NFL FACTOID

COLD-WEATHER RUSHING: The axiom that says that when the weather turns colder in the NFL, teams stay on the ground seems to be proving true.  In the past three weeks, there have been 37 100-yard rushing games – the most over any three-week span in NFL history.

What a way to start December!

Call it the “Super Six”…“Showdown Weekend”…or “How-Did-The-NFL-Schedule-Makers-Arrange-This?”  Whatever the term, NFL Week 14 is crammed with six got-to-watch games between high-ranking teams.  The Super Six-Pack (including five division games) features two games between first-place teams and four between first- and second-place clubs.

“It’s exciting,” says quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB of the Philadelphia Eagles, one of the teams involved in the weekend’s donnybrook.  “That’s why we love this game so much.  It’s a challenge.  We love this.”

But just because the 12 teams in these games are riding high does not mean that the race to the playoffs is over as the NFL begins the final month of its season.  Far from it.

Proof?  In the past 10 years, 16 teams with a record of .500 or lower at this point in the season qualified for the playoffs.  Last year, the 6-6 Cleveland Browns and New York Giants and Jets pulled off the feat.

And three of the teams involved in this weekend’s “Super Six” were eliminated from playoff contention at this time last year – Cincinnati, Minnesota and Seattle.

On top of all this Week 14 excitement, division titles and playoff berths can be clinched:  

• CAROLINA PANTHERS can clinch the NFC South Division with a win and a New Orleans loss.
   

• KANSAS CITY CHIEFS can earn the AFC West title with a win or tie, or can earn a playoff berth with Indianapolis or Miami losses.
   

• NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS can take the AFC East crown with a win, or earn a playoff berth with a tie and a Cincinnati loss and a Denver loss or tie, or a tie and a Baltimore loss and a Denver loss or tie.   
   

• PHILADELPHIA EAGLES can clinch a playoff berth with a win, or with a tie and losses or ties by Green Bay and New Orleans.
   

• ST. LOUIS RAMS can earn a playoff berth with a win and a New Orleans loss or tie, or with a tie and a Green Bay loss or tie and a New Orleans loss.

The breakdown of Week 14’s “Super Six” matchups:

• MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-4, Second) at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-2, First):  Two teams that play each other tight.  The last two games between the clubs have gone to overtime, with the Patriots winning both.  In fact, five of the seven games between the teams this decade have been decided by seven points or less.

  On October 19 in Miami, New England survived two potential game-winning field-goal attempts to win in overtime on an 82-yard TOM BRADY to TROY BROWN pass.  Brady (.714) and the Dolphins’ JAY FIEDLER (.694) rank Nos. 1 and 3 (sandwiching KURT WARNER, .700) as the NFL’s winningest active quarterbacks (25 starts).

  The key to the game could be Dolphins running back RICKY WILLIAMS – with three 100-yard efforts in a row – against the Pats’ stout No. 5 NFL rush defense, now bulked up with the return of 6-5, 365-pound nose tackle TED WASHINGTON.   

• CINCINNATI BENGALS (7-5, First) at BALTIMORE RAVENS (7-5, First):  “As long as I’ve been here, December was just December,” says Cincinnati running back COREY DILLON.  “It didn’t mean much.  This is different.”

  “This” is the Bengals’ six-wins-in-their-last-seven-games streak – one that began with their 34-26 defeat of Baltimore on October 19.  That is their best record at this point in a season since 1990 (the last time they went to the playoffs), and includes their first back-to-back road wins (the past two weeks at San Diego and Pittsburgh) since October 19 and November 12 of 1995.

  It will be two hot quarterbacks squaring off.  Cincy’s JON KITNA – the only QB in the NFL to take every snap this season – has thrown 18 TD passes and only one interception in the team’s seven wins.  Baltimore’s ANTHONY WRIGHT, a third-stringer for most of the year, has led the club to the first 40-point back-to-back games in its history.  Much of that production comes from his five TD passes to wide receiver MARCUS ROBINSON, his college teammate at South Carolina.  

• INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (9-3, First) at TENNESSEE TITANS (9-3, First):  Two angry teams, because they both come off losses, and in the conference, no less.
  
  After losing three in a row to Tennessee (and six out of their last seven), the Colts dominated the Titans this September 14, 33-7.  But now the Colts are in the Titans’ lair.  And Tennessee has two streaks going for it.
  
  The Titans have won 10 in a row at home and have an NFL-best 26-game home streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher.  Colts RB EDGERRIN JAMES, 177 yards away from 1,000 yards, will face the NFL’s No. 1 rush defense.
  
  This is the type of game – for first place – that the starting quarterbacks live for.  The Titans’ STEVE MC NAIR and Colts’ PEYTON MANNING – two of the most resourceful QBs in the NFL -- are ranked first and third in AFC passer rating, respectively.

• KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (11-1, First) at DENVER BRONCOS (7-5, Second):  Chiefs can clinch their first division title since 1997 with a win or tie.  The Broncos have to win to have a reasonable shot at the playoffs.
  
  That said, this is still an AFC West battle where the events of past games just ratchet up the excitement.  Like on October 5 of this year.  There was Chiefs kick returner DANTE HALL darting every which way – even backwards – on a 93-yard punt-return TD halfway through the fourth quarter that provided the winning points in a 24-23 Chiefs victory.  It was the fourth consecutive game between the two that was decided by seven or less points, including two overtimes.  
  
  The Broncos’ main task will be to stop Chiefs running back PRIEST HOLMES, who has run for 17 TDs, more than any other team in the NFL this year, and eight behind the NFL season record of EMMITT SMITH (25, 1995). 
  
   

• DALLAS COWBOYS (8-4, Second) at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (9-3, First):  Could be an old-time December grind-it-out game that Cowboys head coach BILL PARCELLS was so used to in his New York Giants days.
  
  The Eagles have won seven in a row – their best season streak since 1980 – but, amazingly, have surrendered a 100-yard rushing effort in five of them. 
  
  Each club presents a tri-part rushing attack that has gone over 1,000 yards.  The Eagles’ BRIAN WESTBROOK, CORRELL BUCKHALTER and DUCE STALEY have combined for 1,189 yards.  The Cowboys’ TROY HAMBRICK, AVEION CASON and RICHIE ANDERSON have teamed for 1,068.      

• SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-4, Second) at MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-5, First):  Two teams with high-octane offenses coupled with solid takeaway defenses.
  
  The Vikings rank No. 1 in the league on offense, the Seahawks No. 4.  They sit fourth (Vikings, 27) and fifth (Seahawks, 25) in the NFC in takeaways.
  
  The quarterbacks are the highest-rated in the conference.  Minnesota’s DAUNTE CULPEPPER has a 94.6 passer rating, Seattle’s MATT HASSELBECK a 94.2 mark.     
  
  Each club is wondering which opponent will show up – the Vikings, who won their first six games but have gone 1-5 since, or the Seahawks, who are undefeated at home (7-0) but 1-4 on the road. 
   

WEEK 14
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
CINCINNATI BENGALS (7-5) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (7-5)
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TEAMS TIED for AFC North lead……BENGALS:  For 1st time since 1990, club is alone or tied for 1st place in division thru 12 games.  Club aims for 1st 5-game win streak since 1988 when team won AFC title.  Head coach MARVIN LEWIS & club attempt for 1st sweep of Ravens since 1996......QB JON KITNA posted 130.8 passer rating in last mtg, completing 16 of 27 (59.3 pct.) for 274 yds & 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs.  In 7 wins, has 18 TDs vs. 1 INT.  Needs 2 TDs to surpass career-high (23 in 1999 w/Sea.)......RB COREY DILLON aims for 3rd consec. 100-yd gm at Balt. (114.5 yds/gm in past 2).  In past 2 weeks, Dillon has 156 yds on 28 carries (5.6 avg.).....WR CHAD JOHNSON leads AFC w/16 catches of 20+ yds & 6 for 40+ yds.  Aims for 4th consecutive game vs. Ravens with TD.  WR PETER WARRICK has 35 receptions in 6 road games.  Offense is No. 2 in AFC in redzone w/22 TDs in 36 trips (61.1 pct.)……DE DUANE CLEMONS leads club with 6.0 sacks.  Team has 26 sacks vs. 16 in ’02 thru 12 gms...... RAVENS:  In series, have won 6 in row & 9 of past 11.  Team has posted club-record 88 points in consecutive games……Head coach BRIAN BILLICK has 7-2 (.778) career record vs. Bengals...... QB ANTHONY WRIGHT has passed for 6 TDs vs. 1 INT in past 2 starts......RB JAMAL LEWIS leads NFL with franchise-record 1,442 rush yds.  Has 4.0+ yd/carry avg. in 12 of past 14 games & aims for 6th consec. 100-yd game vs. Cin......TE TODD HEAP leads team w/48 catches & is only AFC TE to lead club in catches.  WR MARCUS ROBINSON has 5 TDs in past 2.  In last mtg, WR TRAVIS TAYLOR had 138 rec. yds & 2 TDs......S ED REED has 2 INTs in past 3 vs. Cincy, is 2nd in AFC in INTs (6) & has 4 punt blocks in 28 career gms.  Rookie LB TERRELL SUGGS (No. 10) stands 5th in AFC in sacks (8.0) & leads NFL rookies.  Ravens have 18 sacks in past 7 mtgs, incl. 3.0 by LB PETER BOULWARE.
 

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (2-10) AT DETROIT LIONS (4-8) 
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BROTHERS MARTY and KURT SCHOTTENHEIMER to coach in game.  Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer is brother of Lions defensive coordinator Kurt……CHARGERS:   Head coach Schottenheimer has never lost to Lions (3-0).  Schottenheimer was Detroit linebackers coach from 1978-79……In 4 starts this season, QB DOUG FLUTIE has 7 TDs vs. 3 INTs & is NFL’s 2nd-highest rated 4th-qtr passer (105.8).  Is 5th-oldest starting QB in NFL history (41 yrs & 45 days on Sunday)......Last week, RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON became club’s all-time leader in 100-yd rush games (16).  Leads club & all NFL RBs with 66 receptions & needs 2 rush TDs to surpass NATRONE MEANS (34) for 3rd-most in club history……WR DAVID BOSTON has 4 TDs in past 4 weeks.  Has 4+ receptions in 7 of past 9 games played.  Rookie TE ANTONIO GATES (FA) has 2 TDs in past 4 games……CB QUENTIN JAMMER recorded 1st multi-INT game last week (2) & leads team w/4.  LB DONNIE EDWARDS has led team in tackles in 7 games in row……P DARREN BENNET is NFL’s 5th all-time leading punter with min. of 250 punts (43.9 avg.)……LIONS:  Club has lost 2 fumbles in 2003, fewest in NFL......QB JOEY HARRINGTON has been sacked once per 50.4 career pass attempts (17 sacks, 857 attempts), best sack-per-pass attempt ratio all-time.  Lions have surrendered 10 sacks in 2003, fewest in NFL.  Harrington has passed for 2,220 yards & 12 TDs & needs 75 & 1 TD to surpass 2002 rookie totals (2,294, 12)……RB OLANDIS GARY rushed for 108 yards & career-high 2 TDs in 1st start vs. Chargers on 11/7/99 (w/Broncos).  RB SHAWN BRYSON has career-highs with 43 receptions & 280 receiving yards......WR AZ-ZAHIR HAKIM had 5 receptions for 104 yards in only career game vs. Chargers (w/ Rams, 10/1/00), his 1st 100 vs. AFC opponent.  Leads Lions WRs with 36 catches (310 yards).  WR BILL SCHROEDER has 288 career receptions & needs 12 for 300……DE ROBERT PORCHER had 7 tackles & 1.0 sack in last game at SD.  Had 2.0 sacks vs. Pack.  DE JAMES HALL ties for club lead with career-best 4.5 sacks...... CB DRÉ BLY had career-high 2 INTs vs. GB......Club’s avg. drive start on kickoffs is 30.6-yard line, 3rd-best in NFC & 6th in NFL.
 

CHICAGO BEARS (5-7) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-6)
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BEARS:  Club has won 4 of past 6 after 1-5 start & past 4 losses by 7 points-or-less.  Offense ranks 2nd converting 78.6 pct. on 4th down (11 of 14).....QB KORDELL STEWART passed for 284 yards (2 TDs) & rushed for 26 yards (1 TD) last week.  QB CHRIS CHANDLER has 27,940 career pass yards & 168 TD passes & needs 60 yards & 2 TDs to become 5th active QB with 28,000 & 170……RB ANTHONY THOMAS has 3 100-yard rush games in 2003 & needs 1 to tie his career- high.  Rookie 6th-round RB BROCK FORSEY rushed for 134 yards (TD) vs. Cards……WR MARTY BOOKER needs 3 rec to become 3rd Bears WR with 300 career & 6 to pass NEAL ANDERSON (302) for 5th-most in team history.  WR DEZ WHITE needs 6 catches for 2nd 50-catch year in row.  Rookie 5th-round WR JUSTIN GAGE has 11 rec. (252 yards) in 2003, 6 for 20+ yards.  Had 4 catches for 100 yards vs. Ariz.....KR JERRY AZUMAH leads NFL with 31.5 KR avg……CB CHARLES TILLMAN ties for NFL rookie lead with 3 INTs…… PACKERS:  Club has 34-11 (.756) Dec. record in past 10 seasons, best in NFL......QB BRETT FAVRE has played in 187 consec. games & can pass FORREST GREGG (187) for club record.  Has started 185 in row, most-ever by NFL QB.  Has TD pass in 21 consec. games & can tie CECIL ISBELL (22) for club record.  Has TD pass in 23 games in row vs. Bears & can tie record for longest streak vs. 1 foe since 1970 (DAN MARINO, 24, vs. NYJ)……RB AHMAN GREEN has 1,383 rush yards & needs 92 to pass JIM TAYLOR (1,474) for club record.  Taylor’s mark, set in 1962, is oldest team single-season rushing record in NFL.  Has 23 career 100s & club is 21-2 (.913) in those contests.  Has 36 rush TDs with Pack & needs 2 to pass VERNE LEWELLEN (37) for 3rd-most in team history……WR JAVON WALKER avgs. 17 yards per catch (28 for 475)……DE KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA has 33.0 career sacks & needs 3 to tie TONY BENNETT (36) in 4th in club history.  Has 3 sacks in past 3 games vs. Bears.
 

HOUSTON TEXANS (5-7) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-9)
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ALL 3 MEETINGS have been decided by 4 points-or-less......Game features AFC’s top rookie QB (BYRON LEFTWICH, Jax.), RB (DOMANICK DAVIS, Hou.) & WR (ANDRE JOHNSON, Hou.).....TEXANS:  Franchise’s 1st-ever road victory came at Jacksonville & was also team’s 1st division win.  Club has defeated Jaguars 2 times & both have been 4th-qtr comebacks.  Team vies for 1st set of consecutive victories......In 3 starts vs. Jax, QB DAVID CARR is 2-1 (.667) with 91.7 passer rating, completing 56 of 84 (66.7 pct.) for 646 yds & 3 TDs vs. 2 INTs……RB Davis (No. 101) leads NFL rookies w/825 rush yards & has posted 100+ rush yds in 4 of 7 career starts.......WR COREY BRADFORD stands 2nd in NFL with 20.9 rec. avg. (min. 15 rec.).  WR Johnson (No. 3) leads AFC rookies with 51 catches (tied for 11th in AFC) & 778 rec. yds (6th in AFC).  WR Johnson (778 rec. yds) & RB Davis (825 rush yds) can be 1st NFL rookie teammates to gain 1,000 yds. rec. & rushing……Club’s strength of schedule is tied for toughest in NFL (.576) after 13 wks……Last season as Jag, S MARLON MC CREE posted team record for most INTs in season (6).  K KRIS BROWN is 10 of 10 on FGs inside 40.  Kicked game-winning 45-yard FG in last meeting at Jax......JAGUARS:  QB Leftwich (No. 7) has TD (pass or rush) in 9 of 11 career games & is 1 of 8 AFC QBs with 10 or more TD passes.  Ranks 4th in AFC 4th-qtr passer rating (95.8)......RB FRED TAYLOR ranks 5th among AFC RBs w/1,037 rush yds & 5th with 41 receptions.  Had 94 scrimmage yards in last meeting, including TD......WR JIMMY SMITH has 10 catches for 150 yards & 2 TDs vs. Texans.  Aims for 3rd game in row with TD vs. Hou.  TE KYLE BRADY has 188 catches since ’99, 5th-most among TEs......Four of 5 O-lineman have started every game……LB AKIN AYODELE ties AFC defensive player lead with 3 fumble recoveries.  DT JOHN HENDERSON has notched 2.5 sacks & 25 tackles vs. Hou. in past 3. Club limiting opposing starting RBs to 58.5 yds/gm in past 11 & 3.1 yd/carry.  Jags allowing fewest 1st down play yds in AFC (4.40)……PR DAVID ALLEN ranks 3rd in AFC PR avg. (13.0).
 

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-4) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-5)
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SEAHAWKS: Seek 3rd consecutive 40-point game vs. Vikes.  Offense converting 48.1 pct. on 3rd down (76 of 158), best in NFL……QB MATT HASSELBECK has 92.4 road passer rating (247 of 397, 3,061 yards, 20 TDs, 10 INTs) since 2002, 2nd-best in NFL (CHAD PENNINGTON, 106.1).  Has won 12 of past 18 starts & has multi-TD pass in 7 of past 12.  Has 2,883 yards passing & needs 117 for 2nd consecutive 3,000-yard season & 193 for career-high (3,075)……Club has won 11 of RB SHAUN ALEXANDER’s 13 career 100-yard games.  Has 47 career TDs & needs 2 to pass CHRIS WARREN (48) for 3rd-most in team history……WR DARRELL JACKSON avgs. 17.1 yards per catch, 3rd-best in NFL (min. 20 catches).  Has 8 TD catches & needs 1 for career-high.  Has 908 receiving yards & needs 92 for 2nd 1,000-yard season. TE ITULA MILI has career-best 4 TD receptions……DE JOHN RANDLE had 114 sacks with Vikes from 1990-2000.  Has 136 career sacks & needs 2 to pass RICHARD DENT (137.5) for 5th-most in NFL history……LB CHAD BROWN leads NFC LBs with 5 sacks……VIKINGS:  Head coach MIKE TICE started 83 games at TE for Seahawks from 1981-88, 90-91……QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER is 15-5 (.750) when posting 100.0+ rating.  Ranks 2nd in NFL with 124.2 3rd-down passer rating (60 of 88, 859 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs).  Leads NFC & ranks 4th in NFL with 7.65 yards per pass avg. (330 att, 2,526 yards)……RB MICHAEL BENNETT rushed for 98 yards last week on 14 carries.  RB MOE WILLIAMS leads NFC & ranks 2nd in NFL among RBs with 527 receiving yards (54 catches).  Has career-high with 671 rushing yards……WR RANDY MOSS has 7,982 career receiving yards & with 160 yards last week, passed JERRY RICE (7,866) for most in 1st 6 seasons in NFL history.  Has 496 career catches & needs 3 to pass STEVE JORDAN (498) in 2nd in club annals & 4 for 500 career.  Has 22 catches of 20+ yards, tops among WRs……Defense leads NFL with 23 INTs……DE KEVIN WILLIAMS (No. 9) leads NFC rookies & ranks 2nd in NFL with 5.5 sacks.
 

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-7) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (6-6)
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