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BALTIMORE RAVENS (3-4) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (4-3)
RAVENS: Club has won 3 of past 5 games��Club is 14-1 (.933) when RB JAMAL LEWIS carries ball 20 times or more��WR TRAVIS TAYLOR has at least 4 catches in each of past 4 games. Set career-high in receptions last Sunday vs. Pitt with 7 (82 yards, 11.7 avg.). TE TODD HEAP ranks 3rd among AFC TEs in receptions (29) ��Since club began play in 1996, T JONATHAN OGDEN has started every game (109). Team has outscored opponents 54-33 in 2nd quarter��First-year starting LB ED HARTWELL has 63 tackles through 7 games. With 12 INTs, team is tied for 3rd-most in NFL & on pace for franchise-record of 27 INTs. Club has 10 players with at least 1 INT. Defense is 4th in AFC in points allowed (20.3) & 5th in conference in denying 3rd down conversion attempts (37-98, 37.8 pct)�� FALCONS: Club 27-10 (.730) all-time under head coach DAN REEVES when leading at halftime. Offense ranks third in NFC with 56.0 redzone TD pct. (25 trips, 14 TDs)��QB MICHAEL VICK has thrown 163 consecutive passes without INT, longest current streak in NFL. Ranks second in NFL with 104.2 third-down passer rating��Leads all QBs with 367 yards rushing & his 9.0 yards per carry average is NFL best among rushers with at least 350 yards. Seeks third consecutive 90-yard rushing game & third consecutive game with rushing TD��RB WARRICK DUNN seeks consecutive 100-yard rushing games for third time in career. Had personal season-high 142 yards rushing last week vs. Saints & most since 145 yards vs. Rams on 12/18/00 (with Bucs). First-round draft pick (No. 18) RB T.J. DUCKETT leads all NFC rookies with 273 yards rushing��WR BRIAN FINNERAN has 3 TD receptions & needs 1 for career high. Has 26 catches, 20 for first downs��K JAY FEELY leads NFC with 10 touchbacks on KOs. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-4) AT BUFFALO BILLS (5-3)
FOUR OF PAST 5 in series have been decided in OT. Past 8 meetings have been decided by 10 points-or-less & 4 of past 5 by 3 points-or-less. In 83 career games b/w teams, clubs separated by 24 total points (NE 1,626; Buff 1,602). PATRIOTS: QB TOM BRADY has 17-7 (.708) career record (including postseason). Is 2-0 vs. Buffalo. Has thrown for 862 yards on road in 2002 (287.3 yards per game). Ranks 2nd in NFL in 4th qtr. passing (109.0), completing 40 of 64 passes (62.5 pct.) for 463 yards with 6 TDs vs. 1 INT��RB ANTOWAIN SMITH rushed for 195 yards & 2 TDs in 2 meetings last year. Was first-round selection & member of Bills from 1997-2000 & 15 of his 40 career TD runs have come at Ralph Wilson Stadium. NE is 9-2 when Smith has TD run��Rookie WR DEION BRANCH has 20 catches for 254 yards (12.7 avg.) & 1 TD on road in 2002. Offense is 3rd in AFC in converting 3rd down attempts (42 of 95, 44.2 pct.)��Four of past 7 INTs for CB TY LAW have come against AFC East (1 vs. Buffalo, 11/11/01). In 4 career games vs. Bills (w/ Pats), CB OTIS SMITH has 28 tackles & 1 INT. DE WILLIE MC GINEST has 2.5 sacks in past 2 vs. Bills. Defense is No. 2 in NFL (Tampa Bay) in passing yards per game (164.1)��BILLS: QB DREW BLEDSOE faces former team for first time. Was No. 1 overall selection by NE in 1993 NFL Draft & was member of Patriots from 1993-2001. Set franchise career passing records for attempts (4,518), completions (2,544) & yards (29,657). On pace to become 2nd player in NFL history to record 5,000 pass yards in season (DAN MARINO, 5,084, 1984)��RB TRAVIS HENRY has 53 carries for 281 yards (140.5 yards per game) & 3 TDs in 2 division games in 2002. His 9 rush TDs are 2nd in NFL to KC�s PRIEST HOLMES (13) ��WRs ERIC MOULDS (785) & PEERLESS PRICE (743) rank No. 1 & 2 in NFL in receiving yards. Price has 6 receiving TDs, tied for NFL lead. Club is 1 of 2 teams (Cleveland) to have 5 players with 20 or more catches��Club had 12 sacks last year vs. Patriots. DE AARON SCHOBEL had 4.0 sacks in 2 meetings last year & aims for 3rd consecutive multi-sack game vs. NE. Defense has held opponents under 200 pass yards in past 3 games. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-2) AT CHICAGO BEARS (2-5)
EAGLES: Club 25-4 (.862) when scoring at least 20 points under head coach ANDY REID. Club has scored in 24 of 28 quarters in 2002 & 6-2 start would be best since 1996��QB DONOVAN MC NABB aims for third consecutive win vs. Bears, including postseason. Ranks second in NFL among QBs with 356 yards rushing & is first QB with 2 100-yard rushing games (111 vs. NYG, 100 vs. Jax) in single-season since Bears QB BOBBY DOUGLASS (1972). McNabb was HS star at Mount Carmel (IL) High on southside of Chicago.��RB DUCE STALEY has 11 career 100-yard rushing games & with 100 yards vs. Chi, ties RICKY WATTERS for third most (12) in club history. Seeks second consecutive 100-yard effort vs. Bears (101, 10/17/99). ��DT DARWIN WALKER has recorded at least 0.5 sacks in 6 consecutive games��LB LEVON KIRKLAND has started 130 consecutive regular-season games & has never missed game (167) in NFL career��BEARS: QB JIM MILLER needs 3 TD passes to tie career high (13, 2001). QB CHRIS CHANDLER seeks fourth win in past 5 starts vs. Eagles��QB HENRY BURRIS saw first action with Bears last week�� WR MARTY BOOKER has led club in receiving yards in 8 of past 10 games. Needs 100 yards receiving vs. Eagles for career-best 3 100-yard games in single-season. Needs 4 catches to pass JIM DOOLEY (211) in tenth in club history. Seeks at least 80 yards receiving for fifth time in past 6 games��Tied for fourth in NFC with 11 third-down receptions (167 yards, 2 TDs)��TE JOHN DAVIS needs 5 catches & 65 yards for career highs in both categories (17, 202, 2000)��Club tied for second (Phi) in the NFL with 10 fumble takeaways (11, GB)�� LB ROSEVELT COLVIN has 11.0 sacks in past 10 games��LB MIKE CALDWELL played in 62 games with 29 starts for Eagles from 1998-2001, posting career-high 140 tackles last season. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-3) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (4-4)
TEAMS MEET for 100th regular season game in series � first AFC rivalry to reach 100 regular-season games & most played rival for each club. Clubs are only AFC teams with 400 victories: Pitt. (479) & Cle. (401)��STEELERS: Have won 10 of past 12 vs. Browns, including 1994 AFC Divisional Playoff��Head coach BILL COWHER has career 12-4 (.750) record vs. Cleveland. Played 3 seasons with Browns (1980-82) & spent 4 years (1985-1988) with Cleveland as coach (sp. teams & secondary). Under Cowher, Steelers are 71-1 (.986) when holding lead of more than 10 points � best mark in NFL history��QB TOMMY MADDOX led Steelers to 16-13 OT win over Browns in Wk. 4, entering in 4th quarter. Club has scored 28 points or more in each of his 4 starts in 2002��RB JEROME BETTIS has 613 yards (three 100s) in past 6 vs. Browns (102.2 yards per game)��WR HINES WARD led team with 9 catches for 104 yards in last meeting��In past 3, club has out-gained Browns 1,162 to 605��Club had 7 sacks in last meeting at Cleveland, 3.5 by LB JASON GILDON. LB JOEY PORTER tied for NFL lead in INTs (4) & tied for 2nd in AFC in sacks (6.0).��BROWNS: In 2 career starts at home vs. Pittsburgh, QB TIM COUCH has completed 41 of 64 passes (64.1 pct.) for 476 yards with 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 102.1 passer rating��RB JAMEL WHITE had 16 carries for 105 yards (6.6 avg.) & 1 TD in Wk. 4 meeting, including career-long 54-yard run. Ranks 3rd in NFL among RBs in receptions (43), on pace for 86; club record is 89 (HOF TE OZZIE NEWSOME, 1983 & �84)��In 4 home games in �02, WR QUINCY MORGAN has 23 catches for 342 yards (14.9 avg.) & 3 TDs, including 14 1st-down receptions & 8 catches of 20+ yards. Team is No. 2 in NFL in 4th qtr. points (73)��WR-PR DENNIS NORTHCUTT is 2nd in AFC in PR avg. (12.9)��DE COURTNEY BROWN has 4.0 sacks in 4 games vs. Pitt. Defense has 5 INTs in past 2 vs. Steelers. Browns have intercepted Steelers QB Maddox in each of past 2 games on just 21 attempts. Defense has 3rd-best AFC red zone TD pct. (11-27, 40.7 pct.). DALLAS COWBOYS (3-5) AT DETROIT LIONS (2-5)
COWBOYS: RB EMMITT SMITH is NFL�s all-time rushing leader with 16,743 yards. Gained 109 yards vs. Seattle last week to pass Pro Football Hall of Famer WALTER PAYTON (16,726) for most all-time. Smith needs 100 yards rushing vs. Detroit to tie BARRY SANDERS in second place all-time with 76 100-yard rushing games (Payton, 77). Seeks TD in fourth consecutive game vs. Lions. Smith has 480 career receptions & needs 10 to pass DREW PEARSON (489) in second place on club�s all-time list��QB CHAD HUTCHINSON is first player in NFL history to start game at QB & pitch in Major League Baseball. Threw first career TD pass (39) last week vs. Sea��Rookie second-round pick WR ANTONIO BRYANT seeks fourth TD in past 5 games. Leads NFC rookies with 23 receptions & 385 yards receiving. WR JOEY GALLOWAY seeks 50th NFL TD (44 receiving, 4 PR, 1 rushing)��Club ranks first in NFC holding opponents to avg. drive start of 25.0 yard-line��Club has 7 INTs in 2002 after posting 9 in 2001��LIONS: Rookie first-round draft pick (No.3) QB JOEY HARRINGTON seeks third win in fourth career start at Ford Field��RB JAMES STEWART seeks TD in third consecutive game & second 100-yard rushing game in past 3. Has 12 career 100-yard rushing games, including 6 with Lions, & his team has 9-3 record in those games��WR AZ-ZAHIR HAKIM seeks third TD in past 4 games. Had 23-yard TD catch last week vs. Bills��TE MIKHAEL RICKS second among NFC tight ends with 245 yards receiving (13 catches) & second in NFL with 18.8 avg. yards per reception (minimum 10 catches)��Rookie second-round draft pick DE KALIMBA EDWARDS had career high 1.5 sacks vs. Bills. DT LUTHER ELLISS aims for third consecutive game with at least 0.5 sacks��KR-PR DESMOND HOWARD has 8 career PR-TDs & needs 2 to tie ERIC METCALF for most all-time��K JASON HANSON has 1,091 career points & needs 23 to pass EDDIE MURRAY in first on club�s all-time list��P JOHN JETT ranks third in NFC with 39.1 net punting average. Spent 1993-96 seasons with Cowboys, earning two Super Bowl rings. CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-7) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (2-5)
BENGALS: QB JON KITNA recorded finest performance by Cincy QB this season last Sunday vs. Tenn., completing 17 of 23 attempts (73.9 pct.) for 193 yards with 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 127.6 passer rating��RB COREY DILLON has 63 rushing attempts for 338 yards (5.4 avg.) with 2 TDs & 14 1st downs in 3 road games this year (112.7 yards per game). In past 3 games, has rushed for 359 yards on 70 carries (5.1 avg.) & 4 TDs. Ranks 6th in AFC among 1st down leaders (41) & is 4-for-4 in converting 3rd & 1 rushing attempts. Owns 7 of club�s top 10 single-game rush performances all-time��WR RON DUGANS leads club in special teams tackles (6) and is 4th in receptions (20). Team ties for 2nd in NFL with 7 players with 10 or more receptions��Rookie first-round draft pick (No.10) T LEVI JONES (No. 10) makes 4th NFL start this Sunday��LB TAKEO SPIKES has led club in tackles 4 of past 7 games. DT TONY WILLIAMS leads club in sacks (3.0) & is tied for 2nd-most by AFC interior lineman. Aims to become 3rd interior lineman to earn team�s sack title in club history (TIM KRUMRIE, 1991; DAN WILKINSON, 1996)��TEXANS: Head coach DOM CAPERS grew up in Buffalo, OH, (126 miles from Cincinnati) & graduated from Mount Union College (Alliance, OH). Also coached for 3 years (1972-74) at Kent State while earning masters degree��Rookie first-round draft pick (No. 1) QB DAVID CARR in past 3 games has completed 45 of 77 attempts (58.4 pct.) for 669 yards, 3 TDs & 0 INTs for 100.0 passer rating. Carr has 87 consecutive attempts without INT. Ranks 3rd among AFC QBs in rush yards (141). In 2 of past 3 games, someone other than QB Carr has thrown TD pass for club (RB JAMES ALLEN, rookie WR JABAR GAFFNEY)��RB JONATHAN WELLS ranks 3rd in NFL among rookie rushers (267). Wells attended Ohio State, 100 miles north of Cincinnati��WR COREY BRADFORD has 15 catches for 315 yards (21.2 avg.) & 4 TDs in past 4 games. Bradford has 2 multi-TD games on season��Club ranks 4th in AFC total defense (312.4) & surrenders AFC-low 4.69 yards per 1st down play. Club tied for 2nd in AFC in sacks (20). DE JEFF POSEY tied for 4th in AFC with team-high 5.5 sacks��K KRIS BROWN has scored in 39 consecutive games, including game-winning 45-yard FG last week vs. Jax. TENNESSEE TITANS (3-4) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (4-3)
TEAMS MEET for first time since 1999 AFC Divisional Playoff (Titans 19, Colts 16). First regular-season meeting since 1994��Clubs are led by two of NFL�s three winningest coaches since 1999: Titans� JEFF FISHER (36-19, .655) & Colts� TONY DUNGY (34-21, .618). Tampa Bay�s JON GRUDEN is 2nd (36-20, .643)��Game features NFL�s 3 longest active consecutive games-started streaks to begin career: Tennessee RB EDDIE GEORGE (103), Indianapolis T TARIK GLENN (87) & QB PEYTON MANNING (71)��TITANS: Defeated Colts in 1999 AFC Divisional Playoff en route to Super Bowl XXXIV appearance��In past 2 games (both wins), QB STEVE MC NAIR has passer rating of 108.0, completing 42 of 63 passes (66.7 pct.) for 441 yards, 4 TDs & 0 INTs��In postseason matchup, RB EDDIE GEORGE rushed for 162 yards on 26 carries (6.2 avg.), including 68-yard TD. Has now posted consecutive 100-yard rush games 11 times in career��CB ANDRE DYSON tied for 4th in AFC with 3 INTs. DE KEVIN CARTER tied for 2nd in AFC with 6.0 sacks��P CRAIG HENTRICH is 3rd in AFC with 44.8 avg. & 1 TB. Kickoff coverage unit handing opponents AFC�s worst avg. drive start (21.6)��.COLTS: QB Manning was 4-year starter (1994-97) at Tennessee & led Vols to 39-6 (.867) record. Set 33 school records, 8 SEC marks & 2 NCAA records. In only career meeting vs. Titans (1999 AFC Divisional Playoff), Manning threw for 227 yards & rushed for 22 yards, including 15-yard TD��RB EDGERRIN JAMES has 1,362 rushing yards (113.5 yards per game) in past 12 home games (10 100-yard games) & 1,785 total scrimmage yards (148.8) with 10 TDs��In past 21 home games, WR MARVIN HARRISON has 16 100-yard receiving games. Harrison has 198 catches for 3,017 yards (111.7 yards per game) & 31 TDs at home since 1999 (27 games). Needs 1 catch vs. Titans for 100 consecutive games with reception��Last year vs. Titans, WR QADRY ISMAIL (w/ Balt.) had 11 receptions for 222 yards (20.2 avg.) & 2 TDs��CB-ST CLIFTON CROSBY tied for NFL-best 3 defensive fumble recoveries. Defense No. 2 in AFC vs. pass (177.9)��P HUNTER SMITH leads AFC in net punting avg. (38.3). MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-5) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-2)
FIRST EVER non-division game between clubs��VIKINGS: QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER has thrown 55 TD passes & needs 4 to pass WARREN MOON (58) for fourth in club history. Has connected with WR RANDY MOSS for 24 career TDs & needs 3 to become most prolific scoring tandem in club history (Moon/CRIS CARTER). Has 7 career 300-yard passing games & needs 300 yards vs. Bucs for sole possession of fourth on club�s all-time list. Culpepper had career-high 30 completions (9/30/01) & 53 attempts (since tied) vs. Bucs (10/29/00)��RB MOE WILLIAMS needs 78 yards for career high (291, 2001) ��Moss seeks third career 100-yard receiving game vs. Bucs & has 7 TDs in 8 games vs. TB, including 3 in past 4 games��TE JIM KLEINSASSER had career-high 8 receptions & 51 receiving yards vs. Bucs on 9/30/01��Rookie K HAYDEN EPSTEIN played in first game with Vikings last week & handled KOs��BUCCANEERS: Defense has scored 5 TDs & surrendered 6 in 2002. Club has allowed NFL-low 85 points & seeks to hold opposing offense without TD for fifth time in past 6 games. Defense holds opponents to NFL best 13.3 redzone TD pct. (15 trips, 2 TDs)��QB BRAD JOHNSON spent 1992-1998 with Vikings, passing for 44 TDs & 29 INTs for 85.3 passer rating. Seeks second win in third career start vs. former club & has 46-27 (.630) record as starter. QB ROB JOHNSON passed for 179 yards in first career start for TB last week��RB MIKE ALSTOTT had career high 28 carries & career-high tying 3 TDs vs. Vikings in last game��WR KEYSHAWN JOHNSON plays sixth game vs. Min. & seeks third 100-yard receiving effort. Averages 6.4 catches vs. Vikes��K MARTIN GRAMATICA connected on 47-yard game-winning FG last week & was 4 of 4 vs. Panthers��DT WARREN SAPP has 7.0 sacks in past 6 games. His 7.5 sacks are most among NFL DTs��LB DERRICK BROOKS has 4 TDs in 2002 & needs 1 to tie NFL record for most TDs on turnovers in season (5, KEN HOUSTON, 1971). Needs 1 INT-TD to become fourth player in NFL history with 4 in season. NEW YORK JETS (2-5) AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (6-1)
GAME FEATURES NYJ head coach HERMAN EDWARDS vs. SD head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER. Edwards was scout & DB coach at Kansas City (1990-95) for Chiefs head coach Schottenheimer��JETS: Have won 8 of past 11 road contests. Are 8-4 (.667) in past 12 vs. AFC West��QB CHAD PENNINGTON makes 1st NFL road start. Has 113.4 passer rating as starter, completing 65 of 84 passes (77.4 pct.) for 744 yards with 5 TDs & 2 INTs��In past 4 vs. AFC West (including postseason), RB CURTIS MARTIN has 3 100-yard games & 4 TDs. Jets are 19-6 (.760) in regular season when Martin rushes for 100+ yards. Martin has 1,127 scrimmage yards (125.2 yards per game) & 7 TDs in past 9 vs. AFC West (incl. playoffs)��WR-PR SANTANA MOSS has 12 catches for 199 yards (16.6 avg.) with 1 TD & 1 PR-TD in past 3 games�� WR LAVERANUES COLES aims for 4th consecutive 100-yard game vs. AFC West (incl. playoffs). Has 350 yards (116.7 yards per game) on 21 catches (16.7 avg.) & 1 TD in past 3 vs. AFC West��KR CHAD MORTON ranks 4th in AFC with 26.9 avg. Morton grew up in South Torrance, CA & attended USC��CHARGERS: Aim for first 7-1 start since 1994 when team advanced to Super Bowl XXIX. Have won 4 of past 6 at home vs. NYJ��QB DREW BREES has won 6 of first 7 NFL starts & aims to become first QB since DAUNTE CULPEPPER (2000) to win 7 of first 8. Has 109.7 passer rating in situations when game is tied, completing 24 of 36 passes (66.7 pct.) for 290 yards with 2 TDs & 0 INTs��RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON leads NFL in rushing yards per game (112.1) & ranks 2nd in scrimmage yards avg. (148.0 yards per game)��Rookie WR RECHE CALDWELL has TD catch in each of past 2 games. WR CURTIS CONWAY is tied for 3rd in NFL 3rd down receptions (14)��Club leads AFC with 22 sacks & is only team in conference with 3 players with at least 4.0 sacks: DE ADRIAN DINGLE (4.5), DE RAYLEE JOHNSON (4.5) & rookie LB BEN LEBER (4.0). Defense is NFL�s 2nd-best vs. rush (78.7). ST. LOUIS RAMS (2-5) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-3)
RAMS: QB MARC BULGER
looks for third consecutive win in third career start��RB MARSHALL
FAULK has 119 career TDs & needs 6 to tie
Pro Football Hall of Famer WALTER PAYTON
(125) for sixth all-time. Has rushed for 4,424 yards with Rams (10,044
career yards) & needs 76 yards to become fourth player in club history with
4,500 yards. Rushed for his season-high 183 yards in last game (Week 7 vs.
Seattle). Rams are 18-0 when Faulk rushes for 100 yards. Cards 1 of 4
clubs (Ari, GB, Hou, Pit) he has yet to score TD against. Leads NFC with 47
first downs (34 rushing, 13 receiving)��WR ISAAC BRUCE
has 58 career TDs & needs 1 to pass ERIC DICKERSON
in second place on club�s all-time list. Needs 100 yards receiving vs.
Cards to become first player in club history with 30 career 100-yard
receiving games. Had 117 yards receiving, 2 TDs in last game vs. Ariz��WR
TORRY HOLT ranks third in NFC with 613
yards receiving (42 catches)��Defense aims to hold opponents to 1 offensive
TD or less for third consecutive game��K JEFF WILKINS
ranks second in NFC with 8 touchbacks on KOs��CARDINALS:
Club plays second of 3 consecutive NFC West games (vs. Sea, Week 10). Seeks
to post at least 28 points in consecutive games for first time since 1998
(28, 45, 11/15-11/22)��QB JAKE PLUMMER
has 15-9 (.625) record, including 1-0 vs. Rams, as starter when completing
at least 60.0 pct. of passes��RB THOMAS JONES
has career-high 432 yards rushing in 2002�� WR FRANK SANDERS
seeks TD in 3 consecutive games vs. Rams. Has 479 career receptions & needs
2 to pass JACKIE SMITH (480) in
third on club�s all-time list. WR DAVID BOSTON
has 7 career catches of at least 50 yards��TE FREDDIE JONES
seeks second consecutive 7-catch game vs. StL��C MIKE GRUTTADAURIA spent 4 seasons (1996-99) with Rams, anchoring offensive line for Super Bowl
XXXIV champs��Club has surrendered 1 TD or less in 3 of past 4 games�..Club
has 10 INTs after posting 17 in all of 2001.
BAY AREA SHOWDOWN in Oakland for first time since 1979 (Raiders 23, Niners 10)��49ERS: QB JEFF GARCIA leads NFL with 137.6 third down passer rating, including 8 TDs & 0 INTs. Had sixth career 4 TD, 0 INT effort (including vs. Raiders in last meeting) last week vs. Cards. Seeks second 300-yard passing game vs. Oak (336) in second career start vs. club��RB GARRISON HEARST has 14 career 100-yard rushing games with 49ers & will move into sole possession of second place in club history (ROGER CRAIG) with 100 yards vs. Oak. Club has 13-1 record (.929) when he rushes for 100 yards. RB KEVAN BARLOW needs 142 yards rushing for career high (512, 2001) & is averaging career-best 4.9 yards per carry. Hearst & Barlow (371) are only RB tandem in NFL to each have 350 yards rushing��WR TERRELL OWENS has 66 career TDs & needs 1 to pass Craig for second in club history. Has 17 career 100-yard receiving games & needs 100 yards vs. Raiders to pass GENE WASHINGTON in second on club�s all-time list (JERRY RICE, 66)��S RONNIE HEARD had first 3 career INTs vs. Cards��RAIDERS: Have won 13 of past 17 at home. Are 11-2 (.846) in past 13 vs. NFC. Have 6-3 (.667) all-time record vs. SF & have won 3 of past 4��WR JERRY RICE faces former team for first time after spending 16 years with SF (1985-2000). Holds 27 regular season and postseason team records, including receptions (1,281), receiving yards (19,247) & TDs (176). Won 3 Super Bowls with Niners��With 300 pass yards this Sunday, QB RICH GANNON becomes 1st QB in NFL history to record 7 consecutive 300-yard games. In past 16 home games, Gannon has completed 359 of 527 passes (68.1 pct.) for 3,945 yards with 42 TDs & 9 INTs for 109.5 passer rating��RB CHARLIE GARNER was member of 49ers for 2 years (1999-2000). Leads NFL RBs in receiving yards (449) & has 130.7 scrimmage yards per game avg��In last meeting, WR TIM BROWN had 7 catches for 172 yards (24.6 avg.) & 2 TDs, including game-winning 31-yarder in OT. WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-4) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-5)
REDSKINS: QB SHANE MATTHEWS seeks third win in fifth start this season. Has 5 TDs, 1 INT in his 2 wins��RB STEPHEN DAVIS has 18 career 100-yard rushing games & with 100 yards vs. Seahawks ties for most in club history (LARRY BROWN, JOHN RIGGINS). Seeks second consecutive 100-yard effort vs. Sea. Has 40 first downs, third in NFC��WR ROD GARDNER needs 2 TD receptions to tie career-high (4, 2001)��Club ranks fifth in NFC in holding opponents to 46.2 redzone TD pct. (26 trips, 12 TDs)��DE BRUCE SMITH had 1.5 sacks in last game vs. Seahawks & has sacks against 70 different QBs in 18 seasons��LB LA VAR ARRINGTON seeks sack in fourth consecutive game. Has 5.0 sacks in past 3, including 2.0 last week, & has career-high 7.0 this season. CB DARRELL GREEN needs 1 INT vs. Seahawks to increase NFL record of consecutive seasons with INT to 20. CB CHAMP BAILEY needs 2 INTs to tie career high (5, 1999-00)��SEAHAWKS: QB MATT HASSELBECK makes second start of season. Leads NFC with 102.5 fourth-quarter passer rating. Replaced injured QB TRENT DILFER (Achilles) last week & led club to first road win of season��RB SHAUN ALEXANDER seeks TD in second consecutive game vs. Redskins. Had 41-yard TD run in only prior meeting. Has 5 career 100-yard rushing games & club is 5-0 in those contests. Has 23 career rushing TDs & needs 5 to tie SHERMAN SMITH (28) in third in club history��WR-PR BOBBY ENGRAM has 19 receptions in 2002, 17 for first downs. Leads NFC with 14.3 PR average��DT JOHN RANDLE has 127.0 career sacks & needs 1.5 sacks to pass RICKEY JACKSON in eighth on NFL�s all-time list. Rookie fifth-round draft pick DT ROCKY BERNARD has 4.0 sacks & needs 0.5 to set club single-season rookie record��LB CHAD BROWN has at least 1.0 sack in 5 of past 6 games��S REGGIE TONGUE needs 1 INT to tie career high (3, 2001)��P JEFF FEAGLES has held opponents to 40 PR yards in 2002, second-fewest in NFL. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-4) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (3-4)
JAGUARS: In 1 career start vs. NYG
(12/23/00), QB MARK BRUNELL
completed 23 of 41 attempts (56.1 pct.) for 262 yards with 2 TDs & 1 INT.
Has connected with WR JIMMY SMITH
for 40 TD passes, 2nd-most among current QB-WR duos (Indy�s PEYTON
MANNING-MARVIN HARRISON,
50)�..RB FRED TAYLOR
is AFC�s 5th leading rusher with 681 yards, on pace for his 3rd career
1,000-yard season. Is also No. 2 on team�s receiving list with 27
receptions for 263 yards. On pace for career-best 2,158 total scrimmage
yards. Offense is 4th in AFC in rushing (138.6)��WR Smith is tied for 9th
in AFC in receiving yards (480), on pace for 7th-consecutive 1,000-yard
season, which would tie for 4th all-time (LANCE ALWORTH)��PR
BOBBY SHAW leads NFL with 15.3 PR avg��Rookie
DT JOHN HENDERSON leads AFC
interior lineman with 5.0 sacks. Club has sack in 31 consecutive games,
4th-longest current streak in NFL. GIANTS:
Club is 36-4 (.900) under JIM FASSEL
when leading after 3 quarters��Club is 7-3 in past 10 vs. AFC��QB
KERRY COLLINS has thrown club-record 1,608
consecutive passes, longest current streak in NFL. Seeks second consecutive
300-yard game vs. Jags (321 in last game)��RB TIKI BARBER
has 3,250 career yards rushing & needs 43 to pass EDDIE PRICE
(3,292) in seventh in club history. Has 317 career catches & needs 11 to
pass BOB TUCKER (327) for fourth.
Seeks second 100-yard rushing game in past 3 vs. AFC (124 vs. Oak,
11/25/01)��WR AMANI TOOMER seeks
fifth 100-yard receiving game in past 8 vs. AFC. Averages 104.7 yards, with
10 TDs in past 10 vs. AFC��DE MICHAEL STRAHAN
has sacks against 44 different QBs, but never Brunell��K MATT BRYANT
has connected on first 11 career FG attempts & needs 3 to pass KRIS
BROWN (13) for most consecutive FGs to
start career.
DOLPHINS: Are 9-1 (.900) all-time vs. GB. Are 9-4 (.692) following bye��QB RAY LUCAS has won 4 of past 5 starts & is 6-3 (.667) in past 9��.Among NFL leaders, RB RICKY WILLIAMS is 4th in rushing (711) & 7th in total yards from scrimmage (910)��WR CRIS CARTER makes debut with Dolphins. Has 1,093 career catches for 13,833 yards & 129 TDs. Needs 7 receptions to become second player in NFL history with 1,100 catches (JERRY RICE) & needs 172 yards to pass JAMES LOFTON for 2nd all-time in career receiving yards. In career vs. GB, Carter has 105 catches for 1,283 yards & 11 TDs. WR CHRIS CHAMBERS leads Miami WRs with 23 catches for 290 yards & 2 TDs. Chambers was 2nd round selection in �01 from Wisconsin & is 2nd on school�s all-time list for catches & yards (AL TOON) ��.DE JASON TAYLOR leads club with 5.5 sacks (tied for 4th in AFC). Defense is AFC�s best inside 20 (9 TDs in 24 trips, 37.5 pct.) ��PACKERS: Club has won 18 consecutive games when leading at half, longest current streak in NFL��QB BRETT FAVRE has 40,333 career yards passing & needs 219 to pass JOE MONTANA (40,551) in sixth all-time. Is 69-12 (.852) as starter at home, best by home QB since 1950. Has started 164 consecutive games, most by active player. Has played in 166 consecutive games & will pass WILLIE WOOD (166) for second on club�s all-time list��RB AHMAN GREEN has 13 100-yard rushing games with Packers & club is 13-0 in those games. Seeks third consecutive game with TD & has 5 TDs (4 rushing, 1 receiving) in past 2 games. Looks for third consecutive 100-yard rushing game vs. AFC foes, averaging 143 yards in past 2. Has rushed for 3,202 career yards & needs 152 to pass EDGAR BENNETT (3,353) in eighth in club history��DE KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA seeks third multiple-sack game in past 4. Has 4.0 sacks in past 3 games. CAROLINA, DENVER, KANSAS CITY, NEW ORLEANS HAVE OPEN DATES IN WEEK 9 CAROLINA (3-5): Defense leads NFL with 31 sacks, including 27 by defensive line. Panthers have already surpassed 2001 season total (26). Club has not allowed 100-yard rusher in past 10 games & has held opponents under 300 total yards in 5 of 8 games. Defense has INT in 8 of past 9 games & ranks third in NFL with 117 points allowed��RB LAMAR SMITH has 6 TD runs in 2002, 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. Smith rushed for 82 yards vs. TB last week�..Club has INT in 8 of past 9 games��Rookie first-round draft pick (No. 2 ) DE JULIUS PEPPERS needs 6.0 sacks for NFL single-season rookie record (JEVON KEARSE, 14.5, 1999). Has 3 multiple-sack games in 2002, including 2.0 last week vs. TB. DE MICHEAL RUCKER needs 3.0 sacks vs. NO to tie career high (9, 2001)��K SHAYNE GRAHAM matched his career-best with 3 FGs (20, 47, 39) vs. TB. DENVER (6-2): QB BRIAN GRIESE has TD pass in 23 consecutive games, longest current streak in NFL. Griese stands among AFC�s top 5 in following categories: completions (3rd), yards (3rd), attempts (4th), completion pct. (5th) & TDs (5th)��RB CLINTON PORTIS leads all rookie rushers (562) and ranks 8th overall in AFC��WR ROD SMITH is tied for 5th in NFL in receptions (49) & 6th in receiving yards (541)��TE SHANNON SHARPE leads NFL TEs with 38 catches & 455 receiving yards. Is Broncos� all-time TD reception leader with 47. Tied for 2nd on list are WRs Smith & ED MC CAFFREY with 46��CB DELTHA O�NEAL tied for 4th in AFC with 3 INTs. Defense ranks No. 1 in AFC & No. 3 in NFL in total defense (270.8). Defense is NFL�s best in rushing yards per game (74.3). Club tied for 2nd in AFC in sacks (20), led by AFC sack leader DE TREVOR PRYCE (7.0). KANSAS CITY (4-4): RB PRIEST HOLMES leads NFL in rush yards (857) and total scrimmage yards (1,297) with NFL-best 15 TDs after 8 weeks. Holmes is on pace for 30 TDs, which would break all-time single-season TD record (MARSHALL FAULK, St.L, 26, 2000) & is tied for 3rd in NFL with 51 receptions. Holmes has 77 1st downs, next closest is SD�s LADAINIAN TOMLINSON with 57��QB TRENT GREEN is tied for AFC lead in TD passes with 16��TE TONY GONZALEZ is tied for NFL lead in TD receptions (6). Gonzalez ranks 2nd in NFL among TEs in receptions (33) & receiving yards (429)��Team�s 259 points scored are 2nd most in team history after 8 games, second only to 1966 team (285), which advanced to Super Bowl I��Club owns AFC�s best turnover ratio (+6) & has forced turnover in 10 consecutive games. Team has blocked punt or field goal in 3 consecutive games��DE ERIC HICKS is tied for 6th in AFC in sacks (5.0). NEW ORLEANS (6-2): Club�s 6-2 start best since 1993��Offense ranks first in NFC with 69.0 redzone TD pct. (29 trips, 20 TDs)��QB AARON BROOKS leads NFL with 18 TD passes & ranks first in NFC with 1,835 yards passing. Has passed for 200 yards in 8 consecutive games. Ranks third in NFC with 99.9 passer rating on third downs & 95.2 rating in fourth quarter��RB DEUCE MC ALLISTER has 6 100-yard rushing games in 2002 & is tied with RUEBEN MAYES (6, 1986) for second-most 100-yard games in single-season in club history. Saints have 5-1 record when McAllister rushes for 100 yards & he leads NFC with 836 yards rushing��WR JOE HORN has 12 100-yard receiving games with Saints & club is 11-1 (.917) in those games. Leads NFC with 670 receiving yards & is tied for conference lead with 49 catches. WR DONT� STALLWORTH has 4 TD catches in his first 5 games & needs 2 to tie DANNY ABRAMOWICZ (6, 1967) for most by rookie in club history. |
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