(Sept. 30, 2003) -- Dante Hall will try taking it to the house, while Emmitt Smith, Mike Holmgren, Steve Mariucci and Tony Dungy will take trips home. And the red-hot 4-0 Indianapolis Colts travel to the home of the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.
Those are some of the stories that will be in the forefront this week as the NFL begins the second quarter of its season with big games, reunions and, most likely, the usual package of surprises.
Surprises? Look at last week, when Houston bypassed a possible game-tying field goal with no time left to go for the win -- and got it! Or Peyton Manning throwing the most TD passes -- six -- in 12 years. Or quarterbacks catching TD passes (Drew Brees) and acting as the lead blocker on a double reverse (Jake Plummer). Or Carolina blocking yet another kick (its sixth of the season).
"It works on my nerves bad," said Washington Redskins wide receiver Rod Gardner. He was talking about his team allowing a 14-point comeback by New England last week before pulling out a win. But he might as well be talking about the whole first quarter of the season.
Six clubs are undefeated, the second-most ever through the first four weeks of a season (seven in 1998). Two -- Minnesota (4-0) and Seattle (3-0) -- have the exact opposite records they had at this point last season. The perfect six -- Carolina, Denver, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Minnesota and Seattle -- were .478 at this point last year (11-12).
"We're not celebrating for long," says Carolina safety Deon Grant. "We have to focus on the rest of the season."
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs: "I love big games," says Broncos quarterback-blocker (see above) Jake Plummer of this battle of unbeatens. And for these two teams, it doesn't come bigger than this at this time of year. First place in the AFC West and a perfect record are at stake.
If the chest injury of Denver running back Clinton Portis improves, the game could focus on a RB rumble between Portis and the Chiefs' Priest Holmes. Despite missing last week's game against Detroit, Portis -- last year's Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year -- ranks sixth in the AFC in rushing (291 yards). Holmes' 386 yards place him third in the conference.
Arrowhead Stadium -- some people say it is the loudest in the NFL -- is the lone AFC West venue in which Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan has a losing record (3-7).
Special teams are always important, but the Chiefs boast a weapon that has just about Dante Hall.
In Week 4, Hall became the first player to return a kick for a touchdown in three consecutive games. After four games, he is one short of the season TD record in the category, held by seven players. "Dante is in a league of his own," says Chiefs defensive end Eric Hicks.
Miami Dolphins at New York Giants: Ricky vs. Tiki!
In other words, two of the top 10 NFL rushers of last year square off. It's the Dolphins' Ricky Williams -- off a 42-carry game in Week 3 (tying for the third-most ever in a game) -- against the Giants' Tiki Barber, himself fresh from a 126-yard outing in Week 3.
Both teams come off byes, so their top-10 NFL rush defenses (Dolphins No. 2; Giants tied for No. 9) will be ready for the rumblers.
Williams has rushed for 100 yards in 12 of his 19 Miami games. The Dolphins are 10-2 (.833) in those contests. "He's dominating," says Miami linebacker Jamie Nails. "That's what Ricky does. He dominates you with his will."
An interesting aspect of the game will be play inside the 20. Both teams' defenses are tough here. The Dolphins lead the NFL with a 0.0 TD percentage (0 TDs in 8 possessions). The Giants rank fifth in the category with a 25.0 percentage (3 TDs in 12 possessions).
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys: Emmitt's back!
That would be Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time rushing leader, in his first appearance as an opponent in Texas Stadium. Emmitt in red and white? It happens in Week 5.
Smith played 13 years for the Cowboys, helping them to three Super Bowl titles and himself to the SB XXVIII MVP trophy. He teamed with two other stars in what was one of the greatest offensive trios any club has ever boasted -- quarterback Troy Aikman and wide receiver Michael Irvin. Smith totaled 17,162 rushing yards in that time, the most in history, breaking Walter Payton's hold on perhaps the league's most hallowed record last Oct. 27.
"He represents the fiber and fabric of the NFL," says Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis.
History says the Cowboys should beware of the visit from their old friend. In the 11 times in history that one of the top-20 all-time rushers has faced their former club, the player's new team has an 8-3 (.727) record. And those players have rushed for an average 72.9 yards in the 11 games for nine TDs.
Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers: "Mooch" is back!
New Lions head coach Steve Mariucci returns to San Francisco Bay to face the team he led from 1997-2002, taking it to two divisional championships, a wild card berth, two divisional playoff games and an NFC Championship Game.
"It's a place where I'm familiar," says the Michigan-born Mariucci, who has in fact really "come home" this year. "I know half the people in the stands. I'm familiar with the players."
He is certainly familiar with two of the key 49ers -- quarterback Jeff Garcia and wide receiver Terrell Owens. These two -- the NFL's second most prolific active TD tandem (58) after Indianapolis' Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison (78) -- will want to team up to get the 1-3 Niners back on the winning track.
The Lions have their own talented QB-WR combo in the making -- two-year veteran quarterback Joey Harrington and 2003's No. 2 overall draft choice, wide receiver Charles Rogers. The two have hooked up for three touchdowns, giving Rogers a tie for second place in the NFC for most receiving TDs.
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers: Mike …and Ray …and Matt are back!
It will be an old-time, down-home reunion, as former Packers head coaches Mike Holmgren and Ray Rhodes, now the head coach and defensive coordinator, respectively, of the NFC West-leading Seahawks return to Packerland for some bratwurst and football. The Seahawks are 3-0 for the first time in five years and only the second time since 1986.
"Because of the city and history and tradition of the place, it's one of the best coaching jobs in the world," says Holmgren, who led the Packers to two Super Bowls, winning SB XXXI.
Holmgren and Rhodes will bring along quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, another Packers alumni. The 28-year-old is one of a long line of NFL quarterbacks such as Aaron Brooks, Mark Brunell and Kurt Warner who have backed up Brett Favre through his 13-year career. Hasselbeck, 6-0 in his last six starts and the NFC leader in TD percentage (7.4), backed up Favre from 1998-2000.
It is Holmgren's second visit to Green Bay as an opponent (1999, a 27-7 Seahawks victory). He has the chance to improve upon his tie with Hank Stram (1-0 vs. Kansas City) as the only two of nine coaches who have faced teams they took to Super Bowl titles to have a 1.000 record against their old club.
Indianapolis Colts at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tony's back!
Tony Dungy, the man who helped build the NFL's top-ranked 2003 defense -- one that played a big role in the Buccaneers winning Super Bowl XXXVII -- returns to Tampa Bay for the first time as an opposing coach.
Dungy coached the Bucs from 1996-01, posted the most wins in Tampa Bay history (56) and built a defense that ranked no lower than 11th in the NFL every season.
"The game should be the major part of the night," says the self-effacing Dungy. "Playing on Monday night, the defending champions, we're 4-0. That should be the storyline. But it probably won't be."
The matchup should be a classic confrontation of offense vs. defense. The Colts come off a six-TD performance by quarterback Peyton Manning. That's OK, bring it on, say the Bucs, who come off a bye (head coach Jon Gruden is a perfect 5-0 after bye weeks). They have allowed the grand total of one touchdown this year -- on a rush.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/6685070
Those are some of the stories that will be in the forefront this week as the NFL begins the second quarter of its season with big games, reunions and, most likely, the usual package of surprises.
Surprises? Look at last week, when Houston bypassed a possible game-tying field goal with no time left to go for the win -- and got it! Or Peyton Manning throwing the most TD passes -- six -- in 12 years. Or quarterbacks catching TD passes (Drew Brees) and acting as the lead blocker on a double reverse (Jake Plummer). Or Carolina blocking yet another kick (its sixth of the season).
"It works on my nerves bad," said Washington Redskins wide receiver Rod Gardner. He was talking about his team allowing a 14-point comeback by New England last week before pulling out a win. But he might as well be talking about the whole first quarter of the season.
Six clubs are undefeated, the second-most ever through the first four weeks of a season (seven in 1998). Two -- Minnesota (4-0) and Seattle (3-0) -- have the exact opposite records they had at this point last season. The perfect six -- Carolina, Denver, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Minnesota and Seattle -- were .478 at this point last year (11-12).
"We're not celebrating for long," says Carolina safety Deon Grant. "We have to focus on the rest of the season."
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs: "I love big games," says Broncos quarterback-blocker (see above) Jake Plummer of this battle of unbeatens. And for these two teams, it doesn't come bigger than this at this time of year. First place in the AFC West and a perfect record are at stake.
If the chest injury of Denver running back Clinton Portis improves, the game could focus on a RB rumble between Portis and the Chiefs' Priest Holmes. Despite missing last week's game against Detroit, Portis -- last year's Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year -- ranks sixth in the AFC in rushing (291 yards). Holmes' 386 yards place him third in the conference.
Arrowhead Stadium -- some people say it is the loudest in the NFL -- is the lone AFC West venue in which Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan has a losing record (3-7).
Special teams are always important, but the Chiefs boast a weapon that has just about Dante Hall.
In Week 4, Hall became the first player to return a kick for a touchdown in three consecutive games. After four games, he is one short of the season TD record in the category, held by seven players. "Dante is in a league of his own," says Chiefs defensive end Eric Hicks.
Miami Dolphins at New York Giants: Ricky vs. Tiki!
In other words, two of the top 10 NFL rushers of last year square off. It's the Dolphins' Ricky Williams -- off a 42-carry game in Week 3 (tying for the third-most ever in a game) -- against the Giants' Tiki Barber, himself fresh from a 126-yard outing in Week 3.
Both teams come off byes, so their top-10 NFL rush defenses (Dolphins No. 2; Giants tied for No. 9) will be ready for the rumblers.
Williams has rushed for 100 yards in 12 of his 19 Miami games. The Dolphins are 10-2 (.833) in those contests. "He's dominating," says Miami linebacker Jamie Nails. "That's what Ricky does. He dominates you with his will."
An interesting aspect of the game will be play inside the 20. Both teams' defenses are tough here. The Dolphins lead the NFL with a 0.0 TD percentage (0 TDs in 8 possessions). The Giants rank fifth in the category with a 25.0 percentage (3 TDs in 12 possessions).
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys: Emmitt's back!
That would be Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time rushing leader, in his first appearance as an opponent in Texas Stadium. Emmitt in red and white? It happens in Week 5.
Smith played 13 years for the Cowboys, helping them to three Super Bowl titles and himself to the SB XXVIII MVP trophy. He teamed with two other stars in what was one of the greatest offensive trios any club has ever boasted -- quarterback Troy Aikman and wide receiver Michael Irvin. Smith totaled 17,162 rushing yards in that time, the most in history, breaking Walter Payton's hold on perhaps the league's most hallowed record last Oct. 27.
"He represents the fiber and fabric of the NFL," says Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis.
History says the Cowboys should beware of the visit from their old friend. In the 11 times in history that one of the top-20 all-time rushers has faced their former club, the player's new team has an 8-3 (.727) record. And those players have rushed for an average 72.9 yards in the 11 games for nine TDs.
Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers: "Mooch" is back!
New Lions head coach Steve Mariucci returns to San Francisco Bay to face the team he led from 1997-2002, taking it to two divisional championships, a wild card berth, two divisional playoff games and an NFC Championship Game.
"It's a place where I'm familiar," says the Michigan-born Mariucci, who has in fact really "come home" this year. "I know half the people in the stands. I'm familiar with the players."
He is certainly familiar with two of the key 49ers -- quarterback Jeff Garcia and wide receiver Terrell Owens. These two -- the NFL's second most prolific active TD tandem (58) after Indianapolis' Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison (78) -- will want to team up to get the 1-3 Niners back on the winning track.
The Lions have their own talented QB-WR combo in the making -- two-year veteran quarterback Joey Harrington and 2003's No. 2 overall draft choice, wide receiver Charles Rogers. The two have hooked up for three touchdowns, giving Rogers a tie for second place in the NFC for most receiving TDs.
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers: Mike …and Ray …and Matt are back!
It will be an old-time, down-home reunion, as former Packers head coaches Mike Holmgren and Ray Rhodes, now the head coach and defensive coordinator, respectively, of the NFC West-leading Seahawks return to Packerland for some bratwurst and football. The Seahawks are 3-0 for the first time in five years and only the second time since 1986.
"Because of the city and history and tradition of the place, it's one of the best coaching jobs in the world," says Holmgren, who led the Packers to two Super Bowls, winning SB XXXI.
Holmgren and Rhodes will bring along quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, another Packers alumni. The 28-year-old is one of a long line of NFL quarterbacks such as Aaron Brooks, Mark Brunell and Kurt Warner who have backed up Brett Favre through his 13-year career. Hasselbeck, 6-0 in his last six starts and the NFC leader in TD percentage (7.4), backed up Favre from 1998-2000.
It is Holmgren's second visit to Green Bay as an opponent (1999, a 27-7 Seahawks victory). He has the chance to improve upon his tie with Hank Stram (1-0 vs. Kansas City) as the only two of nine coaches who have faced teams they took to Super Bowl titles to have a 1.000 record against their old club.
Indianapolis Colts at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tony's back!
Tony Dungy, the man who helped build the NFL's top-ranked 2003 defense -- one that played a big role in the Buccaneers winning Super Bowl XXXVII -- returns to Tampa Bay for the first time as an opposing coach.
Dungy coached the Bucs from 1996-01, posted the most wins in Tampa Bay history (56) and built a defense that ranked no lower than 11th in the NFL every season.
"The game should be the major part of the night," says the self-effacing Dungy. "Playing on Monday night, the defending champions, we're 4-0. That should be the storyline. But it probably won't be."
The matchup should be a classic confrontation of offense vs. defense. The Colts come off a six-TD performance by quarterback Peyton Manning. That's OK, bring it on, say the Bucs, who come off a bye (head coach Jon Gruden is a perfect 5-0 after bye weeks). They have allowed the grand total of one touchdown this year -- on a rush.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/6685070
