for 1,027 yds
w/ 4 TDs vs. 1 INT for 96.8 passer rating……RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON
has 14 TDs on season, tied for 3rd-most in NFL. Tomlinson has TD in 10 games
in row, surpassing club record of 9……TE ANTONIO GATES has 6+ catches
in 5 of 6 on road. Gates (11) needs 2 TD catches for most in season by TE in
NFL history. WR ERIC PARKER posted career-high 118 rec. yds on 6
catches last wk vs. TB. Parker recorded club’s season-long 78-yd catch last
wk……LB DONNIE EDWARDS leads club w/ 129 tackles & recorded 2 INTs
last wk, including 30-yd INT-TD. LB STEVE FOLEY has 1.0 sack, 1 FF, 1
INT & 3 PDs in past 2 games…… BROWNS: Team has played NFL’s
strongest schedule thus far w/ opponents’ win. pct. of .627. Win would give
club 4-4 home record on season……Rookie QB LUKE MC COWN (No. 106) has
3 TD passes in 1st 2 career starts & has 22 yds on 2 rushes……RB WILLIAM
GREEN (115) posted team’s highest rush total at home in Wk 6 vs. Cin……WR
ANTONIO BRYANT has 100+ rec. yds in 2 of past 3 games. In 7 games w/
Browns, Bryant has 30 catches for 414 yds (13.8 avg.) & 4 TDs. WR-PR
DENNIS NORTHCUTT has catch in each game & scored 1st TD of season at Buf.
last wk. Northcutt leads AFC w/ 11.1 PR avg. Former Charger TE STEVE
HEIDEN (1999-2000) tied for team lead in TDs w/ 4……Defense has forced
turnover in 10 games in row. DE KENARD LANG (7.0) leads club in sacks
& needs 1.5 more to surpass career-high for season (8.0, 2003). DE
EBENEZER EKUBAN leads team in QB pressures (25)……KR RICHARD ALSTON
has 23.1 KR avg., helping give team AFC’s 2nd-best avg. drive start after
kickoffs (30.5). In 8 games played, LB MASON UNCK is 2nd on team with
17 special teams tackles. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-6) AT NEW YORK JETS (9-4)
STATS
NOTES SEAHAWKS: Club ranks 3rd in NFC with +10 takeaway ratio & has
been penalized 70 times, fewest in NFL……Head coach MIKE HOLMGREN has
44-33 (.571) record vs. AFC opponents……QB MATT HASSELBECK has made 50
starts & has thrown 68 TD passes vs. 46 INTs in career. Has 43 TDs vs. 2
INTs in red zone since ’01. Seeks to post 100.0+ passer rating & 300-yard
passing game in 3rd game in row. Has passed for 748 yards in last 2 games……RB
SHAUN ALEXANDER has 1,385 rushing yards & needs 161 to pass CHRIS
WARREN (1,545, ’94) for single-season club record. Has rushed for 861
yards in last 7 games……WR DARRELL JACKSON seeks 3rd consecutive
100-yard receiving game. Had 10 catches for 135 yards (TD) last week. Has 14
career 100-yard receiving games & seeks to become 3rd player in franchise
history with 15 (STEVE LARGENT, BRIAN BLADES). WR JERRY
RICE has 13 catches for 197 yards in last 2 games. Defense allowed 20
points & 242 yards in 1st half last week vs. 3 points & 132 yards in
2nd……Defense ranks 2nd in NFL with 20 INTs……Rookie 2nd-round S MICHAEL
BOULWARE ties for NFL rookie lead with 5 INTs & had 1st career sack vs.
Vikings……JETS: Team is 7-1 (.875) when leading after 3
quarters & is 5-1 (.833) at home……QB CHAD PENNINGTON is 8-1 (.889) in
past 9 home starts. With Pennington at QB, team has scored points in 86 of
94 redzone trips. Pennington has passed for 35 TDs w/o INT on 77 of 115
(67.0 pct.) in career redzone passing……RB CURTIS MARTIN stands 3rd in
NFL in rush yds (1,377) & is 5th among AFC RBs in receptions (34). Martin
(13,046) surpassed JEROME BETTIS (13,037) last wk for 5th place on
NFL’s all-time rush list & needs 214 yds to pass ERIC DICKERSON
(13,259) for 4th place. Martin (10) needs 2 rush TDs to pass club-record 11
(BRAD BAXTER, 1992; EMERSON BOOZER 1972). RB LA MONT JORDAN
averaging 5.3 yds per carry on 69 attempts……Among players w/ 20+ receptions,
WR SANTANA MOSS (34) leads NFL w/ 20.6 avg. WR JUSTIN MC CAREINS
has catch in every game. Caught season-long 43-yd reception last wk at
Pitt……Club No. 2 in NFL in turnover ratio (+14)……Defense No. 2 in NFL in
points allowed/game (14.8). In past 3 games, CB DAVID BARRETT has 14
tackles, 7 PDs, 2 INTs & FF. DALLAS COWBOYS (5-8) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (12-1)
STATS
NOTES COWBOYS: Club faces 1st of 3 consecutive NFC East opponents (vs.
Wash, at NYG)……QB VINNY TESTAVERDE has 265 career TD passes, 8th-most
all-time, & closes in on JOE MONTANA (273) in 7th. Has 3 300-yard
games in 2004 & needs 1 to break 3-way tie for club record......Rookie
2nd-round RB JULIUS JONES ranks 2nd among NFL rookies with 533
rushing yards, including 517 in last 4 games……WR KEYSHAWN JOHNSON
leads club with 823 rec yards (55 catches) & needs 177 for 5th-career 1,000
yrd season……TE JASON WITTEN ranks 3rd among NFL TEs with 787 rec yds.
Has 67 catches & needs 2 to pass JAY NOVACEK for most by TE in club
history (68, 1992 ……DT LA’ROI GLOVER ranks 4th among NFC DTs with 5.0
sacks. DE GREG ELLIS has 8.0 sacks & needs 2.0 for 1st 10.0-sack
season since TONY TOLBERT posted 12.0 in ’96. Special teams holds
opponents to 17.3-yard KR average, lowest in NFL……EAGLES: Club
has 12 wins & needs 1 for franchise single-season record……Have scored on 35
of 41 red zone possessions (26 TDs, 9 FGs) & lead NFC with 61.9 red zone TD
pct……Head coach ANDY REID has 28-13 (.683) record vs. NFC East……Club
21-1 (.955) when QB DONOVAN MC NABB has 100.0+ pass rtg. Has
career-high 29 TD pass & needs 4 to pass SONNY JURGENSEN (32, ’61)
for single-season club record……RB BRIAN WESTBROOK has 65 rec & 625
rec. yds, most among NFL RBs……WR TERRELL OWENS leads NFL with 14 TD
catches & needs 2 to equal his career-high (16, ’01). Has 1,176 yards rec &
needs 24 for 4th career 1,200-yard season. WR TODD PINKSTON has 75+
yards in 3 of last 4 games. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 18.9 yds per catch avg
(min. 30 catches) & avgs 19.9 yds per catch in last 18 games (52 for
1,033)……Club has allowed 195 points, 3rd-fewest in NFL……DE JEVON KEARSE
has 7.5 sacks & needs 2.5 for 4th-career 10-sack season……CB LITO SHEPPARD
ties for club lead with 4 INTs & ranks 3rd in NFL with 165 INT ret yards.
S BRIAN DAWKINS had INT last week, his 25th career. Has 4 INTs & needs 1
for career-high. ST. LOUIS RAMS (6-7) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-9)
STATS
NOTES RAMS: Offense avgs. 265.0 passing yards per game, 4th-most in NFL……Head coach MIKE MARTZ is 13-7 (.650) in Dec……QB CHRIS CHANDLER spent 1991-93 with Cards, playing in 23 games with 17 starts. Has 170 career TD passes & needs 5 to become 5th active player with 175 career……Club has perfect 27-0 record when RB MARSHALL FAULK rushes for 100 yards. Has 11,896 rushing yards & needs 104 to become 12th player in NFL history with 12,000. Rookie 1st round RB STEVEN JACKSON ranks 3rd among NFL rookies with 496 rush yards & avgs. 5.0 yards per carry……WR ISAAC BRUCE has 72 rec (1,071 yards) & needs 3 for 6th 75-catch season. WR TORRY HOLT has 32 career 100-yard games & needs 1 to pass JERRY RICE (32) for 2nd-most in 1st 6 seasons all-time. Needs 6 rec for 5th 80-catch season in row……CB JERAMETRIUS BUTLER has career-high 5 INTs & may become 1st Ram to lead club in INTs in consec. seasons since NOLAN CROMWELL(’79-’81). S AENEAS WILLIAMS played in every game with Cards from 1991-00……CARDINALS: Club’s 13 rushing TDs tie for 6th-most in NFL……QB JOSH MC COWN passed for 307 yards vs. SF, helping club force OT after trailing by 25 points. Has 2.3 INT pct. (7 INT in 305 att), 4th-best in NFC……RB EMMITT SMITH has 732 yards rushing & needs 268 in last 3 games for NFL-record 12th 1,000-yard season. Ranks 3rd in NFC with 9 rushing TDs & needs 1 for 1st 10-TD season since ’99 & 9th career. Rushed for 87 yards on 16 carries vs. StL in Week 1……Second-year WR ANQUAN BOLDIN has 5+ catches in 18 of 23 career games. Has 42 catches (437 yards) in 7 games in ‘04. Rookie 1st-round WR LARRY FITZGERALD ranks 2nd among NFL rookie WRs with 47 rec (637 yards). Leads club with 4 TD catches. WR BRYANT JOHNSON has 40 rec (418 yards), topping ’03 rookie total (35)……TE FREDDIE JONES has 399 career rec & needs 1 to become 2nd active TE with 400 (TONY GONZALEZ, 543)…...Team holds foes to 42.6 red zone TD pct. (47 trips, 20 TDs), tied for 1st in NFC & 4th in NFL… DE BERTRAND BERRY has career-best 12 sacks……Rookie 2nd-rnd LB KARLOS DANSBY ties for rookie LB lead with 4.0 sacks.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-8) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-8)
STATS
NOTES SAINTS: JIM HASLETT has 22-16 (.579) road record as club’s
head coach……QB AARON BROOKS has 17 TD passes & needs 3 to become 1st
Saints QB with 4 consecutive 20-TD pass seasons. Has 8 career 300-yard
passing games & needs 1 to tie ARCHIE MANNING (9) for most in club
history. Has started 66 games in row, 3rd-longest active streak in NFL……RB
DEUCE MC ALLISTER has 100 yards rushing in 20 of his last 43 games……WR
JOE HORN needs 16 receiving yards for 4th-career 1,200-yard season. Has
posted 80+ catches in 4 of last 5 seasons. Third-year WR DONTE STALLWORTH
has career-highs with 51 catches & 645 yards after posting 113 on 5 catches
last week. WR JEROME PATHON avgs. career-best 16.9 yards per catch
(26 catches for 439 yards)……DE CHARLES GRANT has 8.5 sacks & needs
1.5 for 2nd 10.0-sack year in row. Rookie 1st round DE WILL SMITH
(No. 18) has 6.0 sacks, 1st in NFC & 2nd among NFL rookies……Special teams
hold foes to 5.7-yard PR avg, 3rd in NFL……P MITCH BERGER has 40.9 net
punting avg, best in NFL…….BUCCANEERS: Club seeks 5th
consecutive home victory……Offense has 40-yard play in 8 of past 11 games……QB
BRIAN GRIESE has played in 9 games & has TD pass in each, posting 95.0+
passer rating in 6 of 9. Passed for 392 yards last week, 4th-highest total
in club history. Completing 69.6 pct. of pass attempts (190 of 273),
2nd-best in NFL……RB MICHAEL PITTMAN has 544 rushing yards in last 7
games. Has 10 TDs (7 rushing, 3 receiving) in 10 games……Rookie 1st-round
WR MICHAEL CLAYTON leads NFL rookies with 70 catches, most by rookie in
franchise history, & 988 yards. Needs 12 yards to become 1st Bucs rookie
with 1,000-yard season. Has 90+ receiving yards in 5 of last 10. WR JOEY
GALLOWAY had 5 catches for 78 yards & 2 TDs (36, 4) vs. SD, his 1st
multiple TD game of season. WR TIM BROWN has 100 career TD catches &
needs 1 to pass STEVE LARGENT (100) for 3rd all-time……Defense has
forced turnover in 68 of last 70 games. Club surrenders 163.5 passing yards
per game, fewest in NFL……DE SIMEON RICE has 9.0 sacks & needs 1 for
7th-career 10.0-sack season. DENVER BRONCOS (8-5) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-8)
STATS
NOTES BRONCOS: Team is 7-1 (.875) when leading at halftime…...Under
head coach MIKE SHANAHAN, team is 59-2 (.967) when scoring 30+
points……QB JAKE PLUMMER is club’s all-time leader in passer rating
(85.9) w/ min. 500 attempts. Since joining Broncos in ’03, Plummer is 17-7
(.708) as starter……RB REUBEN DROUGHNS has 100+ rush yards in 6 of
past 8 & has rush TD in 3 games in row……WR ROD SMITH has 9 100-yd
rec. games vs. KC – his most vs. any foe. In past 6 games at KC, Smith has 4
100-yd games & 41 catches (6.8-catch/gm avg.). WR ASHLEY LELIE has
30+ yard catch in 12 of 13 games & leads NFL in 30+ yd TD catches (6). Lelie
has 60+ rec. yards in 7 games in row……Offensive linemen T MATT LEPSIS,
G BEN HAMILTON, C TOM NALEN, & T GEORGE FOSTER have
started every game. O-line has allowed only 9 sacks, tied for fewest in NFL
(Ind.). Broncos record for fewest allowed in season is 22 (1971)…… Rookie
LB D.J. WILLIAMS (No. 17; 93) & LB AL WILSON (87) stand No. 1 & 2
on club in tackles. S JOHN LYNCH leads team in FFs w/ 3. DE REGGIE
HAYWARD has 1.0 sack in 4 of past 5 games……CHIEFS: QB
TRENT GREEN has NFL-best 6 300-yd games in NFL this season & needs 1
more 300-yd game to tie BILL KENNEY (1983) for most in season by
Chief. Tied for 3rd in NFL w/ 48 passes of 20+ yds. Green has thrown 8 TDs
vs. 3 INTs in past 5 at home & has passed for 300+ yds in 5 of past 7 games
overall……RB DERRICK BLAYLOCK has 8 TDs in past 7 games. KC has 26
rush TDs, most in NFL & top AFC in rush yards per carry (4.51). RB LARRY
JOHNSON posted longest run by Chief last wk (46 yds) since BARRY WORD
(10/14/90)……WR JOHNNIE MORTON has 4+ catches in 8 consecutive home
games……TE TONY GONZALEZ leads NFL TEs w/ 946 rec. yards. Gonzalez
(542) caught 8 passes last wk at Tenn. to surpass HOF TE KELLEN WINSLOW
(541) for 3rd-most receptions by TE in NFL history……Rookie DE JARED ALLEN
(No. 126) leads team & NFL rookies w/ 8.0 sacks. DE ERIC HICKS (38.5)
needs 2.0 sacks to surpass BILL MAAS (40.0) for 5th-most in Chiefs
history. Defense had 5.0 sacks last wk……WR-KR DANTE HALL No. 2 in AFC
PR avg. (10.9). TENNESSEE TITANS (4-9) AT OAKLAND RAIDERS (4-9)
STATS
NOTES TITANS: Club has won 7 of past 10 in December……QB BILLY VOLEK
has 11 TDs in past 4 games played. Volek has 40+ yd TD pass in 3 games in
row. Passed for fifth-most yds in team history last week (426)……RB CHRIS
BROWN (1,067) posted 91 rush yds last week to record 1st career 1,000-yd
season…… WR DERRICK MASON (934) aims to become 1st player in
franchise history to reach 1,000 yds in 4 consecutive seasons. Mason (79) is
3rd player in club annals to record 60+ catches in 5 seasons in row (HAYWOOD
JEFFIRES, 1990-95; FRANK WYCHECK 1997-01). WR DREW BENNETT
has career-best 8 TDs, including 6 TDs in past 2 games. Bennett caught 12
passes for 233 yards for third-most rec. yds in game in franchise history.
Has 3+ catches in 10 of 13 games. TEs SHAD MEIER (4, 50) &
ERRON KINNEY (2, 10) combined for 6 catches & 60 yds last wk. Team
outscoring opponents in 1st qtr: 82-42……Rookies DT RANDY STARKS (No.
71; 4.5) & DE TRAVIS LA BOY (No. 42; 3.5) rank 2nd & 4th on team in
sacks. LB KEITH BULLUCK has 125+ tackles for 3rd consecutive season.
Defense 4th-best in NFL in disallowing opponents 3rd down conversions: 31.5
pct. (46 of 146)…… RAIDERS: Team has NFL’s 2nd-toughest
strength of schedule pct. (.598)......QB KERRY COLLINS has completed
passes to at least 8 players in 8 consecutive games. In past 3 at home,
Collins has 7 TDs vs. 1 INT. Has 100.0+ passer rating in past 2......Club
posted 131 total rush yds last wk. In past 3 gms, RB J.R. REDMOND
averaging 7.8 yds/carry on 10 atts. Redmond has 2+ catches in 6 of past 7.
RB AMOS ZEREOUE has catch in 12 consecutive gms. RB ZACK CROCKETT
posted 1st TD of season last wk…… WR JOHN STONE led team w/ 62 rec.
yds last wk. Among AFC players w/ 45+ catches, WR JERRY PORTER is 4th
in yds/catch (15.5). Four of club’s 5 pass plays of 50+ yds have come in
past 4 games. Offense 3rd in AFC on avg. gain per 1st down play (6.19)……DTs
TED WASHINGTON & WARREN SAPP have started each game. CB CHARLES
WOODSON has either INT, FR or FF in 3 of past 6……P SHANE LECHLER
leads NFL w/ 47.4 avg. & has punt of 55+ yds in 9 games in row. BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-5) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (10-3)
STATS
NOTES HOME TEAM has won all 4 meetings. Head coaches BRIAN BILLICK
of Baltimore & Indianapolis’ TONY DUNGY worked together as Minnesota
Vikings offensive & defensive coordinators, respectively, from 1993-95……RAVENS:
QB KYLE BOLLER posted career-high 112.3 passer rating last wk w/ 4
TDs vs. 0 INTs……In 24 games when RB JAMAL LEWIS posts 100+ rush yds,
team is 19-5 (.792), outscoring foes 611-350. In past 3 on road, Lewis has
373 rush yds on 60 carries for 6.2-yd avg. RB CHESTER TAYLOR has 2
career-best rush totals in past 2 games: 139 & 104, respectively ……WR
TRAVIS TAYLOR (2,686) needs 134 rec. yds to pass QADRY ISMAIL
(2,819) for most in club history. In past 7 gms, rookie WR CLARENCE MOORE
(No. 199) has 18 catches for 236 yds & 4 TDs……Since ’00, defense has allowed
fewest 100-yd rushers in league (11). LB RAY LEWIS on pace for 214
tackles on season. LB TERRELL SUGGS has 21.5 sacks in 28 career
games. S ED REED leads NFL w/ 8 INTs & club is 14-3 (.824) when Reed
has INT. Reed (20) & Lewis (20) share club’s all-time INT record w/ DUANE
STARKS & ROD WOODSON……COLTS: Clinched playoff berth
last wk. Head coach TONY DUNGY has led teams to playoffs 7 times in 9
yrs......QB PEYTON MANNING (46) needs 3 TD passes for NFL record for
most in season (DAN MARINO, Mia., 48, 1984). Manning (13) now owns
NFL record for most games in row w/ 2+ TD passes. Current 126.3 passer
rating would surpass NFL season record (STEVE YOUNG, 112.8, SF,
1994). Needs 81 pass yds to tie Marino for most 4,000-yd seasons in career
(6)......Club is 33-5 (.868) when RB EDGERRIN JAMES scores TD. James
No. 1 in NFL w/ 1,395 rush yds & scrim. yds (1,814). Last wk James became
3rd Colt w/ 10,000 career scrim. yds (10,005)……Aim to be 4tj NFL club to
have 3 WRs w/ 1,000+ rec. yds: WR REGGIE WAYNE (971), WR BRANDON
STOKLEY (936), WR MARVIN HARRISON (896); other 2 – Atl., 1995 &
Wash, 1983......Lead NFL w/ +18 turnover margin. DEs DWIGHT FREENEY
(13.0) & ROBERT MATHIS (10.5) are No. 1 & 2 in NFL sacks. Freeney has
3.0 sacks in consecutive games & needs 0.5 sack to surpass own club season
record (2002). MONDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 20 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-1) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-11)
STATS
NOTES TEN OF PAST 16 have been decided by 7 points-or-less, including 7
decided by 3 points-or-less. Two of past 4 decided in OT. Team
with more rush yards has won 14 of past 16 in series and 21 of past 24
(including playoffs)……PATRIOTS: Team has won 31 games in row
when leading at halftime – longest streak in NFL since 1970……Club is 18-4
(.818) in past 22 division games under head coach BILL BELICHICK.
Club is 43-2 (.956) under Belichick when scoring 21+ points ……QB TOM
BRADY has 46-13 (.780) record as starter, tops in NFL among QBs with 30+
starts. In career, has 22 games with 100.0+ passer rating & Pats are 22-0……RB
COREY DILLON has career-high 7 100-yd games; club record is 9 (CURTIS
MARTIN, 1995). Dillon also has 2 games w/ 94 & 98 rush yds. Dillon has 6
rush TDs in past 4 games…… WR DAVID PATTEN (7) tied for 5th-most TD
catches in AFC……Led by LB WILLIE MC GINEST (7.5), team has 37 sacks;
posted 41 in all of 2003. Team has 4 defensive TDs & is 16-2 (.889) in past
18 w/ defensive TD. CB TY LAW (36) needs 1 INT to surpass RAYMOND
CLAYBORN for most in club history……DOLPHINS: In all 4
games under interim head coach JIM BATES, team has either led, tied
or trailed by 4 points or less entering 4th quarter……QB A.J. FEELEY
has 7 TD passes in past 4 games w/ 1+ TD in each……In past 2 games, RBs
TRAVIS MINOR & SAMMY MORRIS have combined for 2 TDs & 143 rush
yds……WR CHRIS CHAMBERS has TD catch in 3 of past 4 games. Caught 6
passes, including 10-yd TD vs. NE in Wk 5. In Wk 5 mtg, WR MARTY BOOKER
reached season-highs in catches (7) & rec. yds (123). In 5 games vs. AFC
East, TE RANDY MC MICHAEL has 21 catches for 248 yards……DT JEFF
ZGONINA (5.0) has career-high in sacks & needs 5 tackles to surpass his
season high of 81 (2002, St.L)……K OLINDO MARE (828) needs 3 points to
surpass GARO YEPREMIAN (830) for most points in club history.
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS (Home teams in capitals)
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE – DECEMBER 18-20 (All times local)
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