[OLD HEAD]

NFL 2008

Week 8 NFL Capsules
Week 8, 2008, 10/24/2008

WEEK 8 – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (3-4) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (3-4)
WEMBLEY STADIUM, LONDON, ENGLAND

SERIES


CHARGERS
SAINTS

SERIES LEADER
7-2


STREAKS
4 of past 5


COACHES VS. OPP.
Turner: 1-1
Payton: 0-0

LAST WEEK
L 23-14 at Bills
L 30-7 at Panthers

LAST GAME
11/7/04: Saints 17 at Chargers 43. San Diego QB Drew Brees throws for 257 yards & 4 TDs, including 3 to TE Antonio Gates. Chargers outgain New Orleans by 182 total net yards.

LAST GAME AT SITE
---

BROADCAST
CBS (5:00 PM GMT): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms. Westwood One Radio: Bill Rosinski, John Dockery. SIRIUS: 110 (SD), 126 (NO). XM: 108 (NO).


STATS

PASSING
Rivers: 124-194-1,697 (2C)-16 (1L)-5-108.5 (1L)
Brees: 180-263-2,224 (1L)-12 (T2C)-7-98.5 (3C)

RUSHING
Tomlinson: 123-446 (3C)-3.6-4
McAllister: 50-208-4.2-1

RECEIVING
Jackson: 26-478-18.4-3
Moore: 32-341-10.7-2

OFFENSE
327.6
402.3 (1L)

TAKE/GIVE
+1
-4

DEFENSE
366.3
331.4

SACKS
Phillips: 3.5
Grant, McCray: 3.0

INTs
Cromartie: 2
Five tied: 1

PUNTING
Scifres: 48.9 (1C)
Graham: 43.3

KICKING
Kaeding: 56 (2C) (20/20 PAT; 12/15 FG)
Melhaff (R): 11 (5/5 PAT; 2/3 FG)


NOTES

SECOND OVERSEAS NFL regular-season game…
CHARGERS: QB PHILIP RIVERS has 6-3 (.667) record as starter against NFC & has completed 172 of 273 passes (63.0 pct.) for 2,004 yards with 14 TDs vs. 4 INTs & 96.2 passer rating. In past 2 games, Rivers has completed 40 of 56 passes (71.4 pct.) for 514 yards with 5 TDs vs. 1 INT & 122.2 passer rating…RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON averages 106.5 rush yards per game in past 2 against NFC (213 total) & aims for 10th 100-yard rush game against NFC …TE ANTONIO GATES tied career-high with 3 TD receptions in last meeting against Saints. Gates leads NFL TEs with 4 TDs…WR VINCENT JACKSON is averaging 18.4 yards per reception in ’08 (26 receptions, 478 yards) & aims for 3rd consecutive game with TD. WR MALCOM FLOYD aims for 3rd game in row with TD reception…Since ’07, CB ANTONIO CROMARTIE leads NFL with 12 INTs. Club is 7-0 when Cromartie has INT…In ’08, RB-KR DARREN SPROLES ranks 2nd in AFC with 616 KR return yards…K NATE KAEDING ranks 2nd in AFC with 56 points…

SAINTS: Club leads NFL in total net (402.3 avg.) & passing yards (310.9 avg.) per game. Saints rank 2nd in NFL on 3rd downs (43 of 89 for 48.3 avg.)… QB DREW BREES plays 1st game vs. former club (2001-05). Brees 104.8 passer rating for 2004 season ranks 1st in club history with min. 300 att. In 2 games vs. AFC this season, Brees has completed 65 of 78 (83.3 pct.) for 741 yards with 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 123.3 passer rating. Teams are 27-6 (.818) when Brees has 100+ rating. Since joining Saints in 2006, Brees has passed for 11,065 yards, most in NFL. Aims for 5th consecutive home game with 300+ yards & has 1,356 (339.0 per game) in past 4…Saints are 11-3 (.786) when RB DEUCE MCALLISTER has 2+ rush TDs. Had 2-yard TD run in last game vs. SD…TE JEREMY SHOCKEY registered 6 receptions for 101 yards (16.8 avg.) in only career game vs. SD (9/25/05 w/ NYG). WR DEVERY HENDERSON averages 31 yards per catch this year (15 rec. for 465 yards)…DE WILL SMITH has 7 sacks in past 15.



OAKLAND RAIDERS (2-4) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (3-3)

SERIES


RAIDERS
RAVENS

SERIES LEADER

3-1

STREAKS

3 of past 4

COACHES VS. OPP.
Cable: 0-0
Harbaugh: 0-0

LAST WEEK
W 16-13 (OT) vs. Jets
W 27-13 at Dolphins

LAST GAME
9/17/06: Raiders 6 at Ravens 28. Baltimore defense registers 6 sacks & forces 6 turnovers, limiting Oakland to 162 total net yards. Ravens K Matt Stover converts all 4 FG attempts.

LAST GAME AT SITE
9/17/06

BROADCAST
CBS (1:00 PM ET): Ian Eagle, Soloman Wilcots. SIRIUS: 144 (Oak.), 119 (Bal.). XM: 120 (Bal.).




STATS

PASSING
Russell: 84-164-1,030-5-2-76.0
Flacco (R): 107-167-1,076-2-7-68.8

RUSHING
McFadden (R): 67-341-5.1-1
McGahee: 77-293-3.8-2

RECEIVING
Miller (TE): 18-256-14.2-1
D. Mason: 33-418-12.7-1

OFFENSE
300.3
296

TAKE/GIVE
+2
-4

DEFENSE
360.5
243.8 (2L)

SACKS
Edwards: 4.0
Suggs: 4.0

INTs
Hall: 3 (T3C)
McAlister: 3 (T3C)

PUNTING
Lechler: 48.2 (2C)
Koch: 48.0

KICKING
Janikowski 47 (8/8 PAT; 13/17 FG)
Stover: 33 (12/12 PAT; 7/10 FG)


NOTES

RAIDERS: In 7 career starts, QB JA MARCUS RUSSELL has completed 107 of 195 passes (54.9 pct.) for 1,254 yards with 6 TDs vs. 3 INT & 78.5 passer rating...RB JUSTIN FARGAS totaled 74 yards (2.6 avg.) on 28 att. last week & Raiders are 2-1 (.667) when Fargas has 25 or more att. Rookie RB DARREN MC FADDEN (1st round, No. 4) averages 5.1 rush yards per carry (67 att., 341 yards)…WR JAVON WALKER posted 1st TD as Raider last week…In ’08, WR-KR JOHNNIE LEE HIGGINS averages 25.7 yards per catch (6 receptions, 154 yards). In ’08, TE ZACH MILLER averages 14.2 yards per catch (18 receptions, 256 yards)…Defense totaled 16 sacks in past 5…Since ’07, LB THOMAS HOWARD (6) ranks 1st & LB KIRK MORRISON (5) ties for 2nd in NFL for most INTs among LBs…Rookie DE TREVOR SCOTT (6th round, No. 169) had career-high 2 sacks last week…Since ’05, CB DE ANGELO HALL is 3rd in NFL with 18 INTs…

RAVENS: Team needs 1 regular season win to reach 100…Dating back to 12/30/07, club has won 3 of past 4 at home…Rookie QB JOE FLACCO (1st round, No. 18) posted career high 73.9 completion pct. (17 of 23) & career best 120.2 passer rating last week…RB WILLIS MC GAHEE posted 1st 100-yard rush game of season last week & 20th of his career…WR DERRICK MASON averages 91.3 receiving yards per game in past 4 vs. Oak. (365 yards). Since ’03, Mason ranks 3rd in NFL with 481 receptions (TORRY HOLT, 522; CHAD JOHNSON, 489)…TE TODD HEAP has 11 rec. for 110 yards (10.0 avg.) with 2 TDs in 2 career games vs. Oak…Ravens have not allowed RB to gain 100+ rush yards in 25 games (longest current streak in NFL)…LB TERRELL SUGGS posted 1st career INT-TD on 44-yard return last week. Suggs had 2 sacks in last meeting vs. Oak…DT TREVOR PRYCE has 7 career sacks vs. Raiders…Since ’02, S ED REED leads NFL with 35 INTs…CB FABIAN WASHINGTON spent 3 seasons (2005-07) with Raiders.



ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-2) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-2)

SERIES


CARDINALS
PANTHERS

SERIES LEADER

5-2

STREAKS

Past 4

COACHES VS. OPP.
Whisenhunt: 0-1
Fox: 4-1

LAST WEEK
Bye (Wk. 6: W 30-24 (OT) vs. Cowboys)
W 30-7 vs. Saints

LAST GAME
10/14/07: Panthers 25 at Cardinals 10. Carolina scores 16 unanswered points in final 5:40 of 4th quarter. Panthers QB Vinny Testaverde throws TD in NFL-record 21st consecutive season.

LAST GAME AT SITE
11/21/04: Panthers 35, Cardinals 10. Carolina RB Nick Goings rushes for 121 yards & 3 TDs. Panthers WR Muhsin Muhammad registers 6 receptions for 118 yards & 2 TDs.

BROADCAST
FOX (1:00 PM ET): Matt Vasgersian, Brian Baldinger, Laura Okmin (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 155 (Arz.), 91 (Car.). XM: 119 (Car.).


STATS

PASSING
Warner: 149-213-1,708 (2C)-12 (T2C)-5-102.8 (2C)
Delhomme: 120-203-1,533-7-5-84.0

RUSHING
James: 101-363-3.6-3
Williams: 103-414-4.0-2

RECEIVING
Fitzgerald: 36-546 (3C)-15.2-5 (T1L)
Muhammad: 32-469-14.7-2

OFFENSE
360.0
324.0

TAKE/GIVE
-1
0

DEFENSE
314.0
275.7 (2C)

SACKS
Berry, LaBoy: 4.0
Peppers: 4.0

INTs
3 tied: 1
Lucas: 2

PUNTING
Johnson: 42.7
Baker: 46.8

KICKING
Rackers: 43 (19/19 PAT; 8/10 FG)
Kasay: 57 (15/15 PAT; 14/14 FG)


NOTES

CARDINALS: In 3 home games this season, QB KURT WARNER has completed 74 of 96 (77.1 pct.) for 847 yards with 7 TDs vs. 1 INT for 123.0 passer rating. In Warner’s starts with 15+ att. (incl. playoffs), his teams are 33-3 (.917) when he has 100+ rating. In last game at Carolina (12/23/01 w/ StL.), Warner completed 18 of 23 (78.3 pct.) for 217 yards with 2 TDs vs. 2 INTs for 98.7 passer rating in win…In only meeting, RB EDGERRIN JAMES had 23-yard TD. James leads all active rushers with 11,970 yards…In 3 career games vs. Car., WR LARRY FITZGERALD has 22 receptions for 325 yards (108.3 per game) & 2 TDs. Fitzgerald’s 5 rec. TDs ties for NFL lead…WR STEVE BREASTON has 24 catches for 301 yards (100.3 per game) in past 3 games, including 1st career receiving TD in last week. Had 12 catches for 164 yards in 19 previous career games… In last game at Car., S ADRIAN WILSON returned INT 27 yards…In last game, WR SEAN MOREY registered career-high 4 special teams tackles & blocked punt in OT that resulted in the game-winning TD…

PANTHERS: QB JAKE DELHOMME is 3-0 vs. Cardinals, completing 50 of 86 (58.1 pct.) for 636 yards with 5 TDs vs. 3 INTs for 86.2 passer rating. With Panthers, Delhomme is 7-1 vs. NFC West, and completed 135 of 238 (56.7 pct.) with 15 TDs vs. 6 INTs for 91.1 passer rating. As starter, when Delhomme has 110.0+ rating, his teams are perfect 15-0, incl. last week vs. NO (122.3 rating)…RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS tied 2nd-highest career rushing total (121 yards) in only career meeting vs. Ari., including career-long 75-yard run. Panthers are perfect 7-0 when Williams rushes for 80+ yards…Rookie RB JONATHAN STEWART (1st round) has 5 rush TDs in past 6…In past 2 vs. Ari., WR STEVE SMITH has registered 18 rec. for 255 yards (127.5 per game) & 3 TDs, including a 65-yarder in each contest. Aims for 3rd in row with 100+ yards…DE JULIUS PEPPERS ranks 1st in team history with 60 sacks & 22 FFs. Has 4.5 sacks in past 4 meetings, incl. 1.5 in last game…CB KEN LUCAS had only career INT-TD at Ari. (10/24/04 w/ Sea.).



TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-2) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (4-3)

SERIES


BUCCANEERS
COWBOYS

SERIES LEADER

7-3

STREAKS
3 of past 4


COACHES VS. OPP.
Gruden: 3-1
Phillips: 1-2

LAST WEEK
W 20-10 vs. Seahawks
L 34-14 at Rams

LAST GAME
11/23/06: Buccaneers 10 at Cowboys 38. Dallas QB Tony Romo throws for 306 yards & 5 TDs on Thanksgiving Day. Cowboys RB Marion Barber has 86 scrimmage yards & 3 TDs.

LAST GAME AT SITE
11/23/06

BROADCAST
FOX (12:00 PM CT): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 118 (TB), 122 (Dal.). XM: 107 (Dal.).


STATS

PASSING
Garcia: 79-114-797-4-2-93.3
Johnson: 17-34-234-1-3-45.5

RUSHING
Graham: 95-456-4.8-4
Barber: 128-540-4.2-5

RECEIVING
Bryant: 31-406-13.1-1
Witten (TE): 45 (1C)-541-12.0-2

OFFENSE
352.6
393.1 (3L)

TAKE/GIVE
+4
-6

DEFENSE
292.7
303.9

SACKS
White: 3.5
Ware: 9.0 (1L)

INTs
Talib (R): 3 (T3C)
Ellis, Hamlin: 1

PUNTING
Bidwell: 45.6
Paulescu: 42.0

KICKING
Bryant: 59 (17/17 PAT; 14/16 FG)
Folk: 45 (24/24 PAT; 7/9 FG)


NOTES

BUCCANEERS: Under head coach JON GRUDEN, Bucs are 18-0 since 2002 when not committing turnover…QB JEFF GARCIA completed 15 of 23 (65.2 pct.) for 238 yards with 1 TD vs. 1 INT for 95.9 passer rating in last game vs. Dal (12/25/06 w/ Phi.). Had 1st career 4 TD pass game vs. Cowboys (9/24/00 w/ 49ers) which ties for career-high…RB EARNEST GRAHAM aims for 3rd consecutive game with rush TD. Bucs are 6-0 when Graham has 20+ att…WR JOEY GALLOWAY spent 4 years with Cowboys (2000-03). WR ANTONIO BRYANT was 2nd round pick by Dal. in 2002 & played 37 games before being traded to Cle. in 2004. Last week, had 6 catches for 115 yards (19.2 avg.), including 47-yard TD…Defense ranks 1st in NFL in red zone defense (30.8 TD pct.) & 2nd in NFL with 12 INTs. TB is 4-0 when LB BARRETT RUUD has INT…1st round selection (No. 20) CB AQIB TALIB registered 3rd INT last week vs. Sea., & is tied for 1st among NFL rookies. Aims for 3rd consecutive game with INT. This week, CB RONDE BARBER will make his 160th career start. Has made 142 consecutive starts, most among active CBs…

COWBOYS: QB BRAD JOHNSON will make his 1st career start vs. former club since leaving after 2004 season. Johnson’s holds TB single-season (2003) records in yards (3, 811) & TD passes (26)…When RB MARION BARBER has 11+ carries, Cowboys are 23-3 (.885). Has 35 TDs (29 rush, 6 rec.) in past 38…Aims for 3rd consecutive game with TD…In 2 career starts vs. TB, WR TERRELL OWENS has 14 catches for 259 yards (129.5 per game) & 2 TD, including 75-yarder (10/19/03)...TE JASON WITTEN has 358 catches & 4,177 yards since 2004, most by TE in NFC. Leads NFL with 20 receptions on 3rd down (222 yards, 11.1 avg.)…2nd round selection TE MARTELLUS BENNETT registered 1st career TD and career-high (67) yards last week…With 3.0 sacks last week, LB DE MARCUS WARE tied NFL record with 10th game in row with 1.0+ sack. Has 13.0 sacks in past 10. Leads NFL with 9.0 sacks. LB GREG ELLIS has 15.5 sacks in past 20. Aims for 3rd consecutive game with sack vs. TB.



WASHINGTON REDSKINS (5-2) AT DETROIT LIONS (0-6)

SERIES


REDSKINS
LIONS

SERIES LEADER
26-10


STREAKS
18 of past 20


COACHES VS. OPP.
Zorn: 0-0
Marinelli: 0-1

LAST WEEK
W 14-11 vs. Browns
L 28-21 at Texans

LAST GAME
10/7/07: Lions 3 at Redskins 34. Washington QB Jason Campbell completes 79.3 pct. of passes for 248 yards & 2 TDs. Redskins DE Andre Carter adds 2 sacks & safety in victory.

LAST GAME AT SITE
11/7/04: Redskins 17, Lions 10. Washington RB Clinton Portis runs for 147 yards & throws 15-yd TD to WR Laveranues Coles. Redskins CB Walt Harris scores on 13-yard blocked punt.

BROADCAST
FOX (1:00 PM ET): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick, Charissa Thompson (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 152 (Was.), 129 (Det.). XM: 114 (Det.).


STATS

PASSING
J. Campbell: 129-202-1,426-7-0-96.3
Orlovsky: 39-74-518-2-2-72.9

RUSHING
Portis: 163-818 (1L)-5.0-7 (1C)
Kevin Smith (R): 52-256-4.9-3

RECEIVING
Cooley (TE): 34-377-11.1-1
C. Johnson: 25-531-21.2-4

OFFENSE
353.6
265.0

TAKE/GIVE
+3
-3

DEFENSE
278.7 (3C)
418.7

SACKS
Carter: 2.0
White: 4.0

INTs
Horton (R): 3 (T3C)
Bodden: 1

PUNTING
Plackemeier: 39.4
Harris: 43.9

KICKING
Suisham: 50 (14/14 PAT; 12/16 FG)
Hanson: 33 (9/9 PAT; 8/8 FG)


NOTES

REDSKINS: QB JASON CAMPBELL has not thrown INT this season (202 att.). In only career start vs. Det. (10/7/07), completed 23 of 29 (79.3 pct.) for 248 yards with 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 125.3 passer rating. Aims for 3rd consecutive road win, after completing 36 of 60 (60.0 pct.) for 407 yards with 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 91.5 passer rating in previous 2 games…Over past 4 games, RB CLINTON PORTIS has registered 570 rushing yards (142.5 per game) & 4 TDs. Aims for 5th consecutive 120+ yard game. In 1/07/04 game, recorded 1st career TD pass (15 yards) & had 147 yards rushing. When Portis has 100+ yards, his teams are 31-10 (.756). When Portis rushes for 2+ TDs, his clubs are 14-5 (.737)…TE CHRIS COOLEY has 28 TDs since 2004, most in NFC among TEs…WR SANTANA MOSS had TD rec. in only career game vs. Lions…WR-PR ANTWAAN RANDLE EL had 7 receptions for 100 yards (14.3 avg.) in last meeting. Had 81-yard PR-TD vs. Det. (1/1/06 w/ Pit.). Incl. playoffs, has 26 career TDs (14 rec., 6 PR, 5 pass, 1 KR)…LB-DE JASON TAYLOR has 118.0 sacks, most among active players. DE ANDRE CARTER had 2 sacks & safety in last meeting. CB SHAWN SPRINGS had INT on 11/16/03…

LIONS: In first 2 career starts, QB DAN ORLOVSKY completed 24 of 46 (52.2 pct.) for 415 yards with 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 97.6 passer rating. Aims for 3rd consecutive game with TD pass…RB KEVIN SMITH (3rd round) leads team in rushing with 256 yards & 3 rush TDs. Is 1 of 5 rookies to lead club in rushing. Had 26-yard TD last week. In only career game vs. Was. (11/14/04), RB RUDI JOHNSON registered 102 rushing yards & 1 TD. When Johnson has 25+ att., his teams are 18-1 (.947)…Last week, WR CALVIN JOHNSON had 2 rec. for career-high 154 yards receiving (77.0 avg.), including 4th-longest reception in club’s 75-year history (96 yards)…Defense had 8 sacks in past 2 games. DE JARED DE VRIES aims for 3rd sack in 4 games. DE DEWAYNE WHITE has sack in 4 of 6 games this year…K JASON HANSON has 393 FGs, 6th most in NFL history & 4th among active players.



BUFFALO BILLS (5-1) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-4)

SERIES


BILLS
DOLPHINS

SERIES LEADER

49-34-1

STREAKS
7 of past 8


COACHES VS. OPP.
Jauron: 4-1
Sparano: 0-0

LAST WEEK
W 23-14 vs. Chargers
L 27-13 vs. Ravens

LAST GAME
12/9/07: Dolphins 17 at Bills 38. Buffalo scores 31 points in 1st 21 minutes to stay in Wild Card race. Bills RBs Fred Jackson (115) & Marshawn Lynch (107) both rush for 100 yards.

LAST GAME AT SITE
11/11/07: Bills 13, Dolphins 10. Buffalo overcomes 10-3 4th-quarter deficit with TD run by rookie RB Marshawn Lynch & game-winning 34-yard FG by Rian Lindell with 46 seconds left.

BROADCAST
CBS (1:00 PM ET): Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon. SIRIUS: 130 (Buf.), 125 (Mia.). XM: 118 (Mia.).


STATS

PASSING
Edwards: 106-152-1,209-5-2-98.8 (2C)
Pennington: 118-172-1,396-6-3-97.4

RUSHING
Lynch: 110-389-3.5-5 (T3C)
Brown: 84-363-4.3-7 (2L)

RECEIVING
Evans: 24-521 (3C)-21.7-3
Camarillo: 27-337-12.5-1

OFFENSE
322.5
348.8 (3C)

TAKE/GIVE
0
+4 (T3C)

DEFENSE
293
332.8

SACKS
Mitchell, Stroud: 2
Porter: 8.5 (T1C)

INTs
McGee: 2
3 tied: 1

PUNTING
Moorman: 46.9
Fields: 44.8

KICKING
Lindell: 51 (15/15 PAT; 12/15 FG)
Carpenter (R): 30 (15/15 PAT; 5/6 FG)


NOTES

BILLS: Club aims for 4th consecutive win against Miami in October…QB TRENT EDWARDS has 10-5 (.667) record as starter with 12 TDs & 9 INTs & 82.5 passer rating. In 4th quarter this season, Edwards has completed 29 of 38 passes (76.3 pct.) for 375 yards with 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 133.1 passer rating. In last meeting against Miami, Edwards posted career-high 4 TDs. Team is 8-1 (.889) when Edwards has 80+ passer rating…RB MARSHAWN LYNCH averages 84 rush yards per game against Dolphins & aims for 2nd consecutive 100-yard rush game vs. Mia. RB FRED JACKSON gained career-high 115 yards (7.7 avg.) on 15 att. in last meeting against Mia…WR LEE EVANS averages 21.7 yards per catch in ’08 (24 receptions, 521 yards). Evans has 8 TD receptions vs. Mia. (most vs. any opponent)…Club is 12-2 (.857) under head coach DICK JAURON when holding opponents to 300 yards or fewer…Since ’03, DE AARON SCHOBEL ranks 2nd in NFL with 53 sacks (JASON TAYLOR, 60)…LB KAWIKA MITCHELL posted 1st INT with Bills last week…

DOLPHINS: Offense aims for 350+ total yards in 5 games in row…In past 4, QB CHAD PENNINGTON has completed 82 of 109 passes (75.2 pct.) for 1,033 yards with 4 TDs vs. 2 INTs & 108.8 passer rating. Incl. playoffs Pennington’s teams are 19-7 (.730) when has 100+ passer rating. RB RONNIE BROWN is averaging 78.8 rush yards per game in past 4 & has 8 TDs (7 rush, 1 passing) in past 5. Brown is averaging 93.5 rush yards per game in past 6 against AFC East.…In 6 career meetings against Bills, RB RICKY WILLIAMS averages 121.3 rush yards per game (728 total). In past 2, RB PATRICK COBBS has totaled 202 receiving yards (25.3 avg.) on 8 receptions with 2 TDs…Undrafted rookie free agent WR DAVONE BESS posted 1st career TD reception last week…In ’08, TE ANTHONY FASANO averages 13.8 yards per catch (17 receptions, 234 yards)…Defense has 11 sacks in past 4 games…LB JOEY PORTER is tied for 2nd in NFL with 8.5 sacks & has 7.5 sacks in past 4 games…S YEREMIAH BELL leads team with 50 tackles.



ST. LOUIS RAMS (2-4) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-2)

SERIES


RAMS
PATRIOTS

SERIES LEADER
5-4


STREAKS
4 of past 5


COACHES VS. OPP.
Haslett: 0-2
Belichick: 3-1

LAST WEEK
W 34-14 vs. Cowboys
W 41-7 vs. Broncos

LAST GAME
11/7/04: Patriots 40 at Rams 22. New England K Adam Vinatieri converts all 4 FG attempts (43, 31, 45, 36) & throws 4-yard TD pass to WR Troy Brown on fake FG.

LAST GAME AT SITE
11/18/01: Rams 24, Patriots 17. St. Louis QB Kurt Warner passes for 401 yards & 3 TDs, including 9-yarder to RB Marshall Faulk, who also rushes for 83 yards.

BROADCAST
FOX (1:00 PM ET): Chris Rose, JC Pearson, Nischelle Turner (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 90 (StL.), 121 (NE). XM: 106 (NE).


STATS

PASSING
Bulger: 81-134-828-3-2-79.4
Cassel: 110-166-1,095-6-4-86.8

RUSHING
Jackson: 121-508-4.2-4
Morris: 69-307-4.4-4

RECEIVING
Jackson (RB): 25-259-10.4-0
Welker: 42-387-9.2-1

OFFENSE
252.0
315.5

TAKE/GIVE
+3
+4 (T3C)

DEFENSE
392.7
313.2

SACKS
Little: 4.5
A. Thomas: 3.5

INTs
Atogwe: 3 (T3C)
Meriweather: 3 (T3C)

PUNTING
Jones: 51.6 (1L)
Hanson: 42.9

KICKING
J. Brown: 42 (9/9 PAT; 11/13 FG)
Gostkowski: 52 (3C) (13/13 PAT; 13/14 FG)


NOTES

RAMS: In 18 career starts vs. AFC, QB MARC BULGER has completed 389 of 607 (64.1 pct.) for 4,859 yards with 30 TDs vs. 16 INTs for 94.3 passer rating. Has 6 300-yard games vs. AFC, incl. 2 games with 450+ yards. In only game vs. NE (11/7/04), Bulger completed 23 of 33 (69.7 pct.) for 285 yards with 2 TDs vs. 1 INT for 103.7 passer rating…For career club is 10-4 (.714) when RB STEVEN JACKSON has 100+ rush yards. When Jackson has 22+ att., Rams are 16-6 (.727), & in past 22, Jackson has rushed for 2,492 yards (113.3 per game) & 17 TDs. Last week, Jackson tied career-high with 3 rush TDs & his 160 yards rushing were 2nd-highest single-game total of career…Since 2000, WR TORRY HOLT leads NFL with 776 receptions & 11,337 yards. Had 6 catches for 111 yards in last meeting…S O.J. ATOGWE has 10 INTs in past 14 games. Last week, tied career-best with 2 INTs…DE LEONARD LITTLE has 4.5 sacks in past 3 games. Aims for 3rd consecutive game with FF…DT LA’ROI GLOVER recorded 1st career INT vs. NE (10/4/98 w/NO).

PATRIOTS: Incl. SB XXXVI, club aims for 3rd consecutive win against Rams…Since ’03, Patriots are 11-1 (.916) in October at home… Club aims for 13th win in row against NFC…In 3 games at home in ’08, QB MATT CASSEL has completed 50 of 73 passes (68.5 pct.) for 468 yards with 5 TDs vs. 1 INT & 103 passer rating…RB KEVIN FAULK averages 6.6 yards per carry in ’08 (23 att., 152 yards). RB SAMMY MORRIS gained career-high 138 yards (8.6 avg.) on 16 carries with 1 TD last week…In 3 career games against Rams, WR RANDY MOSS averages 104 receiving yards per game & aims for 3rd consecutive game with TD reception vs. StL.…Incl. postseason, WR WES WELKER aims for 11th consecutive game with 6 or more receptions & ranks 2nd in NFL with 154 rec. since ’07 (T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH, 158 rec.)…S BRANDON MERIWEATHER has 2 INTs in past 3...DE RICHARD SEYMOUR posted 1.5 sacks last week & NE has 26-3 (.897) record when has 1 or more sacks…CB-KR ELLIS HOBBS leads NFL with 30.1 KR avg.



KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-5) AT NEW YORK JETS (3-3)

SERIES


CHIEFS
JETS

SERIES LEADER
16-15-1


STREAKS

3 of past 5

COACHES VS. OPP.
Edwards: 0-1
Mangini: 1-0

LAST WEEK
L 34-10 vs. Titans
L 16-13 (OT) at Raiders

LAST GAME
12/30/07: Chiefs 10 at Jets 13 (OT). New York K Mike Nugent kicks 43-yard FG in freezing rain after RB Thomas Jones moves Jets into position with runs of 9, 8, 10 & 8 in OT.

LAST GAME AT SITE
12/30/07

BROADCAST
CBS (1:00 PM ET): Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf. SIRIUS: 107 (KC), 123 (NYJ). XM 117 (NYJ).


STATS

PASSING
Huard: 50-81-477-2-4-65.7 OR

Thigpen: 38-90-392-2-4-44.3
Favre: 133-195-1,321-13 (T2C)-8-92.3

RUSHING
L. Johnson: 93-417-4.5-3
Jones: 108-478 (2C)-4.4-3

RECEIVING
Bowe: 34-410-12.1-2
Coles: 30-369-12.3-4 (T3C)

OFFENSE
257.3
316.7

TAKE/GIVE
1
-3

DEFENSE
402.2
312.8

SACKS
D. Johnson: 1.5
Ellis: 5.0

INTs
3 tied: 1
Revis: 3 (T3C)

PUNTING
Colquitt: 47.9
Hodges: 39.1

KICKING
Novak: 25 (7/7 PAT; 6/10 FG)
Feely: 36 (12/12 PAT; 8/10 FG)


NOTES

CHIEFS: HERM EDWARDS spent 5 seasons (2001-05) as Jets head coach…In 21 starts with Chiefs, QB DAMON HUARD has completed 349 of 570 passes (61.2 pct.) for 3,899 yards with 20 TDs vs. 17 INTs & 80.9 passer rating. QB TYLER THIGPEN recorded 1st career rush TD last week…In 1 career meeting vs. Jets. (9/11/05), RB LARRY JOHNSON gained 110 yards (12.2 avg.) on 9 att. with 2 TDs. Chiefs are 22-7 (.759) when Johnson has 100+ rushing yards. KC is 12-1 (.923) when Johnson has 30+ att…TE TONY GONZALEZ extended reception streak to 121 in last game – streak is 2nd in NFL history among TEs (OZZIE NEWSOME, 150). Gonzalez totaled season-high 97 receiving yards (16.2 avg.) last week on 6 receptions…WR DWAYNE BOWE aims for 4th consecutive with 5+ receptions…Chiefs are 5-1 (.833) under Edwards when opponents score 10 or fewer points…LB DONNIE EDWARDS leads NFL active LBs with 28 career INTs…

JETS: Dating back to 12/30/07, club has won 3 of past 4 at home…In 3 games at home in ’08, QB BRETT FAVRE has completed 67 of 93 passes (72.0 pct.) for 659 yards with 8 TDs vs. 4 INTs & 102.4 passer rating. Favre’s teams are 85-8 (.914) when he posts 100+ passer rating…With 159 rush yards last week, RB THOMAS JONES aims to become 1st Jet since CURTIS MARTIN (10/3/04) to record back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. Jones averages 130 rush yards per game when has 20 or more att. in ’08 & Jones teams are 26-14 (.650) when he records 20+ att…WR LAVERANUES COLES aims for 3rd consecutive home game with 8+ receptions. Coles averages 91 receiving yards per game in past 2 vs. KC (182 total)…WR JERRICHO COTCHERY totaled 8 receptions for 76 yards (9.5 avg.) in last meeting against KC…TE CHRIS BAKER had career-high 124 receiving yards (17.7 avg.) on 7 receptions with 1 TD vs. KC (9/11/05)…Defense aims for 3rd consecutive home game with 5 sacks…LB CALVIN PACE has sack in 2 of past 3…DE SHAUN ELLIS has sack in 5 of past 6 games & aims for 4th in row with sack.



ATLANTA FALCONS (4-2) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-3)

SERIES


FALCONS
EAGLES

SERIES LEADER

12-10-1

STREAKS

3 of past 4

COACHES VS. OPP.
Smith: 0-0
Reid: 5-1

LAST WEEK
Bye (Wk. 6: W 22-20 vs. Bears)
Bye (Wk. 6: W 40-26 at 49ers)

LAST GAME
12/31/06: Falcons 17 at Eagles 24. Philadelphia QB A.J. Feeley throws for 321 yards & 3 TDs, including 89-yarder to Hank Baskett for winning TD on season’s final day.

LAST GAME AT SITE
12/31/06

BROADCAST
FOX (1:00 PM ET): Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan, Chris Myers (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 154 (Atl.), 127 (Phi.). XM: 109 (Phi.).


STATS

PASSING
Ryan (R): 93-161-1,164-5-3-82.9
McNabb: 135-211-1,576-8-3-93.2

RUSHING
Turner: 128-597 (3L)-4.7-6 (T2C)
Buckhalter: 48-207-4.3-2

RECEIVING
White: 35-566 (2C)-16.2-3
Jackson (R): 29-433-14.9-1

OFFENSE
350.0
349.3

TAKE/GIVE
+2
+5 (T2C)

DEFENSE
349.7
279.3

SACKS
Abraham: 7.0 (2C)
Parker: 4.5

INTs
5 tied: 1
Mikell, Samuel: 2

PUNTING
Koenen: 40.6
Rocca: 46.3

KICKING
Elam: 61 (2C) (13/13 PAT; 16/17 FG)
Akers: 57 (18/18 PAT; 13/17 FG)


NOTES

FALCONS: Looking for 3rd consecutive victory…In last game, rookie QB MATT RYAN had first career 300-yard outing. Ryan completed 22 of 30 passes (73.3 pct.) for 301 yards with 1 TD vs. 0 INTs for 116.1 passer rating. Aims for 4th game with 100+ rating this season…RB MICHAEL TURNER ranks 3rd in NFC with 597 rushing yards & averages 99.5 yards per game. When Turner has 8+ carries, his teams are 15-2 (.882). RB-KR JERIOUS NORWOOD has 4 career rush TDs & 3 have been 67+ yards…WR RODDY WHITE has 29 catches for 453 yards (113.3 per game) & 3 TDs in past 4. DE JOHN ABRAHAM has 17 sacks in past 21. Second in NFC with 7 sacks. Has 74.5 sacks since 2000, tied for 5th-most in NFL. Had 3.5 sacks in 10/26/03 meeting (w/ NYJ), 2nd-best single-game sack total of career…DE JAMAAL ANDERSON had 1st career sack in last game…K JASON ELAM has converted 16 of 17 FGs (94.1 pct.) this season. In last game, kicked game-winning 48-yarder vs. Chi. as time expired. Ranks 5th in NFL history with 411 FGs. Has 38 FGs of 50+ yards, 2nd in NFL history …

EAGLES: In 3 career home games vs. Atl. (incl. playoffs), QB DONOVAN MC NABB is 3-0 & has completed 67 of 100 (67.0 pct.) for 738 yards with 5 TDs vs. 1 INT for 101.2 passer rating. When McNabb has 100+ rating (incl. playoffs), Eagles are 37-1 (.974)…WR DE SEAN JACKSON (2nd round, No. 49) leads NFL rookies with 433 rec. yards. His 29 receptions leads NFC rookie WRs & 13.3 punt return average ranks 2nd in NFC…WR HANK BASKETT had 7 catches for career-high 177 yards (25.3 avg.) & 89-yard TD in last meeting…TE L.J. SMITH had 97 yards in 11/2/03 game, 3rd-highest total of career…Defense ties for NFC lead with 21 sacks. DE JUQUA PARKER has 4.5 sacks in past 4. Had 2 sacks in last meeting. DE TRENT COLE has 14 sacks in past 20…CB ASANTE SAMUEL has 18 INTs since 2006, most in NFL. S SEAN CONSIDINE recorded 1st career INT & sack in last meeting. S BRIAN DAWKINS has recorded INT in 3 of past 4 games (incl. playoffs) vs. Atl & recorded 1st career INT 9/22/96 game. One of 5 DBs in NFL history with 20 or more sacks. Eagles have won 16 of past 19 when Dawkins has INT.



CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-7) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (2-4)

SERIES


BENGALS
TEXANS

SERIES LEADER
3-0


STREAKS
3-0


COACHES VS. OPP.
Lewis: 2-0
Kubiak: 0-0

LAST WEEK
L 10-38 vs. Steelers
W 28-21 vs. Lions

LAST GAME
10/2/05: Texans 10 at Bengals 16. Cincinnati QB Carson Palmer passes for 276 yards & 1 TD. Bengals K Shayne Graham kicks 3 FGs & RB Rudi Johnson adds 88 rush yards.

LAST GAME AT SITE
11/9/03: Bengals 34, Texans 27. Cincinnati scores 10 4th-quarter points for comeback win. Bengals RB Rudi Johnson has franchise-record 43 carries & gains 182 yards.

BROADCAST
CBS (3:05 PM CT): Gus Johnson, Steve Tasker. SIRIUS: 119 (Cin.), 126 (Hou.). XM: 108 (Hou).


STATS

PASSING
C. Palmer: 75-129-731-3-4-69
Schaub: 119-183-1,343-7-7-83.7

RUSHING
Perry: 96-253-2.6-2
Slaton (R): 89-423-4.8-4

RECEIVING
Houshmandzadeh: 46 (2L)-458-10-3
A. Johnson: 45 (T3L)-629 (1C)-14-2

OFFENSE
225.6
369.5 (2C)

TAKE/GIVE
-3
-9

DEFENSE
331.4
338.8

SACKS
Odom: 2.0
M. Williams: 6.0

INTs
4 tied: 1
3 tied: 1

PUNTING
Larson: 41.9
Turk: 44.8

KICKING
Graham: 32 (5/5 PAT; 9/10 FG)
K. Brown: 44 (14/14 PAT; 10/10 FG)


NOTES

BENGALS: Club aims for 4th consecutive win against Texans…In 1 career meeting against Texans (w/Rams on 11/27/05), QB RYAN FITZPATRICK completed 19 of 30 passes (63.3 pct.) for 310 yards with 3 TDs vs. 1 INT & 117.4 passer rating. In past 2, Fitzpatrick has completed 41 of 68 passes (60.3 pct.) for 316 yards with 1 TD vs. 0 INTs & 76.6 passer rating…RB CEDRIC BENSON made 1st start as Bengal last week. In 1 career start against Houston (w/Was. on 12/22/02), RB KENNY WATSON gained 110 rush yards (5.5 avg.) on 20 att…WR T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH aims for 6th consecutive game with 6 or more receptions. Houshmandzadeh posted 8 receptions for 105 yards (13.1 avg.) in last meeting against Texans. WR CHAD JOHNSON aims for 100th consecutive game with reception…Since ’03, team is 22-6 (.786) when defense has 2+ INTs…LB DHANI JONES leads team with 63 tackles…DE ANTWAN ODOM has 3.5 career sacks against Texans (most vs. any opponent)…WR-KR GLENN HOLT ranks 1st in NFL with 744 KR yards (26.6 avg.)…

TEXANS: Club has won 6 of past 7 at home dating back to 11/18/07…Team is averaging 27.8 points in past 4…In past 3, QB MATT SCHAUB has averaged 317.7 passing yards per game with 6 TDs vs. 2 INTs & 104.3 passer rating…Rookie RB STEVE SLATON (3rd round, No. 89) ranks 3rd in NFL among rookie RBs with 423 rush yards (4.8 avg.) on 89 att. & 4 TDs…WR ANDRE JOHNSON is averaging 150 receiving yards in past 3 & aims for 4th consecutive 100-yard receiving game (131, 178, 141). Johnson is averaging 119.3 receiving yards in past 8 at home. WR KEVIN WALTER spent 3 seasons (2003-05) with Bengals…TE OWEN DANIELS leads AFC TEs in receptions (29) & yards (374). Daniels tied career-high with 2 TD receptions last week (2 vs. Ten. on 10/29/06)…Since ’07, DE MARIO WILLIAMS ranks 3rd in NFL with 20 sacks (DE MARCUS WARE, 23; JARED ALLEN, 20.5). Williams has 4 sacks in past 3 games…LB ZAC DILES recorded 1st career sack last week & leads team with 45 tackles.



CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-4) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-3)

SERIES


BROWNS
JAGUARS

SERIES LEADER

8-2

STREAKS

2 of past 3

COACHES VS. OPP.
Crennel: 0-1
Del Rio: 1-0

LAST WEEK
L 14-11 at Redskins
Bye (Wk. 6: W 24-17 at Broncos)

LAST GAME
12/4/05: Jaguars 20 at Browns 14. Jacksonville erases 11-point deficit with 29-yard FG by K Josh Scobee & 2 TD passes by QB David Garrard in 3rd quarter as Jaguar win 5th straight.

LAST GAME AT SITE
12/8/02: Browns 21, Jaguars 20. Cleveland QB Tim Couch throws 50-yard TD pass to WR Quincy Morgan on last play of 4th quarter to complete comeback victory.

BROADCAST
CBS (4:05 PM ET): Dick Enberg, Randy Cross. SIRIUS: 125 (Cle.), 122 (Jax.). XM: 107 (Jax.).


STATS

PASSING
Anderson: 90-183-989-6-6-62.9
Garrard: 122-183-1,259-4-4-84.5

RUSHING
Lewis: 109-403-3.7-2
Jones-Drew: 65-301-4.6-5

RECEIVING
Winslow (TE): 21-187-8.9-1
M. Jones: 30-338-11.3-1

OFFENSE
255.5
306.5

TAKE/GIVE
+5 (2C)
+2

DEFENSE
329.3
340.5

SACKS
Hall, Rogers: 3.0
Groves, Hayward: 1.5

INTs
E. Wright: 3 (T3C)
Mathis, Sensabaugh: 2

PUNTING
Zastudil: 45.0
Podlesh: 44.1

KICKING
Dawson: 34 (7/7 PAT; 9/11 FG)
Scobee: 46 (13/13 PAT; 11/12 FG)


NOTES

BROWNS: Club aims for 3rd consecutive win at Jacksonville…Club is 6-0 under head coach ROMEO CRENNEL when scoring 30+ points…In past 2, QB DEREK ANDERSON has 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 85.8 passer rating. Team is 5-0 when Anderson has 100+ passer rating. Anderson will make 1st career start against Jaguars…Browns are 5-0 when RB JAMAL LEWIS has 25+ carries…In 1 career meeting against Jaguars, WR BRAYLON EDWARDS posted 5 receptions for 86 yards (17.2 avg.) with 2 TDs. WR DONTE’ STALLWORTH averages 18.3 yards per reception against Jax. (6 receptions, 110 yards). WR JOSHUA CRIBBS registered 1st career TD reception last week…CB ERIC WRIGHT has INT in 2 of past 3…In last meeting against Jax. (w/Patriots in WC on 1/7/06), LB WILLIE MC GINEST set NFL postseason record with 4.5 sacks…Rookie LB ALEX HALL (7th round, No. 231) has 3 sacks in past 4 games & leads NFL rookies with 3 sacks…

JAGUARS: Club has 7-6 record (.538) after bye…Since ’06, team is 15-4 (.789) when gaining 150+ rush yards…In past 3, QB DAVID GARRARD has 3 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 98.7 passer rating. In 1 career start against Browns, Garrard is 1-0 & has completed 11 of 20 (55.0 pct.) passes for 116 yards with 2 TDs & 1 INT & 84.6 passer rating…For career, RB FRED TAYLOR averages 111.3 rush yards per game when has 20+ carries (7,237 total in 65 games). Team is 15-5 (.750) when Taylor has 25+ att. Taylor aims for 4th consecutive game with 100+ rush yards vs. Cle. (136, 181, 145). Against AFC, RB MAURICE JONES-DREW averages 5.4 yards per carry (326 att., 1,746 yards) Jones-Drew totaled 125 rush yards last game & aims for back-to-back 100-yard rush games for 1st time in career…WR MATT JONES has 5+ receptions in 5 of past 6…TE MARCEDES LEWIS has 4 receptions for 88 yards (22.0 avg.) in past 2 & aims for 3rd consecutive game with TD…Club has 6 sacks in 3 home games in ’08…CB RASHEAN MATHIS has 2 INT-TDs this season…Rookie KR-CB BRIAN WITHERSPOON (undrafted free agent) ranks 3rd in NFL with 28.6 KR avg.



NEW YORK GIANTS (5-1) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (5-1)

SERIES


GIANTS
STEELERS

SERIES LEADER
43-28-3


STREAKS

2 of past 3

COACHES VS. OPP.
Coughlin: 8-8
Tomlin: 0-0

LAST WEEK
W 29-17 vs. 49ers
W 38-10 at Bengals

LAST GAME
12/18/04: Steelers 33 at Giants 30. Pittsburgh takes lead on 1-yard TD by Jerome Bettis in game with 7 lead changes. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger passes for 316 yards & 1 TD.

LAST GAME AT SITE
10/14/91: Giants 23, Steelers 20. Pittsburgh rallies from 20-3 4th-quarter deficit to tie game with :50 remaining, but New York K Matt Bahr kicks 44-yard FG with 4 seconds left for win.

BROADCAST
FOX (4:15 PM ET): Dick Stockton, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver (Field reporter). Westwood One Radio: Mark Champion & Mark Malone. SIRIUS: 91 (NYG), 127 (Pit.). XM: 109 (NYG).


STATS

PASSING
Manning: 118-191-1,389-8-4-89.1
Roethlisberger: 96-152-1,163-9-3-98.1 (3C)

RUSHING
Jacobs: 96-516-5.4-6 (T2C)
Parker: 66-263-4.0-3

RECEIVING
Smith: 26-254-9.8-0
Ward: 28-376-13.4-5 (T1L)

OFFENSE
395.0 (2L)
298.8

TAKE/GIVE
+1
+4 (T3C)

DEFENSE
275.2 (1C)
228.3 (1L)

SACKS
Robbins, Tuck: 5.0
J. Harrison: 8.5 (T1C)

INTs
M. Johnson: 2
Polamalu: 3 (T3C)

PUNTING
Feagles: 44.5
Berger: 43.1

KICKING
Carney: 60 (T3C) (18/18 PAT; 14/15 FG)
Reed: 45 (15/15 PAT; 10/10 FG)


NOTES

GIANTS: QB ELI MANNING is 19-5 (.792) in past 24 starts (incl. playoffs). In only career start vs. Pit., completed 16 of 23 passes (69.6 pct.) for 182 yards with 2 TD vs. 1 INT for 103.9 rating…When RB BRANDON JACOBS has 100+ yards, Giants are 6-1 (.857). When Jacobs has 10+ att. (incl. playoffs), Giants are 19-4 (.826)…RB DERRICK WARD rushed 10 times for 101 yards (10.1 avg.) in last game vs. AFC North opponent, 2nd career 100-yard game…WR PLAXICO BURRESS plays 1st game vs. former club (2000-04). Burress’ 12 100-yard receiving games ranks 4th in Pit. annals & his 253 yards vs. Atl. (11/10/02) is club-record…In 12/10/00 game, WR AMANI TOOMER had 9 catches for 136 yards (15.1 avg.) & 1 TD…Defense ties for NFC lead with 21 sacks. DE JUSTIN TUCK has 7 sacks in past 7 (incl. SB XLII), including 2 last week vs. SF. When Tuck has 1+ sacks, Giants are 9-3 (.750). DT FRED ROBBINS has 5 sacks in past 5 games. Giants have won 12 of past 14 when DE MATHIAS KIWANUKA plays…CB SAM MADISON had 1st career 2 INT game vs. Pit. (9/20/98 w/ MIA)…

STEELERS: Club aims for 10th consecutive win against NFC at home…QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER is 13-3 (.812) against NFC & has completed 221 of 353 passes (62.6 pct.) for 3,107 yards with 22 TDs vs. 9 INTs & 101.1 passer rating…Incl. playoffs, team is 29-2 (.935), when Roethlisberger has 100+ passer rating…Since ’06, RB WILLIE PARKER averages 82.7 rush yards per game against NFC. Last week, RB MEWELDE MOORE gained 120 yards (6.0 avg.) on 20 att. (most since 122 yards on 11/21/05 w/Min.) & posted 3 TDs (2 rush, 1 receiving)…For career, WR HINES WARD averages 99 receiving yards per game against Giants (198 total)…WR SANTONIO HOLMES averages 97.7 receiving yards per game in past 3 against NFC (293 total)…Defense ranks 1st in NFL allowing 228.3 yards per game in ’08…LB LA MARR WOODLEY aims for 5th consecutive game with sack & has 6.5 sacks in past 4 games…LB JAMES HARRISON has aims for 4th consecutive game with sack & has 5.5 sacks in past 3.



SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-5) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-5)

SERIES


SEAHAWKS
49ERS

SERIES LEADER
10-9


STREAKS
2 of past 3


COACHES VS. OPP.
Holmgren: 13-6
Singletary: 0-0

LAST WEEK
L 20-10 at Buccaneers
L 29-17 at Giants

LAST GAME
9/14/08: 49ers 33 at Seahawks 30 (OT). San Francisco K Joe Nedney connects on 40-yard FG in OT after tying game with 28-yarder with 2:42 remaining.

LAST GAME AT SITE
9/30/07: Seahawks 23, 49ers 3. Seattle holds San Francisco to 184 total net yards & QB Matt Hasselbeck throws for 281 yards & 2 TDs. WR Deion Branch adds 130 receiving yards.

BROADCAST
FOX (1:15 PM PT): Ron Pitts, Tony Boselli, Danyelle Sargent (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 123 (Sea.), 121 (SF). XM: 106 (SF).


STATS

PASSING
Hasselbeck: 58-118-656-2-4-57.7
O’Sullivan: 115-198-1,547-8-10-75.5

RUSHING
J. Jones: 97-459-4.7-2
Gore: 118-535-4.5-4

RECEIVING
Carlson (TE): 19-201-10.6-2
Gore (RB): 25-246-9.8-1

OFFENSE
258.3
299.4

TAKE/GIVE
-6
-8

DEFENSE
363.5
339.4

SACKS
Kerney: 4.0
Haralson: 3.5

INTs
Grant: 1
Spikes: 3 (T3C)

PUNTING
Ryan: 45.5
Lee: 44.6

KICKING
Mare: 44 (11/11 PAT; 11/12 FG)
Nedney: 60 (T3C)(15/15 PAT; 15/17 FG)


NOTES

SEAHAWKS: Club has won 16 of past 21 vs. division, incl. 6 of past 7…QB MATT HASSELBECK is 8-3 (.727) in career as starter vs. SF, and has completed 237 of 377 (62.9 pct.) for 2,915 yards with 21 TDs vs. 12 INTs for 92.0 passer rating. In starts with 10+ att. (incl. playoffs), Hasselbeck is 31-6 (.838) when posting 95+ rating. Since ‘05, Hasselbeck is 14-4 (.778) as starter vs. NFC West with 93.0 rating…RB JULIUS JONES has 414 rush yards (82.8 per game) & 2 TDs in past 5. In 2 career games vs. SF, Jones has 212 yards (106.0 per game) & 3 TDs. RB T.J. DUCKETT had TD in last meeting…DE PATRICK KERNEY has registered 1+ sack in 6 of past 7 divisional contests. Has 11 sacks in past 7 vs. NFC West opponents. Aims for 5th consecutive game with 1+ sack vs. SF. LB JULIAN PETERSON aims for 4th meeting in row with sack. Has 5 sacks in past 3 vs. former team. Has 24.5 sacks in 42 games with Sea. (incl. playoffs). CB MARCUS TRUFANT had 2 INTs in 9/30/07 meeting…

49ERS: New 49ers head coach MIKE SINGELTARY debuts…In 1st career start vs. Sea. (9/14/08), QB J.T. O’SULLIVAN completed 20 of 32 (62.5 pct.) for a career-high 321 yards with 1 TD vs. 0 INTs for 106.4 passer rating…In past 5 vs. Sea., RB FRANK GORE has 715 scrimmage yards (143.0 per game), incl. 568 rush yards (113.6 per game). Gore set career-highs in rush yards (212) & scrimmage yards (238) in 11/19/06 contest vs. Sea. Since start of 2006, Gore has 4,499 scrimmage yards (3,332 rush, 1,167 rec.), 2nd-most in NFL…WR ISAAC BRUCE is 3rd in NFL history with 14,459 rec. yards & tops active players. In 1st game (w/ SF vs. Sea), registered 153 rec. yards, most vs. Sea. (incl. playoffs) in 15 career games …WR BRYANT JOHNSON has TD reception in 5 of past 6 games vs. Sea…Rookie WR JOSH MORGAN had career highs in rec. (5) & yards (86), incl. first career TD. Last week vs. NYG…LB PARYS HARALSON leads club with 3.5 sacks…CB NATE CLEMENTS tied career-high against Sea. w/ 13 tackles (11/12/07).



MONDAY NIGHT, OCTOBER 27

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-3) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (6-0)

SERIES


COLTS
TITANS

SERIES LEADER
15-11


STREAKS

2 of past 3

COACHES VS. OPP.
Dungy: 8-6
Fisher: 5-8

LAST WEEK
L 14-34 at Packers
W 34-10 at Chiefs

LAST GAME
12/30/07: Titans 16 at Colts 10. Tennessee K Rob Bironas kicks 3 FGs, including 2 in 4th quarter, as Titans earn 6th & final AFC playoff spot.

LAST GAME AT SITE
9/16/07: Colts 22, Titans 20. Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning throws for 312 yards, including 22-yard TD to TE Dallas Clark. Colts K Adam Vinatieri makes all 3 FG attempts.

BROADCAST
ESPN (7:30 PM CT): Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Tony Kornheiser. Westwood One Radio: Wayne Larrivee, Boomer Esiason. SIRIUS: 124 (WW1), 126 (Ind.). XM: 105 (WW1), 106 (Ind.).


STATS

PASSING
Manning: 136-224-1,531 (3C)-8-7-80.0
Collins: 75-133-863-3-3-74.2

RUSHING
Addai: 62-216-3.5-4
C. Johnson (R): 103-549 (1C)-5.3-3

RECEIVING
Wayne: 35-492-14.1-4 (T3C)
Scaife (TE): 23-274-11.9-1

OFFENSE
314.8
314.5

TAKE/GIVE
+2
+6 (1L)

DEFENSE
329
268.5 (3L)

SACKS
Mathis: 5.0
Haynesworth: 6.0

INTs
Bullitt: 2
Finnegan, Griffin: 4 (T1L)

PUNTING
H. Smith: 45.1
Hentrich: 43.8

KICKING
Vinatieri: 30 (15/15 PAT; 5/8 FG)
Bironas: 47 (17/17 PAT; 10/10 FG)


NOTES

COLTS: Aim for 8th consecutive win on MNF…Colts are 29-9 (.763) against AFC South since 2002…Club has won 4 of past 5 at Ten…In 12 career meetings vs. Ten., QB PEYTON MANNING has completed 264 of 374 passes (70.6 pct.) for 3,079 yards with 20 TDs vs. 10 INTs & 101.9 passer rating. Manning is 9-2 (.818) on MNF with 23 TDs vs. 10 INTs & 100.7 passer rating. Since’ 04, Colts are 38-6 (.863) when Manning has 2 or more TDs. RB DOMINIC RHODES has 3 TDs in past 2 & aims for 3rd in row with TD…In ’08, WR REGGIE WAYNE is averaging 82 receiving yards per game & has TD reception in 2 of past 3. For career, WR MARVIN HARRISON averages 111 receiving yards per game at Ten. (666 total)…Incl. postseason, Colts are 13-2 (.867) when DE DWIGHT FREENEY records 2 or more sacks. Freeney has 10 career sacks in 11 games vs. Ten.…

TITANS: First MNF home game for club since 12/13/04 vs. Chiefs…Club aims for 1st 7-0 start in franchise history…Dating back to 12/16/07, Titans have 9 consecutive regular season wins (longest current streak in NFL)…In last meeting vs. Colts, QB KERRY COLLINS completed 10 of 13 passes (76.9 pct.) for 106 yards with & 100.2 passer rating…Rookie RB CHRIS JOHNSON (1st round, No. 24) gained career-high 168 rush yards last week & leads AFC with 549 rush yards…RB LEN DALE WHITE posted career-high in rush yards (149) and TDs (3) last week. White leads NFL with 8 rush TDs…WR JUSTIN GAGE totaled 7 rec. for 104 yards (14.9 avg.) in last meeting vs. Ind…TE BO SCAIFE ranks 6th in NFL among TEs with 23 rec…Since ’06, team is 15-2 (.882) when it records 2 or more INTs…Defense ranks 1st in AFC with 10 INTs…CB CORTLAND FINNEGAN (4) & S MICHAEL GRIFFIN (4) are tied for league lead with 4 INTs apiece (CHARLES WOODSON & NICK COLLINS, 4).


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