Baltimore Beatdown: FanPosts

Week 9 NFL Capsules

2009-11-04T20:44:57Z

Compliments of the NFL, here are the capsules for week 9 starting with the Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals, followed by the rest of the league after the 'Jump.'

BALTIMORE RAVENS (4-3) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-2)

SERIES

	RAVENS	BENGALS
SERIES LEADER	15-12
STREAKS		4 of past 6
COACHES VS. OPP.	Harbaugh: 2-1	Lewis: 8-5
LAST WEEK	W 30-7 vs. Broncos	Bye (Wk. 7: W 45-10 vs. Bears)
LAST GAME	10/11/09: Bengals 17 at Ravens 14. Cincinnati QB Carson Palmer passes for 271 yards & throws games-winning 20-yard TD pass to WR Andre Caldwell with :22 remaining.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/30/08: Ravens 34, Bengals 3. Baltimore WR Mark Clayton has 5 catches for 164 yards, incl. 70-yard TD, & throws 32-yard TD to WR Derrick Mason as Ravens improve to 8-4.
BROADCAST	CBS (1:00 PM ET): Dick Enberg, Dan Fouts. Westwood One Radio: Kevin Kugler, Mark Malone. SIRIUS: 129 (Bal.), 123 (Cin.). XM: 105 (Cin.).

STATS

PASSING	Flacco: 165-250-1,849-12-5-95.6	Palmer: 140-227-1,608-13-7-89.2
RUSHING	Rice: 96-525-5.5-4	Benson: 164-720 (2C)-4.4-5
RECEIVING	Rice (RB): 38-349-9.2-1	Ochocinco: 39-573-14.7-5 (T2C)
OFFENSE	378.7	345.9
TAKE/GIVE	+3	+1
DEFENSE	313.7	341.3
SACKS	J. Johnson: 5	Fanene: 3
INTs	Landry, Reed: 2	Joseph, Hall: 3 (T2C)
PUNTING	Koch: 45.3	Huber (R): 43.4
KICKING	Hauschka: 49 (25/25 PAT; 8/10 FG)	Graham: 35 (17/18 PAT; 6/9 FG)

NOTES

RAVENS: Offense (28.4 points per game) is on pace to set franchise scoring record (24.7 in 2003)…In 3 career meetings vs. Cin., QB JOE FLACCO has 2-1 record as starter & has completed 56 of 89 passes (62.9 pct.) for 595 yards w/3 TDs vs. 2 INTs & 84.2 passer rating. Aims for 8th consecutive game with at least 1 TD pass. Flacco (12) needs 3 TD passes to surpass ’08 rookie total (14)…RB RAY RICE averages 100.7 rush yards per game with 20+ att. In past 4, Rice is averaging 149.3 total yards per game (597 total – 333 rush, 264 rec.). RB WILLIS MC GAHEE has 7 TDs (5 rush, 2 rec.) in ’09, tied for 4th in NFL…WR DERRICK MASON averages 85.7 rec. yards per game in past 3 at Cin. Since ’03, Mason ranks 2nd in NFL with 558 rec. (TORRY HOLT, 592)…S ED REED posted INT-TD in last game vs. Cin. & has 12 career return TDs, tied for 2nd most among active players (DARREN SHARPER, 13; RONDE BARBER, DEVIN HESTER, 12). Has 6 INTs vs. Bengals, 2nd most vs. any opponent…Rookie KR-CB LARDARIUS WEBB (Round 3, Nicholls St.) posted 1st career KR-TD (95 yards) last week…BENGALS: Dating back to 12/14/08, Bengals have won 8 of past 10…Bengals are 25-1 (.961) under MARVIN LEWIS when rusher carries 25 or more times…In last game, QB CARSON PALMER had best TD-INT differential of career at +5 (5 TDs vs. 0 INTs) & tied BOOMER ESIASON for club record. Palmer has 7-3 record vs. Ravens…Dating back to 12/21/08, RB CEDRIC BENSON leads AFC & ranks 2nd in NFL w/1,002 rush yards on 227 att. (4.4 avg.). Averages 105.3 rush yards per game when he has 20+ att. (1,264 total in 12 games) & his teams are 10-1-1 (.875). Aims for 2nd consecutive 100-yard rush game vs. Bal. (120 on 10/11/09)…Since ’02, WR CHAD OCHOCINCO ranks 2nd in NFL with 9,149 receiving yards (TORRY HOLT; 9,298). Aims for 3rd consecutive 100-yard receiving game & is averaging 105 receiving yards per game in past 3…Club has 6 INTs in past 3…CB LEON HALL has 3 INTs in past 3…S CHRIS CROCKER aims for 3rd consecutive game with INT.

WEEK 9 – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (2-5) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (4-3)

SERIES

	REDSKINS	FALCONS
SERIES LEADER	14-5-1
STREAKS		2 of past 3
COACHES VS. OPP.	Zorn: 0-0	Smith: 0-0
LAST WEEK	Bye (Wk. 7: L 27-17 vs. Eagles)	L 35-27 at Saints
LAST GAME	12/3/06: Falcons 24 at Redskins 14. Atlanta QB Michael Vick throws for 2 TDs & RB Jerious Norwood rushes for 109 yards & TD as Falcons score 24 unanswered points in win.
LAST GAME AT SITE	9/14/03: Redskins 33, Falcons 31. Washington QB Patrick Ramsey completes 25 of 39 passes for 356 yards & 2 TDs. Redskins start season 2-0 for 1st time since 1991.
BROADCAST	FOX (1:00 PM ET): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 152 (Was.), 125 (Atl.). XM: 102 (Atl.).

STATS

PASSING	Campbell: 136-206-1,481-8-7-85.8	Ryan: 139-233-1,649-12-9-82.4
RUSHING	Portis: 120-490-4.1-1	Turner: 138-554-4.0-8 (3L)
RECEIVING	Moss: 28-453-16.2-2	White: 37-543-14.7-6 (T2L)
OFFENSE	296.0	339.9
TAKE/GIVE	-8	+4
DEFENSE	283.4 (T2C)	378.1
SACKS	Carter: 6.5 (T3C)	Abraham, Biermann: 3
INTs	Hall: 3	DeCoud: 2
PUNTING	H. Smith: 43.4	Koenen: 42.7
KICKING	Suisham: 36 (9/10 PAT; 9/9 FG)	Elam: 39 (21/22 PAT; 6/10 FG)

NOTES

REDSKINS: QB JASON CAMPBELL has 1.8 INT pct. since start of 2008, 2nd best mark among QBs with 700+ att…RB CLINTON PORTIS averages 108.9 scrimmage yards per game (11,655 yards, 107 games), 5th highest mark in NFL history (min. 100 games). RB LADELL BETTS rushed for 155 yards & TD in last game vs. Atl…WR SANTANA MOSS had 7 catches for 123 yards (17.6 avg.) & TD in last meeting. Averages 15.3 yards per catch since 2001, highest among active WRs (min. 450 receptions). WR ANTWAAN RANDLE EL has 29 career TDs (17 rec., 6 PR, 5 pass., 1 KR), incl. playoffs. TE FRED DAVIS had career-high 8 catches & 78 yards in last game, incl. 1st career TD…CB DE ANGELO HALL was 1st round pick (No. 8) by Atl. in 2004. Spent 4 seasons with Falcons (2004-07) & had 17 INTs (2 TDs). DE ANDRE CARTER has 5.5 sacks in past 3. Aims for 4th in row with 1+ sack. LB BRIAN ORAKPO leads all NFL rookies with 3.5 sacks…FALCONS: QB MATT RYAN is 10-1 (.909) in career at home & aims for 7th consecutive win at home. Falcons are 8-0 when Ryan has 100+ rating, incl. 5-0 at home…RB MICHAEL TURNER rushed for 151 yards & TD last week. Has 16 rush TDs in 11 home games with Atl. Has 1,232 rush yards (112 per game) in those 11. When Turner has 19+ carries, his teams are 14-2 (.875). RB JERIOUS NORWOOD rushed for 107 yards & had 69-yard TD in last meeting…WR RODDY WHITE has 19 catches for 392 yards (98 per game) in past 4 in Nov. Has 5 TDs in past 4, incl. 68-yard TD last week. Aims for 3rd in row at home with TD. TE TONY GONZALEZ had 6 catches for 89 yards last week. Has TD in all 3 home games with Atl…DE JOHN ABRAHAM has 87 sacks since 2000, 2nd most among active players. Had 2 sacks vs. Was. in 9/4/03 game (with NYJ). S THOMAS DE COUD has 2 INTs, 2 sacks & FF in past 3. His sack & FF set up DE KROY BIERMANN’s 4-yard FR-TD last week. CB BRENT GRIMES had 2nd career INT last week.

ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-3) AT CHICAGO BEARS (4-3)

SERIES

	CARDINALS	BEARS
SERIES LEADER		55-26-6
STREAKS		Past 3
COACHES VS. OPP.	Whisenhunt: 0-0	Smith: 1-0
LAST WEEK	L 34-21 vs. Panthers	W 30-6 vs. Browns
LAST GAME	10/16/06: Bears 24 at Cardinals 23. Chicago scores 3 non-offensive TDs in 2nd-half, last on punt return by Devin Hester, to overcome 20-point deficit & remain undefeated.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/30/03: Bears 28, Cardinals 3. Chicago QB Kordell Stewart passes for 2 TDs & rushes for another while Bears defense allows just 9 1st downs. WR Justin Gage has 100 rec. yards.
BROADCAST	FOX (12:00 PM CT): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 130 (Arz.), 127 (Chi.). XM: 104 (Chi.).

STATS

PASSING	Warner: 185-283-1,914-11-11-81.5	Cutler: 153-239-1,677-11-11-80.8
RUSHING	B. Wells (R): 57-238-4.2-1	Forté: 118-408-3.5-3
RECEIVING	Fitzgerald: 47 (2C)-509-10.8-5	Hester: 35-454-13.0-3
OFFENSE	328.1	320.3
TAKE/GIVE	-6	-1
DEFENSE	329.4	310.0
SACKS	Campbell: 3.5	Ogunleye: 4.5
INTs	Rodgers-Cromartie, Rolle: 3	Tillman: 2
PUNTING	Graham: 48.2 (2C)	Maynard: 40.3
KICKING	Rackers: 43 (19/19 PAT; 8/9 FG)	Gould: 47 (17/17 PAT; 10/11 FG)

NOTES

CARDINALS: Are 3-0 on road for 1st time since 1982…QB KURT WARNER has 102 rating & 73.8 comp. pct on road this year. In starts (incl. playoffs) with 100+ rating (min. 15 att.), his teams are 40-4 (.909). Became 1st player in NFL history with 14,000 yards with 2 teams (Az. 14,004; StL 14,447)…RB TIM HIGHTOWER leads NFL RBs with 39 catches. Rookie RB LA ROD STEPHENS-HOWLING scored 1st career TD last week…Since 2005, WR LARRY FITZGERALD leads NFL in receptions (415) & is 2nd in yards (5,704). Has 24 rec. TDs since start of 2008 (incl. playoffs), most in NFL & 9 more than next player (RANDY MOSS, 15). WR ANQUAN BOLDIN had 12 catches for 136 yards & TD in last meeting…S ADRIAN WILSON is 1 of 2 active S with 19+ INTs (19) & 19+ sacks (19). Had sack & FF in last meeting. CB DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE has 9 INTs (2 TDs) in past 18 (incl. playoffs). In past 8 Nov. games, S ANTREL ROLLE has 4 INTs, incl. 3 INT-TDs. LB GERALD HAYES had INT in last game vs. Chi. DE BERTRAND BERRY had sack, FF & FR in last meeting. DT DARNELL DOCKETT had INT & FR in last game vs. Chi…BEARS: QB JAY CUTLER completed 21 of 31 (67.7 pct.) for 261 yards, 2 TDs & 1 INT for 101.7 passer rating in only meeting (12/17/06 with Den.). When he has 100+ rating, his teams are 13-0…RB MATT FORTÉ rushed for 2 TDs last week. Is 1 of 2 players in NFL with 1,500+ rush yards (1,646) & 600+ rec. yards (662) since 2008…WR-KR JOHNNY KNOX ties for 2nd among rookies with 4 TDs (3 rec., 1 KR). TE GREG OLSEN has TD in 3 of past 5. WR-PR-KR DEVIN HESTER had 83-yard PR-TD in last meeting. Has 20 career TDs (8 rec., 7 PR, 5 KR), incl. playoffs…CB CHARLES TILLMAN had 40-yard FR-TD in last meeting. Had 21-yard INT-TD last week. Team is 16-5 (.762) when he has INT. LB LANCE BRIGGS had 15 tackles in last meeting. Bears have won 21 of past 24 when DE ALEX BROWN starts & has 0.5+ sack, incl. last week. S DANIEAL MANNING had INT, FF & FR last week. LB NICK ROACH had career-high 2 FFs last week.

HOUSTON TEXANS (5-3) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-0)

SERIES

	TEXANS	COLTS
SERIES LEADER		13-1
STREAKS		Past 4
COACHES VS. OPP.	Kubiak: 1-5	Caldwell: 0-0
LAST WEEK	W 31-10 at Bills	W 18-14 vs. 49ers
LAST GAME	11/16/08: Texans 27 at Colts 33. Indy QB Peyton Manning passes for 320 yards & 2 TDs & RB Joseph Addai adds 198 total yards (150 rush, 48 rec.) with 1 TD as Colts win 3rd in row.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/16/08
BROADCAST	CBS (1:00 PM ET): Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots. SIRIUS: 154 (Hou.), 121 (Ind.). XM: 107 (Ind.).

STATS

PASSING	Schaub: 188-283-2,342 (1L)-16 (T1L)-7-100.5 (3C)	Manning: 187-263-2,227 (2L)-15 (T2C)-4-109.3 (1C)
RUSHING	Slaton: 110-342-3.1-2	Addai: 102-336-3.3-4
RECEIVING	A. Johnson: 44-697 (1L)-15.8-4	Wayne: 51 (1C)-689 (2L)-13.5-6 (1C)
OFFENSE	374.0	403.6 (2C)
TAKE/GIVE	+2	+6 (T2C)
DEFENSE	326.5	292.1
SACKS	Williams: 3	Freeney: 8 (T3L)
INTs	Cushing (R), Wilson: 2	Bethea: 2
PUNTING	Turk: 40.9	McAfee (R): 45.0
KICKING	K. Brown: 50 (23/23 PAT; 9/12 FG)	Stover: 18 (6/6 PAT; 4/4 FG)

NOTES

TEXANS: Club aims for franchise-best 6-3 record through 9 games of season…Won 5 of past 7 road games…In past 7, QB MATT SCHAUB has passed for 250+ yards 6 times & has 16 TDs vs. 6 INTs & 106.4 passer rating. Schaub has career-high 16 TDs in ’09. Leads NFL with 2,342 passing yards…RB RYAN MOATS totaled career-high 126 rush yards with career-best 3 rush TDs last week. RB CHRIS BROWN has 398 rush yards against Colts, most vs. any opponent…In past 2 against Colts, WR ANDRE JOHNSON averages 93 receiving yards per game. Leads NFL in rec. yards (697). In 4 road games in ’09, Johnson has 3 100-yard receiving games (149, 101, 135) & is averaging 112 receiving yards on road in ’09 (448 total)…Rookie LB BRIAN CUSHING (No. 15, USC) leads team & all NFL rookies with 66 tackles. Has 2 INTs in past 3 games…DE MARIO WILLIAMS has 3 sacks in past 3 against Colts…COLTS: Dating back to ’08, Colts have franchise-record 16 consecutive regular-season wins & can tie 1933-34 Chicago Bears (17) for 3rd-longest such streak in NFL history…At home against Texans, QB PEYTON MANNING is 7-0 & has completed 165 of 239 passes (69.0 pct.) for 2,107 yards with 20 TDs vs. 2 INTs & 120.8 passer rating. Has 6 300-yard passing games in 7 contests in ’09. Since ’04, Colts are 49-7 (.875) when Manning has 2+ TDs & 23-6 (.793) when he has 300+ passing yards…RB JOSEPH ADDAI posted 105 rush yards in last meeting vs. Hou. & aims for 5th consecutive game with rush TD vs. Texans. Posted 1st passing TD of career last week…WR REGGIE WAYNE has 7 TD rec. vs. Texans, most vs. any opponent, & is averaging 110 receiving yards per game in past 3 vs. Hou (330 total). Tied career-high with 12 receptions last week & aims for 6th consecutive game with TD rec…Since ’07, TE DALLAS CLARK leads NFL TEs w/20 TD rec. Has 7 TD rec. against Hou., most vs. any team…Since ’02, DE DWIGHT FREENEY ranks 2nd in NFL with 78.5 sacks (JASON TAYLOR, 86.5). Dating back to 12/18/08, Freeney aims for 9th consecutive game with 1 or more sacks…DE ROBERT MATHIS has 6 sacks in past 6 games…S BOB SANDERS recorded 1st INT of ’09 last week.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-6) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-4)

SERIES

	CHIEFS	JAGUARS
SERIES LEADER		5-2
STREAKS		3 of past 4
COACHES VS. OPP.	Haley: 0-0	Del Rio: 2-1
LAST WEEK	Bye (Wk 7: L 37-7 vs. Chargers)	L 30-13 at Titans
LAST GAME	10/7/07: Jaguars 17 at Chiefs 7. Jacksonville wins 3rd consecutive game as RB Maurice Jones-Drew scores on 52-yard TD run & QB David Garrard passes for 218 yards & 1 TD.
LAST GAME AT SITE	10/17/04: Jaguars 22, Chiefs 16. Jacksonville WR Cortez Hankton catches 14-yard TD with 45 seconds left as Jaguars improve to 4-0 in games decided by 6 points or less.
BROADCAST	CBS (1:00 PM ET): Bill Macatee, Steve Beuerlein. SIRIUS: 108 (KC), 91 (Jax.). XM: 106 (Jax.).

STATS

PASSING	Cassel: 102-186-994-8-5-73.2	Garrard: 144-239-1,603-5-5-78.5
RUSHING	Charles: 23-116-5.0-0	Jones-Drew: 116-640-5.5-10 (1L)
RECEIVING	Bowe: 23-301-13.1-4	Sims-Walker: 30-407-13.6-3
OFFENSE	251.6	351.7
TAKE/GIVE	+1	-2
DEFENSE	383.1	370.7
SACKS	Hali: 3	5 tied: 1
INTs	Flowers: 2	D. Cox (R), Mathis: 2
PUNTING	Colquitt: 44.5	Podlesh: 41.5
KICKING	Succop (R): 37 (10/10 PAT; 9/11 FG)	Scobee: 37 (13/14 PAT; 8/12 FG)

NOTES

CHIEFS: Club has 12-8 (.600) record after bye week…Head coach TODD HALEY graduated from Univ. of North Florida…In 2 road games in ’09, QB MATT CASSEL has completed 30 of 49 passes (61.2 pct.) for 276 yards with 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 90.2 passer rating. Cassel has 7-3 record as road starter...KR-RB JAMAAL CHARLES averages 5.0 rush yards per carry in ’09 (23 att., 116 yards). Charles totaled career-high 147 KR yards last game…WR DWAYNE BOWE has TD reception in 2 of past 3. Bowe had 4 receptions for 70 yards (17.5 avg.) in last game against Jaguars…TE SEAN RYAN has career highs in receptions (14), receiving yards (135) & TDs (2) in ’09…LB DEMORRIO WILLIAMS leads team with 44 tackles & registered team-high 9 tackles in last game…CB BRANDON FLOWERS (2) needs 1 INT to surpass career high of 2 in ’08…Rookie K RYAN SUCCOP (Round 7, South Carolina) has made 9 of 11 (.818) FGs in ’09…JAGUARS: Head coach JACK DEL RIO played 2 seasons with Chiefs (1987-88)…In last meeting vs. KC, QB DAVID GARRARD completed 20 of 27 passes (74.1 pct.) for 218 yards with 1 TD vs. 0 INTs & 109.8 passer rating. Garrard has 5 TDs vs. 3 INTs & 91.5 passer rating at home in ’09. Club is 12-4 (.750) when Garrard has 2+ TD passes. Leads AFC & ranks 2nd among NFL QBs with 162 rush yards (AARON RODGERS, 188)…RB MAURICE JONES-DREW totaled career-high 177 rush yards last week & became 3rd player in NFL history with 2 rushing TDs of 75+ yards in same game, joining BARRY SANDERS (10/12/97) and FRANK GORE (9/20/09). Has 50 TDs (44 rush, 4 rec., 2 KR) in 53 career games & has 9 rush TDs in past 5. Aims for 3rd consecutive game with rush TD against Chiefs…WR TORRY HOLT (898) needs 2 receptions to become 10th player in NFL history with 900 catches…TE MARCEDES LEWIS needs 1 TD to surpass career high (2 in ’07 & ’08)…CB RASHEAN MATHIS leads franchise with 27 career INTs. CB DEREK COX (3rd round, William & Mary) is tied for 2nd among NFL rookies with 2 INTs.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-4) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-2)

SERIES

	DOLPHINS	PATRIOTS
SERIES LEADER	48-36
STREAKS		3 of past 4
COACHES VS. OPP.	Sparano: 1-1	Belichick: 11-9
LAST WEEK	W 30-25 at Jets	Bye (Wk. 7: W 35-7 at Buccaneers in London)
LAST GAME	11/23/08: Patriots 48 at Dolphins 28. New England QB Matt Cassel passes for 415 yards with 3 TDs – his 2nd straight 400-yard game – & adds 8-yard TD run.
LAST GAME AT SITE	9/21/08: Dolphins 38, Patriots 13. Miami RB Ronnie Brown accounts for 5 TDs (4 rush, 1 pass) as Dolphins halt New England’s NFL-record 21-game regular-season win streak.
BROADCAST	CBS (1:00 PM ET): Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf. SIRIUS: 153 (Mia.), 122 (NE). XM: 108 (NE).

STATS

PASSING	Henne: 74-124-771-4-3-78.4	Brady: 179-273-2,032-15 (T2C)-4-99.9
RUSHING	R. Brown: 120-518-4.3-7 (T2C)	Maroney: 61-265-4.3-2
RECEIVING	Bess: 30-206-6.9-0	Welker: 46 (T2C)-484-10.5-4
OFFENSE	305.4	406.0 (1C)
TAKE/GIVE	-2	+9 (1C)
DEFENSE	328.4	285.7 (3C)
SACKS	Taylor: 5.5	Wright: 4
INTs	W. Allen: 2	Butler (R), Meriweather: 2
PUNTING	Fields: 46.5	Hanson: 39.5
KICKING	Carpenter: 50 (20/20 PAT; 10/11 FG)	Gostkowski: 60 (2C) (21/21 PAT; 13/16 FG)

NOTES

DOLPHINS: Head coach TONY SPARANO is 7-2 vs. AFC East…Dating back to 12/07/08, club aims for 6th consecutive win against AFC East…In 3 career starts against division opponents, QB CHAD HENNE is 3-0 & has completed 46 of 69 passes (66.7 pct.) for 468 yards with 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs & 105.2 passer rating…In last game at NE, RB RONNIE BROWN gained 113 rush yards & set franchise record with 4 rush TDs. Has scored 7 TDs in past 6. RB RICKY WILLIAMS averages 5.4 rush yards per carry in ’09 (78 att., 423 yards). Brown (7) & Williams (5) are only teammates with 5+ rush TDs in ’09…TE JOEY HAYNOS recorded 1st TD rec. of ’09 last week…DE JASON TAYLOR leads active players with 126 sacks. Has 12 career sacks against Patriots…LB JOEY PORTER aims for 5th consecutive game w/sack vs. Patriots & has 8 in past 4. Tied career-high w/4 sacks vs. NE on 9/21/08…KR-WR TED GINN JR. is 1st player in NFL history w/2 TDs of 100+ yards in same game & is 8th player in NFL history with 2 KR-TDs in game. Also became 1st player w/2 KR-TDs in same quarter since Packers’ TRAVIS WILLIAMS in 1967…PATRIOTS: In past 5, QB TOM BRADY has completed 117 of 173 passes (67.6 pct.) for 1,438 passing yards w/13 TDs vs. 2 INTs & 113.3 passer rating. Brady aims for 3rd consecutive game w/3 or more TD passes vs. Miami & has 9 TDs vs. 2 INTs & 124.2 passer rating in past 2 against Dolphins…In last game RB KEVIN FAULK became 26th RB in NFL history with 400 rec…WR RANDY MOSS posted 8 rec. for 125 yards (15.6 avg.) w/3 TDs in last meeting vs. Mia. Since ’07, WR WES WELKER leads NFL with 269 rec. Aims for 6th consecutive game with 6 or more rec. (46 total in those 5). Seeks 3rd consecutive game with 100+ receiving yards (150, 107)…Pats have forced turnover in 15 consecutive games…S BRANDON MERIWEATHER registered career-high 2 INTs & posted 1st career INT-TD (39 yards) last game…Rookie CB DARIUS BUTLER (Round 2, Connecticut) aims for 3rd consecutive game with INT...LB JUNIOR SEAU has won 24 consecutive games w/NE.

GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-3) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (0-7)

SERIES

	PACKERS	BUCCANEERS
SERIES LEADER	29-20-1
STREAKS		3 of past 4
COACHES VS. OPP.	McCarthy: 0-1	Morris: 0-0
LAST WEEK	L 38-26 vs. Vikings	Bye (Wk. 7: L 35-7 vs. Patriots in London)
LAST GAME	9/28/08: Packers 21 at Buccaneers 30. Tampa Bay intercepts 3 passes & scores on fumble-return TD. Buccaneers RB Earnest Graham scores game-clinching TD with 1:56 remaining.
LAST GAME AT SITE	9/28/08
BROADCAST	FOX (1:00 PM ET): Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan, Chris Myers (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 126 (GB), 158 (TB). XM: 103 (GB).

STATS

PASSING	Rodgers: 147-225-1,989 (2C)-14 (3C)-2-110.4 (1L)	Freeman (R): 2-4-16-0-0-60.4
RUSHING	Grant: 128-525-4.1-3	Williams: 76-310-4.1-2
RECEIVING	Driver: 33-542-16.4-3	Winslow (TE): 31-295-9.5-4
OFFENSE	372.7	272.2
TAKE/GIVE	+12 (T1L)	-2
DEFENSE	283.4 (T2C)	376.4
SACKS	Jenkins: 3.5	Wilkerson: 5.5
INTs	Woodson: 4 (T3C)	Talib: 4 (T3C)
PUNTING	Kapinos: 45.0	D. Johnson: 41.3
KICKING	Crosby: 59 (17/18 PAT; 14/18 FG)	Barth (’08 KC): 54 (24/24 PAT; 10/12 FG)

NOTES

PACKERS: QB AARON RODGERS aims for 6th in row with 100+ rating. Is only player in franchise history with 5 consecutive 100+ games in season, passing HOFer BART STARR (4)…When RB RYAN GRANT has 22+ att. (incl. playoffs), team is 10-1 (.909). In those 11 games, Grant has rushed for 1,318 yards (119.8 per game)…WR GREG JENNINGS had 6 catches for 109 yards & 2 TDs (48, 25 yards) in last meeting. Has 26 rec. TDs (811 yards) & averages 31.2 yards per TD. 11 of 26 TDs have been 40+ yards. Aims for 5th Nov. game in row with TD catch. WR DONALD DRIVER has 610 career rec., most by Packer. TE SPENCER HAVER had career-high 2 TDs last week. Aims for 3rd in row with TD…CB CHARLES WOODSON had 62-yard INT-TD in last meeting. Has 23 INTs in 53 games with GB. Has 23 INTs since 2006, tied for 2nd in NFL. His 5 INT-TDs during that span lead NFL. S NICK COLLINS has averaged 38.9 return yards on past 10 INTs (4 TDs). Had INT in last meeting. CB TRAMON WILLIAMS had 39-yard INT in last game vs. TB. LB CLAY MATTHEWS ranks 2nd among rookies with 3 sacks…BUCCANEERS: QB JOSH FREEMAN will make 1st career NFL start. Was drafted No. 17 overall in 2009 NFL Draft…RB CADILLAC WILLIAMS had career highs in att. (37) & rush yards (158) in only meeting. Team is 10-0 when Williams has 22+ carries. Since 2008, RB DERRICK WARD averages 5.3 yards per carry, 3rd best in NFL (min. 1,000 yards). Rushed for 90 yards on 15 att. (6.0 avg.) in only game vs. GB (9/16/07 with NYG)…WR ANTONIO BRYANT had 33-yard TD in Wk. 7. Is 1 of 5 active players with 5,000+ yards to average 15+ yards per catch (15.2). Since 2006, TE KELLEN WINSLOW ranks 3rd among TEs with 245 catches. Rookie WR-KR SAMMIE STROUGHTER has 32.5 KR avg. (6 KR, 195 yards, 97-yard TD) & is 5th among NFC rookies with 16 catches (214 yards)…Defense has 194 INTs since 2000, 2nd most in NFL. S TANARD JACKSON aims for 3rd in row with INT. Has 2 INTs in past 2, incl. INT-TD. LB BARRETT RUUD had INT in last meeting. CB RONDE BARBER is 1 of 4 players all-time with 20+ sacks (24) & 30+ INTs (37). CB AQIB TALIB has 4 INTs in past 4.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-4) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-0)

SERIES

	PANTHERS	SAINTS
SERIES LEADER	16-12
STREAKS	6 of past 7
COACHES VS. OPP.	Fox: 10-4	Payton: 1-5
LAST WEEK	W 34-21 at Cardinals	W 35-27 vs. Falcons
LAST GAME	12/28/08: Panthers 33 at Saints 31. Carolina K John Kasay kicks game-winning 42-yard FG with 1 second left to give Panthers most wins in franchise history (12).
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/28/08
BROADCAST	FOX (3:05 PM CT): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick. Westwood One Radio: Howard David, Dan Reeves. SIRIUS: 91 (Car.), 121 (NO). XM: 107 (NO).

STATS

PASSING	Delhomme: 113-191-1,262-5-13-59.3	Brees: 157-230-2,006 (1C)-16 (T1L)-6-107.6 (3L)
RUSHING	D. Williams: 128-619 (3C)-4.8-5 (T3C)	P. Thomas: 70-405-5.8-4
RECEIVING	S. Smith: 30-414-13.8-1	Colston: 36-551-15.3-6 (T2L)
OFFENSE	318.6	428.7 (1L)
TAKE/GIVE	-8	+7 (3C)
DEFENSE	288.1	326.0
SACKS	Peppers: 7 (2C)	Smith: 4.5
INTs	3 tied: 2	Sharper: 7 (T1L)
PUNTING	Baker: 46.8	Morstead (R): 44.2
KICKING	Kasay: 32 (14/14 PAT; 6/9 FG)	Carney: 57 (33/35 PAT; 8/11 FG)

NOTES

PANTHERS: QB JAKE DELHOMME is 8-2 vs. NO. Aims for 5th in row vs. NO with 100+ rating. Has 120.3 rating in past 4 meetings. In career as starter (incl. playoffs), when Delhomme has 110+ rating, team is 17-1 (.944)…RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS rushed for 178 yards in last meeting. Has rushed for 696 yards (139.2 per game) & 6 TDs in past 5 vs. division. Has rushed for 591 yards (118.2 per game) & 8 TDs in past 5 in Nov. Has 23 rush TDs in past 19. Team is 10-0 when he rushes for 110+ yards. RB JONATHAN STEWART aims for 3rd in row vs. NO with TD run. Has 4 TDs in past 4 vs. division & averages 6.0 yards per carry. Rushed for 2 TDs last week…WR STEVE SMITH has 11 catches for 256 yards (128 per game) & TD in past 2 meetings. Since 2005, averages 84.3 rec. yards per game, 2nd most in NFL (min. 50 games). Has 100+ yards in 6 of past 7 vs. NFC South…DE JULIUS PEPPERS had 13-yard INT-TD, sack & FF last week. Has 21.5 sacks in past 21, incl. 6 in past 4. Aims for 3rd in row vs. NO with sack. Rookie S SHERROD MARTIN had 1st 2 INTs of career last week…SAINTS: Average 39 points per game, most in NFL. Have scored 273 points in 1st 7 games, 4th best in NFL history…QB DREW BREES passed for 386 yards & 4 TDs in last meeting. Since joining NO in 2006, leads NFL with 15,916 pass yards. Has 2+ TD passes in 10 of past 11 vs. division (25 TDs). Has 2,083 yards (347.2 per game), 21 TDs, 4 INTs & 126 rating in past 6 vs. NFC…RB-PR REGGIE BUSH has 28 TDs (16 rush, 8 rec, 4 PR) & is only Saint to score via rush, rec. & PR. Aims for 4th in row with TD. RB PIERRE THOMAS had rush & rec. TD last week. Has 534 scrimmage yards (106.8 per game) & 7 TDs (5 rush, 2 rec.) in past 5 at home…WR MARQUES COLSTON has 10 TDs in past 10 & aims for 4th in row with TD. Has 14 catches for 216 yards (108 per game) in past 2 starts vs. Car. TE JEREMY SHOCKEY has 452 receptions since 2002, 3rd most in NFL among TEs. WR LANCE MOORE had 8 catches for 91 yards & 2 TDs in last meeting…S DARREN SHARPER leads NFL with 317 INT yards & 3 INT-TDs. CB JABARI GREER had 48-yard INT-TD last week. DE WILL SMITH had 2 sacks vs. Atl.

DETROIT LIONS (1-6) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-5)

SERIES

	LIONS	SEAHAWKS
SERIES LEADER		6-4
STREAKS		Past 2
COACHES VS. OPP.	Schwartz: 0-0	Mora: 1-2
LAST WEEK	L 17-10 vs. Rams	L 38-17 at Cowboys
LAST GAME	9/10/06: Seahawks 9 at Lions 6. Seattle K Josh Brown kicks 42-yard FG as time expires giving defending NFC-champions hard-fought victory on Kickoff Weekend.
LAST GAME AT SITE	11/16/03: Seahawks 35, Lions 14. Seattle WR Bobby Engram has 34-yard TD reception & 83-yard punt return TD in 3-minute span. RB Shaun Alexander rushes for 110 yards & 1 TD.
BROADCAST	FOX (1:05 PM PT): Dick Stockton, Charles Davis. SIRIUS: 122 (Det.), 125 (Sea.). XM: 102 (Sea.).

STATS

PASSING	Stafford (R): 93-172-1,062-3-7-61.7	Hasselbeck: 85-152-978-9-3-87.0
RUSHING	K. Smith: 125-393-3.1-3	J. Jones: 89-346-3.9-1
RECEIVING	K. Smith (RB): 24-198-8.3-0	Burleson: 38-487-12.8-3
OFFENSE	292.6	309.9
TAKE/GIVE	-4	-3
DEFENSE	369.6	325.7
SACKS	Peterson: 3.5	Jackson, Kerney: 4
INTs	5 tied: 1	3 tied: 1
PUNTING	N. Harris: 42.2	Ryan: 48.3 (1C)
KICKING	Hanson: 37 (10/10 PAT; 9/10 FG)	Mare: 45 (15/15 PAT; 10/12 FG)

NOTES

GAME FEATURES 2 of top 4 picks in 2009 NFL Draft: Det. QB MATTHEW STAFFORD (No. 1) & Sea. LB AARON CURRY (No. 4)…LIONS: QB Stafford had 2nd career rush TD last week…RB KEVIN SMITH has 6 rush TDs in past 10. Has 3 100-yard rush games in career. Led team with 4 catches & 94 scrimmage yards last week. RB MAURICE MORRIS led team with 63 rush yards last week & scored on 2 pt. conversion. Played 7 years with Sea. (2002-08)…WR CALVIN JOHNSON has 5 receiving TDs in his past 7 Nov. games. Since 2008, ties for 3rd in NFL with 13 TD catches. Has 7 career 100-yard games…WR DENNIS NORTHCUTT had 5 catches for 61 yards in last game vs. Sea. (11/30/03 with Cle.)…DE CLIFF AVRIL has 0.5+ sack in 3 of past 4. LB JULIAN PETERSON spent 3 seasons with Sea. (2006-08) & recorded 24.5 sacks & 3 INTs during that time. DE DEWAYNE WHITE had INT last week, 3rd of career. Has INT in each of past 3 seasons…K JASON HANSON has 1,784 points & needs 16 to reach 1,800…SEAHAWKS: QB MATT HASSELBECK is 2-0 in career vs. Det. & has 102.4 rating in those 2 meetings. In starts with 10+ att. & 90+ rating, his teams are 38-13 (.745)…RB JULIUS JONES has 20 games with 22+ att. In those 20, Jones has rushed for 2,172 yards (108.6 per game) & 16 TDs. RB EDGERRIN JAMES is NFL’s active rushing leader (12,246). Has 400 rush yards (100 per game) in 4 games vs. Det…WR T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH ranks 2nd in NFL with 329 rec. since 2006. Had 6 catches for 61 yards & TD in last game vs. Det. (12/18/05 with Cin.). TE JOHN CARLSON has 5 TDs in past 7 at home. WR NATE BURLESON has 9 rec. TDs in past 13. Has 4 rec. TDs in past 5 vs. Det. Had 6 catches for 89 yards last week. WR DEION BRANCH had 23-yard TD reception last week…LB DAVID HAWTHORNE had 2 sacks, 1st 2 of career, & FF last week. DE PATRICK KERNEY has 4 sacks in past 5. DT CORY REDDING was 3rd round pick by Det. in 2003. Spent 6 years with Lions (2003-08) & recorded 16 sacks. DE LAWRENCE JACKSON has 4 sacks in past 7.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (4-3) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (5-3)

SERIES

	CHARGERS	GIANTS
SERIES LEADER		5-4
STREAKS	2 of past 3
COACHES VS. OPP.	Turner: 5-7-1	Coughlin: 0-1
LAST WEEK	W 24-16 vs. Raiders	L 40-17 at Eagles
LAST GAME	9/25/05: Giants 23 at Chargers 45. San Diego RB LaDainian Tomlinson rushes for 192 yards & 3 TDs & passes for TD to WR Keenan McCardell.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/23/95: Chargers 27, Giants 17. San Diego wins 5th straight game & secures playoff berth as Chargers S Shaun Gayle returns interception 99 yards for TD with 5:44 remaining.
BROADCAST	CBS (4:15 PM ET): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms. SIRIUS: 127 (SD), 123 (NYG). XM: 105 (NYG).

STATS

PASSING	Rivers: 142-238-2,036-11-4-95.9	Manning: 140-242-1,855-13-8-86.4
RUSHING	Tomlinson: 79-267-3.4-3	Jacobs: 140-550-3.9-2
RECEIVING	V. Jackson: 37-664 (3L)-17.9-5 (T2C)	Smith: 53 (1L)-662 (1C)-12.5-4
OFFENSE	351.0	386.9 (3C)
TAKE/GIVE	+2	+1
DEFENSE	310.6	278.1 (1C)
SACKS	Phillips: 4	Umenyiora: 4
INTs	Cason: 2	Thomas: 2
PUNTING	Scifres: 47.5 (2C)	Feagles: 39.9
KICKING	Kaeding: 65 (1C) (20/20 PAT; 15/18 FG)	Tynes: 74 (1L) (23/23 PAT; 17/21 FG)

NOTES

CHARGERS: QB PHILIP RIVERS was selected No. 4 overall by NYG in ’04 NFL Draft before being traded to Chargers. Rivers (12,733) needs 267 passing yards to become 4th player in franchise history with 13,000…In past 5 against NFC, Rivers has 11 TDs vs. 1 INT & 108.2 passer rating. On road in ’09, Rivers has 7 TDs vs. 1 INT & 104.0 passer rating…In only career game against NYG, RB LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON rushed for 192 yards on 21 att. with 3 rush TDs. Last week, Tomlinson (12,027) reached 12,000 rushing yards in his 132nd game, 4th-fastest in NFL history…Since ’02, TE ANTONIO GATES leads NFL TEs with 53 TD receptions…WR VINCENT JACKSON has career-high 4 100-yard receiving games in ’09 (141, 120, 142, 103) & aims for 3rd consecutive game with 100+ receiving yards. Ranks 3rd in NFL with 664 receiving yards & aims for 4th consecutive game with TD reception…CB ANTONIO CROMARTIE posted 1st INT of season last week & 13th of career…LB SHAWNE MERRIMAN (2) & LB SHAUN PHILLIPS (2) combined for 4 sacks last week . Phillips has 4 sacks in past 2 & aims for 3rd consecutive game with 2 sacks…GIANTS: QB ELI MANNING passed for 352 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs & 102.9 rating in only start vs. SD. Team is 20-5 (.800) in his starts with 90+ rating (incl. playoffs). Aims for 5th win in row vs. AFC…RB BRANDON JACOBS (550 yards) & RB AHMAD BRADSHAW (476) only teammates with 475+ rush yards each. When Jacobs has 100+ rush yards, team is 8-1. Bradshaw ranks 4th in NFL with 5.3 avg. (min 475 rush yards). In 3 games vs. AFC with 10+ att., Bradshaw has 40 carries for 325 yards (8.1 avg.) & 3 TDs. Had rush TD last week…WR STEVE SMITH leads NFL with 53 receptions. Tops NFC with 662 yards. TE KEVIN BOSS had 3 catches for 70 yards & TD last week. Rookie WR HAKEEM NICKS has rec. TD in 4 of past 5. Tied for lead among NFL rookies with 4 rec. TD …When DE JUSTIN TUCK has sack (incl. playoffs), team is 15-3 (.833). Have won 10 in row when Tuck has 1+ sack (incl. SB XLII). DE OSI UMENYIORA has 6 sacks in past 8 vs. AFC. Had sack & FF last week. Rookie CB BRUCE JOHNSON had 1st career sack last week.

TENNESSEE TITANS (1-6) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-4)

SERIES

	TITANS	49ERS
SERIES LEADER		7-4
STREAKS		2 of past 3
COACHES VS. OPP.	Fisher: 1-2	Singletary: 0-0
LAST WEEK	W 30-13 vs. Jaguars	L 18-14 at Colts
LAST GAME	11/27/05: 49ers 22 at Titans 33. Tennessee QB Steve McNair passes for 3 TDs, all in 3rd quarter. Titans outgain San Francisco 461-261 in total yards.
LAST GAME AT SITE	10/3/99: 49ers 24, Titans 22. San Francisco stops Tennessee on game-tying 2-point conversion attempt with 1:48 remaining. Titans QB Neil O’Donnell throws for 355 yards.
BROADCAST	CBS (1:15 PM PT): Ian Eagle, Rich Gannon. SIRIUS: 126 (SF). XM: 103 (SF).

STATS

PASSING	Young: 15-23-125-1-1-75.5	A. Smith: 34-54-404-4-2-95.0
RUSHING	Johnson: 119-824 (1L)-6.9-4	Gore: 65-364-5.6-4
RECEIVING	Britt (R): 20-296-14.8-0	V. Davis (TE): 32-375-11.7-7 (1L)
OFFENSE	327.9	275.3
TAKE/GIVE	-8	+1
DEFENSE	394.9	337.0
SACKS	J. Jones: 4	McDonald: 3
INTs	Finnegan: 2	Willis: 2
PUNTING	Kern: 46.4	Lee: 48.0 (3C)
KICKING	Bironas: 40 (10/10 PAT; 10/12 FG)	Nedney: 39 (18/18 PAT; 7/9 FG)

NOTES

TITANS: Head coach JEFF FISHER spent 2 seasons (1992-93) as DB coach w/49ers. Fisher & 49ers head coach MIKE SINGLETARY were teammates w/Bears (1981-84)…Club aims for 6th consecutive win against NFC…Dating back to 12/2/07, QB VINCE YOUNG has won 6 of past 7 starts & has 19-11 career record (.633). In 1st start of ’09, Young completed 15 of 18 passes (83.3 pct.) for 125 yards with 1 TD vs. 0 INTs & 114.1 passer rating…RB CHRIS JOHNSON posted franchise-record 228 rush yards last week. Leads NFL with 824 rush yards in ’09 & ranks 1st in AFC & 3rd in NFL with 961 scrimmage yards. Johnson leads NFL in yards per carry with 6.9 avg…WR NATE WASHINGTON (4) needs 1 TD catch to tie career-high of 5 TD rec. in ’07…Since ’02, LB KEITH BULLUCK ranks 2nd in NFL among active LBs with 14 INTs (RAY LEWIS, 16)…Club tied season-high with 4 sacks last week…DT JASON JONES has 3 sacks in past 2 & aims for 3rd consecutive game w/sack…CB ROD HOOD posted 1st INT of ’09 in 1st start as Titan last week…49ERS: QB ALEX SMITH has 404 yards, 4 TDs & 95 passer rating in 2 games this year. In starts with 95+ rating, Smith’s teams are 5-0…RB FRANK GORE had 134 scrimmage yards (91 rush, 43 rec.) last week, incl. 64-yard TD run. Has 3 60+ yard TD runs this year, 1st RB with 3+ in season since 2003. Has 4,197 rush yards since start of 2006, 2nd most in NFC & 4th most in NFL. Is 1 of 4 players with 5,000+ scrimmage yards (5,606) since 2006…TE VERNON DAVIS has 4 TDs in past 2. Leads NFL with 7 rec. TDs. Is 4th among NFC TEs with 375 yards & 4th with 32 receptions. Rookie WR MICHAEL CRABTREE had 6 catches & 81 yards last week. Has 5+ catches in each of 1st 2 career starts. WR ISAAC BRUCE ranks 2nd in career rec. yards (15,185), 5th in receptions (1,022) & 9th in TD catches (91)…LB PATRICK WILLIS has 2.5 sacks, 23-yard INT-TD & 2 FFs in past 4. DE RAY MC DONALD had sack last week & leads club with career-high 3 sacks. Defense allowed 61 rush yards vs. Ind. & has held opponents under 100 yards in 6 games.

SUNDAY NIGHT

DALLAS COWBOYS (5-2) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-2)

SERIES

	COWBOYS	EAGLES
SERIES LEADER	53-43
STREAKS		4 of past 6 & 14 of past 20
COACHES VS. OPP.	Phillips: 3-2	Reid: 14-6
LAST WEEK	W 38-17 vs. Seahawks	W 40-17 vs. Giants
LAST GAME	12/28/08: Cowboys 6 at Eagles 44. Philadelphia scores on fumble recoveries of 73 & 96 yards & QB Donovan McNabb throws for 2 TDs. Eagles clinched wild-card berth with victory.
LAST GAME AT SITE	12/28/08
BROADCAST	NBC (8:20 PM ET): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth & Andrea Kremer (Field reporter). Westwood One Radio: Dave Sims, James Lofton, Kevin Kiley (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 125 (WW1), 127 (Dal.) , 126 (Phi.). XM: 102 (WW1), 104 (Dal.), 103 (Phi.).

STATS

PASSING	Romo: 138-230-1,908-12-4-96.8	McNabb: 80-133-1,008-9-1-103.2
RUSHING	Barber: 86-397-4.6-4	McCoy (R): 70-294-4.2-2
RECEIVING	Witten (TE): 37-348-9.4-1	Celek (TE): 37-447-12.1-3
OFFENSE	411.1 (2L)	344.4
TAKE/GIVE	-1	+12 (T1L)
DEFENSE	342.1	296.9
SACKS	Ware: 5	T. Cole: 6.5 (T3C)
INTs	Jenkins: 2	Samuel: 5 (3L)
PUNTING	McBriar: 46.4	Rocca: 42.3
KICKING	Folk: 57 (21/21 PAT; 12/15 FG)	Akers: 61 (3C) (22/23 PAT; 13/16 FG)

NOTES

COWBOYS: QB TONY ROMO has won 12 Nov. starts in row. Has 3,334 yards, 34 TDs & 119.1 rating in those 12. Has 3+ TD passes in 8 of past 12 in Nov. Team is 23-3 (.885) when he starts & has 100+ rating…RB MARION BARBER has 35 rush TDs since 2006, most in NFC & 3rd in NFL. RB-KR FELIX JONES had 98-yard KR-TD in his last game vs. Phi…WR MILES AUSTIN has 21 catches for 482 yards (160.7 per game) & 5 TDs in past 3. His 482 rec. yards are most by player in 1st 3 starts of career. WR-PR PATRICK CRAYTON had 82-yard PR-TD last week & became 2nd Cowboy with PR-TD in consecutive games (HOFer BOB HAYES, 1968). Since 2004, TE JASON WITTEN has 431 receptions, 2nd most among TEs. Has 22 catches in past 3 vs. Phi…LB DE MARCUS WARE has sack in 5 of past 6 meetings (5.5 sacks). Has 39 sacks since 2007, 2nd most in NFL. Team has won 8 in row when CB TERENCE NEWMAN has INT… EAGLES: QB DONOVAN MC NABB had 146.7 rating last week with 3 TDs & 0 INTs. In starts (min. 10+ att.) with 100+ rating (incl. playoffs), team is 42-1 (.977). Has won 11 of past 16 starts vs. Dal…RB BRIAN WESTBROOK is only active player with 25+ rush (37) & rec. (29) TDs. Last week was 1st time 2 Eagles had 40+ yard rush TDs (FB LEONARD WEAVER, 41 yards & RB LE SEAN MC COY, 66)…WR-PR DE SEAN JACKSON has 6 TDs this year (4 rec., 1 PR, 1 rush), of 50+ yards, tied for most in season in club history. TE BRENT CELEK leads NFC TEs with 447 yards. Had TD in last meeting…In last game vs. Dal., Eagles became 1st team in NFL history with 2 70+ yard FR-TDs in same quarter (DE CHRIS CLEMONS, 73 yards & CB JOSELIO HANSON, 96). CB SHELDON BROWN has 4 INTs vs. Dal. In career, has 17 INTs & 14 have led to scores (2 INT-TDs). DE TRENT COLE has 0.5+ sack in 6 of 7 games this year (6.5 sacks). Since 2005, CB ASANTE SAMUEL leads NFL with 28 INTs. When he has INT, incl. last week, his teams are 23-2 (.920).

MONDAY NIGHT, NOVEMBER 9, 2009

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (5-2) AT DENVER BRONCOS (6-1)

SERIES

	STEELERS	BRONCOS
SERIES LEADER		13-6-1
STREAKS		5 of past 6
COACHES VS. OPP.	Tomlin: 0-1	McDaniels: 0-0
LAST WEEK	Bye (Wk. 7: W 27-17 vs. Vikings)	L 30-7 at Ravens
LAST GAME	10/21/07: Steelers 28 at Broncos 31. Denver QB Jay Cutler completes 22 of 29 (75.9 pct.) for 248 yards with 3 TDs & K Jason Elam kicks 49-yard FG as time expires to seal win.
LAST GAME AT SITE	10/21/07
BROADCAST	ESPN (6:30 PM MT): Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden. Westwood One Radio: Marv Albert, Warren Moon, Mark Malone (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 124 (WW1), 126 (Pit.), 125 (Den). XM: 124 (WW1), 103 (Pit.), 102 (Den).

STATS

PASSING	Roethlisberger: 164-233-2,062 (3L)-11-6-102.6 (2C)	Orton: 147-231-1,617-9-1-95.5
RUSHING	Mendenhall: 78-418-5.4-4	Moreno (R): 109-420-3.9-2
RECEIVING	Ward: 42-602-14.3-2	Marshall: 33-356-10.8-4
OFFENSE	383.0 (3C)	344.6
TAKE/GIVE	-3	+6 (T2C)
DEFENSE	291.0	266.7 (1L)
SACKS	J. Harrison: 8 (T3L)	Dumervil: 10 (1C)
INTs	Clark, Polamalu: 2	6 tied: 1
PUNTING	Sepulveda: 44.8	Berger: 38.4
KICKING	Reed: 47 (20/20 PAT; 9/12 FG)	Prater: 50 (14/14 PAT; 12/16 FG)

NOTES

STEELERS: Club has 11-9 record (.550) after bye…Team aims for 5th consecutive win…Head coach MIKE TOMLIN has 4-0 record on MNF…QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER (31) needs 1 100+ passer rating game (min. 14 att.) to surpass TERRY BRADSHAW for team record. Incl. playoffs, team is 32-2 (.941), when Roethlisberger has 100+ passer rating. Aims for 8th consecutive game with TD…RB RASHARD MENDENHALL averages 5.4 rush yards per carry (418 total) in ’09 & has 4 rush TDs in past 4. RB WILLIE PARKER posted 93 rush yards in last game against Den…WR HINES WARD is averaging 102.5 rec. yards per game in past 2 vs. Den. Rookie WR MIKE WALLACE averages 17.5 yards per catch (21 rec., 368 yards)…TE HEATH MILLER has 4 TD rec. in past 4. Miller posted 2 TDs in last meeting vs. Den… Since ’07, club leads AFC w/104 sacks & is tied for 4th in NFL…LB JAMES HARRISON has 24 sacks in past 22 games. In past 4 on MNF, Harrison has 8.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR & 5 FF…LB KEYARON FOX posted 82-yard INT-TD return last game…BRONCOS: Team has won 3 of past 4 at home on MNF…QB KYLE ORTON has 27-13 (.675) record as starter. Ranks 2nd in NFL with 124.2 4th quarter passer rating…RB KNOWSHON MORENO (1st round, Georgia) leads NFL rookies with 420 rush yards…Since ’07, WR BRANDON MARSHALL is tied for 3rd in NFL with 235 receptions. In last meeting vs. Pit. (10/21/07), WR BRANDON STOKLEY posted 5 receptions for 70 rec. with 1 TD…TE TONY SCHEFFLER averages 13.3 yards per catch in ’09 (17 rec., 226 yards)…Club ranks 2nd NFL in scoring defense (13.7 points per game). Club ranks 1st in AFC & is tied for 2nd in NFL with 23 sacks (Minnesota, 31; Philadelphia, 23)…LB-DE ELVIS DUMERVIL leads AFC & ranks 2nd in NFL with 10 sacks & has 2+ sacks in 4 of past 6 games. Since ’06, Dumervil leads AFC & is tied for 5th in NFL with 36 sacks…CB CHAMP BAILEY recorded 2 INTs in last game vs. Pit.

National Anthem... Another random post.

2009-11-04T16:15:03Z

Sorry... I know this isnt that important of a post. But, anyone else at the game notice the Star Spangled Banner? Being a music teacher, I thought it was hilarious. Miashio (spelling) Miller must have been told to try and time the banner with the flyover, but it he made the performance leading up to the flyover pretty memorable.

At first, within 2 lines, I noticed he was singing way too fast. Then, by the middle he was singing in slow motion. Anyone else catch that? Would love to see a video of it.

I wonder who made the decision to do the Anthem after the players get to the field. I understand that it is probably a good thing to have the players out there for it.

It reminded me of the movie Mystery, Alaska where Little Richard sings it slow to make the NY Rangers cold.

Just a random thought...

I also enjoyed seeing John Harbaugh try to get the fans up during the game. Reminded me of when Denver's McDaniels did it after the win against NE.

Go Ravens

Week 9 NFL Preview

2009-11-04T14:23:07Z

Direct from NFL.com, here is a ton of info about some of the key matchups, including the Ravens @ Bangals game, coming up this weekend. See more games previews, NFL standings, last week's results and this week's schedule after the 'Jump.'

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

11/3/09

http://twitter.com/NFLFootballInfo

KEY DIVISIONAL CONTESTS HIGHLIGHT WEEK 9

NFL ACTION

As the NFL approaches the halfway point, it’s still a wide open race to the playoffs.

Sure, the Indianapolis Colts (7-0) and New Orleans Saints (7-0) are in good shape with spotless records. But in the unpredictable NFL, you don’t want to count out anybody. Since 1990, when the current 12-team playoff format was adopted, 47 teams (20.6 percent of the 228 playoff clubs) have advanced to the postseason after starting the season with a .500 or worse record after eight games. So while being undefeated is nice, Colts wide receiver REGGIE WAYNE knows there’s a lot of football left to be played.

"We know that 7-0 guarantees us nothing," says Wayne. "We’ve gotten farther than this in the past and came out with nothing. We just want to stay dialed in and continue to win games."

And "continue to win games" is exactly what the Colts have been doing. Indianapolis has now won 16 consecutive regular-season games and can tie the 1933-34 Chicago Bears for the third-longest streak in NFL history with a win this Sunday against the 5-3 Houston Texans.

The 7-0 mark for Colts head coach JIM CALDWELL is the second-best start in the past 80 years for a rookie head coach, trailing only POTSY CLARK (8-0) of the 1931 Portsmouth Spartans. "They’re not handing out anything for whatever record that is," says Caldwell. "We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us."

And that work continues this Sunday. Both the Colts and Saints will look to remain unbeaten as part of five key divisional matchups in Week 9:

DIVISION	VISITING CLUB (RECORD)	HOME CLUB (RECORD)
AFC North	Baltimore (4-3)	Cincinnati (5-2)
AFC South	Houston (5-3)	Indianapolis (7-0)
AFC East	Miami (3-4)	New England (5-2)
NFC South	Carolina (3-4)	New Orleans (7-0)
NFC East	Dallas (5-2)	Philadelphia (5-2)

Some of the headline games in Week 9:

BALTIMORE RAVENS (4-3) at CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-2) (Sunday, CBS, 1:00 PM ET)

The 4-3 Ravens will visit the 5-2 Bengals in a matchup between two of the top teams in the AFC North. Baltimore is riding high after an impressive 30-7 victory over the previously unbeaten Denver Broncos while the Bengals, who had a bye in Week 8, have won five of their past six games.

"It was a special win," says Ravens running back RAY RICE after defeating Denver. "It was a game that we needed, especially coming off the bye week. To come out and play all three phases the way we played, that was special."

In Week 7, the Bengals played, according to offensive coordinator BOB BRATKOWSKI, "our best game of this year." Cincinnati defeated Chicago 45-10 behind quarterback CARSON PALMER’s five touchdown passes and running back CEDRIC BENSON’s career-high 189 rushing yards. But head coach MARVIN LEWIS is looking forward, not back.

"It’s a new season," says Lewis, speaking of the games after the bye week. "We have a nine-game schedule and we open with Baltimore."

**************************************************************************************************************************

NFL FACTOID

There have been 81 touchdowns of at least 50 yards scored this season. That is the most through the first eight weeks of a season since 1970. The previous high was 80 touchdowns of 50+ yards scored in 1998.

******************************************************************************************************************************************

HOUSTON TEXANS (5-3) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-0) (Sunday, CBS, 1:00 PM ET)

Two of the NFL’s hottest clubs will meet at Lucas Oil Stadium this Sunday in a battle of the AFC South’s top teams.

Houston has won three games in a row, including a 31-10 victory at Buffalo last week. The Texans, now 5-3, are two games above .500 for the first time in franchise history.

"This team has grown so much since the day I got here," says Houston wide receiver ANDRE JOHNSON, who leads the NFL with 697 receiving yards. "I’ve pretty much been through it all here. We’ve come a long way."

The Colts, who are 7-0 for the fourth time in the past five seasons, begin a stretch that will see them play teams that are a combined 19-11 (.633) over the next four games. That starts this Sunday against the Texans.

"We’re heading into the teeth of our schedule," says Indianapolis quarterback PEYTON MANNING.

Indianapolis remained unbeaten with an 18-14 win over San Francisco last week, highlighted by running back JOSEPH ADDAI’s 22-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass to REGGIE WAYNE.

"I couldn’t drop that one," says Wayne, who ranks second in the NFL behind Houston’s Johnson with 689 receiving yards. "If I had dropped that one, he would have messed with me forever."

DALLAS COWBOYS (5-2) at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-2) (Sunday, NBC, 8:20 PM ET)

"Philadelphia and Dallas are playing great in all three phases," says NBC analyst TONY DUNGY. "It’s setting up a big showdown game – with first place in the NFC East on the line – on Sunday night."

The Cowboys have won three consecutive games and have scored 101 points (33.7 per game) during their recent winning streak. Quarterback TONY ROMO has posted a 100+ passer rating in all three games and wide receiver MILES AUSTIN has recorded 21 catches for 482 yards (160.7 per game) and five touchdowns in the past three – the first three starts of his career. Austin’s 482 receiving yards are the most by a player in his first three starts since 1970.

"The Cowboys are the best team in the NFC East right now," says NFL Network analyst STEVE MARIUCCI.

Last week, the Eagles scored 40 points in a 23-point victory over the New York Giants, the team’s largest margin of victory over the Giants since 1996. In Philadelphia’s five wins this season, the team has averaged 34.4 points per game.

One of the weapons in the high-octane offense is wide receiver-punt returner DE SEAN JACKSON, who has scored six touchdowns of at least 50 yards this year, becoming just the second player in NFL history – Pro Football Hall of Famer ELROY (CRAZYLEGS) HIRSCH (1951) – to score six 50-yard touchdowns in the first seven games of a season.

"I’ve just been put in some great positions to score long touchdowns," says Jackson. "Whatever we need to do to make it work, that’s what we’re going to do. I want to keep winning, keep making plays and hopefully make it to the Super Bowl."

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (5-2) at DENVER BRONCOS (6-1) (Monday, ESPN, 8:30 PM ET)

The defending champion Steelers, coming off a bye, will look to extend their winning streak to five consecutive games this Monday night at Denver when two division leaders clash.

"We’re stacking wins," says Pittsburgh wide receiver HINES WARD of the team’s recent winning streak. "In the month of November, we’re heading in the right direction."

In Week 7, the Steelers, who currently are tied for first in the AFC North with Cincinnati, scored two defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter – 77-yard fumble-return TD by linebacker LA MARR WOODLEY and 82-yard interception-return TD by linebacker KEYARON FOX – in the team’s 27-17 win over Minnesota.

"There’s a lot of season left and we have some growing to do defensively," says Pittsburgh defensive coordinator DICK LE BEAU. "I think we have the potential to be a very, very good defense."

A team that has shown a very, very good defense in 2009 is Denver. The Broncos, who enter the week in first place in the AFC West with a 6-1 mark, rank second in the NFL allowing just 13.7 points per game. Denver will look to rebound after suffering its first loss of the season last week against another AFC North opponent, the Baltimore Ravens.

"You can find out just as much about your team through the adversity of a loss as you can through six wins," says Broncos head coach JOSH MC DANIELS. "Now we’ve got to get ready to play against a really good team in Pittsburgh."

2009 NFL STANDINGS

American Football Conference

East Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
New England Patriots	5	2	0	.714	198	98	4-0-0	1-2-0	3-2-0	1-1-0	Won 2
New York Jets	4	4	0	.500	177	134	2-2-0	2-2-0	4-3-0	1-3-0	Lost 1
Miami Dolphins	3	4	0	.429	176	177	2-2-0	1-2-0	3-2-0	3-0-0	Won 1
Buffalo Bills	3	5	0	.375	123	169	1-3-0	2-2-0	1-4-0	1-2-0	Lost 1

West Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Denver Broncos	6	1	0	.857	140	96	3-0-0	3-1-0	5-1-0	2-0-0	Lost 1
San Diego Chargers	4	3	0	.571	185	159	2-2-0	2-1-0	4-3-0	3-1-0	Won 2
Oakland Raiders	2	6	0	.250	78	201	1-3-0	1-3-0	1-5-0	1-3-0	Lost 2
Kansas City Chiefs	1	6	0	.143	105	181	0-4-0	1-2-0	0-3-0	0-2-0	Lost 1

North Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Cincinnati Bengals	5	2	0	.714	163	128	2-2-0	3-0-0	3-2-0	3-0-0	Won 1
Pittsburgh Steelers	5	2	0	.714	167	129	4-0-0	1-2-0	3-1-0	1-1-0	Won 4
Baltimore Ravens	4	3	0	.571	199	137	3-1-0	1-2-0	4-2-0	1-1-0	Won 1
Cleveland Browns	1	7	0	.125	78	209	0-3-0	1-4-0	1-4-0	0-3-0	Lost 3

South Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Indianapolis Colts	7	0	0	1.000	197	91	3-0-0	4-0-0	3-0-0	2-0-0	Won 7
Houston Texans	5	3	0	.625	198	168	2-2-0	3-1-0	4-2-0	1-1-0	Won 3
Jacksonville Jaguars	3	4	0	.429	133	177	2-1-0	1-3-0	2-2-0	2-2-0	Lost 1
Tennessee Titans	1	6	0	.143	114	211	1-2-0	0-4-0	1-6-0	1-3-0	Won 1

National Football Conference

East Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Philadelphia Eagles	5	2	0	.714	203	133	3-1-0	2-1-0	4-1-0	2-0-0	Won 2
Dallas Cowboys	5	2	0	.714	197	136	3-1-0	2-1-0	4-1-0	0-1-0	Won 3
New York Giants	5	3	0	.625	212	183	2-1-0	3-2-0	3-3-0	2-1-0	Lost 3
Washington Redskins	2	5	0	.286	96	123	2-2-0	0-3-0	2-4-0	0-2-0	Lost 3

West Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Arizona Cardinals	4	3	0	.571	157	143	1-3-0	3-0-0	2-2-0	1-1-0	Lost 1
San Francisco 49ers	3	4	0	.429	147	140	2-1-0	1-3-0	3-2-0	3-0-0	Lost 3
Seattle Seahawks	2	5	0	.286	135	147	2-2-0	0-3-0	1-4-0	1-2-0	Lost 2
St. Louis Rams	1	7	0	.125	77	221	0-3-0	1-4-0	1-5-0	0-2-0	Won 1

North Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Minnesota Vikings	7	1	0	.875	244	174	3-0-0	4-1-0	5-0-0	3-0-0	Won 1
Green Bay Packers	4	3	0	.571	187	134	2-2-0	2-1-0	3-2-0	2-2-0	Lost 1
Chicago Bears	4	3	0	.571	159	150	3-0-0	1-3-0	2-2-0	1-1-0	Won 1
Detroit Lions	1	6	0	.143	113	205	1-3-0	0-3-0	1-5-0	0-3-0	Lost 4

South Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
New Orleans Saints	7	0	0	1.000	273	154	4-0-0	3-0-0	4-0-0	1-0-0	Won 7
Atlanta Falcons	4	3	0	.571	171	149	3-0-0	1-3-0	3-2-0	1-1-0	Lost 2
Carolina Panthers	3	4	0	.429	128	166	1-2-0	2-2-0	3-3-0	1-1-0	Won 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	0	7	0	.000	96	203	0-4-0	0-3-0	0-5-0	0-1-0	Lost 7

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS (NOVEMBER 1-2)

Byes: Cincinnati, Kansas City, New England, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Washington

Sunday, November 1	Sunday, November 1, cont’d
BALTIMORE 30, Denver 7	SAN DIEGO 24, Oakland 16
Houston 31, BUFFALO 10	TENNESSEE 30, Jacksonville 13
CHICAGO 30, Cleveland 6	Carolina 34, ARIZONA 21
DALLAS 38, Seattle 17	Minnesota 38, GREEN BAY 26
St. Louis 17, DETROIT 10
INDIANAPOLIS 18, San Francisco 14	Monday, November 2
Miami 30, N.Y. JETS 25	NEW ORLEANS 35, Atlanta 27
PHILADELPHIA 40, N.Y. Giants 17

2009 WEEK 9 SCHEDULE (NOVEMBER 8-9)

(All times local)

Byes: Buffalo, Cleveland, Minnesota, N.Y. Jets, Oakland, St. Louis

Sunday, November 8	Sunday, November 8, cont’d
Washington at Atlanta, 1:00 PM	Detroit at Seattle, 1:05 PM
Arizona at Chicago, 12:00 PM	San Diego at N.Y. Giants, 4:15 PM
Baltimore at Cincinnati, 1:00 PM	Tennessee at San Francisco, 1:15 PM
Houston at Indianapolis, 1:00 PM	Dallas at Philadelphia, 8:20 PM (NBC)
Kansas City at Jacksonville, 1:00 PM
Miami at New England, 1:00 PM	Monday, November 9
Green Bay at Tampa Bay, 1:00 PM	Pittsburgh at Denver, 7:30 PM (ESPN)
Carolina at New Orleans, 3:05 PM

Anita Marks... Thoughts?

2009-11-03T17:29:49Z

I am just curious what other people's thoughts are about her. She has been really annoying lately in my opinion. It is almost like she is Willis McGahee's agent. "I believe that Ray Rice is NOT the best running back on the Ravens". "If Willis McGahee had the same amount of touches, he would be doing just as good if not better." IS SHE CRAZY!!!?

The other thing that drives me nuts is when she says that her "sources" have told her something. I think she talked about Brandon Marshall everyday this summer. It is my opinion that she has no sources other than her gut feeling and the ESPN ticker.

Would someone please get it through her thick head that right now, Ray Rice is the best back the Ravens have and should be on the field as much as possible.

AFC North schedule analysis: Bengals have edge

2009-11-03T16:36:52Z

When the 2009 schedules were released, the AFC North caught a break by matching up against the weak AFC West and mediocre NFC North. In fact, the Steelers' schedule was rated the 4th easiest in the NFL, the Ravens' schedule was 5th easiest, and the Bengals' was 11th (mainly because they had to play the Ravens and Steelers twice each). These ratings were based on opponents' 2008 winning percentages.

At nearly the midpoint of the 2009 season, things are not looking so easy, due to the improvement of teams such as the Vikings, Packers, Broncos, and the Bengals themselves. Let's take a look at how the schedules are rated now, based on 2009 opponent winning percentage (opp pct), and more important, which AFC North team has the most favorable schedule remaining.

RAVENS	Week	Opponent	Opp Pct	Score	Result
	1	vs Chiefs	0.143	38-24	W
	2	at Chargers	0.571	31-26	W
	3	vs Browns	0.125	34-3	W
	4	at Patriots	0.714	21-27	L
	5	vs Bengals	0.714	14-17	L
	6	at Vikings	0.875	31-33	L
	7	BYE
	8	vs Broncos	0.857	30-7	W
	9	at Bengals	0.714	-	-
	10	at Browns	0.125	-	-
	11	vs Colts	1.000	-	-
	12	vs Steelers	0.714	-	-
	13	at Packers	0.571	-	-
	14	vs Lions	0.143	-	-
	15	vs Bears	0.571	-	-
	16	at Steelers	0.714	-	-
	17	at Raiders	0.250	-	-

		Overall	0.550
		To date	0.571
		Remaining	0.534

The Ravens' schedule has become much more difficult at 0.550. In addition to the aforementioned teams, the Ravens must play the undefeated Colts and have already lost to the Patriots. Having completed the brutal (0.571) portion of their schedule, the Ravens now face the merely difficult (0.534) portion, which includes the Colts, the Bengals, two games against the Steelers, and a road game against the 4-3 Packers. So far, the Ravens are 2-3 against tough opponents; if they continue at the same pace, they could finish 10-6.

STEELERS	Week	Opponent	Opp Pct	Score	Result
	1	vs Titans	0.143	13-10	W
	2	at Bears	0.571	14-17	L
	3	at Bengals	0.714	20-23	L
	4	vs Chargers	0.571	38-28	W
	5	at Lions	0.143	28-20	W
	6	vs Browns	0.125	27-14	W
	7	vs Vikings	0.875	27-17	W
	8	BYE
	9	at Broncos	0.857	-	-
	10	vs Bengals	0.714	-	-
	11	at Chiefs	0.143	-	-
	12	at Ravens	0.571	-	-
	13	vs Raiders	0.250	-	-
	14	at Browns	0.125	-	-
	15	vs Packers	0.571	-	-
	16	vs Ravens	0.571	-	-
	17	at Dolphins	0.429	-	-

		Overall	0.461
		To date	0.449
		Remaining	0.470

The Steelers' opponents had a 0.434 winning percentage in 2008, but so far in 2009, they have a 0.461 percentage. Despite having 12 opponents in common with the Ravens, the Steelers' schedule is softened by the collapse of the Titans and, to a lesser extent, the Dolphins. So far this season, the Steelers are 3-0 against lousy teams and 2-2 against teams with a winning record, both losses coming on the road. If the Steelers maintain this pattern, they will finish 12-4 or 11-5.

BENGALS	Week	Opponent	Opp Pct	Score	Result
	1	vs Broncos	0.857	7-12	L
	2	at Packers	0.571	31-24	W
	3	vs Steelers	0.714	23-20	W
	4	at Browns	0.125	23-20	W
	5	at Ravens	0.571	17-14	W
	6	vs Texans	0.625	17-28	L
	7	vs Bears	0.571	45-10	W
	8	BYE
	9	vs Ravens	0.571	-	-
	10	at Steelers	0.714	-	-
	11	at Raiders	0.250	-	-
	12	vs Browns	0.125	-	-
	13	vs Lions	0.143	-	-
	14	at Vikings	0.875	-	-
	15	at Chargers	0.571	-	-
	16	vs Chiefs	0.143	-	-
	17	at Jets	0.500	-	-

		Overall	0.495
		To date	0.576
		Remaining	0.432

The Bengals schedule, originally rated the toughest of the three, now appears easier than the Ravens' schedule at 0.495. At 0.576, the Bengals have faced a crushing schedule to date, with six of seven games against opponents with winning records. Impressively, the Bengals have compiled a 4-2 record in those six games. Their schedule gets considerably easier at 0.432, with only four opponents having winning records, although three of those games are on the road. Even so, if the Bengals continue at this pace, they could easily finish at 12-4.

	Steelers	Ravens	Bengals
Original Rating	0.434	0.438	0.465
Current Rating	0.461	0.550	0.495
Games To Date	0.449	0.571	0.576
Games Remaining	0.470	0.534	0.432

As this summary chart shows, all three teams face considerably more difficult schedules than originally thought, but the Ravens clearly have the most difficult schedule overall and the most difficult remaining schedule. The Steelers still have a relatively easy schedule, but the Bengals have the advantage of being 5-2 with the easiest remaining schedule.

P.S. Yes, I'm a Steelers fan visiting your site. I'm not saying which team is better or even which will win the division. I am just presenting data and saying what will happen if the teams continue at their current pace. Based on the above analysis, I wish the Ravens good luck Sunday against the Bengals.

Kokinis No Longer Employed by Cleveland

2009-11-03T15:17:27Z

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/11/02/kokinis.fired.ap/index.html

George Kokinis, the hand-picked GM of first-year coach Eric Mangini who was rarely seen or heard in Cleveland, left the team Monday under unexplained circumstances after less than one year on the job.

After reports surfaced that Kokinis was fired, the team issued an awkwardly worded statement saying Kokinis "is no longer actively involved with the organization." The Browns also denied reports that Kokinis was escorted from team headquarters.

From the Wiki:

George Kokinis, the hand-picked GM of first-year coach Eric Mangini who was rarely seen or heard in Cleveland, left the team Monday under unexplained circumstances after less than one year on the job.

After reports surfaced that Kokinis was fired, the team issued an awkwardly worded statement saying Kokinis "is no longer actively involved with the organization." The Browns also denied reports that Kokinis was escorted from team headquarters.

Also from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Kokinis:

The story goes that when Kokinis was a young boy he became lost while walking through the forest. As the night took hold, a mysterious old woman appeared in the darkness. She told Kokinis not to be afraid and took his hand. She then led him home. How she knew where he lived is anyone's guess. Before leaving him, the woman revealed that she was a fortune teller. She told Kokinis that he was destined to be a great man.

I guess it takes a great man to actually be allegedly escorted from the premises of the Browns' facility.

New Format on Baltimore Beatdown

2009-11-03T13:51:29Z

If you're reading this, thank a teacher! Also, thank the overlords at SB Nation, who rolled out the new format this morning after a long trial and error portion of time to get it right. The new look provides better layouts, easier reading and more information at your fingertips than ever before.

I'm interested in hearing your comments and plan to pass on anything you think is great or needs improvement. Thanks!

Poll

What do you think of the new format of Baltimore Beatdown thanks to SB Nation?

Week 8: What To Look For - A Look Back

2009-11-02T22:14:18Z

From the NFL, here is a look back at the notables from week 8, including he list of QB's that includes the Baltimore Ravens' Joe Flacco, still on pace to break a record with 10 QB on track to throw for over 4,000 yards in the 2009 season.

FOR USE AS DESIRED

November 2, 2009

http://twitter.com/nflfootballinfo

WHAT TO LOOK FOR – A LOOK BACK

SWEET 16: With an 18-14 win against San Francisco, the Indianapolis Colts have now won a franchise-record 16 consecutive regular-season games dating back to 2008, tying for the fourth-longest such streak in NFL history.

The longest regular-season winning streaks in NFL history:

TEAM	YEARS	WIN STREAK
New England Patriots	2006-08	21
New England Patriots	2003-04	18
Chicago Bears	1933-34	17
*Indianapolis Colts*	*2008-09*	16*
Chicago Bears	1941-42	16
Miami Dolphins	1971-73	16
Miami Dolphins	1983-84	16
Pittsburgh Steelers	2004-05	16
* Active

-- NFL --

FASTEST TO 4,000: Indianapolis Colts quarterback PEYTON MANNING completed 31 of 48 passes for 347 yards against the 49ers. Manning, who now has 4,026 completions in his career, reached the 4,000-completion mark in his 183rd career game, the fastest in NFL history. Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback DAN MARINO reached 4,000 completions in 193 games.

Manning is one of only four players in NFL history to record 4,000 completions, joining current Vikings quarterback BRETT FAVRE (5,894) and Hall of Famers Marino (4,967) and JOHN ELWAY (4,123).

The NFL quarterbacks with 4,000 career completions and the number of games it took them to reach the mark:

QUARTERBACK	NO. OF GAMES TO 4,000	CAREER COMPLETIONS
*Peyton Manning*	*183*		4,026*
Dan Marino	193		4,967
Brett Favre	196		5,894*
John Elway	227		4,123
* Active

-- NFL --

MIRACLE MILES: Dallas wide receiver MILES AUSTIN caught five passes for 61 yards and one touchdown in the Cowboys’ 38-17 win against Seattle. Austin now has 482 receiving yards in his first three NFL starts, the most of any player since 1970.

Austin followed up his breakout 250-yard receiving performance against Kansas City in Week 5 with another 171 yards in Week 7 in the Cowboys’ 37-21 win over Atlanta after the bye week.

The five players with the most receiving yards in their first three NFL starts (since 1970):

PLAYER	YARDS
*Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys*	*482*
Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals	378
Marcus Robinson, Chicago Bears	377
Dave Stief, St. Louis Cardinals	361
Mike Quick, Philadelphia Eagles	340

-- NFL --

LAMBEAU LEAP: Minnesota quarterback BRETT FAVRE returned to Lambeau Field for the first time as a visiting player in the Vikings’ 38-26 win over Green Bay this week. During his 16-year career as a Packer, Favre won 89 games at Lambeau. With yesterday’s victory, Favre became the first player since 1970 to win 90 games at a stadium as both a home and visiting player. Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback JOHN ELWAY won 95 games at Mile High Stadium – all as a Bronco – and is the only other quarterback since 1970 to win at least 90 games at one NFL venue.

Favre, who passed for four touchdowns against Green Bay, also threw at least four touchdown passes in a game for the 21st time in his career and tied Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO for the most such games in NFL history.

The quarterbacks to win the most career games at one stadium (since 1970):

QUARTERBACK	STADIUM	NO. OF WINS
John Elway	Mile High Stadium	95
*Brett Favre*	*Lambeau Field*	90*
Terry Bradshaw	Three Rivers Stadium	67
Dan Marino	Land Shark Stadium	60
Phil Simms	Giants Stadium	59
* Active

-- NFL --

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON MNF: One more note to keep in mind for tonight’s Monday Night Football game between the Falcons and Saints…

4,000-YARD RECORD TO FALL?: In 1967, the New York Jets’ JOE NAMATH (4,007) became the first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season. In 2007, seven passers reached the 4,000-yard mark, the most in any season.

That mark may fall in 2009. With one game remaining in Week 8, 10 quarterbacks are on pace for 4,000 yards, including New Orleans quarterback DREW BREES, whose Saints will face the Atlanta Falcons tonight on Monday Night Football.

The 10 quarterbacks who project to 4,000 yards in 2009:

PLAYER	TEAM	GAMES	YARDS	YARDS PER GAME	PROJECTION
Peyton Manning	Indianapolis	7	2,227	318.1	5,090
Ben Roethlisberger	Pittsburgh	7	2,062	294.6	4,713
Matt Schaub	Houston	8	2,342	292.8	4,684
Philip Rivers	San Diego	7	2,036	290.9	4,654
Tom Brady	New England	7	2,032	290.3	4,645
Aaron Rodgers	Green Bay	7	1,989	284.1	4,546
Drew Brees	New Orleans	6	1,698	283.0	4,528
Kurt Warner	Arizona	7	1,914	273.4	4,375
Tony Romo	Dallas	7	1,908	272.6	4,361
Joe Flacco	Baltimore	7	1,849	264.1	4,226

Denver reminds me of Ravens Last Season...........

2009-11-02T20:44:52Z

Great Defense, Quarterback asked to manage the game, and a pretty good running game. I knew Kyle Orton could not beat the Ravens. It just rarely ever happens. Average quarterbacks just do not beat the Ravens. I think maybe the Ravens got a little big headed the first couple of weeks. I mean being ranked first or second in the Power Rankings. I know they lost to good opponents. But I believe they were overconfident and that led to a few losses. Now, they realize that you must play with that intensity against everyone, including Browns, Lions, and Raiders or you may just slip up. (just ask the Eagles?)

Seven From Sunday: Week 8

2009-11-02T13:30:16Z

SEVEN FROM SUNDAY – WEEK 8

A look at seven statistical highlights from games played at 1:00 p.m. ET and 4:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 1, the eighth week of the 2009 season.

Miami’s TED GINN had kick-return touchdowns of 101 and 100 yards in the third quarter of the Dolphins’ 30-25 win over the New York Jets. Ginn is the first player in NFL history with two touchdowns of 100 yards in the same game and is the eighth player in NFL history with two kick-return touchdowns in a game. Ginn also became the first player to record two KR-TDs in the same quarter since Green Bay’s TRAVIS WILLIAMS in 1967.

In Tennessee’s 30-13 win over Jacksonville, Titans running back CHRIS JOHNSON rushed for touchdowns of 52 and 89 yards (228 rushing yards total) and Jaguars running back MAURICE JONES-DREW rushed for touchdowns of 80 and 79 yards (177 rushing yards total). The game was the first in NFL history with four rushing touchdowns of at least 50 yards.

Indianapolis quarterback PEYTON MANNING completed 31 of 48 passes for 347 yards in the Colts’ 18-14 win over San Francisco. Manning, who now has 4,026 completions in his career, reached the 4,000-completion mark in his 183rd career game, the fastest in NFL history. Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback DAN MARINO reached 4,000 completions in 193 games. Manning is one of only four players in NFL history to record 4,000 completions, joining current Vikings quarterback BRETT FAVRE (5,894) and Hall of Famers Marino (4,967) and JOHN ELWAY (4,123).

Philadelphia wide receiver DE SEAN JACKSON had a 54-yard touchdown reception in the Eagles’ 40-17 win over the New York Giants. Jackson became just the second player in NFL history with six touchdowns (four receiving, one rushing, one punt return) of at least 50 yards in his team’s first seven games of a season.

Jackson joins Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver ELROY (CRAZYLEGS) HIRSCH, who had six touchdowns of at least 50 yards in 1951 with the Los Angeles Rams, as the only players to accomplish the feat.

San Diego running back LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON rushed for 56 yards in the Chargers’ 24-16 win against Oakland. Tomlinson, who now has 12,027 rushing yards in his career, reached the 12,000-yard mark in his 132nd game, the fourth-fastest in NFL history behind Pro Football Hall of Famers JIM BROWN (115 games), ERIC DICKERSON (118) and BARRY SANDERS (125). The NFL’s all-time leading rusher, EMMITT SMITH, accomplished the feat in 133 games and Hall of Famer WALTER PAYTON reached 12,000 yards in his 134th game.

Minnesota quarterback BRETT FAVRE passed for four touchdown passes in the Vikings’ 38-26 win over Green Bay. Favre threw at least four touchdown passes in a game for the 21st time in his career and tied Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO for the most such games in NFL history.

Favre returned to Lambeau Field for the first time as a visiting player. During his 16-year career in Green Bay, Favre won 89 games at Lambeau. Favre is the first player since 1970 to win 90 games at a stadium as both a home and visiting player. Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback JOHN ELWAY won 95 games at Mile High Stadium – all as a Bronco – and is the only other quarterback since 1970 to win at least 90 games at one NFL venue.

Indianapolis rookie head coach JIM CALDWELL improved to 7-0 with an 18-14 win over San Francisco. Caldwell joined POTSY CLARK of the 1931 Portsmouth Spartans (8-0) as the only rookie head coaches in the past 80 years to start the season 7-0.

(This information supplied compliments of the NFL Media Dept.)

Thanks Baltimore Fans!

2009-11-02T06:08:34Z

I have much respect for your football team and your bloggers after this week! Thanks for the cross-blogging and congratulations on your win! Your team was dominant this week and I hope the Broncos use this to address the weaknesses that have been exploited by the Ravens. Hopefully we can take some aggression out on Pittsburgh next week to help right the ship and get you guys in better shape for your division. Cheers and respect!

Broncos fan kicked out for Standing

2009-11-02T03:02:46Z

Hey guys. Good win today. You deserved it. A Broncos fan at MileHighReport went to the game and was kicked out for standing. Now im not here to attack u guys and in fact the ravens fans were saying that the broncos fans standing were not a problen, the security were the problem. My question is what is the deal with standing at the stadium? Here is his post......

What happened... my friends and I were standing (with our hands in our pockets) in Section 113 Row 1 (end zone behind FG posts) while the Broncos were on D and were told by the Ravens staff to sit down. Jon Cline (VP of Ravens security) told us we're "outta here" if we stand up again.

He said we could only stand up on a "majority rules" basis and said it was grey. He said we could only stand up on "things like 3rd downs or celebrating a touchdown". Well we were eventually tossed midway through the 2nd quarter for standing with our hands in our pockets (well aware we had many eyes on us and trying to be model fans AND yell for the Broncs) while the Broncos were on 3rd down.

Video evidence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEmoLyBSHzc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VNOaD86wsQ

Again i just want to know the whole standing deal and what is and isnt allowed.

Beating Broncos Only Beginning

2009-11-02T00:34:33Z

The Baltimore Ravens went out on Sunday and showed the Denver Broncos that the 3-3 record they have compiled doesn't show just how good they are. The Ravens had lost 3 straight games to 3 good teams. The Patriots and Vikings some may consider to be great teams. They got a chance to prove their worth on Sunday against the undefeated Denver Broncos, and boy did they make good.

This is the Ravens team I expected to see game after game, week after week all season long and they certainly proved they are not down and out just yet. Denver has been a big surprise in my eyes so far this year, but they have proved to be a tough opponent nonetheless, and the Baltimore Ravens dispatched them with relative ease today.

Although Denver held Joe Flacco and the Baltimore passing attack in check with only 167 yards the Ravens rushing attack was able to crush the Denver season average of 79 yards per game, and pickup 125 yard on the ground. Baltimore special teams was the real back breaker today with Ladarius Webb returning a kick for a 95 yard TD.

Beating the Denver Broncos today was nice step back after 3 straight losses, but there is a long way to go on the Ravens road to the playoffs. The Ravens are going to need to pick up wins against Cinncinnati, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh in the coming weeks with the games against the Colts and Steelers being critical to their chances of making the playoffs.

I am extremely excited that the Ravens were able to win so convincingly against the surprising Denver Broncos this Sunday, but their work has just begun. There is a long road in front of them, and they are not going to be able to take any games off to climb back from 3-3. Hopefully the beatdown in Denver will be just the beginning of the road to the playoffs.

Keep it on Comcast's NFL RedZone All Day

2009-11-01T14:15:03Z

If you have Comcast NFL RedZone, just put that channel on and sit back to see every touchdown scored today in the 1pm and 4pm games, as they constantly switch between the action of the games and bring it all live to you. No more expensive NFL Sunday Ticket and having to constantly switch channels, hoping you see the big plays happen. Comcast's NFL RedZone does it all for you, even if they have to split the screen in two when more than one team is in the Red Zone.

While I'm sure you'll be watching the Baltimore Ravens beat the Denver Broncos today, but in between plays and commercial breaks, flip it on over to Comcast's NFL RedZone to see the rest of the day's action, live and in High Definition for every TD in the Red Zone!

(This post sponsored by Comcast's NFL RedZone)

Sunday Must Win Versus Broncos

2009-10-31T20:44:01Z

A couple weeks ago I was telling people here in Minnesota not to get too excited about their Vikings. The Vikings I said are never gonna get past the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl anyway. Fast forward two weeks, and one missed field goal, and those same people are asking me if I want them to make me some room on the Vikings bandwagon. That same Vikings bandwagon that couldn't help the Ravens out and beat the hated Steelers last weekend. The Ravens are in a must win game this Sunday in Baltimore. They are 3-3, and are even trailing the bi polar Cinncinnati Bengals by 2 games in the division. A loss here and they may be left wondering what went wrong with a season that looked so promising.

What does Baltimore get to welcome them back from the Bye week? The undefeated Denver Broncos. If you would have told me at the beginning of the season that one team in this game would be undefeated and one team would be 3-3 I would have thought the 3-3 team to have been the Denver Broncos who had nothing go right in the offseason it seemed. Drama after drama all summer long, but yet here they are on top of the AFC with wins against San Diego, New England, and Dallas in the last three weeks. While the Ravens on the other hand have lost 3 straight heart breakers against Minnesota, Cinncinnati at home, and New England.

The Vikings and Patriots weren't awful losses. Both came in close, hard fought games on the road. But losing to Cinncinnati at home, and allowing Cedric Benson to run at will, and Carson Palmer to drive down the field with only minutes left was very disheartening.

That all brings us to this coming Sunday. Baltimore and Denver both having offenses that are putting up very balanced numbers on the ground and by air. Baltimore with a slight edge in the passing and total yardage categories while Denver has done a little better on the ground. The difference in this game will be the defenses I think. The story here is the Denver Broncos. They look like the Ravens of old. Only allowing 79 yds per game on the ground, and 182 through the air. Baltimore on the other hand has done pretty well against the run but has given up some big yardage through the air this year, and now gets to deal with the surprising Kyle Orton to Brandon Marshall combo all day long.

Kickoff is less than 24 hours away, and the Baltimore Ravens need a win at home to save the season. A loss tomorrow could mean 3 games back in the division at the halfway point of the season. That's a tough whole to dig out of. I think with two weeks to prepare, and what I hope is a giant sense of urgency the Baltimore Ravens will come out and overwhelm the Broncos and keep themselves in the hunt for the AFC North.

NFL to Recognize & Honor Armed Forces

2009-10-31T13:53:25Z

The NFL has released information on how every team, including our Baltimore Ravens, plan to recognize and honor the Armed Forces during games in the month of November. The Ravens will be doing their part tomorrow when the host the Denver Broncos. Just plan to be in your seats when the National Anthem is playing.

NFL TEAMS RECOGNIZE VETERANS DAY

AND HONOR ARMED SERVICES THROUGHOUT

NOVEMBER

Clubs Honor Veterans With Special Pregame Ceremonies

And Team Community Outreach

The National Football League will honor veterans and active duty members of the military during November, with teams designating home games as special Veterans Recognition Games throughout the month. The NFL has a long history of supporting America’s armed services, including a 44-year partnership with the USO that includes overseas visits to troops and trips to military hospitals nationwide.

The NFL will continue to offer its Game Pass HD service free of charge at USO Centers for military members stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Germany, Italy, Korea and Japan. At the USO facility in each of these locations, servicemembers can watch every NFL game live and online in its entirety.

In addition, teams will honor veterans and the armed services with a number of pregame and in-stadium initiatives:

Arizona Cardinals	At their November 15 game, the Cardinals will host 120 military volunteers, representing all service branches and unfurl a field-size American flag for the National Anthem, which will be performed by a member of the Navy. The Colors will be presented by American Legion Ira Hayes Post 84, and a local servicemember will be the game’s Honorary Captain.
Atlanta Falcons	At the November 8 game, the Falcons Fitness Flag Crew, presented by Flagstar Bank, will be comprised of soldiers from Fort Gordon’s Warrior Transition Battalion and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center for Rehab in Augusta. The team will show the names of all season ticket holders who are veterans on their video board and display a “Thank You Veterans” ribbon. Falcons players will tape thank you messages for veterans to air on the jumbotron during the game. Prior to the Anthem, fans will be asked to observe a moment of silence, followed by recognition of veterans in-stadium. A local veteran will participate in the coin toss.
Baltimore Ravens	The Ravens will honor military members at their November 1 game. Festivities will include a pregame A-10 aircraft flyover, a serviceman as Honorary Captain of the Game, the Maryland National Guard’s salute to troops headed to Afghanistan, a live video feed from Afghanistan, a halftime performance by Baltimore’s Marching Ravens, a presentation of the Fort McHenry Great Garrison Flag and red, white and blue uniforms for the cheerleaders’ quarter-break performance.
Buffalo Bills	On November 1, the Bills will host their annual military appreciation on-field pregame ceremony. One-hundred servicemembers, including representatives from all military branches, will be on-field, and veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and the Iraq conflict will all be recognized. The team will also pay tribute to members of Wounded Warriors and welcome them on-field.
Carolina Panthers	The Panthers will host a Pro vs. GI Joe event at Bank of America Stadium on November 3. Chris Harris and Hilee Taylor will compete against active duty military personnel stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan in video games. The soldier’s families will also be present to speak to the soldiers via a video conference hookup. On November 10, Panthers players Jason Baker, Gary Barnidge, Mackenzy Bernadeau and N’ail Diggs will visit traveling service personnel at the USO station at Charlotte Douglas Airport. At the November 15 game, the team will welcome military personnel who recently returned from active duty. They will lead the Panthers on-field and serve as honorary coin toss captains. Pregame ceremonies will feature color guards from all five service branches, and the game will include a salute to military heroes and POW-MIA recognition. Halftime will include the recognition of each service branch and a swearing-in ceremony for new military enlistees.
Chicago Bears	On November 3, the Bears will make an appearance at the North Chicago VA Medical Center and deliver letters written to veterans by local students as part of the Hello to Our Heroes program. Sponsored by Staples, the program pairs players with students to write letters to veterans each month during the season. At the November 8 game, a soldier will deliver the American Flag to the field before players run out of the team tunnel. Army Generals and award recipients will serve as Honorary Captains for the coin toss. The U.S. Naval Academy Women’s Glee Club will sing the National Anthem while men and women representing the service’s five branches hold a large American flag on-field. Halftime activities will include a re-enlistment ceremony with men and women from all branches, and a soldier will serve as the 4th Phase Captain.
Cincinnati Bengals	The Bengals will host over 50 military members, representing all service branches, at their November 8 game. They will take part in a flag unfurling during the National Anthem, followed by an Air Force flyover. There will be an on-field check presentation by Kroger to Operation Home Front. The JungleZone area will feature an interactive Marines and Operation Home Front display. Tributes will run throughout the game, including messages to the team from deployed soldiers.
Cleveland Browns	Through the Cleveland Browns Hats Off to Our Heroes program, the Browns will honor fallen soldiers during the November 16 game. Loved ones representing the soldiers will be seated in the “Honor Row” during the game. Additionally, a custom United States shaped American flag will be used during the National Anthem with five stars surrounding the flag – one for each branch of the Armed Forces. Veterans from each branch of the military will hold the star that they represent. The honorary Coin Toss Captain for this game will be a decorated war veteran.
Dallas Cowboys	The Cowboys will host a military-themed game recognizing the USO and servicemembers. Festivities will include a performance with team’s cheerleaders and Neal McCoy. At the end of the halftime performance, 50 children from Snowball Express will be escorted on-field. Snowball Express is an organization that supports the children of fallen heroes. The Marines also will perform pregame with their drum and bugle corps.
Denver Broncos	At the November 9 game, a retired Golden Knight and Purple Heart recipient will parachute into the stadium with the Thunderstorm Skydive Team, using a Purple Heart Parachute. Halftime ceremonies will include a salute to military members, with all branches represented on-field. The Air Force Academy Band will sing God Bless America, and a Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient will be honored. Military shout-outs will be shown throughout the game.
Detroit Lions	The Lions will hold an induction ceremony at their November 1 game. The 119th Field Artillery and 182 Field Artillery Battalions will represent the Michigan Army National Guard during a pregame pre-deployment ceremony. One hundred soldiers will attend the game, and all veterans in attendance will be recognized. The team will also honor a local military member who recently returned home from Iraq at the game. The Lions honor a soldier at each of their home games as part of their Hometown Heroes Program.
Green Bay Packers	On November 15, the Packers will unfurl a large flag on-field and host an Air Force flyover. The team will recognize a Military Family of the Game on-field before the National Anthem.
Houston Texans	The Texans saluted the military at their October 25 game, at which President George H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush served as Honorary Captains. The National Anthem was performed by a member of the military, followed by members of the US Army Golden Knights parachuting in with American Flag and Game Ball. The Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon performed during halftime, followed by a live satellite feed from the USS Bush, during which President George H.W. Bush addressed the troops. The Texans also hosted a field day for 100 wounded Veterans from the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio at the team’s training facility, and Coach Kubiak invited wounded veterans to attend the first 30 minutes of practice. Lunch was served by the Lady Texans organization.
Indianapolis Colts	Colts players and the team mascot will visit the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis on November 10 to spend time with veterans and attend a birthday party for the Marines. The team will be joined by Purple Heart recipient, Colts community liaison and motivational speaker Josh Bleill. At the November 8 game, cheerleaders will perform a halftime show recognizing veterans.
Jacksonville Jaguars	On November 8, the Jaguars will recognize 12 veterans pregame, and the team will be lead on-field by sailors from NAS Jacksonville, followed by a moment of silence and a 21-gun salute. The National Anthem will be delivered on the video board from a soldier in Taqaddum, Iraq. A flyover will be conducted by a B-2 Spirit from Whiteman AFB, and a large American flag will be held by airmen from Tyndall AFB. At halftime, the team will host a mass induction ceremony, involving all five branches of the military. During the 3rd quarter break, Wounded Warriors will be recognized on the field. Outside the stadium, a Navy helicopter and an Army CH-47 Chinook will be on display, along with an EOD weapons display.
Kansas City Chiefs	The Chiefs Rookie Club will host students from the Derrick Thomas Academy for a special field trip at the National World War I Museum. During the visit, the Chiefs will announce a $5,000 grant to the museum. These funds will be used to formulate a “family guide,” which will educate visitors of the museum on its history and displays. The Chiefs also honored past, present and future members of the Armed Forces as they hosted more than 1,200 local military personnel during the club’s Military Appreciation Day at Arrowhead. In addition to several special presentations, the team also debuted Chiefs-branded Military Appreciation Day merchandise, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the U.S. Army’s Wounded Warriors unit from Fort Riley, Kansas.
Miami Dolphins	The Dolphins’ November 15 game will feature a military ‘stand to’ and enlistment ceremony, with over 200 servicemembers on-field during pregame activities. Members of the National Guard Band and Parris Island Marine Band will greet fans at entrance gates to the stadium, and halftime activities will include a performance by the Parris Island Marine Band. Several Dolphins players will donate their All Community Team Tickets to groups including Wounded Warriors Project. On November 10, Ricky Williams and several of his teammates will host a luncheon for service members from Wounded Warriors Miami. They will also be Williams’ guests at the November 15 game.
Minnesota Vikings	On November 10, the Vikings will be visit the V.A. Hospital in Minneapolis to dedicate a Viking themed area at the hospital. Additionally, Vikings players will visit the Veteran’s Home in Minneapolis. At the November 15 game, the “Minnesota Vikings Salute to the Military” campaign will include military members involved with the National Anthem and Color Guard. A servicemember will be designated as the day’s Honorary Viking. The Mall of America Field Plaza will feature military vehicles and a climbing wall pregame, and a large flag will be unfurled during the anthem. Patriotic songs will be performed pregame on the plaza stage.
New England Patriots	At their November 8 game, the Patriots will recognize veterans and active military members on-field prior to kickoff and with a video played at halftime. Active servicemembers and veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf will be honored at the game. The coin toss will include participation from two veterans, one of whom is a Patriots fan and one who is a Dolphins fan.
New Orleans Saints	The Saints will honor the military at their November 2 game. Pregame entertainment will include a flag unfurling presentation with 125 active duty participants from all branches of the military and feature “Saints shot out” messages by military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan on the video boards. A marine will perform the National Anthem and the Commandant of the USMC will be presented as a special guest during the coin toss. During halftime, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon will perform.
New York Giants	At their November 8 game, the Giants will recognize crew members from the USS New York, a vessel whose bow is comprised of steel salvaged from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. The team also will host a volunteer group representing Homes For Our Troops, a non-profit organization dedicated to building adapted homes for severely injured veterans; they will be on-site distributing ribbons to fans. On Veterans Day, the Giants will host local Wounded Warriors at practice and invite them for lunch in the players’ cafeteria.
New York Jets	At their November 15 game, the Jets will celebrate their 10th annual Military Appreciation Day. Seventy-five military personnel representing each of the five branches of the military will be guests at practice on November 13. Pregame on Sunday, each branch of the military will have exhibits and recruiting stations set up outside the stadium. Vocalists from the Air Force Singing Sergeants will perform the National Anthem, with members of each branch of the military on-field. The Maguire Air Force Base joint color guard will present the colors, and a B-52 bomber will perform a flyover at the conclusion of the Anthem. A local four-star general will serve as honorary captain, and halftime will include a performance by the Air Force Honor Guard precision drill team. Throughout the game, special messages from troops will be played in-stadium, as well as a message from Coach Ryan and player messages to servicemembers. Public service announcements will be played in-stadium promoting each branch of the military.
Oakland Raiders	On November 10, Raiders players will visit with veterans at the VA Medical Center in San Francisco, speaking about football experiences and will answering questions.
Philadelphia Eagles	On November 6, the Eagles will host a Pro vs. GI Joe event at the NovaCare Complex. Players will play Guitar Hero against soldiers in Iraq and meet with approximately 25 military members. Family members of the soldiers playing in Iraq will be in attendance to visit with their loved ones onscreen. The Eagles will honor the military at their November 8 game by featuring the US Marines Silent Drill Team at halftime and unfurling a field-size American Flag during the Anthem.
Pittsburgh Steelers	The Steelers and VA Healthcare hosted the second annual Heroes at Heinz Field event for 75 veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Participants, many wounded in the war, tried out their football skills with the help of Steelers players Patrick Bailey, Charlie Batch, Keyaron Fox, Doug Legursky, Ryan Mundy, Dan Sepulveda, A.Q. Shipley, Kraig Urbik and Greg Warren. The players spent time speaking with veterans and expressing gratitude for their service. At the November 15 game, the color guard will consist of local veterans.
St. Louis Rams	On November 10, Jason Brown and teammates will visit a local VA Hospital to encourage patients and sign autographs. At the November 15 game, the team will have a Salute to American Veterans presentation during halftime with a pass in review including local military organizations. The team will honor veterans during the game, and the National Anthem will be performed by Navy personnel.
San Diego Chargers	As part of the Chargers’ ongoing support for San Diego County active duty military and veterans, on November 10, Chargers players and cheerleaders will visit the San Diego’s VA Hospital to spend time with patients and veterans groups. As part of the day’s activities, the team will provide a donation for some new recreational equipment.
San Francisco 49ers	Current and former members of the 49ers will visit a local retirement home to host a card tournament. During the event, the entire group will join in the Pledge of Allegiance, and veterans will be recognized by the Color Guard and given a limited edition 49ers pin to honor their service. As part of a longstanding tradition, at the November 8 game, a color guard consisting of members of a variety of branches of the military will present the flag during the National Anthem. Additionally, discounted tickets will be offered to members of the military.
Seattle Seahawks	At the Seahawks November 8 game, representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion will be introduced as a large American flag is unfurled. Other military guests on the sidelines will include members from the Warrior Transition Battalion. The US Navy Academy Glee Club will perform the National Anthem, followed by a flyover, and representatives from McChord Air Force Base will present the American flag.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	On November 11, Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Mark Dominik will welcome two returning veterans into their new homes, courtesy of the Buccaneers in partnership with Rebuild Together Tampa Bay. Named “Operation: Bucs Rebuild,” these homes will provide safe havens for veterans. These abandoned homes are being totally refurbished and updated as part of the City of Tampa’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
Tennessee Titans	On November 10, Titans players, cheerleaders and staff will visit the Nashville V. A. Medical Center, led by Ahmard Hall, who served for four years in the Marines with service in Kosovo. In addition, the team’s 11th annual Titans Salute to Veteran’s Day will take place during the November 15 game, with 120 soldiers from Fort Campbell 101st Airborne Division unfurling a giant American Flag spanning the entire field for the National Anthem, followed by a flyover of F-16’s from the 187th Fighter Wing. At halftime, the 101st Airborne Division Army Band will play each military branch’s song and a color guard from that branch will parade across the field. The team will present a game ball to the Fort Campbell Commanding General and to a group of Wounded Warriors who will be attending the game.
Washington Redskins	On November 10, the Redskins will host a Pro vs. GI Joe event at Redskins Park. Players will play Guitar Hero against soldiers overseas and meet with approximately 25 active, retired and wounded military members. Family members of the soldiers playing overseas will be in attendance to visit with their loved ones onscreen. Additionally, Redskins players will visit with wounded warriors in the morning at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. At the November 15 game, the Redskins will honor the military by featuring the US Air Force and Military Order of the Purple Heart during the coin toss and halftime ceremonies. In addition, the Redskins will be hosting a “Timeout for Military Veterans’ Health” at the stadium on November 7, with free health screenings.

What To Look For - Week 8

2009-10-30T13:46:49Z

The NFL's Media Dept. sends me direct info on the upcoming games each week. This week's tidbits include stats that show 10 QB's are on pace to pass for more than 4,000 yards in a single season, which would be an NFL record. Why should this matter to you? Well, the list of 10 QB's includes none other than our own Baltimore Ravens' Joe Flacco. See below for more:

FOR USE AS DESIRED

October 28, 2009

http://twitter.com/nflfootballinfo

WHAT TO LOOK FOR – WEEK 8

SWEET 16: The Indianapolis Colts have won a franchise-record 15 consecutive regular-season games dating back to 2008. With a win against San Francisco in Week 8, the Colts can tie for the fourth-longest such streak in NFL history.

The longest regular-season winning streaks in NFL history:

TEAM	YEARS	WIN STREAK
New England Patriots	2006-08	21
New England Patriots	2003-04	18
Chicago Bears	1933-34	17
Chicago Bears	1941-42	16
Miami Dolphins	1971-73	16
Miami Dolphins	1983-84	16
Pittsburgh Steelers	2004-05	16

*Indianapolis Colts*	*2008-09*	15*
* Active

-- NFL --

4,000-YARD RECORD TO FALL?: In 1967, the New York Jets’ JOE NAMATH (4,007) became the first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in a season. In 2007, seven passers reached the 4,000-yard mark, the most in any season.

That mark may fall in 2009. Through seven weeks, 10 quarterbacks are on pace for 4,000 yards.

The 10 quarterbacks who project to 4,000 yards in 2009:

QUARTERBACK	TEAM	GAMES	YARDS	YARDS/GAME	PROJECTION
Peyton Manning	Indianapolis	6	1,880	313.3	5,013
Philip Rivers	San Diego	6	1,787	297.8	4,765
Matt Schaub	Houston	7	2,074	296.3	4,741
Ben Roethlisberger	Pittsburgh	7	2,062	294.6	4,713
Tom Brady	New England	7	2,032	290.3	4,645
Aaron Rodgers	Green Bay	6	1,702	283.7	4,539
Drew Brees	New Orleans	6	1,698	283.0	4,528
Joe Flacco	Baltimore	6	1,674	279.0	4,464
Kurt Warner	Arizona	6	1,672	278.7	4,459
Tony Romo	Dallas	6	1,652	275.3	4,405

MORE 4,000: Indianapolis Colts quarterback PEYTON MANNING has completed 3,995 passes in his 12-year NFL career. With five completions against the 49ers this week, Manning can become the fourth player in NFL history with 4,000 career completions.

Manning, who will play his 183rd career game this week, would be the fastest to 4,000 if he reaches the milestone against San Francisco.

The NFL quarterbacks with 4,000 career completions and the number of games it took them to reach the mark:

QUARTERBACK	NO. OF GAMES TO 4,000	CAREER COMPLETIONS
Dan Marino	193		4,967
Brett Favre	196		5,878*
John Elway	227		4,123

*Peyton Manning*	*182*		3,995*
* Active

MIRACLE MILES: Dallas wide receiver MILES AUSTIN followed up his breakout 250-yard receiving performance against Kansas City in Week 5 with another 171 yards in Week 7 in the Cowboys’ 37-21 win over Atlanta after the bye week.

With 421 receiving yards in his first two starts, Austin already has more yards than any other NFL player over his first three starts. He can extend his record against Seattle in Week 8.

Austin can also become the second player since 1970 with 100 or more receiving yards in each of his first three starts. He would join Atlanta Falcons wide receiver STACEY BAILEY (1983) as the only players to accomplish the feat.

The five players with the most receiving yards in their first three NFL starts (since 1970):

PLAYER	YARDS
*Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys*	421*
Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals	378
Marcus Robinson, Chicago Bears	377
Dave Stief, St. Louis Cardinals	361
Mike Quick, Philadelphia Eagles	340
* Through 2 starts

-- NFL --

LAMBEAU LEAP: Minnesota Vikings quarterback BRETT FAVRE will return to Lambeau Field this week for the first time as a visiting player. During his 16-year career in Green Bay, Favre won 89 games at Lambeau.

This Sunday, Favre can become the second quarterback to win 90 games at a stadium since 1970. Only JOHN ELWAY, who won 95 games at Mile High Stadium, has reached the 90-win mark at an NFL venue during that span.

The quarterbacks to win the most career games at one stadium (since 1970):

QUARTERBACK	STADIUM	NO. OF WINS
John Elway	Mile High Stadium	95
*Brett Favre*	*Lambeau Field*	89*
Terry Bradshaw	Three Rivers Stadium	67
Dan Marino	Land Shark Stadium	60
Phil Simms	Giants Stadium	59
* Active

-- NFL --

GREATER 48: Jacksonville wide receiver TORRY HOLT had a season-high 101 receiving yards in the Jaguars’ 23-20 overtime win against St. Louis in Week 6, marking the 47th 100-yard game of his career.

Holt and Buffalo wide receiver TERRELL OWENS are now tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer MICHAEL IRVIN with 47 career 100-yard games, and each has the opportunity to move into sole possession of fifth place on the all-time list in Week 8.

Holt’s Jaguars will visit the Titans and Owens’ Bills will host the Texans this Sunday.

The most 100-yard receiving games in NFL history:

PLAYER	100-YARD REC. GAMES
Jerry Rice	76
Randy Moss	62*
Marvin Harrison	59
Don Maynard	50
Michael Irvin	47
*Torry Holt*	47*
*Terrell Owens*	47*
* Active

ESPN Feature Story on Flacco

2009-10-29T21:49:28Z

This is a great article documenting the meteoric rise of Flacco. I just thought I'd pass it along. It's pretty incredible to think that this guy was almost going to play baseball when his coach told him, "Joe, you realize the scouts are coming, right?"

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4597239

"I have not detected anything that is tough for him. I just haven't."

--QB Coach Hue Jackson on Joe Flacco

AFC & NFC Players/Rookies of the Week & Month

2009-10-29T19:19:43Z

Courtesy of the NFL PR Department, here are each conferences' Players of the Week for week 7, followed by the Players & Rookies of the Month for October, after the 'Jump.'

BENGALS QB CARSON PALMER,

PATRIOTS S BRANDON MERIWEATHER

& BILLS P BRIAN MOORMAN

NAMED AFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 7

Quarterback CARSON PALMER of the Cincinnati Bengals, safety BRANDON MERIWEATHER of the New England Patriots and punter BRIAN MOORMAN of the Buffalo Bills are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the seventh week of the 2009 season (October 25-26), the NFL announced today.

OFFENSE: QB CARSON PALMER, CINCINNATI BENGALS

Palmer completed 20 of 24 passes for 233 yards with five touchdowns versus zero interceptions and a 146.7 passer rating in Cincinnati’s 45-10 win over Chicago.
His five touchdown passes were the second most of his career (6 vs. Cleveland on 9/16/07).
Recorded a season-high 83.3 completion percentage (20 of 24).
Posted a career-high 146.7 passer rating.
Posted his best TD-INT differential at plus-five and tied BOOMER ESIASON for the Bengals record (five TDs versus zero INTs on Oct. 29, 1989).
Ranks fourth in the AFC and fifth in the NFL with 13 touchdown passes through Week 7.
Helped Cincinnati post a 5-2 record for the first time since 2005 (AFC North champions).
In his seventh year from Southern California, this is Palmer’s second career Player of the Week Award. He previously won the award in 2004 (Week 13).

DEFENSE: S BRANDON MERIWEATHER, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Meriweather registered two interceptions in the first six minutes of the game and scored his first career touchdown on a 39-yard INT-TD return in a 35-7 win over Tampa Bay in the NFL’s International Series game in London.
Posted the first INT-TD return for New England since EUGENE WILSON scored on a five-yard interception return vs. the New York Jets on December 16, 2007.
Meriweather is the first Patriot to have two interceptions in a game since ASANTE SAMUEL (against Philadelphia on 11/25/07).
The Patriots have forced at least one turnover in 15 consecutive games, the longest current streak in the NFL. New England had three interceptions against Tampa Bay.
Helped the Patriots win their 17th consecutive regular-season game against the NFC, the longest interconference winning streak since the 1970 merger.
In his third year from Miami, this is Meriweather’s first career Player of the Week award. He is the first Patriot safety to win the award since RODNEY HARRISON in 2004 (Week 2).

SPECIAL TEAMS: P BRIAN MOORMAN, BUFFALO BILLS

In a 20-9 win over Carolina, Moorman averaged 45.0 yards on eight punts and tied for a league-high in Week 7 with four punts inside of the 20-yard line.
Buffalo’s punt return unit held Carolina to a two yards per punt return average.
Tied CHRIS MOHR’s team record with 190 career punts inside the 20-yard line.
Has recorded a 50-yard punt in seven consecutive games (55 yards in Week 7).
The past two games, Moorman had eight of his 16 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
Ranks fifth in the NFL with a 41.1 net average through Week 7.
In his ninth year from Pittsburg State, this is Moorman’s fifth career Player of the Week award. Moorman last won the award in 2006 (Week 15).

2009 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

	Offense	Defense	Special Teams
Wk 1	QB Tom Brady, New England	LB David Harris, N.Y. Jets	K Jeff Reed, Pittsburgh
Wk 2	QB Matt Schaub, Houston	DE Antwan Odom, Cincinnati	K Rian Lindell, Buffalo
Wk 3	RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville	LB Brendon Ayanbadejo, Baltimore	LB Jason Trusnik, N.Y. Jets
Wk 4	RB Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh	CB Champ Bailey, Denver	KR-WR Jacoby Jones, Houston
Wk 5	QB Kyle Orton, Denver	LB James Harrison, Pittsburgh	P Dave Zastudil, Cleveland
Wk 6	QB Tom Brady, New England	LB Brian Cushing, Houston	KR-PR-WR Eddie Royal, Denver
Wk 7	QB Carson Palmer, Cincinnati	S Brandon Meriweather, New England	P Brian Moorman, Buffalo

Other nominees for AFC Offensive Player of Week 7:

Cincinnati running back CEDRIC BENSON, who rushed for 189 yards (5.1 average) on 37 attempts with one touchdown.
San Diego wide receiver VINCENT JACKSON, who recorded five receptions for 142 yards (28.4 average) with one touchdown.
Indianapolis quarterback PEYTON MANNING, who completed 23 of 34 passes (67.6 percent) for 235 yards with three touchdowns versus zero interceptions and a 116.7 passer rating in the Colts’ 42-6 win over the Rams.
San Diego quarterback PHILIP RIVERS, who completed 18 of 30 passes (60.0 percent) for 268 yards with three touchdowns versus zero interceptions and a 122.6 passer rating.
Miami running back RICKY WILLIAMS, who totaled 80 rushing yards on nine attempts (8.9 average) with three rushing touchdowns in a 46-34 loss to the Saints.

Other nominees for AFC Defensive Player of Week 7:

Buffalo rookie safety JAIRUS BYRD, who recorded two tackles, two interceptions and two passes defensed.
Pittsburgh linebacker JAMES FARRIOR, who led the team with 15 tackles and one sack in a 27-17 win over the Vikings.
Pittsburgh linebacker KEYARON FOX, who posted an 82-yard interception return touchdown.
Cincinnati cornerback LEON HALL, who posted six tackles, two interceptions and four passes defensed.
Pittsburgh linebacker JAMES HARRISON, who totaled seven tackles, two sacks and three tackles for a loss.
Indianapolis rookie defensive back JACOB LACEY, who registered a 35-yard interception return touchdown and added three tackles.
Pittsburgh linebacker LA MARR WOODLEY, who posted a 77-yard fumble return touchdown.

Other nominee for AFC Special Teams Player of Week 7:

San Diego linebacker BRANDON SILER, who recorded a team-high four tackles on special teams.

EAGLES WR DE SEAN JACKSON, CARDINALS S ADRIAN WILSON &

COWBOYS PR-WR PATRICK CRAYTON

NAMED NFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 7

Wide receiver DE SEAN JACKSON of the Philadelphia Eagles, safety ADRIAN WILSON of the Arizona Cardinals and punt returner-wide receiver PATRICK CRAYTON of the Dallas Cowboys are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the seventh week of the 2009 season (October 25-26), the NFL announced today.

OFFENSE: WR DE SEAN JACKSON, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Jackson had a 67-yard touchdown run and a 57-yard TD reception in the Eagles’ 27-17 win over Washington.
He is only the second player in team history to have a 50+ yard touchdown run and reception in the same game, joining BOSH PRITCHARD, who accomplished the feat in 1949.
Over the past 20 years, only two other players have recorded a 50+ yard receiving and rushing touchdown in a game (CHRIS JOHNSON & CLINTON PORTIS).
Jackson has scored five touchdowns (three receiving, one punt-return, one rushing) this season and all have been for at least 50 yards. He is only the fifth player in NFL history to record a receiving, rushing and punt-return touchdown in each of his first two seasons.
He has scored a 60+ yard touchdown in four of the first six games of the season, only the fourth player in NFL history to accomplish that feat.
In his second season from California, this is Jackson’s second career Player of the Week Award and first on offense. He was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Kickoff Weekend.
Jackson joins running back BRIAN WESTBROOK as the only Eagles to win weekly awards for both offense and special teams.

DEFENSE: S ADRIAN WILSON, ARIZONA CARDINALS

Wilson had five tackles, including two tackles for a loss, an interception, a fumble recovery and two passes defensed in the Cardinals’ 24-17 primetime win at the New York Giants.
Leading 17-14 in the third quarter, Wilson intercepted a New York pass and returned the ball to the Giants’ 20-yard line. Three plays later, the Cardinals scored a touchdown to take a 24-14 lead.
His fumble recovery came late in the fourth quarter with the Giants driving into Arizona territory and the Cardinals holding a seven-point advantage.
The Arizona defense held New York’s offense, which entered the game ranked third in the NFC averaging 402.0 yards per game, to 327 total yards.
The Cardinals forced four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble), with Wilson playing a role in two.
In his ninth season from North Carolina State, this is Wilson’s third career Player of the Week Award. He previously won in Week 7, 2002 and Week 4, 2004.
He is the third Cardinals defensive player to be honored three times, joining ANTREL ROLLE and AENEAS WILLIAMS.

SPECIAL TEAMS: PR-WR PATRICK CRAYTON, DALLAS COWBOYS

Crayton had a 73-yard punt-return touchdown and a five-yard touchdown reception in the Cowboys’ 37-21 win over Atlanta.
Filling in for injured punt returner ALLEN ROSSUM, Crayton returned three punts for 87 yards (29.0 average), including the first PR-TD of his career.
The 73-yard punt-return touchdown was the longest by a Cowboy since DEION SANDERS (76 yards) in 1999.
Crayton’s TD reception came with six seconds left in the second quarter to give Dallas a 17-7 halftime lead. His punt-return touchdown occurred in the fourth quarter and expanded the Cowboys’ lead to 34-14.
In his sixth season from Northwestern Oklahoma State, this is Crayton’s first Player of the Week Award.

2009 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

	Offense	Defense	Special Teams
Wk 1	QB Drew Brees, New Orleans	DE Justin Tuck, New York Giants	PR-WR DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia
Wk 2	RB Frank Gore, San Francisco	LB Chad Greenway, Minnesota	DE Calais Campbell, Arizona
Wk 3	QB Kevin Kolb, Philadelphia	LB Lance Briggs, Chicago	KR-WR Percy Harvin, Minnesota
Wk 4	QB Brett Favre, Minnesota	S Darren Sharper, New Orleans	KR-WR Johnny Knox, Chicago
Wk 5	WR Miles Austin, Dallas	CB D. Rodgers-Cromartie, Arizona	P Jason Baker, Carolina
Wk 6	QB Drew Brees, New Orleans	S Thomas DeCoud, Atlanta	KR-WR Sammie Stroughter, Tampa Bay
Wk 7	WR DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia	S Adrian Wilson, Arizona	PR-WR Patrick Crayton, Dallas

Other nominees for NFC Offensive Player of Week 7:

Dallas wide receiver MILES AUSTIN, who had six receptions for 171 yards (28.5 average) and two touchdowns.
San Francisco tight end VERNON DAVIS, who had seven receptions for 93 yards and three touchdowns in the 49ers’ 24-21 loss at Houston. Davis’ three touchdowns are the most in franchise history for a tight end.
Green Bay running back RYAN GRANT, who rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown in the Packers’ 31-3 win at Cleveland.
Minnesota wide receiver SIDNEY RICE, who had 10 receptions for 136 yards in the Vikings’ 27-17 loss at Pittsburgh.
New Orleans tight end JEREMY SHOCKEY, who had four catches for 105 yards (26.3 average) in the Saints’ 46-34 win at Miami.

Other nominees for NFC Defensive Player of Week 7:

Green Bay linebacker A.J. HAWK, who had a team-high eight tackles, including three tackles for a loss.
New Orleans safety DARREN SHARPER, who had four tackles and a 42-yard interception-return touchdown, the 11th of his career, which ranks second in NFL history.
Philadelphia linebacker WILL WITHERSPOON, who had eight tackles, a nine-yard interception-return touchdown, a sack and a forced fumble in his first game with the Eagles.

Other nominees for NFC Special Teams Player of Week 7:

New Orleans kicker JOHN CARNEY, who scored 10 points on two field goals and four PATs. Carney has 2,007 career points and passed Pro Football Hall of Famer GEORGE BLANDA (2,002) for third place all-time.
Green Bay tight end SPENCER HAVNER, who had two special teams tackles and caught a 45-yard touchdown pass.

PATRIOTS QB TOM BRADY, STEELERS LB JAMES HARRISON &

BRONCOS KR-WR EDDIE ROYAL

NAMED AFC PLAYERS OF MONTH FOR OCTOBER

Quarterback TOM BRADY of the New England Patriots, linebacker JAMES HARRISON of the Pittsburgh Steelers and kick returner-wide receiver EDDIE ROYAL of the Denver Broncos are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Month for October, the NFL announced today.

OFFENSE: TOM BRADY, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Brady led the Patriots to a 3-1 record in October and completed 92 of 131 passes (70.2 percent) for 1,161 yards with 12 touchdowns versus two interceptions and a 121.7 passer rating.
Led the NFL with 12 touchdown passes in October and ranks first in the AFC and second in the NFL with a 121.7 passer rating for the month (AARON RODGERS, 123.9).
In Week 6 against Tennessee (10/18), Brady set an NFL record with five touchdowns in a quarter while earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
In Week 7 against Tampa Bay (10/25), he completed 23 of 32 passes (71.9 percent) for 308 yards to register his 26th 300-yard game, tying DREW BLEDSOE for the most 300-yard games in franchise history.
Since 2006, Brady has a 12-1 (.923) record in October and has 42 touchdowns versus five interceptions and a 121.0 passer rating.
In his 10th season from Michigan, this is Brady’s third career Player of the Month Award. Brady last won the award in October of 2007.

DEFENSE: JAMES HARRISON, PITTSBURGH STEELERS.

Harrison registered 25 tackles, seven sacks and forced two fumbles while helping the Steelers post a 4-0 record in October.
Led the NFL with seven sacks in October and is tied for second in the league with eight sacks in 2009.
In Week 5 against Detroit (10/11), Harrison recorded three sacks and forced one fumble, while earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Recorded two sacks in Week 4 against San Diego (10/4) and in Week 7 (10/25) against Minnesota.
The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year is on pace for 18 sacks in 2009, which would surpass his 2008 team record of 16 sacks in a season.
In his sixth year from Kent State, this is Harrison’s second Player of the Month Award. He last won the award in November of 2007.

SPECIAL TEAMS: EDDIE ROYAL, DENVER BRONCOS

Royal totaled 292 return yards and two return touchdowns while helping Denver to a 3-0 record in October.
Returned eight punts for 134 yards (16.8 average) with a 71-yard PR-TD and posted five kick returns for 158 yards (31.6 average), including a 93-yard KR-TD.
He was the only player in the NFL for the month to rank among the league’s top four in kick return average (third, 31.6) and punt return average (fourth, 16.8).
In Week 6 against San Diego (10/19), Royal became only the 11th player in NFL history (second Bronco) and sixth player since the 1970 merger to score a touchdown on a kick return and punt return in the same game.
His two combined kick return touchdowns led the NFL for the month.
In his second year from Virginia Tech, this is Royal’s first career Player of the Month Award. Royal is the second Bronco to win Special Teams Player of the Month this season (MATT PRATER in September).

2009 AFC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH

	Offense	Defense	Special Teams
September	QB Peyton Manning, Indianapolis	DE Antwan Odom, Cincinnati	K Matt Prater, Denver
October	QB Tom Brady, New England	LB James Harrison, Pittsburgh	KR-WR Eddie Royal, Denver

PACKERS QB AARON RODGERS, SAINTS S DARREN SHARPER &

BEARS KR-WR JOHNNY KNOX

NAMED NFC PLAYERS OF MONTH FOR OCTOBER

Quarterback AARON RODGERS of the Green Bay Packers, safety DARREN SHARPER of the New Orleans Saints and kick returner-wide receiver JOHNNY KNOX of the Chicago Bears are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Month for October, the NFL announced today.

OFFENSE: QB AARON RODGERS, GREEN BAY PACKERS

Rodgers led the Packers to a 2-1 record and posted an NFL-best 123.9 passer rating during the month.
He passed for 988 yards in October and averaged a league-high 329.3 yards per game.
Rodgers completed an NFC-best 74.5 percent of his passes (70 of 94) during October and his 10.51 yards per attempt mark led the league.
He had a passer rating of at least 110 in all three games, including a near-perfect 155.4 mark in Week 7 at Cleveland, the highest single-game total in franchise history.
Rodgers has now posted a 110+ rating in four consecutive games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer BART STARR (1966) as the only Packers to accomplish the feat.
In his fifth season from California, this is Rodgers’ first career Player of the Month Award.
He is the second Packer to win a monthly award this year, joining CHARLES WOODSON (Defense, September).
The last Green Bay quarterback to win a monthly award was BRETT FAVRE (November 2004).

DEFENSE: S DARREN SHARPER, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Sharper led the NFL with two interception-return touchdowns this month and tied for third in the league with three interceptions in October. He added 17 tackles and a half-sack during the month.
He had a 99-yard interception-return touchdown in Week 4 and added a 42-yard INT-TD in Week 7. He now has 11 career INT-TDs, the second-most in NFL history behind Pro Football Hall of Famer ROD WOODSON’s 12.
Sharper, who also had a 97-yard INT-TD earlier in the year, is the only player in NFL history with two 95+ yard interception-return touchdowns in a single season.
He leads the NFL this season with six interceptions, 317 return yards and three INT-TDs.
In his 13th season from William and Mary, this is Sharper’s second career Player of the Month Award (November 2005). He was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week earlier this season (Week 4).
He is the second Saint to win a monthly award this season, joining DREW BREES (Offense, September).

SPECIAL TEAMS: KR-WR JOHNNY KNOX, CHICAGO BEARS

Knox had 12 returns for 347 yards (28.9 average) with one touchdown (102 yards) in October.
His 28.9-yard average was the highest mark in the NFC for the month (min. 10 returns).
Knox’s 102-yard touchdown is the longest play this season and the second-longest kick-return touchdown in franchise history (Pro Football Hall of Famer GALE SAYERS, 103 yards).
He added 12 catches for 107 yards during the month with one touchdown.
He scored a touchdown in two of the Bears’ three games in October and had a streak of four games in a row with a touchdown. He is the first rookie in team history to score a TD in four consecutive games since Pro Football Hall of Famer WALTER PAYTON (1975).
In his rookie season from Abilene Christian, this is Knox’s first career Player of the Month Award. He was named the Special Teams Player of the Week earlier this season (Week 4).

2009 NFC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH

	Offense	Defense	Special Teams
September	QB Drew Brees, New Orleans	CB Charles Woodson, Green Bay	PR-WR DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia
October	QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay	S Darren Sharper, New Orleans	KR-WR Johnny Knox, Chicago

GIANTS WR HAKEEM NICKS & BILLS S JAIRUS BYRD

NAMED NFL ROOKIES OF MONTH FOR OCTOBER

Wide receiver HAKEEM NICKS of the New York Giants and safety JAIRUS BYRD of the Buffalo Bills are the NFL Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Month for October, the NFL announced today.

OFFENSE: WR HAKEEM NICKS, NEW YORK GIANTS

Nicks, a first-round draft pick (No. 29) out of North Carolina, scored a touchdown in all four October games.
He had 14 receptions for 297 yards (21.2 average) and became the first Giants rookie with a touchdown reception in four consecutive games since 1948 (BILL SWIACKI).
Three of Nicks’ touchdowns went for at least 30 yards (62, 54 and 37), the most by any rookie in the month.
His four touchdown receptions during the month tied for the NFL lead and Nicks’ 297 receiving yards were the most by a rookie.
For the season, Nicks ranks second among all NFL rookies with 315 yards (16 catches) and his 19.7 yards per catch average is the highest among all rookies with at least 10 receptions.
Nicks is the first Giant to earn NFL Rookie of the Month honors since safety GIBRIL WILSON (Defense, October 2004). He joins tight end JEREMY SHOCKEY (November and December 2002) as the only Giants to be named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month.

DEFENSE: S JAIRUS BYRD, BUFFALO BILLS

Byrd, a second-round selection out of Oregon, started all four games at free safety and totaled 15 tackles, five interceptions and seven passes defensed as the Bills posted a 2-2 record in October .
Byrd is the first rookie with five interceptions in a month since Chicago Bears safety MARK CARRIER (December 1990).
He is the first rookie with two interceptions in two consecutive games since Dallas Cowboys cornerback EVERSON WALLS in 1981.
In the past two wins, the Bills offense converted three of Byrd’s four interceptions into touchdowns (one against the Jets and two against the Panthers).
Leads all NFL rookies and ranks second in the NFL with five interceptions (DARREN SHARPER, 6)
Byrd joins safety DONTE WHITNER (September 2006), linebacker SAM COWART (October 1998) and defensive end GABE NORTHERN (November 1996) as the fourth Bills player to earn a Rookie of the Month Award.

2009 NFL ROOKIES OF THE MONTH

	Offense (College)	Defense (College)
September	QB Mark Sanchez, New York Jets (USC)	S Louis Delmas, Detroit (Western Michigan)
October	WR Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants (North Carolina)	S Jairus Byrd, Buffalo (Oregon)

Other nominees for the October NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month Award were:

Indianapolis wide receiver AUSTIN COLLIE (fourth round, BYU), who posted 18 receptions for 198 yards (11.0 average) and four touchdowns.
Minnesota wide receiver-kick returner PERCY HARVIN (first round, Florida), who had 11 catches for 157 yards. He added 13 kickoff returns for 327 yards (25.2 average) and one touchdown (88 yards).
Chicago wide receiver JOHNNY KNOX (fifth round, Abilene Christian), who had 12 receptions for 107 yards and one touchdown. He added 12 kickoff returns for 347 yards (28.9 average) and one touchdown (102 yards).
Philadelphia wide receiver JEREMY MACLIN (first round, Missouri), who had 12 catches for 201 yards and two touchdowns.
Cleveland wide receiver MOHAMED MASSAQUOI (second round, Georgia), who recorded 15 receptions for 269 receiving yards (17.9 average).
Pittsburgh wide receiver MIKE WALLACE (third round, Mississippi), who posted nine catches for 221 yards (24.6 average) and scored two touchdowns.

Other nominees for the October NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month Award were:

Dallas kicker DAVID BUEHLER (fifth round, USC), who tied for third in the NFL with six touchbacks on kickoffs.
Seattle linebacker AARON CURRY (first round, Wake Forest), who started all three games and posted 21 tackles, one sack, two passes defensed and a forced fumble.
Houston linebacker BRIAN CUSHING (first round, USC), who led all rookies with 30 tackles and totaled a half-sack, one interception, two forced fumbles and three passes defensed as the Texans posted a 3-1 record for the month.
Indianapolis cornerback JACOB LACEY (undrafted free agent, Oklahoma State), who recorded 14 tackles, one interception, including a 35-yard interception-touchdown return.
St. Louis linebacker JAMES LAURINAITIS (second round, Ohio State), who started all four games and posted 37 tackles and two interceptions.
Green Bay linebacker CLAY MATTHEWS (first round, USC), who started all three games and posted 13 tackles, two sacks, four tackles for a loss and had a 42-yard fumble-return touchdown, the longest by a rookie in franchise history.

AFC & NFC News N' Notes

2009-10-29T13:50:38Z

More from the NFL about both conferences coming up in week 8 of the 2009 season. First up is the AFC, followed by the NFC after the 'Jump.'

AFC NEWS ‘N’ NOTES

FOR USE AS DESIRED
10/27/09
http://twitter.com/nflfootballinfo

RELIABLE ROOKIES

NFL coaches often preach patience, especially with rookies. Making the transition from college to pro can be just as demanding mentally as it is physically, but year after year, rookies across the NFL emerge as key contributors.

Last year, Baltimore’s JOE FLACCO became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to lead his team to an AFC Championship game. Despite his early success, Flacco recalls the uncertainty of his rookie year, saying he felt "like a freshman in college, a freshman in high school again."

But with a full year’s experience under his belt, he feels "light years ahead" of where he was last season.

"You can’t replace playing 19 games in an NFL season," says Flacco, whose three playoff games provided him even more of a chance to grow. "The experience I gained through that is incredible. I feel much more comfortable right now."

This year’s rookies are still a long way from finishing their first professional season, but many have already become vital cogs for their respective teams. As the season progresses, these players will look to build on their success, and in some cases, continue to help their teams in the push to the playoffs.

A look at just a few of the notable 2009 AFC rookies:

S JAIRUS BYRD, Buffalo (Round 2, No. 42 overall, Oregon): Byrd, who has 24 tackles, five interceptions and seven passes defensed in seven games, is quickly developing a reputation as a playmaker with a nose for the ball. All five of his interceptions have come in the month of October, making Byrd the first rookie with five INTs in a month since Chicago safety MARK CARRIER (December 1990).

"We wanted a guy that we knew was a ball hog," says Buffalo head coach DICK JAURON of Byrd, who has three more interceptions than any other 2009 NFL rookie. "Some of the plays he makes are plays you don’t see very often. We think we have a terrific player, and we think we have a terrific young man."

Byrd was the Bills’ defensive standout in the team’s back-to-back wins, posting two interceptions in each game, becoming the first rookie with two interceptions in consecutive games since Dallas cornerback EVERSON WALLS in 1981.

WR AUSTIN COLLIE, Indianapolis (Round 4, No. 127 overall, Brigham Young): With PEYTON MANNING demanding much from his teammates at all times, it often takes young Colts several years to earn their All-Star quarterback’s trust.

But Collie, who has 24 receptions for 264 yards for 6-0 Indianapolis, appears to be ahead of the curve. Just six games into his pro career, Collie already has as many touchdown catches (four) as any other Colts rookie during the Manning era (since 1998), tying running back EDGERRIN JAMES and wide receiver TERRENCE WILKINS (four TD catches each in 1999).

"He can get down the middle and put some pressure on that safety," says Manning of Collie, whose has scored at least one touchdown in each of his past three games. "I am proud of how hard he is working and how he is taking very seriously the cerebral part of the game."

LB BRIAN CUSHING, Houston (Round 1, No. 15 overall, Southern California): Cushing has started all seven games for the Texans, totaling a team-high and NFL rookie-best 56 tackles with two forced fumbles, one interception, one safety, a half-sack and six passes defensed.

"I think it surprised everyone how quick the mental part came to him," says Houston head coach GARY KUBIAK. "But the physical part, the plays he makes, they’re the same ones he was making last year. He’s just doing it again at a new level."

Cushing is on pace to become the second rookie in Texans history to lead the team in tackles and can join current teammate DE MECO RYANS, who had 155 tackles in 2006 en route to winning the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year award, as the only players to accomplish the feat. He’s been productive week in and week out, either leading the team or tying for the team lead in tackles four times in his first seven games.

Cushing is the only rookie to win an AFC Player of the Week award this season (Defense, Week 6), posting nine tackles (six solos), two forced fumbles, one interception and two passes defensed in the Texans’ 28-17 win over Cincinnati.

RB KNOWSHON MORENO, Denver (Round 1, No. 12 overall, Georgia): Moreno has been a steady contributor for the first-place Broncos this season, stepping up to play the role of starter in the past two games. He leads Denver with 381 rushing yards and is just the fifth rookie running back since 1970 to lead a 6-0 team in rushing.

"He can do it all," says Denver rookie head coach JOSH MC DANIELS of Moreno, who also has nine receptions for 68 yards and two touchdowns (one rush, one receiving). "He’s talented and durable. He is a tough, smart, competitive player and good person."

Moreno was also the featured player in the Broncos’ version of the Wildcat formation, known as Wild Horses in Denver, which helped keep the New England defense off balance in the Broncos’ 20-17 overtime victory in Week 5.

QB MARK SANCHEZ, N.Y. Jets (Round 1, No. 5 overall, Southern California): After Sanchez struggled through his toughest game as a pro in a 16-13 overtime loss to Buffalo in Week 6, Jets head coach REX RYAN didn’t doubt his new franchise quarterback for a moment.

"He’s resilient," said Ryan after the game. "He’s going to bounce back from this."

Sanchez didn’t disappoint in his next outing in Week 7, passing for 143 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions for a career-high 114.0 passer rating in the Jets’ 38-0 win over Oakland. For the season, Sanchez has completed 94 of 178 passes (52.8 percent) for 1,178 yards with 6 touchdowns for the 4-3 Jets.

Earlier this season, Sanchez became the first rookie quarterback to start and win his team’s first three games of a season since 1969.

"He’s got an unbelievable amount of talent," says Ryan of Sanchez, who was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Month in September. "We all see it. We know what he's going to be in the future."

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10/27/09
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ROOKIE WIDE RECEIVERS MAKING IMPACT IN NFC

As the season approaches the halfway point, rookies around the league are making their mark. In the NFC, four rookie wide receivers – Minnesota’s PERCY HARVIN, Chicago’s JOHNNY KNOX, Philadelphia’s JEREMY MACLIN and the New York Giants’ HAKEEM NICKS – have quickly adapted to the NFL, making significant contributions to their teams.

"I knew the game speed at this level was going to be faster," says Harvin, the Vikings’ first-round draft pick (No. 22). "I’m a player who plays fast, so I was able to adjust by kicking my practice habits up another notch. The game becomes easier when you practice hard."

A look at these four outstanding NFC rookie wide receivers:

PERCY HARVIN, Minnesota (Round 1, No. 22 overall, Florida): The rookie out of Florida is tied for the NFL rookie lead with four touchdowns – two receiving and two on kickoff returns – and has been a big part of the Vikings’ 6-1 start. He leads NFC rookies with 23 receptions (285 yards), 17 first-downs and five catches of at least 20 yards. Harvin has also returned 23 kickoffs for 685 yards for an NFL-best average of 29.8 yards per return. He has scored on returns of 101 and 88 yards and is the fourth rookie since 1970 with two kick-return touchdowns of at least 88 yards in his team’s first seven games. Harvin is already the franchise leader with two career kick-return scores.

"Percy is an explosive player," says Vikings offensive coordinator DARRELL BEVELL. "He runs with the ball like a running back. He’s got great balance, great speed and he’s doing really good things for us."

JOHNNY KNOX, Chicago (Round 5, No. 140 overall, Abilene Christian): A fifth-round selection (No. 140) from Abilene Christian, Knox has gotten off to a fast start for Chicago. He is tied for the NFL rookie lead with four touchdowns – three receiving and one on a kickoff return – and became the first Bears rookie since Pro Football Hall of Fame running back WALTER PAYTON in 1975 to score a touchdown in four consecutive games. Knox, who ranks third in the NFL averaging 29.0 yards per KR, had a 102-yard touchdown return in Week 4, the longest in the league this year and the second-longest in franchise history. Pro Football Hall of Famer GALE SAYERS had a 103-yard return for the Bears in 1967. Knox ranks second among NFC rookies with 21 receptions and is third with 266 yards.

"Johnny brings a lot to the table," says Chicago head coach LOVIE SMITH. "He has some good raw ability. He’s got great speed. And he’s really catching the ball well and running good routes. As a returner, we’ve gotten a lot of production from him. The guy has made progress every time we’ve put him in position to."

JEREMY MACLIN, Philadelphia (Round 1, No. 19 overall, Missouri): The Eagles’ Maclin, a first-round draft pick (No. 19) from Missouri, ties for the NFC rookie lead with two touchdown receptions of at least 40 yards. In Week 5, Maclin had the best day of his young NFL career, catching six passes for 142 yards (23.7 average), including touchdowns of 51 and 40 yards. He is the fifth rookie since 1970 to have his first two career receiving touchdowns go for at least 40 yards and occur in the same game. Maclin also became the first rookie in franchise history with two TD receptions of at least 40 yards in one game. On the season, he ranks third among NFC rookies with 18 catches and is fourth with 246 yards.

"When the ball is thrown my way, I expect to make the play," says Maclin. "I have to keep working hard. I want to make the best of every opportunity so when my number is called, I’m ready to make the play."

HAKEEM NICKS, New York Giants (Round 1, No. 29, North Carolina): A first-round draft selection (No. 29) by the Giants out of North Carolina, Nicks is tied for the NFL rookie lead with four touchdown receptions. He has a TD catch in each of the past four games and is the first Giants receiver with a touchdown reception in four consecutive games since 1948 (BILL SWIACKI). Nicks has recorded TD catches of 62, 54 and 37 yards and is the only rookie in the NFL with three 30+ yard touchdown receptions. He leads NFC rookies with 315 yards (16 receptions) and his 19.7 yards per catch average is the highest in the NFL among rookies with at least 10 catches.

"We drafted Hakeem so we have a big-play receiver," says Giants tackle DAVID DIEHL. "He’s made some huge plays out there and that’s exciting to see."

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