NFL 2002 Kickoff Weekend

PRESIDENT BUSH TO DELIVER TV MESSAGE FOR SUNDAY’S KICKOFF

The 2002 NFL season kicks off tonight with the league’s first-ever midweek national TV opener when the San Francisco 49ers visit the New York Giants on ESPN at 8:30 PM ET.

The game will be preceded by “NFL KICKOFF LIVE FROM TIMES SQUARE,” presented by New York City and the NFL. The event will be an unprecedented football and music festival that will honor the resilient spirit of New York and America. Performing in Times Square will be BON JOVI, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, and EVE with special guest ALICIA KEYS. Bon Jovi will then helicopter to Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey where they will perform at halftime, with ESPN covering live.  

Fans throughout the nation will be able to see/hear portions of the Times Square festival on ESPN, VH1 and Westwood One Radio. CBS-TV will broadcast a one-hour primetime special on the event on Friday at 10:00 PM ET.

On Sunday, before 10 1:00 PM ET games, CBS and FOX will play a message of greeting by PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH that will also be shown in all stadiums. The message will be followed by a nationally televised rendition of “America the Beautiful” performed by the U.S. Marine Corps Band.

Also on Sunday, all NFL sideline personnel will wear clothing emblazoned with the American flag and a “9/11” patch. Players and personnel on the Giants and New York Jets will wear caps with the initials/logos of the New York City Fire, Police and Port Authority Departments. Washington Redskins players/personnel will wear caps with the Pentagon logo.

The ball is the same shape and color.

But it seems that just about everything else about the NFL in 2002 -- which kicks off its season this Thursday night -- is new.

A new way to begin the season (see above) a new divisional alignment a new scheduling formula a new team new stadiums new uniforms JOHN MADDEN on Monday Night Football and perhaps a new all-time rushing champion.

And come January, if the recent past is any indication, perhaps a new Super Bowl champion. For who knows better than the reigning champ, the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, how unpredictable -- and shocking -- the NFL can be. The past three Super Bowl champions have been new. They didn’t even make the playoffs the year before. And 83 percent (25 of 30) of division winners over the past five years also have been new.

“It’s a new year,” says Patriots head coach BILL BELICHICK, who saw his team go from last in its division in 2000 and an 0-2 and 1-3 start in 2001 to the NFL title. “Each team has its own chemistry every year. It’s not something that a coach or anyone else can manipulate. It happens on its own and it works itself out, sometimes through circumstances, sometimes through personalities, or sometimes with events that happen with the team.”

That NFL chemistry will start bubbling with the addition of the league’s 32nd team, the HOUSTON TEXANS, which necessitated the league’s first realignment since 1970. The NFL is now divided into two conferences of four four-team divisions each (East, North, South and West).  

The realignment, in turn, produced a new scheduling formula that guarantees for the first time that all teams will play each other on a regular, rotating basis. So the JOHN ELWAY-playing-DAN MARINO-only-twice-in-their-careers scenario is a thing of the past.

When the Texans play their first game on Sunday night (ESPN, 8:30 PM ET) against their first “arch enemy” -- the cross-state Dallas Cowboys -- it will be the first NFL regular-season game in Houston since December 15, 1996 (Bengals 21, Oilers 13) -- a span of 2,093 days. With a wait like that, no wonder NFL-starved Houstonians bought out all remaining tickets to Sunday night’s opener in less than 20 minutes this past July 13. And no wonder when the Texans opened their new 69,500-seat Reliant Stadium -- the league’s only retractable-roof stadium -- for their first home preseason game on August 24, the largest non-Super Bowl crowd (69,432) ever to watch a game in Houston showed up.

This kind of reaction pumps up the expansion Texans.

“Reliant Stadium is the best-kept secret in football, but it won’t be for long,” says Texans running back JAMES ALLEN. “Eventually, this is going to be a tough place for a visiting team to come in and play. This house is built, baby!  It’s up to us now.”

Three other teams have built houses this year too. The Detroit Lions open 65,000-seat FORD FIELD in downtown Detroit. The NFC Seattle Seahawks -- the lone team to switch conferences in realignment (they actually began as an NFC team in 1976) -- unveil 67,000-seat SEAHAWKS STADIUM that features views of the Seattle skyline, the Cascades, Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

The Patriots begin defense of their Super Bowl crown in the first Monday night game of the season (ABC, 9:00 PM ET) at their new 68,000-seat GILLETTE STADIUM that features a 10-story New England lighthouse above its north end zone. They take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship Game.

It will be the first time since 1991 that the participants of a preceding season’s conference championship game face each other in the next season’s Monday night opener. On September 2, 1991, the Super Bowl XXV-champion Giants defeated the team they topped in the 1990 NFC Championship Game, the visiting 49ers, 16-14.  

The Monday night opener will be the first in New England since 1979 when the Patriots lost 16-13 in overtime to the Steelers. It also will be the Patriots’ first Monday night opener since a 27-21 loss in Denver in 1998. And it will be the regular-season Monday night debut of Mr. “Bam! Slam!” himself, John Madden.

“On Monday night, it’s the only game, and the players feel this,” says Madden. “They know everyone is watching them. There’s so much adrenaline.”

One player Monday who expects and will enjoy that rush is New England quarterback TOM BRADY, a perfect example of the unpredictability of the NFL. A veritable unknown a year ago, the-then 24-year-old Brady resurrected the Patriots from their 1-3 start and led them to their Super Bowl victory while earning himself the game’s MVP trophy and a recently-signed four-year contract extension.

The new contract is great, says Brady, but the key thing is being on the field. “It’s going to be incredible Monday night under the lights against Pittsburgh,” he says. “It’s about playing football. I’ve never played this game for anything other than absolutely loving it.”

NFL KICKOFF 2002 WEEKEND

Thursday, September 5

    San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants (8:30 PM ET)

Sunday, September 8

    New York Jets at Buffalo Bills (1:00 PM ET)
    Baltimore Ravens at Carolina Panthers (1:00 PM ET)
    Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (Champaign, IL) (1:00 PM ET)
    San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 PM ET)
    Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns (1:00 PM ET)
    Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers (1:00 PM ET)
    Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars (1:00 PM ET)
    Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins (1:00 PM ET)
    Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans (1:00 PM ET)
    Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins (1:00 PM ET)
    St. Louis Rams at Denver Broncos (4:15 PM ET)
    Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Raiders (4:15 PM ET)
    New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4:15 PM ET) Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans (8:30 PM ET)

Monday, September 9

    Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots (9:00 PM ET)

The man Tom Brady supplanted in New England, quarterback DREW BLEDSOE, will wear a new uniform this year -- a new new uniform -- with the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills, Seahawks and Washington Redskins all will sport new uniforms this season, with the Redskins actually wearing a ’60s’ “retro” look to celebrate their 70th anniversary.

All three teams hope to duplicate the NFL’s recent “New Uniform = Playoffs” trend. The past seven teams to redesign their uniforms earned playoff berths in the first year of their new look (’96 Eagles, ’97 Broncos, ’97 Buccaneers, ’98 Jets, ’99 Titans, and the 2000 Giants and Rams).

And talk about “retro.”  This year, perhaps the most hallowed record in NFL annals can be broken by Dallas Cowboys running back EMMITT SMITH -- career rushing yards.

The mark is held, of course, by the late WALTER PAYTON, the Chicago Bears speedster who was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Payton rushed for 16,726 yards from 1975-87. Smith, who began in the NFL with the Cowboys in 1990, will break the record with 540 yards.

“It is a special opportunity, and I call it an opportunity because I haven’t done it yet,” says Smith. “I still have a long way to go.”  Smith had a photo of Payton in his high school locker.           

There are other milestones that can be reached by NFL players in 2002: 

·         PACKERS QB BRETT FAVRE can tie Johnny Unitas, Len Dawson and Steve Young for most seasons leading the NFL in touchdown passes (four).

·         COLTS QB PEYTON MANNING can become the first player in history with four consecutive 4,000-yard passing seasons.

·         RAIDERS WR JERRY RICE can become the first player with 200 career touchdowns; first in all-purpose yards and scrimmage yards; first with 1,400 receptions; and first with catches in 250 consecutive games and with 21,000 receiving yards.

·         RAMS RB MARSHALL FAULK can add to his NFL record of four consecutive 2,000 scrimmage-yard seasons.

·         JETS RB CURTIS MARTIN can become the second player in history (Barry Sanders) to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first eight seasons.

·         TITANS DE JEVON KEARSE can become the third player in history (Reggie White and Derrick Thomas) to record double-digit sacks in each of his first four seasons.

Along with those possible records, there are other “news” in the NFL this year, and some “olds”:

NEW COACHES, NEW TEAMS & ANNIVERSARIES

New Head Coaches

    Bill Callahan, Oakland
    Dom Capers, Houston
    Tony Dungy, Indianapolis
    John Fox, Carolina
    Jon Gruden, TB
    Marty Schottenheimer, SD
    Steve Spurrier, Washington
    Mike Tice, Minnesota

New Teams

    LB Jessie Armstead, Washington
    QB Drew Bledsoe, Buffalo
    LB Sam Cowart, NY Jets
    LB London Fletcher, Buffalo
    WR Antonio Freeman, Philadelphia
    DT La’Roi Glover, Dallas
    WR Az-Zahir Hakim, Detroit
    LB Kevin Hardy, Dallas
    WR Keenan McCardell, TB RB Ricky Williams, Miami

Anniversaries

    70th, first NFL playoff game (1932)
    70th, Pittsburgh Steelers (1932)
    70th, Washington Redskins (1932)
    50th, Indianapolis Colts (1952)
    40th, Chiefs’ first year in Kansas City (1962)
    40th, NFL Films’ first game (’62 NFL title)
    35th, The “Ice Bowl” (1967)
    30th, The “Immaculate Reception” (1972)
    30th, Dolphins’ “Perfect Season” (1972)
    25th, Walter Payton’s 275-yd. game (1977)

So mix in the NFL’s new look with your typical on-the-field upheaval of an NFL season, and Giants cornerback JASON SEHORN is right.

“Everybody can win,” he says.  “Everybody has a chance. That’s the best thing about our sport.”

NFL KICKOFF 2002 WEEKEND

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT NEW YORK GIANTS
SERIES

 

49ERS

GIANTS

LEADER

12-11

 

STREAKS

Past 3

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

Mariucci: 1-0

Fassel: 0-1

PRESEASON REC.

2-3

3-2

LAST GAME

11/30/98: Giants 7 at 49ers 31. San Francisco RB Garrison Hearst runs for 166 yards & 1 TD & WR Terrell Owens has 5 receptions for 140 yards & 1 TD.

LAST GAME AT SITE

9/6/92: 49ers 31, Giants 14. 49ers QB Steve Bono relieves injured Steve Young & passes for 187 yards & 2 TDs in opening-day victory.

TV

ESPN (8:30 PM ET): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire, Suzy Kolber (Field reporter).
CBS Radio: Joel Meyers, Boomer Esiason, John Dockery (Field reporter).

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

Garcia: 316-504-3,538-32 (T2C)-12-94.8 (2C)

Collins : 327-568-3,764-19-16-77.1

RBs

Hearst: 252-1,206-4.8-4

Barber: 166-865-5.2-4

WRs

Owens: 93-1,412 (2C)-15.2-16 (1L)

Toomer: 72-1,054-14.6-5

OFFENSE

355.6 (2C)

333.4

TAKE/GIVE

+15 (2C)

-1

DEFENSE

309.6

310.9

SACKS

Carter: 6.5

Strahan: 22.5 (1L)

INTs

Bronson, Plummer: 7

W. Allen: 4

PUNTING

Baker: 40.8

M. Allen (Pre.): 38.0

KICKING

Cortez: 101 (47/47 PAT, 18/25 FG)

Pochman: 0 (0/0 PAT, 0/2 FG)

NOTES

GAME MARKS NFL’s first-ever nationally-televised prime-time season kickoff on Thursday night 49ERS:  Have 50-24 (.676) all-time prime-time record (2-0 Thursday nights). Team plays first Thursday-night game since 9/8/83 (48-17 win at Min) QB JEFF GARCIA became first quarterback in team history to throw for 30-or-more TDs in consecutive seasons (32 in 2001, 31 in 2000). Named to People En Espanol’s “25 Most Beautiful People” list in offseason WR TERRELL OWENS had 5 receptions for 140 yards, including 79-yard touchdown catch, in last meeting (11/30/98) RB GARRISON HEARST has averaged 124.3 yards rushing in past 3 vs. NYG T SCOTT GRAGG has started 96 consecutive games, including 64 in Giants career (1995-99). G RON STONE joins 49ers after 6 seasons as starter with Giants GIANTS:  Boast NFC’s second-best record in opening games at 39-26-4, .600 (Dallas, 30-11-1, .732) DE MICHAEL STRAHAN set NFL record with 22.5 sacks last season and was named A.P. NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Had 2.0 sacks vs. 49ers in last meeting QB KERRY COLLINS set club records with 568 attempts and 327 completions in 2001. Has thrown every pass for Giants in past two seasons. Has 2 career 300-yard passing games vs. 49ers (327, 12/8/96 with Carolina; 328, 11/22/98 with New Orleans) RB TIKI BARBER posted career-best 5.2 yards-per-carry in 2001 (865 yards) and career-high 72 receptions, tying for team lead (AMANI TOOMER) WR IKE HILLIARD had 6 receptions for 141 yards in last meeting. 2001 first-round draft pick (No. 14 overall) TE JEREMY SHOCKEY starts.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
>NEW YORK JETS AT BUFFALO BILLS
SERIES

 

JETS

BILLS

LEADER

 

46-36

STREAKS

Split past 3 season series

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

Edwards: 1-1

Williams: 1-1

PRESEASON REC.

4-0

0-4

LAST GAME

12/30/01: Bills 14 at Jets 9. Buffalo’s defense stops New York deep in Bills’ territory as time expires. Bills QB Alex Van Pelt passes for 185 yards & 1 TD to lead offense.

LAST GAME AT SITE

10/7/01: Jets 42, Bills 36. New York RB Curtis Martin rushes for 135 yards & 2 TDs while Jets QB Vinny Testaverde throws for 173 yards & 2 TDs.

TV

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

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

Testaverde: 260-441-2,752-15-14-75.3

Bledsoe (NE): 40-66-400-2-2-75.3

RBs

Martin: 333-1,513 (2L)-4.8-10 (T3C)

Henry: 213-729-3.4-4

WRs

Coles: 59-868-14.7-7

Centers (RB): 80-620-7.8-2

OFFENSE

299.7

321.1

TAKE/GIVE

+18 (1L)

-14

DEFENSE

322.1

330.8

SACKS

J. Abraham: 13.0 (T2C)

Schobel: 6.5

INTs

D. Abraham (TB): 6

Clements: 3

PUNTING

Turk (Mia.): 41.0

Moorman: 40.8

KICKING

Hall: 104 (32/32 PAT; 24/31 FG)

Hollis (Jax.): 83 (29/31 PAT; 18/28 FG)

NOTES

PAST 3 MEETINGS decided by 6 points-or-less. Past 5 meetings have featured 5 return TDs (4 by Jets; 1 by Bills) JETS:  AFC’s only undefeated team in preseason (4-0).  Open on road for 31st time in 43-year history. Had AFC-best 7-1 road record in 2001 Head coach HERMAN EDWARDS became 10th rookie head coach since 1990 to lead team to playoffs RB CURTIS MARTIN converted 10 of 12 times on third-&-1 last season. Jets 6-1 in 2001 when Martin rushed for 100 yards In past 3 meetings at Buffalo, QB VINNY TESTAVERDE has completed 57 of 86 passes (66.3 pct.) for 650 yards & 6 TDs vs. 2 INTs. Has 4-2 (.667) record as Jet vs. Bills Club is 10-3 all-time when DE JOHN ABRAHAM has at least 1.0 sack CB DONNIE ABRAHAM makes Jets debut after 6 years in Tampa Bay (1996-2001). Bucs' all-time leader in INTs (31) and has NFL-best 20 INTs over past 3 seasons Led league with +18 turnover ratio BILLS: Team debuts new uniforms QB DREW BLEDSOE has thrown for 3,437 career yards vs. Jets, his third-most vs. any team RB TRAVIS HENRY had first career 100-yard game vs. Jets on 10/7/01 (19 for 113). Last year, became first Bill since THURMAN THOMAS (1988) with two 100-yard games in rookie season RB LARRY CENTERS led club with 80 receptions & has topped his team in catches 8 of past 10 seasons. Ranks third among active players (JERRY RICE & TIM BROWN) in career receptions with 765 WR ERIC MOULDS has 11 receptions for 244 yards & 1 TD in past 2 home games vs. Jets. Joined ANDRE REED as only Bills with 50 receptions in four consecutive seasons LB LONDON FLETCHER makes debut with Bills as free agent from St. Louis. Led Rams in tackles each of past 3 seasons.

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS
SERIES

 

RAVENS

PANTHERS

LEADER

 

1-0

STREAKS

 

1-0

COACHES VS. OPP.

Billick: 0-0

Fox: 0-0

PRESEASON REC.

2-2

1-3

LAST GAME

12/15/96: Ravens 16 at Panthers 27. Panthers QB Kerry Collins throws 2 TD passes to record team’s sixth consecutive victory.

LAST GAME AT SITE

12/15/96

TV

CBS (1:00 PM ET): Gus Johnson, Brent Jones

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

Redman: (‘02): 40-69-392-0-3-55.9

Peete: 0-0-0-0-0-0.0

RBs

Lewis (’00): 309-1,364-4.4-6

Smith (Mia.): 313-968-3.1-6

WRs

T. Taylor: 42-560-13.3-3

Muhammad: 50-585-11.7-1

OFFENSE

320.3

265.9

TAKE/GIVE

-8

+1

DEFENSE

277.9 (2L)

371.4

SACKS

Boulware: 15.0 (1C)

Rucker: 9

INTs

R. Lewis: 3

Evans: 8 (3C)

PUNTING

Zastudil: (R): 40.3

Sauerbrun: 47.5 (1L)

KICKING

Stover: 115 (25/25 PAT; 30/35 FG)

Kasey: 91 (22/23 PAT; 23/28 FG)

NOTES

RAVENS: RB JAMAL LEWIS plays first NFL game since Super Bowl XXXV (knee). In 2000, became second rookie (TONY DORSETT, Dallas, 1977) with 1,000 rushing yards (1,364) for Super Bowl champions Third-year QB CHRIS REDMAN makes first NFL start. At Louisville, earned Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to college football’s best senior QB TE TODD HEAP started 6 games as rookie in 2001, catching 16 passes for 206 yards & 1 TD as SHANNON SHARPE’s understudy Club has not allowed first-quarter TD in past 10 regular-season games Five-time Pro Bowl LB RAY LEWIS started all 16 games for Ravens last season and led NFL in tackles (196) Two-time Pro Bowl LB PETER BOULWARE led AFC with 15.0 sacks in 2001 PANTHERS: Owner JERRY RICHARDSON was member of 1959 NFL Champion Baltimore Colts, catching TD pass in Baltimore’s 31-16 win vs. NY Giants JOHN FOX makes NFL head coaching debut. Faced Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV as NY Giants defensive coordinator QB RODNEY PEETE makes first start with Panthers after joining club during offseason. Last start with Philadelphia (11/2/98 vs. Dallas) QB CHRIS WEINKE started 15 games during rookie campaign in 2001, finishing second all-time among rookie passers in yards (2,931), attempts (540) and completions (293) RB LAMAR SMITH joins club after averaging 1,054 rushing yards for Miami in past two seasons Rookie DE JULIUS PEPPERS makes first career start. Peppers was selected No. 2 overall in April’s NFL Draft following record-setting career at North Carolina.   High school star at Southern Nash HS in Bailey, NC P TODD SAUERBRUN elected to first Pro Bowl in 2001 after leading NFL in average (47.5) and net average (38.9).

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CHICAGO BEARS
SERIES

 

VIKINGS

BEARS

LEADER

 44-35-2

 

STREAKS

 

Past 2

COACHES VS. OPP.

Tice: 0-0

Jauron: 3-3

PRESEASON REC.

2-2

1-3

LAST GAME

11/25/01: Vikings 6 at Bears 13. Chicago RB James Allen rushes for 107 yards. Bears’ defense holds Vikings without TD for first time in 98 regular season games.

LAST GAME AT SITE

11/25/01

TV

FOX (12:00 PM CT): Sam Rosen, Bill Maas

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

Culpepper: 235-366-2,612-14-13-83.3

Miller: 228-395-2,229-13-10-74.9

RBs

Bennett: 172-682-4.0-2

Thomas: 278-1,183-4.3-7

WRs

Moss: 82-1,233-15.0-10 (2C)

Booker: 100 (2C)-1,071-10.7-8

OFFENSE

324.1

293.4

TAKE/GIVE

-21

+13 (3C)

DEFENSE

354.1

311.1

SACKS

Hovan: 6.0

Colvin: 10.5

INTs

Griffith, E. Kelly: 2

Brown: 5

PUNTING

Richardson: 38.9

Maynard: 42.6

KICKING

Brien: 17 (2/2 PAT; 5/6 FG)

Edinger: 112 (34/34 PAT; 26/31 FG)

NOTES

TEAMS MEET for first time as members of NFC North VIKINGS:  MIKE TICE begins first season as head coach. Played TE for Vikings (1992-93, ’95) and has been member of coaching staff since 1996 WR RANDY MOSS became first player in NFL history with 1,000 yards receiving in each of first 4 seasons (1,233 in ’01). Posted career-high 12 receptions and 204 yards vs. Bears (11/14/99) QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER has single-game career-high 3 rush TDs vs. Bears (9/3/00) and most career rushing yards (173) vs. Chicago TE BYRON CHAMBERLAIN set career-highs in receptions (57), receiving yards (666) and TDs (3) last year. WR DERRICK ALEXANDER joins club after 4 years in Kansas City. Had career-long 86-yard TD vs. Chicago (9/12/99) T LEWIS KELLY expected to start after anchoring offensive line for NFL Europe League’s Frankfurt Galaxy this spring BEARS:  Club plays 2002 home games at University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL In 3 career starts vs. Vikes, QB JIM MILLER has completed 62 of 98 passes (63.2 pct.) for 723 yards with 5 TDs vs. 2 INTs for 94.0 passer rating. Passed for career-high 422 yards vs. Vikes (11/14/99) QB CHRIS CHANDLER joins club after 5 years in Atlanta. Passed for 340 yards and 3 TDs vs. Vikes in 1998 NFC Championship Game RB ANTHONY THOMAS rushed for Bears’ rookie-record 1,183 yards in 2001 and was named A.P. Offensive Rookie of the Year. Ran for 228 yards and 2 TDs while at Michigan in only career game at Memorial Stadium (10/19/00) WR MARTY BOOKER totaled team-record and career-high 100 receptions last season LB BRIAN URLACHER played in his second consecutive Pro Bowl following 2001 season ROSEVELT COLVIN had career-high 10.5 sacks in 2001 and became first Bears linebacker since ’85 (OTIS WILSON) to record double-digit sack total DE PHILLIP DANIELS has 3.0 sacks in past 2 vs. Vikes. Tied career-high with 9.0 sacks in 2001.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
SERIES

 

CHARGERS

BENGALS

LEADER

16-9

 

STREAKS

5 of past 6

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

Schottenheimer: 6-5

LeBeau: 0-1

PRESEASON REC.

2-2

2-2

LAST GAME

9/30/01: Bengals 14 at Chargers 28.  San Diego rookie RB LaDainian Tomlinson rushes for 107 yards & 3 TDs as Chargers improve to 3-0.

LAST GAME AT SITE

9/19/99: Chargers 34, Bengals 7. San Diego QB Jim Harbaugh throws for 2 TDs while Chargers’ defense permits 8 total yards in second half.    

TV

CBS (1:00 PM ET): Don Criqui, Solomon Wilcots

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

Brees: 15-27-221-1-0-94.8

Frerotte (Den.): 30-48-308-3-0-101.7

RBs

Tomlinson: 339-1,236-3.6-10 (T3C)

Dillon: 340-1,315-3.9-10 (T3C)

WRs

Conway: 71-1,125-15.8-6

Warrick: 70-667-9.5-1

OFFENSE

325.0

300.0

TAKE/GIVE

+2

-9

DEFENSE

306.5

302.0

SACKS

Wiley: 13.0 (T2C)

Wilson: 9.0

INTs

McNeil: 8 (3C)

Hawkins, Kaesviharn: 3

PUNTING

Bennett: 42.4

Harris: 40.1

KICKING

Christie: 33 (6/6 PAT; 9/11 FG)

Rackers: 74 (23/24 PAT; 17/28 FG)

NOTES

CHARGERS:  San Diego debut for head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER. Has recorded .500-or-better seasons in 14 of 15 full NFL campaigns Have won 5 of past 6 meetings vs. Cincinnati, dating back to 1992 QB DREW BREES makes first NFL start. At Purdue, set Big Ten all-time records in passing yards (11,792), TD passes (90), total offensive yards (12,693), comp. pct. (.611), completions (1,026) & attempts (1,678) RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON named runner-up to Chicago RB ANTHONY THOMAS for A.P. Offensive Rookie of the Year. Set club record for total yards from scrimmage with 1,603 (1,236 rushing, 367 receiving) DE MARCELLUS WILEY tied for second in AFC in sacks (13.0) in ‘01 RONNEY JENKINS led NFL with 26.6 KR avg. AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for Oct. 2001 BENGALS:  RB COREY DILLON, with 6,209 career rushing yards, is 239 yards from overtaking JAMES BROOKS for franchise’s all-time rushing leader. Last season, Dillion became sixth player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in first five seasons Defense ranked No. 9 overall in NFL for 2001, best since ’89 (No. 7). Club set single-season franchise record for sacks last season with 48, led by DE REINARD WILSON (9.0) In only game vs. Chargers (11/19/00 with Broncos), QB GUS FREROTTE set career single-game highs in completions (36), attempts (58), yards passing (462) and TDs (5). Denver won, 38-37 Three tackles on roster are former first-round selections, including rookie LEVI JONES (No. 10 overall in 2002). Also WILL ANDERSON and RICHMOND WEBB LBs TAKEO SPIKES and BRIAN SIMMONS, both drafted by club in ’98, have been top two tacklers on team in three of four seasons.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
SERIES

 

CHIEFS

BROWNS

LEADER

 

8-7-2

STREAKS

 

6-0-1 in past 7 at home

COACHES VS. OPP.

Vermeil: 2-2

Davis: 0-0

PRESEASON REC.

3-1

2-2

LAST GAME

12/24/95: Chiefs 17 at Browns 35. Cleveland QB Vinny Testaverde throws 2 TD passes & Browns score 2 defensive TDs 19 seconds apart in fourth quarter.

LAST GAME AT SITE

12/24/95

TV

CBS (1:00 PM ET): Ian Eagle, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstien (Field reporter)

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

Green: 296-523-3,783 (3C)-17-24-71.1

Couch: 272-454-3,040-17-21-73.1

RBs

Holmes: 327-1,555 (1L)-4.8-8

J. Jackson: 195-554-2.8-2

WRs

Gonzalez (TE): 73-917-12.6-6

K. Johnson: 84-1,097-13.1-9 (T3C)

OFFENSE

354.6 (3C)

259.5

TAKE/GIVE

-7

+9 (3C)

DEFENSE

331.5

331.1

SACKS

Clemons: 7.0

Rogers: 6.0

INTs

Warfield: 4

Henry: 10 (T1L)

PUNTING

Stryzinski: 40.8

Gardocki: 42.9

KICKING

Andersen (NYG): 98 (29/30 PAT; 23/28 FG)

P. Dawson: 95 (29/30 PAT; 22/25 FG)

NOTES

CHIEFS:  First game against Cleveland since Browns’ NFL return in 1999 RB PRIEST HOLMES led NFL in rushing in ’01 with team-record 1,555 yards. First Chief to win league rushing title since CHRISTIAN OKOYE in 1989. Holmes was first K.C. 1,000-yard rusher since ’91 (Okoye) QB TRENT GREEN threw for 3,783 yards in ’01, third-best in AFC, third-highest season total in team history TONY GONZALEZ tied for NFL lead for most catches by TE last season with 73 (SHANNON SHARPE) 12-year NFL veteran LB MARVCUS PATTON has played in 192 consecutive games Defense recorded 74 negative rushing plays, tied for second in NFL with Pittsburgh (Tenn. 75) Since 1995, club is 15-3 on road when leading at halftime Head coach DICK VERMEIL last faced Cleveland in ’99 with St. Louis. Rams won, 34-3 BROWNS:  Undefeated in past 7 games vs. Chiefs in Cleveland (6-0-1) Club set team record and led NFL in INTs (33) in 2001 QB TIM COUCH posted team’s ninth-highest passing yard season total (3,040) in ’01 First-round selection (No. 16 overall)  RB WILLIAM GREEN makes NFL debut WR KEVIN JOHNSON’s 3-year receiving totals of 207 catches for 2,752 yards and 17 TDs best first three-year totals of every player on NFL’s top 10 all-time reception list ...CB ANTHONY HENRY tied for NFL lead with 10 INTs in ’01 (RONDE BARBER) & tied team record set by THOM DARDEN (1978). First rookie to lead NFL in INTs since ’95 (ORLANDO THOMAS, Minn.) LB EARL HOLMES makes Cleveland debut after spending first 6 years with Pittsburgh (1996-2001). Led Steelers in tackles past 3 seasons & was club’s defensive signal-caller P CHRIS GARDOCKI currently holds NFL record for consecutive punts without block (825) Cleveland hosts on Kickoff Weekend for fourth consecutive season.

ATLANTA FALCONS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
SERIES

 

FALCONS

PACKERS

LEADER

 

41-21-4

STREAKS

3 of past 4

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

Reeves: 3-1

Sherman: 0-1

PRESEASON REC.

4-0

3-1

LAST GAME

11/18/01: Falcons 23 at Packers 20. Atlanta QB Chris Chandler completes 29 of 50 passes for 352 yards & 2 touchdowns. Atlanta’s defense forces 4 turnovers.

LAST GAME AT SITE

11/18/01

TV

FOX (12:00 PM CT): Curt Menefee, Tim Ryan

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

Vick: 50-113-785-2-3-62.7

Favre: 314-510-3,921 (2C)-32 (T2L)-15-94.1 (3C)

RBs

Dunn (TB): 158-447-2.8-3

Green: 304-1,387 (2C)-4.6-9 (3C)

WRs

Jefferson: 37-539-14.6-2

Green (RB): 62-594-9.6-2

OFFENSE

316.9

341.4 (3C)

TAKE/GIVE

+2

+12

DEFENSE

365.3

308.6

SACKS

Kerney: 12.0

Gbaja-Biamila: 13.5 (T3C)

INTs

Ambrose, Buchanan: 5

Sharper: 6

PUNTING

Mohr: 38.8

Bidwell: 42.5

KICKING

Feely: 115 (T2C) (28/28 PAT; 29/37 FG)

Longwell: 104 (44/45 PAT; 20/31 FG)

NOTES

FALCONS:  Club plays first game as member of new NFC South division Head coach DAN REEVES has 188 career wins and needs 6 to pass CHUCK KNOX for sixth all-time Game marks Atlanta debut of new defensive coordinator WADE PHILLIPS QB MICHAEL VICK begins first season as starter after seeing action in 8 games, with 2 starts, as rookie in 2001 RB WARRICK DUNN joins Falcons after 5 years with Tampa Bay. Rookie first-round draft pick RB T.J. DUCKETT makes debut after standout career at Michigan State WR BRIAN FINNERAN enters season as starter. Helped NFL Europe League’s F.C. Barcelona Dragons to berth in 1999 World Bowl CB RAY BUCHANAN leads NFL with 27 INTs in past 5 seasons. CB ASHLEY AMBROSE had 2 INTs in last meeting K JAY FEELY connected on all 3 FG attempts in last meeting (26, 39, 32) PACKERS:  QB BRETT FAVRE was Falcons’ second-round draft choice in 1991. Traded to Pack in ‘92. Has passed for 1,058 yards with 8 TDs vs. 5 INTs for 91.4 passer rating in 4 career games vs. Falcons, including ‘95 playoff. Has thrown 117 consecutive passes without INT and needs 10 more for career best (126 from 11/5/95 to 12/3/95) WR TERRY GLENN joins club after 6 seasons in New England RB AHMAN GREEN rushed for career-high 1,387 yards in 2001 and earned first Pro Bowl selection. Pack are 10-0 all-time when he rushes for 100 yards TE BUBBA FRANKS set career-high and led all NFL TEs with 9 TDs in 2001 DE JOE JOHNSON debuts after 8 years in New Orleans. Has 4.0 sacks in past 3 games vs. Falcons Five-time Pro Bowl LB HARDY NICKERSON joins Pack and expected to start.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
SERIES

 

COLTS

JAGUARS

LEADER

2-0

 

STREAKS

2-0

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

Dungy: 0-1

Coughlin: 0-2

PRESEASON REC.

2-2

1-3

LAST GAME

9/25/00: Jaguars 14 at Colts 43. Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning throws for club-record 440 yards & 4 TDs as Colts WR Terrence Wilkins catches 9 passes for 148 yards & 1 TD.

LAST GAME AT SITE

12/10/95: Colts 41, Jaguars 31. Indianapolis’ Aaron Bailey returns opening kickoff 95 yards for TD & adds 14-yard TD reception.

TV

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

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

Manning: 343-547-4,131 (1C)-26 (2C)-23-84.1

Brunell: 289-473-3,309-19-13-84.1

RBs

James: 151-662-4.4-3

Taylor: 30-116-3.9-0

WRs

Harrison: 109 (3L)-1,524 (1C)-14.0-15 (1C)

Smith: 112-1,373 (2C)-12.3-8

OFFENSE

372.2 (1C)

357.2

TAKE/GIVE

-13

-3

DEFENSE

302.5

316.9

SACKS

Bratzke: 8.5

Brackens: 11.0

INTs

Macklin: 3

Battles, Craft: 2

PUNTING

H. Smith: 44.5 (3C)

Hanson: 43.6

KICKING

Vanderjagt: 125 (1C) (41/42 PAT; 28/34 FG)

Epstein (R): 16 (7/7 PAT; 3/6 FG)

NOTES

TEAMS MEET for first time as division rivals in new AFC South Game features AFC’s top two receivers in yards in 2001: Indy’s MARVIN HARRISON (1,524) and Jax’s JIMMY SMITH .COLTS: Head coach TONY DUNGY makes Indy debut. Posted 6-year record of 54-42 (.563) at Tampa Bay, most coaching wins in team history RB EDGERRIN JAMES has rushed for more than 100 yards in three career Kickoff Weekend games. Colts are 20-4 in games James rushes for 100 yards In lone career meeting vs. Jax. (9/25/00), QB PEYTON MANNING completed 23 of 36 passes (63.8 pct.) for team-record 440 yards & 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 143.3 passer rating. In 2001, Manning led AFC with 4,131 passing yards & became third player in NFL history (DAN FOUTS, 1979-81 & DAN MARINO, 1984-86) to pass for 4,000 yards in 3 consecutive seasons Harrison led AFC with 15 receiving TDs & 1,524 receiving yards First-round draft pick (No. 11 overall) DE DWIGHT FREENEY led nation with 17.5 sacks for Syracuse last year. JAGUARS: Have won six consecutive openers for NFL-best 6-1 (.857) opening-game record Club is 37-19 (.661) all-time at ALLTEL Stadium QB MARK BRUNELL had AFC-best 92.5 third-down passer rating in 2001. In 2 starts vs. Colts, has career 89.8 passer rating. Has thrown at least 1 TD pass in past 12 games entering 2002 RB FRED TAYLOR limited to 2 games in 2001 (groin). Has rushed for 1,380 yards & 11 TDs in past 12 games (115.0 yards per game), including 9 100-yard performances Offense penalized for fourth-fewest yards in AFC last season (44.4) In 2001, defense tied for second in AFC in yards-per-carry (3.4) and tied for fourth in AFC in sacks (43) LB WALI RAINER makes Jacksonville debut, acquired in draft day trade from Cleveland. Averaged 145 tackles per year (1999-01) for Browns. 

DETROIT LIONS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
SERIES

 

LIONS

DOLPHINS

LEADER

 

5-2

STREAKS

 

Past 3

COACHES VS. OPP.

Mornhinweg: 0-0

Wannstedt: 5-8

PRESEASON REC.

1-3

2-2

LAST GAME

11/5/00: Dolphins 23 at Lions 8. Miami RB Lamar Smith rushes for 125 yards & 2 TDs while Dolphins K Olindo Mare converts 3 FGs.

LAST GAME AT SITE

12/7/97: Dolphins 33, Lions 30. Miami’s Olindo Mare kicks 42-yard FG as time expires to keep Dolphins in first place in AFC East.

TV

FOX (1:00 PM ET): Dan Miller, Mark Carrier

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

McMahon: 53-115-671-3-1-69.9

Fiedler: 273-450-3,290-20-19-80.3

RBs

Stewart: 143-685-4.8-1

R. Williams (NO): 313-1,245-4.0-6

WRs

Schroeder (GB): 53-918-17.3-9 (T3C)

McKnight: 55-684-12.4-3

OFFENSE

312.1

301.3

TAKE/GIVE

-16

-10

DEFENSE

345.1

288.0 (3C)

SACKS

Porcher: 11.0

J. Taylor: 8.5

INTs

Lyght: 4

Marion: 5

PUNTING

Jett: 43.3

Royals (TB): 40.7

KICKING

Hanson: 86 (23/23 PAT; 21/30 FG)

Mare: 96 (39/40 PAT; 19/21 FG)

NOTES

LIONS:  Debut new pair of starting WRs BILL SCHROEDER and AZ-ZAHIR HAKIM. Schroeder averaged 64 receptions and 989 yards receiving past 3 seasons as starter in Green Bay. Hakim joins club after 4 seasons in St. Louis QB MIKE MC MAHON played in 8 games in rookie season, starting 3, including club’s first win of 2001 (vs. Minnesota, 12/16/01). QB JOEY HARRINGTON was selected by team No. 3 overall in 2002 NFL Draft after record-setting career at Oregon RB JAMES STEWART averaged career-high 4.8 yards per carry in 2001 G RAY BROWN joins club after starting 95 games for 49ers since 1996 DE ROBERT PORCHER is club’s all-time leader with 85.5 sacks. Earned third Pro Bowl bid in 2001 PR-KR DESMOND HOWARD has 8 career PR-TDs and needs 2 to tie ERIC METCALF for most all-time DOLPHINS:  RB RICKY WILLIAMS makes Miami debut. NFL’s eighth leading rusher last season (New Orleans) with 1,245 yards & 6 TDs. First Heisman Trophy winner to play for Dolphins Have won 10 consecutive Kickoff Weekend games, longest active streak in NFL, second-longest all-time (Dallas, 17, 1965-81). Since 1970, boast NFL-best 28-4 (.875) record in home openers, including 7 wins in a row In 2001, JAY FIEDLER became second QB in team history to pass for more than 3,000 yards (DAN MARINO). After 32 starts, only Rams QB KURT WARNER (26-6, .813) owns better winning percentage than Fiedler (22-10, .688) among active QBs Offensive line surrendered second-fewest sacks (27) in AFC last season, tied with Oak. and S.D. (NY Jets, 19) CB SAM MADISON tied with Atlanta’s RAY BUCHANAN for most INTs over past four seasons (22) Club had NFL’s No. 1 pass defense (176.8) in 2001. First Miami team to top league in full season since 1973.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT TENNESSEE TITANS
SERIES

 

EAGLES

TITANS

LEADER

6-1

 

STREAKS

6-1

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

Reid: 0-1

Fisher: 1-0

PRESEASON REC.

1-3

2-2

LAST GAME

12/3/00: Titans 15 at Eagles 13. Tennessee K Al Del Greco scores all 15 points on 5 FGs, including game-winning 50-yarder as time expires.

LAST GAME AT SITE

First meeting at Tennessee

TV

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

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

McNabb: 285-493-3,233-25-12-84.3

McNair: 264-431-3,350-21-12-90.2 (2C)

RBs

Staley : 166-604-3.6-2

George: 315-939-3.0-5

WRs

Thrash: 63-833-13.2-8

Mason: 73-1,128-15.5-9 (T3C)

OFFENSE

307.7

334.5

TAKE/GIVE

+9

-4

DEFENSE

293.8

344.7

SACKS

H. Douglas: 9.5

Kearse: 10.0

INTs

Vincent : 3

A. Dyson: 3

PUNTING

Landeta: 43.5 (3C)

Hentrich: 42.0

KICKING

Akers: 115 (T2C) (37/38 PAT; 26-31 FG)

Nedney: 94 (34/35 PAT; 20/28 FG)

NOTES

EAGLES:  QB DONOVAN MC NABB enters third full season as club’s starter, earning Pro Bowl honors past two years. Passed for career-high 25 TDs in 2001 WR JAMES THRASH enters second season with Eagles after setting career highs in receptions (63), receiving yards (833) and TDs (8) in 2001 T JON RUNYAN has started 32 consecutive games for Eagles after spending 1996-99 with Houston/Tennessee Four-time Pro Bowl S BLAINE BISHOP makes Eagles’ debut after spending 9 years with Houston/Tennessee KR-PR BRIAN MITCHELL has 12 career KR TDs and needs 1 for sole possession of all-time lead (ERIC METCALF) All-Star TE CHAD LEWIS spent 11 days in Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan in May to promote American Football TITANS:  First game as member of new AFC South division. Club has won 10 of past 11 vs. NFC Head coach JEFF FISHER has franchise-record 68 wins & is fourth-youngest coach (43) to reach 60 (DON SHULA 38; JOHN MADDEN 39; BILL COWHER 40) QB STEVE MC NAIR was second in AFC passer rating (90.2) last season; rushed for 414 yards & 5 TDs. Selected as Pro Bowl alternate and named AFC Offensive Player of the Week twice in ’01 WR-KR-PR DERRICK MASON became first player in team history and ninth in NFL history to amass consecutive 2,000-plus yard seasons (2,004 in ’01 and NFL-record 2,690 in ’00) RB EDDIE GEORGE leads NFL in rushing yards since 1996 (7,813). In one career game vs. Eagles (12/3/00), rushed for 101 yards on 32 carries Titans debut for S LANCE SCHULTERS, acquired from 49ers as UFA. Started all 16 games for SF last season Defense has allowed only 4 RBs to gain 100 yards in past 53 games. Since ’99 season, defense is fourth in NFL in sacks with 141, trailing only Saints (163), Rams (155) and Jaguars (143).

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS
SERIES

 

CARDINALS

REDSKINS

LEADER

 

69-42-1

STREAKS

 

Past 3

COACHES VS. OPP.

McGinnis: 1-3

Spurrier: 0-0

PRESEASON REC.

1-3

4-1

LAST GAME

1/6/02: Cardinals 17 at Redskins 20. Washington RB Stephen Davis rushes for 148 yards, including game-winning, 2-yard TD with 3:11 left, in Redskins’ come-from-behind victory.

LAST GAME AT SITE

1/6/02

TV

FOX (1:00 PM ET): Pat Summerall, Brian Baldinger

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

Plummer: 304-525-3,653-18-14-79.6

Matthews (Chi.): 84-129-694-5-6-72.3

RBs

Jones: 112-380-3.4-5

Davis: 356-1,432 (1C)-4.0-5

WRs

Boston: 98-1,598 (1L)-16.3-8

Gardner: 46-741-11.6-4

OFFENSE

306.1

277.2

TAKE/GIVE

-3

+6

DEFENSE

355.3

302.9

SACKS

Fredrickson: 4.0

Smith: 5.0

INTs

Lassiter: 9 (2C)

Smoot: 5

PUNTING

Player: 41.5

Barker: 41.6

KICKING

Gramatica: 73 (25/25 PAT; 16/20 FG)

Conway: 100 (22/22 PAT; 26/33 FG)

NOTES

CARDINALS:  QB JAKE PLUMMER enters fifth full season as club’s starter, passing for career-high 18 TDs in 2001. Had career-best 4 TD passes (since tied) vs. Washington (12/7/97) WR DAVID BOSTON set club record with 1,598 yards receiving last season, finishing with career-high 98 receptions and earning first Pro Bowl selection G LEONARD DAVIS started all 16 games in 2001 rookie year, as club surrendered 29 sacks, its second-best ever in 16-game schedule (22, 1978) TE FREDDIE JONES joins Cardinals after spending first 5 NFL seasons with San Diego. Totaled 260 receptions, ninth in team history, with Chargers. Three-year starter at McKinley High School (Washington, DC) CB DUANE STARKS makes Cardinals’ debut after 4 seasons with Baltimore, earning Super Bowl ring with Ravens’ 34-7 win vs. NY Giants in Super Bowl XXXV REDSKINS:  Head coach STEVE SPURRIER begins his first season with club. In 12 years at Florida, Spurrier compiled 122-27-1 record and won 1996 national championship Former Baltimore defensive coordinator MARVIN LEWIS joins Washington as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator after 3 seasons with Ravens QB SHANE MATTHEWS opens season as starter after winning job in preseason. Started 3 games for Bears in ’01 CB DARRELL GREEN moves into first place tie (JACKIE SLATER, L.A./StL Rams) for most seasons (20) with one club. Needs one INT to increase NFL record of consecutive seasons with INT to 20 LB LA VAR ARRINGTON enters third season after earning starting spot in Pro Bowl in 2001.

ST. LOUIS RAMS AT DENVER BRONCOS
SERIES

 

RAMS

BRONCOS

LEADER

5-4

 

STREAKS

 

Past 2 at home

COACHES VS. OPP.

Martz: 1-0

Shanahan: 1-2

PRESEASON REC.

0-4

3-1

LAST GAME

9/4/00: Broncos 36 at Rams 41. St. Louis QB Kurt Warner passes for career-high 441 yards & Rams RB Robert Holcombe scores go-ahead TD with 3:02 remaining.

LAST GAME AT SITE

9/14/97: Broncos 35, Rams 14. Denver QB John Elway throws 4 TD passes as Broncos WR Rod Smith has 4 receptions for 126 yards & 2 TDs.

TV

FOX (2:15 PM MT): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth, Pam Oliver (Field reporter)

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

Warner: 375-546-4,830 (1L)-36 (1L)-22-101.4 (1L)

Griese: 275-451-2,827-23 (3C)-19-78.5

RBs

Faulk: 260-1,382 (3C)-5.3-12 (1C)

Gary: 57-228-4.0-1 or

Portis (R): 48-224-4.7-2

WRs

Faulk (RB): 83-765-9.2-9 (T3C)

R. Smith: 113 (1L)-1,343 (3C)-11.9-11 (2C)

OFFENSE

418.1 (1L)

301.1

TAKE/GIVE

-10

+10 (2C)

DEFENSE

279.4 (1C)

298.4

SACKS

Little: 14.5 (2C)

Pryce: 7.0

INTs

Bly: 6

O’Neal: 9 (2C)

PUNTING

Berger (Minn.): 43.5 (2C)

Rouen: 45.3 (2C)

KICKING

Wilkins: 127 (1L) (58/58 PAT; 23/29 FG)

Elam: 124 (T2C) (31/31 PAT; 31/36 FG)

NOTES

RAMS:  QB KURT WARNER completed 25 of 35 passes (71.4 pct.) for career-best 441 yards & 3 TDs vs. 3 INTs for 106.5 passer rating in only career meeting vs. Broncos. Captured second A.P. NFL MVP award in 2001, passing for career-high 4,830 yards RB MARSHALL FAULK had 100 yards receiving (4 catches, 1 TD) in last meeting. Led NFL with 128 points and 21 TDs in 2001. Became only player in NFL history to gain 2,000 total scrimmage yards (2,147) four consecutive seasons in 2001 WR TORRY HOLT had 6 receptions for 103 yards in last meeting CB AENEAS WILLIAMS has 8 career INT-TDs and needs 2 to pass KEN HOUSTON (9) and tie ROD WOODSON (10) for all-time NFL lead DE LEONARD LITTLE finished third in NFL with career-high 14.5 sacks last season LB JAMIE DUNCAN expected to start after spending first 4 NFL seasons with Tampa Bay BRONCOS: Are 25-6-1 (.797) in home openers since 1970 & have won 10 of past 13 overall openers. Head coach MIKE SHANAHAN is 7-2 (.777) in Kickoff Weekend games In only career meeting vs. Rams, QB BRIAN GRIESE completed 19 of 29 passes (65.5 pct.) for 307 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 123.8 passer rating WR ROD SMITH led NFL with 113 receptions & became first Bronco since 1965 (LIONEL TAYLOR) to lead NFL in catches. In 2 career meetings vs. St. Louis, Smith has 7 receptions for 214 yards (30.6 avg.) & 3 TDs. Has 44 career TD catches & needs 1 to break club-record tie (ED MC CAFFREY, HAVEN MOSES, SHANNON SHARPE, Taylor) Club ranked third in AFC with 31:23 avg. time of possession Team finished second in AFC with +10 turnover ratio CB DELTHA O’NEAL was second in AFC with 9 INTs. In 2000 meeting, LB AL WILSON posted first 2 INTs of career, both inside Denver’s 10-yard line.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT OAKLAND RAIDERS
SERIES

 

SEAHAWKS

RAIDERS

LEADER

 

26-22

STREAKS

 

Past 4 at home

COACHES VS. OPP.

Holmgren: 4-3

Callahan: 0-0

PRESEASON REC.

1-3

2-2

LAST GAME

11/11/01: Raiders 27 at Seahawks 34. Seattle RB Shaun Alexander rushes for team-record 266 yards & 3 TDs, including club-best 88-yard TD run.

LAST GAME AT SITE

9/30/01: Raiders 38, Seahawks 14. Oakland QB Rich Gannon completes 19 of 28 attempts for 217 yards & 3 TDs while Raiders WR Jerry Rice catches 5 passes for 91 yards & 2 TDs.

TV

FOX (1:15 PM PT): Ron Pitts, Dave Krieg

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

Hasselbeck: 176-321-2,023-7-8-70.9

Gannon: 361-549-3,828 (2C)-27 (1C)-9-95.5 (1C)

RBs

Alexander: 309-1,318 (3C)-4.3-14 (1L)

Garner: 211-839-4.0-1

WRs

D. Jackson: 70-1,081-15.4-8

Brown: 91-1,165-12.8-9 (T3C)

OFFENSE

298.3

335.1

TAKE/GIVE

+6

-1

DEFENSE

325.4

316.9

SACKS

Randle: 11

Upshaw: 7.0

INTs

W. Williams: 4

James: 5

PUNTING

Feagles: 43.9

Lechler: 46.2 (1C)

KICKING

Lindell: 93 (33/33 PAT; 20/32 FG)

Janikowski: 111 (42/42 PAT; 23/28 FG)

NOTES

FORMER DIVISION RIVALS meet for first time in realigned NFL. Teams have combined for 699 points in past 14 meetings (49.9 per game) SEAHAWKS: Play first game as member of NFC since inaugural season (1976) Head coach MIKE HOLMGREN needs 1 win to reach 100 career victories RB SHAUN ALEXANDER rushed for 266 yards in last meeting, club record and fourth best single-game total in NFL history. Led NFL with 14 rushing TDs in 2001. Aims for fourth consecutive game vs. Raiders with TD run WR DARRELL JACKSON had career-high 7 receptions in last meeting. Had first career 100-yard receiving game, and career-high 125 yards vs. Oakland (9/30/01) DT JOHN RANDLE ranks second among active players with 125.0 career sacks. Named to Pro Bowl following first season with club in 2001 Former Washington State QB and Spokane, WA resident MARK RYPIEN joins club after spending 2001 season with Colts RAIDERS:  Are 25-6-1 (.797) in home openers since 1970. At home vs. Seattle, have won 4 in a row & 9 of past 12 Head coach BILL CALLAHAN makes NFL coaching debut In 2 meetings vs. Seahawks last year, QB RICH GANNON was 43 of 66 (65.2 pct.) for 474 yards & 5 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 111.6 passer rating. Became first player in NFL history to win consecutive Pro Bowl Player of Game Awards WR TIM BROWN has 6 TDs in past 6 vs. Seattle & has personal-best-tying 13 career receiving TDs vs. Seahawks (Denver) In 5 career games vs. Seattle, WR JERRY RICE has 25 catches for 448 yards & 6 TDs RB TYRONE WHEATLEY averaging 111.0 rushing yards per game in past 3 vs. Seattle Defense recorded 7 sacks in last meeting in Oakland ..DE REGAN UPSHAW has sack in 3 of past 4 contests vs. Seahawks Both teams were coached by current Raiders radio color analyst TOM FLORES. 

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
SERIES

 

SAINTS

BUCCANEERS

LEADER

13-7

 

STREAKS

 

Past 2

COACHES VS. OPP.

Haslett: 0-1

Gruden: 1-0

PRESEASON REC.

3-1

3-1

LAST GAME

12/23/01: Saints 21 at Buccaneers 48. Tampa Bay QB Brad Johnson throws 3 TDs, as Bucs build 30-0 halftime lead en route to victory.

LAST GAME AT SITE

12/23/01

TV

FOX (4:15 PM ET): Kenny Albert, Tim Green

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

Brooks: 312-558-3,832 (3C)-26-22-76.4

B. Johnson: 340-559-3,406-13-11-77.7

RBs

McAllister: 16-91-5.7-1

Pittman (Ariz.): 241-846-3.5-5

WRs

Horn: 83-1,265-15.2-9 (T3C)

K. Johnson: 106 (1C)-1,266-11.9-1

OFFENSE

326.6

293.4

TAKE/GIVE

-5

+17 (1C)

DEFENSE

316.9

290.8 (3C)

SACKS

Clemons: 13.5 (T3C)

S.Rice: 11.0

INTs

S. Knight: 6

Barber: 10 (T1L)

PUNTING

Gowin: 41.8

Tupa (NYJ): 38.4

KICKING

Carney: 113 (32/32 PAT; 27/31 FG)

Gramatica: 97 (28/28 PAT; 23/29 FG)

NOTES

CLUBS MEET for first time as new NFC South rivals SAINTS:  QB AARON BROOKS begins second full season as starter. Threw for career-high 26 TDs and 3,832 yards in 2001. College teammate of Buccaneers CB RONDE BARBER at Virginia WR JOE HORN led club with 83 receptions and 1,265 yards last season. Had 2 TDs in last meeting. WR JEROME PATHON joins Saints (UFA-Ind). Had 24 receptions for 330 yards in 4 games with Colts last year (foot) RB-KR DEUCE MC ALLISTER begins season as starter. Averaged 24.2 yards on KR in 2001, 5th in NFC LB CHARLIE CLEMONS emerged as dominant force in 2001, finishing tied for third in NFC with 13.5 sacks (KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA). Saints led NFC in sacks for second consecutive year (53, 2001; 66, 2000) .. BUCCANEERS:  Head coach JON GRUDEN begins first season with TB. Led Raiders to 38-26 record and two playoff appearances (1998-01) Team expected to feature 5 new starters on offense (TE KEN DILGER, G KERRY JENKINS, WR KEENAN MC CARDELL, T ROMAN OBEN and RB MICHAEL PITTMAN) QB BRAD JOHNSON totaled 523 yards and 4 TDS in past 2 meetings WR KEYSHAWN JOHNSON set career highs with 106 receptions and 1,266 yards in 2001 FB MIKE ALSTOTT was named to fifth consecutive Pro Bowl last season. Had career-high 91 yards receiving vs. Saints (11/24/96) Barber had 3 INTs, including 36-yard INT-TD in last meeting .K MARTIN GRAMATICA had career-high 16 points and tied career best with 4 FGs in last game vs. Saints.

SUNDAY NIGHT
DALLAS COWBOYS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
SERIES

 

COWBOYS

TEXANS

LEADER

--

--

STREAKS

--

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

Campo: 0-0

Capers: 2-1

PRESEASON REC.

3-1

1-4

LAST GAME

--

LAST GAME AT SITE

--

TV

ESPN (7:30 PM CT): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire, Suzy Kolber (Field reporter).
CBS Radio: Joel Meyers, Bob Trumpy. ESPN Deportes: Eduardo Varela, Fuad Reveiz, Luz Ramos (Field reporter)

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

Carter: 90-176-1,072-5-7-63.0

Carr (R): 32-62-383-3-1-56.9

RBs

Smith: 261-1,021-3.9-3

Allen (Chi.): 135-469-3.5-1

WRs

Galloway: 52-699-13.4-3

Bradford (GB): 31-526-17.0-2

OFFENSE

275.1

--

TAKE/GIVE

-9

--

DEFENSE

287.4 (2C)

--

SACKS

Ellis: 6.0

Walker (Jax.): 7.5

INTs

Woodson: 3

Glenn (NYJ): 5

PUNTING

Knorr: 40.2

Stanley (Ariz.): 39.5

KICKING

Cundiff (R): 25 (4/4 PAT, 7-10 FG)

Brown (Pitt.): 124 (T2C) (34/37 PAT; 30/44 FG)

NOTES

GAME FEATURES Texans’ first regular season game and first NFL regular season game in Houston since Dec. 15, 1996 COWBOYS:  Club plays first game in Houston since Nov. 10, 1991 (26-23 OT loss to Oilers) RB EMMITT SMITH has 16,187 career rushing yards and enters season second on NFL all-time rushing list. Needs 540 yards to surpass Pro Football HOFer WALTER PAYTON (16,726) as all-time leading rusher QB QUINCY CARTER begins second season as starter. Passed for 1,072 yards in eight starts in 2001 First-round draft pick S ROY WILLIAMS and second-round pick C ANDRE GURODE expected to make first career starts Starting DTs LA’ROI GLOVER (1997) and BRANDON NOBLE (1998-99) both played for NFL Europe League’s F.C. Barcelona Dragons. Glover joins Cowboys after totaling 50.0 sacks in 5 seasons with Saints LB KEVIN HARDY joins club after 6 seasons with Jaguars TEXANS:  NFL awarded Houston league’s 32nd  franchise on Oct. 6, 1999. Team founder, chairman and CEO ROBERT “BOB” MC NAIR announced franchise’s name, “Texans,” on Sept. 6, 2000 2002 NFL Draft No. 1 overall selection QB DAVID CARR of Fresno State makes first NFL start. Carr is 12th QB selected No. 1 since 1970. Completed 309 of 477 (64.8 pct.) passes for 4,308 yards, 42 TDs and 7 INTs in 2001 for Bulldogs Rookie RB JONATHAN WELLS of Ohio State (4th Rd.) makes first NFL start WR-KR-PR JERMAINE LEWIS ranked second in AFC in ’01 with 24.7 KR avg. & third in AFC with 12.4 PR avg. Only active player to lead NFL in PR avg. twice (1997, 2000) Two-time Pro Bowl CB AARON GLENN has played in 121 games out of possible 128 during eight-year career Head coach DOM CAPERS guided Carolina Panthers to 7 wins in 1995 -- most ever by NFL expansion team in inaugural year.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
SERIES

 

STEELERS

PATRIOTS

LEADER

11-4

 

STREAKS

6 of past 7

 

COACHES VS. OPP.

Cowher: 4-3

Belichick: 4-8

PRESEASON REC.

2-2

3-1

LAST GAME

12/6/98: Patriots 23 at Steelers 9. New England’s defense forces 3 second-half turnovers while Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe throws for 327 yards & 1 TD.

LAST GAME AT SITE

12/13/97: Steelers 24, Patriots 21 (OT). Pittsburgh DE Kevin Henry’s INT sets up game-tying score late in contest & Steelers’ Norm Johnson kicks game-winning 31-yard FG in OT.

TV

ABC (9:00 PM ET): Al Michaels, John Madden & Melissa Stark (Field reporter).
CBS Radio: Marv Albert, Boomer Esiason, John Dockery (Field reporter)

STARTERS ’01 STATS

QBs

Stewart: 266-442-3,109-14-11-81.7

Brady: 264-413-2,843-18-12-86.5 (3C)

RBs

Bettis: 225-1,072-4.8-4

A. Smith: 287-1,157-4.0-12 (T2L)

WRs

Ward: 94-1,003-10.7-4

Brown: 101-1,199-11.9-5

OFFENSE

367.9 (2C)

305.1

TAKE/GIVE

+7

+7

DEFENSE

258.6 (1L)

334.5

SACKS

Gildon: 12.0

Hamilton: 7.0

INTs

Scott: 5

O. Smith: 5

PUNTING

Miller: 42.5

Walter: 40.1

KICKING

Peterson (KC): 108 (27/28 PAT; 27/35 FG)

Vinatieri: 113 (41/42 PAT; 24/30 FG)

NOTES

GAME FEATURES rematch of 2001 AFC Championship Game (New England, 24-17) and first NFL regular-season game at Gillette Stadium STEELERS:  Have won 6 of past 7 vs. Patriots .Head coach BILL COWHER needs one win to reach 100 in regular season QB KORDELL STEWART top AFC vote-getter in A.P. MVP voting. Has won 18 of past 23 starts RB JEROME BETTIS led team with 1,072 rushing yards last year. Has 8 career 1,000-yard seasons, tied for fourth all-time (TONY DORSETT, FRANCO HARRIS & THURMAN THOMAS) ..Ground game (173.4) topped NFL in 2001 Club’s 21 turnovers tied for fewest in AFC (Jets, Seahawks) Last year, Steelers had first-ever season with two 1,000-yard receivers (PLAXICO BURRESS; 1,008 & HINES WARD; 1,003) & were one of 3 AFC clubs with two 1,000-yard receivers (Jax., Oak.). Ward had club-record 94 catches Steelers had NFL’s No. 1 total defense (258.6) LB KENDRELL BELL named A.P. Defensive Rookie of the Year with NFL rookie-high 9.0 sacks PATRIOTS: Have won 5 of past 7 home openers Had +9 win differential, third-largest increase in wins for Super Bowl champion from previous season. Became second team in NFL history (St. Louis Rams, 1999) to win Super Bowl following last-place finish QB TOM BRADY is 14-3 (.824) as starter. Was youngest QB to win Super Bowl MVP honors (24 years, 184 days). Set team record with 63.9 comp. pct. Became fifth QB since 1970 to be selected to Pro Bowl in year of first NFL start ..WR-PR TROY BROWN had club-record 101 catches & first career 1,000-yard season (1,199 yards). Led NFL with 14.2 PR avg Defense led AFC in red-zone with 38.8 TD pct. (19 TDs allowed in 49 possessions).

 

 

NFL 2002 Season Opens with Giants Hosting 49ers