[OLD HEAD]

NFL 2008


Buffalo Bills @ Arizona Cardinals


The Cardinals return to University of Phoenix Stadium at 2-2
after a two-game road swing. After falling 24-17 to the
Redskins in week 3, the team remained in the DC area
before traveling to New Jersey where the Cards lost to the
Jets 56-35 last Sunday.
This week, they play their second home game of the year.
Arizona is 7-2 at home under second-year head coach Ken
Whisenhunt and currently riding a four-game home win
streak.
A sell-out this Sunday would be the team’s 24th consecutive
since opening the doors of University of Phoenix Stadium in
August of 2006. The Cardinals will try to continue their three
game home winning streak against teams from the AFC this
week when they face Buffalo.
The undefeated Bills (4-0) are off to their best start since their
Super Bowl season of 1992 when they also started 4-0. This
Sunday marks Buffalo’s inaugural visit to University of
Phoenix Stadium and first trip to Arizona since 1999. The
Bills are coming off a 31-14 win over the St. Rams last week.
They were trailing as late as the third quarter before rattling
off 24 consecutive points to close out the game on the road.
The Cardinals remain home next week to face their former
NFC East foe the Dallas Cowboys in a 1:15 PM start while
the Bills enter their bye week after two consecutive road
games against the NFC West.

CARDINALS... CATEGORY... BILLS

2-2.. Record.. 4-0
106.. Points Scored.. 109
103.. Points Allowed.. 63
13.. Touchdowns Scored.. 12
12.. Touchdowns Allowed.. 6
5.. Rushing TDs.. 5
8.. Passing TDs.. 5
0.. Return TDs.. 2
3.. Rushing TDs Allowed.. 4
8.. Passing TDs Allowed.. 2
1.. Return TDs Allowed.. 0
12/92.. Sacked/Yards Lost.. 11/79
7/5.. Fumbles/Lost.. 5/3
4.. Had Intercepted.. 2
5/7.. Field Goals Made/Attempted.. 8/10
377.8.. Total Yards Per Game.. 319.5
305.8.. Opp. Total Yards Per Game.. 280.5
87.0.. Rushing Yards Per Game.. 102.0
101.3.. Opp. Rushing Yards Per Game.. 112.0
290.8.. Passing Yards Per Game.. 217.5
204.5.. Opp. Passing Yards Per Game.. 168.5
-3.. Turnover Ratio.. +1
31:44.. Average Time of Possession.. 32:07
5/25t/4.. NFL Rank-Total Offense/Run/Pass.. 16/20/12
9/14t/16.. NFL Rank-Total Defense/Run/Pass.. 7/17/6
1/2.. 2-Point Conversions.. 1/1
vs. Dal.. Next Week.. BYE


BILLS CONTINUE ROAD RUN

The Buffalo Bills aim to keep their undefeated
record intact when the team faces the Arizona Cardinals
this week.
With a win, Buffalo can accomplish the following:
Post the fourth 5-0 start in team history and fi rst since
1991. Other 5-0 starts took place in 1964 and 1980.
Win their fi rst three road games for the fi rst time since
1993.
The Bills are off to their best start since 1992 with a
4-0 record. The team is one of two 4-0 teams in the NFL
(Tennessee). Buffalo currently sits atop the AFC East with
New England sitting in second place at 2-1.
The Bills recorded another come-from-behind victory
last week against the St. Louis Rams. Trailing 14-13
heading into the the fourth quarter, Buffalo produced 18
fourth quarter points to post a 31-14 victory. CB Jabari
Greer started the fourth quarter rally with his 33-yard interception
return for a touchdown.
Next week, Buffalo will have a bye and then will
return to action on October 19th to host the San Diego Chargers.


The Buffalo Bills held the Oakland Raiders to 98
yards rushing in week three’s 24-23 victory.
The Bills improved their record to 9-3 since 2006
when holding the opposing team to less than 100 yards on
the ground.
Below is a look at the lowest rushing totals allowed
since the start of the 2006 season:

YDS Allowed.. AVG.. OPP.. DATE.. RESULT
92 4.6 @MIA, 9/17/06 W, 16-6
74 3.1 NYJ, 9/24/06 L, 28-20
63 3.9 MIN, 10/1/06 W, 17-12
94 3.5 NE, 10/22/06 L, 28-6
60 3.2 NYJ, 9/30/07 W, 17-14
76 3.5 DAL, 10/8/07 L, 25-24
28 1.6 CIN, 11/4/07 W, 33-21
65 3.1 MIA, 12/9/07 W, 38-17
80 2.7 @WAS, 12/2/07 W, 17-14
85 4.0 SEA, 9/7/08 W, 34-10
98 3.6 @ JAX, 9/14/08 W, 20-16
98 3.3 OAK, 9/21/08 W, 24-23

The Bills held their first three opponents this season
under 100 yards rushing. It marked just the third time in
team history that the team achieved the feat.
Below is a look at the three occasions in franchise
history when the team has yielded less than 100 yards
rushing in its first three games of the season.

SEASON.. WK 1.. WK 2.. WK 3
2000.. 53.. 40.. 80
2004.. 83.. 73.. 99
2008.. 85.. 98.. 98

[OLD HEAD]

NFL 2008

Atlanta Falcons @ Green Bay Packers

Atlanta will travel to Lambeau Field to battle Green Bay for the first time since
2002 when the Falcons defeated the Packers in a NFC Wild Card game. The game marks the second of four road meetings in a six-week span (including a Week 7 bye) for the Falcons.
Last week, Atlanta dropped its second game of the season after a 24-9 defeat at the hands of the Carolina Panthers.
WR Roddy White maintained his pace for a 1,000- yard season after totaling seven receptions for 90 yards to lead the team in receiving.
In his fourth career start under center, QB Matt Ryan completed 21 of 41 passes for 158 yards and a long completion of 23 yards to White.
K Jason Elam accounted for all of Atlanta’s scoring with three field goals in the first half. Elam’s threekicks marked the 10th time in his career he split the uprights on three attempts in the first half of a game while extending his current field goal streak to 24 successful attempts.
Green Bay fell to 2-2 on the season after falling to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 30-21, in Week 4. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers threw for 165 yards and two touchdowns while WR Greg Jennings tallied 109 yards and two scores in the losing effort.
The Falcons and Packers will meet for the the 23rd occasion in the regular season as Green Bay holds a 12-10 series advantage.
Atlanta won its last contest at Lambeau field in a 2002 NFC Wild Card game, which was also the first home playoff loss for the Packers in the team’s history. In 2001, the Falcons won their last regular season contest in Green Bay by a 23-20 margin, giving Atlanta is fifth win of the season.

2008 Regular Season Statistics

Falcons (NFL rank) Packers (NFL rank)

22.5 (16).. Points Per Game.. 27.3 (8t)
338.5 (10).. Total Offense Per Game.. 319.8 (15)
181.8 (1).. Net Rushing Yards Per Game.. 93.5 (23)
156.8 (26).. Net Passing Yards Per Game.. 226.3 (10)
29:10.. Possession Average.. 28:36
20.8 (14).. Opponent Points Per Game.. 25.3 (23t)
332.3 (20).. Opponent Total Offense Per Game.. 361.5 (26)
131.3 (23).. Opponent Net Rushing Yards Per Game.. 157.8 (26)
201.0 (13).. Opponent Net Passing Yards Per Game.. 203.8 (15)
+2 (7t).. Turnover Differential.. +3 (4t)


ATLANTA (2-2) at GREEN BAY (2-2)

Sunday, Oct. 5 �� Lambeau Field �� 12 p.m. CDT

PACKERS HOST FALCONS IN CONFERENCE BATTLE

Green Bay looks to end its first two-game losing skid since 2006 when it
welcomes NFC South foe Atlanta to Lambeau Field Sunday.
�� Last weekend, the Packers fell to the Bucs in Tampa Bay, 30-21, and
return to Green Bay with plenty to work on. At 2-2, they stand tied atop
the NFC North with the Chicago Bears.
�� Winners of 10 of its last 12 regular-season home games, Green Bay
hosts a Falcons club that has won just one of its last 11 road games.
�� Sunday will be the 272nd consecutive sellout (256 regular season, 16
playoffs) at Lambeau Field, the league’s longest-tenured stadium.
�� The all-time series between the two clubs stands nearly even. The
Packers hold a slight edge at 12-10-0, and the
teams have split the last four contests.
�� Atlanta makes its first appearance at Lambeau Field
since the 2002 Wild Card Playoffs, when Atlanta
became the first NFL opponent to win a postseason
game at Lambeau Field.
�� Previously undefeated at Lambeau Field in playoff
games (13-0) and during the ’02 home schedule (8-0), the Packers fell
behind early and never recovered.
�� The Falcons had visited Lambeau Field early that season – their last
regular-season visit – with the Packers prevailing 37-34 in overtime.
�� Both teams have overturned their rosters since then, as each has few
players remaining (Atlanta - 4, Green Bay - 5) from the ’02 teams.
�� Fresh off a 24-9 defeat at Carolina, Atlanta comes into the game 2-2.


GREEN BAY (Team)

Category..... NFC..... NFL
Turnover Margin (+3) . . . . . . . 2T... 4T
Total Offense (319.8) . . . . . . . 12... 15
Rushing (93.5) . . . . . . . . . . 11... 23
Passing (226.3) . . . . . . . . . . 7... 10
Total Defense (361.5) . . . . . . . 13... 26
vs. Rush (157.8) . . . . . . . . 14... 26
vs. Pass (203.8) . . . . . . . . . . 5... 15
Third-Down Offense (39.6%) . 6T... 13T
Third-Down Defense (37.5%) . 12... 17
Red-Zone Offense (60.0%) . . . . 3... 7
Red-Zone Defense (26.7%) . . . 3... 6

GREEN BAY (Individual)
Category..... NFC..... NFL
Rushing: Grant (186) . . . . . . . 16... 30
Passing: Rodgers (91.4). . . . . . 6... 11
Receptions: Jennings (25) . . . . 5... 7
Rec. Yds.: Jennings (482) . . . . 1... 1
Sacks: Kampman (4.0) . . . . . . 2T... 4T
Interceptions: Collins (3) . . . . 1T... 2T
Woodson (3). . . 1T... 2T

ATLANTA (Team)

Category..... NFC..... NFL
Turnover Margin (+2) . . . . . . . . 4... 7T
Total Offense (338.5) . . . . . . . . 8... 10
Rushing (181.8) . . . . . . . . . . 1... 1
Passing (156.8) . . . . . . . . . 16... 26
Total Defense (332.3) . . . . . . . 11... 20
vs. Rush (131.2) . . . . . . . . 13... 23
vs. Pass (201.0) . . . . . . . . . . 4... 13
Third-Down Offense (33.3%) . 13... 25
Third-Down Defense (35.8%) . 7T... 11T
Red-Zone Offense (38.5%) . . . 14...26
Red-Zone Defense (58.3%) . . 11... 21

ATLANTA (Individual)

Category..... NFC..... NFL
Rushing: Turner (422) . . . . . . . 1... 1
Passing: Ryan (70.7) . . . . . . . 14... 26
Receptions: White (18) . . . . . 10T... 17T
Rec. Yds.: White (322) . . . . . . . 7... 9
Sacks: Abraham (6.0) . . . . . . . . 1... 1
Interceptions: Four players (1) . 8T... 19T

[OLD HEAD]

NFL 2008

Tennessee Titans @ Baltimore Ravens



Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens, now 2-1, host the Tennessee Titans, one
of the NFL’s 3 remaining unbeaten teams, this Sunday, Oct. 5, at
M&T Bank Stadium. Game time is 1 p.m. ET. At 4-0, the Titans
lead the AFC South, while the Ravens trail the 3-1 Steelers in the
AFC North.
The Ravens dropped their 1st road game of the season when they
lost 23-20 in overtime at Pittsburgh last Monday. Baltimore built a
13-3 halftime lead and then trailed 20-13 in the 4th quarter before
tying the game at 20 in regulation. Jeff Reed’s 46-yard FG won the
game in overtime.
The Titans are 4-0 for the 1st time in their franchise history, which
includes the team’s time as the Houston Oilers. In their last 8
games, they have allowed 17 points or less in each, including the
30-17 victory over the Vikings last Sunday. Their only loss in this
run was the 17-6 defeat at San Diego in a Wild Card playoff game
last season. Tennessee finished the 2007 regular season with
wins over the Colts (16-10), the Jets (10-6) and the Chiefs (26-17).
The Titans began 2008 with triumphs over Jacksonville (17-10), at
Cincinnati (24-7) in their only road game, and Houston (31-12).
Following this Sunday’s home game, the Ravens play on the road
of the next 6 weeks, including back-to-back trips to Indianapolis
10/12) and Miami (10/19). Baltimore’s lone M&T Bank Stadium
visit during the next 6 weeks will come on 10/26 against the visiting
Raiders. After that respite, the Ravens go to Cleveland (11/2),
to Houston (11/9) for the makeup of the 9/14 postponed game,
and to the Giants (11/16).


Ravens-- --Titans--

Category.. Stats.. Rank.. Stats.. Rank
Total Offense 291.3.. 25.. 305.5.. 22
Rush Offense 161.0.. 3.. 137.0.. 8
Pass Offense 130.3.. 31.. 168.5.. 23
Points Per Game 21.7.. 17.. 25.5.. 12
Total Defense 186.7.. 1.. 263.5.. 5
Rush Defense 69.7.. 2.. 86.8.. 8
Pass Defense 117.0.. 1.. 176.8.. 8
Points Per Game 14.3.. 2(t).. 11.5.. 1



TITANS-RAVENS SERIES AT A GLANCE

 Overall series (regular & postseason): Ravens lead 9-8
 Regular Season Series: Ravens lead series 8-7
 Postseason Series: Series tied 1-1
 Current streak: One win by Ravens
 Titans at home vs. Ravens: 4-5 (including 0-1 in playoffs)
 Titans on the road vs. Ravens: 4-4 (including 1-0 in playoffs)
 Last Time: Ravens 27 at Titans 26 (11/12/06)
 Last Time at M&T Bank Stadium: Titans 20 at Ravens 17
(1/3/04 in Wild Card game)
 First Time: Ravens 13 at Oilers 29 (9/15/96)
 Jeff Fisher’s Record vs. Ravens: 8-9 (including 1-1 in playoffs)
 John Harbaugh’s Record vs. Titans: 0-0
 Jeff Fisher’s Record vs. John Harbaugh: 0-0

A TITANS VICTORY WOULD ...
 Give the Titans a 5-0 record for the first time in franchise history.
 Give the Titans an NFL-leading eight consecutive regular season
victories dating back to last season, which would tie for the thirdlongest
streak in team history.
 Even the all-time series between the Titans and Ravens at 9-9.
 Improve Jeff Fisher’s career record as head coach (1995-08) to
125-104.
 Tie Jeff Fisher with Jim Mora (125 career wins) for 24th place in
NFL history in career wins by a head coach.
 Improve Kerry Collins’ regular season record as a starting quarterback
to 71-82.

[OLD HEAD]

NFL 2008

Kansas City Chiefs @ Carolina Panthers




KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-3) VS. CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-1)

Panthers welcome Chiefs to Bank of America Stadium for
the first time since 1997

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2008
BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM, 1:00 PM (EST)

THIS WEEK’S GAME

Amid encouragement and concern, the Carolina Panthers make their
second foray against an AFC West opponent Sunday when they host the
Kansas City Chiefs at Bank of America Stadium.
The encouragement comes from a 3-1 start that includes a most recent 24-
9 victory over the Atlanta Falcons and a Week One victory over AFC West
member San Diego.
The concern is Kansas City’s impressive 33-19 victory over previously
undefeated Denver last week on the strength of Larry Johnson’s 198 yards
rushing. The performance left Johnson third in NFL rushing with 415 yards,
seven behind League leader Michael Turner.
Carolina faced Turner last week and has played against three of the top six
rushers in the NFL during the first four weeks as well as last year’s rushing
champion LaDainian Tomlinson. Adrian Peterson of Minnesota is second to
Turner and Chicago’s Matt Forte is sixth in NFL rushing.
“It is another challenge for our defense,” says head coach John Fox.
“Kansas City is coming here with confidence and Larry Johnson is well
established as one of the elite runners in the League.”
Carolina met the challenge against the Falcons, limiting Turner to 56 yards
on 18 carries and holding the Falcons to three field goals. Overall, the
Panthers rank eighth in defense, and 19th against the run after facing the
gauntlet of Tomlinson, Forte, Peterson, and Turner.
For the first time this year, the Panthers failed to force a turnover against
Atlanta, but held the Falcons to 266 total yards. Most instrumental in that
performance was defensive end Julius Peppers, who had one sack, three
quarterback pressures, and two batted passes.
Peppers’ sack raised his club record career total to 58 and was one of two
by the Panthers. Rookie Hilee Taylor recorded the other as the Panthers
raised their season total to seven, including five in the last two games.
Turnovers have been even harder to come by for the Panthers, who have
posted one interception (Chris Gamble) and three fumble recoveries. Two
forced fumbles have been caused by safety Chris Harris, who now has 10
forced fumbles over the last two seasons. One was recovered by
linebacker Jon Beason, who surpassed the 200 career tackle mark in just
his 20th NFL game, with 10 stops against the Falcons.
While the Panthers did not record any take-aways against Atlanta, they also
did not commit any turnovers. Quarterback Jake Delhomme led a mistakefree
attack that surpassed 400 yards for the first time this season, passing
for 294 yards and two touchdowns while completing 20-of-29 attempts.
Delhomme’s touchdown passes to wide receivers Steve Smith and Muhsin
Muhammad raised his Panthers career total to 100 and marked the first time
since the 2003 season that he connected for scores to both Smith and
Muhammad. Muhammad, who spent the last three seasons with the Bears
after nine years with the Panthers, had eight catches for 147 yards while
Smith added six receptions for 94 yards.
Muhammad’s touchdown catch was his 600th reception as a Panther and
broke a tie with Wesley Walls for club career touchdown receptions with
45. The all-time Panthers leader in touchdowns is Smith, who has a total of
46 that includes 38 receiving, six on kick returns, and two rushing.
The Panthers are working to develop an effective combination in the running
game, where DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart have combined for
398 yards with Williams gaining 201 on 55 attempts while Stewart has 197
yards on 45 carries. Stewart has also scored four touchdowns, iincluding
one in three consecutive games to tie another team record.
“We are still looking for consistency on offense,” says Fox, whose team
ranks 25th in overall offense. “We are making progress, but still have room
for improvement in every phase.”
Part of the dilemma on offense has been establishing consistency on the
line, where Carolina has not had its starting unit since the first half of the
opening game. With Travelle Wharton returning to the lineup against
Atlanta after missing two and a half games with a knee injury, the Panthers
lost tackle Jordan Gross on the opening series with a concussion and later
lost rookie tackle Jeffrey Otah with a sprained ankle.
Field position has been critical and the Panthers have relied heavily on
kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd, who leads the NFC in
touchbacks with nine. He is joined by John Kasay, who moved into a ninth
place tie for career field goals, with his conversion against Atlanta, and
punter Jason Baker, who is averaging 46.3 yards per kick.


STATISTICAL SNAPSHOT

Here’s a look at where the Panthers and Chiefs rank in some key
statistical through Week Four of the 2008 season:

Carolina..... Kansas City
OFFENSE... Avg.... Rnk... Avg.... Rnk
Total Yards Per Game 302.3.. 24th.. 286.3.. 27th
Rushing Yards Per Game 102.5.. 19th.. 138.5.. 7th
Rushing Yards Per Attempt 3.6.. 24th.. 4.9.. 4th
Passing Net Yards Per Game 199.8.. 18th.. 147.8.. 30th
Sacks Per Pass Play 7.0%.. 17th.. 8.3%.. 24th
Sacks Allowed 9.. n/a.. 12.. n/a
Third Down Efficiency 25.5%.. 30th.. 40.3.. 12th
Points Per Game 20.0.. 20th.. 16.3.. 29th
DEFENSE
Total Yards Per Game 286.3.. 8th.. 379.3.. 29th
Rushing Yards Per Game 114.3.. 19th.. 176.5.. 30th
Rushing Yards Per Attempt 4.1.. 16th.. 5.3.. 31st
Passing Net Yards Per Game 172.0.. 7th.. 202.8.. 14th
Sacks Per Pass Play 5.2%.. T22nd.. 2.6%.. 31st
Sacks 7.. n/a.. 3.. n/a
Third Down Efficiency 30.8%.. 6th.. 46.3%.. 28th
Points Per Game 17.5.. 6th.. 24.3.. T20th


Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City makes just its second-ever trip to Charlotte as the Chiefs
face the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday (10/5). The
Chiefs only previous visit to the Queen City came in ’97 and resulted in
a 35-14 triumph (9/21/97) over a Panthers squad that was coming off
an appearance in the ’96 NFC Championship Game. Former collegiate
teammates at San Diego State, Herm Edwards and John Fox will meet for
the second time as NFL head coaches.
The Chiefs registered their initial victory of the 2008 season in convincing
fashion last week, recording a 33-19 win vs. previously-undefeated Denver
(9/28). Two-time Pro Bowl RB Larry Johnson rolled up 198 rushing yards
and two TDs. Meanwhile, Kansas City’s defense forced four turnovers
against Denver, including two fumble recoveries. The Chiefs currently lead
the NFL with seven fumble recoveries on the season. Carolina enters this
week’s contest at 3-1 after a 24-9 win vs. Atlanta (9/28), the 100th regular
season victory in Panthers history.
This week, Chiefs nine-time Pro Bowl TE Tony Gonzalez (10,058) needs
just three more yards to surpass TE Shannon Sharpe (10,060) for the most
receiving yards by a tight end in NFL history. Gonzalez already owns more
receptions (838) and receiving TDs (68) than any tight end in NFL history.
Gonzalez was a rookie the last time KC played in Carolina. In three career
games vs. the Panthers, he has 14 catches for 159 yards with one TD.
Panthers QB Jake Delhomme joined Carolina in 2003 and promptly
guided the Panthers to a berth in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Delhomme has a
pair of talented receiving targets in three-time Pro Bowl WR Steve Smith
and two-time Pro Bowl WR Mushin Muhammad. Delhomme and Smith will
face a Chiefs defense that is permitting just 202.8 passing ypg.
Next Sunday Kansas City will enjoy a bye week before returning to
action vs. Tennessee at Arrowhead (10/19). Next up for Carolina is a trip to
Tampa Bay (10/12).

[OLD HEAD]

NFL 2008

Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions



The Bears will travel to Detroit to battle the Lions in Chicago’s first division clash of the 2008 season.
After four weeks of play in the 2008 regular season, the Bears stand atop the
NFC North division standings along with Green Bay with a 2-2 record.
The Bears are 14-10 (.583) against NFC North foes under the tutelage of Head Coach Lovie Smith,
winning the division title in 2005 and 2006. Smith holds a 4-4 record against the Lions as Chicago swept the season series in 2005 and 2006
with Detroit doing the same in 2004 and 2007.
The Bears hold an 87-64-5 (.576) advantage in their all-time series with the Detroit Lions, which dates back to 1930 when the franchise was from Portsmouth, Ohio and known as the Spartans.
Chicago holds a 46-24-3 record against the Lions franchise in contests played outside of Illinois.
Sunday’s contest will be the first of back-to-back road contests for the Bears, the second such road trip of the season for Chicago. In Weeks 1 and 2 of the 2008 regular season, the Bears traveled to Indianapolis and Carolina, respectively. They walked away from those road trips with a 1-1 record after defeating the Colts 29-13 before falling to the Panthers 20-17. The Bears are now 11-8 in games that are a part of back-to-back regular season contests since 2004.
The Bears hold an all-time record of 695-510-42, including 40-32 under Smith’s guidance.




HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON

2008 REGULAR SEASON

CHICAGO (NFL Rank)........ DETROIT (NFL Rank)
23.5 (T-14th) . . . . . . . . . . . .Points Scored . . . . . . . . . .19.7 (22nd)
309.0 (19th) . . . . . . . . . . . .Total Offense . . . . . . . . . .286.3 (26th)
133.5 (10th) . . . . . . . . . . .Rushing Offense . . . . . . . . .75.7 (31st)
175.5 (21st) . . . . . . . . . . .Passing Offense . . . . . . . .210.7 (16th)
20.0 (11th) . . . . . . . . . . . .Points Allowed . . . . . . . . .37.7 (32nd)
325.8 (16th) . . . . . . . . . . . .Total Defense . . . . . . . . .430.3 (32nd)
79.3 (6th) . . . . . . . . . . . .Rushing Defense . . . . . . . .207.7 (32nd)
246.5 (28th) . . . . . . . . . . .Passing Defense . . . . . . . .222.7 (22nd)
0 (T-15th) . . . . . . . . . . . . .Turnover Ratio . . . . . . . . . .-5 (32nd)


First Down Forte


Rookie running back Matt Forté led the Bears with four first downs (two
rushing and two receiving) in their Week 4 victory over the Philadelphia
Eagles, including two in the fourth quarter - both on third down plays.
Forté now has 22 first downs on the season (13 rushing and nine
receiving), tied for third most in the NFL. His nine receiving first downs
are second most among running backs to Reggie Bush’s 13.
Half of Forté’s first downs this season have come on third down (seven
rushing and four receiving) on 18 touches (13 carries and five receptions).

2008 NFL FIRST DOWN LEADERS

Player.. POS.. Team.. Rush.. Rec.. Total
1. Marion Barber RB DAL.. 24.. 5.. 29
2. Reggie Bush RB NO.. 10.. 13.. 23
t3. Matt Forté RB CHI.. 13.. 9.. 22
t3. Brandon Marshall WR DEN.. 0.. 22.. 22
t3. Clinton Portis RB WAS.. 20.. 2.. 22
t3. Michael Turner RB ATL.. 22.. 0.. 22

2008 NFL FIRST DOWN LEADERS

On Third Down
Player.. POS.. Team.. Rush.. Rec.. Total
1. Matt Forté RB CHI.. 7.. 4.. 11
2. Roddy White WR ATL.. 0.. 9.. 9
t3. Dwayne Bowe WR KC.. 0.. 7.. 7
t3. Jason Whitten TE DAL.. 0.. 7.. 7
t4. Multiple Players tied for fourth with six total first downs on third down

[OLD HEAD]

NFL 2008


Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys


Series Notables:
* The Cowboys have faced only five teams (Baltimore,
Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City and San Diego)
fewer than the nine times they have played the Bengals.
* Seven of the nine games have been decided by double
digits and four have been decided by 20-or-more
points.
* Dallas has won four of the five games played in Dallas.
* The closest game of the series was decided by three
points - a Dallas win at Cincinnati (10/30/94).
A Cowboys Win Would:
* Allow Dallas to claim at least four wins in the first five games
for just the fifth time since 1994.
* Give the Cowboys their second consecutive win against an
opponent from the AFC North this season.
* Prevent Dallas from dropping back-to-back games for the
first time since Weeks 16 and 17 of the 2006 season.
* Improve the Cowboys win streak over AFC foes to three
games.
* Allow Dallas to claim its 80th win over AFC opponents.


Cowboys.... Bengals
Record ..........................................3-1.. 0-4
Scoring Avg. (NFL rank)....................30.0 (3).. 13.0 (30)
Opp. Scoring Avg. (NFL rank) ..........22.3 (18).. 21.8 (17)
Total Off. (NFL rank)........................416.0 (2).. 231.8 (31)
Rushing Off. (NFL rank)..................124.0 (13).. 82.3 (30)
Passing Off. (NFL rank) ..................292.0 (3).. 149.5 (29)
Total Def. (NFL rank) ......................314.3 (11).. 330.0 (19)
Rushing Def. (NFL rank) ................103.5 (16).. 164.3 (28)
Passing Def. (NFL rank) ................210.8 (18).. 165.8 (4)
Kickoff Return Avg.............................24.2 (14).. 26.2 (4)
Punt Return Avg...................................4.2 (31).. 10.3 (11)
Turnover Margin ....................................-4 (30t).. -4 (30t)
Penalties......................................... .......31.. 24
Penalty Yards......................................259.. 187
Opp. Penalties ......................................27.. 29
Opp. Penalty Yards ........................197.. 181


Romo's Rankings

Despite entering just his second season as a starting quarterback,
Tony Romo has already taken the Cowboys record books by
storm. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has set single-season standards
for completions (335), passing yards (4,211), touchdowns
(36), 300-yard games (seven), consecutive 300-yard games (three)
and consecutive games with a touchdown (17 - 2006-07).
In club history, Romo already ranks sixth in attempts (996), completions
(645), passing yards (8,306) and touchdowns (63).

All-Time Cowboys Passing Leaders (Yards)

Player.. Att.. Comp.. Yards.. Pct.. TD.. INT
Aikman 4,715.. 2,898.. 32,942.. 61.5.. 165.. 141
Staubach 2,958.. 1,685.. 22,700.. 57.0.. 153.. 109
White 2,950.. 1,761.. 21,959.. 59.7.. 155.. 132
Meredith 2,308.. 1,170.. 17,199.. 50.7.. 135.. 111
Morton 1,308.. 685.. 10,288.. 52.4.. 80.. 73
Romo 996.. 645.. 8,306.. 64.8.. 63.. 36


T.O. And T.O.N.Y.

Terrell Owens and Tony Romo upped their league-best figure of
touchdown hookups to 29 since 2006. The duo leads the league
for most touchdown passes by a passer/receiver tandem:

Most TD Passes by Passer-Receiver Tandem
(since 2006)
Quarterback... Receiver... TDs
Tony Romo... Terrell... Owens 29
Tom Brady... Randy... Moss 23
Eli Manning... Plaxico Burress 23
Carson Palmer... T.J. Houshmandzadeh 22

Palmer

Palmer may return: Bengals Pro Bowl QB Carson
Palmer has an early listing of questionable for the Dallas game
after missing the Cleveland contest due to elbow soreness.
“We’ll see where he is on Wednesday (Oct. 1),” said head
coach Marvin Lewis “He has an inflamed elbow, and it’s progressing, but sitting out was the best thing for him (against Cleveland). “If it’s Ryan Fitzpatrick again, he’ll play better and we’ll have a better game plan for him.”
Fitzpatrick, Cincinnati’s No. 2 QB, had no significant practice
time on Wednesday or Thursday before the Browns game, as
Palmer’s condition was late-developing.
Palmer said on Sept. 29 that he plans to play at Dallas.
“I’m going to do what I can in practice, and do what they let
me do, but I’m 100 percent expecting to play,” he said.

[OLD HEAD]

NFL 2008


Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Denver Broncos

BRONCOS HOST BUCCANEERS
IN BATTLE OF 3-1 TEAMS

The Denver Broncos, who lead the AFC West with a 3-1 record at
the quarter point of the season, host Tampa Bay (3-1) on Sunday in
the Buccaneers’ first visit to Denverin 12 years.
Kickoff at INVESCO Field at Mile High is set for 2:05
p.m. MDT, and the game will be broadcast on FOX (KDVR-TV 13).
Denver, which started the season 3-0 for the first time in five
years, suffered a 33-19 loss at Kansas City last week. Despite four
giveaways and only scoring one touchdown in four red zone possessions,
the Broncos trailed by just seven points with two minutes
remaining before the Chiefs pulled away.
The Broncos face a Buccaneers team that extended its winning
streak to three games following a 30-21 home victory against the
Packers last week. The Buccaneers, who had a 36:50-to-23:10
time-of-possession advantage against Green Bay, scored the
game’s final 10 points to erase a 21-20 fourth-quarter deficit.
Tampa Bay, making its first visit to Denver since 1996, is the only
team in the NFL that has never played a game at INVESCO Field at
Mile High (opened in 2001). The two clubs last met in 2004 with the
Broncos earning a 16-13 win at Tampa Bay.
Despite their loss last week, the Broncos have led for 68.7 percent
(164:53-of-240:00) of the time this season. They have posted leads
of at least 18 points in three of their four games and own the NFL’s
best first-half scoring differential (+33 / 82-49).
The Broncos’ offense has accounted for league highs in points (126)
and first downs (100) while averaging an NFL-best 435.5 yards per
game. The club’s offensive line has surrendered only two sacks in 160
pass plays, marking a 1.3 sack percentage that is the best in the league.
Quarterback Jay Cutler ranks second in the league in passing yards
(1,275) and has accounted for two of the top three single-game
passing yardage marks in the AFC this year. His top two targets,
wide receivers Brandon Marshall (31 rec.) and Eddie Royal (27 rec.),
form the most productive pass-catching duo (58 rec.) in the NFL.
The Broncos will celebrate their annual alumni weekend as well as
the 10-year anniversary of their Super Bowl XXXIII team around
Sunday’s game. Approximately 150 former players are scheduled to
take part in the festivities, which include the presentation of Gary
Zimmerman’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2008 ring.

Category... Tampa Bay... Denver
Total Offense.. 7th (361.0 ypg)... 1st (435.5 ypg)
Rushing Offense.. 9th (133.8 ypg)... 14th (121.3 ypg)
Passing Offense.. 9th (227.3 ypg)... 2nd (314.3 ypg)
Total Defense.. 13th (314.5 ypg)... 30th (408.8 ypg)
Rushing Defense.. 12th (98.0 ypg)... 24th (132.8 ypg)
Passing Defense.. 21st (216.5 ypg)... 31st (276.0 ypg)
Points Scored.. 13th (25.3 ppg)... 2nd (33.5 ppg)
Points Allowed.. t9th (19.5 ppg)... 29th (29.3 ppg)
Sacks.. t8th (11)... t23rd (6)
Sacks Allowed.. t4th (4)... t1st (2)
Turnover Margin.. t15th (0)... t24th (-3)

Team Leaders... Tampa Bay... Denver
Rushing Yards.. Earnest Graham (334).. Selvin Young (228)
Passer Rating.. Jeff Garcia (71.3).. Jay Cutler (98.6)
Receptions.. Ike Hilliard (18).. Brandon Marshall (31)
Receiving Yards.. Antonio Bryant (220).. Brandon Marshall (398)
Sacks.. Greg White (3.5).. Kenny Peterson (2)
Interceptions.. Gaines Adams, Barrett Ruud (2).. Champ Bailey (1)

Capitalizing On Turnovers

After scoring a total of two defensive touchdowns
in all of 2007, the Bucs defense has already topped
that mark with three defensive scores through the
first four games this season. It is the most in that
span since the 2002 season when the team scored a
touchdown in four of the first five games. That season
the Buccaneers defense scored in a total of five
regular season games and added four more defensive
touchdowns in three postseason contests. The scoring
on defense started this season in Week 1 at New
Orleans (9/7) when CB Phillip Buchanon returned
an interception 26 yards for a touchdown. That was
followed by a DE Gaines Adams 45-yard interception
return for a touchdown in Week 3 at Chicago (9/21)
and a S Jermaine Phillips fumble recovery returned
38 yards for a score this past week vs. Green Bay
(9/28). This season the Buccaneers are second in the
NFL with 48 points off of turnovers and have scored
at least seven points off of turnovers in every game
this season. Tampa Bay also took advantage of its
opponents miscues last season, scoring 114 points
off turnovers, fourth-best in the NFL.

2008 NFL Most Points Off Turnovers

Rank.. Team.. Points Off Turnovers
1. San Diego.. 51
2. Tampa Bay.. 48
3. Green Bay.. 45
4. Chicago.. 39
5. N.Y. Jets.. 35


2007 NFL Most Points Off Turnovers

Rank.. Team.. Points Off Turnovers
1. San Diego.. 128
2. Arizona.. 123
3. Indianapolis.. 119
4. Tampa Bay.. 114
5. Detroit.. 110

[OLD HEAD]

NFL 2008

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans

The Houston Texans open the home portion of their
schedule when they welcome the Indianapolis Colts
to Reliant Stadium on Sunday, October 5 at Noon CT.
This marks the latest the Texans have held their home
opener due to the effects of Hurricane Ike that forced
them to reschedule their original home opener against
the Baltimore Ravens. This is the latest an NFL team
has started their home schedule since the Detroit
Lions opened their home schedule on October 8, 2001
due to the events on September 11, 2001.
Houston faces Indianapolis at Reliant Stadium
for the first time since the Colts squeaked out a 30-24
win last season. Houston will don its Deep Steel Blue
jerseys and pants for the third time in team history.
The Texans have split the previous two matchups
with Indianapolis while wearing all blue.
The Texans will play with the roof at Reliant
Stadium open due to damaged caused by the
hurricane. Houston enters this week with a 12-13 alltime
record when the roof is opened and won both
games with the roof open last season.
This marks the Texans 100th game in team
history. G Chester Pitts will start his 100th
consecutive game as a Texan. Pitts, drafted in the
second-round pick from San Diego State in 2002, is
the only player to start every game in team history.
He has started 44 games at LT and will start his 56th
at LG Sunday. K Kris Brown joins Pitts as the lone
pair to play in every game. Brown enters as the
Texans all-time leading scorer with 557 points.

TEAM STATISTICS

Houston.... Opponents

Total First Downs.. 61.. 61
Rushing.. 16.. 26
Passing.. 39.. 33
Penalty.. 6.. 2
3rd Down: Made/Att.. 15/38.. 17/35
3rd Down Pct. 39.5%.. 48.6%
4th Down: Made/Att.. 2/7.. 3/3
4th Down Pct. 28.6% 100.0%
Possession Avg. 29:54.. 30:06
Total Net Yards.. 937.. 1023
Avg. Per Game.. 312.3.. 341.0
Total Plays.. 189.. 179
Avg. Per Play.. 5.0.. 5.7
Net Yards Rushing.. 300.. 480
Avg. Per Game.. 100.0.. 160.0
Total Rushes.. 71.. 101
Net Yards Passing..637.. 543
Avg. Per Game.. 212.3.. 181.0
Sacked/Yards Lost.. 8/60.. 3/15
Gross Yards.. 697.. 558
Attempts/Completions.. 110/71.. 75/49
Completion Pct. 64.5%.. 65.3%
Had Intercepted.. 5.. 1
Punts/Average 10/43.0.. 11/44.5
Net Punting Avg. 35.5.. 37.9
Penalties/Yards.. 9/68.. 14/143
Fumbles/Ball Lost.. 5/1..4/2
Touchdowns.. 6.. 12
Rushing.. 2.. 7
Passing.. 4.. 4
Returns.. 0.. 1

TEAM STATISTICS

COLTS.... OPPONENTS

TOTAL FIRST DOWNS 59.. 58
Rushing 16.. 29
Passing 37.. 26
Penalty 6.. 3
3rd Down: Made/Att. 16/35 (45.7%).. 20/43 (46.5%)
4th Down: Made/Att. 1/3 (33.3%).. 0/1 (0.0%)
Possession Avg. 24:42.. 35:18
TOTAL NET YARDS 939.. 1,021
Avg. Per Game 313.0.. 340.3
Total Plays 178.. 194
Avg. Per Play 5.3.. 5.3
NET YARDS RUSHING 192.. 598
Avg. Per Game 64.0 ..199.3
Total Rushes 53.. 123
NET YARDS PASSING 747.. 423
Avg. Per Game 249.0.. 141.0
Sacks/Yards Lost.. 5/37.. 4/24
Gross Yards 784.. 447
Attempts/Completions 120/71 (59.2%).. 67/43 (64.2%)
Had Intercepted 4.. 1
PUNTS/AVERAGE 12/45.1.. 12/41.5
NET PUNTING AVERAGE 12/39.4.. 12/36.7
PENALTIES/YARDS 17/122.. 14/109
FUMBLES/LOST 1/1.. 3/1
TOUCHDOWNS(Run/Pass/Ret) 6 (3/3/0).. 5 (3/0/2)


Colts

Returning to action after observing a bye week, the Indianapolis
Colts, 1-2, travel to Reliant Stadium to meet the Houston Texans, 0-3, on
Sunday, October 5. Kickoff for the AFC South contest is 1:00 p.m.
(EDT)/12:00 p.m. (CDT).
The Colts and Texans have met on 12 prior occasions as divisional
foes, with Indianapolis owning an 11-1 series edge. Indianapolis won
both 2007 meetings, 30-24 in Houston on September 23 and 38-15 in the
RCA Dome on December 23. Houston took a 27-24 home decision over
Indianapolis on December 24, 2006. Sunday's contest will be the second
AFC South game for Indianapolis this season. The Colts dropped a 23-
21 battle to Jacksonville in Lucas Oil Stadium on September 21. Houston
reaches Sunday's game after a 30-27 overtime loss last Sunday at
Jacksonville. This will mark the Texans' third consecutive divisional battle.
Houston fell at Tennessee on September 21, 31-12. Houston's home
game against Baltimore on September 14 was postponed due to
Hurricane Ike.
Owners of the NFL's best regular-season record (103-44) since the
start of the 1999 season, while being the only team to earn eight playoff
appearances in the last nine seasons, Indianapolis has won 48 of its last
60 regular-season games. Indianapolis' winning ways include a 28-9
record in AFC South play, while the club has owned or shared the lead in
95 of 106 weeks of the division's existence. The Colts have won the past
five AFC South championships, the best divisional-title streak in club history.
Indianapolis became the only NFL team with five consecutive 12+-
victory seasons. The Colts were tied with Dallas (1992-95) as the only
teams to do it four consecutive seaons.

[OLD HEAD]

NFL 2008

Pittsburg Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars

THIS WEEK: The Jacksonville Jaguars, riding a two-game winning streak,
host Pittsburgh in a rematch of last year’s AFC Wild Card Game on Sunday, October 5
on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. EDT.
The Jaguars have played in 23 nationally televised prime time games
in their 14 seasons with a record of 13-10 including wins in three of the last
four games. The Jaguars are 11-6 in nationally televised prime time games at
home.
The Jaguars and Steelers have met 19 times in the regular season with
the Jaguars leading the series, 11-8, including a 7-3 mark at home. The teams
are meeting for the sixth time since the AFC South was formed in 2002, the
most for the Jaguars against a non-division opponent. The Jaguars have won
four consecutive games in the series (including playoffs) including a
29-22 regular season win on 12/16/07 at Pittsburgh. The Jaguars earned a
31-29 win in the AFC Wild Card Game last season at Pittsburgh in the
only postseason meeting between the teams and became the only
visiting team in NFL history to win twice at Pittsbugh in the same season. The Jaguars have
29 players on their current roster who played in the playoff game last season.
After beginning the season 0-2, the Jaguars evened their record with
back-to-back wins in the final seconds with field goals by Josh Scobee. The
Jaguars won their second consecutive AFC South game last week with
a 30-27 overtime win against Houston on a 37-yard field goal by Scobee. David
Garrard accounted for two touchdowns against the Texans as he threw for a
season-high 236 yards and one touchdown and had seven carries for 41 yards
and a touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
The Jaguars claimed their first victory of the season in week three at
Indianapolis with a 23-21 win on a 51-yard field goal by Scobee with four seconds remaining.
Fred Taylor (26-121) and Maurice Jones-Drew (19-107, 1 TD) led an offensive attack
that rushed for 236 yards and finished with a 23-minute advantage in time of possession (41:35 to 18:25).
The Jaguars forced two turnovers including a 61-yard interception return for a touchdown by Rashean Mathis.
The Jaguars opened the 2008 regular season with losses at Tennesse
and against Buffalo, two teams that are combined 8-0 after four weeks. The
club begins the season with eight consecutive games against AFC opponents
and will travel to Denver next before observing the bye week. The Jaguars
have started a season below .500 after five games only one time (2003) under head coach Jack Del Rio.


Jaguars

AFC..... NFL
Turnover differential (0).. 11th.. T-15th
Points Allowed Per Game (21.3).. 7th.. 15th
Field position (33.4).. 3rd.. 3rd
Time of possession (32:45).. 2nd.. 2nd
Opp. time of possession (27:15).. 2nd.. 2nd
Penalties (18).. 8th.. 8th

OFFENSE... AFC... NFL

Offense (302.5)... 10th... 23rd
Rushing (126.5)... 5th... 12th
Passing (176.0)... 8th... 20th
Rushes of 10-plus yards (14)... T-2nd... T-5th
play drives (8)... T-2nd... T-3rd
minute drives (9)... 1st... 1st
Giveaways (5)... T-3rd... T-7th
Third down conversions pct. (41.2)... 5th... 10th

DEFENSE... AFC... NFL

Defense (326.3)... 8th.. 18th
Rushing Defense (101.3)... 7th... T-14th
Passing Defense (225.0)... 12th... 24th
Takeaways (5)... T-10th... T-18th

SPECIAL TEAMS.. AFC... NFL

Opp. start position after KO (21.9)... 1st... 2nd
Start position after KO (28.2)... 8th... 13th
returns of 20+ yards (14)... 1st... 2nd
Punt returns of 20+ yards (2)... T-2nd... T-2nd
Opp. KO returns of 20+ yards (5)... 2nd...T-2nd


Steelers- Jaguars Series

The teams will battle for the 21st time as Pittsburgh trails the
series 12-8 (including playoffs)...the Steelers look to snap a fourgame
losing streak to the Jaguars in the series after dropping
four games over the past three seasons, including the AFC Wild
Card Game, 31-29, on Jan. 5, 2008...the Jaguars also defeated
the Steelers in Week 15, 27-22, at Heinz Field...Pittsburgh and
Jacksonville used to play twice a year as they were both members
of the AFC Central division before 2001...the Steelers had won
three straight in the series before a 23-17 overtime setback to the
Jaguars in 2005 at Heinz Field...Pittsburgh is 3-7 all-time on the
road against Jacksonville, but had won two straight (2002, 2004)
prior to a 9-0 setback on Monday Night Football on Sept. 9,
2006...the past six games have been decided by a total of 27
points and three of them have been decided in the final minute of
the game...these two teams have met twice previously on Sunday
Night, with each earning a victory on the oppositions’ turf...the
Jaguars defeated Pittsburgh 34-24 at Three Rivers Stadium on
Nov. 19, 2000, and Pittsburgh defeated Jacksonville 17-16 on
Dec. 5, 2004 at Alltel Stadium on a 37-yard field goal by K Jeff
Reed with only 18 seconds left to play.

2008 REGULAR SEASON

STATISTICAL COMPARISON

Steelers.... Category.... Jaguars
19.3 ......................... Points Scored Per Game .................... 19.8
14.5 ........................ Points Allowed Per Game ................... 21.3
15.0 ........................... First Downs Per Game ...................... 19.5
250.8 ......................... Total Yards Per Game .................... 302.5
100.5 ....................... Rushing Yards Per Game .................. 126.5
150.3 ....................... Passing Yards Per Game .................. 176.0
15 .......................................... Sacks By ....................................... 5
6 ...................................... Interceptions By ................................ 4
30:05 ....................... Avg. Time of Possession .................. 32:45
8 ......................................... Touchdowns ................................... 7
3 .................................. Rushing Touchdowns ............................ 4
4 .................................. Passing Touchdowns ............................ 2
1 ................................ Touchdowns on Returns .......................... 1
7-7 ...................................... Field Goals ................................. 7-7
42.4 ................................... Punting Avg. .............................. 44.4
3.4 .................................. Punt Return Avg. ........................... 14.0
19.0 .............................. Kickoff Return Avg. ......................... 25.6

[OLD HEAD]

NFL 2008


Seattle Seahawks @ New York Giants


Giants

2008 Season Facts -

12 Straight away from Home - In winning Super Bowl XLII
last season the Giants set their NFL single-season record for
victories away from their home field with 11. After falling in
Dallas 45-35 in Week One of 2007 season, the Giants never lost
again away from home, including postseason play. After defeating
the Rams, 41-13, in St. Louis on Sept. 14 the team has now
won 12 straight games away from Giants Stadium.

11 Straight on the Road - The victory in St. Louis was the
Giants’ 11th in a row on the road, tying them for the secondlongest
such streak in NFL history. The San Francisco 49ers set
the NFL record with 19 straight road wins from 1988-90 (18 regular
season, one in the playoffs).
The Giants are tied with three teams for the second-longest
string of road victories: Chicago (1940-42), San Francisco (1987-
88) and Pittsburgh (2004-05). The Giants have won eight regular
season games and three postseason games in their road winning
streak. They next play away from home on Monday, Oct. 13, at
Cleveland.

Consecutive Road Victories
19 San Francisco (1988-90)
11 Giants (2007-08)
11 Chicago (1940-42)
11 San Francisco (1987-88)
11 Pittsburgh (2004-05)

100 Wins for Tom Coughlin - With a victory over the Jets on
Oct. 7, 2007 Tom Coughlin notched his 100th victory, including
postseason games. Coughlin won his 100th regular season game
at Detroit on Nov. 18th of last year. In his 13 seasons as a head
coach, Coughlin has 106 regular season wins and eight postseason
triumphs with an overall record of 114-95-0. Coughlin’s
106th regular season victory places him 31st on the NFL’s alltime
list. Including postseason games, Coughlin has 114 victories,
which leaves him tied with former St. Louis Cardinals and
San Diego coach Don Coryell for 30th on the all-time list.
Coughlin’s four playoff victories with New York place him second
in Giants history behind Bill Parcells’ eight.

Giants Connections - Giants punter Jeff Feagles was signed
as a free agent by Seattle on March 4, 1998. He was signed by
the Giants as a free agent on March 7, 2003 .

Seattle Connections - Scott Fitterer, the Seahawks’ western
region director of college scouting, worked as a part-time scout
for the Giants from 1998-99, then scouted the west coast region
for the Giants in 2000… Seattle kicker Olindo Mare was originally
signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent on May 2,
1996. Mare signed with Miami the next season.

50th Anniversary of The Greatest Game Ever Played -
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1958 NFL Championship
game in which the Baltimore Colts defeated the New York
Giants 23-17 in overtime. It was the first sudden-death overtime
NFL title game in NFL history and widely regarded as “The Greatest
Game Ever Played.” The Game featured such Giants legends
as Frank Gifford, Charlie Conerly, and Pat Summerall.

Pressure Point - Last season the Giants led the league with 53
quarterback sacks. When Michael Strahan took his 141.5 career
sacks into retirement it prompted much speculation about how
his absence would affect the Giants’ pass rush. Those concerns
were exacerbated when Pro Bowler Osi Umenyiora, the Giants’
sack leader each of the last four seasons, suffered a seasonending
knee injury on Aug. 23. With the retirement of Strahan
(9.0 2007 sacks), injury to Umenyiora (13.0), and free agent
losses of Kawika Mitchell (3.5), and Reggie Torbor (1.0), the Giants
came into the 2008 season missing 26.5, or exactly half of
their 2007 sack total. Entering the bye week the Giants were
tied for the NFL lead with 13.0 sacks.

Picking Them Off - Giants safety Sammy Knight and cornerback
Sam Madison both rank in the top ten for interceptions
among active NFL players. Knight is tied for second with Denver’s
Champ Bailey with 42 while Madison ranks sixth with 37.
Darren Sharper of Minnesota is first with 53.

Manning to Burress - Since 2005, Eli Manning has thrown 30
touchdown passes to Plaxico Burress, the most by any NFL quarterback-
wide receiver tandem during that time. In addition,
Burress has caught Manning’s seven longest scoring passes and
nine of the top 10. The duo have connected for one touchdown
so far this season.

Mr. Consistent - If QB Eli Manning continues his streak of
throwing for at least 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns he will
become the first Giants quarterback to do so for four consecutive
seasons. In 2007 Manning became the second Giants quarterback
in history with three consecutive seasons with more than
3,000 yards and 20 touchdown passes. Phil Simms did
from1984-86.


2008

Seahawks..... Giants
Record 1-2... 3-0
Total Yards Gained 1,010... 1,201
Total Offense (NFL Rank) 336.7 (11)... 400.3 (4)
Rush Offense 166.3 (2)... 157.0 (4)
Pass Offense 170.3 (22)... 243.3 (8)
Points Per Game 25.7 (11)... 27.7 (6)
Total Yards Allowed 943... 757
Total Defense 314.3 (12)... 252.3 (4)
Rush Defense 88.0 (9)... 84.7 (7)
Pass Defense 226.3 (25)... 167.7 (5)
Points Allowed/Game 26.7 (26)... 14.3 (T2)
Possession Avg. 30:30... 32:22
Sacked/Yds. Lost 7/40... 4/35
Sacks Made/Yds. Lost 10/60... 13/93
Interceptions By 1... 1
Penalties/Yds. 20/160... 20/179
Punts/Avg. 18/38.5... 11/41.9
Turnover Differential -3 (T24)... 0 (T15)


Seahawks

The Seahawks begin a stretch of 13 straight
games after their Week 4 bye, opening NFC East
play when they travel to New York to face the Giants
at the Meadowlands. In its last eight meetings vs.
NFC East opponents, Seattle is 8-0, including a 3-0 mark in the postseason.
Kickoff is slated for 10 a.m. (PT) and the game will be televised on FOX
(channel 13 in Seattle) and on 97.3 FM in Seattle. It will be the second of
Seattle’s four east coast road trips this season, and take to the road for the first
time in a month since its Week 1 trip to Buffalo.
It will be the 13th meeting between the two teams, with New York leading
7-5. The teams have split the last four, each winning on its home field, with
Seattle winning the last two games at Qwest Field in memorable fashion.
On November 27, 2005, it took Seattle three Jay Feely missed field goals
and overtime to top the Giants. In that game, Seahawks fans made their presence
known in helping force the Giants in to committing 11 false start penalties.
Feely’s first game-winning attempt was from 40 yards at the end of regulation
and sailed wide left. He also had opportunities from 54 and 45 yards in
overtime which fell short before Josh Brown sealed the win with a 36-yard field
goal. That win marked Seattle’s seventh-consecutive victory out of a
team-record 11 that season.
The following season, on September 24, Seattle opened up a 42-3 lead,
forced four first-half turnovers and Matt Hasselbeck threw for five touchdowns
in the team’s 42-30 win at Qwest Field, improving its record to 3-0.