SEVEN SPORT SPOTLESS RECORDS; BREES FACES BRADY IN BATTLE OF UNBEATENS

THE EMMITT WATCH

Dallas Cowboys running back EMMITT SMITH this week continues his quest to break perhaps the NFL’s most hallowed record -- career rushing yards, held by WALTER PAYTON. This Sunday, the Cowboys travel to St. Louis to face the Rams. A breakdown of Smith’s progress towards the record:

 

Payton Career Rushing	16,726
Smith Career Rushing	16,365
Yards To Break Record	362

SEVEN SPORT SPOTLESS RECORDS;
BREES FACES BRADY IN BATTLE OF UNBEATENS

Another week, another Battle of Unbeatens and "Almost-Unbeatens." 

This week, as the NFL heads to the quarter mark of its 2002 season, unbeatens will battle in San Diego (Chargers-Patriots) and almost-unbeatens in Green Bay (Packers-Panthers).

Mixed throughout the rest of the schedule are games featuring four other teams with spotless records -- the 3-0 Broncos, Dolphins and Saints, and 2-0 Raiders.

The seven unbeaten teams are the most after three weeks in a season since nine in 1998. Four of them have followed the turnaround that seems so typical of the NFL these days. Oakland lost its last three games last season and has won its first two. New Orleans lost its last four last year and has won its first three. San Diego lost its last nine in 2001 and has won its first three. And Carolina -- so far, the turnaround king -- lost its last 15 last year and has won its first three.

"We can’t worry about wins," says wary Chargers wide receiver-kick returner TIM DWIGHT. "We’re 0-0. Just keep the blinders on, man."

Going into Week 4, some particulars on the "Spotless Seven":

• Carolina is 3-0 for the first time since 1996, the year it played in the NFC Championship Game against Green Bay, its opponent this week.

• Denver is 3-0 for the first time since 1998, when it won its second successive Super Bowl. The Broncos have reached the Super Bowl five of the seven times they started 3-0.

• Miami is 3-0 for the first time since 1998. Playing Kansas City on Sunday, the Dolphins have won 12 in a row against the AFC West. Their new running back, RICKY WILLIAMS, leads the NFL in rushing (394 yards), accumulating the most yards over the first three weeks of any back joining a new team since 1970 (ahead of Washington’s GERALD RIGGS, 358 yards in 1989; and Indianapolis’ ERIC DICKERSON, 330 in 1987).

• New England (3-0) -- averaging 38.3 points per game -- has won its past 12, including last season’s playoffs. It’s the fifth time they have been 3-0 in their history.

• The combined 2001 record (34-14, .708) of the three teams New Orleans has defeated this year is the highest opponents’ winning percentage from the year before of any 3-0 team since 1970.

• Oakland (2-0) faces a nemesis this week in Tennessee running back EDDIE GEORGE. In three games against the Raiders, George has rushed for 146.0 yards per game. "It’s just ironic," says George. "It’s just the next team on the schedule."

• Counting the season’s final two games of last year he won as Washington head coach, San Diego (3-0) coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER brings a 5-0 streak into this Sunday’s game against New England.

The Battle of Unbeatens this week will feature the Patriots at the Chargers and the first NFL meeting of two young quarterbacks who were Big Ten opponents -- New England’s TOM BRADY and San Diego’s DREW BREES

Everybody knows the Brady saga of a year ago. From second-stringer to Super Bowl MVP, he began a New England string of 10 wins in 12 games when the Patriots and Chargers met on October 14 last year.

In a game that contained dramatics that would be replicated in the Super Bowl the Patriots would win almost four months later, Brady took the team on a late fourth-quarter drive while completing four passes before throwing the game-tying touchdown to JERMAINE WIGGINS. In overtime, a -- what else? -- ADAM VINATIERI field goal (of 44 yards) won it, 29-26.

The rookie Brees saw no action that day, but he certainly has this year. Named the Chargers’ starter before the season, he has completed 60.3 percent of his passes while directing a conservative game plan. This from a QB who threw nearly 1,700 passes at Purdue, and once had 83 attempts in a game.

"Our throwing game has kind of been to do it when we need to, and to take a shot here and there and kind of catch them off guard," says the Chargers’ Schottenheimer -- a proponent, as everyone in the NFL knows, of a strong running game.

Sunday’s quarterbacks met once in college -- on October 2, 1999 -- with Brady’s Michigan Wolverines topping the Purdue Boilermakers 38-12. Brady was 20-5 as a starter at Michigan, Brees 24-13 at Purdue.

A Brees-Brady college breakdown: 

BIG TEN BRADY & BREES

Lone Meeting -- October 2, 1999 -- Purdue 12 at Michigan 38

Quarterback	Att.	Comp.		Yards	TD	Int.
Brady, Michigan	25	15	250	2	0
Brees, Purdue	49	20	293	1	1

College Careers

	Brady	Brees
W-L Record	20-5	24-13
Bowl Game W-L	2-0	1-2
College Records	3rd in Michigan history in att. (710), 4th in comp. (442) & comp. pct. (62.3), 5th in TD passes (35)	1st in Purdue history in pass. yards (11,792), TD passes (90), total off. yards (12,693), comp. pct. (.611), att. (1,678)
Honors	(Senior) All Big-Ten Second Team; (Junior) All-Big Ten Honorable Mention & Academic All-Big Ten	(Senior) Heisman Trophy & Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist & semi-finalist for Davey O’Brien Award, Academic All-American Player of Year
Backup To	Brian Griese	Billy Dicken
Draft Dossier	"Pocket passer with arm strength to split zones"	"Touch passer with ability to read and diagnose defenses"
40-yard time	4.99	4.67
Major	General Studies in Literature, Science & Arts	Industrial Management/Manufacturing

The game itself will feature No. 1 vs. No. 1, the Patriots’ leading NFL offense (423.7) against the Chargers’ top NFL defense (206.0). Forget the players on the field, the game could come down to the offensive tricks of New England offensive coordinator CHARLIE WEIS parried by the schemes of San Diego defensive coordinator DALE LINDSEY. 

Looked at in another way, the top-scoring NFL offense of the Patriots (115 points) will confront the league’s stingiest defense (24).

In Green Bay this Sunday, it’s a battle of the almost-unbeatens as the 3-0 Panthers take on the 2-1 Packers. And here it’s a meeting of NFL No. 2s.

Rookie Panthers head coach JOHN FOX -- talk about a turnaround! -- has taken a defensive unit that finished 31st in the league last year to one that surrenders 220.3 yards per game for the No. 2 ranking in the NFL. The turnaround:

PANTHERS TURN INTO BIG CATS

Defensive Category	2001	2002
Total Yards Per Game	371.4	220.3
Rushing Yards Per Game	143.8	74.3
Passing Yards Per Game	227.6	146.0
Sacks	26	13
Interceptions	24	7
Points Per Game	25.6	9.3

Along with that, Fox named 36-year-old RODNEY PEETE as his starter, and the 14-year veteran has been behaving like a young cub.

"I hadn’t been hit in three years," says Peete of the past three seasons in which he played in four games for Washington and Oakland, "so my arm’s still fresh."

If he doesn’t want to throw it, he can hand off to the NFC’s second-leading rusher, first-year Panther LAMAR SMITH (298 yards). He comes off a 30-carry, 154-yard game last week against Minnesota.

"Lamar is the kind of runner who gets stronger as the game goes on," says Fox. "We’ve got to keep pounding away with those body blows."

Of course, nobody knows about pounding away like Packers quarterback BRETT FAVRE, the leader of the NFL’s No. 2 offense (427.7). He comes off a 31-of-47, 357-yard, three touchdown day against Detroit, one in which he moved into fourth place all-time in career TD passes with 292.

It’s the same ol’ Favre -- "If they have to lean on me, I don’t mind" -- who is now throwing to a new receiving corps.

Favre’s top receiver last week was tight end BUBBA FRANKS, who caught nine passes for 62 yards and a TD. Favre’s main wide-receiving target -- along with newcomer TERRY GLENN -- is DONALD DRIVER, who accounted for 94 yards and a TD.

The Pack is hoping for the return of running back AHMAN GREEN, the NFL’s fourth-leading rusher last year who missed Week 3 with a quadriceps injury.

AND YOU CAN QUOTE ME!

Interesting quotes from around the NFL

• "Every time he touches the ball, he’s going to make something happen, make somebody miss, create something out of nothing" – Oakland Raiders head coach Bill Callahan on his running back Charlie Garner.

• "I was raised and I was taught that you should never rest on your laurels. I’m never going to take anything for granted. I hope to get better every day" – Buffalo Bills rookie starting strong safety Coy Wire.

• "Little stuff will kill you. We were not a 5-11 team last year.  I thought we were a borderline playoff team. Why we go 5-11 is just the little things. Marty (Schottenheimer) is a big little-things, don’t-let-those-pass-you-by kind of guy. He’s always beating down on guys, saying, ‘We need to do it this way, we need to do it this way.’  But you need to be mentally tough enough, mentally strong enough, to know that, hey, we know that we need to do it that way and not have somebody else tell us that it needs to be done that way. And we are" – San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees.

• "We have two different styles. Ricky is more of a power guy. I’m more of a slashing guy" -- New Orleans Saints running back Deuce McAllister, comparing himself with former Saints back Ricky Williams.

• "I’m a gregarious guy. I’m not going to change that. Maybe when I get to be a little more veteran but probably not" – Miami Dolphins rookie tight end Randy McDaniel.    

WEEK 4
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
CHICAGO BEARS (2-1) AT BUFFALO BILLS (1-2)

SERIES

	BEARS	BILLS
LEADER	5-3
STREAKS		Past 2 at home
COACHES VS. OPP.	Jauron: 0-1	Williams: 0-0
LAST WEEK	L 29-23 vs. Saints	L 28-23 at Broncos
LAST GAME	11/12/00: Bears 3 at Bills 20. Buffalo QB Doug Flutie rushes for 1-yard TD in second half to enable Bills to take control of tight game.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/12/00
TV	FOX (1:00 PM ET): Kenny Albert, Tim Green

STATS

PASSING	Miller: 58-97-676-5-3-85.2	Bledsoe: 88-129-1,017 (1L)-6 (T2C)-2-100.8
RUSHING	Thomas: 72-240-3.3-2	Henry: 55-214-3.9-4 (T2L)
RECEIVING	Booker: 21(T3C)-343 (1C)-16.3-2 (T3C)	P. Price: 25 (T2L)-352 (1L)-14.1-2
OFFENSE	321.0	381.0
TAKE/GIVE	+3	0
DEFENSE	309.0	352.3
SACKS	Colvin: 4.0 (T3L)	Schobel: 3.5 (2C)
INTs	Austin: 2 (T3L)	0
PUNTING	Maynard: 41.4	Moorman: 46.7 (1L)
KICKING	Edinger: 22 (7/7 PAT; 5/8 FG)	Hollis: 27 (9/9 PAT; 6/8 FG)

NOTES

BEARS:  Have won 12 of past 13 games decided by seven points or lessHead coach DICK JAURON spent ’85 season as Buffalo DBs coach, his first NFL coaching jobQB JIM MILLER is 15-6 (.714) as Bears’ starter. QB CHRIS CHANDLER completed 28 of 40 attempts for career-high 431 yards, 2 TDs & 2 INTs for 101.1 passer rating vs. Bills (with Falcons, 12/23/01)RB ANTHONY THOMAS has TD in 5 of past 8 games. Rushed for 111 yards vs. Saints. Has lost 1 fumble in 382 career touches (350 rush, 32 rec). RB-PR-KR LEON JOHNSON needs 1 pass attempt for 2nd consecutive season with at least 1 pass, rush, reception, PR & KR. Would be first Bear to accomplish feat in consecutive seasons since GALE SAYERS (1965-67)WR DAVID TERRELL has 37 career catches and 6 TDs, average of 1 TD per 6.2 receptions. WR MARTY BOOKER averaging 6.3 receptions in past 3 vs. AFC opponents. Averaging 114.3 receiving yards per game in 2002BILLS:  Club is 3-1 (.750) all-time at home vs. BearsIn 3 career games vs. Chicago, QB DREW BLEDSOE has completed 72 of 121 passes (59.5 pct.) for 803 yards & 5 TDs vs. 2 INTs for 86.2 passer rating. On pace to reach 3rd career 4,000+ passing yard season & has thrown 100+ consecutive passes with 0 INTs for 10th time in career  (113)RB TRAVIS HENRY has rushed for 401 yards & 5 TDs in past 4 home games. RB LARRY CENTERS has reception in 139 games in row. Ranks 9th in all-time NFL receptions (773) & is 41 behind former WR HENRY ELLARD for 8th place. Centers leads RBs in career catchesWRs ERIC MOULDS & PEERLESS PRICE tied for 2nd in NFL with 25 catches each & form NFL’s best WR duo in receptions (50) and receiving yards (646). Moulds leads NFL in 3rd Down receptions (10). Price leads NFL in receiving 1st downs (17)Offense tied for 2nd in NFL in 1st Downs (69) & ranks 3^rd in AFC in red zone TD pct. (8 of 11, 72.7 pct.).

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-0) AT DETROIT LIONS (0-3)

SERIES

	SAINTS	LIONS
LEADER	8-7-1
STREAKS	3 of past 4
COACHES VS. OPP.	Haslett: 0-1	Mornhinweg: 0-0
LAST WEEK	W 29-23 at Bears	L 37-31 vs. Packers
LAST GAME	9/3/00:  Lions 14 at Saints 10. Detroit PR Desmond Howard returns a punt 95 yards for a TD to help Lions to victory.
LAST GAME AT SITE	10/4/92:  Saints 13, Lions 7. Saints’ defense registers 6 sacks & limits Lions to 187 total yards. New Orleans LB Pat Swilling & DE Wayne Martin each record 2.0 sacks.
TV	FOX (1:00 PM ET):  Curt Menefee, Tim Ryan

STATS

PASSING	Brooks: 62-104-710-7 (T2C)-4-86.6	Harrington (R): 22-53-234-2-5-28.3
RUSHING	McAllister: 69-277 (3C)-4.0-2	Stewart: 26-141-5.4-0
RECEIVING	Horn: 20-270-13.5-1	Hakim: 15-153-10.2-0
OFFENSE	342.3	216.7
TAKE/GIVE	+1	-7
DEFENSE	347.7	405.3
SACKS	Whitehead: 2.0	Bri. Walker: 1.0
INTs	Allen, S. Knight, Da. Smith: 1	Claiborne: 1
PUNTING	Gowin: 41.9	Jett: 46.2 (T1C)
KICKING	Carney: 16 (10/10 PAT; 2/3 FG)	Hanson: 11 (8/8 PAT; 1/1 FG)

NOTES

SAINTS:  Club starts 3-0 for first time since 1998. Overcame 20-0 deficit vs. Bears for second-biggest come-from behind win in team history (21, vs. Cin, W 31-24, 12/20/87). Saints are 18-1 under head coach JIM HASLETT when leading after 3 quartersQB AARON BROOKS tied career high with 3 TD passes vs. Bears. Also added 28 yards rushing, including 7-yard TD run. Brooks leads NFC with 101.4 fourth-quarter passer ratingRB DEUCE MC ALLISTER had career-long 30-yard reception, which set up Saints’ first TDWR DONTE’ STALLWORTH had game-winning 29-yard TD catch vs. Bears. Leads all NFC rookies with 3 TDs & 12 receptions (165 yards). Has TD in each of first 3 career gamesTE DAVID SLOAN totaled 180 receptions for 2,024 yards & 15 TDs with Lions from 1995-2001 ..S SAMMY KNIGHT had 37-yard INT-TD in last meeting. Had INT on Bears’ final drive last week to preserve winLIONS:  First-round draft pick (No. 3 overall) QB JOEY HARRINGTON made first career-start vs. Packers and threw first career TD passRB JAMES STEWART rushed for 88 yards, averaging 6.3 per carry, & added 2 receptions for 56 yards, including career-long 52 yard TD catch. RB LAMONT WARREN also added career-best 39-yard TD catch. Marked first time 2 RBs had TD catches of at least 35 yards in same game since 9/25/94 (Clev, LEROY HOARD, 65, ERIC METCALF, 57)Defense totaled 5 sacks in last meetingDE ROBERT PORCHER has sacks in 2 of past 3 vs. SaintsPR-KR DESMOND HOWARD has 8 career PR-TDs & needs 2 to tie ERIC METCALF for most all-time. Had 95-yard PR TD in last meeting, longest in club history. WR AZ-ZAHIR HAKIM had first TD with Lions on 72-yard punt return vs. GB.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-0) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1)

SERIES

	PANTHERS	PACKERS
LEADER		3-2
STREAKS	Past 2 of 3
COACHES VS. OPP.	Fox: 0-0	Sherman: 1-1
LAST WEEK	W 21-14 at Vikings	W 37-31 at Lions
LAST GAME	9/30/01:  Packers 28 at Panthers 7. Green Bay QB Brett Favre passes for 308 yards and 3 second-half TDs.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/12/99:  Panthers 33, Packers 31. Carolina QB Steve Beuerlein scores on QB keeper from 5 yards out to score game-winning TD as time expires.
TV	FOX (12:00 PM CT):  Pat Summerall, Brian Baldinger

STATS

PASSING	Peete: 53-81-667-3-2-93.0	Favre: 85-127-911 (2C)-7 (T2C)-2-99.6 (3C)
RUSHING	L. Smith: 74-298 (2C)-4.0-4 (T1C)	A. Green: 44-236-5.4-0
RECEIVING	Muhammad: 16-207-12.9-1	Driver: 16-223-13.9-2 (T3C)
OFFENSE	340.0	427.7 (1C)
TAKE/GIVE	+7 (1C)	0
DEFENSE	220.3 (1C)	334.0
SACKS	Rucker: 5.0 (1L)	Six tied: 1.0
INTs	Grant: 3.0 (T1L)	McKenzie, Sharper: 2 (T3L)
PUNTING	Sauerbrun: 45.0	Bidwell: 44.8
KICKING	Hilbert: 3 (3/3 PAT; 0/2 FG)	Longwell: 34 (1C) (10/10 PAT; 8/9 FG)

NOTES

PANTHERS:  Club starts 3-0 for first time since 1996Club’s 3 game winning streak is longest following losing streak of at least 10 games since 1986 (Ind)QB RODNEY PEETE had career-long TD run (26 yards) vs. GB (12/22/90). Ranks second in NFC with 99.0 fourth-quarter passer ratingRB LAMAR SMITH rushed for 154 yards (5.1 average, 2 TDs) vs. Vikings, second-highest total in club history & his first 100-yard rushing day with PanthersWR MUHSIN MUHAMMAD tied career high with 11 receptions (131 yards, 2 TDs) vs. GB on 11/27/00  WR STEVE SMITH had career highs with 5 receptions & 81 yards receiving vs. Vikings. Also had first-career TD catch (14 yards)TE WESLEY WALLS had six receptions for 96 yards in last meeting at Lambeau. Scored on 3-yard TD catch in 2001 meetingDefense is ranked No. 1 in NFC overall & No. 1 vs. rush & pass. Club leads NFC with 13 sacksDE MIKE RUCKER tied club record with 3.0 sacks last weekS DEON GRANT set club record with 3 INTs vs. Minn.   Had INT vs. Packers in last meetingPACKERS:  QB BRETT FAVRE passed for 308 yards & 3 TDs in last meeting. Has 294 career TD passes & needs 6 to become third player in NFL history with 300 TDs & 7 to pass JOHN ELWAY (300) for third all-time. Has 3,396 career completions & needs 14 to pass JOE MONTANA (3,409) for fifth all-time. Has 5,569 career pass attempts and needs 36 to pass DAN FOUTS (5,604) in sixth place all-time. Plays in 163rd consecutive game, moving into sole possession of third-place on club’s all-time listRB AHMAN GREEN has 11 100-yard rushing games with GB and club is 11-0 in those games. Rookie fourth-round draft pick RB NAJEH DAVENPORT had 22 carries for 84 yards & four receptions for 31 yards vs. LionsDE KABEER GBAJA-BIAMILA had 2.0 sacks in last meetingThird-round draft pick S MARQUES ANDERSON had 78-yard INT-TD vs. Lions.

NEW YORK JETS (1-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-1)

SERIES

	JETS	JAGUARS
LEADER		2-1
STREAKS		Past 2
COACHES VS. OPP.	Edwards: 0-0	Coughlin: 2-1
LAST WEEK	L 30-3 at Dolphins	Bye (Wk 2: W 23-16 at Chiefs)
LAST GAME	10/11/99: Jaguars 16 at Jets 6. On Monday night, Jacksonville’s defense holds Jets to 230 total yards, records 4 sacks & forces 2 turnovers as Jaguars remain unbeaten.
LAST GAME AT SITE	10/13/96: Jaguars 21, Jets 17. Jacksonville QB Mark Brunell throws 2 TD passes & Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith has 5 catches for 135 yards.
TV	CBS (1:00 PM ET): Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots

STATS

PASSING	Testaverde: 53-78-485-3-3-81.4	Brunell: 47-72-548-4-1-100.9
RUSHING	Martin: 24-54-2.3-0	Taylor: 44-197-4.5-2
RECEIVING	Anderson (RB): 12-75-6.3-0	J. Smith: 13-187-14.4-1
OFFENSE	218.3	396.5 (3C)
TAKE/GIVE	-2	+1
DEFENSE	403.3	321.5
SACKS	J. Ferguson: 2.0	Meier, Spicer: 1.0
INTs	D. Abraham, Beasley, Darling: 1	McCree: 2 (T1C)
PUNTING	Turk: 42.3	Hanson: 45.4 (2C)
KICKING	Hall: 15 (3/3 PAT; 4/5 FG)	Epstein (R): 10 (4/4 PAT; 2/4 FG)

NOTES

PLAYOFF HISTORY:  Jets defeated Jax. 34-24 in 1998 AFC Divisional Playoff in MeadowlandsJETS:  Have won 8 of past 10 road gamesIn 6 career regular season games vs. Jags, QB VINNY TESTAVERDE has passed for 1,666 yards (277.7 yards per game) & 9 TDsRB CURTIS MARTIN had 182 scrimmage yards (124 rushing, 58 receiving) & 2 TDs in Div. Playoff In only career game at Jax. (10/13/96), WR WAYNE CHREBET had career-best 12 receptions & 162 yards with 1 TDWR LAVERANUES COLES & LB SAM COWART were both born & raised in Jacksonville & still reside there. Coles attended Ribault High & Cowart went to Mandarin HighCB AARON BEASLEY was member of Jags from 1996-2001. Is club’s all-time leader in INTs (15), takeaways (18) & defensive TDs (4)JAGUARS:  Never lost to Testaverde-quarterbacked team in regular season (6-0)QB MARK BRUNELL is 2-1 (.667) & has completed 50 of 91 passes (54.9 pct.) for 601 yards & 3 TDs vs. 1 INT for 81.8 passer rating in 3 career games vs. NYJ. Had career postseason-high 3 TDs in 1998 Divisional Playoff vs. Jets. In 2002, has 100.9 passer rating, 5th in AFCRB FRED TAYLOR owns NFL’s longest run of 2002 (63 yards, TD) and is averaging 4.5 yards per carry (44 for 197). In past 12 games with at least 15 carries, Taylor has rushed for 1,505 yards (125.4 yards per game) & 13 TDs. RB STACEY MACK is 2 of 3 on 3rd & 1 rushing situationsWR JIMMY SMITH had first career 100-yard game vs. NYJ (10/13/96), recording 5 receptions for 135 yards & 1 TD. Smith leads Jax with 13 catches in two games in ’02 for 187 yards & 1 TDTE KYLE BRADY was first round draft choice of NYJ in 1995 (No. 9) & was member of Jets from 1995-1998, recording 93 catches for 949 yards & 10 TDs. Offense is 3rd in AFC and 4th in league in total yards per game (396.5) Defense held Jets to 6 points & 230 total yards in last meeting. Also forced 2 turnovers & posted 4 sacks.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-0) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-2)

SERIES

	DOLPHINS	CHIEFS
LEADER	Series tied 10-10
STREAKS	Past 4
COACHES VS. OPP.	Wannstedt: 1-1	Vermeil: 1-2
LAST WEEK	W 30-3 vs. Jets	L 41-38 (OT) at Patriots
LAST GAME	10/5/97: Chiefs 14 at Dolphins 17. Miami’s Olindo Mare kicks 26-yard FG to put Dolphins ahead & Miami LB Anthony Harris makes key tackle on fourth down to stop Chiefs’ final drive.
LAST GAME AT SITE	10/13/91: Chiefs 42, Dolphins 7. Kansas City RB Christian Okoye runs for 153 yards & 2 TDs & Chiefs QB Steve DeBerg throws 3 TD passes as Kansas City amasses 452 total yards.
TV	CBS (12:00 PM CT): Kevin Harlan, Randy Cross, Beasley Reece (Field Reporter)

STATS

PASSING	Fiedler: 47-75-579-6 (T2C)-1-107.6 (3L)	Green: 52-85-624-5-5-78.8
RUSHING	R. Williams: 68-394 (1L)-5.8-3 (T3C)	Holmes: 74-386 (2L)-5.2-6 (1L)
RECEIVING	McMichael (R) (TE): 11-186-16.9-2	Holmes (RB): 16-69-4.3-1
OFFENSE	375.0	385.0
TAKE/GIVE	+8 (1L)	-3
DEFENSE	292.7	452.3
SACKS	J. Taylor: 1.5	Hicks: 2.0
INTs	Marion, Rodgers: 2 (T1C)	Maslowski: 1
PUNTING	Royals: 44.8	Stryzinski: 41.7
KICKING	Mare: 22 (13/13 PAT; 3/5 FG)	Andersen: 28 (3C) (10/10 PAT; 6/6 FG)

NOTES

GAME FEATURES top two rushers in NFL: Miami’s RICKY WILLIAMS (394 yards) & Kansas City’s PRIEST HOLMES (386). Duo played together at University of Texas in 1996. Clubs are two of NFL’s best in Aug.-Sept. games since 1992: Miami, 29-7 (.806, NFL best); Kansas City, 28-14 (.667, tied for 4th-best in NFL)  DOLPHINS:  Have won past 4 vs. KCQB JAY FIEDLER is NFL’s 3rd-rated passer (107.6) & reached his 25th victory as starter last week in his 35th game, becoming fifth-fastest QB to win 25. Threw 40th TD pass as Dolphin in Wk. 3 to surpass former QB DON STROCK for 3rd on team’s all-time listRB Williams leads NFL with 394 rush yards (5.8 avg.). Ran for 151 yards vs. NY Jets in Wk. 3 for 3rd-most in career. Williams’ 3 consecutive 100-yard games marks 2nd time in team history that club has had 100-yard rusher 3 games in row (1972: RB MERCURY MORRIS, 107; RB LARRY CSONKA 114, 113)Rookie TE RANDY MC MICHAEL led team in receiving in Wk. 3 with 5 catches for 79 yards. Became 1st TE to lead team in receiving since former TE TROY DRAYTON (80) on 10/5/97DE JASON TAYLOR has 13 career fumble recoveries, 4th most by Dolphin. Defense is 2nd in AFC & 3rd in NFL in points allowed (12.3)CHIEFS:  Play second of three consecutive games vs. AFC EastRB Holmes rushed for 180 yards vs. Patriots in Wk. 3 for fifth-highest single-game total in team’s 43-year history. Marked 5th time in past 17 games Holmes has rushed for at least 147 yards. Tops in NFL with 6 runs of 20+ yards & leads league in non-kicker scoring with 42 points; 6 players tied for 2nd with 24. Tied for 8th in AFC in receptions (15).WR EDDIE KENNISON had 2 TD receptions in Wk. 3, first 2-TD game since rookie season with St. Louis (12/15/96). Club ranks 4th in AFC total offense & 6th in NFL (385.0). KR-WR DANTE HALL owns AFC’s 3rd-best KR avg. (28.3) with long of 57DE ERIC HICKS recorded 2.0 sacks in Wk. 3 & has 9 multi-sack games in career. Defense has not allowed 1st quarter TD.

HOUSTON TEXANS (1-2) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-1)

SERIES

	TEXANS	EAGLES
LEADER	--
STREAKS	--
COACHES VS. OPP.	Capers: 0-1	Reid: 0-0
LAST WEEK	L 23-3 vs. Colts	W 44-13 vs. Cowboys
LAST GAME	--
LAST GAME AT SITE	--
TV	CBS (1:00 PM ET):  Don Criqui, Steve Tasker

STATS

PASSING	Carr (R): 28-69-331-2-4-41.4	McNabb: 68-111-791-8 (1C)-2-99.3
RUSHING	Allen: 43-134-3.1-0	McNabb (QB): 14-118-8.4-2
RECEIVING	Bradford: 6-129-21.5-1	Staley (RB): 15-128-8.5-1
OFFENSE	177.3	386.3 (2C)
TAKE/GIVE	-1	+6 (2C)
DEFENSE	291.0	270.3 (3C)
SACKS	Posey: 3.0 (T3C)	Douglas: 3.0
INTs	Glenn: 2 (T1C)	Four tied: 1
PUNTING	Stanley: 40.7	Landeta: 45.5 (3C)
KICKING	K. Brown: 11 (2/2 PAT; 3/4 FG)	Akers: 33 (2C) (12/12 PAT; 7/7 FG)

NOTES

TEXANS:  Sr. VP and GM CHARLIE CASSERLY is native of River Edge, NJ, 100 miles from PhiladelphiaHead coach DOM CAPERS coached 12 Pro Bowl LBs from 1986-2000In fourth quarter, rookie QB DAVID CARR is 10 of 18 (55.6 pct.) for 167 yards Rookie RB JONATHAN WELLS gained 93 rush yards on 14 carries vs. Colts in Wk. 3 for club’s top rushing performance to dateWR COREY BRADFORD averages 21.5 yards per catch after 3 games (6 for 129 & 1 TD)CB AARON GLENN tied for AFC lead in INTs with 2LB JEFF POSEY leads team with 3.0 sacks, tied for 3rd-best in conference. Texans have 8.0 sacks through 3 games. Club is 5th in AFC total defense (291.0) and 8th in league. Defense ranks 4th in AFC in denying 3rd down conversions (30.0 pct.) & stands 3rd in conference in 1st downs allowed per game (14.3). Defense red zone TD percentage is 14.3, which ranks 3rd in AFC (1 TD in 7 possessions, 5 FGs)EAGLES:  Club last welcomed team from Houston to Veterans Stadium on 10/24/94, winning 21-6. Club 23-3 (.885) under head coach ANDY REID when scoring 20-or-more points. Have notched 30-point victories in consecutive games for first time since 1980 (Week 2, 42-7 at Min, Week 3, 35-3 vs. NYG)QB DONOVAN MC NABB has won 5 of past 7 starts vs. AFC opponents, passing for 14 TDs & 5 INTs. Completed 24 of 37 attempts for 287 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs for 115.5 passer rating last week. Also added 67 yards rushing on 6 carries, including 2-yard TD runWR ANTONIO FREEMAN had 6 receptions for 118 yards (1 TD), his first 100-yard game with clubEagles defense has not allowed TD in 8 consecutive quartersKR-PR BRIAN MITCHELL has 12 career KR-TDs & needs 1 for sole possession of all-time lead (ERIC METCALF). Has played in 179 consecutive games & will become only player in NFL to play at least 1 game vs. all 32 clubsDE HUGH DOUGLAS has 4.0 sacks in past 4 gamesCB BOBBY TAYLOR was born in Houston & makes offseason home there. Will play in 100th career gameK DAVID AKERS connected on 17 of past 20 FGs (.850) vs. AFC foes.

CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-1) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (0-2)

SERIES

	BROWNS	STEELERS
LEADER	54-44
STREAKS		Past 3
COACHES VS. OPP.	Davis: 0-2	Cowher: 11-4
LAST WEEK	W 31-28 (OT) at Titans	Bye (Wk 2: L 30-17 vs. Raiders)
LAST GAME	1/6/02: Browns 7 at Steelers 28. Pittsburgh’s defense holds Cleveland to 173 total yards & Steelers’ Troy Edwards returns fumble on special teams for TD.
LAST GAME AT SITE	1/6/02
TV	CBS (1:00 PM ET): Gus Johnson, Brent Jones

STATS

PASSING	Couch: 36-50-326-3-1-100.9	Stewart: 42-71-443-3-4-68.0
RUSHING	White: 29-123-4.2-0	Bettis: 18-76-4.2-0
RECEIVING	K. Johnson: 21-236-11.2-1	Ward: 15-182-12.1-3 (T3C)
OFFENSE	359.7	278.0
TAKE/GIVE	-1	-7
DEFENSE	338.0	403.5
SACKS	Word: 3.0 (T3C)	Porter: 3.0 (T3C)
INTs	Four tied: 1	Porter: 2 (T1C)
PUNTING	Gardocki: 43.1	Miller: 43.0
KICKING	P. Dawson: 30 (2C) (9/9 PAT; 7/8 FG)	Peterson: 7 (4/4 PAT; 1/2 FG)

NOTES

TEAMS MEET FOR 100TH TIME INCLUDING ONE POSTSEASON MEETING -- first AFC rivalry to reach 100 games & most played rival for each team. Browns-Steelers series has produced 31 Hall of Famers in 124 combined seasons. Only divisional rivalry to produce more HOFers is Bears-Packers (45). Bears-Packers have played 41 more combined seasons than Browns-Steelers. Cities separated by 132 milesBROWNS:  Club is one win shy of being 11th NFL team with 400. Pittsburgh (475) is only AFC team with 400+ winsTeam is 8-2 under head coach BUTCH DAVIS when scoring 20 or more pointsIn first start of ’02 last Sunday, QB TIM COUCH set career highs in attempts (50), completions (36) and tied career-best in TD passes with 3 (done 3 other times). In 4 starts vs. Steelers, Couch has completed 72 of 118 passes (61.0 pct.) for 825 yards & 5 TDs vs. 3 INTs for 85.6 ratingRB JAMEL WHITE is 2nd among AFC running backs in receptions (15)WR-PR DENNIS NORTHCUTT leads NFL in PR avg. (21.1 yards) on 7 returns for 148 yards & 1 TD. His 74-yard PR-TD vs. Titans in Wk. 3 is longest in AFC this seasonRookie WR ANDRE DAVIS leads NFL in receiving TDs (4) & is tied for 3rd among NFL rookie reception leaders (12)DE COURTNEY BROWN has 4.0 sacks in 3 games vs. Steelers. Club held Titans to 187 total yards in Wk. 3 -- fewest single-game total yards allowed by Browns since 1994 (182 vs. Houston, 11/27/94)STEELERS:  Head coach BILL COWHER has career 11-4 (.733) record vs. Cleveland. Needs 1 win for 100 career regular season victories. Cowher played 3 seasons with Browns (1980-82) & spent 4 years (1985-1988) with Cleveland as coach (special teams & secondary)Steelers have won 8 of past 9 home games vs. Browns. Pittsburgh is 7-2 (.778) in regular season at Heinz Field In fourth quarter this season, QB KORDELL STEWART is 19 of 27 (70.4) for 277 yardsRB JEROME BETTIS has 589 yards (three 100s) in past 5 vs. BrownsLB JOEY PORTER, AFC Defensive Player of Week for Wk. 2, has 3.0 sacks & 2 INTs in 2 games. Inside red zone, defense is 4th in NFL in TD pct. (1 of 6 for 16.7 pct., 4 FGs).

DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2) AT ST. LOUIS RAMS (0-3)

SERIES

	COWBOYS	RAMS
LEADER		9-8
STREAKS		2 of past 3
COACHES VS. OPP.	Campo: 0-0	Martz: 0-0
LAST WEEK	L 44-13 at Eagles	L 26-14 at Buccaneers
LAST GAME	11/15/92:  Rams 27 at Cowboys 23. Rams running back Cleveland Gary accounts for 154 yards from scrimmage & scores 2 TDs.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/18/90:  Cowboys 24, L.A. Rams 21. Dallas QB Troy Aikman completes 17 of 32 passes for 303 yards & 3 TDs.
TV	FOX (12:00 PM CT):  Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth, Pam Oliver (Field Reporter)

STATS

PASSING	Carter: 48-89-572-2-2-71.9	Warner: 88-125-882 (3C)-1-7-69.5
RUSHING	Smith: 46-178-3.9-0	Faulk: 30-115-3.8-4 (T1C)
RECEIVING	Galloway: 18-227-12.6-1	Holt: 23 (T1C)-318 (3C)-13.8-0
OFFENSE	289.3	345.7
TAKE/GIVE	-2	-6
DEFENSE	330.0	311.3
SACKS	Ellis: 4.5 (2L)	Little: 3.0
INTs	Coakley, Glover: 1	Archuleta, Davis, A. Williams: 1
PUNTING	Knorr: 41.2	Berger: 40.9
KICKING	Cundiff (R): 14 (5/5 PAT; 3/4FG)	Wilkins: 15 (6/6 PAT; 3/5 FG)

NOTES

COWBOYS:  RB EMMITT SMITH has 16,365 yards rushing & is second on NFL all-time rushing list. Needs 362 yards to surpass Pro Football HOFer WALTER PAYTON (16,726) as all-time leading rusher. Had career-high 117 yards receiving (4 catches) vs. Rams (11/18/90)WR JOEY GALLOWAY tied career-high with 8 receptions (75 yards) vs. StL (with Seattle, 10/19/97). Second-round draft pick WR ANTONIO BRYANT leads NFC rookies with 169 yards receiving (11 catches)Club ranks second in NFC with 12 sacks after totaling 24 in 2001DE GREG ELLIS has sacks in 3 consecutive games, including 4.0 in past 2. DT LA’ROI GLOVER has 2.5 sacks in 2002 & earned NFC Defensive Player of Week honors for 3.0-sack, 2 forced fumble effort vs. Rams (with Saints, 11/26/00)KR REGGIE SWINTON set club-record with 213 KR yards (6 returns) & had career-long 100-yard KR-TD vs. Eagles last week. Ranks second in NFL with 35.5 KR avg.RAMS:  QB KURT WARNER is NFL’s all-time leader with a 100.2 passer rating (1,027 of 1,528, 13,533 yards, 99 TDs, 60 INTs). Passed for 301 yards vs. TB, his second 300-yard passing game of season (315, vs. Den)RB MARSHALL FAULK will face Cowboys for first time. Has seen action vs. every other club except Houston. Faulk has 114 TDs & needs 3 to pass JOHN RIGGINS (116) for seventh all-time. Tied with teammate TORRY HOLT for NFC lead with 23 receptions. Rookie third-round draft pick LAMAR GORDON had 21-yard TD run vs. Buccaneers, his first career TD. Also had his first 2 career receptions (27 yards)WR Holt had career-high 12 receptions vs. TB. His 139 yards receiving ties for his fifth-highest everDE GRANT WISTROM has 4.0 sacks in past 4 gamesCB AENEAS WILLIAMS had 48-yard INT TD vs. Dallas on 12/25/95 (with Ariz). Has 8 career INT-TDs & needs 2 to pass KEN HOUSTON (9) and tie ROD WOODSON (10) for all-time NFL lead.

NEW YORK GIANTS (2-1) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-2)

SERIES

	GIANTS	CARDINALS
LEADER	77-39-2
STREAKS	Past 4
COACHES VS. OPP.	Fassel: 8-2	McGinnis: 0-3
LAST WEEK	W 9-6 vs. Seahawks	L 23-15 vs. Chargers
LAST GAME	11/11/01:  Giants 17 at Arizona 10. New York RB Tiki Barber rushes for 118 yards & Ron Dayne adds 49 yards, including 3-yard TD run, for Giants.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/11/01
TV	FOX (1:05 PM PT):  Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston, Ron Pitts (Field Reporter)

STATS

PASSING	Collins: 73-109-931(1C)-1-4-81.3	Plummer: 40-94-523-4-4-57.2
RUSHING	Barber: 55-159-2.9-1	T. Jones: 58-300 (1C)-5.2-1
RECEIVING	Barber (RB): 18-126-7.0-0	Boston: 14-244-17.4-1
OFFENSE	368.7(2C)	300.3
TAKE/GIVE	+2	-2
DEFENSE	258.7	385.7
SACKS	Holmes, Short, Strahan: 1.0	Four tied: 1.0
INTs	Peterson: 2 (T3L)	Lucas, Tanner: 1
PUNTING	M. Allen: 40.3	Player: 45.0
KICKING	Bryant (R): 30 (3C) (3/3 PAT; 9/9 FG)	B. Gramatica: 18 (6/6 PAT; 4/5 FG)

NOTES

GIANTS:  Head coach JIM FASSEL spent 1996 season as Cardinals’ offensive coordinator & QBs coachQB KERRY COLLINS passed for 147 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs in last meetingRB TIKI BARBER had career-high 144 rushing yards vs. Cardinals, including career-long 78-yard TD run (9/3/00). Has 100 yards rushing in 2 of past 4 vs. Ariz, averaging 6.5 yards per carryWR AMANI TOOMER has 100-yards receiving in 2 of past 3 games & averages 108.6 yards receiving in 2002. Ranks second in NFC with 326 yards. His 49-yard reception vs. Seattle was club’s longest play of season. WR IKE HILLIARD has caught pass in club-record 65 consecutive gamesDefense held Seattle to 7 first downs last week, fewest for opponent since 9/23/90 (7, Miami)DT KEITH HAMILTON has 4.5 sacks in past 3 vs. CardinalsLB BRANDON SHORT had first career unassisted sack vs. SeahawksFor second consecutive week, CB WILLIAM PETERSON had INT on opponents’ final possessionCARDINALS:  QB JAKE PLUMMER has two career 300-yard passing games vs. Giants (388, 11/16/97; 318, 9/3/00) and career-long 70-yard TD pass (11/16/97). Plummer passed for 229 yards & 2 TDs vs. SD last weekRB THOMAS JONES averaging career-best 5.2 yards per carry in 2002RB MARCEL SHIPP scored first career TD (31-yard reception) last week. Attended Passaic County (NJ) Technical HS & hails from Paterson, NJ WR DAVID BOSTON has 100-yard receiving games in 2 of past 4 vs. NY, including 9-catch, 137-yard, 1 TD (38 yards) effort in last home game vs. Giants WR MAR TAY JENKINS had career-long 65-yard TD reception last week. WR FRANK SANDERS set career high (since tied) with 2 TDs vs. Giants (10/8/95). Also had career-long 70-yard TD catch vs. NY (11/16/97)TE FREDDIE JONES had 5 receptions vs. Chargers, his most since joining Cardinals.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-1) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-3)

SERIES

	BUCCANEERS	BENGALS
LEADER	4-3
STREAKS	Past 3
COACHES VS. OPP.	Gruden: 1-0	LeBeau: 0-1
LAST WEEK	W 26-14 vs. Rams	L 30-3 at Falcons
LAST GAME	12/2/01: Buccaneers 16 at Bengals 13 (OT). Tampa Bay S John Lynch forces fumble in OT to set up Buccaneers K Martin Gramatica’s 21-yard game-winning FG.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/2/01
TV	FOX (4:05 PM ET): Sam Rosen, Bill Maas

STATS

PASSING	Johnson: 75-115-688-3-0-90.1	A. Smith (’01): 5-8-37-0-0-73.4
RUSHING	Pittman: 36-140-3.9-0	Dillon: 49-184-3.8-0
RECEIVING	Pittman: 17-117-6.9-0	Dillon (RB): 14-104-7.4-0
OFFENSE	287.0	250.3
TAKE/GIVE	+4 (3C)	-6
DEFENSE	299.7	324.0
SACKS	Sapp, Wyms: 2.0	Simmons, J. Smith, T. Williams: 1.0
INTs	Brooks: 3 (T1L)	0
PUNTING	Tupa: 46.2 (T1C)	Harris: 39.3
KICKING	M. Gramatica: 27 (6/6 PAT; 7/9 FG)	Rackers: 10 (1/1 PAT; 3/3 FG)

NOTES

BUCCANEERS:  Head coach JON GRUDEN was a 3-year letterman QB at University of DaytonQB BRAD JOHNSON is third in NFC with 115 pass attempts & has 0 INT. Has 0 INT in past 6 starts.RB MIKE ALSTOTT has rushed for 4,026 career yards & needs 175 to pass WARRICK DUNN (4,200) for second in club history. Scored first TD of season (2-yard run) vs. RamsWR KEENAN MC CARDELL tied career-best with 2 TD receptions vs. Bengals (with Jax, 11/29/98). Has 59 receptions, 755 yards & 7 TDs in past 10 vs. Bengals, including 3 100-yard gamesTE MARCO BATTAGLIA was drafted by Bengals in second round of ’96 NFL Draft & totaled 57 receptions for 533 yards for club from 1996-00Defense had 5.0 sacks & 4 INT vs. Rams. Eight different Buccaneers have sacks in ‘02DE SIMEON RICE had 1.0 sacks & 1 INT vs. Rams. Had 2.0 sacks in last meetingLB DERRICK BROOKS had 39-yard INT TD, his second INT TD of season (97 yards, vs. Ravens). Has 3 INTs in 2002 & needs 2 for career high BENGALS:  QB AKILI SMTH makes first start of 2002. Threw Bengals’ 1st regular season touchdown pass in Paul Brown Stadium to WR RON DUGANS (9/10/00 vs. Cleveland)In 2 career games vs. TB, RB COREY DILLON has 208 total yards from scrimmage & 1 TD. Dillon is 8th among AFC rushing leaders with 184 yards on 49 carries (3.8) and leads team in receptions with 14 for 104 yards. Is tied for 5th in AFC in most first downs with 17 (10 rush). Dillon ties for NFL lead in moving chains on 3rd & 1 rushing attempts (3 for 3) with Minnesota RB MOE WILLIAMS. Club is 17-10 when Dillon records at least 22 carriesLB TAKEO SPIKES has led team in tackles 2 of past 3 games. "Takeo" means "Great Warrior" in Japanese. Defense is 7th in NFL in passing yards allowed per game with 171.0. Club is 8th in AFC in yards allowed on 1st down (5.17)K NEIL RACKERS is 3 of 3 on FG attempts and has made past 7 FGs.

TENNESSEE TITANS (1-2) AT OAKLAND RAIDERS (2-0)

SERIES

	TITANS	RAIDERS
LEADER		20-16
STREAKS	6 of past 7
COACHES VS. OPP.	Fisher: 3-0	Callahan: 0-0
LAST WEEK	L 31-28 (OT) vs. Browns	Bye (Wk 2: W 30-17 at Steelers)
LAST GAME	12/22/01: Titans 13 at Raiders 10. Tennessee’s Joe Nedney kicks 21-yard FG with 1:47 left to lead Titans past Raiders on Saturday night contest.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/22/01
TV	CBS (1:15 PM PT): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstein (Field reporter)

STATS

PASSING	McNair: 59-95-602-5-2-89.0	Gannon: 62-92-617-3-3-83.5
RUSHING	E. George: 60-166-2.8-2	Garner: 21-183-8.7-2
RECEIVING	Mason: 17-258-15.2-0	Rice: 13-119-9.2-0
OFFENSE	282.7	443.5 (1L)
TAKE/GIVE	+2	+1
DEFENSE	320.3	229.5 (2C)
SACKS	Carter, C. Hall (R): 3.0 (T3C)	Bryant, R. Coleman: 1.0
INTs	A. Dyson: 2 (T1C)	C. Woodson: 1
PUNTING	Hentrich: 44.7	Stemke (R): 42.4
KICKING	Nedney: 18 (6/6 PAT; 4/4 FG)	Janikowski: 19 (7/7 PAT; 4/5 FG)

NOTES

THREE OF PAST 4 meetings decided by 3 pointsTITANS:  QB STEVE MC NAIR is 3-0 all-time vs. Raiders and is tied for 6th in AFC in TD passes with 5RB EDDIE GEORGE has rushed for 438 yards, including 2 100-yard games, in 3 career meetings vs. Oakland (146.0 yards per game). Had career-best 216 yards in 8/31/97 contest. George stands 10th in AFC rushing with 166 yards and 2 TDs. Also has 12 receptions in 2002 for 94 yards & 1 TDWR DERRICK MASON is tied for 6th in AFC with 17 receptions for 258 yards (15.2)TE FRANK WYCHECK has reception in 91 consecutive gamesDEs KEVIN CARTER & rookie CARLOS HALL tied for 3rd in AFC sacks with 3.0 apieceCB ANDRE DYSON tied for AFC lead in interceptions with 2, with 1 TD. Defense allowing 79.7 rush yards per game, 6th-fewest in NFL.RAIDERS:  Are 12-3 in past 15 home games. Club is 8-5 (.615) following bye week. Head coach BILL CALLAHAN lists Titans’ fans at The Coliseum as loudest he has heard in his NFL coaching careerWR TIM BROWN is 4 catches from surpassing ANDRE REED (951) for 3^rd on NFL’s all-time reception listQB RICH GANNON has completed 295 of 443 passes (66.6 pct.) for 3,203 yards & 35 TDs vs. 8 INTs for 106.5 passer rating in past 14 home games. Gannon will attempt to become fourth QB in NFL history to pass for more than 400 yards in consecutive gamesRB CHARLIE GARNER has 302 total yards from scrimmage on 31 touches for 9.7-yard avg. (tops in NFL among RBs) and has 4 runs of 20+ yardsWR JERRY RICE has 40 receptions for 414 yards & 2 TDs in 6 career games against Tennessee. WR Brown has 5 TDs in 6 career games against TitansS ROD WOODSON is tied for NFL lead in fumble recovers with 3 (DE BRYAN KNIGHT, Chicago). Woodson needs 43 interception return yards to pass DB EMLEN "THE GREMLIN" TUNNELL (1,282, 1948-61) for most in NFL history.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-0) AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (3-0)

SERIES

	PATRIOTS	CHARGERS
LEADER	17-11-2
STREAKS	Past 10
COACHES VS. OPP.	Belichick: 2-2	Schottenheimer: 5-1
LAST WEEK	W 41-38 (OT) vs. Chiefs	W 23-15 at Cardinals
LAST GAME	10/14/01: Chargers 26 at Patriots 29 (OT). New England’s Adam Vinatieri kicks game-winning 44-yard FG 4:05 into OT as Patriots defeat Chargers for 10th consecutive time.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/1/96: Patriots 45, Chargers 7. New England QB Drew Bledsoe throws 4 TD passes while defense forces 6 turnovers & records 6 sacks.
TV	CBS (1:15 PM PT): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian (Field reporter)

STATS

PASSING	Brady: 93-132-973 (2L)-9 (1L)-2-107.9 (2L)	Brees: 47-78-504-3-2-81.4
RUSHING	A. Smith: 48-218-4.5-1	Tomlinson: 74-289-3.9-3 (T3C)
RECEIVING	Brown: 31 (1L)-292 (3C)-9.4-1	Conway: 17-244-14.4-2
OFFENSE	423.7 (2C)	319.0
TAKE/GIVE	+6 (2C)	+5 (3C)
DEFENSE	277.3	206.0 (1L)
SACKS	McGinest, Seymour: 2.0	Leber (R): 4.0 (1C)
INTs	Buckley: 2 (T1C)	Five tied: 1
PUNTING	Walter: 38.5	Bennett: 39.6
KICKING	Vinatieri: 35 (1L) (11/11 PAT; 8/8 FG)	Christie: 19 (10/10 PAT; 3/4 FG)

NOTES

GAME FEATURES two undefeated clubs whose starting QBs have combined age of 48 years; NE’s TOM BRADY (25) & SD’s DREW BREES (23)PATRIOTS:  Have won 10 consecutive games vs. SD, longest active streak in NFL. Club’s 5th 3-0 start in 43-year history. Last did it in 1999, finished season 8-8. Team’s total points scored after 3 games (115) is 2nd most by defending Super Bowl champion (St. Louis 119 in ’00). Including playoffs, Patriots have won 12 games in row Against KC in Wk. 3, QB Brady became 6th QB in team history to throw for 400+ yards (410) and 1st to do it since DREW BLEDSOE (11/23/98 vs. Miami). Brady had first career 300-yard passing game in last year’s contest vs. SD, completing 33 of 54 passes (61.1 pct.) for 364 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 93.4 passer ratingWith 16 receptions this past Sunday, WR TROY BROWN tied four others for most in game. Marked Brown’s 12th 100-yard receiving game, tying him for 3rd-most in club history with former WR IRVING FRYAR. Brown had 11 receptions for 117 yards & added 40-yard PR in last meeting vs. ChargersClub is 2nd in AFC & tied for 3rd in NFL in turnover ratio (+6)In 3 career games vs. Chargers, S LAWYER MILLOY has 17 tackles, 1.0 sack, 1 INT & 1 fumble recoveryCHARGERS:  Head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER has career 5-1 (.833) record vs. NE. Schottenheimer is 11-3 in his past 14 gamesQB Brees’ 3rd down completion pct. (63.6) ties for 5th in AFC (14 of 22)RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON is 4th in AFC in yards from scrimmage (365 yards) WR CURTIS CONWAY is 6th among AFC reception leaders (17) & has 2 TDs. Had 117 yards receiving on 4 catches (29.3 avg.) in 2001 meetingOffense has scored 10 of 10 times inside opponents’ 20, including 7 TDs Rookie LB BEN LEBER is AFC sack leader with 4.0. Defense has yet to allow red zone TD (1 FG in 3 tries)RONNEY JENKINS had 30.6 KR avg. last year vs. NE (7 returns for 214 yards)K WADE RICHEY leads NFL in touchbacks on kickoffs (7).

SUNDAY NIGHT

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-3) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (0-3)

SERIES

	VIKINGS	SEAHAWKS
LEADER		4-2
STREAKS		4 of past 5
COACHES VS. OPP.	Tice: 0-0	Holmgren: 5-9
LAST WEEK	L 21-14 vs. Panthers	L 9-6 at Giants
LAST GAME	11/10/96:  Vikings 23 at Seahawks 42. Seattle converts 4 turnovers into 29 points. Seahawks QB John Friesz passes for 263 yards & 2 TDs.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/10/96
TV	ESPN (5:30 PM PT):  Mike Patrick, Joe Theisman, Paul Maguire, Suzy Kolber (Field Reporter). CBS Radio: Joel Meyers, Bob Trumpy, Warren Moon (Field reporter). ESPN Deportes: Eduardo Varela, Fuad Reveiz, Luz Ramos (Field reporter)

STATS

QBs	Culpepper: 60-103-706-5-6-71.1	Dilfer: 45-72-470-1-1-80.2
RBs	M. Williams: 28-166-5.9-1	Alexander: 44-110-2.5-0
WRs	Moss: 21 (T3C)-185-8.8-2 (T3C)	Jackson: 20-235-11.8-0
OFFENSE	355.7	252.3
TAKE/GIVE	-7	+1
DEFENSE	402.0	373.7
SACKS	Browell, Johnstone, Mixon: 2.0	Bernard, C. Brown: 2.0
INTs	Carter, Chavous: 1.0	Kacyvenski, W. Williams : 1
PUNTING	Richardson: 42.8	Feagles: 44.3
KICKING	Anderson: 2 (2/2 PAT; 0/0 FG)	Lindell: 18 (3/3 PAT; 5/6 FG)

NOTES

SEATTLE HOSTS "CANADA DAY" to honor Canadian fansClubs play first NFC game since 11/14/76 (Vikings, 27-21)VIKINGS: Head coach MIKE TICE played TE for Seahawks from 1981-88, 1990-91QB DAUNTE CULPEPPER makes first career start vs. Seattle. Has connected with WR RANDY MOSS for 23 career TDs & needs 4 to become most prolific scoring tandem in club history (WARREN MOON/CRIS CARTER). Culpepper has 52 career TD passes & needs 7 to pass Moon (58) for fourth in club historyRB MICHAEL BENNETT has 239 consecutive scrimmage attempts without fumble. RB MOE WILLIAMS had career-high 66 yards receiving vs. Panthers and tied career-high with 4 receptionsDE LANCE JOHNSTONE had 2.0 sacks vs. Panthers, his fifth career multi-sack game & second with VikingsCB TYRONE CARTER had first career INT last weekSEAHAWKS: Head coach MIKE HOLMGREN needs 1 win to reach 100 career victoriesIn 10 career games vs. Vikings, QB TRENT DILFER has passed for 1,814 yards, his most vs. any opponent. Has 11 TDs & 5 INTs  vs. Min. Completed 25 of 39 attempts for 301 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT for 94.1 passer rating in last start vs. Vikings (with TB, 10/3/99). Has won 20 of past 23 starts, including postseasonDT JOHN RANDLE ranks second among active players with 125.0 sacks, including 114.0 for Vikings from 1990-00, ranking third in club history. Led Vikings in sacks for record 9 seasons, including NFL-leading 15.5 in ’97. Has sacked 53 different QBs, but never Vikings QB CulpepperLB ISAIAH KACYVENSKI led club with 10 tackles (9 solo) vs. Giants & has led club in 2 of 3 games this seasonPR BOBBY ENGRAM averaged 15.0 yards on 3 PR vs. GiantsP JEFF FEAGLES averaged 47.8 yards on 6 punts, including 3 inside 20 yard-line, vs. Giants.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

DENVER BRONCOS (3-0) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (0-2)

SERIES

	BRONCOS	RAVENS
LEADER	Series tied 1-1
STREAKS	1-1
COACHES VS. OPP.	Shanahan: 1-2	Billick: 2-0
LAST WEEK	W 28-23 vs. Bills	Bye (Wk 2: L 25-0 vs. Buccaneers)
LAST GAME	9/30/01:  Ravens 20 at Broncos 13. Baltimore QB Elvis Grbac passes for 2 second-half TDs as Ravens rally past Broncos.
LAST GAME AT SITE	--
TV	ABC (9:00 PM ET):  Al Michaels, John Madden, Melissa Stark (Field Reporter). CBS Radio: Marv Albert, Boomer Esiason, John Dockery (Field reporter)

STATS

PASSING	Griese: 51-77-532-6 (T2C)-2-101.2	Redman: 36-72-359-1-2-57.6
RUSHING	Portis (R): 27-149-5.5-1	J. Lewis: 34-117-3.4-0
RECEIVING	Smith: 15-163-10.9-2	Stokley: 10-140-14.0-0
OFFENSE	310.7	231.0
TAKE/GIVE	+2	-2
DEFENSE	293.0	272.0 (3C)
SACKS	Pryce: 3.0 (T3C)	Boulware: 2.0
INTs	O’Neal, Washington: 1	0
PUNTING	Rouen: 43.2	Zastudil (R): 38.7
KICKING	Elam: 21 (9/9 PAT; 4/5 FG)	Stover: 1 (1/1 PAT; 0/1 FG)

NOTES

TEAMS HAVE COMBINED to earn 3 postseason berths in past 2 seasonsHead coaches BRIAN BILLICK of Baltimore and MIKE SHANAHAN of Denver each own .625 winning percentage -- tied for 3rd best pct. among active coaches with at least one full season (MIKE MARTZ, StL, .667; MIKE SHERMAN, GB, .649)BRONCOS:  QB BRIAN GRIESE is tied for 2nd in AFC with 6 TD passes. Owns NFL’s 2nd-best fourth quarter passer rating (142.4) on 16 of 19 (84.2 pct.) for 165 yards, 3 TDs & 0 INTs. Griese has TD pass in 18 consecutive games, longest active streak in NFL.Rookie RB CLINTON PORTIS had first career 100-yard game in Wk. 3 (103 yards) & 1st career TD. Club boasts 3 RBs with yards per carry averages of 4.3 or better -- MIKE ANDERSON: 24 for 140 (5.8); Portis: 27 for 149 (5.5); OLANDIS GARY: 23 for 98 (4.3)WR ROD SMITH is club’s all-time leader in career TD receptions (46).   WR ED MC CAFFERY is 2nd on clubs’s TD reception list with 45. TE SHANNON SHARPE spent past 2 seasons with Ravens. His 3 Super Bowl rings ties for most among active players (JERRY RICE, EMMITT SMITH)Rush defense ranks No. 1 in NFL (47.3 yards). Against Buffalo in Wk. 3, allowed 39 rush yards on 14 attempts (2.8). Has not allowed 1st quarter points in ‘02.RAVENS:  Club is 1-0 on MNFDespite having played only 2 games, LB RAY LEWIS is tied with three players for most tackles in AFC (21). Club has not allowed TD in two consecutive home games. Defense ranks 3rd in AFC in total defense & 3rd in pass defense (162.5). Defense ranks 2nd in AFC in fewest yards allowed on 1st downs (4.04)QB CHRIS REDMAN has completed 50 pct. of passes after first two NFL starts (36 of 72)RB JAMAL LEWIS leads team in rushing (117 yards) and is 2nd on club in receptions (9)WR BRANDON STOKELY leads team with 10 receptions for 140 yards. Team tied for NFL’s youngest avg. player age with Arizona (25.2 years).

ATLANTA, INDIANAPOLIS, SAN FRANCISCO, WASHINGTON HAVE OPEN DATES IN WEEK 4

ATLANTA (1-2):  Head coach DAN REEVES has 189 career wins & needs 5 to pass CHUCK KNOX (193) for sixth all-time.Former President JIMMY CARTER was guest of club owner ARTHUR BLANK at last week’s win vs. BengalsQB MICHAEL VICK has completed 48 of 77 attempts for 549 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs for 101.1 passer rating. Falcons are only club with 0 INTs in 2002. Has rushed for 184 yards, averaging 7.7 yards per carry, to lead all QBsFirst-round draft pick RB T.J. DUCKETT has rushed for 138 yards, with 4.8 yards per carry average, to lead all NFC rookiesWR BRIAN FINNERAN had career-high 2 TDs (20, 13) vs. Bengals. Tied career-best with 6 receptions (77 yards)LB KEITH BROOKING has 10 or more tackles in each of club’s first three games, including career-high 22 vs. GB in Week 1.

INDIANAPOLIS (2-1):  Club has started 2-1 for fourth consecutive season QB PEYTON MANNING is 16 of 23 (69.6 pct.) when passing on 3rd down for 160 yards and 1 TDRB EDGERRIN JAMES ranks 3rd in AFC in rushing yards (325) and total yards from scrimmage (447). Is NFL leader in first downs with 26 (21 rushing)WR MARVIN HARRISON has 23 receptions & AFC fourth-most 288 yards with 2 TDs. Harrison, WR QADRY ISMAIL and WR REGGIE WAYNE have combined for 41 catches, 537 yards & 6 TDsOffense is 19 of 38 (50.0 pct.) in converting 3rd down attempts, tied for 2nd in NFL with New England (Oakland, 59.4 pct.)Joins Cleveland (-1) as only clubs who have winning records despite negative turnover ratio with -2DE BRAD SCIOLI recorded 5 tackles and 2.0 sacks in Wk. 3 vs. Houston.  Defense ranks 3rd in NFL against pass (160.7).

SAN FRANCISCO (2-1):  QB JEFF GARCIA has completed 65.4 pct. (53 of 81) for 455 yards in 2002RB GARRISON HEARST has 13 career 100-yard rushing games with 49ers, third in club-history. Can tie ROGER CRAIG (14) with next 100-yard performance. Rushed for 97 yards in win vs. Redskins. RB KEVIN BARLOW rushed for career-high 94 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, & had seven-yard TD runWR TERRELL OWENS had career-long 38-yard TD run last week. Totaled 61 career TDs & is tied for third in club history (KEN WILLARD). Needs 6 TDs to pass Craig for secondTE ERIC JOHNSON leads team with 13 receptions & 133 receiving yardsClub tied for third in NFC with +3 takeaway/giveaway ratioDE ANDRE CARTER tied for club lead (CHIKE OKEAFOR) with 3.0 sacks & had 2.0 vs. Redskins.

WASHINGTON (1-2):  QB SHANE MATTHEWS completed 17 of 28 attempts for 169 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs for 89.7 passer rating vs. SFRB STEPHEN DAVIS has 18 career 100-yard rushing games & with 1 more ties for most in club history (LARRY BROWN, JOHN RIGGINS). Has rushed for 100 yards in 5 of past 8 games. Davis leads club with 216 yards & has 4.2 yards per carry avg. Rushed for 59 yards & added 4 receptions for 29 yards vs. 49ers. Also tops on club with 17 receptionsWR ROD GARDNER leads club with 210 yards receivingDE BRUCE SMITH has 186.0 career sacks & needs 12.5 to pass REGGIE WHITE (198.0) for first all-timeCB DARRELL GREEN needs 1 INT to increase NFL record of consecutive seasons with INT to 20. 

2002 NFL STANDINGS

AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE							NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
East Division							East Division
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA		W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA
Miami	3	0	0	1.000	100	37	N.Y. Giants	2	1	0	.667	48	43
New England	3	0	0	1.000	115	59	Philadelphia	2	1	0	.667	105	47
Buffalo	1	2	0	.333	99	104	Dallas	1	2	0	.333	44	76
N.Y. Jets	1	2	0	.333	47	105	Washington	1	2	0	.333	48	80
North Division							North Division
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA		W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA
Cleveland	2	1	0	.667	90	75	Chicago	2	1	0	.667	64	65
Baltimore	0	2	0	.000	7	35	Green Bay	2	1	0	.667	94	100
Pittsburgh	0	2	0	.000	31	60	Detroit	0	3	0	.000	59	117
Cincinnati	0	3	0	.000	16	84	Minnesota	0	3	0	.000	76	93
South Division							South Division
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA		W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA
Indianapolis	2	1	0	.667	64	49	Carolina	3	0	0	1.000	62	28
Jacksonville	1	1	0	.500	48	44	New Orleans	3	0	0	1.000	90	63
Houston	1	2	0	.333	25	57	Tampa Bay	2	1	0	.667	71	40
Tennessee	1	2	0	.333	68	76	Atlanta	1	2	0	.333	77	54
West Division							West Division
	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA		W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA
Denver	3	0	0	1.000	75	53	San Francisco	2	1	0	.667	40	47
San Diego	3	0	0	1.000	81	24	Arizona	1	2	0	.333	62	67
Oakland	2	0	0	1.000	61	34	Saint Louis	0	3	0	.000	51	75
Kansas City	1	2	0	.333	94	103	Seattle	0	3	0	.000	36	64

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS

(Home teams in capitals)

Indianapolis 23, HOUSTON 3

San Diego 23, ARIZONA 15

New Orleans 29, CHICAGO 23

MIAMI 30, N.Y. Jets 3

ATLANTA 30, Cincinnati 3

Carolina 21, MINNESOTA 14

NEW ENGLAND 41, Kansas 38 (OT)

PHILADELPHIA 44, Dallas 13

Cleveland 31, TENNESSEE 28 (OT)

Green Bay 37, DETROIT 31

DENVER 28, Buffalo 23

N.Y. GIANTS 9, Seattle 6

SAN FRANCISCO 20, Washington 10

TAMPA BAY 26, St. Louis 14

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE -- SEPTEMBER 29-30

(All times local)

Open dates: Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Francisco and Washington)

New Orleans at Detroit 1:00 PM

Chicago at Buffalo 1:00 PM

Carolina at Green Bay 12:00 PM

N.Y. Jets at Jacksonville 1:00 PM

Houston at Philadelphia 1:00 PM

Dallas at St. Louis 12:00 PM

Miami at Kansas City 12:00 PM

Tampa Bay at Cincinnati 4:05 PM

N.Y. Giants at Arizona 1:05 PM

Cleveland at Pittsburgh 1:00 PM

Minnesota at Seattle 5:30 PM (ESPN)

Tennessee at Oakland 1:15 PM

New England at San Diego 1:15 PM

Denver at Baltimore, Monday, 9:00 PM (ABC)

 

 

SPORTS

BASEBALL | BASKETBALL | COLLEGES | FOOTBALL | GOLF | HOCKEY | OLYMPICS | SOCCER | TENNIS

 

 

 

NFL 2002 Season