Employment picture: Job security was at stake when the 1-6 Packers played the 1-6 Bucs. Green Bay`s 27-0 victory was good news for the coaches, Lindy Infante, not-so-good news for Richard Williamson.
Williamson is still employed-for now.
Williamson, like Infante, has been under fire because of a poor start marked by inconsistency on offense. He received a vote of confidence two weeks ago and apparently still has the support of management if a statement released by owner Hugh Culverhouse is any indication.
”Obviously, I`m very disappointed in the outcome of today`s game. I share in the fans` frustration. We are all frustrated,” Culverhouse said.
”This was as tough a game to lose as I`ve seen, and the first quarter was as bad as I`ve suffered through. Our defense has played well, but our offense is not able to do the job right now. I still have faith in the team and the coaches and feel these offensive problems will be solved.”
Infante, whose job might have been on the line if the score had been reversed, had empathy for Williamson.
”I certainly feel bad for him. I feel, personally, he`s a good football coach,” Infante said. ”As I told him before the game started: `If misery loves company, we ought to have a hell of a time today.` ”
Not a pretty sight: Backup Eagles quarterback Jeff Kemp sustained a concussion in the third quarter against the 49ers and was taken to a nearby hospital for an X-ray and CAT-scan. Larry Roberts, the 49ers` defensive end, said he hit Kemp low, and the quarterback`s head hit nose tackle Michael Carter`s knee.
”I was scared,” Roberts said. ”He had blood coming from his mouth and his eyes were rolled back. You don`t feel so great when something like that happens. You never want to go out and hurt someone, especially someone like Jeff, who is a great guy. You just want to do your job.”
Extra points: The Bengals` Jim Breech kicked a 20-yard field goal against the Oilers to extend his scoring streak to 175 consecutive games.
Rod Woodson became the Steelers` all-time leader in punt-return yardage, returning three for 36 yards for a career total of 1,271 yards. He surpassed Theo Bell, who had 1,259.
The 6-2 Lions matched their best start since 1962. Detroit finished that season 11-3.
San Francisco receiver Jerry Rice`s two catches for 4 yards represented his second-poorest performance since he was shut out by the Washington Redskins on Dec. 1, 1985. He had just one catch for 13 yards last season against the Giants.
Barry Sanders` TD reception tied him for second with Terry Barr and Leonard Thompson on the Lions` career touchdown list with 38.
The Bucs are 0-6 under quarterback Chris Chandler and 0-9 in games Vinny Testaverde has not started in the past three years.
Browns QB Bernie Kosar, whose passes-without-an-interception streak ranks him second in NFL history, has been intercepted 62 times in 2,603 career passes, an interception percentage of less than 2.4 percent, best in league history.
They said it: Jeff George, quarterback of the 0-8 Colts: ”I enjoy being booed, personally. I have been booed since I was in junior high and high school, so that motivates me. If people don`t boo me, that might tell me I am no good.”
