[OLD HEAD]

Week 4 NFL Capsules

2008, Week 4, 09/23/2008

WEEK 4 – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

ATLANTA FALCONS (2-1) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-1)

SERIES

FALCONS
PANTHERS

SERIES LEADER
16-10

STREAKS

2 of past 3

COACHES VS. OPP.
Smith: 0-0
Fox: 5-7

LAST WEEK
W 38-14 vs. Chiefs
L 20-10 at Vikings

LAST GAME
11/11/07: Falcons 20 at Panthers 13. Atlanta QB Joey Harrington completes 30-yard TD to TE Alge Crumpler with 20 seconds remaining to lift Falcons past Carolina.

LAST GAME AT SITE
11/11/07

BROADCAST
FOX (1:00 PM ET): Ron Pitts, Tony Boselli, Charissa Thompson (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 121 (Atl.), 110 (Car.).


STATS

PASSING
Ryan (R): 34-64-511-2-2-77.0
Delhomme: 52-91-566-1-1-74.7

RUSHING
Turner: 59-366 (1L)-6.2-5 (T1L)
Stewart (R): 31-145-4.7-3 (T3C)

RECEIVING
White: 11-232-21.1-1
Muhammad: 14-140-10.0-0

OFFENSE
362.0
269.3

TAKE/GIVE
+2
0

DEFENSE
306.7
292.3

SACKS
Abraham: 6.0 (1L)
4 tied: 1.0

INTs
4 tied: 1
Gamble: 1

PUNTING
Koenen: 39.6
Baker: 45.4

KICKING
Elam: 27 (9/9 PAT; 6/6 FG)
Kasay: 26 (5/5 PAT; 7/7 FG)


NOTES

ROAD TEAM has won past 5 meetings in series…

FALCONS: Rookie QB MATT RYAN (1st round, No. 3) led BC to victory at Bank of America Stadium in 2006 bowl game vs. Navy. Was MVP of game & passed for 242 yards with 1 TD & rush TD. Has 120+ rating in 2 of 1st 3 starts…Falcons lead NFL in rushing (203.0 yards per game). RB MICHAEL TURNER has rushed for 366 yards in 1st 3 games with Atl., incl. team-record 220 yards in Week 1. Had career-high 3 TDs last week. When Turner has 8+ carries, his teams are 13-1 (.929). RB-KR JERIOUS NORWOOD has 4 career rush TDs & 3 have been 67+ yards. In his last game vs. Car., had 211 combined yards (145 KR, 32 rush, 34 rec.)…WR RODDY WHITE had 119 yards & 70-yard TD last week. Has 8 career 100-yard rec. games, incl. 127-yard game vs. Car. (9/23/07). Had 69-yard TD in that contest…DE JOHN ABRAHAM has 16.0 sacks in past 18. Leads NFL with 6.0 sacks. Has 73.5 sacks since 2000, 6th-most in NFL. Has 5.0 sacks in 6 career meetings, incl. 2 games with 2.0 sacks…

PANTHERS: Have 99 victories & needs 1 to reach 100…In past 5 vs. Atl., QB JAKE DELHOMME has completed 86 of 139 (61.9 pct.) for 962 yards with 8 TDs vs. 3 INTs for 92.7 passer rating. Had 110.6 rating in his last start vs. Atl. As starter, when Delhomme has 110.0+ rating, his teams are perfect 11-0…Rookie RB JONATHAN STEWART (1st round, No. 13) aims for 3rd game in row with rush TD. Has 3 TDs in past 2. Panthers are perfect 6-0 when RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS rushes for 80+ yards, incl. 82-yard game vs. Atl. (12/24/06)…WR STEVE SMITH aims for 4th home game in row with 8+ receptions. WR MUHSIN MUHAMMAD has 29 100-yard receiving games, incl. 4 vs. Atl. Has 100-yard game in 2 of past 3 meetings. TE JEFF KING has TD in 2 of 3 meetings…DE JULIUS PEPPERS ranks 1st in team history with 57.0 sacks & 19 FFs. S CHRIS HARRIS aims for 3rd in row vs. Atl. with FF. CB CHRIS GAMBLE aims for 4th in row with turnover (1 INT, 2 FRs). Rookie S CHARLES GODFREY (3rd round, No. 67) had 1st career sack last week.



CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-3) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-3)

SERIES


BROWNS
BENGALS

SERIES LEADER

35-34

STREAKS

7 of past 10

COACHES VS. OPP.
Crennel: 1-5
Lewis: 7-3

LAST WEEK
L 28-10 at Ravens
L 26-23 (OT) at Giants

LAST GAME
12/23/07: Browns 14 at Bengals 19. Cincinnati RB Kenny Watson runs for 130 yards & Bengals’ defense intercepts Cleveland QB Derek Anderson 4 times.

LAST GAME AT SITE
12/23/07

BROADCAST
CBS (1:00 PM ET): Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon. SIRIUS: 125 (Cle.), 107 (Cin.).




STATS

PASSING
Anderson: 43-93-405-2-5-43.5
C. Palmer: 52-90-514-1-3-63.8

RUSHING
Lewis: 44-156-3.5-0
Perry: 60-180-3.0-2

RECEIVING
Winslow (TE): 14-116-8.3-1
Houshmandzadeh: 18 (T3C)-216-12.0-1

OFFENSE
194.0
238.7

TAKE/GIVE
-2
-1

DEFENSE
347.0
353.0

SACKS
Hall (R), Rogers: 1.0
Odom: 1.0

INTs
3 tied: 1
---

PUNTING
Zastudil: 45.2
Larson: 42.5

KICKING
Dawson: 14 (2/2 PAT; 4/4 FG)
Graham: 16 (4/4 PAT; 4/5 FG)


NOTES

BROWNS: Club is 5-0 under ROMEO CRENNEL when scoring 30 or more points…QB DEREK ANDERSON has 7 TDs vs. 5 INTs & 85.4 passer rating against Bengals. Team is 4-0 when Anderson has 100+ passer rating…In 13 career meetings against Bengals, RB JAMAL LEWIS averages 119.3 rush yards per game (1,551 total) & averages 154 rush yards per game in past 2. Lewis’ teams are 22-3 (.880) when he has 25+ carries. RB JEROME HARRISON scored 1st career TD last week (19-yard rec.)…WR BRAYLON EDWARDS aims for 3rd consecutive game with 8 receptions & 2 TDs against Cin. & averages 99 receiving yards per game in past 2 vs. Bengals…TE KELLEN WINSLOW has totaled 13 receptions for 173 yards (13.3 avg.) in past 2 vs. Cin. Team is 3-0 when Winslow has 100+ rec. yards.…LB ANDRA DAVIS has 3 career INTs against Bengals (most vs. any opponent)…In 1st career NFL start, rookie LB ALEX HALL (7th round, No. 231) posted 1st career sack last week…WR-KR JOSHUA CRIBBS aims for 5th consecutive game with 100+ KR yards vs. Cin…

BENGALS: Club aims for 5th consecutive win against Browns at home…In 4 career starts at home against Browns, QB CARSON PALMER has 4-0 record & has completed 70 of 117 passes (59.8 pct.) for 811 yards with 8 TDs vs. 8 INTs & 75.1 passer rating. Palmer posted career-high 6 TDs at Cle. on 9/19/07…RB CHRIS PERRY aims for 3rd consecutive game with rush TD… In last meeting against Browns, RB KENNY WATSON gained career-high 130 rush yards (4.3 avg.) on 30 att. with 1 TD…WR T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH aims for 5th consecutive game with 1 or more TDs against Browns & has 5 TDs in past 4. Houshmandzadeh had 146 yards & tied career high with 12 receptions last week. WR CHAD JOHNSON is averaging 125.3 receiving yards per game in past 2 against Browns (253 total)…Since ’03, team is 22-5 (.814) when defense has 2+ INTs…LB DHANI JONES leads team with 32 tackles…DE ROBERT GEATHERS has 3.5 career sacks vs. Cle. (most vs. any opponent)…S CHINEDUM NDUKWE registered career-high 2 INTs in last meeting against Browns…WR-KR GLENN HOLT averages 24.9 yards per KR.



HOUSTON TEXANS (0-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-2)

SERIES


TEXANS
JAGUARS

SERIES LEADER
7-5


STREAKS
3 of past 4


COACHES VS. OPP.
Kubiak: 3-1
Del Rio: 4-6

LAST WEEK
L 31-12 at Titans
W 23-21 at Colts

LAST GAME
12/30/07: Jaguars 28 at Texans 42. Houston KR André Davis has 2 KR-TDs 28 seconds apart as Texans score team-record 42 points & finish season with franchise-record 8 wins.

LAST GAME AT SITE
10/14/07: Jaguars 37, Texans 17. Jacksonville RB Maurice Jones-Drew has 184 scrimmage yards (125 rush, 59 rec.) & 2 rushing TDs (7, 57) as Jaguars win 4th straight game.

BROADCAST
CBS (1:00 PM ET): Dick Enberg, Randy Cross. SIRIUS: 118 (Hou.), 122 (Jax.).


STATS

PASSING
Schaub: 42-70-390-1-5-50.3
Garrard: 56-85-547-1-4-68.1

RUSHING
Slaton (R): 31-159-5.1-1
Taylor: 49-188-3.8-0

RECEIVING
A. Johnson: 12-141-11.8-0
M. Jones: 15-162-10.8-0

OFFENSE
275.5
278.3

TAKE/GIVE
-3
0

DEFENSE
324.0
306.3

SACKS
M. Williams: 2.0
5 tied: 1.0

INTs
Reeves: 1
4 tied: 1

PUNTING
Turk: 42.9
Podlesh: 44.0

KICKING
K. Brown: 11 (2/2 PAT; 3/3 FG)
Scobee: 25 (T3C) (4/4 PAT; 7/8 FG)


NOTES

TEXANS: Texans are 3-1 (.750) when QB MATT SCHAUB has 100+ passer rating…In 1st career start last week, rookie RB STEVE SLATON (3rd round, No. 89) gained 116 rush yards (6.4 avg.) on 18 att. with 1 TD. Slaton’s 116 yards were 2nd most by Texans rookie RB (DOMANICK WILLIAMS, 129 yards on 10/19/03)…WR ANDRE JOHNSON averages 88.7 receiving yards per game in past 4 against Jaguars (355 total). Hou. has won 5 of past 7 when Johnson has 100+ receiving yards. Johnson (4,945) needs 56 rec. yards to surpass 5,000 for career. WR KEVIN WALTER notched career-high 12 rec. for 160 yards (13.3 avg.) in last meeting at Jax…TE OWEN DANIELS aims for reception in 22 consecutive games. Daniels averages 14.9 yards per catch in ’08 (7 receptions for 104 yards)…Pro Bowl LB DE MECO RYANS recorded 6th career FR last week…Since 10/1/07, DE MARIO WILLIAMS is tied for 3rd in NFL with 14 sacks…CB JACQUES REEVES posted 1st INT with Texans last week…In last meeting against Jaguars, WR-KR ANDRÉ DAVIS totaled 234 KR yards on 5 att., including 104-yard KR-TD…

JAGUARS: Since ’06, team is 14-4 (.778) when gaining 150+ rush yards…In last meeting against Houston, QB DAVID GARRARD completed 22 of 34 (64.7 pct.) passes for 221 yards with 2 TDs vs. 0 INT & 102.7 passer rating…RB FRED TAYLOR averages 84.5 rush yards per game (338 total) in past 4 against Houston. Team is 15-5 (.750) when Taylor has 25+ att. RB MAURICE JONES-DREW gained 125 yards (10.4 avg.) on 12 att. with 2 TDs in last game vs. Hou. Taylor (121) & Jones-Drew (107) totaled 228 rush yards last week. Jones-Drew totaled 191 yards last week (107 rush, 59 receiving, 25 KR)…Team is 11-3 (.785) when WR REGGIE WILLIAMS scores TD. Aims for 3rd consecutive game with TD against Houston. In last meeting vs. Hou., WR MATT JONES posted career-high 8 rec. for 138 yards (17.3 avg.) with TD…CB RASHEAN MATHIS posted 61-yard INT-TD last week. Team is 12-6 (.667) when Mathis has INT…DE PAUL SPICER aims for 3rd consecutive game with sack vs. Hou.



DENVER BRONCOS (3-0) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-3)

SERIES


BRONCOS
CHIEFS

SERIES LEADER

52-43

STREAKS
4 of past 6


COACHES VS. OPP.
Shanahan: 16-14
Edwards: 2-4

LAST WEEK
W 34-32 vs. Saints
L 38-14 at Falcons

LAST GAME
12/9/07: Chiefs 7 at Broncos 41. Denver QB Jay Cutler passes for 4 TDs, including 2 scores to WR Brandon Marshall (8, 13). Broncos rookie RB Selvin Young adds 156 rushing yards.

LAST GAME AT SITE
11/11/07: Broncos 27, Chiefs 11. Denver RB Selvin Young rushes for 109 yards & scores 1st NFL TD. Broncos’ defense forces 4 turnovers, including 3 INTs.

BROADCAST
CBS (12:00 PM CT): Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf. SIRIUS: 123 (Den.), 130 (KC).


STATS

PASSING
Cutler: 73-108-914 (1C)-8 (2L)-2-110.6 (2C)
Huard: 10-16-135-1-2-70.6 OR

Thigpen: 28-69-279-2-4-38.3

RUSHING
Young: 26-179-6.9-1
L. Johnson: 58-217-3.7-1

RECEIVING
Marshall: 24 (1C)-321 (1C)-13.4-2
Bowe: 15-182-12.1-2

OFFENSE
432.0 (1C)
258.3

TAKE/GIVE
0
-1

DEFENSE
421.7
357.0

SACKS
4 tied: 1.0
Boone, D. Johnson: 1.0

INTs
C. Bailey: 1
---

PUNTING
Kern (R): 49.4
Colquitt: 48.2 (3C)

KICKING
Prater: 28 (2C) (13/13 PAT; 5/5 FG)
Novak: 6 (3/3 PAT; 1/2 FG)


NOTES

BRONCOS: Team aims for 3rd consecutive win against Chiefs for 1st time since 10/4/92…Clubs aims for 4-0 start for 1st time since ’03…QB JAY CUTLER is 2-0 against Chiefs & has completed 37 of 56 passes (66.1 pct.) for 436 yards with 5 TDs vs. 1 INT & 111.9 passer rating. In past 2 against AFC West, Cutler has 6 TDs vs. 1 INT & 118.6 passer rating. Club is 7-0 when Cutler has 100+ passer rating…In past 3, RB SELVIN YOUNG is averaging 6.9 yards per carry (26 att., 179 rush yards). RB MICHAEL PITTMAN has 4 TDs in past 3…In 2 games as starter against Chiefs, WR BRANDON MARSHALL has 16 receptions for 200 yards (12.5 avg.) with 2 TDs. Dating back to 12/9/07, Marshall has 100+ receiving yards in 5 of past 6 (732 total). Rookie WR EDDIE ROYAL (2nd round, No. 42) leads all rookies with 18 receptions…CBs CHAMP BAILEY (43) & DRE’ BLY (38) rank 1st & 2nd among active CBs for most INTs since ’99…DE ELVIS DUMERVIL tied career-high with 3 sacks in last meeting against Chiefs…

CHIEFS: Club has won 4 of past 5 against Denver at home…QB TYLER THIGPEN aims for 3rd consecutive game with TD pass. QB DAMON HUARD has 8-5 (.615) record as starter at home & has 15 TDs vs. 9 INTs & 88.7 passer rating.…In 4 career starts against Broncos, RB LARRY JOHNSON has totaled 574 rushing yards (143.5 per game) & aims for 5th 100-yard rush game against Broncos. Johnson totaled 121 rush yards last week & Chiefs are 21-7 (.750) when Johnson has 100+ rushing yards. KC is 12-1 (.923) when Johnson has 30+ carries…TE TONY GONZALEZ (10,011), needs 50 receiving yards to surpass SHANNON SHARPE (10,060) on all-time list. Gonzalez (23) needs 2 100-yard receiving games to surpass KELLEN WINSLOW (24) for most career 100-yard receiving games by TE…In last meeting at home vs. Broncos, WR DWAYNE BOWE recorded 9 receptions for 105 yards (11.7 avg.)…Defense has 6 INTs in past 4 against Broncos…LB DONNIE EDWARDS leads NFL active LBs with 28 career INTs…LB DERRICK JOHNSON posted 1 INT & 1 FF in last meeting against Denver at K.C.



SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-1) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-2)

SERIES


49ERS
SAINTS

SERIES LEADER
45-22-2


STREAKS

Past 4

COACHES VS. OPP.
Nolan: 0-2
Payton: 2-0

LAST WEEK
W 31-13 vs. Lions
L 34-32 at Broncos

LAST GAME
10/28/07: Saints 31 at 49ers 10. New Orleans QB Drew Brees throws 4 TD passes, including 3 (17, 3, 15) to WR Marques Colston as Saints win 3rd consecutive game.

LAST GAME AT SITE
12/03/06: Saints 34, 49ers 10. New Orleans rooke RB Reggie Bush hauls in 9 receptions for 131 yards & 4 TDs (3 rush, 1 rec.). Saints RB Deuce McAllister adds 136 yards rushing.

BROADCAST
FOX (12:00 PM CT): Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan, Eric Richey (Field reporter). Westwood One Radio: Mark Champion, Mark Malone. SIRIUS: 126 (SF), 144 (NO).


STATS

PASSING
O’Sullivan: 50-75-705-3-1-104.6 (2C)
Brees: 84-113-980 (1L)-5 (T2C)-3-103.9 (3C)

RUSHING
Gore: 60-287-4.8-3 (T3C)
Bush: 42-152-3.6-1

RECEIVING
Gore (RB): 13-125-9.6-0
Bush (RB): 26 (1L)-250-9.6-2

OFFENSE
342.0
396.7 (3C)

TAKE/GIVE
-1
-1

DEFENSE
292.0
392.0

SACKS
Haralson: 3.0
4 tied: 1.0

INTs
4 tied: 1
Fujita, McKenzie: 1

PUNTING
Lee: 42.0
Weatherford: 46.2

KICKING
Nedney: 29 (T3C) (8/8 PAT; 7/9 FG)
Gramatica: 18 (9/9 PAT; 3/5 FG)


NOTES

49ERS: QB J.T. O’SULLIVAN was selected by Saints in 6th round (No. 186) of 2002 Draft. Ranks 2nd in NFC with 104.6 passer rating, completing 50 of 75 (66.7 pct.) for 705 yards with 3 TDs vs. 1 INT. Aims for 3rd in row with 100+ rating & 3rd consecutive win…When RB FRANK GORE has 20+ attempts, 49ers are 12-2 (.857). Rushed 27 times for 130 yards & TD last week…In 16 career meetings (incl. playoffs), WR ISAAC BRUCE has 8 career 100-yard games vs. NO. In those 16, Bruce has 90 catches for 1,586 yards & 13 TDs. Ranks 3rd in NFL history with 14,281 receiving yards & tops active players. TE VERNON DAVIS had 6 catches for 71 yards & TD in last meeting…CB WALT HARRIS has 17 FFs since entering NFL in 1996, tied for most among CBs in that span. CB NATE CLEMENTS, who entered NFL in 1998, also has 17 FFs. Clements had FF in last game vs. NO. LB TAKEO SPIKES had 2 FRs in only game vs. NO (12/22/02 with Cin.)…

SAINTS: QB DREW BREES has won all 3 starts vs. SF. In those 3, Brees has completed 77 of 117 (65.8 pct.) for 858 yards with 7 TDs vs. 1 INT for 103.9 passer rating. When Brees has 100+ rating, his teams are 25-6 (.806). Since joining Saints in 2006, Brees has passed for 9,821 yards, most in NFL. Passed for 421 yards last week… RB REGGIE BUSH had career-best 4 TDs (3 rush, 1 rec.) & 131 receiving yards vs. SF (12/3/06), becoming 4th player in NFL history with 3 rush TDs & 100 rec. yards in game. Was 1st career 100-yard rec. game & when Bush has 100+ rec. yards, Saints are perfect 3-0. Had 11 catches last week & leads NFL with 26 receptions. RB PIERRE THOMAS rushed for 2 TDs last week. Aims for 3rd in row with rush TD…WR DEVERY HENDERSON has 12 career TDs & 11 have been 20+ yards. WR DAVID PATTEN had 109 yards in last meeting. WR ROBERT MEACHEM had career-high 86 yards last week, incl. 74-yard catch. WR LANCE MOORE set career-highs in catches (7) & yards (78) last week…DE WILL SMITH has 6.0 sacks in past 11. Aims for 3rd in row vs. SF with sack. DE CHARLES GRANT has sack in 2 of past 3 meetings.



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

SERIES


CARDINALS
JETS

SERIES LEADER

4-2

STREAKS

Past 4

COACHES VS. OPP.
Whisenhunt: 0-0
Mangini: 0-0

LAST WEEK
L 24-17 at Redskins
L 48-29 at Chargers

LAST GAME
11/28/04: Jets 13 at Cardinals 3. New York WR Santana Moss has 5 receptions for 109 yards, including 69-yard TD from QB Quincy Carter for game’s only TD.

LAST GAME AT SITE
11/7/99: Jets 12, Cardinals 7. New York WR Keyshawn Johnson catches 43-yard TD pass from QB Rick Mirer for game’s decisive TD. Jets RB Curtis Martin adds 131 rushing yards.

BROADCAST
FOX (1:00 PM ET): Dick Stockton, Brian Baldinger, Brian Billick, Laura Okmin (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 129 (Ari.), 119 (NYJ).


STATS

PASSING
Warner: 54-84-750-6 (1C)-1-111.7 (1C)
Favre: 63-90-646-6 (3C)-3-98.7 (3C)

RUSHING
James: 62-248-4.0-0
Jones: 49-208-4.2-1

RECEIVING
Boldin: 17-247-14.5-4 (T1L)
Cotchery: 14-176-12.6-1

OFFENSE
347.7
285.7

TAKE/GIVE
+3 (3C)
-4

DEFENSE
283.3
298.0

SACKS
Berry: 3.0
Thomas: 3.0 (T2C)

INTs
Wilson: 1
Barrett, Revis: 1

PUNTING
D. Johnson: 42.4
Graham: 42.5

KICKING
Rackers: 23 (8/8 PAT; 5/6 FG)
Feely: 9 (3/3 PAT; 2/3 FG)


NOTES

CARDINALS: In only start vs. NYJ (10/21/01 with StL), QB KURT WARNER completed 18 of 27 (66.7 pct.) for 215 yards & 1 TD vs. 0 INTs for 103.2 passer rating. In Warner’s starts with 15+ att. (incl. playoffs), his teams are 31-3 (.912) when he has 100+ rating…In 6 meetings vs. NYJ, RB EDGERRIN JAMES has 4 100-yard games & 801 scrimmage yards (133.5 per game). His teams are 5-1 (.833) in those 6. In past 2 vs. Jets, James has 262 rush yards (131.0 per game) & 5 TDs. When James rushes for 120+ yards & 1+ TD, his teams are perfect 18-0. Rookie RB TIM HIGHTOWER (5th round) has TD in 2 of 1st 3 games…WR ANQUAN BOLDIN has 4 TDs in past 2. Has 22 100-yard games, tied for most in club history. Has 3 100-yard rec. games in past 5 vs. AFC, incl. 140-yard, 3-TD performance in Week 2. WR LARRY FITZGERALD has 24 catches for 366 yards (122.0 per game) & 1 TD in past 3 vs. AFC…In last game at Meadowlands (9/11/05 vs. NYG), LB KARLOS DANSBY had 2 INTs, incl. 20-yard INT-TD & 1.0 sack. DE BERTRAND BERRY had sack & FF in last meeting. Berry & Dansby each had sack last week. DE TRAVIS LA BOY had sack & FF last year vs. NYJ (12/23/07 with Ten.)…

JETS: Dating back to 10/22/78, club aims for 5th consecutive win against Cardinals…For career, QB BRETT FAVRE is 3-1 (.750) against Cardinals & has completed 78 of 123 passes (63.4 pct.) for 1,013 yards with 5 TDs & 2 INTs & 96.0 passer rating. Favre’s teams are 84-8 (.913) when he posts 100+ passer rating…RB THOMAS JONES spent 3 seasons with Cardinals (2000-02). In ’07, Jones averaged 89.5 rush yards per game at home against NFC (179 total in 2 games). Jones’ teams are 26-13 (.667) when he records 20+ att…WR CHANSI STUCKEY aims to become 1st NYJ since WR KEYSHAWN JOHNSON (1998) to record TD reception in 1st 4 games of season…Rookie TE DUSTIN KELLER (1st round, No. 30) recorded 1st career TD reception last week…LB CALVIN PACE spent 5 seasons (2003-07) with Cardinals & recorded 14 sacks…Since ’01, Jets lead NFL with 10 KR-TDs.



GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-1)

SERIES


PACKERS
BUCCANEERS

SERIES LEADER
29-19-1


STREAKS

2 of past 3

COACHES VS. OPP.
McCarthy: 0-0
Gruden: 2-2

LAST WEEK
L 27-16 vs. Cowboys
W 27-24 (OT) at Bears

LAST GAME
9/25/05: Buccaneers 17 at Packers 16. Tampa Bay rookie RB Cadillac Williams runs for 158 yards & S Will Allen registers 2 INTs.

LAST GAME AT SITE
11/16/03: Packers 20, Buccaneers 13. Green Bay RB Ahman Green rushes for 109 yards & game-winning TD as Packers snap 5-game losing streak at Raymond James Stadium.

BROADCAST
FOX (1:00 PM ET): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 127 (GB), 113 (TB).


STATS

PASSING
Rodgers: 64-99-796-4-0-102.9
Griese: 56-98-567-3-3-71.3

RUSHING
Grant: 40-166-4.2-0
Graham: 37-223-6.0-1

RECEIVING
Jennings: 19 (T3C)-373 (1L)-19.6-0
Hilliard: 16-143-8.9-2

OFFENSE
366.0
372.3

TAKE/GIVE
+4 (T2L)
-1

DEFENSE
373.0
359.0

SACKS
Kampman: 4.0 (T2L)
White: 3.5

INTs
Collins, Woodson: 2 (T1C)
5 tied: 1

PUNTING
Frost: 47.4 (3C)
Bidwell: 44.9

KICKING
Crosby: 28 (10/10 PAT; 6/7 FG)
M. Bryant: 23 (8/8 PAT; 5/5 FG)


NOTES

PACKERS: Under head coach MIKE MC CARTHY, team has won 19 of past 23 games…In 1st 3 starts, QB AARON RODGERS has completed 64 of 99 (64.6 pct.) for 796 yards with 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 102.9 passer rating…Since Week 8 of 2007, RB RYAN GRANT has rushed for 1,095 yards, 2nd-most in NFC. When Grant has 15+ att., Packers are perfect 8-0…WR DONALD DRIVER has reception in 98 consecutive games, 2nd-longest streak in team history (STERLING SHARPE, 103). WR GREG JENNINGS has 15 career rec. TDs & 8 have been 40+ yards. Leads NFL with 373 rec. yards & aims for 3rd in row with 100+ yards…DE AARON KAMPMAN has 31.5 sacks since 2006, most in NFC. Had sack in last meeting. S NICK COLLINS aims for 3rd in row with INT. In past 2, Collins has 2 INTs, 103 INT-return yards & INT-TD. DE CULLEN JENKINS aims for 3rd in row with sack (2.5 sacks in past 2). CB CHARLES WOODSON had INT in SB XXXVII vs. TB (with Oak.). In 3 meetings (incl. SB), Woodson has INT, FF & FR…

BUCCANEERS: Under head coach JON GRUDEN, Bucs are 17-0 since 2002 when not committing turnover…QB BRIAN GRIESE has won all 3 starts vs. GB, completing 51 of 82 (62.2 pct.) for 716 yards with 6 TDs vs. 3 INTs for 99.4 passer rating. As starter, when Griese has 95+ rating, his teams are 23-8 (.742). Last week, Griese set franchise record with 67 att. & completed 38 for 407 yards…RB EARNEST GRAHAM has 394 rush yards (98.5 per game) & 4 TDs in past 4 at home. Aims for 5th home game in row with rush TD…WR JOEY GALLOWAY had 2 TDs in last meeting. WR ANTONIO BRYANT had career-high 10 catches for 138 yards last week. WR IKE HILLIARD had 6 catches & 1 TD last week…DE GAINES ADAMS had 1st career INT last week & returned INT 45 yards for TD. CB RONDE BARBER (12) & LB DERRICK BROOKS (8) are franchise leaders in TDs by def. player (incl. playoffs). When Brooks has INT-TD (incl. playoffs), TB is 7-0. S WILL ALLEN had career-high 2 INTs in last meeting. LB BARRETT RUUD had INT last week & TB is 3-0 when Ruud has INT.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-2) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (3-0)

SERIES


VIKINGS
TITANS

SERIES LEADER
7-3


STREAKS
Past 4


COACHES VS. OPP.
Childress: 0-0
Fisher: 0-4

LAST WEEK
W 20-10 vs. Panthers
W 31-12 vs. Texans

LAST GAME
10/24/04: Titans 3 at Vikings 20. Minnesota QB Daunte Culpepper completes 24 of 30 (80 pct.) for 183 yards & 103.2 rating. Vikings RB Mewelde Moore adds 138 yards rushing.

LAST GAME AT SITE
12/9/01: Vikings 42, Titans 24. Minnesota QB Todd Bouman passes for 348 yards with 4 TDs (6, 20, 38, 73) & RB Michael Bennett has 113 rushing yards & 2 TDs (31, 10).

BROADCAST
FOX (12:00 PM CT): Chris Myers, JC Pearson, Nischelle Turner (Field reporter).

SIRIUS: 91 (Min.).


STATS

PASSING
Frerotte: 16-28-204-1-1-77.1
Collins: 30-49-382-2-1-90.7

RUSHING
Peterson: 65-340 (2L)-5.2-1
C. Johnson (R): 50-276 (1C)-5.5-0

RECEIVING
Taylor (RB): 7-41-5.9-0
Scaife (TE): 10-137-13.7-1

OFFENSE
319.7
315.7

TAKE/GIVE
+1
+3 (T2C)

DEFENSE
280.7 (3C)
240.3 (3L)

SACKS
J. Allen, K. Williams: 2.0
Haynesworth: 3.0 (T2C)

INTs
Gordon, Winfield: 1
Finnegan: 4 (1L)

PUNTING
Kluwe: 46.3
Hentrich: 45.1

KICKING
Longwell: 30 (T2L) (3/3 PAT; 9/10 FG)
Bironas: 18 (9/9 PAT; 3/3 FG)


NOTES

VIKINGS: Have won past 4 in series, outscoring Hou./Ten. 111-60…QB GUS FREROTTE won last start vs. Ten. (12/24/05 with Mia.). Passed for 2 TDs in game. Aims for 3rd consecutive start vs. Ten. with 2+ TDs…In 4 games vs. AFC, RB ADRIAN PETERSON has 594 rush yards (148.5 per game) & 4 TDs. Has 100-yard game in all 3 starts vs. AFC. Averaging 98.9 rush yards per game since entering NFL in 2007, best in NFL. When RB CHESTER TAYLOR has 100+ rush yards, his teams are 7-1 (.875)…WR BERNARD BERRIAN has 13 career TD catches & 8 have been 30+ yards. TE VISANTHE SHIANCOE had 34-yard TD last week…CB ANTOINE WINFIELD had sack, FF & 19-yard FR-TD last week. Had INT & 30-yard return in last meeting. DE JARED ALLEN has 45.0 sacks since 2004, 2nd most in NFL. In last game at Ten. (12/13/04 with KC), Allen had sack. DT KEVIN WILLIAMS had sack & FF in last meeting. Had 2.0 sacks last week. S DARREN SHARPER has 48 INTs since 2000, most in NFL…

TITANS: Club aims for 1st 4-0 start in franchise history…Since ’06, club has 16-4 (.800) record when scoring 20+ points…In past 3, QB KERRY COLLINS has completed 30 of 49 passes (61.2 pct.) for 382 yards with 2 TDs vs. 1 INTs & 90.7 passer rating…Rookie RB CHRIS JOHNSON (1st round, No. 24) leads AFC with 276 rush yards…RB LEN DALE WHITE has rush TD in 3 of past 4 against NFC. White posted career-high 2 rush TDs last week & aims for 4th consecutive game with TD…WR JUSTIN
MC CAREINS led team with 4 receptions for 90 receiving yards (22.5 avg.) last week…Since ’06, team is 14-2 (.875) when it records 2 or more INTs…Club aims for 4th consecutive game with 2+ INTs…Defense ranks 1st in AFC & 3rd in NFL with 11 sacks…Incl. postseason, CB CORTLAND FINNEGAN aims for 5th game in row with INT. Finnegan scored on 99-yard INT-TD return last week…S MICHAEL GRIFFIN registered career-high 2 INTs last week.



SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (1-2) AT OAKLAND RAIDERS (1-2)

SERIES


CHARGERS
RAIDERS

SERIES LEADER

54-40-2

STREAKS
Past 9


COACHES VS. OPP.
Turner: 3-0
Kiffin: 0-2

LAST WEEK
W 48-29 vs. Jets
L 24-23 at Bills

LAST GAME
12/30/07: Chargers 30 at Raiders 17. San Diego defense posts 4 sacks & forces 4 fumbles as Chargers win 6th consecutive game, securing No. 3 seed in AFC playoffs.

LAST GAME AT SITE
12/30/07

BROADCAST
CBS (1:05 PM PT): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms. SIRIUS: 126 (SD), 122 (Oak.).


STATS

PASSING
Rivers: 57-85-844 (2C)-9 (1L)-2-124.8 (1L)
Russell: 32-62-391-3-0-87.5

RUSHING
Tomlinson: 57-190-3.3-2
McFadden (R): 44-252 (3C)-5.7-1

RECEIVING
Jackson: 12-194-16.2-1
Griffith (RB): 6-70-11.7-0

OFFENSE
376.3 (2C)
303.0

TAKE/GIVE
+3 (T2C)
+1

DEFENSE
394.0
336.3

SACKS
Tucker: 2.0
Edwards, Warren: 2.0

INTs
Cromartie: 2
3 tied: 1

PUNTING
Scifres: 48.3
Lechler: 49.3 (1C)

KICKING
Kaeding: 30 (1C) (12/12 PAT; 6/6 FG)
Janikowski: 24 (6/6 PAT; 6/6 FG)


NOTES

CHARGERS: Club aims for 10th consecutive win against Raiders…QB PHILIP RIVERS has 10-3 (.769) career record against AFC West & has completed 198 of 340 passes (58.2 pct.) for 2,600 yards with 16 TDs vs. 11 INTs & 84.7 passer rating. Rivers is 2-0 at Oakland & has 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 112.7 passer rating. Rivers tied career high with 3 TD passes last week…For career against Raiders, RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON averages 122.1 rush yards per game (1,709 total) & has totaled 16 TDs. Tomlinson has 100+ rush yards in 3 of past 4 against Oakland…TE ANTONIO GATES has 6 career TD receptions against Raiders (2nd most vs. any opponent). Team is 8-0 when Gates has 2+ TDs…WR CHRIS CHAMBERS aims for 6th consecutive game with TD reception & has 6 TDs in past 5 games. In 5 career meetings vs. Oakland, Chambers averages 17.3 yards per catch (20 rec., 375 yards)…Defense has 5 INTs in past 3 vs. Oak…Since ’07, CB ANTONIO CROMARTIE leads NFL with 12 INTs. Club is 7-0 when Cromartie has INT…LB SHAUN PHILLIPS has 3.5 sacks in past 3 against Oakland…LB JYLES TUCKER recorded 2 sacks last week…

RAIDERS: Club is 8-3 (.727) against Chargers in September at home…In 4 career starts, QB JA MARCUS RUSSELL has completed 55 of 93 passes (59.1 pct.) for 615 yards with 4 TDs vs. 1 INT & 88.8 passer rating. Russell posted 1st career rush TD last week....Rookie RB DARREN MC FADDEN (1st round, No. 4) ranks 3rd in AFC (2nd among rookies) with 252 rush yards (5.7 avg.) on 44 att. with 1 TD…WR-KR JOHNNIE LEE HIGGINS posted 1st TD reception last week on 84-yard reception (career long). Higgins totaled 218 total yards last week (84 receiving, 36 PR, 98 KR). TE ZACH MILLER has 1 or more receptions in 17 of 19 career games…Defense totaled 8 sacks in past 2 games…Since ’07, LB THOMAS HOWARD (6) is ranked 1st & LB KIRK MORRISON is tied for 2nd for most INTs in NFL among LBs…DE DERRICK BURGESS has 5.5 career sacks against Chargers (most vs. any opponent)…DE KALIMBA EDWARDS aims for 3rd consecutive game with sack…Since ’05, CB DE ANGELO HALL is tied for 3rd in NFL among active CBs with 16 INTs.



BUFFALO BILLS (3-0) AT ST. LOUIS RAMS (0-3)

SERIES


BILLS
RAMS

SERIES LEADER
5-4


STREAKS
4 of past 5


COACHES VS. OPP.
Jauron: 0-3
Linehan: 0-0

LAST WEEK
W 24-23 vs. Raiders
L 37-13 at Seahawks

LAST GAME
11/21/04: Rams 17 at Bills 37. Buffalo QB Drew Bledsoe throws 3 TDs to TE Mark Campbell & RB Willis McGahee adds 100 yards rushing.

LAST GAME AT SITE
12/10/95: Bills 45, Rams 27. Buffalo QB Jim Kelly throws for 237 yards & 4 TDs. Bills RB Thurman Thomas runs for 129 yards & adds TD reception.

BROADCAST
CBS (3:05 PM CT): Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots. SIRIUS: 123 (Buf.), 127 (StL.).


STATS

PASSING
Edwards: 63-94-733-3-1-96.6
T. Green (Mia. ‘07): 85-141-987-5-7-72.6

RUSHING
Lynch: 60-218-3.6-4 (2C)
Jackson: 50-159-3.2-0

RECEIVING
Reed: 13-145-11.2-0
Jackson (RB): 15-133-8.9-0

OFFENSE
333.7 (3C)
202.3

TAKE/GIVE
0
-2

DEFENSE
247.3
456.7

SACKS
Stroud: 2.0
3 tied: 1.0

INTs
McGee: 2
---

PUNTING
Moorman: 47.1
Jones: 51.9 (1L)

KICKING
Lindell: 24 (9/9 PAT; 5/7 FG)
J. Brown: 17 (2/2 PAT; 5/5 FG)


NOTES

BILLS: Club aims for 1st 4-0 start since ’92…In 4th quarter this season, QB TRENT EDWARDS has completed 24 of 32 passes (75.0 pct.) for 284 yards with 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 122.4 passer rating. Edwards has 8-4 (.667) record as starter with 10 TDs vs. 8 INTs & 79.2 passer rating. Team is 6-0 when Edwards has 80+ passer rating…In 1 career road game vs. NFC (12/30/07 at Phi.), RB MARSHAWN LYNCH had 105 rush yards (4.8 avg.) on 22 att. Lynch posted career-high 2 TDs last week & aims for 4th consecutive game with 1 or more TDs…WR LEE EVANS aims for 4th consecutive game with long of 30+ yards. Evans aims for 2nd straight game with 100+ yards against NFC…Defense aims to hold opponent under 100 rush yards for 4th consecutive game…Club is 11-2 (.846) under head coach DICK JAURON when holding opponents less than 300 yards…Since ’03, DE AARON SCHOBEL ranks 2nd in NFL with 53 sacks (JASON TAYLOR, 60)…CB-KR LEODIS MC KELVIN totaled 137 KR yards (27.4 avg.) last week (4th most by Bills rookie) on 5 att…

RAMS: QB TRENT GREEN makes 1st start of season. Has started against Bills 3 times in career & has posted 2-1 (.667) record. Last saw action with Rams in 2000, when he played in 8 games & posted 101.8 passer rating with 16 TDs vs. 5 INTs…In past 9 vs. AFC, RB STEVEN JACKSON has 1,210 scrimmage yards (134.4 per game), incl. 924 rush yards (102.7 per game) & 33 receptions for 286 yards. Jackson has 8 TDs (6 rush, 2 rec.) in those 8. When he has 22+ carries, Rams are 14-5 (.737). In those 19, Jackson has 2,143 yards (112.8 per game) & 13 TDs…Since 2000, WR TORRY HOLT leads NFL with 764 receptions & 11,198 yards. In only meeting, Holt had 8 catches for 90 yards & 1 TD. Holt has 12 100-yard games in career vs. AFC & Rams are 10-2 (.833) in those 12…S O.J. ATOGWE has 7 INTs in past 11 games. DE LEONARD LITTLE had sack in last game vs. Buf. Has 22.5 sacks in past 24 vs. AFC, incl. 5.0 sacks in past 3. When DT LA’ROI GLOVER has 2+ sacks, his teams are 13-3 (.813). LB WILL WITHERSPOON had sack last week.



WASHINGTON REDSKINS (2-1) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (3-0)

SERIES


REDSKINS
COWBOYS

SERIES LEADER

56-36-2

STREAKS
2 of past 3


COACHES VS. OPP.
Zorn: 0-0
Phillips: 2-1

LAST WEEK
W 24-17 vs. Cardinals
W 27-16 at Packers

LAST GAME
12/30/07: Cowboys 6 at Redskins 27. Washington’s defense allows 147 total net yards as Redskins win 4th consecutive game to clinch NFC Wild Card berth.

LAST GAME AT SITE
11/18/07: Cowboys 28, Redskins 23. Dallas WR Terrell Owens hauls in 173 yards & 4 TDs (4, 31, 46, 52) as Cowboys improve to 9-1 for 1st time since 1983.

BROADCAST
FOX (3:15 PM CT): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver (Field reporter). Westwood One Radio: Bill Rosinski, Dan Reeves. SIRIUS: 119 (Was.), 125 (Dal.).


STATS

PASSING
J. Campbell: 61-93-647-4-0-100.1
Romo: 62-92-892 (2C)-5 (T2C)-3-103.2

RUSHING
Portis: 65-248-3.8-3 (T3C)
Barber: 62-285-4.6-4 (2C)

RECEIVING
Moss: 19 (T3C)-276 (T3C)-14.5-3 (T2C)
Witten (TE): 20 (2C)-273-13.7-0

OFFENSE
329.0
440.0 (1L)

TAKE/GIVE
+5 (1L)
-3

DEFENSE
305.7
292.0

SACKS
5 tied: 1.0
Ware: 3.0

INTs
Horton (R): 2 (T1C)
---

PUNTING
Brooks (R): 38.6
McBriar: 47.4 (2C)

KICKING
Suisham: 18 (6/6 PAT; 4/7 FG)
Folk: 24 (12/12 PAT; 4/4 FG)


NOTES

REDSKINS: In only career start vs. Dal., QB JASON CAMPBELL had career-highs in att. (54), comp. (33) & yards (348). Aims for 3rd game in row with 100+ rating…In last meeting, RB CLINTON PORTIS rushed for 104 yards & 2 TDs. When Portis has 100+ yards, his teams are 28-9 (.757). When Portis rushes for 2+ TDs, his clubs are 14-4 (.778)…TE CHRIS COOLEY has 5 TDs in past 5 meetings, incl. career-high 3 vs. Dal. (12/18/05). Has 27 TDs since 2004, most in NFC among TEs. In 5 games vs. Dal. with Redskins, WR SANTANA MOSS has 28 catches for 537 yards (107.4 per game, 19.2 avg.) & 4 TDs. Had 7 catches for 75 yards & TD last week. Incl. playoffs, WR-PR ANTWAAN RANDLE EL has 24 career TDs (13 rec., 6 PR, 4 pass, 1 KR). TE TODD YODER had TD catch last week…CB SHAWN SPRINGS had INT in last meeting. LB LONDON FLETCHER had INT in last meeting at Dal. DT KEDRIC GOLSTON had sack last week…

COWBOYS: Aim for 1st back-to-back 4-0 starts since 1976-77…In only home meeting vs. Was., QB TONY ROMO completed 22 of 32 (68.8 pct.) for 293 yards & 4 TDs vs. 1 INT for 124.1 passer rating. Team is 15-2 (.882) when Romo has 100+ rating…When RB MARION BARBER has 11+ carries, Cowboys are 22-1 (.957). Has 33 TDs (28 rush, 5 rec.) in past 34. Rushed for 142 yards & TD last week. RB-KR FELIX JONES is 1st Cowboys rookie to score TD in 1st 3 games (2 rush, 1 KR). Had 60-yard rush TD last week…WR TERRELL OWENS tied club record & set career-high with 4 rec. TDs in his last game vs. Was. Had 8 catches for 173 yards (21.6 avg.). TE JASON WITTEN has 333 catches & 3,909 yards since 2004, most by TE in NFC…LB DE MARCUS WARE aims for 5th game in row vs. Was. with sack. Has 3 FFs in past 2 meetings. Had sack last week & aims for 7th game in row with sack. Has 7.0 sacks in past 6 games. LB GREG ELLIS has 14.5 sacks in past 16. CB TERENCE NEWMAN had INT in his last game vs. Was. & has 6 INTs vs. Was. CB ANTHONY HENRY had career-high 2.0 sacks last week. DE JAY RATLIFF aims for 3rd in row with sack.



SUNDAY NIGHT

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-1) AT CHICAGO BEARS (1-2)

SERIES


EAGLES
BEARS

SERIES LEADER

25-8-1

STREAKS
4 of past 5


COACHES VS. OPP.
Reid: 5-1
Smith: 1-1

LAST WEEK
W 15-6 vs. Steelers
L 27-24 (OT) vs. Buccaneers

LAST GAME
10/21/07: Bears 19 at Eagles 16. Chicago WR Muhsin Muhammad catches 15-yard TD pass with 9 seconds remaining to cap 97-yard game winning drive.

LAST GAME AT SITE
10/3/04: Eagles 19, Bears 9. Philadelphia K David Akers connects on 4 FGs (51, 42, 42, 40) & QB Donovan McNabb throws for 237 yards & 1 TD.

BROADCAST
NBC (7:15 PM CT): Al Michaels, John Madden & Andrea Kremer (Field reporter). Westwood One Radio: Marv Albert, Jim Fassel. SIRIUS: 119 (Westwood), 126 (Phi.), 127 (Chi.).


STATS

PASSING
McNabb: 70-105-838 (3C)-5 (T2C)-1-102.8
Orton: 54-87-567-2-2-79.0

RUSHING
Westbrook: 42-161-3.8-3 (T3C)
Forté (R): 73-304-4.2-1

RECEIVING
D. Jackson (R): 17-256-15.1-0
Lloyd: 13-216-16.6-1

OFFENSE
373.0
326.7

TAKE/GIVE
+1
+2

DEFENSE
242.0
321.0

SACKS
Parker: 2.5
A. Brown: 2

INTs
Samuel: 2 (T1C)
4 tied: 1

PUNTING
Rocca: 46.9
Maynard: 40.8

KICKING
Akers: 28 (10/10 PAT; 6/6 FG)
Gould: 24 (6/6 PAT; 6/7 FG)


NOTES

EAGLES: QB DONOVAN MC NABB is from Chicago & has 4-1 (.800) record vs. Bears (incl. playoffs). When McNabb has 100+ rating (incl. playoffs), Eagles are 37-1 (.974). Threw 176th career TD pass last week, moving past RON JAWORSKI (175) for most in franchise history…In past 2 meetings, RB BRIAN WESTBROOK has 301 scrimmage yards (150.5 per game), incl. 198 rush yards (99.0 per game) & 15 receptions for 103 yards. Is 1 of 7 players in NFL history with 25+ rush (30) & rec. (25) TDs…WR DE SEAN JACKSON (2nd round, No. 49) leads NFL rookies with 256 yards (17 catches, 15.1 avg.). WR HANK BASKETT has 4 career TDs & 3 have been 85+ yards. Had career-high 8 catches last week (85 yards)…Defense had 9 sacks last week, led by DE JUQUA PARKER (2.5), LB OMAR GAITHER (1.5) & DE DARREN HOWARD (1.5). DE TRENT COLE had sack & has 12.0 sacks in past 16. Had sack in last meeting. CB ASANTE SAMUEL has 18 INTs since 2006, most in NFL. Aims for 3rd in row with INT. S BRIAN DAWKINS had INT in 10/22/00 meeting…

BEARS: QB KYLE ORTON has won 8 of past 9 starts at home & overall is 9-2 (.818)…RB MATT FORTÉ (2nd round, No. 44) leads NFL rookies with 304 rushing yards. Last week, rushed for 89 yards & had career-high 7 catches & 66 yards with 1 TD…Pro Bowl PR-KR-WR DEVIN HESTER has 14 career TDs & averages 80.9 yards per TD, highest avg. in NFL history (min. 10 TDs). WR BRANDON LLOYD had 33-yard TD in 12/21/03 meeting (with SF). Had 6 catches for 124 yards (20.7 avg.) & TD last week…DT TOMMIE HARRIS had 2.0 sacks in last meeting. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Phi. with 0.5+ sack. When DE ADEWALE OGUNLEYE has 2+ sacks, his teams are 10-2 (.833). LB BRIAN URLACHER has INT in 3 of past 4 at home, including 85-yard INT-TD. LB LANCE BRIGGS had INT last week. Bears are 5-0 when DE ALEX BROWN has 2+ sacks. CB NATHAN VASHER had INT in last meeting at home.



MONDAY NIGHT, SEPTEMBER 29

BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-0) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2-1)

SERIES


RAVENS
STEELERS

SERIES LEADER

14-10

STREAKS
4 of past 5


COACHES VS. OPP.
Harbaugh: 0-0
Tomlin: 1-1

LAST WEEK
W 28-10 vs. Browns
L 15-6 at Eagles

LAST GAME
12/30/07: Steelers 21 at Ravens 27. Baltimore offense scores on 1st 3 possessions for 17-0 lead. Ravens rookie QB Troy Smith throws 15-yard TD to WR Devard Darling in 3rd quarter.

LAST GAME AT SITE
11/5/07: Steelers 38, Ravens 7. Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger throws career-high 5 TD passes & Steelers’ defense limits Baltimore to 104 total net yards.

BROADCAST
ESPN (8:30 PM ET): Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Tony Kornheiser. Westwood One Radio: Dave Sims, Boomer Esiason. SIRIUS: 124 (Westwood), 126 (Bal.), 127 (Pit.).


STATS

PASSING
Flacco (R): 28-48-258-0-2-55.7
Roethlisberger: 39-59-447-3-1-98.6

RUSHING
L. McClain: 36-152-4.2-2
Mendenhall (R): 10-28-2.8-0

RECEIVING
D. Mason: 8-86-10.8-0
Ward: 15-169-11.3-3 (T2C)

OFFENSE
315.5
255.3

TAKE/GIVE
+1
+4 (1C)

DEFENSE
161.5 (1L)
234.0 (2L)

SACKS
Suggs: 2.0
J. Harrison: 3.0 (T2C)

INTs
McAlister: 2
Polamalu: 3 (T2L)

PUNTING
Koch: 48.4 (2C)
Berger: 43.5

KICKING
Stover: 9 (6/6 PAT; 1/3 FG)
Reed: 18 (6/6 PAT; 4/4 FG)


NOTES

RAVENS: Rookie QB JOE FLACCO (1st round, No. 18) aims to join Cin. QB GREG COOK (1969) as only 2 rookie QBs in Super Bowl era to start season 3-0…In 2 career games vs. Pit., RB WILLIS MC GAHEE has 3 TDs & aims for 2nd consecutive multi-TD game vs. Pit. RB LE’ RON MC CLAIN posted career-high 2 rush TDs last week…Since ’03, WR DERRICK MASON ranks 3rd in NFL with 456 rec. (TORRY HOLT, 510; CHAD JOHNSON, 470). In past 2 meetings against Pit., Mason has 12 rec…TE TODD HEAP (3,934) needs 67 receiving yards to surpass 4,000…Defense has not allowed RB to gain 100+ rush yards in 21 games…Since ’02, S ED REED leads NFL safeties with 35 INTs. Reed posted 4th career INT-TD on 32-yard return last week…CB CHRIS MC ALISTER recorded 25th career INT last week & aims for 3rd game in row with INT…

STEELERS: Dating back to ’92, club has won 13 consecutive at home on MNF (longest all-time home win streak on MNF)…QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER is 3-0 at home on MNF & has completed 49 of 67 passes (73.1 pct.) for 551 yards with 7 TDs vs. 2 INTs & 119.7 passer rating. Team is 25-2 (.925), when Roethlisberger has 100+ passer rating…Rookie RB RASHARD MENDENHALL (1st round, No. 23) will make 1st NFL start this week. WR HINES WARD aims for 4th consecutive game with TD against division & has 4 TDs in past 3 vs. AFC North…Since ’07, WR SANTONIO HOLMES ranks 2nd in AFC with 17.5 yards-per-reception average. In past 2 against Bal., Holmes has 8 rec. for 208 yards (26.0 avg.) with 3 TDs…Defense ranks 1st in AFC & 2nd in NFL allowing 64.3 rush yards per game in ’08…LB JAMES HARRISON has 3.5 sacks, 1 INT & 1 FR in past 2 vs. Bal…S TROY POLAMALU registered 13th career INT last week & aims for 4th consecutive game with INT. Incl. playoffs, club is 11-3 (.786) when Polamalu has INT.