NFL game-by-game rankings
NFL matchups for Week 5 (times EDT):
Sunday, Oct. 7
SEATTLE (3-1) At PITTSBURGH (3-1)
1 p.m., FOX
OPENING LINE — Steelers by 6.
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Seahawks 2-1-1; Steelers 3-1.
SERIES RECORD — Seahawks lead 8-7.
LAST MEETING — Steelers 21, Seahawks 10, Super Bowl, Feb. 5, 2006 at Detroit.
LAST WEEK — Seahawks beat 49ers 23-3; Steelers lost to Cardinals 21-14.
SEAHAWKS OFFENSE — OVERALL (8T), RUSH (17), PASS (7)
SEAHAWKS DEFENSE — OVERALL (17), RUSH (13), PASS (16)
STEELERS OFFENSE — OVERALL (7), RUSH (3), PASS (25)
STEELERS DEFENSE — OVERALL (2), RUSH (8), PASS (8)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Seattle looks to avenge Super Bowl loss to Steelers. ... QB Matt Hasselbeck, with 67.2 completion rate, has won five of past six starts vs. AFC. ... In past six games vs. AFC, RB Shaun Alexander has 782 yards (130.3 per game) rushing and 11 TDs (10 rushing, one receiving). Alexander is tied for third in NFC in rushing (353 yards). ... LB Julian Peterson had three of Seattle's six sacks last week. ... RB Alvin Pearman (knee) will miss rest of season. ... CB Marcus Trufant had two INTs last week. ... Pittsburgh has not allowed 100-yard rusher in 25 consecutive games. ... Steelers had 11 penalties last week, same amount as over first three games. ... Pittsburgh has won seven consecutive vs. NFC at home. ... QB Ben Roethlisberger has 11-2 record with 18 TDs and eight INTs as starter vs. NFC. ... Steelers were held to 77 yards rushing, 37 by Willie Parker, last week after outgaining first three opponents 595-239. ... WR Hines Ward (knee) may return after missing his fourth game in 10 seasons last week. ... WR Santonio Holmes had career-high 128 yards receiving (six catches) last week. ... Linebackers have 9½ of Steelers' 14 sacks. .. Steelers have allowed 258.5 yards per game, second best in NFL.
MIAMI (0-4) At HOUSTON (2-2)
1 p.m., CBS
OPENING LINE — Texans by 5½.
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Dolphins 0-2-2; Texans 3-1.
SERIES RECORD — Texans lead 2-0.
LAST MEETING — Texans 17, Dolphins 15, Oct. 1, 2006 at Houston.
LAST WEEK — Dolphins lost to Raiders 25-17; Texans lost to Falcons 26-16.
DOLPHINS OFFENSE — OVERALL (17), RUSH (21), PASS (11)
DOLPHINS DEFENSE — OVERALL (21T), RUSH (32), PASS (2)
TEXANS OFFENSE — OVERALL (16), RUSH (23), PASS (8)
TEXANS DEFENSE — OVERALL (14), RUSH (6), PASS (21)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Miami has given up 103 points, its highest in first four games of a season since 1989. ... Dolphins' 0-4 record matches worst starts in franchise history in 1966 and 2004. ... Dolphins have allowed most yards rushing (199.3 per game) in NFL. They've allowed second fewest (145.0 per game) in the air. ... DT Vonnie Holliday (ankle) could miss two weeks. ... Ronnie Brown can become second RB in NFL history to total 200-plus yards from scrimmage in three straight games (Walter Payton, 1977). ... WR Chris Chambers has 23 receptions (323 yards). ... Miami is last in AFC in turnover margin (minus-6). ... QB Trent Green is 2-1 against Texans, completing 56 of 87 (64.4 percent) passes for 708 yards with seven TDs and four INTs. ... Houston has allowed six TDs passing this season, four of them against CB DeMarcus Faggins. ... QB Matt Schaub had career-high 317 yards passing (28-of-40) last week. ... RB Ron Dayne, who got his first start of season last week, averaged 4.1 yards (62 yards, 15 attempts). ... With WR Andre Johnson out, WR Andre' Davis matched career high with 117 yards receiving last week and scored his first TD since Nov. 20, 2005. ... Last week, Texans had ball at 1-yard line twice in fourth quarter and scored just three points. ... DT Amobi Okoye leads all rookies and is tied for first in AFC with four sacks.
JACKSONVILLE (2-1) At KANSAS CITY (2-2)
1 p.m., CBS
OPENING LINE — Jaguars by 2.
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Jaguars 1-2; Chiefs 2-1-1.
SERIES RECORD — Jaguars lead 4-2.
LAST MEETING — Chiefs 35, Jaguars 30, Dec. 31, 2006 at Kansas City.
LAST WEEK — Jaguars (BYE), beat Broncos 23-14 in Week 3; Chiefs beat Chargers 30-16.
JAGUARS OFFENSE — OVERALL (21), RUSH (13), PASS (22)
JAGUARS DEFENSE — OVERALL (4), RUSH (26), PASS (3)
CHIEFS OFFENSE — OVERALL (27), RUSH (30), PASS (19)
CHIEFS DEFENSE — OVERALL (3), RUSH (19), PASS (5)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Jacksonville has allowed 287.7 yards per game, including 150.7 yards in air. ... Coach Jack Del Rio is 5-3 vs. AFC West. ... QB David Garrard has completed 13 of 15 passes for 206 yards with a TD and league-high 141.0 passer rating in first quarter. ... RB Fred Taylor needs 331 yards to become 21st player in NFL history to reach 10,000 yards rushing. ... In his last game against Chiefs, Maurice Jones-Drew returned five kickoffs for 142 yards (28.4 average). ... Kansas City is minus-27 in points scored in first half and plus-27 in second half. ... Chiefs play four of next five in Arrowhead Stadium, where their home-field advantage is unmatched by any club in NFL since 1990. ... QB Damon Huard is 7-0 as starter at home for his career. He has completed 118 of 180 passes (65.6 percent) for 1,439 yards with 10 TDs and one INT. ... WR Dwayne Bowe set team rookie record last week with 164 yards receiving on eight catches. ... Last week, Tony Gonzalez caught 62nd TD of his career, tying him with Shannon Sharpe on all-time list for TEs. ... In his last game vs. Jaguars, RB Larry Johnson rushed for 138 yards (4.2 average) with three TDs. ... Chiefs have allowed 285.8 yards per game, third best in league.
CAROLINA (2-2) At NEW ORLEANS (0-3)
1 p.m., FOX
OPENING LINE — Saints by 2½.
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Panthers 2-2; Saints 0-3.
SERIES RECORD — Panthers lead 13-11.
LAST MEETING — Panthers 31, Saints 21, Dec. 31, 2006 at New Orleans.
LAST WEEK — Panthers lost to Bucs 20-7; Saints (BYE), lost to Titans 31-14 in Week 3.
PANTHERS OFFENSE — OVERALL (20), RUSH (11), PASS (23)
PANTHERS DEFENSE — OVERALL (23), RUSH (21), PASS (20)
SAINTS OFFENSE — OVERALL (25), RUSH (29), PASS (16)
SAINTS DEFENSE — OVERALL (26), RUSH (18), PASS (25)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Carolina beat New Orleans twice last year. ... LB Dan Morgan (Achilles' tendon) is out indefinitely. ... QB Jake Delhomme, second in NFC in passer ratings with 111.9, sat out last week (elbow). David Carr completed just 19 of 41 passes for 155 yards and an INT against Bucs. ... Coach John Fox is 7-3 vs. Saints. ... WR Steve Smith has 21 catches for 313 yards and four TDs. Smith has six TDs, five receiving and one rushing, in past four meetings with Saints. ... Panthers haven't gotten an interception. ... New Orleans is 0-3 for first time since 1997. ... RB Deuce McAllister (knee) is gone for season. Reggie Bush, who becomes featured RB, has 29 carries for 80 yards. In Week 3, Bush became second fastest player in NFL history to 100 receptions (19 games). ... CB Jason David (forearm) is out at least a month. ... WR Marques Colston has 18 catches for 185 yards and one TD. ... Saints have only five trips inside opponents' 20. ... QB Drew Brees, NFL's leading passer in 2006, has 57.0 passer rating. Brees has thrown only one TD pass and seven INTs. In three career starts against Panthers, Brees has not thrown an INT (75 attempts). ... Eric Johnson has 16 catches (98 yards) and is tied for second among NFC TEs. ... Saints have not recorded a sack.
NEW YORK JETS (1-3) At NEW YORK GIANTS (2-2)
1 p.m., CBS
OPENING LINE — Giants by 3.
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Jets 1-2-1; Giants 2-2.
SERIES RECORD — Giants lead 6-4.
LAST MEETING — Giants 31, Jets 28, OT, Nov. 2, 2003 at Jets.
LAST WEEK — Jets lost to Bills 17-14; Giants beat Eagles 16-3.
JETS OFFENSE — OVERALL (28), RUSH (28), PASS (20)
JETS DEFENSE — OVERALL (28), RUSH (16), PASS (27T)
GIANTS OFFENSE — OVERALL (19), RUSH (19), PASS (15)
GIANTS DEFENSE — OVERALL (16), RUSH (14), PASS (14)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Jets coach Eric Mangini went 3-1 vs. NFC last year. ... Last week, QB Chad Pennington was 32-of-39 for 290 yards and completed career-high 15 consecutive passes during one stretch. Pennington did have two costly INTs in fourth quarter... Jets had nine penalties for 65 yards last week. ... WR Jerricho Cotchery has 26 receptions for 382 yards (14.7 average). ... WR Laveranues Coles has 24 catches for 211 yards and four TDs. ... Jets are averaging 82.5 yards rushing per game. ... RB Leon Washington scored Jets' first TD rushing last week. ... Giants, with four sacks in first three games, tied NFL record with 12 against Philadelphia. ... DE Osi Umenyiora had six sacks, one shy of Derrick Thomas' NFL record. ... WR Plaxico Burress, with 19 catches and 286 yards, leads NFC with six TDs. ... RB Derrick Ward, seventh-round pick by Jets in 2004, is tied for third in NFC with 353 yards rushing (4.8 per carry). ... OT Kareem McKenzie played with Jets (2001-04). ... WR Amani Toomer (19 catches, 217 yards) has 12 receptions for 308 yards and four TDs in past two games against Jets. ... DE Michael Strahan (133½) had sack last week, passing Lawrence Taylor (132½) for most career sacks in club history. ... LB Mathias Kiwanuka had three sacks last week and has five in past two games.
ARIZONA (2-2) At ST. LOUIS (0-4)
1 p.m., FOX
OPENING LINE — Cardinals by 3.
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Cardinals 3-0-1; Rams 0-4.
SERIES RECORD — Rams lead 31-24-2.
LAST MEETING — Cardinals 34, St. Louis 20, Dec. 3, 2006 at St. Louis.
LAST WEEK — Cardinals lost to Steelers 21-14; Rams lost to Cowboys 35-7.
CARDINALS OFFENSE — OVERALL (13), RUSH (16), PASS (12)
CARDINALS DEFENSE — OVERALL (12), RUSH (11), PASS (10)
RAMS OFFENSE — OVERALL (29), RUSH (24T), PASS (26)
RAMS DEFENSE — OVERALL (24), RUSH (29), PASS (9)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Arizona is 2-2 for only sixth time since Cardinals moved from St. Louis in 1988. ... Ken Whisenhunt's two-QB scheme has helped team match its best start in 20 seasons in Arizona. Against Steelers, QB Matt Leinart was 7-of-14 for 93 yards. Kurt Warner, who entered in second quarter, went 14-of-21 for 132 yards and a TD as QBs alternated rest of way. ... WR Anquan Boldin, who hasn't practiced in two weeks, had 22 catches for 286 yards in first two games. He has averaged 92.7 yards receiving per game in six games against Rams. ... WR Larry Fitzgerald caught 11 passes for 123 yards last week. ... RB Edgerrin James is second in NFC in rushing with 354 yards (4.4 per carry). His three TDs are half of his 2006 output. ... WR-PR Steve Breaston ranks second in NFL in punt returns (10 for 148 yards, one TD). ... DT Darnell Dockett has 5½ sacks. ... St. Louis is averaging a league-low 9.75 points per game. Rams have totaled two offensive TDs in four games. Since scoring TD on their opening drive of season, Rams' offense has gotten into end zone only once more in 43 possessions. ... OT Adam Goldberg (knee), a replacement starter the last two weeks, will be out a month. ... QB Marc Bulger, who has 97 career TD passes, is 7-2 vs. Cardinals but has been benched with broken ribs. Gus Frerotte will start. ... WR Torry Holt has three consecutive 100-yard games vs. Cardinals. ... WR Isaac Bruce has averaged 19.8 yards per catch (12 for 237, two TDs) in past three meetings with Arizona. ... S Corey Chavous played four seasons (1998-2001) for Arizona.
ATLANTA (1-3) At TENNESSEE (2-1)
1 p.m., FOX
OPENING LINE — Titans by 8.
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Falcons 2-2; Titans 3-0.
SERIES RECORD — Titans lead 6-5.
LAST MEETING — Titans 38, Falcons 31, Nov. 23, 2003 at Atlanta.
LAST WEEK — Falcons beat Texans 26-16; Titans (BYE), beat Saints 31-14 in Week 3.
FALCONS OFFENSE — OVERALL (23), RUSH (22), PASS (14)
FALCONS DEFENSE — OVERALL (21T), RUSH (23), PASS (12)
TITANS OFFENSE — OVERALL (22), RUSH (2), PASS (30)
TITANS DEFENSE — OVERALL (9), RUSH (2), PASS (24)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Atlanta has scored 46 points in last two games, both at home, after scoring just 10 in first two. ... Coach Bobby Petrino picked up his first NFL win last week. ... Falcons have not opened a year 0-3 on road since losing their first six road games in 1996. ... RB Warrick Dunn, who rushed for season-high 62 yards last week, has gained just 79 yards on 38 attempts in three career games against Tennessee. ... In past two weeks, QB Joey Harrington has completed 54 of 73 passes (74 percent) for 584 yards with four TDs vs. no INTs. ... WR Roddy White has 10 catches for 191 yards in last two games. ... Tennessee has one victory, last year, following a bye since 2003. ... Tennessee has won four straight against Atlanta. ... Titans are off to their best start since 2003, last time they reached postseason. ... Sunday will be Titans' second of three straight games vs. NFC South, a division coach Jeff Fisher is 12-1 against. ... WR Brandon Jones leads team with 10 receptions for 136 yards. ... RB Chris Brown is averaging 5.9 yards per carry (42-for-247). ... LB Keith Bulluck has three INTs in Tennessee's last game. ... Titans are averaging 173.7 yards on ground. ... QB Vince Young is 4-1 vs. NFC with eight TDs, seven passing, one rushing. Young has completed 12 of 16 passes for 92 yards and two TDs in fourth quarter.
DETROIT (3-1) At WASHINGTON (2-1)
1 p.m., FOX
OPENING LINE — Redskins by 3.
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Lions 2-1-1; Redskins 1-1-1.
SERIES RECORD — Redskins lead 28-10.
LAST MEETING — Redskins 17, Lions 10, Nov. 7, 2004 at Detroit.
LAST WEEK — Lions beat Bears 37-27; Redskins (BYE), lost to Giants 24-17 in Week 3.
LIONS OFFENSE — OVERALL (4), RUSH (31), PASS (1)
LIONS DEFENSE — OVERALL (29), RUSH (17), PASS (30T)
REDSKINS OFFENSE — OVERALL (15), RUSH (10), PASS (21)
REDSKINS DEFENSE — OVERALL (13), RUSH (9), PASS (13)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Detroit has matched last year's win total. ... Lions have never won in Washington. ... QB Jon Kitna leads NFC with 1,227 yards passing and ranks third with 105.6 passer rating. Kitna was sacked six times last week, boosting his total to 18 for season. ... WR Calvin Johnson, second among NFC rookies with 189 yards receiving, missed Chicago game (back). ... Lions lead NFL with 13 takeaways and are tied for first with nine INTs. ... Detroit has allowed most yards (381.8 per game) and most in air (267.5) in NFC. ... Lions are second in NFC in total offense (387.3), including NFL-best (312.8) in the air. ... Lions have second-worst running game (74.5 yards per game) in league. ... Washington signed WR Keenan McCardell, who has 861 career catches with Cleveland, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay and San Diego. ... Coach Joe Gibbs has never lost to Lions (11-0). ... Santana Moss (12) and Antwaan Randle El (11) are only wideouts with a catch after three games. Moss (groin) is uncertain to play. ... Chris Cooley has 21 TD catches since entering NFL in 2004, most in NFC among TEs. ... RB Clinton Portis rushed for 147 yards, including five runs of 10-plus yards, in last meeting. ... CB Fred Smoot, who has missed last two games, is set to return Sunday.
TAMPA BAY (3-1) At INDIANAPOLIS (4-0)
4:05 p.m., FOX
OPENING LINE — Colts by 10.
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Bucs 3-1; Colts 2-2.
SERIES RECORD — Colts lead 6-4.
LAST MEETING — Colts 38, Bucs 35 in OT, Oct. 6, 2003 at Tampa Bay.
LAST WEEK — Bucs beat Panthers 20-7; Colts beat Broncos 38-20.
BUCS OFFENSE — OVERALL (18), RUSH (8), PASS (24)
BUCS DEFENSE — OVERALL (5), RUSH (20), PASS (6)
COLTS OFFENSE — OVERALL (3), RUSH (7), PASS (6)
COLTS DEFENSE — OVERALL (11), RUSH (22), PASS (7)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Tampa Bay is 3-1, a year after going 4-12 and finishing last in its division. ... RB Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (knee) and OT Luke Petitgout (knee) are for season. Michael Pittman and Earnest Graham will replace Williams, and Donald Penn will replace Petitgout. ... Tampa Bay is allowing fewest points (11.0 per game) in NFL. ... Bucs lead NFC in defense (291.8), including conference-best 173.5 yards per game in air. ... QB Jeff Garcia has 113.1 passer rating in two career starts against Colts. ... Last week, WR Ike Hilliard had seven catches for 114 yards, his most yards in a game since 1999. ... Indianapolis tied franchise record with its 11th straight home victory last week. ... Colts are averaging 403.5 yards per game on offense. ... QB Peyton Manning is ranked second (110.4 passer rating) in AFC. He has completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 1,066 yards, eight TDs and one INT. Manning (283) needs five TDs passing to surpass Johnny Unitas (287) as franchise's career leader. ... Colts are plus-7 in turnover margin, tied for first in league. ... Colts rushed for season-high 226 yards last week, first time this year they gained more yards on ground than through air. ... WR Marvin Harrison, S Bob Sanders, RB Joseph Addai and LB Rob Morris all left last week's game with injuries. ... Coach Tony Dungy posted 54-42 regular-season record as Bucs head coach (1996-01). ... DE Dwight Freeney forced two fumbles last week and recorded his first sack of season.
SAN DIEGO (1-3) At DENVER (2-2)
4:15 p.m., CBS
OPENING LINE — Broncos by 2.
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Chargers 1-3; Broncos 0-4.
SERIES RECORD — Broncos lead 52-41-1.
LAST MEETING — Chargers 48, Broncos 20, Dec. 10, 2006 at San Diego.
LAST WEEK — Chargers lost to Chiefs 30-16; Broncos lost to Colts 38-20.
CHARGERS OFFENSE — OVERALL (26), RUSH (24T), PASS (18)
CHARGERS DEFENSE — OVERALL (25), RUSH (12), PASS (27T)
BRONCOS OFFENSE — OVERALL (5), RUSH (5), PASS (13)
BRONCOS DEFENSE — OVERALL (6), RUSH (31), PASS (1)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — San Diego has been outscored 102-68 in four games, compared to last year when it outscored opponents 103-36 through first four. ... Chargers have lost three straight for first time since 2003, when they were NFL-worst 4-12. ... Coach Norv Turner is 1-5 against Broncos. ... Chargers' win at Denver last year was only sixth victory (6-30) since 1971. Chargers haven't won back-to-back games there since 1967-68. ... QB Philip Rivers has committed nine turnovers, six INTs and three fumbles, compared with five TD passes. ... RB LaDainian Tomlinson cracked triple digits in a game by rushing for 132 yards and one TD, but carried only six times for 16 yards in second half against Kansas City. ... Tomlinson has 14 career TDs, including three in each of last two games against Denver, his most vs. any opponent. ... TE Antonio Gates has 33 catches for 376 yards. ... Denver is allowing 181 yards per game on ground, second worst in league. ... Broncos have league's best passing defense with 114.5 yards allowed per game. ... RB Travis Henry, with league-leading 433 yards (5.0 average), injured right knee and right ankle last week. ... Since 2001, Broncos are 17-3 at home vs. AFC West. ... QB Jay Cutler completed 17 of 30 passes for 188 yards with two TDs in his first game against Chargers. ... WR Javon Walker (knee), with 19 catches and 230 yards, should return. ... S John Lynch, who missed last week's game (groin), is ready to play. ... Coach Mike Shanahan is 19-8 against San Diego.
BALTIMORE (2-2) At SAN FRANCISCO (2-2)
4:15 p.m., CBS
OPENING LINE — Ravens by 3½.
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Ravens 0-4; 49ers 1-2-1.
SERIES RECORD — Tied 1-1.
LAST MEETING — Ravens 44, 49ers 6, Nov. 30, 2003 at Baltimore.
LAST WEEK — Ravens lost to Browns 27-13; 49ers lost to Seahawks 23-3.
RAVENS OFFENSE — OVERALL (8T), RUSH (14), PASS (9)
RAVENS DEFENSE — OVERALL (10), RUSH (4), PASS (22)
49ERS OFFENSE — OVERALL (32), RUSH (20), PASS (32)
49ERS DEFENSE — OVERALL (20), RUSH (25), PASS (11)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Baltimore has scored just five TDs in 14 trips to red zone. ... Last week, QB Steve McNair finally played a full game, completing career-high 34 passes in 53 attempts for season-best 307 yards and a TD. McNair is 14-5 as starter with Baltimore. ... Last week, the Ravens didn't record a sack for first time in 25 games. ... RB Willis McGahee had first 100-yard rushing game as Raven last week (104 yards). ... WR Derrick Mason, with 33 catches for 287 yards, has seven or more catches in all four games. ... Baltimore, NFL's best defense last year, has allowed more than 300 yards in three consecutive games. ... San Francisco is ranked last in NFL in total (213.3) and passing (118.0) offense. ... 49ers have been limited to fewer than 200 yards in three of four games and are averaging 14 points per game. ... QB Alex Smith (shoulder) will miss the game. Trent Dilfer, who got his first game action since 2005 in relief of Smith last week, will start. Dilfer quarterbacked Ravens to 11-1 record as their starter in 2000 and helped them win Super Bowl. ... RB Frank Gore, with 254 yards rushing, hasn't had 100-yard game this season after having nine in 2006. ... Coach Mike Nolan was Baltimore's defensive coordinator (2002-04). ... Rookie LB Patrick Willis leads team in tackles and has made 10 or more tackles in all four games.
CHICAGO (1-3) At GREEN BAY (4-0)
8:15 p.m., NBC
OPENING LINE — Packers by 3½.
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Bears 0-4; Packers 4-0.
SERIES RECORD — Bears lead 88-79-6.
LAST MEETING — Packers 26, Bears 7, Dec. 31, 2006 at Chicago.
LAST WEEK — Bears lost to Lions 37-27; Packers beat Vikings 23-16.
BEARS OFFENSE — OVERALL (30), RUSH (27), PASS (28)
BEARS DEFENSE — OVERALL (15), RUSH (10), PASS (19)
PACKERS OFFENSE — OVERALL (12), RUSH (32), PASS (2)
PACKERS DEFENSE — OVERALL (19), RUSH (15), PASS (23)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Chicago has a minus-7 in turnover margin. ... QB Brian Griese, making his first start with Bears, completed 34 of 52 passes for 286 yards, two TDs and three INTS. The 52 passes tied for third most in team history. ... Bears allowed NFL-record 34 fourth-quarter points to Detroit last week. ... Devin Hester's 97-yard kickoff return last week tied Gale Sayers for most return TDs (eight) in team history. Hester, league's top punt returner (19.9), faces a team with second-lowest return average (1.8)... Bears' defense has nine INTs and allowed one TD in past two seasons against QB Brett Favre. ... Green Bay is averaging NFL-worst 54 yards rushing per game and 2.7 yards per attempt. ... Packers have second-best passing offense (288.8) in NFL. ... Last week, QB Brett Favre, now with 422 TD passes and 8,393 passing attempts, broke Dan Marino's records for career touchdown passes (420) and career passing attempts (8,358). Favre is second in league with 1,205 yards passing and has thrown 119 passes without an INT. ... Packers have won eight straight over two seasons. ... WR James Jones, who leads NFC rookies with 18 catches and 232 yards, had his first career TD catch last week. ... S Nick Collins had two INTs in last meeting. ... DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, who has 11 sacks in past 10 meetings with Bears, has 3½ sacks in past two weeks.
Monday, Oct. 8
DALLAS (4-0) At BUFFALO (1-3)
8:15 p.m., ESPN
OPENING LINE — Cowboys by 10.
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Cowboys 4-0; Bills 2-2.
SERIES RECORD — Cowboys lead 6-3.
LAST MEETING — Cowboys 10, Bills 6, Nov. 9, 2003 at Dallas.
LAST WEEK — Cowboys beat Rams 35-7; Bills beat Jets 17-14.
COWBOYS OFFENSE — OVERALL (1), RUSH (6), PASS (3)
COWBOYS DEFENSE — OVERALL (8), RUSH (7), PASS (15)
BILLS OFFENSE — OVERALL (31), RUSH (18), PASS (31)
BILLS DEFENSE — OVERALL (32), RUSH (28), PASS (32)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Dallas is 4-0 for first time since 1995, the year of its last NFL title. ... Cowboys average NFL-best 440.8 yards per game, including an NFC-leading 152.5 yards on the ground. ... Dallas, leading NFL with 151 points scored, has won by larger margins in each game through four games. ... Cowboys have a plus-7 in turnover margin, tied for first in league. ... QB Tony Romo has three 300-yard passing games and leads NFL with 11 TD passes and 9.91 average gain. ... RB Marion Barber, with 306 yards rushing, leads NFC with four TDs rushing and 6.4-yard average (45 attempts). ... Jason Witten leads NFC TEs in catches (20), yards (304) and TDs (three). ... CB Anthony Henry leads NFL with four INTs. ... Coach Wade Phillips went 29-19 with two playoff appearances as Buffalo's head coach from 1998-2000. ... Buffalo is hosting Monday night game for first time since 1994. ... Five of past six games in Buffalo have been decided by three or fewer points. ... Bills, with worst offense in AFC (226.0), produced their most points, total yards (304), yards passing and first downs (19) of season last week. ... Buffalo has allowed league-high 430.3 yards per game, including 282.3 yards in air, also most in NFL. ... LB Kevin Harrison (knee) is lost for season. ... S Jim Leonhard and CB Ashton Youboty are both likely to miss game. ... RB Marshawn Lynch leads AFC rookies with 80 rushing attempts for 307 yards (4.0 average) with three TDs. ... In his first start last week, rookie QB Trent Edwards completed 22 of 28 passes for 234 yards with a TD and an INT.
