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FOR USE AS DESIRED EARLY-SEASON BATTLE OF UNBEATENS AS EAGLES VISIT LIONS; COWBOYS-REDSKINS ON MNF FEATURES PARCELLS VS. GIBBS How ’bout them Falcons, Jaguars, Jets and Lions?! All non-playoff teams last year, they haven’t lost in 2004. Looks like another NFL season of surprises! "It’s nice to be 2-0," says Lions head coach STEVE MARIUCCI. "I like where we are right now." So does the rest of that quartet as well as the 2003 playoff clubs who also sport that mark in ’04 – New England, Philadelphia and Seattle. Of course that spotless record doesn’t earn you anything at this point in the season besides high hopes. Three clubs – Buffalo, Minnesota and Washington -- started 2-0 last year and missed the playoffs. On the other hand, the Philadelphia Eagles began 0-2 last season (being shut out in their first game and trounced 31-10 in their second) and made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. The Eagles were one of 17 teams since 1990 to start a season 0-2 and make the playoffs (with two of them, the 1993 Dallas Cowboys and 2001 New England Patriots, winning the Super Bowl). A sage rookie is keeping his team’s 2-0 start in perspective. "We’ve won just two games, that’s all," said calm Lions rookie receiver ROY WILLIAMS after his two touchdown catches on Sunday. "Come back in the 14th game of the season when we have a winning record and I’ll show more excitement." Meanwhile, there’s plenty of excitement in store for Week 3: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0) at DETROIT LIONS (2-0): Battle of the Unbeatens that could turn into an explosive air show. The Eagles arrive fresh off their Monday night victory over Minnesota in which quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB threw two TD passes (and ran for another) to give him six TD connections in the season’s first two games. He spread his passes around, completing 19 of 28 to seven different receivers. "I’ve always said we have other weapons on this team," says McNabb. "(New Eagles wideout) TERRELL OWENS’ presence opens a lot for the other guys." The Lions have a hot new receiver themselves – this year’s No. 7 overall draft choice Williams. The Texas Longhorn made two highlight-reel TD catches Sunday and goes into Week 3 as the NFC leader in yards per catch – 17.8. "When you combine his size (6-2) and speed (4.37 in the 40), there aren’t many 5-10, 180-pound defensive backs that can cover him," says Lions quarterback JOEY HARRINGTON. And how does Michigan Mooch see it? "We’ll be ready to roll," says Iron Mountain, Michigan-born Lions head coach Mariucci. "We’ll be prepared for another doozy." GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-1) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-1): A touchdown showdown? Last year, the two quarterbacks in this game – Green Bay’s BRETT FAVRE (32) and Indy’s PEYTON MANNING (29) – finished first and second in the NFL in TD passes. And if Sunday is anything like the last and only other time these two met (2000 in Green Bay), it could be a wild one. Green Bay won 26-24 but not before Manning threw three second-half TDs to erase a 19-0 Packers halftime NFL FACTOID 150s: There have been seven 150-yard rushing games this season. Over the past five years combined (1999-03), there was a total of seven such games in the first two weeks of the season. lead, throwing for 259 of his 294 total yards in the half. Favre (12-21 lifetime in domes) totaled 301 yards. Or…it could come down to the ground game. Indianapolis’ EDGERRIN JAMES – with two 100-yard efforts this season -- is hurting (hamstring) and could be replaced by DOMINIC RHODES, who ran for 1,104 yards in 2001 (a record for an undrafted rookie) in replacing an injured James for the season’s final 10 games. Green Bay’s AHMAN GREEN also has two 100-yard games to his credit this year with three TDs (one receiving). Matchup to watch: Indy right DE DWIGHT FREENEY – the first player in Colts history with double-digit sacks in consecutive years (2002-03) – against LT CHAD CLIFTON. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-0) at TENNESSEE TITANS (1-1): Might the tables be switched? In this short (since 1995) yet intense division rivalry, the Titans have won the last five and nine of the past 11 since 1999 when they topped Jacksonville three times (including in the AFC Championship) on the way to Super Bowl XXXIV. But so far in ’04, the Jags have had that magic – winning on a no-time-left TD pass in Buffalo in Week 1 and on a recovered fumble last Sunday to kill a Denver rally. "We’re keeping the cardiologists busy in town," says Jacksonville’s second-year head coach JACK DEL RIO. The Jaguars are the first team since the 1942 Chicago Cardinals to start 2-0 while scoring only 20 points. The key matchups: Titans RB CHRIS BROWN (replacing the departed EDDIE GEORGE), with 252 yards this season, against a Jaguars defense that has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 17 games, the NFL’s longest such streak…and Jaguars QB BYRON LEFTWICH against Titans CB SAMARI ROLLE, who has eight interceptions in 11 games against Jacksonville. BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-1) at CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-1): Stop Jamal! That will be a main task of the Bengals in their first of three consecutive AFC North Division games. Ravens running back JAMAL LEWIS, who gained the second-most season yards in history last year (2,066), has rushed for 100 yards in six consecutive games against Cincinnati. "Jamal is the kind of running back where, if you let him get rolling and he puts his pads down, he can just rip your arms out of their sockets" says Bengals linebacker KEVIN HARDY. "When he has momentum, and he’s running downhill, look out. Man, he’s tough to tackle." Cincinnati’s rush defense comes off an excellent game against Miami Sunday night in which they limited the Dolphins to 25 yards and no first downs on the ground. Matchup to watch: The young California-bred quarterbacks who were both 2003 first-round draft choices – CARSON PALMER of Cincinnati (No. 1 overall) and KYLE BOLLER of Baltimore (No. 19). It is the first time the two have met in the NFL, yet the fourth time in their careers. USC’s Palmer held a 2-1 edge over Cal’s Boller as undergrads. DALLAS COWBOYS (1-1) at WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-1) (Monday night, ABC, 9:00 PM ET): Nostalgia will be in the Monday night air! Head coaches BILL PARCELLS of Dallas and JOE GIBBS of Washington renew a division rivalry that was one of the hottest when Parcells coached the New York Giants from 1983-90 and Gibbs was in his first tenure with the Redskins. The two went to six Super Bowls in that time and won five of them (Gibbs, 3; Parcells, 2). "I could have had a couple of more Super Bowl rings if it wasn’t for that guy," kids Gibbs. Other than wins, the rivalry was surprisingly even: GIBBS VS. PARCELLS
On top of that scenario is that this is one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries, in spite of the Cowboys winning 12 of the past 13 meetings, including a 27-0 decision last December that was Dallas’ first shutout in the series in 32 years. It will be the veterans of Dallas, 40-year-old quarterback VINNY TESTAVERDE and 31-year-old running back EDDIE GEORGE (subbing for injured rookie JULIUS JONES), against Redskins youngsters PATRICK RAMSEY (the 25-year-old quarterback who may replace injured vet MARK BRUNELL) and running back CLINTON PORTIS (25). SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 ARIZONA CARDINALS (0-2) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (2-0)
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NOTES FALCONS: Club seeks 1st 3-0 start since 1986……QB MICHAEL VICK makes 13th career start at Georgia Dome & has 10-2 record as starter at home. In 675 career pass attempts, has thrown 15 INTs for 2.22 INT pct……RB WARRICK DUNN has 5,905 career rushing yards & needs 95 for 6,000. Seeks 3rd consecutive multi-TD game. RB T.J. DUCKETT rushed for 52 yards on 9 carries vs. Rams……WR PEERLESS PRICE has catch in 73 consecutive games. WR BRIAN FINNERAN has 107 catches with club since ’01, 71.0 pct. resulting in 1st downs (76 of 107)……TE ALGE CRUMPLER posted career highs with 44 catches & 552 yards in ’03 & has 9 for 131 in 1st 2 games……DT ROD COLEMAN has 16.5 sacks in past 2 seasons, tops in NFL among DTs……DE PATRICK KERNEY had 2.0 sacks vs. Rams & seeks 3rd multi-sack game in past 4……KR ALLEN ROSSUM has 2,593 KR yards with Falcons & needs 5 to pass TIM DWIGHT (2,597) in 2nd in club history……CARDINALS: Head coach DENNIS GREEN ties for 6th among active coaches with .602 winning pct (97-64)……QB JOSH MC COWN has completed at least 60 percent of pass attempts in 3 of past 4 starts……RB EMMITT SMITH is NFL’s all-time leading rusher (17,536). Has 76 career 100-yard rushing games & needs 100-yard game to tie WALTER PAYTON (77) for most 100-yard rushing games in NFL history. Avgs. 99.3 yards in 7 career games vs. Falcons & 4.9 yards per carry. Seeks rushing TD in 3rd consecutive game overall……Rookie 1st-round WR LARRY FITZGERALD (No. 3) has 9 catches & 106 yards in 1st 2 games. TE FREDDIE JONES has 369 career catches, 2nd-most among active TEs (TONY GONZALEZ, 474)…...Club has forced 6 turnovers after totaling 23 in ’03. Has +4 takeaway/giveaway ratio, tied for 4th-best in NFL……DE BERTRAND BERRY had 1st sack with club last week after posting 20.0 in past 3 years with Denver……K NEIL RACKERS has connected on 5 of 8 career FGs from 50+, including 2 of 3 vs. Patriots (51, 52).BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-1) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-1) SERIES
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NOTES RAVENS: Head coach BRIAN BILLICK is 8-2 vs. Bengals & has
led Ravens to winning season in 4 of 5 years……In lone start vs. Cin.
(10/19/03), QB KYLE BOLLER posted 1st 300-yd game (302) on 15 of 27
passing (55.6 pct.) & 2 TDs vs. 1 INT for career-high 104.2 rating……In past
6 vs. AFC North, RB JAMAL LEWIS has 952 yards & 8 TDs, including 5
100s & 2 200s. Has rushed for 100+ yards in all 6 career games vs. Bengals
w/ 6 TDs. Lewis needs 124 rush yards for 5,000 in career. If Lewis reaches
5,000 vs. Cin., he’ll do so in 51 games – 5th quickest in NFL history……WR
KEVIN JOHNSON has posted 4 of his 6 career-best receiving yard days vs.
Cin……Ravens forced 5 turnovers in last meeting, including INTs by S WILL
DEMPS & LB RAY LEWIS……Lewis (20) needs 1 INT to become club’s
all-time leader. In past 4 vs. Bengals, LB ED HARTWELL has 4.0 sacks
& DE ANTHONY WEAVER has 3.0 sacks. Defense has 13.0 total sacks in
past 4 vs. Cincy. Defense limited Bengals RB R. Johnson to 15 rush
yds on 7 carries (2.1 avg.) in 2 games last season…… BENGALS:
Head coach MARVIN LEWIS faces former team for 3rd time. 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)……QB CARSON PALMER won 1st career start in Paul Brown
Stadium last week…….In past 6 at home, RB RUDI JOHNSON has rushed for
714 yards (119.0 per game) & 7 TDs. WR CHAD JOHNSON (18.0)
stands 5th in yards-per-catch in AFC (min. 8 catches). WR PETER WARRICK
caught career-high 11 passes vs. Balt. in last meeting. Either C. Johnson or
Warrick or both have TD catch vs. Ravens in past 4 meetings. Offense has
scored in 7 of past 9 quarters dating back to 2003……In 2 meetings last
season, S KEVIN KAESVIHARN posted lone career sack & lone career INT
vs. Ravens. DE JUSTIN SMITH posted 2-best tackle games vs. Ravens in
’03 w/ 13 at home & 10 on road. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0) AT DETROIT LIONS (2-0)
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NOTES EAGLES: Club has committed 1 turnover after setting club record for fewest turnovers in ’03 (22)……Head coach ANDY REID has 58 wins as club’s head coach, 2nd-most in team history (66, GREASY NEALE)……QB DONOVAN MC NABB has 45-21 (.682) record as starter, 2nd-best among active QBs with minimum 50 starts. Has thrown 49 career INTs in 2,181 attempts for 2.24 INT pct, 2nd-best mark in NFL history (NEIL O’DONNELL, 2.11). Seeks to post 100+ passer rating in 4th consecutive game……RB BRIAN WESTBROOK has 299 yards from scrimmage (188 rush, 111 rec), tops in NFC & 3rd in NFL……WR TERRELL OWENS has 22 career multi-TD games, 5th-best among active players (JERRY RICE, 46). Seeks TD in 4th consecutive game vs. Lions, totaling 4 TDs in past 3 vs. Det……TEs CHAD LEWIS & L.J. SMITH combine for 14 catches, 158 yards & 2 TDs……T JON RUNYAN has started 114 consecutive games……Defense ties for NFL lead (Oak) with 9.0 sacks after finishing ’03 with 38……DE JEVON KEARSE has 47.5 career sacks & needs 2.5 for 50……LIONS: Club seeks 1st 3-0 start since 1980 & has won 6 of past 9 at home……Lions lost NFL-low 4 fumbles last year, tied for 4th-best all-time (2, KC, ‘02) & have +5 turnover ratio after 2 games, tied for best in NFL......QB JOEY HARRINGTON has guided club to 3 consecutive wins, passing for 7 TDs vs. 3 INTs over that span. Has been sacked once per 51.7 career pass attempts (20 sacks, 1,034 att), best sack-per-attempt ratio in NFL history……Rookie 1st-round RB KEVIN JONES (No. 30) rushed for 57 yards on 12 carries vs. Hou……Rookie 1st-round WR ROY WILLIAMS (No. 7) had TD catches of 31 & 14 yards, finishing with 4 rec. for 73 yards. Leads NFL rookies with 142 yards receiving. WR TAI STREETS tied career-high with 8 catches (65 yards) vs. Eagles on 11/25/02 (with SF)……DE JAMES HALL has 3.5 sacks, tops in NFL, & needs 1.0 to equal career best……KR EDDIE DRUMMOND scored on 99-yard KR vs. Hou. Has scored return TD in each of 1st 3 seasons (2 PR, 1 KR).HOUSTON TEXANS (0-2) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-2)
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NOTES TEXANS: Club has outgained opponents in each of 1st 2 games……QB
DAVID CARR owns AFC’s 2nd-best passer rating on 3rd down (105.5),
completing 12 of 17 (70.6 pct.) for 202 yards & 1 TD vs. 1 INT. Carr also is
11 of 16 passing (68.8 pct.) in 4th qtr, 4th-best pct. in AFC w/ min. 10
attempts. Team owns AFC’s No. 2 passing offense (271.0 yards per game)……RB
DOMINACK DAVIS has scored 7 TDs in past 6 games & stands 2nd in AFC with
16 1st downs. Davis’ 165 receiving yards are most by any RB & his 330 total
scrimmage yards are 2nd most in AFC……WR ANDRE JOHNSON vies for
career-long streak or 5 consecutive 50+ yard receiving games. In 3rd career
NFL game vs. KC (9/21/03), Johnson caught 7 passes for 102 yards &
career-best 2 TDs. WR DERICK ARMSTRONG had career-high 4 catches last
week. WR JABAR GAFFNEY caught 5 passes for 42 yards vs. KC in last
meeting……LB KAILEE WONG registered 4 tackles & 1.0 sack in last
meeting. CB MARCUS COLEMAN recorded INT vs. KC’s Green in ’03.
Defense forced KC’s Green into 2 INTs in ’03, tying most in 1 game by Green
all season……CHIEFS: Team has won 10 of past 11 Week 3 games.
Club has won 13 of past 14 home games & are outscoring opponents by average
of 32.1 to 15.1 in that span. Since 1988, team is 66-4 (.943) at Arrowhead
when scoring 21+ points……QB TRENT GREEN enters game as Chiefs
all-time leader in completion pct. (59.80; 946 of 1,582) w/1,000 min.
attempts. In 3 career games vs. AFC South, Green has passed for 880 yards
(293.3 avg.) & is 2-1. Has started all 50 games for Chiefs since arriving in
KC (2001)……RB PRIEST HOLMES has scored 2+ TDs in 6 of past 7 games,
including playoffs. Tied for NFL-best 4 TDs……WR EDDIE KENNISON posted
4 catches & 1 TD vs. Texans in ’03. TE TONY GONZALEZ (474) needs 7
catches to surpass HOF TE JACKIE SMITH (480); only 2 TEs in HOF would
have more career receptions (OZZIE NEWSOME, 662; KELLEN WINSLOW,
542)……CB ERIC WARFIELD tied career-best 2 INTs last week vs. Car.,
including 43-yard INT-TD. S SHAUNARD HARTS recorded 1st career INT-TD
(39 yards) in last meeting. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-1) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-2)
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NOTES GAME FEATURES 2 of 3 AFC teams with most wins since 1970 merger:
Miami (334), Pittsburgh (308). Oakland ranks No. 2 w/ 309. Steelers head
coach BILL COWHER and Dolphins head coach DAVE WANNSTEDT both
hail from Pittsburgh area…… STEELERS: Head coach Cowher has
never lost to Dolphins’ Wannstedt (2-0)……Rookie QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER
(No. 11) makes 1st NFL start. In NFL debut last week at Balt.,
Roethlisberger passed for 2 TDs in 4th quarter. Offense has scored 5 TDs in
6 red zone trips for 83.3 TD pct., best in AFC…… In 2 career games vs.
Dolphins, RB DUCE STALEY has 5.2-yard avg. on 25 carries. RB
JEROME BETTIS (59) needs 1 rush TD to become 2nd Steeler to reach 60 (FRANCO
HARRIS, 91)……WR HINES WARD (38) needs 2 receiving TDs to surpass
LOUIS LIPPS (39) for 4th most in club history. WR-PR-KR ANTWAAN
RANDLE EL caught rookie QB Roethlisberger’s 1st career TD pass last
Sunday……DE AARON SMITH has started 65 straight games. LB CLARK
HAGGANS (2.0) is 1 of 4 AFC LBs w/ 2.0+ sacks. CB DESHEA TOWNSEND
has 4 INTs in past 4 games. Defense has allowed only 2 TDs in 6 red zone
trips……DOLPHINS: Are NFL-best 26-10 (.722) in September since
1994……Head coach Wannstedt attended Pittsburgh’s Baldwin HS, played at U. of
Pittsburgh & was assistant coach at Pitt from 1975-78, as team went 34-9-1
(.784) & won 3 Bowl games……QB A.J. FEELEY has 4-2 (.667) record as
starting QB & has thrown 2 TDs in past 6 quarters……RB LAMAR GORDON
has 13 catches in 1st 2 games, ranks No. 2 among AFC RBs (Davis, Hou.,
16)……In past 5 Sept. games, WR CHRIS CHAMBERS has 27 catches for 364
yards & 4 TDs……TE RANDY MC MICHAEL stands 1st among NFL TEs
with 14 catches. In past 3 home games, McMichael has 18 catches for 214
yards & 1 TD. Dolphins are only club w/ 3 players among AFC top 10 reception
leaders: McMichael (14), Gordon (13), Chambers (11)……Defense has surrendered
1 TD. LB ZACH THOMAS had 17-yard INT-TD in last meeting, also adding
team-high 11 tackles. Dolphins are 19-3 (.864) when CB PATRICK SURTAIN
had INT & have won 7 in row. CHICAGO BEARS (1-1) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-1)
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NOTES BEARS: Second-year QB REX GROSSMAN made 1st career start
in last meeting, passing for 157 yards in victory. Last week, led club to
1st win at GB since ‘00…… RB THOMAS JONES has 3 TDs in 2 games with
Bears, posting 152 yards rushing vs. Pack. Has increased rushing total from
previous season in each of last 3 years. RB ANTHONY THOMAS avgs. 4.6
yards per carry in past 2 vs. Vikes. Has 2,956 career rushing yards & needs
89 yards to pass ROLAND HARPER (3,044) in 5th in club history……WR
DAVID TERRELL gained 15+ yards on 6 of his 7 touches (5 rec, 2 rush) in
’04……TE DESMOND CLARK posted 44 catches (433 yards) in ’03, most by
club TE since ’97 (46, RYAN WETNIGHT)……Defense has held opponents to
less than 100 yards rushing in 3 of past 4 games & surrendered 10 points or
less in 4 of past 8…… DE ADEWALE OGUNLEYE has 32 sacks in 41
career games. Had 5 games with 2.0+ sacks in ’03…… LB BRIAN URLACHER
has started 64 consecutive games, team’s longest streak……VIKINGS:
Head coach MIKE TICE leads all NFL head coaches with 14 years NFL
playing experience……QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER has 96 career TD passes &
needs 4 to become 3rd Viking with 100. Rushed for 1,989 yards in career &
needs 11 for 2,000. Has passed for 1,716 yards vs. Bears, his most vs. any
club……RB ONTERRIO SMITH had career-high & 1st career 100-yard rushing
game (148) in last meeting……WR RANDY MOSS has 75 receptions for 1,005
yards & 8 TDs in 12 career games vs. Bears. Seeks TD catch in 8th
consecutive game. Current streak of 7 in row with TD ties CRIS CARTER
(1999) for club record. Has 10 TD catches in past 7 games. WR MARCUS
ROBINSON spent 1998-02 with Chi, posting 1,400 yards receiving (84
catches) in ’99, most in Bears history. WR KELLY CAMPBELL has 8
career TDs, 4 from 40+ yards……Rookie 1st-round DE KENECHI UDEZE (No.
20) posted 1st-career sack vs. Eagles……K MORTEN ANDERSEN has
played in NFL record tying 340 games & can pass GEORGE BLANDA (340)
for most in league history. CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-1) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1-1)
STATS
NOTES CLUBS FINISHED 1-2 in NFL’s Eastern Conference 7 times from
1950-63……BROWNS: Head coach BUTCH DAVIS has won 5 of
past 6 vs. NYG as Dallas asst (1992-94)……In ’02 NFC Wild Card vs. NYG, QB
JEFF GARCIA (w/SF) passed for 331 yards & 3 TDs vs. 1 INT on 27 of 44
(61.4 pct.) for 97.8 rating & named NFL Offensive Player of Week. Garcia has
8 rush TDs since start of 2003, no other QB has more than 5……In past 3 vs.
NFC, RB WILLIAM GREEN averages 4.5 yards per carry on 61 rushes w/ 2
TDs. RB JAMES JACKSON had career-long 38-yard rush last week……In past
4 on road vs. NFC, WR-PR DENNIS NORTHCUTT has 13 catches for 211 yds
& 2 rushes for 35 yds & 1 TD. Northcutt ranks 4th in AFC PR avg. (10.0)
……Defense has allowed 4 scrimmage plays inside 20-yd line in past 8 qtrs.
Club leads NFL with 5 INTs (CB ANTHONY HENRY, 2)……DE KENARD LANG
tied for AFC sack lead (3.0) & has 4.5 sacks in past 3……K PHIL DAWSON
had made 16 FGs in row – longest current streak in NFL. P DERRICK FROST
leads NFL with 43.1 net avg. Team allowing AFC-low 1.9 yards per PR….GIANTS:
QB KURT WARNER has 14,882 career pass yds & needs 118 for 15,000. Has
won 10 of 13 starts vs. AFC. Has not thrown INT in past 92 att……RB TIKI
BARBER leads NFL rushers with 6.2 yards per carry avg (min. 25)…… WR
AMANI TOOMER needs 100 rec. yds for 20th career 100-yard game. Seeks 3rd
consecutive 100-yard game vs. AFC. Has catch in club-record 85 games in row.
WR TIM CARTER had 1st career TD catch last week (38 yards)……TE
JEREMY SHOCKEY has 41 catches for 463 yards in past 5 games vs. AFC,
avging 8.2 catches & 92.6 yards…… Defense had 7 takeaways vs. Wash
after totaling 22 in ’03. Seven takeways were most since 10/18/87 vs. Buf……DE
MICHAEL STRAHAN seeks sack in 5th game in row vs. AFC. DT FRED
ROBBINS posted 2.0 sacks vs. Wash after totaling 3.5 in 1st 4 years.
Also added 1st-career INT……S BRENT ALEXANDER had 2 INTs last week.
Made 1st NFL start vs. Clev (w/Ariz, 9/18/94). NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-1) AT ST. LOUIS RAMS (1-1)
STATS
NOTES SAINTS: Club plays 3rd of 4 consecutive games vs. NFC West. Team has 19-13 (.594) road record under head coach JIM HASLETT……QB AARON BROOKS seeks 4th consecutive 3+ TD pass game vs. Rams, including playoffs. Has 10 TD passes vs. 3 INTs in that span. Has started 55 games in row, 3rd longest active streak among QBs (BRETT FAVRE, PEYTON MANNING)……WR JOE HORN seeks 4th consecutive game with TD catch vs. Rams. Has 100-yard receiving games in 3 of past 5. Has 35 TD receptions with Saints & needs 3 to pass DANNY ABRAMOWICZ (37) in 2nd in club history. Second-year WR DONTE STALLWORTH posted 9 catches for 113 yards (TD) vs. 49ers. Avgd 19.4 yards (25 for 485) per catch in ’03……Rookie 1st-round DE WILL SMITH (No. 18) had 1st-career sack vs. 49ers……PR MICHAEL LEWIS has 1,039 career PR yards & needs 22 to pass TYRONE HUGHES (1,060) as franchise all-time leader……RAMS: Club seeks 16th consecutive home victory. QB MARC BULGER has 14 home wins in row to start career & needs win to tie KURT WARNER (15) for 2nd-longest such streak in NFL history. Has 19-5 record as starter. His .792 win percentage is tops among active QBs (min. 10 starts)……RB MARSHALL FAULK has 98 career rushing TDs & needs 2 to become 6th player in NFL history with 100. Has 6,041 rush yards with Rams & needs 146 to pass LAWRENCE MC CUTCHEON (6,186) for 2nd-most in club history. WR TORRY HOLT (121) & WR ISAAC BRUCE (102) topped 100 yards receiving in same game for 4th time last week. In 13 career games vs. Saints, Bruce has 71 receptions for 1,263 yards & 11 TDs, his most TD catches vs. any opponent……Defense has allowed 10 100-yard rushing games since 2000, tied (Mia) for 3rd-best in NFL over that span (Ten, 7)……Second-year LB PISA TINOISAMOA has posted 12 tackles in 1st 2 games, including 1.0 sack vs. Atl……S AENEAS WILLIAMS leads all active players with 55 INTs……K JEFF WILKINS has 990 career points & needs 10 for 1,000.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-0) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1-1)
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NOTES FIVE OF PAST 7 have been decided by single digits. Head coaches JACK DEL RIO of Jaguars (LB, 1981-84) & Titans’ JEFF FISHER (DB, 1977-80) both played football at USC......JAGUARS: Team in 1st place for the 1st time in the AFC South. Club is 6-3 at home under Del Rio & has won 5 consecutive games at ALLTEL Stadium……QB BYRON LEFTWICH has passed for TD in 7 consecutive games & 14 of 17 career games……RB FRED TAYLOR has 627 career rushing yds vs. Titans, his most vs. any opponent……In 18 career games vs. Titans, WR JIMMY SMITH has 72 catches for 1,050 yards for 4 TDs. Smith (10,244) needs 23 receiving yds to surpass HOF LANCE ALWORTH (10,266) for 17th place on NFL’s all-time list. Rookie WR ERNEST WILFORD (No. 120) has 2 TDs on 2 catches; both TDs accounting for club’s 2 margins of victory……Defense ranks No. 1 in AFC in points allowed (8.0/gm). Club has yet to allow rushing TD & surrendering AFC-low 2.8 yards per rush……S DONOVIN DARIUS only defensive player in NFL w/ 2 FRs…… Opponents’ avg. drive start after kickoff is 21.0-yard line, good for
worst starting position in AFC……TITANS: Have won 10 of past 12
in series, including 1999 AFC Championship Game. Team was 4-1 (.800) last
season in games decided by 7 points or less & is 1 of 5 teams to qualify for
playoffs 4 times in past 5 seasons. Since ‘99, Titans are 30-11 (.731) at
home……In past 6 vs. AFC South, QB STEVE MC NAIR has passed for 9 TDs
vs. 3 INTs on 118 of 191 passing (61.8 pct.) for 1,522 yds and 95.9 passer
rating……In 2 career starts, RB CHRIS BROWN has 252 yards w/ 2 100s.
Brown’s 6.0-yard-per-carry avg. stands No. 1 among AFC RBs with 15+
carries……In past 4 vs. Jax, WR DERRICK MASON has 2 TDs on 20 catches
for 218 yards (10.9 avg.)……Anchored by C JUSTIN HARTWIG, the o-line
has helped produce 100-yd Titans rusher in 11 of past 19, including
playoffs……In 1st half, defense has allowed 3 points. CB SAMARI ROLLE
has 8 career INTs vs. Jaguars, including career-best 3 INTs vs. Jags on
12/26/99. Rolle also has career-best 2 FRs vs. Jax (9/23/01). In 2 mtgs vs.
Jags last season, LB KEITH BULLUCK posted 1.0 sack, 1 FF & 21tackles SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (1-1) AT DENVER BRONCOS (1-1)
STATS
NOTES CHARGERS: Head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER’s teams have 4-2 (.667) record vs. Denver QB Plummer……QB DREW BREES is AFC’s top 4th quarter passer with 155.3 passer rating, completing 11 of 13 for 153 & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs. Brees’ 8.26 yards per attempt is 4th best in AFC……RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON had career-long 76-yd run vs. Broncos (12/1/02). Ran for 220 yards with 3 TDs & added 11 receptions for 51 yards in that game. In past 4 Sept. games, Tomlinson has 3 100s with 500 rush yards on 96 carries for 5.2 avg. & 4 rush TDs……WR RECHE CALDWELL has equaled career-high 4 receptions in consecutive weeks & has TD in both games. TE ANTONIO GATES is tied for 2nd most catches by TE w/ 12 for 162 yards (13.5 avg.). Gates has 5+ catches in 3 of past 5. Offense converting 48.0 pct. of 3rd down conversion tries (12 of 25) for 5th best in AFC……CB QUENTIN JAMMER had career high 8 tackles in last meeting & added 1 INT. LB DONNIE EDWARDS had career-best 18 tackles in last game vs. Denver…BRONCOS: Aim for 5th win in row at home vs. SD. Have won 11 of past 14 mtgs, outscoring Chargers 398-233. Head coach MIKE SHANAHAN has 16-5 (.762) record vs. SD, most wins vs. opponent. At home, Shanahan is 10-1 (.909) against SD…… Last year, QB JAKE PLUMMER had 6 TDs vs. 1 INT in 2 games vs. SD (120.3 passer rating)……RB QUENTIN GRIFFIN stands 6th in AFC w/ 252 scrimmage yards (222 rushing, 30 receiving)……WR ROD SMITH had career-best 187 receiving yards vs. Chargers (11/19/00), 1 of 3 career 100-yard games vs. SD. In 2 meetings last year, WR ASHLEY LELIE averaged 25.5 yards per catch……In 2 games, offense has out-gained opponents 769 yards to 494. In last meeting w/ SD, Broncos had advantages in total yards (448-96), 1st downs (26-5) & time of possession (44:11-15:49) in 37-8 win. Defense held SD’s Tomlinson to 29 rush yards & 16 receiving yards in that game…….CB CHAMP BAILEY played for SD’s Schottenheimer in 2001 at Washington, earning Pro Bowl selection. DE REGGIE HAYWARD had 1.0 sack, FF & FR in last meeting……K JASON ELAM has scored 178 points vs. SD, most vs. any opponent.GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-1)
STATS
NOTES GAME FEATURES QBs with longest active games started streaks: Packers’ BRETT FAVRE (NFL-record 191) & Colts’ PEYTON MANNING (98, 4th-best all-time)……Teams meet in Indy for just 3rd time. From 1953-1966, teams played twice per year......PACKERS: QB BRETT FAVRE has thrown 348 career TDs & needs 2 to become 2nd player in NFL history with 350. Has thrown TD in 27 consecutive games & needs 1 to tie DAVE KRIEG (28) for 3rd-longest streak all-time. Has 30-15 (.667) career record vs. AFC, posting 91.4 rating & 91 TDs vs. 42 INTs……RB AHMAN GREEN has 26 100-yd rush games with Pack & needs 1 to pass JIM TAYLOR (26) for most in club annals……WR JAVON WALKER had 102 yds receiving (7 catches) vs. Bears & seeks 3rd 100-yd game in past 5……TE BUBBA FRANKS has 21 TD catches since ‘00, 2nd-most among NFL TEs (TONY GONZALEZ, 32)……DE KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA seeks 4th consecutive double-digit sack season. Is only Packer ever with 3 in row……LB NICK BARNETT had 11 tckls & 1 fumble rec vs. Bears……COLTS: Have won only 2 mtgs played in Indy……With last week’s win, Manning has led Colts to 17 4th qtr comeback wins. Manning has taken 6,164 of 6,229 possible snaps (99.0 pct.) & has missed only 1 snap due to injury……RB EDGERRIN JAMES has franchise record 34 career 100s in 67
games & is tied for 3rd in AFC w/ 15 1st downs ……With 10 catches last week
at Tenn, WR MARVIN HARRISON has posted 9 games w/ 10+ rec since 2002
– most in NFL in that span. Harrison stands 19th on NFL’s all-time receiving
yards list (10,214), trailing JIMMY SMITH (10,244) & HOF LANCE
ALWORTH (10,266) for 17th……Offense leads AFC in 3rd down conversion
ratio (54.2), converting 12 of 22……CB NICK HARPER has INT in 1st 2
games of season; 2 INTs tie Harper for AFC lead. DE DWIGHT FREENEY
has 1.0+ sack in 16 of 23 career starts & team is 14-6 (.700) when Freeney
records sack, including 2-0 in 2004. Defense has not allowed 4th qtr point……K
MIKE VANDERJAGT tied for most FGs in club history (DEAN BIASUCCI,
176). SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (0-2) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-0)
STATS
NOTES 49ERS: Play 1st of 3 consecutive NFC West games (vs. StL, vs.
Ariz)……Head coach DENNIS ERICKSON spent 1995-98 as Seahawks head
coach. Native of Everett, WA……QB KEN DORSEY made 1st career start vs.
Saints, passing for 205 yards. Drafted by SF in 7th-round of ‘03, had 38-2
(.950) record as college starter at Miami…...RB KEVAN BARLOW seeks
4th 100-yard rushing game in past 7. Has posted 190 yards in 1st 2 games,
best start of career……WR CURTIS CONWAY has 49 career TD catches &
needs 1 for 50. Had career-highs with 11 catches & 156 yards vs. Sea on
12/30/01 (with SD). Posted 8 catches for 112 yards last week……TE ERIC
JOHNSON has 60+ yards receiving in 4 of past 6 games. Ranks 2nd among
NFL TEs with 13 catches (146 yards) through 2 games……DT BRYANT YOUNG
has 66.5 career sacks & needs 0.5 to pass CHARLES HALEY (66.5) for
franchise record. DE ANDRE CARTER seeks sack in 3rd consecutive road
game vs. Sea……LB JULIAN PETERSON has sack in 1st 2 games of year……SEAHAWKS:
Seek to open season with 3 consecutive wins for 2nd consecutive season……Head
coach MIKE HOLMGREN spent 1986-91 as asst coach with SF……QB MATT
HASSELBECK seeks 10th consecutive win as starter at home. Has 13 TD
passes vs. 5 INT in past 9 at home. RB SHAUN ALEXANDER has 48 career
rushing TDs & needs 2 to join CURT WARNER (55) as only players in
club annals with 50……WR DARRELL JACKSON was 14th WR drafted in
‘00 but leads class in catches (265), yards (3,956) & TDs (27). Has 21
career catches vs. 49ers, 3rd-most vs. any opponent. WR KOREN ROBINSON
had 27-yard TD catch vs. Bucs. WR BOBBY ENGRAM seeks 3rd 50-catch
year in row & has PR TD in each of past 2 seasons……Defense seeks to hold
foes to 7 points or less in 3 consecutive games for 1st time in franchise
history……DE GRANT WISTROM had 2.0 sacks vs. Bucs……Rookie 2nd-round
S MICHAEL BOULWARE (No. 53) has INT in each of 1st 2 career games. SUNDAY NIGHT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (0-2) AT OAKLAND RAIDERS (1-1)
STATS
NOTES REMATCH of Super Bowl XXXVII (TB, 48-21)……BUCCANEERS:
Head coach JON GRUDEN compiled 40-28 (.588) record with Raiders
from 1998-01……QB BRAD JOHNSON passed for 2 TDs in SB win. Won only
career reg. season start vs. Oak (11/17/96, w/ Min). QB CHRIS SIMMS
saw 1st NFL action vs. Sea, passing for 175 yards……RB CHARLIE GARNER
spent 2001-03 with Raiders, avging 4.6 per carry (513 att, 2,354 yards)……
WR TIM BROWN has 99 career TD catches & needs 1 to become 4th player in
NFL history with 100 & 2 to pass STEVE LARGENT (100) in 3rd all-time.
Spent 1988-03 with Oak & is franchise leader with 1,070 rec, 14,734 yards &
104 TDs. WR MICHAEL CLAYTON (No.15) leads rookies with 13 rec (114
yards)……DE SIMEON RICE has 27 multi-sack games, most of any active
player. DT ANTHONY MCFARLAND has 2 sacks, tied for most among NFL
DTs……S DWIGHT SMITH had 2 INT TDs vs. Raiders in SB, only player ever
to accomplish feat……RAIDERS: Since start of ‘00, team is 5-2
(.714) on Sunday night. Raiders have never lost home game in series (4-0)……QB
RICH GANNON passed for 272 yards & added 2 TDs in SB XXXVII. Is only
player in history to complete pass to each of NFL’s 3 1,000-catch receivers
(JERRY RICE, TB’s Brown & CRIS CARTER)……In last meeting, RB
TYRONE WHEATLEY rushed for 111 yds & 2 TDs……WR Rice has 10 rec. TDs in 8
career games vs. TB. In SB XXXVII, Rice had 48-yard TD. Had 0 catches last
week, ending NFL-record streak of 274 games in row with catch. WR JERRY
PORTER had 39-yard TD vs. TB in SB XXXVII. Rookie G/T ROBERT GALLERY
(No. 2) made 1st NFL start last week……DT WARREN SAPP faces former
team. Sapp played for Bucs from 1995-2003, earning 7 Pro Bowl appearances &
helped TB win SB XXXVII. In last meeting, defense permitted 137 yards,
forced 3 turnovers, recorded 4 sacks & had club’s 1st shutout in 7 years.
CB CHARLES WOODSON had INT in SB XXXVII. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 DALLAS COWBOYS (1-1) at WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-1)
STATS
NOTES COWBOYS: Club has won 5 of past 6 road games vs. Wash……QB VINNY TESTAVERDE passed for 322 yards vs. Browns, becoming 1st QB 40-or-older with consecutive 300-yard passing games. Seeks to open season with 3 300-yard passing games in row for 1st time in 18-year career. Has 253 TD passes & needs 3 to pass DAN FOUTS (254) & SONNY JURGENSEN (255) for 9th-most in NFL history. Has 3,386 career completions & needs 24 to pass JOE MONTANA (3,409) for 6th-most all-time……RB EDDIE GEORGE avgs. 74 yards in 3 career games vs. Wash. Scored 1st TD (3 yards) with club last week……Club is only NFL team with 3 WRs with 150+ yards receiving (TERRY GLENN, 11-174; KEYSHAWN JOHNSON, 11-168; ANTONIO BRYANT, 11-166). Johnson has 48 career TD catches & needs 2 for 50……Second-year TE JASON WITTEN had 35 catches (347 yards) in ’03 & has 9 catches (99 yards) through 2 games……Defense has posted 3 INTs in 2 of past 3 games……CB TERENCE NEWMAN tied for NFL rookie lead with 4 INTs in ’03. Had 1st INT of season vs. Browns……REDSKINS: QB MARK BRUNELL has 145 career TD passes & needs 5 for 150. QB PATRICK RAMSEY saw 1st action of season last week, completing 9 of 18 passes for 149 yards……RB CLINTON PORTIS aims to become 1st player in NFL history with 1,500 yards rushing in 1st 3 seasons. Had 13-yard TD catch last week……WR LAVERANUES COLES had 1st 100-yard receiving game of season last week, posting 9 catches for 100 yards, his 5th 100-yard outing with Redskins. WR ROD GARDNER has 7 catches for 127 yards, with 3 for 57 coming on 3rd downs……Defense has surrendered 1 offensive TD in 1st 2 games……DT BRANDON NOBLE spent 1999-02 with Cowboys, starting 41 games……LB LA VAR ARRINGTON seeks sack in 3rd consecutive game vs. Dallas……CB FRED SMOOT has started 45 of possible 50 games since being drafted in 2nd round of ’01 draft & has led club in INTs for 3 years in row.BUFFALO, CAROLINA, NEW ENGLAND, NEW YORK JETS HAVE OPEN DATES IN WEEK 3 BUFFALO (0-2) : Club is 10-5 (.667) in games after bye week……Over past 10 years, QB DREW BLEDSOE ranks 2nd in passing yards (34,733), TDs (188), attempts (5,220) & completions (3,009)……RB TRAVIS HENRY has rushed for 206 yards in past 2 games after bye (103.0 per game). Has 13 career 100-yard games & needs 1 to pass JOE CRIBBS (13) & move into sole possession of 3rd place in team annals. Henry has led club in rushing in 42 of 46 career games ……WR ERIC MOULDS has club record with catch in 96 consecutive games. Has TD in back-to-back games to open season for 1st time. Rookie WR LEE EVANS (No. 13) had 65-yard catch in last game, longest reception by Bills rookie since 1988 (FLIP JOHNSON, 10/17/88 vs. NYJ)……Defense allowing just 13 points per game & 249.0 yards. Bills have not allowed point in 1st quarter. DT PAT WILLIAMS had sack last week, 1st full sack since 2001 (10/18/01 vs. Jax). Bills are 8-4 (.667) when Williams participates in sack……Vs. New England, 10/3. Bills are 24-18 (.571) in October games since 1994.CAROLINA (1-1): In 7 of club’s past 12 wins, QB JAKE DELHOMME has led game-winning drive in final 2 min or OT. Tied career-best with 3 TD passes vs. Chiefs. Has 5 TD passes through 2 games, best start of career……RB DE SHAUN FOSTER had 1st career 100-yard rushing game last week, rushing for career-high 174 yards, 2nd-best single-game total in team history……WR MUHSIN MUHAMMAD is franchise leader with 491 rec. (6,431 yards) & needs 9 for 500. Needs 100 yards for 20th career 100-yard game. Rookie 2nd-round WR KEARY COLBERT had 3 catches for 46 yards vs. KC, including 1st-career TD (9 yards)……DE MIKE RUCKER has 36.5 career sacks & needs 5.5 to pass KEVIN GREENE (41.5) for club record. DE JULIUS PEPPERS has sacks in 4 of past 5 games, including 2.0 vs. Chiefs……K JOHN KASAY has connected on 21 of 41 career FGs from 50+ yards……Special teams held KC’s DANTE HALL to 14.7-yard average on 4 KRs. NEW ENGLAND (2-0): Patriots have won 17 consecutive games, including playoffs. NFL record is 18, shared by 5 teams…….QB TOM BRADY has 36-12 (.750) record, tops in NFL among QBs with 25+ starts. In career, has 17 games with 100.0+ passer rating & Pats are 17-0. In past 5, Brady has 13 TDs vs. 3 INTs……RB COREY DILLON rushed for 158 yards last week, most by Patriot since 1998 (ROBERT EDWARDS, 196, 12/13/98)……WR DAVID GIVENS had 1st career 100-yard rec. game in Week 2 (118 yards, 6 catches). TE DANIEL GRAHAM had 1st career 2-TD game last week & leads NFL TEs with 3 TDs……Defense has not allowed 1st quarter point. Held Cardinals to 167 total yards, posted 5 sacks & 2 INTs, both by S EUGENE WILSON. CB TY LAW has 35 career INTs & needs 1 to tie RAYMOND CLAYBORN (36) for franchise record. LB WILLIE MC GINEST leads club with 3.0 sacks & has 60.0 in NE career. S RODNEY HARRISON had 1st 2.0-sack game since 2000 (11/26/00 vs. KC, w/SD)……At Buffalo, 10/3. NEW YORK JETS (2-0): Have scored 30+ points in each of 1st 2 games – team last accomplished feat in 1987. Outscoring opponents 28-7 in 1st quarter. Will aim for 1st 3-0 start under head coach HERMAN EDWARDS……QB CHAD PENNINGTON has 30 TDs vs. 0 INTs in career in red zone. Has 14-9 (.609) record as starting QB. Leads AFC with 75.0 comp. pct. (42 of 56) & 124.3 passer rating…...RB CURTIS MARTIN leads NFL with 315 rushing yards. Has rushed for 8,185 yards in Jet career & last week passed FREEMAN MC NEIL (8,074) to become franchise leader. First time Martin has opened season with back-to-back 100-yard games……WR SANTANA MOSS has team-best 152 rec. yards & 19.0 avg. WR JONATHAN CARTER has 2 catches, both for 46 yards (1 TD). TE CHRIS BAKER had 1st regular-season NFL TD last week……Rookie S ERIK COLEMAN (No. 143) has INT in each of 1st 2 games & has FR. Jets lead AFC with +5 turnover ratio. DE SHAUN ELLIS has 15.5 sacks in past 21 & has recorded 0.5+ sacks in 15 of past 21……At Miami, 10/3.
LAST WEEK’S NFL RESULTS (SEPT. 19-20) (Home team in CAPS)
Sunday, September 19 Sunday, September 19 Cont.’d ATLANTA 34, St. Louis 17 Monday, September 20 2004 NFL STANDINGS
WEEK 3 NFL SCHEDULE – SEPTEMBER 26-27 (All times local)
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