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Perfect for the half.

That is the story of only one team in the NFL – the Kansas City Chiefs – as the league reaches this week the mid-point of its season after an eight-week span of tight games, memorable plays, surprising teams – and a perfect half-season by the 8-0 Chiefs.

Kansas City is only the 11th team since 1970 to start 8-0.  “It’s an indescribable feeling,” says Chiefs guard ERIC HICKS, whose club enjoys a bye this week.  “We’ve already won as many now as we won all of last season.  Obviously, we’ll keep pushing to win some more and keep our quest going.”   

“Keep our quest going.”  That is the chant of every NFL team as the cold, cruel weeks of winter approach.  Last year after eight weeks, six teams were either .500 or below yet followed that motto to reach the playoffs – 4-4 Cleveland, Indianapolis, the New York Giants, Oakland and Tennessee, and the 3-5 New York Jets.  In fact, over the past 10 years, 26 teams have reached the playoffs after starting 4-4 or worse.     

So as games are getting closer (57 percent decided by eight points or less in the past four weeks compared to 38 percent in the first four)…overtimes are on pace to break last year’s record 25 by one (with eight of this year’s 12 OTs being won by the road team)…and DANTE HALL doing his miraculous things (see NFL Factoid below), here are some of the big story lines for Week 9.  Call it “Rivalry Weekend”

NFL FACTOID

DANTE HAULS IT: Chiefs WR-KR DANTE HALL, with his 67-yard TD catch Sunday to go with his 10 career TDs (3 on receptions, 7 on kick returns) averages 79.8 yards per career TD (minimum 10) – the highest average of any player in history.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-4) at DALLAS COWBOYS (5-2):

‘Skins.  ‘Boys.  ‘Nuff said!

This one is a big rivalry.  Think Staubach-Theismann…Dorsett-Riggins…”Too Tall”-Jacoby.  The intensity only built over the past five years as the Cowboys won 10 in a row.  On the final Sunday of the season last year, the Redskins finally prevailed 20-14.  These two usually play each other tight.  Since 2000, five of the six meetings have been decided by seven or fewer points.

New Dallas head coach BILL PARCELLS had a 10-6 record against Washington when he led another NFC East rival, the Giants, from 1983-90.  The Redskins comes off a bye following a loss to Buffalo.  The Cowboys had their five-game winning streak halted Sunday when they were shut out by Tampa Bay 16-0, only the third blanking in Parcells’ 16-year head-coaching career.      

GREEN BAY PACKERS (3-4) at MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-1)

“At some point before I retire, I’d like to win another one in here.”

That is Packers quarterback BRETT FAVRE talking about his difficulty in winning at Minnesota’s Metrodome.  The three-time NFL MVP has lost in nine of the 11 times he has played in this cauldron, including last year (31-21) when he was intercepted three times, managed one first down to Minnesota’s 10 in the first quarter, and went down 20-0 at the half.

The Vikings will try to capitalize upon the attribute that makes Favre such a feared quarterback – his confidence to throw into tight situations.  Minnesota is second in the NFL in interceptions (17), and its two safeties – COREY CHAVOUS and BRIAN RUSSELL – are each tied with Miami’s PAT SURTAIN for the league lead in pickoffs (6).   

The other weapon of the Vikings – coming off their first loss of the season – is wide receiver RANDY MOSS, who leads the NFL in receiving yardage (791) and ties St. Louis’ TORRY HOLT in TD catches with eight.  Moss has gone over 100 yards in seven of 11 games he has played against Green Bay.

ST. LOUIS RAMS (5-2) at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-5)

A series of streaks.  And the Niners want to break the current one.

These two NFC West rivals have had a quixotic relationship over the past two decades.  The 49ers won an amazing 17 in a row over the Rams from 1990 through 1998.  But with the advent of the “Greatest Show on Turf” in St. Louis in 1999, the Rams have become the streakers, winning eight of the past nine, including this September 14 in OT (27-24).    

On top of that, San Francisco’s ninth-ranked pass defense will have to contend with one of the hottest receivers in the NFL right now – Torry Holt.  The Rams’ 1999 first-round draft choice has averaged 134 yards in his past four games.  “He’s outrageous right now,” says St. Louis head coach MIKE MARTZ.

NEW YORK GIANTS (3-4) at NEW YORK JETS (2-5):

Throw out the records when these two meet for, as WEEB EWBANK used to call it, New York City “Bragging Rights.”

They play ever summer in preseason but have met only nine times in the regular season (Giants lead 5-4), the last a Giants win in 1999.  “It’s like a college game,” says Jets head coach HERMAN EDWARDS.  “Half the city goes white and green, and half goes blue.  They make a big rivalry thing out of this.  It’s a fun game.”

It’s been fun recently for the Giants when playing the AFC East.  They have a 9-3 record in their last 12 against the division.  They are fresh off handing the Minnesota Vikings their first loss of the year, and produced their highest offensive production of 2003 – 450 total yards.  Quarterback KERRY COLLINS, with the second-most passing yards in the league (1,882), faces the NFL’s top pass defense.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-1) at MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-2):

Old AFC East rivals go at it again.

The two met twice a year since 1970 plus last year in the first season of realignment.  Miami has won five of the past six meetings, including a 2000 Wild Card playoff game.

It was the game last season that acts as a scene-setter for Sunday.  Call it the “Dash of the Dreadlocks” -- EDGERRIN JAMES vs. RICKY WILLIAMS.  When the 1999 No. 4 (James) and No. 5 (Williams) overall draft choices faced each other for the first time as pros, it was a ball-pounding day.  James rumbled 30 times for 138 yards, Williams 24 times for 132 yards.

“It’s fun watching him,” Williams says of James (but it could be just as well James talking about Williams).  “He can run, can cut, can hit the seams, can stop on a dime.”

Quarterbacks PEYTON MANNING of the Colts and BRIAN GRIESE of the Dolphins (if JAY FIEDLER’s knee injury prevents him from playing) face two stingy defenses.  The Dolphins have allowed the fewest points in the AFC (87), the Colts the third-fewest (126).

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6-2) at DENVER BRONCOS (5-3):

They might as well be in the same division, they face each other so often.

The Broncos and Patriots will play for the ninth consecutive year.  And although Halloween will be over, both sides will be prepared for a lot tricks Monday night.  It’s just the way that their coaches – New England’s BILL BELICHICK and Denver’s MIKE SHANAHAN – operate. 

“They give you one thing one series, then they’ll change it up and give you something totally different,” says Giants cornerback RALPH BROWN.  He’s talking about Belichick and the Patriots, but old offensive coordinator Shanahan also has been known to shuffle and confuse looks in games.

Both teams are tough on defense, but in different areas.  The Pats rank fourth in the NFL against the rush, the Broncos fifth against the pass.  New England has won the past four weeks, the Broncos lost to Baltimore last Sunday.  But they are 16-5 following a loss since 2000.

NFL 2003 WEEK 9 (SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2)

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-6) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (4-3) SERIES

	JAGUARS	RAVENS
LEADER	8-5
STREAKS		Past 5
COACHES VS. OPP.	Del Rio: 0-0	Billick: 5-2
LAST WEEK	L 30-17 vs. Titans	W 26-6 vs. Broncos
LAST GAME	10/20/02: Jaguars 10 at Ravens 17.  Baltimore QB Chris Redman throws 2 TD passes to Ravens TE Todd Heap.
LAST GAME AT SITE	10/20/02
BROADCAST	CBS (1:00 PM ET): Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots

STATS

PASSING	Leftwich (R): 86-147-1,105-6-9-70.3	Boller (R): 95-179-982-5-7-62.2
RUSHING	F. Taylor: 124-505-4.1-2	J. Lewis: 166-977 (1L)-5.9-6 (3C)
RECEIVING	F. Taylor (RB): 32-261-8.2-1	Heap (TE): 27-345-12.8-1
OFFENSE	327.3	308.9
TAKE/GIVE	-5	-1
DEFENSE	305.9	283.6
SACKS	Brackens: 4.0	Suggs (R): 4.0
INTs	Craft: 2	Reed: 4 (T3C)
PUNTING	Royals: 41.3	Zastudil: 40.6
KICKING	Marler (R): 43 (13/13 PAT; 10/15 FG)	Stover: 55 (13/13 PAT; 14/16 FG)

NOTES SERIES OF STREAKS:  Jaguars won 1st 8 games in series & Ravens have won past 5.  Past 7 meetings & 11 of 13 all-time have been decided by 7 points-or-less.  Eight of 13 all-time decided by 3 points-or-less.  GAME FEATURES 2 rookie QBs: BYRON LEFTWICH (Jax., No. 7) & KYLE BOLLER (Balt., No. 19)......JAGUARS:  Head coach JACK DEL RIO was Ravens LB coach under head coach Billick for 3 seasons (1999-2001), including Baltimore’s SB XXXV team.  Club is 19-12 (.613) in November......QB Leftwich aims for TD in 7th game in row.  Would be 4th QB since 1970 w/TD in each of 1st 7 games to start career (pass or rush).  Ranks 4th in AFC in yards per pass att. (7.52) & is 2nd in AFC with 95.4 4th-quarter passer rating......RB FRED TAYLOR has 689 scrimmage yards (432 rush, 257 rec.) in 5 games (137.8 per game) vs. Balt......In 13 career meetings, WR JIMMY SMITH has 88 catches for 1,407 yards (108.2 per game) & 10 TDs.  Set career highs in receptions (15), yards (291), longest TD catch (72) & TDs (3) vs. Ravens...... DE TONY BRACKENS has 2.0 sacks over past 3 games.  Defense 2nd in NFL in rush yards allowed per att. (3.21 avg.)……RAVENS:  Have won past 5 in series.  Are 11-5 (.688) in November under head coach BRIAN BILLICK......QB Boller makes 1st start vs. AFC South......RB JAMAL LEWIS leads NFL with 977 rush yards & has club-record 6 consecutive 100+ rush yards.  Rushed for 119 yards in last game vs. Jags......TE TODD HEAP had 2 TDs in last year’s meeting.  Leads team with 27 catches & is only TE to lead club in receptions.  WR TRAVIS TAYLOR has catch in 42 of past 43......LB RAY LEWIS has 74 tackles & 1 INT in past 6 vs. Jax.  LB PETER BOULWARE has 14.5 sacks in 11 games vs. Jax, including 3.0 in past 2.  Defense has posted 9 sacks in past 3 vs. Jags.  CB WILL DEMPS had 1st career INT in last meeting – at Ravens goal line as time expired.  S ED REED has 3 career punt blocks, incl. Wk. 6 at Ariz. (TD)……Defense ranked No. 5 overall in NFL (283.6).
 

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (1-6) AT CHICAGO BEARS (2-5)
SERIES

	CHARGERS	BEARS
LEADER	Series tied: 4-4
STREAKS		Past 3
COACHES VS. OPP.	Schottenheimer: 2-3	Jauron: 1-0
LAST WEEK	L 26-10 vs. Dolphins	W 24-16 vs. Lions
LAST GAME	11/21/99: Bears 23 at Chargers 20 (OT).  Chicago’s Chris Boniol kicks 36-yard winning FG in OT.  Chicago QB Jim Miller completes 25 of 38 passes for 357 yards & 1 TD.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/14/96: Bears 27, Chargers 14.  Chicago QB Dave Krieg throws 3 TD passes to help knock San Diego out of playoff race.
BROADCAST	CBS (12:00 PM CT): Gus Johnson, Brent Jones

STATS

PASSING	Brees: 139-239-1,401-7-11-65.6	Chandler: 40-67-364-1-3-60.8
RUSHING	Tomlinson: 140-719 (3C)-5.1-4	Thomas: 72-397-5.5-1
RECEIVING	Tomlinson (RB): 43-260-6.0-0	White: 26-331-12.7-1
OFFENSE	319.9	254.7
TAKE/GIVE	-5	-5
DEFENSE	349.4	335.7
SACKS	Scott: 4.5	A. Brown, Urlacher: 1.5
INTs	5 tied: 1	M. Brown: 2
PUNTING	Bennett: 42.2	Maynard: 42.3
KICKING	Christie: 41 (14/14 PAT; 9/11 FG)	Edinger: 51 (9/9 PAT; 14/15 FG)

NOTES

TWO OF PAST 5 meetings have gone into OT (Bears 2-0)……CHARGERS:  Team seeks 1st win in Chicago since Oct. 18, 1970……Since 1996, head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHIEMER is 16-7 (.696) vs. NFC……In past 2 starts vs. NFC, QB DREW BREES has completed 56 of 99 (56.6 pct.) for 668 yards with 5 TDs vs. 2 INTs……RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON is AFC’s 3rd-leading rusher (719), with 5.1 avg. & is 1 of 4 AFC RBs to lead his club in receptions (43).  Tomlinson is tied for most career 200-yd rush games (3) among active players.  Has at least 8 catches in 8 of 39 (20.5 pct.) career games……WR DAVID BOSTON has 21 receptions in past 3 games for 273 yards (13.0 avg.) & 2 TDs.  WR TIM DWIGHT has rush attempt in 5 of 6 games played w/ 8.9 avg.  Offense averaging 5.62 yds per 1st down play, 4th-best in AFC……DT DEQUINCY SCOTT has 4.5 sacks in past 4 games……WR-PR ERIC PARKER has 65 PR yards in past 5 returns for 13.0 avg……P DARREN BENNETT stands 2nd in AFC in net avg. (37.8)……BEARS: With win last week, franchise improved to 650-474-42, becoming 1st NFL club with 650 wins......QB CHRIS CHANDLER posted 94.4 passer rating vs. Lions, completing 64.5 pct. (20 of 31, 207 yards, 1 TD)……RB ANTHONY THOMAS averaging 5.5 yards per carry, tops in NFC among RBs with 350 rush yards.  Off to best start of 3-year career with 397 rush yards after 5 games.  Hopes to see 1st action since Week 6.  Has topped 95 yards rushing in his past 3 games.  Rookie 6th-round RB BROCK FORSEY (No. 206) led club with 56 yards rushing vs. Lions, scoring 1st-career TD (8 yards)……Rookie 5th-round WR JUSTIN GAGE (No. 143) had 1st-career TD (21-yard catch) vs. Det……TE DUSTIN LYMAN had team-leading 6 catches (42 yards) vs. Lions, 2nd-highest total of his career……KR JERRY AZUMAH leads NFL with 29.5 KR avg.  Had 89-yard KR-TD last week……Rookie 2nd-round CB CHARLES TILLMAN (No. 35) had 1st-career INT vs. Det while CB TODD MC MILLON had 1st-career sack……K PAUL EDINGER has connected on 7 of 7 attempts from 40+ yards.
 

OAKLAND RAIDERS (2-5) AT DETROIT LIONS (1-6)
SERIES

	RAIDERS	LIONS
LEADER	6-2
STREAKS	Past 4
COACHES VS. OPP.	Callahan: 0-0	Mariucci: 1-1
LAST WEEK	Bye (Wk. 7: L 17-10 vs. Chiefs)	L 24-16 at Bears
LAST GAME	10/13/96:  Lions 21 at Raiders 37.  Oakland QB Jeff Hostetler throws 4 TD passes, including 2 to WR James Jett.  Oakland controls ball for 36:51.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/10/90:  L.A. Raiders 38, Lions 31.  Los Angeles QB Jay Schroeder throws 3 TD passes as Raiders down Detroit.  Lions RB Barry Sanders rushes for 176 yards in loss.
BROADCAST	CBS (1:00 PM ET): Kevin Harlan, Randy Cross

STATS

PASSING	Gannon: 125-225-1,274-6-4-73.5 Tuiasosopo: 19-34-259-0-2-55.9	Harrington: 129-248-1,230-8-12-56.7
RUSHING	Garner: 70-316-4.5-1	Bryson: 68-280-4.1-1
RECEIVING	Garner (RB): 33-282-8.5-1	Bryson (RB): 22-154-7.0-0
OFFENSE	296.0	266.1
TAKE/GIVE	+2	-5
DEFENSE	358.6	347.0
SACKS	Armstrong: 3.0	Hall: 3.5
INTs	C. Woodson: 3	Bly: 4
PUNTING	Lechler: 49.8 (1L)	N. Harris: 39.5
KICKING	Janikowski: 53 (11/12 PAT; 14/15 FG)	Hanson: 29 (11/12 PAT; 6/6 FG)

NOTES

RAIDERS:  Are 80-42-1 (.656) all-time vs. NFC & are 15-5 (.750) vs. NFC in past 20.  Team has won past 4 in series & are 6-2 (.750) vs. Lions......QB RICH GANNON is 1 of 3 NFL QBs to have 3 different 100-yard receivers this season: WR JERRY RICE (126 yards), RB CHARLIE GARNER (112) & WR TIM BROWN (110).  QB MARQUES TUIASOSOPO (Washington, 2000) & Lions QB Harrington (Oregon, 2001) are former Pac-10 Offensive Players of Year……Rookie RB-KR JUSTIN FARGAS (No. 96) averages 5.8 yards per carry……TE DOUG JOLLEY tied for 3rd among NFL TEs with 27 receptions.  Offense has earned points in 12 of 15 red zone trips (.800)……CB CHARLES WOODSON ties for 6th in AFC with 3 INTs.  Woodson won Heisman Trophy at Michigan & was member of co-national championship Wolverines in 1997.  DT ROD COLEMAN has 25.0 career sacks in 51 games…… LIONS: Club has lost 1 fumble in 2003, fewest in NFL......QB JOEY HARRINGTON has been sacked once per 52.1 career pass attempts (13 sacks, 677 attempts) & Lions have surrendered 6 sacks in 2003, tied for 2nd-fewest in NFL (Ind, 4)…… RB OLANDIS GARY saw 1st NFL action vs. Oak (w/Den) on 10/10/99, rushing for 64 yards.  RB SHAWN BRYSON rushed for 67 yards last week, avg. 4.8 yards per carry……WR SHAWN JEFFERSON had 7 receptions for 109 yards in his last game vs. Oak (w/Atl, 11/26/00).  Had 1st-career 100-yard game vs. Raiders, posting 120 yards (6 catches) on 9/3/95 (w/SD).  His 2 100s vs. Raiders ties for his most vs. any club (Mia).  WR CHARLES ROGERS ties for NFL rookie lead with 3 TD catches (TYRONE CALICO, Ten.) & posted 22 receptions for 243 yards before being sidelined with injury……TE MIKHAEL RICKS ranks 2nd in NFC among TEs (min. 15 catches), avg. 12.9 yards per catch (15 for 194)……KR-PR REGGIE SWINTON had 96-yard KR TD & avg. 13 yards per PR last week……Rookie 2nd-round LB BOSS BAILEY (No. 34) had 1st-career sack vs. Bears. 
 

CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-1) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (2-5)
SERIES

	PANTHERS	TEXANS
LEADER	--
STREAKS	--
COACHES VS. OPP.	Fox: 0-0	Capers: 0-0
LAST WEEK	W 23-20 (OT) at Saints	L 30-21 at Colts
LAST GAME	--
LAST GAME AT SITE	--
BROADCAST	FOX (12:00 PM CT): Ron Pitts, Tim Ryan

STATS

PASSING	Delhomme: 108-189-1,201-7-5-77.5	Carr: 122-204-1,483-6-8-75.7 OR Banks: 19-28-139-1-1-76.3
RUSHING	Davis: 163-839-5.1 (1C)-5 (T2C)	Davis (R): 87-409-4.7-2
RECEIVING	S. Smith: 38-485-12.8-3	Johnson (R): 35-495-14.1-2
OFFENSE	323.1	337.0
TAKE/GIVE	-2	-3
DEFENSE	335.7	369.6
SACKS	Rucker: 8.0 (T1C)	Foreman: 2.0
INTs	Manning: 2	Coleman: 4 (T3C)
PUNTING	Sauerbrun: 45.3 (2C)	Stanley: 39.4
KICKING	Kasay: 61 (2C) (10/10 PAT; 17/17 FG)	K. Brown: 37 (13/13 PAT; 8/11 FG)

NOTES PANTHERS:  Club has tied NFL record with 3 OT wins & is 1st team with 3 OT road wins in single season……QB JAKE DELHOMME is 6-2 (.750) as NFL starter & makes 7th start for Panthers.  Ties for 2nd in NFC with 2.6 INT pct. (189 att, 5 INT)……RB STEPHEN DAVIS rushed for NFC season-high 178 yards last week & needs 161 yards for 4th-career 1,000-yard season.  Has 5 100-yard rushing games in 2003 & needs 100 yards to pass ANTHONY JOHNSON (5) for most 100s in season in team history.  Has 24 career 100-yard games, including playoffs, & his club is 20-4 (.833) in those contests ……WR-PR STEVE SMITH seeks to become 2nd player in team history with 4 consecutive 100-yard receiving games (PATRICK JEFFERS, 5).  Has 38 catches through 7 games after posting career-best 54 in 2002.  Ranks 2nd in NFC with 13.9 PR avg.  WR MUHSIN MUHAMMAD has 447 career receptions & needs 3 to become 1st Panther with 450……DE MIKE RUCKER had 2.0 sacks vs. Saints, his 3rd multiple-sack game of season.  Has 5.0 sacks in past 4 games vs. AFC……Rookie 3rd-round CB RICKY MANNING (No. 82) tied for NFC rookie lead with 2 INTs……TEXANS:  Head coach DOM CAPERS was 1st coach in Carolina’s history.  Led Panthers to expansion team-best 7-9 mark his 1st year & guided club to NFC West title & NFC Championship Game appearance in 1996 while garnering AP Coach of Year honors......Offense ranks 4th in AFC (348.2); 4 of franchise’s 6 wins have been 4th-quarter comebacks ......QB DAVID CARR has TD pass in 4 of past 5 games......In last start vs. Car. on 10/21/01 (w/ Wash.), QB TONY BANKS completed 17 of 30 passes (56.7 pct.) for season-high 346 yds & 1 TD vs. 1 INT for 94.6 passer rating in 17-14 win & completed career-long 85-yd TD pass……Rookie RB DOMANICK DAVIS (No. 101) leads NFL rookies with 409 rush yds & may become 1st rookie rusher in history to post 100 rush yards in 1st 3 career starts.  Over past 2 seasons, WR COREY BRADFORD has 8 TDs, avg. length of each is 48.5 yards.  Rookie WR ANDRE JOHNSON (No. 3) leads AFC rookies with 35 catches (tied 7th in AFC)……LBs JAMIE SHARPER (65) & JAY FOREMAN (64) lead team in tackles.
 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-1) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-2)
SERIES

	COLTS	DOLPHINS
LEADER		44-21
STREAKS		Past 3
COACHES VS. OPP.	Dungy: 2-1	Wannstedt: 5-1
LAST WEEK	W 30-21 vs. Texans	W 26-10 at Chargers
LAST GAME	9/15/02: Dolphins 21 at Colts 13.  Miami QB Jay Fiedler passes for 2 TDs & rushes for another to lead Dolphins to victory.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/10/01: Dolphins 41, Colts 10.  Miami QB Jay Fiedler passes for 3 TDs & rushes for another while Dolphins’ defense converts 3 INTs into TDs.
BROADCAST	CBS (1:00 PM ET): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian (Field Reporter)

STATS

PASSING	Manning: 161-233-1,862 (2C)-15 (1L)-5-105.5 (1C)	Fiedler: 95-167-1,115-6-7-71.8 Griese: 20-29-192-3-0-121.6
RUSHING	James: 95-367-3.9-1	R. Williams: 184-624-3.4-4
RECEIVING	Harrison: 49 (1C)-687 (1C)-14.0-6 (1C)	Chambers: 28-405-14.5-5 (T2C)
OFFENSE	354.9 (1C)	299.9
TAKE/GIVE	+5	+4
DEFENSE	316.1	308.9
SACKS	Freeney: 4.0	Ogunleye: 7.0 (T2C)
INTs	Harper: 3	Surtain: 6 (T1L)
PUNTING	H. Smith: 44.1	Turk: 36.8
KICKING	Vanderjagt: 76 (1L) (22/22 PAT; 18/18 FG)	Mare: 40 (16/16 PAT; 8/13 FG)

NOTES FORMER AFC EAST RIVALS MEET for 1st time in Miami in newly realigned NFL.  Seven of past 8 meetings (including playoffs) decided by 1 score.  In 5 of those, game-winning score has been in 4th quarter.  Road team has won 6 of past 7......COLTS:  Head coach TONY DUNGY has 5-3 (.625) head-to-head record vs. Miami’s Wannstedt.  Dungy’s defense in TB forced Dolphins QB Fiedler into throwing career-high 4 INTs in 12/10/00 meeting.  Dungy is 6-1 (.857) to start season for 1st time in coaching career……QB PEYTON MANNING leads NFL with 105.5 passer rating & 15 TDs......In 6 career games vs. Miami (incl. playoffs), RB EDGERRIN JAMES has rushed for 686 yards (114.3 per game), including 5 100-yard games.  James (5,280) needs 41 rush yards to surpass MARSHALL FAULK (5,320) for 2nd on club’s all-time rush list.  James & WR REGGIE WAYNE attended U. of Miami......In past 7 vs. Dolphins, WR MARVIN HARRSION has 38 catches for 739 yards (105.6 per game) & 7 TDs.  Offensive line allowing fewest sacks in NFL (4)…… DE DWIGHT FREENEY has 3.0 sacks in past 2 games……K MIKE VANDERJAGT has not missed FG in ’03 (18 for 18) ...... DOLPHINS:  Have won 9 of past 12 in series & have outscored Colts 92-40 in 4th qtr & OT in past 7 mtgs.  Head coach DAVE WANNSTEDT is 5-1 (.833) in career vs. Indy......QB JAY FIEDLER is 4-1 (.800) all-time vs. Colts (incl. 1-0 in playoffs).  QB BRIAN GRIESE has 5 TD passes in past 4 games played……Fiedler & WR CHRIS CHAMBERS teamed on career-best 74-yard TD vs. Indy (11/11/01) ......RB RICKY WILLIAMS has rushed for 252 yards (126.0/gm) with 110 rec. yards in 2 career contests vs. Colts.  In 9 games with Miami after Nov. 1, Williams has 6 100-yard games, including 2 200’s for 1,142 yards (126.9 per game)...... WR Chambers has 4 TDs in 3 mtgs vs. Colts w/ 20.6 rec. avg...... DE JASON TAYLOR aims for 4th gm in past 5 vs. Colts w/ sack.  Defense No. 1 in NFL in points allowed (12.4/gm). 
 

NEW YORK GIANTS (3-4) AT NEW YORK JETS (2-5)
SERIES

	GIANTS	JETS
LEADER	5-4
STREAKS	Past 2
COACHES VS. OPP.	Fassel: 1-0	Edwards: 0-0
LAST WEEK	W 29-17 at Vikings	L 24-17 at Eagles
LAST GAME	12/5/99: Jets 28 at Giants 41.  Giants QB Kerry Collins passes for 341 yards while Giants WRs Amani Toomer (181 yards) & Ike Hilliard (121) post 100-yard games.
LAST GAME AT SITE	9/22/96: Giants 13, Jets 6.  Giants WR Chris Calloway has 17-yard TD catch & Giants’ Brad Daluiso kicks 2 FGs.
BROADCAST	FOX (1:00 PM ET): Kenny Albert, Brian Baldinger

STATS

PASSING	Collins: 170-293-1,882-9-10-73.2	Pennington: 14-24-154-0-1-60.1
RUSHING	Barber: 148-610-4.1-2	C. Martin: 118-472-4.0-0
RECEIVING	Hilliard: 40-417-10.4-5	Moss: 28-459-16.4-4
OFFENSE	366.4 (3L)	295.6
TAKE/GIVE	-7	+5
DEFENSE	316.0	311.6
SACKS	Strahan: 8.0 (T1L)	Ellis: 9.0 (1L)
INTs	W. Allen: 2	Beasley: 2
PUNTING	Feagles: 41.4	Stryzinski: 38.5
KICKING	Conway: 21 (3/3 PAT; 6/8 FG)	Brien: 51 (9/9 PAT; 14/17 FG)

NOTES GIANTS:  QB KERRY COLLINS seeks 3rd win vs. Jets.  Posted 1st 300-yard game with NYG in last meeting.  Passed for 375 yards vs. Min, his most since 383 vs. GB (1/6/02)……RB TIKI BARBER has 11 career 100-yard rushing games & needs 100 to pass EDDIE PRICE (11) for 3rd-most in team history.  Has 9,880 all-purpose yards & needs 120 to become 1st Giant with 10,000……WR AMANI TOOMER has 17 career 100-yard receiving games & needs 100 to pass HOMER JONES (17) for most by Giant.  Tied for NFL lead with 4 40+yard catches & leads club with 533 yards receiving.  Has 35 career TD catches & needs 1 for 4th place in club history……WR IKE HILLIARD posted 100 yards (9 catches, 2 TDs) for 1st time since 105 vs. Seattle (12/23/01)……TE JEREMY SHOCKEY leads NFL TEs with 37 receptions & is 2nd with 403 yards……Defense has 24 sacks, most in NFC & 2nd in NFL to Jets’ 26……DE MICHAEL STRAHAN has 2.0 sacks in 3 consecutive games & 103.5 in career, 4th-most among active players……Rookie 6th-round CB FRANK WALKER had 1st INT vs. Vikes……JETS:  Are 7-0 in November under head coach HERMAN EDWARDS & have outscored opponents 186-66.  Aim for 10th consecutive win in month & own AFC 2nd-best 26-13 (.667) Nov. record since 1993......QB CHAD PENNINGTON makes 1st start of 2003.  As starter in career, is 8-4 (.667) with 109.9 passer rating, completing 249 of 352 passes (70.8 pct.) for 2,768 yards & 22 TDs vs. 4 INTs.  Has 18 TDs vs. 0 INTs in redzone......In past 2 Nov. games, RB CURTIS MARTIN has 232 rushing yards (116.0 per game)......In last meeting vs. NYG, WR WAYNE CHRBET had 7 catches for 84 yards & 2 TDs.  WR-PR SANTANA MOSS has 207 rec. yards in past 2 & aims for 4th consecutive game with TD & is 2nd in AFC w/ 16.0 PR avg......Jets lead NFL with +18 sack differential (26 sacks, 8 allowed).  DE SHAUN ELLIS has 11.5 sacks in past 10 & leads NFL with 9.0 sacks in ’03.  Ellis has at least 0.5 sacks in 10 games in row.  S SAM GARNES spent 1st 5 years (’97-’01) w/NYG; started 73 of 74 games.  Defense No. 1 in NFL in pass yds/gm (152.7).
 

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-5) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (4-3)
SERIES

	SAINTS	BUCCANEERS
LEADER	15-7
STREAKS	Past 2
COACHES VS. OPP.	Haslett: 2-1	Gruden: 1-2
LAST WEEK	L 23-20 (OT) vs. Panthers	W 16-0 vs. Cowboys
LAST GAME	12/1/02:  Buccaneers 20 at Saints 23 (OT).  New Orleans QB Aaron Brooks passes for 2 TDs to lift Saints to season sweep of Tampa Bay.
LAST GAME AT SITE	9/8/02:  Saints 26, Buccaneers 20 (OT).  New Orleans LB James Allen scores TD by intercepting Tampa Bay P Tom Tupa in end zone with 2:50 left in overtime.
BROADCAST	FOX (1:00 PM ET): Curt Menefee, Tim Green

STATS

PASSING	Brooks: 151-248-1,685-12 (3C)-5-89.0	B. Johnson: 159-250-1,747 (2C)-14 (1C)-6-92.9 (2C)
RUSHING	McAllister: 169-761 (2C)-4.5-4	Pittman: 107-465-4.3-0
RECEIVING	Horn: 45-537-11.9-6 (T3L)	Pittman (RB): 35-263-7.5-1
OFFENSE	328.6	352.0
TAKE/GIVE	-8	+11 (2C)
DEFENSE	314.6	286.4
SACKS	Ch. Grant: 6.0	Rice: 8.0 (T1C)
INTs	Rodgers, D. Smith, Thomas: 1	D. Smith: 3
PUNTING	Berger: 44.6 (3C)	Tupa: 43.8
KICKING	Carney: 54 (18/18 PAT; 12/14 FG)	Gramatica: 36 (18/19 PAT; 6/11 FG)

NOTES

SAINTS:  Club ranks 1st with 49.1 pct. 3rd-down efficiency (56 of 114)……Head coach JIM HASLETT has 11-7 mark vs. NFC South opponents since 2000……QB AARON BROOKS has posted 20 career 250-yard games & needs 250 yards to pass BOBBY HEBERT & ARCHIE MANNING for club record.  Club is 12-5 when Brooks has 100.0+ rating.  Has 10,613 passing yards & needs 10 to pass JIM EVERETT (10,622) for 3rd-most in team history……RB DEUCE MC ALLISTER has rushed for 100 yards in 5 consecutive games & needs 100 yards to pass RICKY WILLIAMS (5) for longest such streak in club history.  Avgs. 104 rushing yards in past 2 games vs. Bucs……WR JOE HORN has 17 100-yard receiving games with Saints & club is 15-2 in those contests.  Needs 100 yards to tie ERIC MARTIN (18) for most 100s with NO.  Had 6 receptions (74 yards), including 2 TDs, last week.  Leads NFL with 19 3rd-down receptions (285 yards)......Defense has allowed avg. of 18 points per game in past 4 after allowing 29.8 in 1st 4……Second-year DE CHARLES GRANT has 6 sacks & needs 1 to tie 2002 total……BUCCANEERS:  Offense has yielded 6 sacks, tied for 2nd-fewest in NFL (Ind, 4).  Bucs tie for 2nd in NFC & 3rd in NFL with 70.6 redzone TD pct (17 trips, 12 TDs)……QB BRAD JOHNSON avgs. 249.6 passing yards per game, 4th among current NFL starters.  Has 36 TDs vs. 12 INTs since start of 2002……RB MICHAEL PITTMAN rushed for 113 yards last week vs. Dal, NFL’s top-ranked defense.  2nd among NFL RBs with 35 receptions (263 yards)……WR KEENAN MC CARDELL leads club with 505 receiving yards (30 catches) & 5 TDs.  Had 11 catches (107 yards) in last meeting, his highest total since posting 11 vs. NYG on 12/23/00.  WR KEYSHAWN JOHNSON has 280 receptions with Bucs & needs 7 to pass KEVIN HOUSE (286) for 3rd in club history……DE SIMEON RICE has 37.5 sacks in past 33 games, including playoffs.  Has 25 career multi-sack games, 3rd-most among active players.  DT WARREN SAPP has 75.0 career sacks & needs 3.5 to tie LEE ROY SELMON (78.5) for tops in team history
 

CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-4) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-5)
SERIES

	BENGALS	CARDINALS
LEADER	5-2
STREAKS	Past 2
COACHES VS. OPP.	Lewis: 0-0	McGinnis: 0-1
LAST WEEK	W 27-24 vs. Seahawks	W 16-13 (OT) vs. 49ers
LAST GAME	12/3/00:  Cardinals 13 at Bengals 24.  Cincinnati RB Corey Dillon runs for 219 yards & 1 TD as Bengals snap 4-game losing streak.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/18/94:  Cardinals 28, Bengals 7.  Arizona amasses 375 total yards & controls ball for 41:31.  Arizona RB Larry Centers scores 2 TDs.
BROADCAST	CBS (2:05 PM MT): Don Criqui, Steve Tasker

STATS

PASSING	Kitna: 145-235-1,678-11 (T3C)-6-88.2	Blake: 115-196-1,239-7-9-70.1
RUSHING	Ru. Johnson: 65-226-3.5-2	Shipp: 73-306-4.2-0
RECEIVING	Warrick: 38-384-10.1-3	Boldin: 42-621-14.8-2
OFFENSE	311.6	288.6
TAKE/GIVE	+2	-14
DEFENSE	337.4	314.4
SACKS	Clemons: 4.0	6 tied: 1
INTs	James: 3	Jackson: 2
PUNTING	Richardson: 41.4	Player: 46.4 (1C)
KICKING	Graham: 48 (15/15 PAT; 11/12 FG)	Duncan: 15 (3/3 PAT; 4/7 FG)

NOTES

BENGALS:  Team has won 3 of past 4 & 3 of 4 losses have been by 7 points or less……QB JON KITNA has thrown TD pass in 6 of 7 games & has passed for 8 TDs in past 4.  Kitna makes 1st career start vs. Cards.  In 5 career road games vs. NFC, Kitna has completed 97 of 152 (63.8 pct.) passes with 7 TDs vs. 3 INTs & 996 yards for 89.7 passer rating…… Last week, RB RUDI JOHNSON rushed for career-best 101 yards.  In last game vs. Cards, RB COREY DILLON rushed for 216 yards on 35 carries (6.2 avg.) & 1 TD……WR CHAD JOHNSON ranks 2nd in AFC with 643 yards (18.4 avg.) & ties for 2nd with 5 rec. TDs.  WR-PR PETER WARRICK has 3+ catches in each of 5 career road games vs. NFC.  Warrick stands 4th in AFC in PR avg. (10.6)……T LEVI JONES is native of Eloy, AZ (60 miles south of Tempe).  Attended Arizona State on academic scholarship & made football team as walk-on.  Was 1st Team Pac-10 as senior for Sun Devils.  Jones has played in all 22 career games for Bengals, starting 20……CB TORY JAMES recorded 4 tackles & 2 passes defensed vs. Ariz. last season (w/Oak.)......CARDINALS:  QB JEFF BLAKE has 21-7 (.750) record as starter when completing 60.0 pct.  Spent 1994-99 with Bengals, passing for career-best 28 TDs in 1995.  Seeks 3rd consecutive win as starter vs. former club, posting 104.6 passer rating vs. Cin (26 of 43, 298 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs)……RB MARCEL SHIPP started 2nd consecutive game last week, posting career-highs with 35 attempts & 165 rushing yards vs. 49ers……Rookie 2nd-round WR ANQUAN BOLDIN (No. 54) leads NFL with 295 receiving yards on 3rd down & ties for 2nd with 17 catches.  Fellow rookie WR BRYANT JOHNSON (No. 17) has added 20 catches for 225 yards, including 9-yard catch vs. 49ers to setup game-winning OT FG……TE FREDDIE JONES has 26 receptions through 7 games, his most since 2000 w/SD (30), en route to career-high 71 receptions……First-year KR JOSH SCOBEY ranks 2nd in NFL with 28.9 KR avg…...Rookie 1st-round DE CALVIN PACE (No. 18) had 1st-career sack, 6 tackles & 1 fumble recovery vs. 49ers.
 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2-5) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-2)
SERIES

	STEELERS	SEAHAWKS
LEADER		7-6
STREAKS		3 of past 4
COACHES VS. OPP.	Cowher: 2-3	Holmgren: 3-1
LAST WEEK	L 33-21 vs. Rams	L 27-24 at Bengals
LAST GAME	9/26/99:  Seahawks 29 at Steelers 10.  Seattle scores 29 points without offensive TD to defeat Pittsburgh.  Seahawks’ Todd Peterson kicks 5 FGs.
LAST GAME AT SITE	9/25/94:  Seahawks 30, Steelers 13.  Seattle RB Chris Warren rushes for 100 yards on 26 carries while Seattle’s defense registers 4 INTs.
BROADCAST	CBS (1:05 PM PT): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstein (Field Reporter)

STATS

PASSING	Maddox: 143-239-1,645-7-11-71.2	Hasselbeck: 127-217-1,559-11-7-84.2
RUSHING	Zereoue: 85-283-3.3-2	Alexander: 134-583-4.4-5 (T2C)
RECEIVING	Ward: 46 (2C)-587-12.8-5 (T2C)	K. Robinson: 26-359-13.8-2
OFFENSE	305.7	339.9
TAKE/GIVE	-6	+7
DEFENSE	272.4 (2C)	310.4
SACKS	von Oelhoffen: 4.0	Okeafor: 3.0
INTs	Alexander, C. Scott: 2	Tongue: 3
PUNTING	Miller: 44.1	Rouen: 41.0
KICKING	Reed: 46 (13/13 PAT; 11/13 FG)	J. Brown (R): 50 (20/20 PAT; 10/13 FG)

NOTES

TEAMS MEET in Seattle for 1st time since 1994......STEELERS:  Last week vs. StL became 7th team in NFL history (1st in AFC) to play 1,000 games.  Are 9-4-1 (.679) in past 14 vs. NFC under head coach BILL COWHER.  Second of 4 in row vs. NFC (StL, at Sea, Arz, at SF).  Have 25-16-1 (.607) record in November since 1993......QB TOMMY MADDOX averaging 252.7 passing yds per game on road this season.  In past 5 games vs. NFC, has passed for 11 TDs vs. 6 INTs ......RB JEROME BETTIS has 1 career 100-yard game (138 yards) vs. Seattle (9/27/98).....WR HINES WARD stands 2nd in AFC in receptions (46) & tied for 2nd in TD catches (5).  Has reception in team-record 79 consecutive games.  WR PLAXICO BURRESS has 100+ rec. yards in 4 of past 5 games vs. NFC & has at last 4 catches in 10 consecutive road games, averaging 5.2 receptions & 82.6 yds/gm……LB JOEY PORTER registered 7th career multi-sack game of career last week vs. StL……Defense allowing 4th-fewest 1st downs per game in AFC (17.0)......SEAHAWKS:  Offense ranks 2nd, converting 48.3 pct on 3rd down (42 of 87)......QB MATT HASSELBECK has won 9 of past 13 starts.  Seeks 4th consecutive 300-yard passing game vs. AFC after 344-yard effort vs. Bengals......RB SHAUN ALEXANDER has 11 career 100-yard games & club is 9-2 in those contests.  Needs 100 yards to pass RICKY WATTERS for 3rd-most 100-yard rushing games in club history.  Has 3,389 career rush yards & needs 41 to pass SHERMAN SMITH (3,429) for 5th in club annals.  Has 43 career TDs & needs 2 to become 4th Seahawk with 45.  Seeks 4th consecutive game with TD vs. AFC……WR KOREN ROBINSON has 100 yards in 2 of past 3 vs. AFC.  WR DARRELL JACKSON has 21 career TD catches & needs 1 to pass SAM MC CULLUM for 5th-most in team history.  Has team-high 478 receiving yards (25 catches)……DT JOHN RANDLE has 134.0 career sacks, 6th-most all-time, & needs 3.5 to tie RICHARD DENT (137.5) in 5th……LB CHAD BROWN spent 1993-96 with Steelers, totaling 30.0 sacks, including career-best 13.0 in 1996.   
 

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-3) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1-6)
SERIES

	EAGLES	FALCONS
LEADER	10-9-1
STREAKS		Past 3 of 4 at home
COACHES VS. OPP.	Reid: 2-0	Reeves: 7-9
LAST WEEK	W 24-17 vs. Jets	Bye (Wk. 7: L 45-17 vs. Saints)
LAST GAME	10/1/00: Falcons 10 at Eagles 38.  Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb completes 30 of 44 passes for 311 yards & 2 TDs.
LAST GAME AT SITE	9/13/98: Falcons 17, Eagles 12.  Atlanta improves to 2-0 for 1st time since 1986 with victory.  Atlanta QB Chris Chandler completes 14 of 26 passes for 196 yards & 1 TD.
BROADCAST	FOX (4:15 PM ET): Sam Rosen, Bill Maas

STATS

PASSING	McNabb: 108-213-995-3-7-54.8	Kittner: 16-46-168-1-3-26.4
RUSHING	Westbrook: 58-323-5.6-4	Duckett: 70-323-4.6-2
RECEIVING	Thrash: 23-237-10.3-0	Price: 31-347-11.2-1
OFFENSE	255.3	270.1
TAKE/GIVE	-6	-6
DEFENSE	322.9	416.7
SACKS	Simon: 3.0	E. Johnson: 4.0
INTs	Vincent: 2	Carpenter: 2
PUNTING	D. Johnson: 41.4	Mohr: 41.4
KICKING	Akers: 35 (14/14 PAT; 7/8 FG)	Feely: 36 (12/12 PAT; 8/12 FG)

NOTES

REMATCH OF 2002 DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF, won by Phil 20-6……EAGLES:  Club 4-0 in 2003 when scoring in 1st quarter & have 26-8 (.765) record under head coach ANDY REID when scoring 1st.  Eagles began stretch of final 10 games with win vs. Jets & have posted 8-2 record in last 10 games in each of past 3 years……QB DONOVAN MC NABB had 73.9 comp. pct. (17 of 23) vs. Jets, 2nd-highest of career.  Needs 3 TD passes to pass SONNY JURGENSEN (76) for 5th-most in team history.  Has 10,830 career passing yards & needs 170 to become 5th player in franchise history with 11,000.  Ranks 2nd in NFL among QBs with 191 yards rushing…… RB CORRELL BUCKHALTER had career-best 2 TDs last week, rushing for 100 yards on 15 carries.  RB DUCE STALEY has 4,495 rushing yards & needs 5 to become 3rd Eagle with 4,500 career......Eagles are 10-1 (.909) when QB McNabb & WR JAMES THRASH connect for TD, including 35-yard connection in ‘02 playoffs vs. Falcons……LB MARK SIMONEAU spent 2000-02 with Atl……CB BOBBY TAYLOR had 39-yard INT-TD in ’02 playoffs vs. Atl.  CB TROY VINCENT is 5th among active players with 41 INTs……FALCONS:  Head coach DAN REEVES has 199 career wins & needs 1 to become 6th coach to reach 200……QB KURT KITTNER made 1st career start in Week 7, passing for 115 yards & 1st career TD......RB T.J. DUCKETT has 323 rush yards through 7 games after gaining 507 during 2002 rookie year.  RB WARRICK DUNN seeks 15th-career 100-yard game & 1st vs. Eagles.  Had 69-yard TD run in Week 7, 2nd-longest of career......WR PEERLESS PRICE has 31 receptions, 18 for 1st downs.  WR BRIAN FINNERAN had 1st TD of season vs. NO.  Earned Walter Payton Award for Div. I-AA top offensive player after senior year at Villanova.  Played in 3 games with Eagles in 1999……TE ALGE CRUMPLER ranks 3rd among NFL TEs with 353 yards receiving (23 rec.) & 7 receptions of 20+ yards…… DT ELLIS JOHNSON leads NFL DTs with 4.0 sacks......CB RAY BUCHANAN has 30 INTs with Falcons & needs 1 to pass SCOTT CASE (30) for 3rd in club history.
 

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-4) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (5-2)
SERIES

	REDSKINS	COWBOYS
LEADER		50-32-2
STREAKS		Past 10 of 11
COACHES VS. OPP.	Spurrier: 1-1	Parcells: 11-8
LAST WEEK	Bye (Wk. 7: L 24-7 at Bills)	L 16-0 at Buccaneers
LAST GAME	12/29/02: Cowboys 14 at Redskins 20. Washington beats Dallas for 1st time in 11 meetings. Redskins LB LaVar Arrington forces 2 fumbles, with 1 leading to 2n- quarter TD.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/28/02:  Cowboys 27, Redskins 20.  Dallas beat Washington for 10th consecutive time by overcoming 10-point deficit.  Dallas S Roy Williams starts rally with 5-yard INT-TD return.
BROADCAST	FOX (3:15 PM CT): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth

STATS

PASSING	Ramsey: 130-237-1,633-8-6-77.2	Carter: 118-201-1,507-7-7-79.3
RUSHING	Canidate: 62-295-4.8-0	Hambrick: 137-444-3.2-3
RECEIVING	Coles: 42-631 (3C)-15.0-1	Glenn: 26-359-13.8-4
OFFENSE	317.4	333.1
TAKE/GIVE	-1	+3
DEFENSE	329.3	244.7 (1L)
SACKS	Armstead: 3.5	Glover: 3.0
INTs	Ohalete: 2	Singleton: 2
PUNTING	Barker: 39.6	Gowin: 39.8
KICKING	Hall: 53 (11/11 PAT; 14/18 FG)	Cundiff: 56 (3C) (14/15 PAT; 14/17 FG)

NOTES

FOUR CONSECUTIVE GAMES IN SERIES decided by 7 points-or-less……REDSKINS:  Second-year QB PATRICK RAMSEY has won 5 of past 9 starts with 2 300-yard passing games.  Has 89.7 4th-quarter passer rating, including 3 TD passes……WR LAVERANUES COLES had 3 receptions for 58 yards in Week 7 vs. Bills, snapping streak of 19 consecutive games with at least 5 catches, longest such streak in NFL since 1970.  Gained 1st down on 26 of his 42 receptions.  WR DARNERIEN MC CANTS leads club with 4 TD receptions.  Has 16 catches for 240 yards this season.……Defense posted 2002 season-high 5.0 sacks in last meeting……DE BRUCE SMITH has 196.5 career sacks & needs 2.0 to pass REGGIE WHITE (198.0) for most in NFL history……LB JESSIE ARMSTEAD leads NFC LBs with 3.5 sacks.  Was prep star at Carter HS in Dallas……K JOHN HALL leads NFC & ties for 2nd in NFL with 6 touchbacks on KOs……COWBOYS:  Have won past 7 at home vs. Was.  Cowboys are only NFL team to rank in top 5 in 3 major defensive categories – yards (1, 244.7), rushing (3, 82.4) & passing (3, 162.3)……QB QUINCY CARTER ranks 3rd in NFC with 7.5 yard avg. per attempt.  Ranks 2nd in NFL with 104.8 4th-quarter passer rating.  Won only career start vs. Was (12/2/01)……RB TROY HAMBRICK has 444 rushing yards & needs 136 for career high……WR JOEY GALLOWAY has 48 career TD receptions & needs 2 for 50.  Avg. 32.8 yards per TD catch & leads club with 410 receiving yards (21 catches).  WR TERRY GLENN has 16 career 100-yard games & his club is 14-2 (.875) in those contests.  Second-year WR ANTONIO BRYANT has 304 yards receiving (15 catches) & Cowboys are only NFC club with 3 WRs with 300 yards receiving (Galloway 410, Glenn 359)……Defense has allowed 1 100-yard rusher in past 12 games & holds opponents to 3.2 yards per rush, 3rd-best in NFL.  Cowboys hold opponents to 42.9 redzone TD pct. (14 trips, 6 TDs), 3rd-best in NFC……S ROY WILLIAMS has INT-TD in each of his 2 career games vs. Redskins.
 

ST. LOUIS RAMS (5-2) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-5)
SERIES

	RAMS	49ERS
LEADER	56-49-2
STREAKS	Past 8 of 9
COACHES VS. OPP.	Martz: 6-1	Erickson: 0-1
LAST WEEK	W 33-21 at Steelers	L 16-13 (OT) at Cardinals
LAST GAME	9/14/03:  49ers 24 at Rams 27 (OT).  St. Louis QB Marc Bulger completes 25 of 36 passes for 236 yards & 2 TDs in 1st start of season.
LAST GAME AT SITE	10/6/02:  49ers 37, Rams 13.  San Francisco RB Garrison Hearst rushes for 116 yards & 1 TD on only 13 carries.  49ers QB Jeff Garcia throws 1 TD & runs for another.
BROADCAST	FOX (1:15 PM PT): Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston

STATS

PASSING	Bulger: 141-217-1,708 (3C)-11-7-92.5 (3C)	Garcia: 129-235-1,523-8-8-72.0
RUSHING	Gordon: 58-265-4.6-1	Hearst: 113-515-4.6-3
RECEIVING	Holt: 52 (1L)-778 (2L)-15.0-8 (T1L)	Owens: 46 (T2C)-619-13.5-3
OFFENSE	379.4 (1L)	339.6
TAKE/GIVE	+3	+7 (3C)
DEFENSE	289.9	286.0 (2C)
SACKS	Little: 7.0	Carter: 3.5
INTs	T. Fisher, A. Williams: 2	Plummer: 4
PUNTING	Landeta: 41.1	Lafleur: 40.5
KICKING	J. Wilkins: 69 (1C) (21/21 PAT; 16/18 FG)	TBD

NOTES

RAMS: Club averaging 282 passing yards & 23.7 1st downs per game, tops in NFL.  Offense has posted 30+ points in past 4 games……QB MARC BULGER has 11-2 (.833) record as starter & 5-2 mark vs. NFC West.  Leads NFL starters avg. 284.7 passing yards per game.  Ranks 4th in NFL with 107.1 passer rating on 3rd downs......RB MARSHALL FAULK could see 1st action since Week 3 vs. Sea.  Has 10 TDs in past 7 games vs. SF.  Has 121 career TDs & needs 4 to tie WALTER PAYTON (125) for 6th all-time.  Has 6,050 career receiving yards & needs 27 to pass RONNIE HARMON (6,076) for 2nd-most among RBs in NFL history.  Rookie free agent ARLEN HARRIS had career-high 3 TDs last week...... WR ISAAC BRUCE has 82 career receptions vs. SF (1,241 yards), his most vs. any club.  Has 39 receptions for 599 yards in ’03.  WR TORRY HOLT has 21 career 100-yard games & needs 100 yards to pass MARVIN HARRISON (21) for 5th most 100-yard games in 1st 5 seasons.  Has 5,866 career receiving yards & needs 147 to pass JACK SNOW (6,012) in 4th in club history……DE LEONARD LITTLE seeks sack in 3rd consecutive game vs. SF & has 3.0 sacks in past 2 vs. 49ers……49ERS:  QB JEFF GARCIA has 11-6 (.647) record in past 17 division games, completing 62.7 pct. (325 of 518) for 3,513 yards, 28 TDs, 11 INTs for 91.8 passer rating.  Has 1,459 career rushing yards & needs 41 for 1,500 career……RB GARRISON HEARST has 16 100-yard games with SF & club is 15-1 (.938) in those contests.  Had 116 yards rushing (1 TD) in last home game vs. Rams.  RB KEVAN BARLOW has 351 yards rushing & 49ers are only club with 2 350-yard rushers……WR TERRELL OWENS has 4 100-yard receiving games vs. Rams, his most vs. any opponent.  SF is 12-2 (.857) in past 14 when Owens posts 100 yards receiving.  Has 3 career TD catches of 75+ yards, tied for 3rd-most among active players.  WR TAI STREETS leads club with 4 TD catches……Defense ranks 3rd in NFL with 22 sacks & posted their 2003-high 5 in last meeting......DT BRYANT YOUNG had 1st sack of season last week.
 

SUNDAY NIGHT
GREEN BAY PACKERS (3-4) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-1)
SERIES

	PACKERS	VIKINGS
LEADER		42-41-1
STREAKS		Past 2 at home
COACHES VS. OPP.	Sherman: 4-3	Tice: 2-1
LAST WEEK	Bye (Wk. 7: L 34-24 at Rams)	L 29-17 vs. Giants
LAST GAME	9/7/03: Vikings 30 at Packers 25.  Minnesota WR Randy Moss catches 9 passes for 150 yards & 1 TD in season opener.  Vikings’ QB Daunte Culpepper throws 3 TD passes.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/17/02: Vikings 31, Packers 21.  Minnesota QB Daunte Culpepper accounts for 3 TD passes as Vikings end Green Bay’s 7-game win streak.
BROADCAST	ESPN (7:30 PM ET):  Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire and Suzy Kolber (Field reporter). CBS Radio: Joel Meyers, Bob Trumpy

STATS

PASSING	Favre: 151-224-1,529-13 (2C)-9-89.3	Culpepper: 79-126-1,032-9-2-105.7 (1L)
RUSHING	Green: 151-734 (3C)-4.9-8 (1C)	M. Williams: 105-508-4.8-3
RECEIVING	Green (RB): 30-229-7.6-2	Moss: 46 (T2C)-791 (1L)-17.2-8 (T1L)
OFFENSE	353.6	371.9 (2L)
TAKE/GIVE	-4	+12 (1C)
DEFENSE	362.9	342.4
SACKS	Gbaja-Biamila: 3.0	Johnstone: 5.5
INTs	Barnett (R), Diggs, Harris: 2	Chavous, Russell: 6
PUNTING	Bidwell: 41.2	Johnson (R): 39.7
KICKING	Longwell: 48 (24/24 PAT; 8/8 FG)	Elling: 46 (22/22 PAT; 8/11 FG)

NOTES

PACKERS:  Head coach MIKE SHERMAN has 24-5 mark when club scores 1st……QB BRETT FAVRE has 118 wins & needs 1 to tie JOHNNY UNITAS (119) for 4th-most all-time.  Leads NFC & is 2nd in NFL with 67.4 comp. pct.  RB AHMAN GREEN has 18 career 100-yard games & his club is 17-1 in those contests.  Has 4,865 career rushing yards & needs 135 for 5,000. Green has 34 rush TDs with Pack & needs 2 to pass CLARKE HINKLE (35) in 4th in team annals.  Green leads NFL with 58 1st downs & ranks 2nd in NFC with 963 scrim. yards……Second-year WR JAVON WALKER has 18 catches for 259 yards & needs 6 & 61 to surpass rookie totals (23 for 319)……GB holds foes to NFL-best 18.4 KR avg……DE KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA seeks sack in 4th game in row vs. Min……Rookie LB NICK BARNETT’s (No. 29) 2 INTs tie for NFC rookie-lead……K RYAN LONGWELL has made 25 of past 26 FG att…...VIKINGS:  QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER is 15-4, including 3-0 in ‘03, when posting 100+ rating.  Has 9 career 300-yard games & can tie WARREN MOON (10) for 2nd-most in team annals……RB ONTERRIO SMITH ranks 2nd among NFC rookies with 217 rush yards……WR RANDY MOSS has 150 yards receiving in 3 of 7 games in ’03, including 150-yard (9 catch) effort in last meeting.  Has 11 career 150s & club is 11-0 in those contests.  Moss’ 7 100s vs. GB are most vs. any foe.  Has 7,534 career rec. yards & needs 102 to pass ANTHONY CARTER (7,635) in 2nd in team history…… Defense ranks 2nd with 17 INTs after totaling 8, 8 & 16 from 2000-02.  Club leads NFC with +12 turnover ratio.  Club holds opposing QBs to 64.1 rating, 3rd-best in NFC & 4th in NFL……DE LANCE JOHNSTONE has 5.5 sacks in past 5 games. Rookie DE KEVIN WILLIAMS leads NFC rookies with 3.5 sacks……S COREY CHAVOUS & BRIAN RUSSELL each have career-best 6 INTs.
 

MONDAY NIGHT
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6-2) AT DENVER BRONCOS (5-3)
SERIES

	PATRIOTS	BRONCOS
LEADER		22-14
STREAKS		12 of past 14
COACHES VS. OPP.	Belichick: 1-6	Shanahan: 6-2
LAST WEEK	W 9-3 vs. Browns	L 26-6 at Ravens
LAST GAME	10/27/02: Broncos 24 at Patriots 16.  Denver RB Clinton Portis rushes for 2 TDs & 111 yards while Broncos’ defense holds Patriots to 179 total yards.
LAST GAME AT SITE	10/28/01: Broncos 31, Patriots 20.  Denver QB Brian Griese passes for 2 TDs as Broncos rally from 10-point deficit to win.
BROADCAST	ABC (7:00 PM MT): Al Michaels, John Madden & Lisa Guerrero (Field reporter). CBS Radio: Marv Albert, Boomer Esiason, John Dockery (Field reporter).

STATS

PASSING	Brady: 153-254-1,721-8-7-79.5	Kanell: 28-49-218-1-2-58.0
RUSHING	Faulk: 99-397-4.0-0	Portis: 131-682-5.2-4
RECEIVING	T. Brown: 27-342-12.7-2	R. Smith: 35-429-12.3-1
OFFENSE	310.3	326.9
TAKE/GIVE	+8 (2C)	-5
DEFENSE	311.8	271.4 (1C)
SACKS	Vrabel: 4.0	Berry: 7.0 (T2C)
INTs	Wilson (R): 3	K. Herndon: 2
PUNTING	Walter: 39.5	Knorr: 44.9 (3C)
KICKING	Vinatieri: 52 (16/16 PAT; 12/17 FG)	Elam: 70 (2L) (19/19 PAT; 17/18 FG)

NOTES CLUBS MEET FOR 9TH CONSECUTIVE SEASON – longest active streak among non-division rivals......PATRIOTS:  Team’s 6-2 (.750) record is best since BILL BELICHICK became head coach & ties best start after 8 games in team history.  Have won 21 in row when entering 4th quarter with lead.....QB TOM BRADY has career 26-12 (.684) record, 3rd-best in NFL (min. 25 starts)......RB ANTOWAIN SMITH has 5.0-yd avg. in 3 mtgs & rushed for TD in last game vs. Denver.  Pats are 14-2 (.875) when Smith has TD run.    RB-KR KEVIN FAULK leads club with 758 combined yds & posted career-best 96 rush yards last week vs. Cle......WR TROY BROWN has 26 catches for 350 yds & 4 TDs in past 4 vs. Broncos.  TE DANIEL GRAHAM had career-high 110 yds & 7 catches last week.  Was All-Colorado at Thomas Jefferson H.S. (Denver) & unanimous 1st team All-American at Colorado...... Rookie CB EUGENE WILSON (No. 36) leads NFL rookies w/3 INTs.  Defense has not allowed 1st-qtr TD in 7 consecutive weeks......BRONCOS:  Have won 12 of past 14 vs. NE & head coach MIKE SHANAHAN is 6-2 (.750) vs. Patriots.  Club has not been shutout in 173 consecutive games, longest streak in AFC.  Are NFL-best 30-10 (.750) in Nov. since ’93.  Have 22 MNF wins, 4th-most in AFC (1-0 in ’03)......QB DANNY KANELL makes 2nd consec. start ......RB CLINTON PORTIS rushed for 111 yards & 2 TDs in only career meeting vs. NE & has rushed for 18 TDs in past 17 gms.  Has 100+ rush yds in 4 of 7 gms played in ’03......WR ROD SMITH has 40 catches for 604 yds (3 100s) in past 6 vs. NE (100.7/gm).  WR ASHLEY LELIE has 11 rec. for 173 yards & 1 TD in past 2 MNF gms......Defense has intercepted Pats QB Brady 4 times in 2 mtgs.  Only defense in NFL to have 3 players w/5.0+ sacks: DE BERT BERRY (7.0), DE TREVOR PRYCE (5.0) & DE REGGIE HAYWARD (5.0).
 

BUFFALO, CLEVELAND, KANSAS CITY, TENNESSEE HAVE OPEN DATES IN WEEK 9

BUFFALO (4-4):  Since 1990, Bills are 32-23 (.582) in November......QB DREW BLEDSOE has 3,087 career completions & needs 19 to pass DAVE KRIEG (3,105) for 9th all-time.  Ranks 2nd in AFC with 158 completions & leads AFC with 256 attempts......RB TRAVIS HENRY ranks 2nd in AFC with 9 TDs & 8 rushing TDs.  Has 291 rushing yards in past 2 (145.5 per game)......WR ERIC MOULDS ranks 5th in AFC with 510 yards & is 6th with 36 catches.  Ties for 3rd among AFC WRs with 8 catches of 20+ yards......WR JOSH REED has catch in 23 of 24 career games & has tied career-high with 8 catches in each of past 2 weeks.  WR BOBBY SHAW has 16 catches on 3rd down, tied for AFC lead......Defense ranks 3rd in NFL (278.8).  CB NATE CLEMENTS has 3 INTs, including 54-yard INT-TD.  DE AARON SCHOBEL leads club with 3.5 sacks.  P BRIAN MOORMAN is 2nd in AFC with 47.2 avg......Bills have 10-4 (.714) record after bye weeks.  At Dallas, 11/9.

CLEVELAND (3-5):  Under head coach BUTCH DAVIS, Browns are 4-3 (.571) in November.  In final 8 games of season in ’02, club finished 5-3 (.625) & made playoffs……QB KELLY HOLCOMB stands 3rd in the AFC among 3rd down passers, completing 27 of 45 (60.0 pct.) for 222 yards with 4 TDs vs. 1 INT for 93.0 passer rating.  QB TIM COUCH has won 6 of past 7 road starts……RB WILLIAM GREEN ranks 5th among AFC rushers with 559 yards on 142 carries (3.9 avg.).  Team is 4-0 when Green rushes for 100+ yards.  RB JAMES JACKSON has 101 rush yards on past 21 attempts (4.8 avg.)……WR KEVIN JOHNSON ranks 5th in AFC in receptions (40) & is 1 of 6 Browns with TD catch.  WR DENNIS NORTHCUTT ties for AFC lead in 3rd down receptions with 16 for 146 yards (9.1 avg.)……DE COURTNEY BROWN ties for 4th in AFC with 6.0 sacks.  Club ranks No. 2 in AFC in redzone defense, allowing 4 TDs in 20 trips (20.0 pct.).  Defense is tied for fewest 1st downs allowed per game in AFC (17.0).  At Kansas City, 11/9.

KANSAS CITY (8-0):  Aim for 1st 9-0 start in team history......Offense ranks 2nd in AFC (350.1) & has 76.2 redzone TD pct. (16 TDs, 21 poss.).  QB TRENT GREEN ranks 3rd in AFC with 1,835 yards & ties for 3rd with 11 TDs......RB PRIEST HOLMES leads NFL in scrimmage yards (1,103) & TDs (12).  In past 22 games, Holmes has 36 TDs, including 33 rushing......WR-KR-PR DANTE HALL has 5 TDs in 2003 (2 KR, 2 PR, 1 receiving).  Had 6 career TDs entering season (3 receiving, 2 PR, 1 KR).  Leads NFL with 21.0 PR avg. & is 3rd in AFC with 26.6 KR avg. while tying NFL single-season record with 4 kick return TDs.  TE TONY GONZALEZ leads NFL TEs with 411 yards......KC leads NFL with + 18 turnover differential, including 27 takeaways & 18 INTs.  CB DEXTER MC CLEON leads AFC with 5 INTs & S JEROME WOODS tops NFL with 2 INT-TDs......Have 9-5 (.643) record after bye weeks.  Host Cleveland, 11/9.

TENNESSEE (6-2):  Titans have won 16 of past 19.  Club is 16-10 (.615) in November games since 1997 under head coach JEFF FISHER......Offense ranks 3rd (345.9) in AFC & passing offense is 2nd (255.3).  QB STEVE MC NAIR leads NFL with 1,978 passing yards & ranks 2nd in AFC in passer rating (105.1), TDs (13) & comp. pct. (65.1)......RB EDDIE GEORGE had 27 carries last week & club is 28-0 when George has 27+ carries.  Rushed for 2 TDs last week & Titans are 12-1 (.923) when George has 2+ rushing TDs......WR DERRICK MASON ranks 3rd in AFC with 44 catches & 592 yards.  WR TYRONE CALICO (No. 60) leads AFC rookies with 3 TDs & ties for 2nd among WRs with 7 catches of 20+ yards......Titans lead AFC with 33:13 TOP.  Rush defense (75.4) ranks 2nd in AFC.  DE JEVON KEARSE is 3rd in AFC with 6.5 sacks.  Defense has 7 fumble takes, tied for 2nd in AFC......Have 8-6 (.571) record after bye weeks.  Vs. Dolphins, 11/9.
 

2003 NFL STANDINGS

 

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS

(Open Dates: Atlanta, Green Bay, Oakland, Washington)

CINCINNATI 27, Seattle 24

CHICAGO 24, Detroit 16

Tennessee 30, JACKSONVILLE 17

St. Louis 33, PITTSBURGH 21

New York Giants 29, MINNESOTA 17

NEW ENGLAND 9, Cleveland 3

PHILADELPHIA 24, New York Jets 17

Carolina 23, NEW ORLEANS 20 (OT)

INDIANAPOLIS 30, Houston 21

TAMPA BAY 16, Dallas 0

KANSAS CITY 38, Buffalo 5

ARIZONA 16, San Francisco 13

Miami 26, SAN DIEGO 10 at Tempe, Arizona

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE – NOVEMBER 2-3

(Open Dates:  Buffalo, Cleveland, Kansas City, Tennessee)
(All times local)

Jacksonville at Baltimore, 1:00

San Diego at Chicago, 12:00

New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1:00

Indianapolis at Miami, 1:00

Oakland at Detroit, 1:00

Philadelphia at Atlanta, 4:15

New England at Denver, Monday, 7:00 (ABC)

Carolina at Houston, 12:00

St. Louis at San Francisco, 1:15

N.Y. Giants at N.Y. Jets, 1:00

Washington at Dallas, 3:15

Cincinnati at Arizona, 2:05

Green Bay at Minnesota, 7:30 (ESPN)

Pittsburgh at Seattle, 1:05