At first glance, Sunday’s action seemed to be just the undercard to Monday night’s main event featuring the undefeated Vikings and Packers. But there were some strong performances.
The Falcons continued their surprising start behind a for-once-healthy Chris Chandler and, with the Bills’ shocking upset of the 49ers and the Saints’ close loss to the Patriots, Atlanta was able to move into a tie for the NFC West lead.
The Dolphins won’t be reliving the 1972 Dolphins’ undefeated season after falling to the Jets. Miami dropped into a tie with the Patriots for the AFC East lead.
After this week, there will be three undefeated teams in the NFL: the Jaguars–idle this week, they face Miami next Monday night–the Broncos, and the Vikings-Packers survivor.
Next week’s game to avoid: The Redskins (0-5) at the Eagles (0-5).
ROOKIE WATCH
While Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf go through the difficult quarterback-initiation rites of the NFL, Charles Woodson continues to impress.
Last week he intercepted a key pass as Oakland won at Dallas.
On Sunday, after being burned on a touchdown to Arizona’s Rob Moore, the rookie cornerback from Michigan stepped in front of Larry Centers to intercept a Jake Plummer pass in the second quarter. The 1997 Heisman Trophy winner returned it 46 yards to put Oakland ahead for good 16-14.
“There was nobody in front of me; there was no reason why I shouldn’t score,” Woodson said. “I was pretty excited. It gave the team a spark, and it was my first NFL touchdown.”
“It was a huge play,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. “That’s why we selected him. We knew he was going to find ways to get around the ball.”
TWO-POINT TENDENCIES
After the Dolphins finally scored a touchdown against the Jets with 5:42 remaining, they trailed 17-9. A kick and another TD and they could be headed to overtime.
But for some reason, Miami tried a direct snap to kicker Olindo Mare, who attempted to run for a two-point conversion. He was tackled behind the line, leaving them still a touchdown and two-pointer behind. They lost 20-9.
The two-point strategy worked better for the Colts. After a touchdown early in the first quarter in Indianapolis, former University of Illinois tight end Ken Dilger took a direct snap and ran it in to make it 8-0.
After a pair of field goals gave Indy a more normal-sounding 14 points, San Diego eventually scored a TD to make it 14-12. But because of the earlier two-pointer, San Diego had to go for two. Ryan Leaf’s pass for Webster Slaughter was wide and it remained at 14-12.
BANGED UP
Raiders quarterback Jeff George left early in Sunday’s game against Arizona after pulling his left groin. Backfield mate Napoleon Kaufman, Oakland’s leading rusher, injured his left ankle and hamstring in the third quarter.
Neither player returned, though the Raiders won 23-20. Gruden said George is “very doubtful” for next week’s game against San Diego.
Other injuries: Seahawks QB Warren Moon (bruised ribs), Redskins FB Larry Bowie (broken left leg, out for season), Cowboys G Everett McIver (sprained right knee), Saints P Mark Royals (severely sprained left ankle), Dolphins LB Zach Thomas (dislocated finger).
BYARS MARKET
The Jets’ Keith Byars broke Marcus Allen’s NFL record for receptions by a running back with 593 catches, getting six Sunday for 71 yards. Some of those, however, came when he played tight end for other teams: Philadelphia, Miami and New England.
“I play offense,” Byars said. “Fullback, tight end, wide receiver, whatever they need.”
NORV AND WANNY
The Bears have been outscored 61-0 in the third quarter this season. Washington, coached by Norv Turner, who ran the offense in Dallas when Dave Wannstedt coached the defense, has been outscored 63-10 in the third quarter. But at least the Bears have a victory.
