NFL 2008 RSS
The Redskins and Giants teams played two memorable games last season. In Week 3, the Giants began their
NFL record 10 consecutive road victories streak with a goal-line stand in Washington. In Week 15, Redskins
quarterback Todd Collins -- his first start in 10 years -- produced five scoring drives for the Redskins win.
NFL 2008 Kickoff Weekend
"We feel ready. It's time to put what we've been practicing to work." – RB Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers.
"We're ready to roll," says Jacksonville Jaguars QB DAVID GARRARD. "Everybody is excited. It's time to stop just practicing and playing for fun and start playing for real."
Everybody is ready for the unique unpredictability of the NFL.
Last year, almost half the games (47 percent) were decided by one score (eight points or less). Seventeen
percent were decided by a scoring play in the final two minutes or overtime. And for the 12th consecutive
year, at least five teams made the playoffs after missing out the year before.
"I'm prepared and ready to go." – QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons.
All the anticipation that started with the NFL Combine last February, heightened with the NFL Draft in April,
and peaked with the opening of training camps in July comes to realization this weekend.
"We're definitely ready." – QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers.
As the 2008 NFL season kicks off, it comes packed with changes, quests and questions
Can the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants Repeat?
It's tough. It's happened only eight times since the first Super Bowl in 1967. But tough tasks don't seem to
faze the Giants. Last year, they set an NFL season record by winning an improbable 10 consecutive road games
(not counting the neutral-site Super Bowl).
In three of their four playoff games, they defeated teams they
had lost to during the season. "When the regular season starts, it goes to another level," says Giants Center
Shaun O'Hara. "It's a new challenge, and we're looking forward to it."
LT Goes for the Record
You can't see his eyes behind that sunglass shield he wears, but you can't miss him with the ball in his
hands. San Diego Chargers RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON, the NFL's leading rusher the past two years, can break
his tie this season with Pro Football Hall of Famer ERIC DICKERSON for most 1,200-yard rushing seasons (7)
to begin a career.
"He is the most decisive runner I have ever seen," says Atlanta Falcons RB MICHAEL TURNER.
Other records can be topped
Kansas City's TONY GONZALEZ can become the all-time leader in tight-end receiving
yards with another 179 Indianapolis QB PEYTON MANNING needs 32 completions to become the eighth
player in history with 3,500 passes completed Chicago kick & punt returner DEVIN HESTER (with 11) needs three combined kick-return touchdowns for first place
all-time in the category The CHICAGO BEARS, with seven wins, can become the first team in history with 700 victories.
New Coaches & Players in New Places
There are four new head coaches in 2008 – all "rookies" in their first job as the head man – JOHN HARBAUGH in
Baltimore, MIKE SMITH in Atlanta, TONY SPARANO in Miami and JIM ZORN in Washington.
Harbaugh, Sparano and Zorn made the unusual jump from non-coordinator positions to the head role.
"There really isn't one formula to becoming a head coach," says Zorn.
And there are a lot of well-known players with new teams.
BRETT FAVRE is with the New York Jets,
CHAD PENNINGTON with the Miami Dolphins, JEREMY SHOCKEY with the New Orleans Saints, JASON TAYLOR with the
Washington Redskins, ISAAC BRUCE with the 49ers, ALGE CRUMPLER with the Titans, DE ANGELO HALL with the
Raiders, JULIUS JONES with the Seahawks, ASANTE SAMUEL with the Eagles and ZACH THOMAS with the Cowboys.
In the air
Last year, seven quarterbacks threw for 4,000 yards, the most such QBs in a season. That quick-strike trend
should continue in '08. Even such historically rush-first teams as the Pittsburgh Steelers are getting into
the air act, with QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER throwing for 32 TDs last year, the most ever for a Steelers
quarterback.
"We're kind of keeping up with the league," says Roethlisberger. "The NFL is always evolving and offenses
are always changing. Right now, the offenses around the league – in terms of who wins – are pass-dominant."
Spread it out
More and more teams, it seems, are using versions of the college "spread offense" that creates points.
In the spread, the offense lines up almost exclusively in the shotgun with either one or no running backs
and four or five receivers. Players shift and go in motion prior to the snap on almost every play.
It can create havoc with the defense. The New England Patriots used portions of the spread last year in
averaging a league-leading 411.3 yards per game.
The Hybrid
Meanwhile, the defense is scheming too. A bunch of teams are using the "hybrid defense" to confuse the
offense. In the hybrid, a defense mixes a 4-3 and 3-4 defensive alignment on any down and in any game.
Defensive coaches feel they make an opponent prepare for every possible look and then dictate what works
best for them. But "pulling it off isn't easy," says NFL.com senior analyst PAT KIRWAN. "If it were, everyone
would be doing it."
New Rules in place for NFL 2008
There are three main ones:
Teams will now be permitted to have one defensive player on the field with a radio in his helmet to
receive signals, as has the offense since 1994. "It's an effective tool, having the ability to get the call
in in real time," says Indianapolis Colts LB GARY BRACKETT There will be no more forceout rule. Now, a player must have both feet inbounds for a completed catch And clubs now will have the option to defer the opportunity to kick or receive the kickoff to the second half.
The "International" NFL
The NFL again will play a regular-season overseas game in the United Kingdom (the first in a three-year
program in the U.K.) when the New Orleans Saints meet the San Diego Chargers at London's Wembley Stadium on
October 26. Last year's game (Dolphins-Giants) was a sellout, as this year is expected to be.
Closer to home, the Buffalo Bills will host the Miami Dolphins on December 7 in Toronto – the first
of five annual regular-season games the Bills will play in Canada's largest city.
NFC NORTH and AFC WEST WRAP UP KICKOFF WEEKEND ON MNF
Kickoff Weekend 2008 concludes in doubleheader fashion this Monday night as four young and promising
quarterbacks square off.
The NFC North will be featured in the first game as TARVARIS JACKSON and his Minnesota Vikings will face AARON RODGERS and his Green Bay Packers (ESPN, 7:00 ET) in one of the NFL’s most storied rivalries. Jackson enters his third NFL season with an 8-6 (.571) record as a starter and aims for his first win against the Packers. Rodgers, who was a first-round selection in 2005, will make his first career start for the NFC North-defending champions at Lambeau Field.
Round two on Monday consists of two former first-round picks quarterbacks JAY CUTLER of the Denver Broncos and JA MARCUS RUSSELL of the Oakland Raiders taking center stage at the McAfee Coliseum in Oakland (ESPN, 10:15 PM ET) in an AFC West clash. Cutler, who was selected No. 11 overall in 2006, started all 16 games last year while tossing 20 touchdown passes and recording a 63.6 completion percentage. Russell welcomes his second season after completing his first training camp as the Raiders’ full-time starter.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR – NFL KICKOFF 2008 WEEKEND
SUPER STARTERS: There are never any guarantees in the NFL, but there are trends. And they start as early as
Kickoff Weekend. History indicates that the best way for a team to start its drive towards a possible Super
Bowl championship is to win in Week 1.
The 42 Super Bowl winners have a 34-7-1 record in the Kickoff Weekend games of their title seasons. However,
as the Super Bowl XLII champion New York Giants proved, a loss on Kickoff Weekend can still lead to a
championship season.
Since 1978, when the NFL went to the 16-game schedule, and excluding the abbreviated season of 1982, teams
that are victorious on Kickoff Weekend are more than twice as likely to reach the playoffs than losers of an
opening game:
Of the 426 teams which won openers, 225 went to the playoffs (130 won division titles). Of the 426 teams which lost openers…99 went to the playoffs (55 won division titles).
In 2007, nine of the 12 playoff teams – Dallas, Green Bay, Indianapolis, New England, Pittsburgh, San Diego,
Seattle, Tennessee and Washington – were victorious on Kickoff Weekend.
"Season openers," says Washington Redskins tight end CHRIS COOLEY, "set a standard for your team."
KICKOFF WINNERS
The season kicks off on Thursday night when the Super Bowl XLII champion NEW YORK GIANTS
host the WASHINGTON REDSKINS. The contest will feature two of the NFL’s most successful teams in season
openers. The Giants rank second in history with 46 Kickoff Weekend victories and the Redskins tie for
sixth with 37 wins.
The teams with the most wins on Kickoff Weekend:
Chicago (49), Green Bay (48), New York Giants (46), Detroit (42), St. Louis (38), Pittsburgh (37),
Washington (37)
STREAKING INTO HISTORY
The NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS became the first team in NFL history with a perfect 16-0 regular-season record
last year. Dating back to the last three weeks of 2006, New England has won 19 consecutive regular-season
games, the longest streak in league annals.
The Patriots, who also have the second-longest such streak in history (18 games, 2003-04), will seek to
reach 20 in a row on Sunday when they host Kansas City.
Following are the teams with the longest regular-season winning streaks in NFL history:
New England 2006-07 19 (Active); New England 2003-04 18; Chicago Bears 1933-34 17; Chicago Bears
1941-42 16; Miami Dolphins 1971-73 16; Miami Dolphins 1983-84 16; Pittsburgh Steelers 2004-05
16
MVP QBs
Last season, New England quarterback TOM BRADY was named the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player
after setting an NFL record with 50 touchdown passes. Brady, who led New England to Super Bowl XLII, hopes
to continue the success of MVP quarterbacks this Sunday. The past 10 QBs to be named the NFL MVP have posted
a passer rating of at least 88.5 on Kickoff Weekend the following season.
Young Quarterbacks Take Center Stage as NFL 2008 Season Kicks Off
All eyes will be on two former first-round draft picks – JASON CAMPBELL and ELI MANNING – this Thursday night
when the 2008 NFL season kicks off with Campbell and the Washington Redskins visiting Manning and the Super
Bowl XLII champion New York Giants.
Campbell, who was drafted 25th overall by the Redskins in 2005, is entering his fourth NFL season. Last year,
he passed for a career-high 2,700 yards and 12 touchdowns as Washington went 9-7 and clinched a playoff berth.
Manning, who was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft, threw for 3,336 yards and 23 touchdowns
in 2007 and guided the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII while earning MVP honors.
Quarterbacks throughout the league find themselves in the spotlight as the NFL begins the new season,
all hoping to lead their teams to a berth in Super Bowl XLIII on February 1 at Raymond James Stadium in
Tampa Bay, Florida.
Team-by-team look at the NFC’s starting quarterbacks on Kickoff Weekend
ARIZONA: Two-time NFL MVP (1999, 2001) KURT WARNER will lead the Cardinals on Kickoff Weekend. The 11-year
veteran enters his fourth season with Arizona and owns the third highest career passer rating in NFL history
with a 93.2 mark. Last year, the three-time Pro Bowl selection played in 14 games (11 starts) and passed for
3,417 yards with 27 touchdowns while posting an 89.8 rating. Warner threw for 21 touchdowns in last season’s
final eight games, the most in the NFL over that span (TOM BRADY, 20).
ATLANTA: Rookie quarterback MATT RYAN, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, used an impressive
training camp to seize the starting job. Ryan posted a 25-7 record (.781) as a starter at Boston College and
led the Eagles to three Bowl games. The 2007 ACC Player of the Year set numerous school season passing records,
including yards (4,507) and touchdowns (31).
CAROLINA: After missing most of the 2007 season with an injury, JAKE DELHOMME returns to start on Kickoff
Weekend for a franchise-record fifth consecutive year. The 10-year veteran is the club’s all-time leader in
starts (63), attempts (1,934), completions (1,156), passing yards (13,955) and touchdowns (97). Delhomme, who
guided the Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII and earned a Pro Bowl berth that year, is the only quarterback in
team history to pass for 3,000 yards in three consecutive seasons (2003-05).
CHICAGO: The Bears will turn to KYLE ORTON as the team attempts to return to the postseason after an
appearance in Super Bowl XLI in 2006. Entering his fourth season, Orton has posted a 12-6 (.667) record
as a starter. In 2005, the former Purdue star guided Chicago to 10 wins, the most by a rookie drafted in
the fourth round or later since the common draft was instituted in 1967. He also set franchise rookie
records with 190 completions, 368 attempts and 1,869 yards while leading the club to a division title.
DALLAS: All-Star TONY ROMO, who enters his sixth season, guided the Cowboys to a club record-tying 13 wins last year and led the NFC with a 97.4 passer rating, the third highest mark in franchise history behind Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterbacks ROGER STAUBACH (104.8 in 1971) and TROY AIKMAN (99.0 in 1993). The former Eastern Illinois star established team season records for touchdowns passes (36), passing yards (4,211), completions (335) and 300-yard games (7) en route to his second consecutive Pro Bowl berth.
DETROIT: JON KITNA threw for 4,068 yards last year, his second with the Lions, becoming the first quarterback in club history with back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons. Kitna, who passed for a career-high 4,208 yards in 2006, ranks fourth in the NFL with 8,276 yards over the past two seasons. The 12-year veteran has thrown for 200 yards in 28 of his 32 starts with Detroit, the most 200-yard games in the NFL during that span.
GREEN BAY: Former first-round draft pick AARON RODGERS, who was selected No. 24 overall in 2005, will make his first career start on Kickoff Weekend at home against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. Last year, in a game against Dallas, Rodgers was called upon in relief duty and passed for a career-high 201 yards and one touchdown. In college, Rodgers posted a 17-5 (.773) record as a starter at California and threw for 5,469 yards and 43 touchdowns.
MINNESOTA: Third-year quarterback TARVARIS JACKSON posted an 8-4 (.667) record as a starter last year and guided the Vikings to seven wins in his final 10 starts. A second-round selection (No. 64) in the 2006 NFL Draft from Alabama State, Jackson became only the third quarterback in team history to start a game as a rookie, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer FRAN TARKENTON (1961) and TOMMY KRAMER (1977). Last year, Jackson led NFC quarterbacks with three rushing touchdowns and passed for nine scores, including three TDs of at least 60 yards.
NEW ORLEANS: Eight-year veteran DREW BREES had an NFL-record 440 completions last year, and set season team marks with 4,423 passing yards, a 67.5 completion percentage, 652 attempts, 28 touchdowns and 11 games with 250 passing yards. In his first two years with the Saints, Brees has posted the only two 4,000-yard seasons in franchise history and his 8,841 yards during that span are the most in the NFL. In 2006, the All-Star quarterback guided New Orleans to the NFC Championship Game and was a co-winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
NEW YORK GIANTS: The defending Super Bowl champions will once again be led by ELI MANNING, who guided the team to an NFL-record 10 road victories (including playoffs) last year. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft passed for 3,336 yards and 23 touchdowns last year, joining PHIL SIMMS as the only players in club history with 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in three consecutive seasons. Manning also joined Simms as the only quarterbacks in team annals to be named Super Bowl MVP. Entering his fifth season, Manning has started 61 consecutive games for the Giants, including the playoffs.
PHILADELPHIA: Veteran quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB, who enters his 10th season, looks to return the Eagles to the playoffs. In his career, the former Syracuse star has posted a 73-39 (.652) record and has led Philadelphia to a Super Bowl and four NFC Championship Games. McNabb’s 73 victories and seven playoff wins are the most by a quarterback in Eagles history. The five-time All-Star passed for 3,324 yards and 19 touchdowns last year in 14 starts.
ST. LOUIS: The Rams will once again turn to eight-year veteran MARC BULGER to lead the way. In his career, Bulger has passed for 18,625 yards, 106 touchdowns and posted an 88.1 passer rating, the second-best mark in Rams history. The two-time All Star, who won MVP honors at the 2004 Pro Bowl, has passed for at least 3,800 yards three times in his career, including 4,301 yards in 2006.
SAN FRANCISCO: Veteran quarterback J.T. O’SULLIVAN will make his first NFL start on Kickoff Weekend for the 49ers. The former star at UC Davis was drafted in the sixth round by the New Orleans Saints in 2002. O’Sullivan, who was the NFL Europa 2007 Offensive Co-MVP with the Frankfurt Galaxy, spent last season with Detroit, playing in four games under offensive coordinator MIKE MARTZ, who also joined San Francisco this year.
SEATTLE: Three-time All-Star MATT HASSELBECK aims to lead the Seahawks to their fifth consecutive division title and sixth playoff berth in a row. Entering his eighth season with Seattle, Hasselbeck is the highest-rated passer in team history with an 86.3 rating and his 15 300-yard passing games are the most by a Seahawk. Last year, the former Boston College standout earned a trip to the Pro Bowl by setting team marks in attempts (562), completions (352) and passing yards (3,966).
TAMPA BAY: In his first season with the Buccaneers in 2007, JEFF GARCIA guided the team to a division title and earned a Pro Bowl berth. The 10-year veteran hopes to lead Tampa Bay back to the playoffs this year as the Buccaneers aim to become the first team to play in a Super Bowl in its home stadium. Last season, Garcia ranked third in the NFC with a 94.6 passer rating and was second in the NFL with a 1.2 interception percentage.
WASHINGTON: JASON CAMPBELL enters his fourth NFL season and is the team’s starter on Kickoff Weekend for the second consecutive year. The club’s first-round selection in the 2005 draft (No. 25) completed 250 of 417 passes (60.0 percent) for a career-high 2,700 yards and 12 touchdowns last year as Washington went 9-7 and clinched a playoff berth.
Team-by-team look at the AFC’s starting quarterbacks on Kickoff Weekend
BALTIMORE: JOE FLACCO, the second quarterback taken at No. 18 in the 2008 NFL Draft, will lead the Ravens as the starting QB on Kickoff Weekend. The 23-year-old is the second quarterback drafted in the first round in Ravens history (KYLE BOLLER, 2003). The University of Delaware product joins former Ravens quarterback STEVE MC NAIR as the only two NCAA Division I-FCS (formerly I-AA) quarterbacks in history to be selected in the first round.
BUFFALO: TRENT EDWARDS approaches his second year as an NFL quarterback after posting a 5-4 (.556) record last season and becoming the first Bills’ rookie quarterback since JOE FERGUSON in 1973 to have five or more wins as a starter. The former Stanford signal-caller, a third-round pick in 2007, will depend on running back MARSHAWN LYNCH and top pass-catching option wide receiver LEE EVANS.
CINCINNATI: In four seasons as the Bengals’ starting quarterback, CARSON PALMER is 3-1 (.750) on Kickoff Weekend. Palmer, who tossed a career and franchise-high 4,131 passing yards last year, can reach 4,000 passing yards for the third consecutive season in ’08. The 6-5 quarterback will look to once again spread the ball around to receivers CHAD JOHNSON and T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH, who aim for a third consecutive season with 1,000 receiving yards each.
CLEVELAND: All-Star DEREK ANDERSON heads into his fourth NFL season aiming to bring back-to-back double-digit win seasons to Cleveland for the first time since 1988. Optimism is high in Cleveland as Anderson seeks to keep momentum going after recording career highs in completions (298), passing yards (3,787) touchdowns (29) and passer rating (82.5) last year.
DENVER: JAY CUTLER enters his second season as a full-time starter. In 2007, the 25-year-old Cutler ranked 10th in the NFL in passing yards (3,497) and tied for 10th in completions (297). Since being named the starter in Week 13 of 2006, Cutler ranks 10th in the league for most passing yards (4,498).
HOUSTON: Expectations in Houston are heating up, and quarterback MATT SCHAUB will play a huge role as the squad challenges for its first playoff-bid in franchise history. The 6-5, 234-pound QB enters his second season as a starter. Hampered by injuries in 2007, Schaub looks to improve his 87.2 passer rating from last year while utilizing All-Star wide receiver ANDRE JOHNSON and promising tight end OWEN DANIELS.
INDIANAPOLIS: Slowed by a knee injury this preseason, PEYTON MANNING expects to make his 161st consecutive regular-season start (the longest streak in NFL history by a quarterback to start his career) and improve his 8-1 (.889) record on Kickoff Weekend. Manning needs 4,000 yards to become the first quarterback in NFL history with nine 4,000-yard seasons (he is the only quarterback to accomplish the feat in eight seasons).
JACKSONVILLE: DAVID GARRARD enters his second season as the Jaguars’ starting quarterback with a 19-11 (.633) career record. The elusive Garrard set career highs in completions (208), attempts (325), passing yards (2,509) and touchdowns (18) in 2007 and finished with the second-lowest interception percentage (0.92) in a season in NFL history with 300-plus attempts (STEVE DE BERG in 1990; 0.90).
KANSAS CITY: The Chiefs have committed to building through the NFL Draft, and that begins with 2006 third-round pick BRODIE CROYLE. Inserted as the starting quarterback for the last six games in ’07, Croyle will be surrounded this season by All-Star tight end TONY GONZALEZ and wide receiver DWAYNE BOWE, who is focused on being a potent scoring weapon on offense for years to come.
MIAMI: Signed by the Dolphins in August, CHAD PENNINGTON will join new head coach TONY SPARANO in the start of a new era in Miami. The savvy veteran quarterback spent eight seasons with the New York Jets (the Dolphins’ opponent in Week 1) and ranks first among NFL QBs (min. 1,500 attempts) with a career 65.61 completion percentage.
NEW ENGLAND: TOM BRADY produced a record-breaking season in 2007, but still aims to improve. Brady’s top two receiving weapons RANDY MOSS and WES WELKER return after totaling 210 receptions for 2,668 yards and 31 touchdowns. Brady, the Patriots’ all-time winningest quarterback, has a 100-27 (.787) record (including postseason) which serves as the best win percentage of any NFL quarterback in the Super Bowl era with at least 40 starts.
NEW YORK JETS: BRETT FAVRE embarks on his 18th NFL season by suiting up for the Jets on Kickoff Weekend with his 253 consecutive-start streak intact. He is the NFL’s all-time leader in completions (5,377), attempts (8,758) passing yards (61,655), touchdowns (442) and consecutive starts (253). The three-time MVP will continue to fire his patented fastballs, but at different receivers as LAVERANUES COLES and JERRICHO COTCHERY step in.
OAKLAND: The JA MARCUS RUSSELL era is set to begin in Raider nation. The development of the former No. 1 overall pick will be aided by an assortment of running backs – MICHAEL BUSH, JASON FARGAS and rookie DARREN MC FADDEN. Russell’s big arm will target in on newly-acquired receiver JAVON WALKER and wide receiver RONALD CURRY, who has led the team in receptions for the past two seasons.
PITTSBURGH: Quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER is aiming for his third divisional title in five years. Roethlisberger has a 39-16 (.709) regular-season record and was named to his first Pro Bowl after shattering the Steelers’ single-season record for passing touchdowns (32) and passer rating (104.1) last season.
SAN DIEGO: After finishing one win shy of reaching Super Bowl XLII, quarterback PHILIP RIVERS targets a third consecutive AFC West title. Rivers has a 25-7 (.781) record as starter and is tied for second with PEYTON MANNING (25) for most wins by an NFL quarterback since 2006 (TOM BRADY, 28).
TENNESSEE: At 24 years and 233 days old, VINCE YOUNG became the youngest quarterback ever to start a playoff game in franchise history and has aspirations of reaching the postseason again in ’08. The 2006 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year is entering his third season and has posted a 17-11 (.607) career record as a starter. Young will be directed by MIKE HEIMERDINGER, who is returning as the Titans’ offensive coordinator.
Week 1 NFL 2008 (NFL KICKOFF WEEKEND 2008) Matchups
Washington Redskins at New York Giants
The Giants lead this NFC East Division Rivalry series with a record of 85-61-4 and have won 3 of past 4
meetings with the Redskins. This is Redskins Head Coach first game as an NFL Head Coach. Giants Head Coach Tom
Coughlin is 6-5 versus the Redskins.
In their last meeting (12/16/2007 the Redskins defeated the Giants 22 to 10 at Giants Stadium. In that game,
Redskins QB Todd Collins -- making his 1st NFL start in 10 years -- engineered 5 scoring drives while RB Clinton
Portis ran for 126 yards and scored 1 touchdown.
Redskin Notes:
In 2007, QB JASON CAMPBELL passed for career-best 2,700 yards & had 60.0 comp. pct. (250-417) In 2007, RB CLINTON PORTIS rushed for 1,262 yards and has 1,250+ rush yards in 5 of 6
career seasons. When Portis has 100+ rush yards, his teams are 28-9 (.757) Pro Bowl TE CHRIS COOLEY has 27 TDs since entering NFL in 2004, most in NFC among TEs. WR SANTANA MOSS has 351 rec. and 5,497 yards for 15.7 average, 4th highest among active players with
5,000+ yards. Including playoffs WR-PR ANTWAAN RANDLE EL has 24 career TDs (13 rec., 6 PR, 4 pass, 1 KR) LB-DE JASON TAYLOR makes Redskins debut. Has 117 career sacks, most among active players. Taylor
(Mia, 2006) and CB SHAWN SPRINGS (2004) are 2 of 5 players in NFL history to lead team in sacks and INTs
Giants Notes:
Have 46 wins in openers (46-32-5), 3rd-most in NFL history
Head coach TOM COUGHLIN aims for 4th consecutive postseason berth
QB ELI MANNING passed for 3,336 yards and 23 TDs last year, joining PHIL SIMMS as only Giants QBs with
3,000+ yards and 20+ TDs in 3 seasons in row. Manning & Simms are only NYG QBs to be named Super Bowl MVP
Rush offense was 2nd in NFC (134.3 yards per game). RB BRANDON JACOBS led team in rushing with 1st 1,000-yard season (1,009).
Had 130 yards in last meeting
WR PLAXICO BURRESS led team with 70 receptions, 1,025 yards and 12 TDs – 1st Giant since DEL SHOFNER (1961-62) to post back-to-back seasons with 10+ rec. TDs. WR AMANI TOOMER is the team leader in catches (620), rec. yards (8,917) and rec. TDs (50). TE KEVIN BOSS had 1st career TD in last meeting Defense led NFL with 53 sacks. DE JUSTIN TUCK had career-best 10 sacks. DE MATHIAS KIWANUKA had 1.5 sacks in his last game vs. Was. LB ANTONIO PIERCE led team in tackles last year.
Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons
The Lions are the all-time series leader in this matchup with a record of 23 - 9 and have won 2 of the last 3 meetings.
In their last meeting (11/5/2006), the Lions defeated the Falcons at home by a score 0f 30 to 14. In that game,
Detroit QB Jon Kitna threw for 321 yards, including 60-yard TD to WR Roy Williams. Williams registered 6
receptions for 138 yards.
Detroit Lions Notes:
QB JON KITNA passed for 4,068 yards last year, becoming 1st player in team history with back-to-back 4,000-yard
passing seasons. Rookie RB KEVIN SMITH (3rd round, No. 64) led nation with 2,567 rush yards last year at Central Florida. Since start of 2004, RB RUDI JOHNSON has rushed for 4,718 yards, 5th-most in NFL during that span.
Spent previous 7 years with Cin. and had 3 1,300-yard seasons WR ROY WILLIAMS aims for 3rd in row vs. Atl. with 30+ yard TD catch. In past 2 meetings, Williams has 9
catches for 193 yards (21.4 average) and 2 TDs (60, 31 yards). WR CALVIN JOHNSON led NFC rookies with 48 catches and 756 yards last year The Lions had 35 takeaways, tied for most in NFC last year with Tampa Bay CB LEIGH BODDEN had career-best 6 INTs with Cle. last year. Had 6 total INTs in previous 4 seasons. S DWIGHT SMITH has recorded career-high 2 INTs in game 4 times in career, including 2 times at Atlanta DE DEWAYNE WHITE had career-high 6.5 sacks last year
Atlanta Falcon Notes:
Rookie head coach MIKE SMITH makes NFL debut QB MATT RYAN -- the third player selected in the NFL 2008 Draft makes his first career start in the NFL.
Ryan was the ACC Player of Year at Boston College last season and posted 25-7 record (.781) as starter in
college RB MICHAEL TURNER makes Falcons debut. When Turner has 8+ carries, his teams are perfect 11-0. RB JERIOUS NORWOOD has 3 career rush TDs and averages 71.3 yards per TD run WR RODDY WHITE had career-high 83 catches and 1,202 yards last year, 1st 1,000-yard season of career and
1st Falcon to reach 1,000 yards since 1999. Had career-best 5 100-yard games; entered 2007 with just 2 100-yard
games in career DE JOHN ABRAHAM has 10 sacks in past 15. Has 67.5 sacks since 2000, 7th-most in NFL. LB KEITH BROOKING has led Falcons in tackles in each of past 7 seasons. K JASON ELAM has scored 100+ points in NFL-record 15 seasons in row. Elam spent the previous 15 seasons with Denver Broncos
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens lead the series 13 to 11. However, the Bengals have won 6 of their 7 past meetings against the Ravens.
Last season (11/11/2007 the Bengals defeated the Ravens 21 to 7 in Baltimore. Cincinnati Bengals Kicker
Shayne Graham converted 7 out of 7 Field Goal attempts while the Bengals' defense forced 6 turnovers,
including 4 fumble recoveries.
Cincinnati Bengals Notes:
The Bengals aim for their 4th consecutive win on Kickoff Weekend Since 12/5/2004, the Bengals are 6-1 (.857) against the Ravens and are looking for their 4th consecutive win against the Ravens this weekend Bengals Head coach MARVIN LEWIS served as Ravens defensive coordinator from 1996-2001 QB CARSON PALMER is 6-2 (.750) versus the Baltimore Ravens and has completed 171 of 268 passes (63.8 pct.)
for 2,141 yards with 12 TDs vs. 7 INTs and 92.6 passer rating. Palmer is 6-0 vs. Bal when posting 90+ passer
rating RB KENNY WATSON had career highs in attempts (178) rush yards (763) rush TDs (7), receptions (52) and
receiving yards (374) last season. RB CHRIS PERRY will play in 1st regular season game since 11/26/06 vs. Cleveland WR T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH has TD reception in 4 of past 5 games vs. Ravens. WR CHAD JOHNSON averages 86.3 yards-per-game in past 3 vs. Bal. (259 total). Houshmandzadeh and Johnson aim for 3rd consecutive season with 1,000 receiving yards each Since 2003, the Bengals are 22 and 5 (.814) when the defense has 2+ INTs CB LEON HALL tied for 1st among NFL rookies with 5 INTs last season (S REGGIE NELSON) S CHINEDUM NDUKWE aims for 2nd consecutive game with INT vs. Ravens DE ANTWAN ODOM will make Bengals debut
Baltimore Ravens Notes:
The Ravens are 11 and 4 (.733) versus AFC North teams at home since 2003 Head coach JOHN HARBAUGH makes Ravens debut Rookie QB JOE FLACCO (1st round, No. 18) will make NFL debut. Flacco recorded career 41 TDs vs. 15 INTs
at Delaware and 7,046 career passing yards (2nd in school history). RB WILLIS MC GAHEE averaged 85.9 rush yards per game at home in 2007. Rookie RB RAY RICE (2nd round, No. 55) makes NFL debut WR DERRICK MASON ranks 3rd in NFL with 448 receptions in past 5 years. TORRY HOLT (499) and CHAD JOHNSON (462) are the only two receivers with more recpetions in that same time span.
Mason had 4 or more catches in 15 of 16 games and posted career-high 103 receptions in 2007 TE TODD HEAP has 17 of 27 career TD receptions at home. In 13 career games vs. the Bengals, Heap has 589
receiving yards (most vs. any team) Since '03, the Ravens are 31 - 9 (.775) when their defense posts 3 or more sacks in a game LB RAY LEWIS has 5 career INTs against Bengals (most vs. any team). DE TERRELL SUGGS has 5 career sacks vs. Cin. (3rd most vs. any opponent). Since 2002, S ED REED leads NFL safeties with 34 INTs. Reed has 5 INTs vs. Bengals (2nd most vs. any
opponent).
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT BUFFALO BILLS
The Seahawks lead this series 6 games to 4, but the Bills have won 2 of the last 3 meetings. The last time the
two teams met was in 2004 (11/28/2004) when the Bills defeated the Seahawks in Seattle by a score of 38 to 9. In that
game, Buffalo RB Willis McGahee rushed for 116 yards and scored career-high 4 TDs. The Bills' defense limited
Seattle to 230 total yards and forced 4 turnovers.
Seattle Seahawks Notes:
Head coach MIKE HOLMGREN has guided his teams to 8 division titles, including a club-record 4 in row with
Seattle In 2007, the Seahawks had 6 players selected to Pro Bowl: QB MATT HASSELBECK, T WALTER JONES,
DE PATRICK KERNEY, LB JULIAN PETERSON, LB LOFA TATUPU and CB MARCUS TRUFANT In his only start at Buffalo, QB Matt Hasselbeck posted a 98.8 passer rating. In starts with 10 plus attempts
(including playoff games), Hasselbeck is 30-6 (.833) when posting 95 plus QB rating When RB MAURICE MORRIS has 18 plus attempts, the Seahawks are 5-0. In those 5 games, Morris has
510 yards (102.0 per game) and 2 TDs. RB JULIUS JONES plays his first game with Seattle. Jones rushed for 3,484 yards in 4 seasons with Dallas. WR-PR NATE BURLESON has 15 TDs (12 rec., 2 PR, 1 KR) as a Seahawk (including playoffs), averaging 33.9
yards per TD (509 yards). T Jones has been selected to 8 Pro Bowls, tied for most in franchise history (CORTEZ KENNEDY) DE Kerney led the NFC with 14.5 sacks last year. LB Peterson has 21.5 sacks in 36 games with Seattle (including playoffs). CB Trufant ranked 2nd in NFC with career-best 7 INTs. LB Tatupu had career-best 4 INTs. Seattle ranked
second in the NFC with +10 turnover differential
Buffalo Bills Notes:
QB TRENT EDWARDS has a 5 and 4 (.556) record as starter and has completed 141 of 249 passes (56.6 pct.) RB MARSHAWN LYNCH has 70 or more rush yards in 7 of past 8. Lynch led AFC rookies with 1,115 yards and 7
TDs last year. Lynch averages 92.7 rush yards per game at home In last meeting against the Seahawks, WR LEE EVANS had 6 catches for 70 yards (11.7 average) with TD.
Evans has 5 70-plus yard TD rec. – tied for most in NFL since 2000. WR-KR ROSCOE PARRISH led NFL with 16.3 PR average last year and totaled career-high 35 rec. for 352 yards
(10.1 average) with TD DE AARON SCHOBEL aims for 8th consecutive season leading Bills in sacks. Since 2003, Schobel ranks 2nd
in NFL with 52.0 sacks (JASON TAYLOR, 59.) DT MARCUS STROUD will make Bills debut The Bills are 11 and 2 (.846) when CB TERRENCE MC GEE has INT. McGee leads franchise in KR yards (5,358)
and KR-TDs (5) for career.
NEW YORK JETS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
The New York Jets lead the all-time series with the Dolphins with a record of 45-38-1 by winning 7 of the last 8 games over the
Dolphins. Eric Mangini is undefeated against the Dolphins as New York Jets Head Coach with a 4 - 0 record.
In the last meeting between the Jets and Dolphins (12/2/2007), The Jets beat up on the Dolphins winning easily 40 to 13.
In that game, New York RB Leon Washington comiled 103 total yards from scrimmage (68 rushing, 35 receiving)
and scored 2 rushing TDs. The Jets defense limited the Miami Dolphins to 187 total net yards.
The game features the most intriguing quarterback matchup of the first week between new Jets' Quarterback
Brett Favre (Packers 2007: Passing 356 of 535 for 4,155 yards) versus former Jets QB Chad Pennington
(New York Jets 2007: Passing 179 of 260 for 1,765 yards) recently signed by the Miami Dolphins.
Chad Pennington spent 8 seasons with the New York Jets, completing 1,259 of 1,919 passes (65.6 pct.) for
13,738 yards with 82 TDs versus 55 INTs and an 88.9 passer rating. Pennington's 65.61 career completion percentage
is best in NFL history (minimum 1,500 attempts)
New York Jets Notes:
Head coach ERIC MANGINI is 1-1 (.500) on Kickoff Weekend The Jets are looking for their 5th consecutive win against Miami In 5 career meetings against the Miami Dolphins, QB BRETT FAVRE is 3-2 (.600) and has completed 111 of
182 passes (61.0 pct.) for 1,202 yards with 7 TDs, 3 INTs and an 86.4 passer rating. In 4 games vs. the AFC
last season with Green Bay, Favre was 4-0 with 9 TDs, 3 INTs and a 115.3 passer rating RB THOMAS JONES averages 84.6 rush yards per game vs. Miami. Jones' teams are 25-13 (.657) when he
records 20+ att WR JERRICHO COTCHERY led the Jets with career highs in receiving (82) and yards (1,130 yards) last
season. WR LAVERANUES COLES has 10 career TD receptions vs. Miami (most vs. any opponent) TE CHRIS BAKER totaled career-high 41 receptions for 409 yards (10.0 average) in 2007 Pro Bowl G ALAN FANECA makes his Jets debut as do DT KRIS JENKINS and LB CALVIN PACE Since 2006, S KERRY RHODES leads the Jets with 9 INTs LB DAVID HARRIS led team with 117 tackles as a rookie in 2007 Since 2001, the Jets lead the NFL with 10 Kick Return TDs. Kick returner LEON WASHINGTON set the Jets
single-season record with 3 Kick return TDs in 2007
Miami Dolphins Notes:
The Dolphins aims for their 5th consecutive win vs. Jets at home in September dating back to 9/18/94 Head coach TONY SPARANO makes Dolphins debut In 6 meetings vs. Jets, RB RICKY WILLIAMS has 530 rushing yards (88.3 per game) on 131 att. and 5 TDs. RB RONNIE BROWN aims for 4th consecutive 100-yard rush game against Jets and is averaging 116.3 rush
yards per game in past 3 (349 total). In last meeting vs. Jets, Brown posted 6 rec. for 99 yards (16.5 average)
with TD As rookie in 2007, WR TED GINN JR. posted 2,086 combined yards (3 rush, 420 receiving, 1,663 KR-PR). WR DEREK HAGAN has 12 career receptions against the Jets (most vs. any opponent) Rookie T JAKE LONG (No. 1 overall) makes his NFL debut Dating back to 2005, the Dolphins have recorded at least one sack in 36 of past 38 games LB JOEY PORTER has 5 or more sacks in 8 consecutive seasons DT JASON FERGUSON spent 8 seasons with Jets (1997-2004) and recorded 20.5 sacks.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Chiefs own the season series with a record of 16-11-3, however, the Patriots have won 3 of the past 4 games.
They last played each other in Kansas City on November 27th, 2005 when the Chiefs defeated the Patriots 26 to 16.
IN that game, Kansas City RB Larry Johnson rushed for 119 with 1 TD and K Lawrence Tynes converted all 4 FG
attempts in the 2nd quarter (25, 20, 33 & 47 yard FGs).
Kansas City Chiefs Notes:
In 4 career starts on the road, QB BRODIE CROYLE has completed 63 of 111 passes (56.8 pct.) for 565 yards with 3 TDs vs. 2 INTs and 72.1 passer rating RB LARRY JOHNSON aims for 2nd consecutive game with 100+ rush yards against New England (119 on 11/27/05). The Chiefs are 21-6 (.778) when Johnson
has 100+ rushing yards. The Chiefs are 12-1 (.923) when Johnson has 30+ carries TE TONY GONZALEZ (23) needs 2 100-yard receiving games to surpass KELLEN WINSLOW (24) for most career
100-yard receiving games by a tight end. In his past 2 meetings vs. Patriots, Gonzalez is averaging
74.5 receiving yards per game (149 total) WR DWAYNE BOWE led all NFL rookies in yards (995) and receptions (70) in 2007, both franchise rookie
records LB DONNIE EDWARDS aims for his 3rd consecutive game with an INT against the Patriots. Edwards leads
NFL active LBs with 28 career INTs DT GLENN DORSEY (1st round, No. 5) makes his NFL debut. Dorsey was the SEC's Defensive Player of Year at
Lousiana State in 2007
New England Patriots Notes:
The Patriots have a 19-game regular season win streak dating back to 2006 and aims to be the first team in
NFL history to win 20 in a row In opening games, head coach BILL BELICHICK is 7-and-6 (.538). The Patriots are looking for their 4th consecutive
Kickoff Weekend wins QB TOM BRADY leads NFL active starting QBs (minimum 10 starts) with .782 win percentage (86 - 24 record) Brady has 45-10 (.818) career record as starter at home with 89 TDs vs. 31 INTs and a 91.9 passer rating.
For his career, the Patriots are 44-1 (.978) when Brady has 100+ passer rating In 6 career starts, RB LAURENCE MARONEY has 444 rush yards (4.0 average) on 111 att. with 3 TDs In 5 career meetings against the Chiefs, WR RANDY MOSS has 5 TD receptions. In his first game as a
Patriot, Moss recorded 9 receptions for 183 yards (20.3 average) and 1 TD on Kickoff Weekend 2007. WR WES WELKER set franchise record with career-high 112 receptions last year TE BENJAMIN WATSON posted career-high 6 TD receptions last year S RODNEY HARRISON has 5 career INTs vs. KC (tied for most vs. any opponent) LB TEDY BRUSCHI aims to lead team in tackles for 3rd consecutive season (2006, 124; 2007, 99).
LB MIKE VRABEL was named to 1st Pro Bowl of career in 2007.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The Saints lead this series with a 19 and 13 record, but the Bucs have won their last 2 meetings. The division
rivals last faced each other in 2007 (12/2/2007) when the Bucs beat the Saints 27 to 23 in New Orleans. In
that game, Tampa Bay RB Earnest Graham ran for 106 yards and scored 1 TD while WR Joey Galloway added 7
receptions for 159 yards.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Notes:
The Bucs won the NFC South last year. Tampa Bay has won the division 6 times, including 3 under head coach JON GRUDEN. Under Gruden, Bucs are 17-0 since 2002 when not committing turnover QB JEFF GARCIA was named to Pro Bowl last year. In his career (including playoffs), Garcia's teams are
32-12 (.727) when he achieves a 95 or better passer rating RB EARNEST GRAHAM led the team with career-high 898 rush yards and 10 rush TDs. He also set a club record
with rush TD in 6 consecutive games. RB WARRICK DUNN returns to Tampa. He is the 3rd all-time rusher for the Bucs with 4,200 rush yards WR JOEY GALLOWAY had 6 receiving TDs last year (301 yards) and averaged 50.2 yards per TD. Galloway has
9 receptions TDs in past 7 meetings against the Saints, recording a touchdown in 6 of those 7. Galloway has 19
catches for 501 yards (125.3 per game) and 5 TDs in past his 4 games against the Saints The Bucs led the NFC in 2007 in total defense allowing a stingy 278.4 yards per game. CB RONDE BARBER (12) and LB DERRICK BROOKS (8) are franchise leaders in TDs by a defensive player
(including playoffs). When Brooks has INT-TD (including playoffs), TB is 7-0. DE GAINES ADAMS led NFL rookies with 6 sacks in 2007. LB BARRETT RUUD led team in tackles. DE JOVAN
HAYE aims for 3rd in row vs. NO with sack
New Orleans Saints Notes:
In 5 career starts versus Tampa Bay, Pro Bowl QB DREW BREES has a 100.6 passer rating. When Brees has
100+ QB rating, his teams are 24-5 (.828). Last year Brees set an NFL record 440 completions and set team
marks in yards (4,423) and TDs (28) REGGIE BUSH has 161 career receptions, most by RB in first 2 NFL seasons. Bush scored his first career
TD against Tampa Bay on a 65-yard Punt Return. RB DEUCE MC ALLISTER is the team's all-time leading rusher with
5,678 yards and ranks first with 44 rush TDs WR MARQUES COLSTON has 168 receptions, most by player in first 2 NFL seasons. He is the only player
drafted in 7th round or later to record 1,000 yards in each of first 2 seasons. TE JEREMY SHOCKEY makes his Saints debut. Shockey had 371 catches for 4,228 yards and 27 TDs in his 6
years with the New York Giants CB MIKE MC KENZIE had 53-yard INT-TD in their last meeting. S ROMAN HARPER led NFL DBs last year with
4 sacks. LB JONATHAN VILMA makes Saints debut. In 4 years with the Jets, he racked up 460 tackles and was
named to Pro Bowl. DE WILL SMITH has led Saints in sacks each of past 3 seasons and can tie franchise record
(4) this year.
SAINT LOUIS RAMS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The Rams are the series leader with a record of 17-16-1 with the Eagles winning 2 of their last 3 meetings.
In their last encounter on December 18, 2005, the Eagles barely beat the Rams 17 - 16, as Philadelphia overcame
a 16-7 deficit in the 3rd quarter with TE Mike Bartrum's 3-yard TD catch on first play of the 4th quarter
for the decisive score.
Saint Louis Rams Notes:
The Rams are 38-32 (.543) on Kickoff Weekend In his only start vs. the Eagles, QB MARC BULGER posted a 110.9 passer rating, completing 20 of 27
passes (74.1 pct.) for 225 yards with 1 TD vs. 0 INTs. In starts with 10+ att., Bulger is 17-6 (.739)
when posting 100+ rating In 2 meetings, RB STEVEN JACKSON has 230 rush yards (115.0 per game) and 1 TD. Jackson is looking for his
for 4th consecutive 1,000-yard rush season. When Jackson has 22+ carries, Rams are 14-4 (.778). In those 18 games,
Jackson has 2,077 yards (115.4 per game) and 13 TDs Since 2000, WR TORRY HOLT leads NFL with 753 receptions and 11,076 yards. Holt aims for his 9th
consecutive 1,000-yard season Safety O.J. ATOGWE led the NFC last year with his career-high 8 INTs and has 7 INTs in past 8. Rookie DE CHRIS LONG (1st round, No. 2) makes his NFL debut. Last year at Virginia, Long was named the ACC
Defensive Player of the Year and had 14 sacks. DE LEONARD LITTLE has 6 sacks in 5 career meetings (including playoffs). DT LA'ROI GLOVER had 6.0 sacks
last year and has recorded 5+ sacks in 10 of past 11 seasons
Philadelphia Eagles Notes:
QB DONOVAN MC NABB has a career 73-39 (.652) record, 3rd best among active NFL QBs with 100 starts
including playoffs. When McNabb has a 100 or better QB rating, the Eagles are 36-1 (.973) Pro Bowl RB BRIAN WESTBROOK led the NFL with 2,104 total scrimmage yards (1,333 rush, 771 receiving) and
104 1st downs. He also led NFL RBs with 90 receptions. He is the only active player with 20+ TDs both
rush (27) and rec. (23) WR REGGIE BROWN has 16 career receiving TDs with an average length of 25.1 yards (401 yards). Last
year, Brown, WR KEVIN CURTIS and Westbrook became the first trio for the Eagles with 60+ catches and 750+ yards
in single season. WR HANK BASKETT has 3 career TD catches, including 2 of 85+ yards (89, 87) Pro Bowl CB ASANTE SAMUEL plays his first game with the Eagles. He played his previous 5 seasons with the Patriots.
Asanta Samuel has NFL best mark of 16 INTs since 2006. Pro Bowl DE TRENT COLE has 11 sacks in past 13. Cole Led the team with a career-high 12.5 sacks last season. S BRIAN DAWKINS has played in 98 Eagles wins (including playoffs), most in franchise history. He is 1 of
only 4 players in NFL history with 33+ INTs and 18+ sacks. CB SHELDON BROWN has played in 105 consecutive games (including playoffs). Ten of his 13 career INTs have
led to scores.
HOUSTON TEXANS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
This young series is tied at one game apiece. The Steelers beat the Texans in Houston by a score of 27 to 7 in their
last meeting. Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger threw for 254 yards with 2 TDs. The Steelers defense registered
8 sacks, including 3 by S Troy Polamalu.
Houston Texans Notes:
Head coach GARY KUBIAK is 1-1 (.500) on Kickoff Weekend The Texans posted the most wins in their your franchise history last season with 8. Houston is 3-1 (.750) when QB MATT SCHAUB has 100+ passer rating. In the month of September, Schaub has completed 91 of 124 passes (73.4) for 1,005 yards with 5 TDs vs. 3 INTs and a 100.4 passer rating RB AHMAN GREEN has 1,000+ rush yards in 6 of 10 career seasons. Rookie RB STEVE SLATON (3rd round, No. 89) makes his NFL debut The Texans have won 5 of their past 6 games when WR ANDRE JOHNSON has 100+ receiving yards. Johnson
averaged 94.6 rec. yards per game in 2007. WR KEVIN WALTER posted career high 65 receptions for 800 yards (12.3 average) in 2007 TE OWEN DANIELS holds the Texans franchise record for receptions (63) and receiving yards (768) in
single season by TE Pro Bowl LB DE MECO RYANS has led team in tackles past 2 seasons DE MARIO WILLIAMS has franchise record 18.5 career sacks and finished 2007 with a franchise-high 14 sacks K KRIS BROWN played 1st 3 seasons of career in Pittsburgh (1999-2001) WR-KR ANDRÉ DAVIS had career-high 3 Kick Return TDs last year
Pittsburgh Steelers Notes:
The Steelers aim for their 5th consecutive win on Kickoff Weekend (longest current streak in NFL) In one career start vs. Houston (9/18/05), QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER completed 14 of 21 (66.7 pct.) passed for
254 yards with 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs and a 139.8 passer rating. Roethlisberger has 6 TD passes in 2 career opening
games. The Steelers are 23-2 (.920), when Roethlisberger has 100+ passer rating In only meeting against Houston (9/18/05), RB WILLIE PARKER totaled 25 att. for 111 yards (4.4 average) and
one TD. The Steelers are 18-3 (.857) when Parker has 100+ yards. Rookie RB RASHARD MENDENHALL (1st round, No. 23) will make NFL debut WR HINES WARD has averaged 80 receiving yards per game vs. the Texans. Ward is the team's all-time
leader in receiving (719), receiving yards (8,737) and receiving TDs (65). WR SANTONIO HOLMES led the NFL with 18.2 yards-per-reception average in 2007 TE HEATH MILLER aims for TD catch in 4th consecutive season opener The Steelers ranked 1st in NFL in total defense in 2007 Since 2004, the Steelers are is 22-7 (.759) when the defense records 3 or more sacks Pro Bowl LB JAMES HARRISON posted 5.5 of team-high 8.5 sacks at home in 2007.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
The Jaguars have won 4 of their 6 past games against the Titans with the Titans clinging on to slight
advantage in the series by a margin of 14 to 12.
The AFC rivals last met on November 11, 2007 when the Jaguars beat the Titans 28 to 13.
Jacksonville RB Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for 101 yards and scored a TD as Jaguars caught Tennessee in the AFC
South standings with a 6-3 record.
Jacksonville Jaguars Notes:
Lead the NFL with a .692 win pct. (9-4 record) on Kickoff Weekend Jacksonville has won 3 of past 4 at Tennessee Since 2006, the Jaguars are 13-4 (.764) when gaining 150+ rush yards QB DAVID GARRARD is 2-1 (.667) as starter in September and has completed 48 of 75 (64.0 pct.) for 630 yards with 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs plus a 103.8 passer rating. Including postseason games, Garrard aims for his 11th
consecutive game with a TD pass on road RB FRED TAYLOR led the AFC and ranked 2nd in the NFL with 5.4 yards-per-carry average in 2007. Taylor
aims for his 6th consecutive regular season game with 100 rush yards or more dating back to 11/18/07.
The Jagaurs are 14-5 (.736) when Taylor has 25+ attempts In 4 career meetings vs. the Titans, RB MAURICE JONES-DREW has averaged 4.9 yards per carry (287 yards,
59 attempts). Jones-Drew has 26 TDs in past 29 games including postseason Jaguars are 11-3 (.785) when WR REGGIE WILLIAMS scores TD. Williams set a franchise record with 10 TD
receptions in 2007 TE MARCEDES LEWIS has 10 career receptions against the Titans (most vs. any opponent) The Jaguars defense has had 14 sacks in past 6 meetings vs. the Titans CB RASHEAN MATHIS has 6 career INTs against the Titans (most vs. any opponent) S REGGIE NELSON tied for 1st in NFL among rookies with 5 INTs in 2007 (with CB LEON HALL)
Tennessee Titans Notes:
The Titans are looking for their 2nd consecutive win against the Jaguars on Kickoff Weekend Head coach JEFF FISHER has an 8-5 (.615) record on opening weekend The Titans are 6-1 (.857) when QB VINCE YOUNG has 90+ passer rating. Since 2006, Young leads NFL QBs in
rush yards (947) and rush TDs (10) RB LEN DALE WHITE aims for 3rd consecutive game at home with 100+ rush yards. Team is 5-1 (.833) when
White has 90+ rush yards. Rookie RB CHRIS JOHNSON (1st round, No. 24) led nation with 227.7 all-purpose yards per game last year at
East Carolina In last the Titan's last meeting against Jacksonville, WR JUSTIN GAGE tied career-high with 7 receptions
for 90 yards (12.9 average) with TD TE ALGE CRUMPLER will make Titans debut. Since 2004, Crumpler leads all TEs (minimum 100 receptions)
with 13.6-yards-per-catch average In 2 career starts vs. Jaguars, TE BO SCAIFE has 8 receptions for 108 yards
(13.5 average) Since 2006, team is 11-2 (.846) when it records 2 or more INTs LB KEITH BULLUCK has led team in tackles in 5 of past 6 seasons DE KYLE VANDEN BOSCH has 31 sacks since 2005 K ROB BIRONAS led NFL with 35 FGs in 2007.
DALLAS COWBOYS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
The Dallas Cowboys have won 4 of the 6 past meetings between the two with the Browns ahead in the series 15 to 10
overall. The Cowboys defeated the Browns last time on 9/19/2004 at home by a score of 19 to 12. The Cowboys
defense limited the Cleveland Browns to 202 total net yards and intercepted then Browns QB Jeff Garcia 3 times.
Cowboys WR Terry Glenn had 90 receiving yards.
Dallas Cowboys Notes:
The Cowboys have the NFC best 32-15-1 (.681) record on Kickoff Weekend and are 30-18 (.625) in road openers, best in NFL. Under head coach WADE PHILLIPS, Dallas won 13 games last year, tied for most in team hisotry. Cowboys had record 13 players selected to Pro Bowl The Cowboys offense scored an NFC high 455 points in 2007. All-Star QB TONY ROMO set Dallas Cowboys single-season
records for TDs (36), completions (335), yards (4,211) and 300-yard games (7) last year. In addition, Romo led
the NFC with a 97.4 passer rating. The Cowboys are 13-2 (.867) when Romo has 100 plus QB rating Pro Bowl RB MARION BARBER rushed for 10 TDs last year and became the first Cowboy to rush for 10 plus TDs
in back-to-back seasons since EMMITT SMITH (1998-99). When Barber has 11 or more carries, the Cowboys are
19-1 (.950) All-Star WR TERRELL OWENS led the NFC in 2007 with a Cowboys team-record 15 receiving TDs. Pro Bowl TE JASON WITTEN led NFL TEs with 96 catches and 1,145 yards, both franchise records for TE. All-Star LB DE MARCUS WARE tied for 3rd in NFL with career-best 14.0 sacks. Pro Bowl LB GREG ELLIS had 12.5 sacks in 13 games last year
Cleveland Browns Notes:
Dating back to 9/16/07, the Brown are looking for their 8th consecutive home win and 3rd in row vs. an NFC
team at home
The Borwns are 5-0 under ROMEO CRENNEL when scoring 30 or more points For his career, QB DEREK ANDERSON is 7-1 (.875) as starter at home and has completed 131 of 230 passes
(57.0 pct.) for 1,806 yards with 13 TDs vs. 9 INTs and an 84.8 passer rating. Cleveland is 4-0 when Anderson
has 100+ passer rating Dating back to 2007, RB JAMAL LEWIS aims for 4th consecutive 100-yard rushing game at home
(134, 163, 128). Lewis' teams are 22-3 (.880) when he has 25+ carries. In 2 career games vs. Cowboys,
Lewis is averaging 96 rush yards per game WR BRAYLON EDWARDS set franchise record in receiving yards (1,289) and TD receptions (16) in 2007. WR DONTE' STALLWORTH will make Browns debut. In 4 career meetings against Cowboys, Stallworth
averaged 103.5 receiving yards (414 total) and 4.5 receptions (18 total) per game Browns are 3-0 when TE KELLEN WINSLOW has 100+ receiving yards LB WILLIE MC GINEST has 2 sacks in 3 career games vs. Cowboys.
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
The Panthers lead the overall series 2 games to 1. IN their last matchup (10/24/04) the Chargers beat the Panthers
in Charlotte 17 to 6. San Diego RBs Jesse Chatman and LaDainian Tomlinson combined for 116 rushing yards while
scoring 1 TD apiece.
Carolina Panthers Notes:
In his past 4 starts, QB JAKE DELHOMME has completed 78 of 113 passes (69.0 pct.) for 831 yards with 10 TDs vs. 1 INT for 116.1 passer rating. Delhomme has posted 100+ rating in all 4 and aims for his 5th consecutive game with 100+ rating
The Panthers are a perfect 5-0 when RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS rushes for 80+ yards, including 3 100-yard
games. When Williams has 15+ att., the team is 6-2 (.750). Williams Holds the Panthers record for longest
run (75 yards, 10/14/07 at Arizona).
Rookie RB JONATHAN STEWART (1st round, No. 13) set Oregon records with 1,722 rush yards and 2,481
combined yards last year.
Rookie T JEFF OTAH (1st round, No. 19) was named first-team All-Big East at Pittsburgh last season
WR MUHSIN MUHAMMAD returns to Carolina. He is the club's all-time leader in catches (578), receiving yards
(7,751) and 100-yard games (26).
TE JEFF KING had 46 catches and 406 yards last year and is the first Panther TE since 2001 with 40 or more
catches and 400 plus yards
DE JULIUS PEPPERS ranks 1st in team history with 56.0 sacks and 19 forced fumbles.
LB JON BEASON became the first rookie in Panthers history to lead the team in tackles (160) last year
San Diego Chargers Notes:
The Chargers seek their 3rd consecutive season with 11 or more wins and 3rd straight AFC West title
San Diego aims for their 3rd consecutive win on Kickoff Weekend QB PHILIP RIVERS has a 15-1 (.937) career record as starter at home and has completed 272 of 434 passes
(62.7 pct.) for 3,005 yards with 16 TDs vs. 11 INTs and an 84.9 passer rating. For his career,
Rivers is 4-0 vs. NFC teams as a starter at home The Chargers are 8-1 (.889) when RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON gains 100 plus yards vs. NFC teams TE ANTONIO GATES had 7 receptions for 61 yards (8.7 average) in last meeting vs. Carolina. The team is
8-0 when Gates has 2 or more TDs In last his meeting as a Dolphin vs. the Panthers (9/25/05), WR CHRIS CHAMBERS posted 6 receptions for
93 yards (15.5 average) with one TD. The Chargers are 7-1 (.875) when WR VINCENT JACKSON scores a TD The Chargers are 11-1 (.916) when LB SHAWNE MERRIMAN has 2 or more sacks CB ANTONIO CROMARTIE led the NFL with a franchise high 10 INTs in 2007 DE LUIS CASTILLO has 8.5 of 13 career sacks at home.
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
The 49ERS have won the past 2 meetings and hold a 19 to 14 edge is in the series. Last season the
(11/25/07) the 49ers defeated the Cardinals 37 to 31 in overtime. San Francisco DT Ronnie Fields sacked
Arizona QB Kurt Warner in the end zone forcing fumble recovered by LB Tully Banta-Cain for the TD and win in OT.
Arizona Cardinals Notes:
Two-time NFL MVP (1999, 2001) QB KURT WARNER has a career 93.2 passer rating, 3rd best in NFL history.
In his career vs. the 49ers as starter, Warner is 7-1 (.875), completing 201 of 304 passes (66.1 pct.) for
2,672 yards with 19 TDs vs. 10 INTs for 100.9 rating In 3 games with the 49ers, RB EDGERRIN JAMES has rushed for 302 yards (100.7 per game) and scored 2 TDs.
He leads all active players with 11,607 rushing yards. James is working towards his 6th consecutive 1,000-yard
rushing season WR ANQUAN BOLDIN has 413 career receptions, most catches in NFL history by player in 1st 68 games.
He had 10 catches for 217 yards with 2 TDs on Kickoff Weekend in 2003, most receiving yards in an opener
since 1962. Boldin has 58 catches, 757 yards and 5 TDs in his career vs. the 49ers, his most versus a single opponent. Pro Bowl WR LARRY FITZGERALD led the NFC last year with 100 receptions and 1,409 yards, his 2nd career
100 catch season. In his last meeting against the 49ers, Fitzgerald had 9 receptions for 156 yards (17.3 average) and 2 TDs Fitzgerald and Boldin are the only players in NFL history with 2 100 catch seasons in first 4 years. LB KARLOS DANSBY aims for 5th in row vs. SF with 0.5+ sack. Has 3.5 sacks in past 4 meetings. S ANTREL ROLLE had career-high 5 INTs last year, including NFL-best 3 INT-TDs
San Francisco 49ers Notes:
QB J.T. O'SULLIVAN makes his first NFL career start. He played in 4 games last year with Detroit and
was NFL Europa 2007 Offensive Co-MVP with Frankfurt RB FRANK GORE aims for 5th game in row vs. Arizona with a rushing TD (7 TDs). In last meeting, Gore
rushed for 116 yards and 2 TDs while adding 11 receptions for 98 yards. Gore's 11 catches were 2nd-most in
team history by RB. Since start of 2006, Gore has 3,718 scrimmage yards (2,797 rush, 921 rec.), 3rd-most
in NFL WR BRYANT JOHNSON faces former team for 1st time. Was Cardinals 1st round pick (No. 17) in 2003 and caught
210 passes for 2,675 yard with 9 TDs in 5 seasons in Arizona WR ISAAC BRUCE makes 49ers debut. Spent 14 years with Rams. Is 3rd in NFL history with 14,109 rec.
yards and tops active players. TE VERNON DAVIS had TD in last meeting LB PATRICK WILLIS was selected to Pro Bowl and named AP Defensive Rookie of Year. LB TULLY BANTA-CAIN
recovered fumble in OT for game-winning TD in last meeting.
CHICAGO BEARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
The Colts hold a 22 to 17 edge in the series while the Bears have won 4 of the 5 past matchups. In their last
game (11/21/2004) the Colts defeated the Bears 41 - 10 in Chicago. Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning threw
4 TD passes and RB Edgerrin James rushed for 204 yards and 1 TD as the Colts improved to 7-3.
Chicago Bears Notes:
Have NFL best 49 Kickoff Weekend wins and can become the first team to reach 50. Head coach LOVIE
SMITH has 36 wins, tied with MIKE DITKA for 2nd-most in first 4 years with Chicago QB KYLE ORTON is 12-6 (.667) in his NFL career as a starter Rookie RB MATT FORTÉ (2nd round, No. 44) was 2nd in NCAA last year with 2,127 rushing yards Pro Bowl PR-KR-WR DEVIN HESTER has 14 career TDs (7 PR, 4 KR, 2 rec., 1 missed FG) and averages 80.9 yards
per TD (1,132 yards), highest average in NFL history (mininum 10 TDs). Hester is only player in NFL history
to return opening kick in Super Bowl for a TD (2/4/07 vs. Colts) DE ADEWALE OGUNLEYE has 6 sacks in past 9 games. Has 5 FFs in past 8. LB BRIAN URLACHER has INT in 4 of past 5, including 85-yard INT-TD. Had 5 INTs and 5 sacks last year,
becoming 3rd Bear to accomplish feat. DE MARK ANDERSON has 17.0 sacks in 1st 2 seasons, most by Bear in that time. LB LANCE BRIGGS was named to 3rd consecutive Pro Bowl last year. CB CHARLES TILLMAN had 11 tackles, FF and FR in SB vs. Ind
Indianapolis Colts Notes:
The Colts will make their first regular season appearance in Lucas Oil Stadium The Colts' 24 - 9 (.727) record in September is best in NFL since 1998 Club aims for 4th straight win on Kickoff Weekend and 10th consecutive win vs. NFC team at home Head coach TONY DUNGY has most wins (80) as head coach in Colts history (including postseason) Including SB XLI, QB PEYTON MANNING has 2-1 (.667) record vs. Bears and has completed 68 of 105 passes
(64.8 pct.) for 760 yards with 7 TDs vs. 3 INTs and 96.5 passer rating. Including postseason, Colts are 10-2 (.833) when RB JOSEPH ADDAI has 20 plus carries. Addai averages
108.3 rush yards per game in past 4 vs. NFC WR REGGIE WAYNE aims for 3rd consecutive game (including SB XLI) with TD rec. vs. Bears. WR MARVIN HARRRISON (13,944) needs 61 receiving yards to surpass JAMES LOFTON (14,004) and move into
4th place all-time TE DALLAS CLARK led NFL TEs with 11 TD receptions last year Colts are 12-2 (.857) when DE DWIGHT FREENEY records 2 or more sacks.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
The Packers lead the series 48 to 44 with one tie and have won 4 in a row against the Vikings. The division
rivals last met November 11, 2007 when the Packers shut out the Vikongs 34 - 0. In that game,
Green Bay QB Brett Favre passed for 351 yards and 3 TDs. RB Ryan Grant added 119 yards, including a 30-yard TD
run. The Packers defense posted its first shutout since 2002.
Minnesota Vikings Notes:
Last year, QB TARVARIS JACKSON posted 8-4 (.667) record as starter and scored 5 TDs in final 2 games
(3 pass, 2 rush). Jackson had 3 TD passes of 60+ yards last season and Vikings won all 3 games when Jackson
had 60+ yard TD The Vikings led the NFL in rushing yards per game (164.6) in 2007. RB ADRIAN PETERSON led the NFC with 1,341 rush yards and is the first rookie to lead the NFC since BARRY
SANDERS did so in 1989. Peterson was named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl MVP. He set the NFL
single game record with 296 rush yards vs. the Chargers (11/4/07) WR BERNARD BERRIAN joins club after 4 seasons with the Bears. He had 150 catches for 2,197 yards
(14.6 average) and 13 TDs as a Bear The Vikings rush defense topped the NFL (74.1) for 2nd season in row led by Pro Bowl DTs KEVIN WILLIAMS
and PAT WILLIAMS. All-Star DE JARED ALLEN plays 1st game with Vikings. Led NFL with 15.5 sacks last year with KC. Has
43.0 sacks since 2004, 2nd-most in NFL. Pro Bowl S DARREN SHARPER has 48 INTs since 2000, most in NFL
Green Bay Packers Notes:
The Packers have 48 wins on Kickoff Weekend, 2nd most in NFL history. Under head coach
MIKE MC CARTHY, the team has won 17 of past 20 games QB AARON RODGERS makes his first career start replacing legendary QB Brett Favre. Rodgers played in 2
games last year and posted a 106.0 rating, completing 20 of 28 passes (71.4 pct.) for 218 yards with 1 TD and 0
INTs In last meeting, RB RYAN GRANT had 25 attempts for 119 yards and 1 TD. Last year, when Grant had 15 plus
carries, the Packers posted a 7-0 record Pro Bowl WR DONALD DRIVER led the Packers with 82 catches and 1,048 yards, 4th season in row with 80 plus
catches and 1,000 plus yards. WR GREG JENNINGS tied for 2nd in NFC with career-best 12 rec. TDs. Has 15 career TDs and averages
37.7 yards per TD. All-Star DE AARON KAMPMAN has 27.5 sacks over past 2 seasons, most in NFC. Pro Bowl CB AL HARRIS has played in 172 consecutive games (including playoffs). DE KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA has 5 sacks in past 2 vs. Vikings and aims for 3rd meeting in row with 2+ sacks.
DENVER BRONCOS AT OAKLAND RAIDERS
The Oakland Raiders hold a 54-39-2 series lead over the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have won 8 of
their 10 past meetings in what is considered one of the most heated divisional rivalries in the NFL.
However, in their last meeting (12/2/2007) the Raiders soundly defeated the Broncos 34 to 20.
Oakland QB Josh McCown passed for 3 TDs as Raiders post back-to-back victories. Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell
makes NFL debut, completing 4 of 7 passes for 56 yards.
Denver Broncos Notes:
Have won 5 of past 6 against Raiders and aims for 5th consecutive win vs. Oakland in September Head coach MIKE SHANAHAN is 11-4 (.733) on Kickoff Weekend. Since 1995, Denver has a 6-2 (.750) record
against Oakland on MNF QB JAY CUTLER is 1-0 as starter on Kickoff Weekend and has completed 23 of 39 passes (59.0 pct.) for 304
yards and 81.6 passer rating. The Broncos are 5-0 when Cutler has 100 plus passer rating. Cutler has 82.5
passer rating on MNF For career, RB SELVIN YOUNG averages 5.2 yards per carry (729 yards, 140 att.) WR DARRELL JACKSON will make Broncos debut WR BRANDON STOKLEY recorded 3 receptions for 102 yards (34.0 average) in last meeting vs. Oakland
(12/2/07). Rookie WR EDDIE ROYAL set Virginia Tech record with 4,686 career all-purpose yards CBs CHAMP BAILEY (42) and DRE' BLY (38) rank 1st and 2nd among active CBs for most INTs since 1999.
Broncos are 3-0 vs. Oakland when Bailey has INT DE ELVIS DUMERVIL has 4 sacks in past 4 games vs. Oakland. Dumervil ranks 6th in NFL with 21 sacks
since '06
Oakland Raiders Notes:
Club aims for 2nd consecutive win against Broncos at home since 11/05/01 In 1 career start, QB JA MARCUS RUSSELL completed 23 of 31 passes (74.2 pct.) for 224 yards with
TD and 91.3 passer rating. Russell aims for 3rd straight game with TD pass. RB JUSTIN FARGAS has led team in rushing past 2 seasons (2006, 659; 2007, 1,009). In last meeting
against Denver, Fargas gained 146 rush yards (4.4 average) on 33 att. with TD. Rookie RB DARREN MC FADDEN (1st round, No. 4) will make NFL debut WR JAVON WALKER spent 2 seasons (2006-07) with Broncos and totaled 95 rec. for 1,371 yards
(14.4 average) and 8 TDs TE ZACH MILLER led NFL rookie TEs in receptions (44) and receiving yards (444) in 2007 Defense totaled 4 INTs in past 2 meetings vs. Denver LB THOMAS HOWARD (6) and LB KIRK MORRISON (4) combined for 10 INTs in 2007 CB DE ANGELO HALL and S GIBRIL WILSON will make Raiders debuts. Since '05, Hall ranks 3rd in NFL among
active CBs with 15 INTs.
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RELATED: NFL 2008 Week 1 - NFL Kickoff Weekend
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Adrian Peterson, NFL Rookie of the Year & Pro Bowl MVP
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NFL 2008
Rookie of the Year & Pro Bowl MVP Adrian Peterson Ready to Pick Up Where He Left Off
2008 NFL Football Player Profile: Adrian Peterson Running Back Minnesota Vikings
During the NFL 2007 Regular season, Minnesota Vikings rookie sensation ADRIAN PETERSON ranked second in the NFL (and first in the NFC) with
1,341 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, carried the ball 238 times and led the league rushing for 95.8
yards per game.
Adrian Peterson also rushed for 296 yards rushing against the San Diego Chargers (November 4, 2007), setting
the single-game rushing record. Peterson also made 19 receptions for 268 yards including a 60 yard touchdown,
and amassed 2,021 combined net yards.
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NFL 2008: Chargers' Running Back La Dainian Tomlinson Closes in On Records
2008 NFL Football Player Profile: La Dainian Tomlinson Running Back San Diego Chargers
In 2008, San Diego Chargers running back La Dainian Tomlinson can pass Pro Football Hall of Famer ERIC
DICKERSON and become the only player in history to begin a career with eight consecutive 1,200-yard rushing
seasons. Tomlinson can also extend his streak of consecutive seasons to start a career with at least 10 rushing
touchdowns to eight. With nine rushing touchdowns, Tomlinson (currently 115) will pass Pro Football Hall of Famer MARCUS ALLEN
(123) to move into second place all-time.
Atlanta Falcons running back MICHAEL TURNER, who served as Tomlinson’s understudy for four seasons in San Diego, observed Tomlinson’s attributes firsthand.
NFL 2008 Quarterbacks Review & Preview
Last Season 7 QBs threw for 4,000 yards, the most ever in a single season
The NFL has a long history of excellence at the quarterback position, but the recent influx of poised
and accurate passers has been steady and remarkable. Coaches’ schemes continue to grow more
and more complex, taking advantage of the unique talents of today’s QBs. Last season Seven quarterbacks threw
for 4,000 yards, the most ever in a single season; PEYTON MANNING continued to rise to the top of
the NFL’s record books; Tom Brady was named the 2007 AP NFL MVP after a record-shattering regular season
who set or tied nine NFL records; and Eli Manning took charge and marched the Giants to Super Bowl Victory and
was named Super Bowl XLII MVP.
NFL 2008: Peyton Manning Colts QB Continues Rising to Top of NFL Record Books
Peyton Manning can become 1st to throw 25 TDs 11 years in a row & pass for 4,000 yards in 9 different seasons.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback PEYTON MANNING continues to rise to the top of
the NFL’s record books. In 2008, Manning can become the first QB in NFL annals to
throw 25 touchdowns in 11 years in a row as well as become the first to pass for 4,000
yards in nine different seasons. Manning’s success has been attributed to his superior
work ethic, preparation, focus, dedication and competitive spirit.
NFL 2008 Kickoff & Punt Returners: Thank Devin For Many Happy Returns
Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears is Widely Considered the King of Return Specialists
With six combined kick-return touchdowns in 2007 (four punt and two kickoff), Chicago’s DEVIN HESTER -- a Pro Bowl All-Star in each of his two NFL seasons -- is widely considered the
king of the return specialists. But there are several worthy adversaries to his throne. Though Hester’s kick-return touchdown total set an NFL record, he led in neither kickoff nor
punt return average.
NFL 2008: Double Trouble Running Backs & Big Play Excitement Wide Receivers
Momentum comes in the form of a big play in the running or passing game.
Double-Trouble Running Backs seem to be all over the NFL. Guys like La Dainian Tomlinson, Brian Westbrook,
Joseph Addai and others. These are the running backs that can hurt you two ways: rushing or catching the ball.
Wide Receivers such as Torry Holt and Braylon Edwards produce momentum-changing exhilaration from their
teammates and the crowd.
NFL 2008: Active Streaks & Individual Accomplishments on the Horizon
Patriots & Colts Active Win Streaks; Peyton Manning & La Dainian Tomlinson Headline Individual Accomplishments
The National Football League's 2008 Season should be a year full of major individual and team record-breaking
performances. The New England Patriots look to continue building upon their regular season all-time winning streak
while the Indianapolis Colts are on track to extend their consecutive 12 or victories per season to six. Peyton Manning and La Dainian Tomlinson continue to expand on their Hall of Fame in the making individual
performances. Plus other NFL Players are likely to set or build upon great individual accomplishments.
NFL 2008 Running Backs: Tandem Backfields - Good Things Come in Pairs
Last season, 12 clubs boasted 2 running backs with at least 500 rushing yards apiece, including 5 playoff teams
"Tandem" backfields continue to grow! Last season, 12 clubs boasted two running backs with at least 500 rushing yards apiece, including five
playoff teams – the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks.
Additionally, the Super Bowl XLII champion Giants became the fifth Super Bowl winning team since 2000 to feature
two running backs with more than 500 rushing yards each (2006 Colts, 2003 Patriots, 2002 Buccaneers, 2000 Ravens).
In the eight prior seasons, only one such team won the coveted Lombardi Trophy (1996 Packers)
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