The Cowboys played the Falcons on Sunday, but their attention seemed to be on next week’s game in Miami.
After Dallas pulled out a 32-28 victory over winless Atlanta, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said, “The Miami game wouldn’t have meant much if we didn’t win (this one). We know Miami will be inspired by that coach down there . . . I can’t think of his name.”
Jones fired Jimmy Johnson after the team won two Super Bowls. He hired Barry Switzer, who has won one Super Bowl in his two seasons.
“We’ll let Jerry and Barry handle all the pregame pub about Jimmy,” Dallas guard Nate Newton said. “We’re fighting for our lives. We’re just 4-3. We can’t overlook anybody and we almost did (Sunday).”
SELECT COMPANY
George Seifert not only earned his 100th career victory on Sunday, but the San Francisco 49ers’ coach now has the best winning percentage of any NFL coach with 100 or more victories.
Seifert (100-32, .758) is just ahead of Vince Lombardi (105-35-6, .740). Other names are John Madden (.731), Joe Gibbs (.683), George Allen (.681) and George Halas (.671).
In his eighth season, Seifert is just two wins behind Bill Walsh, who won 102 games in his 10 seasons at the 49ers’ helm. Walsh is now a 49ers’ offensive adviser, whatever that is.
AND ON THE OTHER END . . .
New York Jets coach Rich Kotite is 0-8 this season, and 3-21 since taking over the job last season.
Kotite’s 3-28 mark–including losing the last seven games of 1994 with Philadelphia–ties the worst modern coaching record for 31 games. John McKay, also 3-28, lost his first 26 with the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
MORE NUMBERS
Rams cornerback Anthony Parker now has seven career defensive touchdowns. Ken Houston, a Hall of Fame safety who played for Washington and, appropriately, Houston, is the NFL’s career leader in that department with 10. . . . Thurman Thomas set a Bills record for career rushing yardage with 10,218. He ran for 97 yards Sunday to pass the mark of 10,183 held by O.J. Simpson. . . . Marcus Allen’s two touchdowns Thursday night gave him 109 rushing TDs for his career, putting the Chiefs’ back just one behind Walter Payton’s NFL record. . . . Irving Fryar became the third player in Eagles history to catch four touchdown passes in one game. The others were Ben Hawkins in 1969 and Joe Carter in 1934.
INJURIES
Jim Harbaugh had a rough day Sunday. Not only did the Colts quarterback experience a 27-9 loss to the Patriots, but he suffered a broken nose in the fourth quarter.
Harbaugh, who was replaced by Paul Justin the rest of the way, had his nose reset in the locker room and is not expected to miss any further action.
“It was just a right cross to the face,” Harbaugh said. “The first guy got me and yanked my face mask and the second guy came in and cleaned me up with a right cross.”
No penalty was called. “I guess they didn’t see anything,” he said.
Other injuries: 49ers QBs Steve Young (groin) and Elvis Grbac (shoulder); Eagles LB Ray Farmer (arm); Dolphins TE Troy Drayton (sprained right knee); Panthers G Greg Skrepenak (hyperextended right knee); Cowboys OT Mark Tuinei (knee); Bills DE Bruce Smith (ankle).
