TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-1) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1-2)

SERIES

 

BUCCANEERS

FALCONS

LEADER

9-8

 

STREAKS

Past 3

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

Gruden: 1-0

Reeves: 2-3

LAST WEEK

35-7 at Bengals

Bye (Wk 3: W 30-3 vs. Bengals)

LAST GAME

11/5/00: Buccaneers 27 at Falcons 14.  Tampa Bay QB Shaun King passes for 3 TDs as Buccaneers hand Falcons their 6th loss in 7 games.

LAST GAME AT SITE

11/5/00

TV

FOX (1:00 PM ET): Kenny Albert, Tim Green

STATS

PASSING

B. Johnson: 94-145-965-6-2-91.9

Vick: 48-77-549-4-0-101.1 (1C)

RUSHING

Pittman: 55-194-3.5-0

Vick (QB): 24-184-7.7-1

RECEIVING

Pittman (RB): 22-144-6.5-0

Finneran: 14-173-12.4-2

OFFENSE

306.8

312.3

TAKE/GIVE

+3

+1

DEFENSE

266.8

305.7

SACKS

Sapp: 4.0

Kerney: 2.0

INTs

Brooks: 3 (T1L)

Ambrose, Mathis, Weary: 1

PUNTING

Tupa: 45.5 (3C)

Mohr: 40.2

KICKING

Gramatica: 32 (3C) (11/11 PAT; 7/9 FG)

Feely: 29 (8/8 PAT; 7/9 FG)

NOTES

BUCCANEERSQB BRAD JOHNSON has 44-26 (.629) record as starter.  Passed for season-high 3 TDs, including 65-yard TD pass last week……RB MIKE ALSTOTT has rushed for 4,055 career yards & needs 146 to pass Atlanta RB Dunn for second in club history.  Had career-long 47-yard TD vs. Falcons (11/9/97)……WR KEYSHAWN JOHNSON had 2 TDs (5, 29) in last meeting & has 3 TDs in past 2 vs. Falcons.  WR KEENAN MC CARDELL had first career 100-yard receiving game with Buccaneers (108 yards) last week, including 65-yard TD catch.  Had 9 receptions in last game vs. Falcons (with Jaguars, 11/7/99)……TE KEN DILGER had 22-yard TD catch vs. Bengals, his first with TB.  TE RICKEY DUDLEY has TD catch in each of first two games with TB, including 35-yarder last week……DT WARREN SAPP had 2.0 sacks vs. Bengals…...FALCONS:  Head coach DAN REEVES has 189 career wins & needs 5 to pass CHUCK KNOX (193) for sixth all-time……QB MICHAEL VICK has 101.1 passer rating in first season as starter, tops in NFC.  Ranks first in NFL among QBs with 184 yards rushing.  Falcons are only club with 0 INTs in 2002……RB WARRICK DUNN faces former club for first time.  Spent 1997-01 with TB, finishing with 2 1,000-yard rushing seasons & ranks second on Buccaneers’ all-time rushing list with 4,200 yards.  Rookie first-round draft pick (No.18) RB T.J. DUCKETT has rushed for 138 yards, with 4.8 avg, through 2 games, tops among rookies in NFC……WR BRIAN FINNERAN had career-high 2 TD receptions (20,13) vs. Bengals in Week 3.  WR SHAWN JEFFERSON had 6 catches in last meeting……PR-KR ALLEN ROSSUM had career-long 55 yard PR vs. TB (with Packers, 11/14/01)……LB KEITH BROOKING has 10 or more tackles in each of club’s first 3 games, including career-high 22 vs. GB in Week 1.

OAKLAND RAIDERS (3-0) AT BUFFALO BILLS (2-2)

SERIES

 

RAIDERS

BILLS

LEADER

16-15

 

STREAKS

3 of past 4

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

Callahan: 0-0

Williams: 0-0

LAST WEEK

W 52-25 vs. Titans

W 33-27 (OT) vs. Bears

LAST GAME

10/17/99: Raiders 20 at Bills 14.  Oakland S Eric Turner’s INT near end zone as time expires seals win for Raiders.  Raiders RB Tyrone Wheatley rushes for 2 TDs.

LAST GAME AT SITE

10/17/99

TV

CBS (1:00 PM ET): Kevin Harlan, Randy Cross, Beasley Reece (Field reporter)

STATS

PASSING

Gannon: 91-131-998-7-3-100.0

Bledsoe: 116-165-1,345 (1L)-10 (T2L)-2-109.8 (2L)

RUSHING

Garner: 32-240-7.5-2

Henry: 67-282-4.2-4 (T3C)

RECEIVING

Rice: 20-263-13.2-1

Moulds: 33 (1L)-413 (1C)-12.5-3 (T3C)

OFFENSE

450.3 (1L)

388.3

TAKE/GIVE

+4 (T3C)

-1

DEFENSE

296.3

324.3

SACKS

Romanowski: 1.5

Schobel: 3.5 (T3C)

INTs

R. Woodson: 3 (T1L)

0

PUNTING

Lechler: 44.7

Moorman: 47.5 (2L)

KICKING

Janikowski: 29 (14/14 PAT; 5/6 FG)

Hollis: 36 (12/12 PAT; 8/11 FG)

NOTES

GAME FEATURES NFL’s top three active reception leaders: Oakland WRs JERRY RICE (1,384) & TIM BROWN (954) and Buffalo RB LARRY CENTERS (777).  Same three players also have longest active consecutive game streaks with reception: Rice (244), Brown (143) & Centers (140).  In average points per game, Oakland (37.7) is No. 1; Buffalo (33.0) is No. 4……RAIDERS:  One of 2 undefeated AFC West teams.  Since 1992, own NFL’s 2nd-best October record at 27-10 (.730)……QB RICH GANNON tied for 4th in AFC in TD passes (7) and 4th in NFL in comp. pct. (69.5)……RB CHARLIE GARNER tied for 1st in NFL for most runs of 20+ yards (4).  Tied for 6th in league in 1st downs with 21 (11 rush)…… Team rushed for 195 yards & had 39:35 TOP in last meeting vs. Bills.  RB TYRONE WHEATLEY had 25 carries for 97 yards & 2 TDs in that contest……Club is one of 3 AFC teams (Clev. & NE) to have 3 players with 16 or more receptions (Rice 20, Brown 17, Garner 16)……WR Brown averages 22.3 yards per catch vs. Bills & has 5 TDs in 7 contests……Tied for 3rd in AFC in takeaways (9)……Defense intercepted Bills QB Bledsoe (w/ NE) 3 times in only career meeting…… Rookie CB-PR PHILLIP BUCHANON leads NFL in PR avg. (19.5) with 1 TD……K SEBASTIAN JANIKOWSKI leads NFL in touchbacks on kickoffs (8)…… BILLS:  Since 1992 are 23-17 (.575) in October & 52-30 (.634) at home.  Last 3 home games have gone into OT, tying NFL record.  Have been in OT three of past four games, no team has ever reached OT in 4 of 5……QB DREW BLEDSOE threw for 321 yards & 2 TDs in only career start vs. Raiders (10/9/94 w/ NE).  Leads starting NFL QBs with 109.8 passer rating.  Has 10 TD passes vs. 2 INTs.  Has now thrown 149 passes in row without INT.  Against Chicago in Wk. 5, posted 1st 4-TD game by Bills QB since JIM KELLY (12/10/95)……RB TRAVIS HENRY has rushed for 469 yards & 5 TDs in past 5 home games……WR ERIC MOULDS leads NFL with 33 catches for AFC-best 413 yards (12.5) & 3 TDs.  Has at least 8 catches in each game in ’02.  Had 12-yard TD reception vs. Oakland in last meeting……Defense has held Oakland WR Rice to 39.5 rec. yards per game avg. in 4 career meetings. 

ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-2) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-1)

SERIES

 

CARDINALS

PANTHERS

LEADER

1-1

 

STREAKS

1-1

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

McGinnis: 1-0

Fox: 0-0

LAST WEEK

W 21-7 vs. Giants

L 17-14 at Packers

LAST GAME

12/30/01: Cardinals 30 at Panthers 7.  Arizona QB Jake Plummer & WR David Boston combine on pair of second quarter TDs in victory.

LAST GAME AT SITE

12/30/01

TV

FOX (1:00 PM ET): Curt Menefee, Tim Ryan

STATS

PASSING

Plummer: 63-126-691-5-4-66.6

Peete: 63-105-869-3-2-88.2

RUSHING

T. Jones: 69-310 (3C)-4.5-1

L. Smith: 96-364 (1C)-3.8-6 (1C)

RECEIVING

Boston: 16-262-16.4-1

S. Smith: 18-306-17.0-1

OFFENSE

291.0

338.0

TAKE/GIVE

0

+5 (2C)

DEFENSE

355.0

239.8 (1L)

SACKS

Vanden Bosch: 2.0

Rucker: 5 (3L)

INTs

Lucas: 2 (T3C)

Grant: 3 (T1L)

PUNTING

Player: 44.0

Sauerbrun: 45.5 (2C)

KICKING

B. Gramatica: 21 (9/9 PAT; 4/6 FG)

Graham: 2 (2/2 PAT; 0/1 FG)

NOTES

 CARDINALS:  Club aims for best start since 1991 (3-2)……QB JAKE PLUMMER had 105.9 passer rating with 2 TDs & 0 INTs in last meeting.  Completed 71.8 percent vs. Giants (23 of 32) with 1 TD & 0 INTs.  Had 1 catch for 2 yards vs. NY……RB MARCEL SHIPP had career high 92 yards rushing, including first career TD run (10 yards) vs. Giants.  Also added career high 5 receptions & 39 yards……WR DAVID BOSTON had 7 receptions for 127 yards, including TDs of 61 & 5 yards, in last meeting……WR MAR TAY JENKINS tied career high with 6 catches vs. Giants.  WR FRANK SANDERS has 465 career catches & needs 5 to pass PAT TILLEY (469) for fourth in club history……TE FREDDIE JONES aims for third consecutive game with at least 5 catches……DE KYLE VANDEN BOSCH has sacks in consecutive games……S JUSTIN LUCAS had first career INT & first career INT-TD (38 yards) last week……PANTHERS:  3-1 start matches best in club history (1996)……Have had time of possession advantage in all 4 games……QB RODNEY PEETE has thrown 0 INTs in 3 of past 4 starts……RB LAMAR SMITH had 2 TD runs (3,2) vs. GB.  Has 6 TD runs this season, most by Panthers RB since TSHIMANGA BIAKABUTUKA’s 6 in 1999.  Needs 2 TD runs to pass FRED LANE (7) for most in single-season in club history.  RB BRAD HOOVER had career-long 31-yard reception last week……WR STEVE SMITH had first career 100-yard receiving game vs. Packers (116 yards, 5 receptions), including career-long 61-yard catch.  WR MUHSIN MUHAMMAD looks to extend club-record 16 100-yard receiving games.   WR KARL HANKTON had career-long 31-yard catch vs. Packers……Club has 17 sacks, most in NFL, after totaling 26 in 2001……Panthers aim to hold opponents under 300 total yards for fifth consecutive game & can set club record by holding opponents under 100 yards rushing for fifth consecutive game……DT KRIS JENKINS had career high 2.0 sacks vs. GB.

NEW YORK GIANTS (2-2) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (2-2)

SERIES

 

GIANTS

COWBOYS

LEADER

 

48-29-2

STREAKS

3 of past 4

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

Fassel: 6-4

Campo: 1-3

LAST WEEK

L 21-7 at Cardinals

W 13-10 at Rams

LAST GAME

12/9/01:  Giants 13 at Cowboys 20.  Dallas QB Quincy Carter throws 3-yard TD pass to Jackie Harris in fourth quarter to lead Dallas to come-from-behind victory.

LAST GAME AT SITE

12/9/01

TV

FOX (12:00 PM CT): Pat Summerall, Brian Baldinger

STATS

PASSING

Collins: 92-145-1,130 (1C)-1-6-72.5

Carter: 74-125-776-3-3-75.3

RUSHING

Barber: 68-214-3.1-2

Smith: 59-236-4.0-0

RECEIVING

Barber (RB): 24-174-7.3-0

Galloway: 22-254-11.5-1

OFFENSE

342.3

295.8

TAKE/GIVE

0

-1

DEFENSE

259.8 (2C)

339.0

SACKS

Strahan: 2.0

Ellis: 5.5 (2L)

INTs

Peterson: 2 (T3C)

Four tied: 1

PUNTING

M. Allen: 40.6

Knorr: 40.5

KICKING

Bryant (R): 31 (4/4 PAT; 9/9 FG)

Cundiff (R): 21 (6/6 PAT; 5/6 FG)

NOTES

GIANTSQB KERRY COLLINS has led club to wins in 3 of past 4 vs. Cowboys.  Starts 43rd consecutive game for NY, third-most for club since 1980……RB TIKI BARBER had career highs with 13 receptions & 100 yards vs. Cowboys on 1/2/00.  Rushed for 110 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, in last meeting.  Has led club in rushing & receptions in 3 consecutive games.  RB RON DAYNE had first career 100-yard rushing game vs. Dallas (108, 10/15/00)……WR AMANI TOOMER ranks third in NFC with 358 receiving yards.  Has 100 yards receiving in 2 of past 4 games……WR IKE HILLIARD has reception in club-record 66 consecutive games……Rookie TE JEREMY SHOCKEY tied for NFC rookie lead (DONTE’ STALLWORTH) with 15 receptions (198 yards)……DE MICHAEL STRAHAN has 5.0 sacks in past 3 vs. Cowboys.  Has sacks in consecutive games……DE FRANK FERRARA had first career sack vs. Dallas on 11/4/01……P MATT ALLEN had career-long 65-yard punt vs. Cardinals……COWBOYS:  Club has 27-12 (.692) record in October games past 10 years……RB EMMITT SMITH has 16,423 yards rushing & needs 304 yards to surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer WALTER PAYTON (16,726) as all-time leading rusher.  In 22 career games vs. NY, has 18 TDs, third-most vs. any team.  Has averaged 84.5 yards per game vs. Giants……QB QUINCY CARTER had 100.5 passer rating & completed 65.4 percent (17 of 26) in last meeting……Rookie WR ANTONIO BRYANT leads NFC rookies with 216 yards receiving (14 catches)……WR DARNAY SCOTT had first TD catch (17 yards) with Cowboys last week…….TE JAMES WHALEN had team-high 5 receptions (38 yards) last week, first catches of his career.  Led NFL Europe League with 66 receptions for Scottish Claymores in 2001……Defense surrendered 93 yards rushing vs. Rams……DE GREG ELLIS has sacks in 4 consecutive games, including 5.0 in past 3……Rookie K BILLY CUNDIFF connected on game-winning 48-yard field goal vs. Rams, club’s first game-winning FG since 10/1/00 (TIM SEDER vs, Carolina).

CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-4) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (2-1)

SERIES

 

BENGALS

COLTS

LEADER

 

11-8

STREAKS

 

Past 2

COACHES VS. OPP.

LeBeau: 0-0

Dungy: 2-0

LAST WEEK

L 35-7 vs. Buccaneers

Bye (Wk 3: W 23-3 at Texans)

LAST GAME

10/24/99: Bengals 10 at Colts 31.  Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning passes for 2 TDs & Colts RB Edgerrin James scores twice.

LAST GAME AT SITE

10/24/99

TV

CBS (12:00 PM CT): Don Criqui, Steve Tasker

STATS

PASSING

A. Smith: 12-33-117-0-1-34.5

Manning: 66-104-772-6-3-93.1

RUSHING

Dillon: 70-243-3.5-0

E. James: 81-325-4.0-0

RECEIVING

Dillon (RB): 14-104-7.4-0

Harrison: 23-288-12.5-2

OFFENSE

229.8

359.3

TAKE/GIVE

-5

-2

DEFENSE

333.8

296.3

SACKS

T. Williams: 2.0

Bratzke, Scioli: 2.0

INTs

Gibson, Simmons: 1

Bashir, Macklin, Washington: 1

PUNTING

Harris: 41.0

H. Smith: 45.0 (T3C)

KICKING

Rackers: 11 (2/2 PAT; 3/4 FG)

Vanderjagt: 22 (7/7 PAT; 5/7 FG)

NOTES

ONE-TANK TRIP:  Cities separated by 115 miles……BENGALS:  QB AKILI SMITH had career-long 24-yard run vs. Indy in 1999……RB COREY DILLON has rushed for 778 yards & 7 TDs in past 8 road games (97.3 yards per game).  Dillon became Bengals’ all-time leading rusher last week with 6,452 yards, surpassing former RB JAMES BROOKS (6,447).  FB LORENZO NEAL has played in 132 consecutive NFL games, dating back to 1994.  Neal has blocked for 1,000-yard rushers in past 5 seasons with 4 teams, including Bengals in ’01 (Dillon)……Defense posted 1st multi-INT game of season vs. Tampa Bay last week with 2 (DT OLIVER GIBSON, LB BRIAN SIMMONS).  DE JUSTIN SMITH has 7.0 sacks in past 10 games.  In last contest vs. Indy, LB TAKEO SPIKES had team-best 9 tackles, including 6 solos…… Rookie fourth-round draft pick (No. 109) K-P TRAVIS DORSCH attended Purdue in West Lafayette, IN……K NEIL RACKERS has made 11 of past 14 FG attempts……COLTS:  Since 1999, club is 31-20 & tied for NFL’s 7th-best record during that span.  Team drafted 25 of 53 players on roster……Head coach TONY DUNGY has never lost to Cincinnati (2-0 w/ TB).  Since 1970, 10 defenses have scored 7 or more TDs in 1 season, 4 of them were coached by Dungy.  Colts have 1 defensive TD after 3 games……QB PEYTON MANNING has completed 34 of 59 passes (57.6 pct.) for 494 yards & 5 TDs vs. 1 INT for 106.2 passer rating in 2 career games vs. Cincy……RB EDGERRIN JAMES has 1,259 rushing yards in past 10 home games & 1,664 total scrimmage yards with 9 TDs.  James is averaging 149.0 scrimmage yards per game in 2002, which ranks 4th in NFL……In last meeting, WR MARVIN HARRISON had 8 receptions for 156 yards (19.5 avg.) & 56-yard TD.  Has 22 catches for 324 yards & 2 TDs in 3 career meetings vs. Bengals (108.0 yards per game).  WRs Harrison, QADRY ISMAIL & REGGIE WAYNE combine for 41 catches, 537 yards & 6 TDs……In last game vs. Bengals, defense posted 5 sacks, 2.0 each by DE CHAD BRATZKE & DT ELLIS JOHNSON.  Colts have held Cincy RB Dillon to 36 rushing yards in 2 career meetings (18.0 per game).

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-1) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-1)

SERIES

 

PATRIOTS

DOLPHINS

LEADER

 

43-27

STREAKS

 

5 of past 6

COACHES VS. OPP.

Belichick: 1-5

Wannstedt: 3-3

LAST WEEK

L 21-14 at Chargers

L 48-30 at Chiefs

LAST GAME

12/22/01: Dolphins 13 at Patriots 20.  New England scores 20 points in 14-minute span & holds on to win.  Patriots jump past Dolphins into first place in AFC East.

LAST GAME AT SITE

10/7/01: Dolphins 30, Patriots 10.  Miami RB Lamar Smith rushes for 144 yards & 1 TD as Dolphins amass 209 yards on ground.

TV

CBS (1:00 PM ET): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian (Field reporter)

STATS

PASSING

Brady: 129-185-1,326 (2L)-11 (1L)-4-100.9

Fiedler: 76-120-889-7-5-87.8

RUSHING

A. Smith: 64-296-4.6-1

R. Williams: 82-460 (2L)-5.6-4 (T3C)

RECEIVING

Brown: 31 (2C)-292-9.4-1

Chambers: 17-228-13.4-1

OFFENSE

427.8 (2L)

381.0

TAKE/GIVE

+4 (T3C)

+3

DEFENSE

293.5 (3C)

332.0

SACKS

McGinest, Seymour: 2.0

Taylor: 1.5

INTs

Buckley: 2

Marion, Rodgers: 2

PUNTING

Walter: 35.6

Royals: 45.0 (T3C)

KICKING

Vinatieri: 37 (T2C) (13/13 PAT; 8/9 FG)

Mare: 34 (16/16 PAT; 6/8 FG)

NOTES

EIGHT OF PAST 10 meetings decided by 7 points-or-less.  Six of past 10 decided by 3 points-or-less……PATRIOTS:  Club owns NFL’s No. 1 pass offense (325.3) and No. 1 pass defense (152.3).  Team has added 43 players to 53-man roster since hiring head coach BILL BELICHICK in 2000……QB TOM BRADY is 17-4 (.810) in career as starter including postseason.  Leads NFL in TD passes (11) & is league’s 6th-rated passer (100.9).  Brady is averaging 331.5 passing yards per game, including outings of 410 and 353 yards……RB ANTOWAIN SMITH has TD run in each of past 3 vs. Dolphins.  In last meeting, rushed for career-high 156 yards with 1 TD.  Smith’s teams are 10-1 when he rushes for 100 or more yards……WR TROY BROWN has 18 receptions in past 3 vs. Miami.  Brown ranks 2nd in AFC with 31 catches. Rookie WR DEION BRANCH recorded 13 receptions vs. San Diego in Wk. 4 & is tied for 5th in NFL with 28, leading all rookies……Tied for 3rd in AFC in turnover ratio (+5)……CB TY LAW had 27-yard INT-TD in 10/17/99 meeting.  Also posted career-tying second-best 4 passes defensed.  Law has 26 career INTs & with 1 more, will tie MAURICE HURST (1989-95) for 6th-place on club’s all-time list……DOLPHINS:  Are 5-1 (.833) all-time vs. NE head coach Belichick.  Club has won 19 of past 26 vs. Pats & 11 of past 13 at home……Rush offense ranks 3rd in NFL (165.3).  QB JAY FIEDLER is 3-1 (.750) all-time vs. Patriots & 25-11 (.694) all-time as starter.  Set career-highs in completions (30), attempts (45, since tied) & yards (320) vs. NE (12/24/00).  At home in 2002, is 2-0 & has 103.8 passer rating with 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs ……RB RICKY WILLIAMS averaging 131.0 rush yards per game at home in ’02.  NFL’s 2nd-leading rusher with 460 yards……In 12/22/01 meeting, WR CHRIS CHAMBERS had career-bests in receptions (7) & receiving yards (124).  WR ORONDE GADSDEN has 4 TD catches in 7 career games vs. Pats.  Among TEs, rookie RANDY MC MICHAEL is 2nd in NFL in receiving yards (204) and 3rd in league in receptions (13).  Has 9 catches for 152 yards & 2 TDs in 2 home games.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-2) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-1)

SERIES

 

STEELERS

SAINTS

LEADER

6-5

 

STREAKS

Past 2

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

Cowher: 1-0

Haslett: 0-0

LAST WEEK

W 16-13 (OT) vs. Browns

L 26-21 at Lions

LAST GAME

10/17/93:  Saints 14 at Steelers 37.  Pittsburgh CB Rod Woodson returns INT 63 yards for TD just 1:39 into game as New Orleans suffers first loss of season.

LAST GAME AT SITE

12/16/90:  Steelers 9, Saints 6.   Pittsburgh K Gary Anderson’s 43-yard field goal with 1:44 remaining gives Steelers victory over New Orleans.

TV

CBS (12:00 PM CT): Gus Johnson, Brent Jones

STATS

PASSING

Stewart: 57-96-586-3-5-65.7

Brooks: 89-152-979-9 (T1C)-6-81.0

RUSHING

Bettis: 32-100-3.1-0

McAllister: 81-338 (2C)-4.2-3

RECEIVING

Ward: 24-286-11.9-3 (T3C)

Horn: 26-357-13.7-1

OFFENSE

304.7

346.0

TAKE/GIVE

-7

-2

DEFENSE

350.7

348.8

SACKS

Haggans, Porter: 3.0

Whitehead: 2.0

INTs

Porter: 3 (T1L)

Allen, Knight, Da. Smith: 1

PUNTING

Miller: 42.8

Gowin: 41.4

KICKING

Peterson: 17 (5/5 PAT; 4/6 FG)

Carney: 17 (11/11 PAT; 2/3 FG)

NOTES

STEELERS:  Club won its first Super Bowl in New Orleans’ Tulane Stadium (SB IX vs. Minn., 16-6, 1/12/75).  Are NFL-best 29-9 (.763) in October since 1992.  New Orleans marks Steelers’ longest road trip of ’02 regular season (1,093 miles)……QBs TOMMY MADDOX (Shreveport) & KORDELL STEWART (New Orleans) are Louisiana natives.  Stewart named New Orleans Player of the Year & Louisiana MVP as senior at John Ehret H.S. (Marrero, La.).  Maddox was 11 of 13 for 122 yards with 1 TD & 1 INT in OT victory last week……RB JEROME BETTIS had career-best 212 rush yards in New Orleans (12/12/93 w/ Rams).  In 1992 Sugar Bowl in Superdome, led Notre Dame to 38-29 win vs. Florida with 150 rush yards & 3 TDs on 16 carries……WR HINES WARD tied for 5th in AFC in receptions (24)…… LB JOEY PORTER tied with 4 players for NFL-high 3 INTs.  Porter and LB CLARK HAGGANS are tied for 5th in AFC with 3.0 sacks…… SAINTS: Head coach JIM HASLETT was born in Pittsburgh & spent 1997-99 as Steelers’ defensive coordinator.  Was All-American DE at Indiana University of PA.  Offensive coordinator MIKE MC CARTHY was assistant coach at University of Pittsburgh from 1989-92 & is Pittsburgh native.  Defensive line coach SAM CLANCY had minority coaching internship with Steelers in 1999 & played for USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers (1984)…….Offense leads NFL in TD pct. inside redzone (90.0 pct: 10 trips, 9 TDs).  Defense ranks second in NFC in redzone with 28.6 TD pct. (14 trips, 4 TDs)……QB AARON BROOKS ranks third in NFC with 104.6 third-down passer rating……RB DEUCE MC ALLISTER had career highs with 8 receptions for 67 yards vs. Detroit……Rookie WR DONTE’ STALLWORTH became first receiver in 20 years to catch TD pass in first 4 NFL games & can tie CHARLIE BROWN (5, 1982) for most consecutive games with TD catch from start of NFL career (since 1970) with TD catch vs. Steelers.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-2) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1-3)

SERIES

 

REDSKINS

TITANS

LEADER

 

5-3

STREAKS

 

Past 2

COACHES VS. OPP.

Spurrier: 0-0

Fisher: 2-0

LAST WEEK

Bye (Wk 3: L 20-10 at 49ers)

L 52-25 at Raiders

LAST GAME

10/30/00: Titans 27 at Redskins 21.  Tennessee’s Derrick Mason returns punt 69 yards for TD & Titans CB Samari Rolle has 81-yard INT-TD as Tennessee wins on Monday night.

LAST GAME AT SITE

10/19/97: Oilers 28, Redskins 14.  Tennessee RB Eddie George rushes for 125 yards & 2 TDs as Oilers win in front of largest home crowd of season.

TV

FOX (12:00 PM CT): Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston

STATS

PASSING

Matthews: 55-90-558-4-2-84.4 or

Wuerffel: 7-11-71-0-2-42.4

McNair: 91-141-1,000 (3C)-7-6-84.2

RUSHING

Davis: 51-216-4.2-1

George: 71-192-2.7-3

RECEIVING

Davis (RB): 17-95-5.6-0

Mason: 23-357 (3C)-15.5-0

OFFENSE

279.3

319.5

TAKE/GIVE

-5

-1

DEFENSE

358.0

356.3

SACKS

Arrington: 2.0

C. Hall (R): 4.0 (T1C)

INTs

Bailey: 2 (T3C)

A. Dyson: 2

PUNTING

Barker: 45.2

Hentrich: 44.9

KICKING

Tuthill: 5 (2/2 PAT; 1/1 FG)

Nedney: 19 (7/7 PAT; 4/4 FG)

NOTES

REDSKINS:  QB DANNY WUERFFEL could make first start since 6/25/00 in NFL Europe League.  Led Rhein Fire to 13-10 win vs. Scottish Claymores in World Bowl 2000……RB STEPHEN DAVIS has 18 career 100-yard rushing games & with 1 more ties for most in club history (LARRY BROWN, JOHN RIGGINS).  Has rushed for 100 yards in 5 of past 8 games & averaging 102.0 yards in past 3 vs. AFC opponents……WR ROD GARDNER leads club with 210 yards receiving ……Defense held Titans to 189 total yards in last meeting……DE BRUCE SMITH has 186.0 career sacks & needs 12.5 to pass REGGIE WHITE (198.0) for first all-time……LB LA VAR ARRINGTON had career-high (since broken) 11 tackles (1.0 sacks) in last meeting……CB DARRELL GREEN needs 1 INT to increase NFL record of consecutive seasons with INT to 20.  Rookie fifth-round draft pick CB ANDRE LOTT was all-SEC performer following senior season at Tennessee.  Native of Memphis was prep star at Melrose HS……TITANS:  Have never lost to Redskins at home (3-0, including Houston).  Club has won 9 of past 10 vs. NFC East……In career vs. Redskins, QB STEVE MC NAIR is 2-0 & has completed 27 of 39 passes (69.2 pct.) for 288 yards & 1 TD vs. 0 INTs for 99.1 passer rating.  McNair is AFC’s best 3rd down passer: 24 of 37 for 245 yards, 4 TDs & 0 INTs for 119.8 rating……RB EDDIE GEORGE has rushed for 196 yards & 2 TDs in 2 career games vs. Washington……WR-PR-KR DERRICK MASON had 69-yard PR-TD in last meeting.  Has 49 receptions for 727 yards & 4 TDs in past 7 home games (103.9 receiving yards per game).  Mason is 3rd-best in NFL in 3rd down reception yards (134) on 8 catches……TE FRANK WYCHECK started career with Redskins (1993-94).  Had 18-yard TD catch in last game vs. former team……AFC’s best offense in scoring TDs in red zone: 10 TDs in 12 attempts, 83.3 pct.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (4-0) AT DENVER BRONCOS (3-1)

SERIES

 

CHARGERS

BRONCOS

LEADER

 

46-37-1

STREAKS

 

8 of past 10

COACHES VS. OPP.

Schottenheimer: 9-16

Shanahan: 13-4

LAST WEEK

W 21-14 vs. Patriots

L 34-23 at Ravens

LAST GAME

11/11/01: Chargers 16 at Broncos 26.  Denver QB Brian Griese passes for 2 TDs & Broncos’ Jason Elam kicks 4 FGs.

LAST GAME AT SITE

11/11/01

TV

CBS (2:05 PM MT): Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots

STATS

PASSING

Brees: 57-96-608-4-2-83.2

Griese: 86-130-860-7-5-86.7

RUSHING

Tomlinson: 101-506 (1L)-5.0-5 (2C)

Portis (R): 35-204-5.8-1

RECEIVING

Conway: 20-313-15.7-3 (T3C)

Smith: 20-224-11.2-2

OFFENSE

324.8

333.8

TAKE/GIVE

+7 (1L)

+1

DEFENSE

264.5 (1C)

277.3 (2C)

SACKS

Leber (R): 4.0 (T1C)

Pryce: 3.0

INTs

Edwards: 2

O’Neal, Washington: 1

PUNTING

Bennett: 39.7

Rouen: 42.8

KICKING

Christie: 22 (13/13 PAT; 3/5 FG)

Elam: 26 (11/11 PAT; 5/8 FG)

NOTES

CHARGERS:  Aim for first 5-0 start since 1994 (6-0), when club advanced to Super Bowl XXIX……QB DREW BREES has won first 4 starts.  Last QB to win his first 5 was Minnesota’s DAUNTE CULPEPPER……RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON leads NFL in rushing with 506 yards (126.5 per game).  Has 5 rush TDs.  Against NE last week, had career-high 217 rush yards on 27 carries & 2 TDs.  His 217 yards are NFL single-game most in 2002 after 4 weeks.  Averaged 5.4 yards per carry in last game vs. Broncos (75 yards on 14 carries)…… WR CURTIS CONWAY had 3 catches for 111 yards (37.0 avg.) & 1 TD in last meeting.  Ranks 2nd in NFL in 3rd down receptions (9) for 10.6 avg. & 5th in AFC in receiving yards (313).  RONNEY JENKINS had 88-yard KR-TD in 10/21/01 meeting & had 56.5 KR avg. in that game……Team has NFL’s best turnover ratio (+7)……Third-round draft pick LB BEN LEBER tied for AFC lead in sacks with 4.0.  Only NFL team with 4 players with 3.0 sacks or more: Leber (4.0), DE ADRIAN DINGLE (3.0), DE RAYLEE JOHNSON & DE MARCELLUS WILEY (3.0).  Club has 16 sacks on season for 1st in AFC & 2nd in NFL (Car. 17).  Defense had 8 sacks in 2 games vs. Denver in ’01……BRONCOS:  Have won 8 of past 10 vs. Chargers……Head coach MIKE SHANAHAN is 13-4 (.765) all-time vs. SD & 8-1 (.889) at home……QB BRIAN GRIESE completed 21 of 31 passes (67.7 pct.) for 224 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 110.1 passer rating vs. Chargers at Denver in ’01……WRs ED MC CAFFREY (148) & ROD SMITH (187) set career highs in receiving yards in 11/19/00 meeting vs. SD.  McCaffrey also tied career-best with 10 catches & has 11 receiving TDs in 12 career games vs. Chargers.  TE SHANNON SHARPE has 1,037 career yards & 4 100-yard games vs. SD, his most vs. any team.  Only AFC team with 3 100-yard rushers: rookie RB CLINTON PORTIS (204), RB MIKE ANDERSON (159), &  RB OLANDIS GARY (116)……NFL’s best defense per rush attempt (2.9), 2nd in NFL in rush yards allowed per game (56.5) & 6th in NFL in total yards allowed per game (277.3).  Club had 4 sacks & 5 INTs in 2 games vs. Chargers in 2001.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-2) AT NEW YORK JETS (1-3)

SERIES

 

CHIEFS

JETS

LEADER

Series tied 14-14-1

 

STREAKS

 

Past 2

COACHES VS. OPP.

Vermeil: 3-1

Edwards: 1-0

LAST WEEK

W 48-30 vs. Dolphins

L 28-3 at Jaguars

LAST GAME

11/11/01: Chiefs 7 at Jets 27.  New York RB Curtis Martin rushes for 113 yards & 3 TDs while Jets’ defense forces 4 turnovers.

LAST GAME AT SITE

11/11/01

TV

CBS (4:05 PM ET): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstein (Field reporter)

STATS

PASSING

Green: 76-119-952-10 (T2L)-5-99.1

Pennington: 26-47-352-0-2-61.7

RUSHING

Holmes: 97-438 (3L)-4.5-7 (1L)

Martin: 32-98-3.1-0

RECEIVING

Holmes (RB): 22-132-6.0-1

Coles: 14-143-10.2-0

OFFENSE

401.3 (3L)

250.0

TAKE/GIVE

+2

-6

DEFENSE

439.0

398.3

SACKS

Hicks: 3.0

Evans, J. Ferguson: 2.0

INTs

Wesley: 3 (T1L)

D. Abraham, Beasley, Darling: 1

PUNTING

Stryzinski: 41.5

Turk: 43.2

KICKING

Andersen: 40 (1C) (16/16 PAT; 8/8 FG)

Hall: 18 (3/3 PAT; 5/6 FG)

NOTES

STUDENT VS. TEACHER:  NYJ head coach HERM EDWARDS played for KC head coach DICK VERMEIL with Philadelphia (1977-82)……CHIEFS:  Club has scored at least 30 points in 3 of first 4 games for first time since 1966 (club went 11-2-1 & advanced to Super Bowl I).  Head coach Vermeil is 3-1 (.750) in career vs. Jets……QB TRENT GREEN threw career-high 5 TD passes vs. previously unbeaten Miami this past Sunday.  Joins LEN DAWSON and ELVIS GRBAC as only Chiefs to throw 5 TDs in one game (Dawson did 5 twice and 6 once)……RB PRIEST HOLMES leads NFL in scoring, including kickers, with 48 points (8 TDs, 7 rushing).  Is NFL’s 3rd-leading rusher (438 yards).  In past 10 road games, Holmes has 1,204 rush yards (120.4 yards per game) & 11 TDs……TE TONY GONZALEZ set career-high vs. Dolphins last week with 3 TD receptions & now has 35 in career.  His 35 TDs as Chief ranks fourth in team history, surpassing FRED ARBANAS (34)……S GREG WESLEY had career-high 3 INTs vs. Dolphins in Week 4.  Became 7th Chiefs player to record at least 3 INTs in game……JETS:  Head coach Edwards was scout for KC (1990-91, 1995) & DB coach (1992-94).  General manager TERRY BRADWAY was member of Chiefs’ player personnel department from 1992-00……In most extensive playing time of career last week, QB CHAD PENNINGTON was 21 of 34 passing for 281 yards, 0 TDs & 1 INT for 75.7 rating vs. Jax ……RB CURTIS MARTIN rushed for 113 yards & 3 TDs in last year’s meeting vs. KC……In 2 career games vs. Chiefs, WR WAYNE CHREBET has 12 catches for 168 yards……Jets held KC QB Green to career-low 35.5 passer rating in only career meeting.  Club has held Chiefs RB Holmes to 81 rush yards in 3 games (27.0 per game).  Club had 3 sacks & 3 INTs in meeting last year.  LB SAM COWART tied career-best 23 tackles vs. KC (11/19/00 w/ Buf.).  In last game vs. KC (11/14/99 w/ TB), CB DONNIE ABRAHAM posted 7 tackles, 2 passes defensed & 1st career sack.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-1) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-1)

SERIES

 

EAGLES

JAGUARS

LEADER

 

1-0

STREAKS

 

1-0

COACHES VS. OPP.

Reid: 0-0

Coughlin: 1-0

LAST WEEK

W 35-17 vs. Texans

W 28-3 vs. Jets

LAST GAME

10/12/97: Eagles 21 at Jaguars 38.  Jacksonville RB James Stewart rushes for 5 TDs & 102 yards as Jaguars win 10th consecutive home game.

LAST GAME AT SITE

10/12/97

TV

FOX (4:15 PM ET): Sam Rosen, Bill Maas

STATS

PASSING

McNabb: 92-153-1,050 (3C)-9 (T1C)-3-92.2 (3C)

Brunell: 57-87-721-4-1-101.7 (3L)

RUSHING

Staley: 45-147-3.3-2

Taylor: 65-339-5.2-3

RECEIVING

Staley (RB):18-167-9.3-1

J. Smith: 14-197-14.1-1

OFFENSE

387.5 (2C)

392.0

TAKE/GIVE

+6 (1C)

+5 (2C)

DEFENSE

263.3 (3C)

329.3

SACKS

Douglas: 4.0

Four tied: 1.0

INTs

Dawkins: 2 (T3C)

McCree: 2

PUNTING

Landeta: 44.8

Hanson: 48.7 (1L)

KICKING

Akers: 42 (1L) (15/15 PAT; 9/9 FG)

Epstein (R): 14 (8/8 PAT; 2/5 FG)

NOTES

EAGLES:  Club 24-3 (.889) under head coach ANDY REID when scoring 20-or-more points.  Eagles have 24-16 (.600) October record in past 10 years & off to best start since 1996 (3-1).  Have scored at least 30 points in 3 consecutive games (37,44, 35) for first time since 1992 (Weeks 2-4 – 31,30, 31)……QB DONOVAN MC NABB has won 6 of past 8 starts vs. AFC opponents, passing for 15 TDs & 6 INTs……RB DUCE STALEY tied career-high with 2 TD runs (1,1) vs. Texans……WR JAMES THRASH has TD catch in 5 consecutive games & 2 100-yard receiving games during streak.  WR ANTONIO FREEMAN had 3 receptions for 104 yards in last meeting vs. Jaguars (with Packers, 12/3/01)……Defense had season-high 7 sacks, from 7 different players, vs. Texans……DE HUGH DOUGLAS has 5.0 sacks in past 5 games……S BRIAN DAWKINS became first player in NFL history to record sack, INT, fumble recovery & TD reception in same game last week.  His 57-yard TD catch on fake punt first of career.  Dawkins & rookie CB LITO SHEPPARD played high school football at Jacksonville’s Raines HS……JAGUARS:  Jacksonville head coach TOM COUGHLIN was Eagles’ wide receivers coach from 1984-85……Are 38-20 (.655) all-time at home.  In total offense, club ranks 5th in NFL (392.0).  Have scored points in all 8 trips inside opponents’ 20 yard-line (6 TDs).  Team ranks 5th in NFL converting 46.3 pct. of 3rd down conversion attempts (19 of 41)……Among starting QBs, MARK BRUNELL ranks 2nd in NFL with 101.7 passer rating.  Leads NFL with 8.29 yards per attempt……In past 13 games with at least 15 carries, RB FRED TAYLOR has rushed for 1,647 yards (126.7 yards per game) & 14 TDs.  Taylor leads NFL with most scrimmage yards per game (171.3) & is tied for NFL lead in most runs of 20+ yards (4).  Ranks 3rd in NFL in rush yards per game (113.0) &  5th in NFL among rushing leaders with 339 yards on 65 carries (5.2), despite a bye week……WR PATRICK JOHNSON leads NFL in avg. yards per catch (23.0) among players with 5 or more catches, has 2 TDs in 3 games……Defense has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in ALLTEL Stadium in past 14 games (STEPHEN DAVIS, Wash., 114 yards, 10/22/00).

ST. LOUIS RAMS (0-4) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-1)

SERIES

 

RAMS

49ERS

LEADER

54-48-2

 

STREAKS

Past 6

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

Martz: 4-0

Mariucci: 4-6

LAST WEEK

L 13-10 vs. Cowboys

Bye (Wk 3: W 20-10 vs. Redskins)

LAST GAME

12/9/01: 49ers 14 at Rams 27.  St. Louis QB Kurt Warner passes for 2 TDs & RB Marshall Faulk rushes for 2 to pace Rams.

LAST GAME AT SITE

9/23/01: Rams 30, 49ers 26.  St. Louis QB Kurt Warner passes for 321 yards & 3 TDs to lead Rams past 49ers.

TV

FOX (1:15 PM PT): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth, Pam Oliver (Field reporter)

STATS

PASSING

Martin: 24-37-262-1-1-83.4

Garcia: 53-81-455-2-3-72.8

RUSHING

Faulk: 48-188-3.9-4 (T2C)

Barlow: 30-174-5.8-1

RECEIVING

Holt: 32 (1C)-424 (2L)-13.3-0

E. Johnson: 13-133-10.2-0

OFFENSE

350.8

302.0

TAKE/GIVE

-7

+3

DEFENSE

313.0

292.3

SACKS

Little: 4.0

Carter, Okefor: 3.0

INTs

Four tied: 1

Bronson: 2 (T3C)

PUNTING

Berger: 43.8

Baker 40.7

KICKING

Wilkins: 19 (7/7 PAT; 4/7 FG)

Cortez: 20 (5/5 PAT; 5/7 FG)

NOTES

SERIES MARKED BY STREAKS: 49ers won 17 consecutive games before Rams began current 6-game winning streak……RAMSQB JAMIE MARTIN passed for career-high 268 yards last week vs. Cowboys.  Expected to make first start for Rams & second career NFL start.  Passed for 11 TDs & 6 INTs for NFL Europe League’s Amsterdam Admirals in 1995……RB MARSHALL FAULK has 114 TDs & needs 3 to pass JOHN RIGGINS (116) for seventh all-time.  Has rushed for 100 yards in 3 of past 5 vs. 49ers, including 105 yards rushing & 8 receptions for 79 yards vs. SF (9/23/01) ……WR TORRY HOLT had 9 receptions last week, tied for second-most of his career.  His 106 yards receiving vs. Cowboys was 16th career 100-yard receiving game.  WR ISAAC BRUCE has 100 yards receiving in 4 of past 6, with 7 TDs, vs. 49ers.  Has averaged 7.1 receptions for 122 yards in those games……DE GRANT WISTROM has 5.0 sacks in past 5 games……49ERSQB JEFF GARCIA has completed 65.4 pct. (53 of 81) for 455 yards in 2002……RB GARRISON  HEARST has 13 career 100-yard rushing games with 49ers, third in club history.  Can tie ROGER CRAIG (14) for second with 100-yard outing vs. Rams.  Rushed for 97 yards & 5.1 yards per carry avg. in Week 3 win vs. Redskins.  RB KEVAN BARLOW rushed for career-high 94 yards vs. Wash……WR TERRELL OWENS has 61 career TDs & needs 1 to pass KEN WILLARD for third in club history.  Needs 6 TDs to pass Craig for second.  Has 3 100-yard receiving games in past 5 vs. Rams.  Had career-long 38-yard TD run in win vs. Redskins……TE ERIC JOHNSON made first career NFL start vs. St. Louis (9/23/00).  Played football & golf at Yale……DE ANDRE CARTER tied career-high with 2.0 sacks in win vs. Redskins.  DT BRYANT YOUNG had career-high 3.0 sacks vs. StL (10/6/96).  DE SEAN MORAN joined 49ers in offseason after playing in 31 games for Rams (2000-01)……K JOSE CORTEZ had career-long 52-yard FG vs. Rams (9/23/01).

SUNDAY NIGHT

BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-2) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-2)

SERIES

 

RAVENS

BROWNS

LEADER

4-2

 

STREAKS

 

Past 2

COACHES VS. OPP.

Billick: 4-2

Davis: 2-0

LAST WEEK

W 34-23 vs. Broncos

L 16-13 (OT) at Steelers

LAST GAME

11/18/01: Browns 27 at Ravens 17.  Cleveland records 4 INTs, including 43-yard INT-TD by S Devin Bush, to complete season sweep of Baltimore.

LAST GAME AT SITE

10/21/01: Browns 24, Ravens 14.  Cleveland’s defense records 7 sacks & Browns QB Tim Couch passes for 2 TDs in span of 1:56 of 3rd quarter.

TV

ESPN (8:30 PM ET): Mike Patrick, Joe Theisman, Paul Maguire, Suzy Kolber (Field reporter). CBS Radio: Joel Meyers, Bob Trumpy, Allan Pinkett (Field reporter).  ESPN Deportes: Eduardo Varela, Fuad Reveiz, Luz Ramos (Field reporter)

STATS

PASSING

Redman: 49-96-511-3-2-68.5

Couch: 52-79-470-3-3-78.6

RUSHING

J. Lewis: 59-195-3.3-1

White: 45-228-5.1-1

RECEIVING

Heap (TE): 13-124-9.5-2

K. Johnson: 24-259-10.8-1

OFFENSE

230.7

331.0

TAKE/GIVE

-1

-1

DEFENSE

315.7

343.0

SACKS

Boulware, McCrary: 2.0

Word: 3.0

INTs

Baxter, R. Lewis, Reed (R): 1

Griffith: 2

PUNTING

Zastudil (R): 43.1

Gardocki: 44.1

KICKING

Stover: 11 (5/5 PAT; 2/3 FG)

Dawson: 37 (T2C) (10/10 PAT; 9/11 FG)

NOTES

THE WAY WE WERE:  Ravens’ head coach BRIAN BILLICK and Cleveland defensive coordinator FOGE FAZIO worked together as offensive and defensive coordinators for Minnesota Vikings from 1995-98……RAVENS:  Head coach Billick is 4-2 (.667) against Cleveland……First-year starting QB CHRIS REDMAN had best game as pro last Monday night vs. Denver: 13 of 24 for 152 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs for 101.4 rating……RB JAMAL LEWIS rushed for 170 yards & 2 TDs vs. Cleveland on 11/26/00, his 2nd-best rushing day of career & most TDs scored in one game……In five games vs. Cleveland QB Couch, defense has limited him to 72 of 136 passing for 676 yards, 3 TDs and 8 INTs for 49.8 rating.  Club has allowed 3 red zone TDs in 10 attempts (30 pct.), tied for 4th-stingiest red zone TD pct. in NFL……BROWNS:  One win from becoming 11th NFL team with 400 victories & 7th in that group with winning record.  Have scored 103 points, most in 1st 4 weeks since 1989 (9-6-1, advanced to AFC Championship).  Team has posted 2 300-yard passing games in 2002, posted 3 from 1999-2001……Head coach BUTCH DAVIS is 2-0 in career vs. Ravens.  Club had never beaten Balt. before Davis (0-4)……Offense averaging 5.79 yards on 1st down, 7th-best in league.  Club is 1 of 11 NFL teams to score points in every red zone possession in ’02……QB Couch has NFL’s 5th-best fourth quarter passer rating (118.0)…… Club’s WRs have 64 catches for 791 yards & 9 TDs.  WR KEVIN JOHNSON tied for 5th in AFC in receptions (24).  Rookie  WR ANDRE’ DAVIS tied for 2nd in league in TD catches (4) & 3rd among AFC rookies in catches (14) & rec. yards (186).  WR-PR DENNIS NORTHCUTT ranks 2nd in NFL PR avg. (16.7)……Team is tied for 3rd in AFC with 6 INTs.

MONDAY NIGHT

GREEN BAY PACKERS (3-1) AT CHICAGO BEARS (2-2)

SERIES

 

PACKERS

BEARS

LEADER

 

83-73-6

STREAKS

Past 8 on road

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

Sherman: 3-1

Jauron: 2-4

LAST WEEK

W 17-14 vs. Panthers

L 33-27 (OT) at Bills

LAST GAME

12/9/01: Bears 7 at Packers 17.  Green Bay RB Ahman Green rushes for 125 yards & 1 TD. 

LAST GAME AT SITE

11/11/01: Packers 20, Bears 12.  Green Bay QB Brett Favre passes for 2 TDs as Packers snap Bears’ six-game winning streak.

TV

ABC (8:00 PM CT):  Al Michaels, John Madden, Melissa Stark (Field Reporter). CBS Radio: Marv Albert, Boomer Esiason, John Dockery (Field reporter)

STATS

PASSING

Favre: 103-159-1111 (2C)-8 (3C)-3-94.1 (2C)

Miller: 77-128-864-7-3-88.8

RUSHING

Green: 61-309-5.1-0

Thomas: 95-288-3.0-2

RECEIVING

Driver: 21-320-15.2-4 (T1C)

Booker: 25-425 (1L)-17.0-2

OFFENSE

395.3 (1C)

300.8

TAKE/GIVE

+2

+4 (T3C)

DEFENSE

333.5

334.3

SACKS

Hunt: 3.0

Colvin: 6.0 (1L)

INTs

McKenzie, Sharper: 2

Austin: 2 (T3C)

PUNTING

Bidwell: 43.8

Maynard: 40.6

KICKING

Longwell: 39 (2C) (12/12 PAT; 9/10 FG)

Edinger: 31 (10/10 PAT; 7/10 FG)

NOTES

GAME IS 164th IN SERIES (including postseason), most of any two teams in NFL history.  Rivalry dates to 1921……PACKERSQB BRETT FAVRE has 39,738 yards passing and ranks eighth in league history.  Will play in 166th career game this week & needs 262 yards to become third-fastest player ever to pass for 40,000 (DAN MARINO, 153; WARREN MOON, 165;).  Has 5,601 career pass attempts & needs 4 to pass DAN FOUTS (5,604) in sixth place all-time.  Has 295 career TD passes & needs 5 to become fourth player in NFL history with 300 & 6 to pass JOHN ELWAY (300) for third all-time.  Has 16-4 record all-time vs. Bears……RB AHMAN GREEN has 11 100-yard rushing games & club is 11-0 in those games.  Has averaged 109 yards per game & 4.6 per carry in past 2 vs. Bears……WR DONALD DRIVER had career high 2 TD receptions (31, 22) last week & aims for fourth consecutive game with TD catch……TE BUBBA FRANKS threw first career TD pass (31 yards) vs. Panthers……DT CLETIDUS HUNT tied career high with 2.0 sacks last week……BEARSQB JIM MILLER threw 47 pass attempts, second-most of his career, in last home game vs. Packers (11/11/01)……WR MARTY BOOKER had 8 receptions (81 yards) vs. GB on 11/11/01.  Has led club in receiving yards in 6 of past 7 games.  WR MARCUS ROBINSON had TD receptions of 68 & 58 yards in his last game vs. Packers (10/1/00).  WR DAVID TERRELL has 40 career receptions & 7 TD catches, averaging 1 TD catch per every 5.7 receptions.  Leads club with 3 TD catches this season……TE JOHN DAVIS had first TD catch (3 yards) with Bears last week……LB ROSEVELT COLVIN needs 0.5 sacks vs. Packers to set club record with 8 consecutive games with at least 0.5 sacks (ALONZO SPELLMAN).  Has 10.0 sacks during that streak, including 2.0 vs. Bills.  LB BRIAN URLACHER  had 1 INT & 1.0 sack in last meeting.

DETROIT, HOUSTON, MINNESOTA, SEATTLE HAVE OPEN DATES IN WEEK 5

DETROIT (1-3):  Lions won first game of season (26-21) over previously unbeaten Saints last week.  Rookie QB JOEY HARRINGTON won his first game as NFL starter, completing 20 of 35 attempts for 267 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs for 91.0 passer rating……RB JAMES STEWART rushed for 65 yards vs. Saints, giving him 5,026 career rushing yards.  Has averaged 4.7 yards per carry this season……WR BILL SCHROEDER had first reception as Lion last week, finishing with 7 catches for 78 yards, including 38-yard TD catch……WR AZ-ZAHIR HAKIM had 98 yards receiving (3 catches) vs. NO, his most with Detroit……KR-PR DESMOND HOWARD averaged 42.5 yards per KR in win vs. Saints.  Has 8 career PR-TDs & needs 2 to tie ERIC METCALF for most all-time……S COREY HARRIS had first INT with Lions & career long 49-yard INT return vs. NO……K JASON HANSON connected on 4 of 4 FGs last week.

HOUSTON (1-3):  One of only two AFC teams (Denver) to have more than one 100-yard rusher: RB JAMES ALLEN (175) & rookie RB JONATHAN WELLS (147)……WR-PR JERMAINE LEWIS has 10.4 PR avg., 4th-best in AFC, 8th in NFL……DE JEFF POSEY is tied for 3rd among AFC sack leaders with 3.5.  LB JAMIE SHARPER has 2.5 sacks.  As team, Houston has AFC’s 5th-most sacks (12)……CB AARON GLENN has 2 INTs, tying him for 4th-most in AFC.  CB MARCUS COLEMAN tied for 2nd in AFC with 2 fumble recoveries……Defense is tied for 2nd in conference and 4th in NFL in allowing TDs inside its 20 yard-line: 3 TDs in 10 possessions (30.0 pct.).  Club ranks 2nd in AFC and 6th in NFL in allowing fewest yards on 1st down (4.45)……P CHAD STANLEY has placed AFC-high 10 punts inside opponents’ 20 yard-line & has 0 touchbacks.  K KRIS BROWN is 4 of 5 in FG attempts in 2002.  Only miss was 54-yard attempt, which hit upright.

MINNESOTA (0-4):  QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER tied career high with 53 pass attempts last week vs. Seattle.  Also rushed for 61 yards, including 12-yard TD run.  Has connected with WR RANDY MOSS for 23 career TDs & needs 4 to become most prolific scoring tandem in club history (WARREN MOON/CRIS CARTER).  Culpepper has 52 career TD passes & needs 7 to pass Moon (58) for fourth in club history……RB MICHAEL BENNETT has 258 consecutive scrimmage attempts without fumble.  Rushed for 91 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, vs. Seahawks & also added 44 yards receiving (4 catches).  RB MOE WILLIAMS had career high 2 rushing TDs (3, 5) last week.  Also had career bests with 7 receptions & 77 yards & added 4 KR for 77 yards.  Needs 107 yards rushing to set new career-high, surpassing 291 yards rushing in 2001. 

SEATTLE (1-3): Head coach MIKE HOLMGREN reached 100 career victories with win vs. Vikings……Against Vikings, RB SHAUN ALEXANDER became 13th player in NFL history to score at least 5 TDs in single-game & first since JAMES STEWART scored 5 for Jacksonville (10/12/97).  His 5 TDs were most ever in one half & set club record for TDs & points scored in single game.  Rushed for 139 yards & 4 TDs & also added 3 receptions for career-high 92 yards, including career-long 80-yard TD reception.  Club is 5-0 lifetime when he rushes for 100 yards……QB TRENT DILFER passed for 222 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs vs. Vikings……Rookie fifth round draft choice DT ROCKY BERNARD had 2.0 sacks vs. Vikings & leads club with 4.0.  DT JOHN RANDLE ranks second among active players with 125.0 sacks.