The season is beyond the halfway point. Every team has played at least eight games except Dallas, which plays Monday night.
And things are still crazy. Who would have figured on these events:
– At 6-2, Detroit and St. Louis are on top of the NFC.
– Defending champion Denver, which knew it would be without retired John Elway, also lost Terrell Davis to injury, is 3-6 and is essentially out of the playoff race.
– Atlanta, Arizona and the New York Jets, all Super Bowl contenders two months ago, have two wins apiece.
– New Orleans rookie Ricky Williams has no touchdowns.
The Saints, who have lost seven straight after a season-opening victory, next play another struggling NFC West team, the 3-5 49ers.
San Francisco’s 27-6 loss to Pittsburgh was its lowest scoring output at home since the Los Angeles Raiders beat them 9-3 on Nov. 13, 1988. That 49ers team rebounded to win the Super Bowl. Such a comeback seems impossible this time.
WELCOME BACK?
Seattle is off to its best start since 1984 and the 6-2 Seahawks may be getting stronger. Wide receiver Joey Galloway, who has missed eight games during his contract dispute, plans to report on Monday.
“We decided that going in, playing some football and getting the last year of the contract over with would be the best move,” Galloway told Fox Sports Net.
By returning to Seattle on Monday, Galloway can spend the minimum 30 days on the roster needed to count this as a full season. It would give him five seasons and thus make him eligible for free agency, if the Seahawks don’t label him their franchise player.
Galloway began his holdout because he wanted a five-year contract worth $25 million, plus a $10 million signing bonus. The Seahawks offered a seven-year deal worth $35 million, plus a $7 million signing bonus.
In September, the Seahawks took their offer off the table, saying Galloway would have to play for his $1.58 million salary under the terms of his original five-year contract.
Coach Mike Holmgren is still skeptical over getting his star receiver in the fold. “When I see him, I’ll believe it,” he said.
FINALLY MISSED
Steelers rookie Kris Brown booted field goals of 38 and 28 yards against San Francisco, setting a league record for the most successful career start by a kicker with 13 field goals without a miss. But he missed a 31-yard try in the fourth quarter when the ball hit the right upright and bounced away.
INJURIES
Detroit quarterback Charlie Batch sprained a finger on his throwing hand and had to leave the game against St. Louis in the third quarter. Gus Frerotte took over and guided the Lions to a come-from-behind victory.
Bengals linebacker Canute Curtis was carried off the field on a stretcher in the third quarter after injuring his neck while tackling Seattle’s Ricky Watters in Cincinnati’s 37-20 loss. Curtis was taken to a hospital for X-rays, but Cincinnati officials said he was able to move, and Bengals coach Bruce Coslet said tests on Curtis were negative.
Also sidelined: Seahawks DL Michael Sinclair (groin), Seahawks DL Sam Adams (knee), Jaguars RB Tavian Banks (knee), Falcons CB Ronnie Bradford (concussion), Lions CB Terry Fair (leg), Chargers LB Gerald Dixon (broken left hand), Jets WR Wayne Chrebet (hand), Dolphins S Calvin Jackson (strained left hamstring).
A SWEET TRIBUTE
The Jets’ Curtis Martin, inspired by the memory of Walter Payton, rushed for more than 100 yards for the third straight game, gaining 131 in a club-record 38 carries.
“He is maybe the only player in the NFL who had an influence on my life,” Martin said. “I’m not big on idolizing; I didn’t grow up that way. But Walter is the one guy I emulated. When I got the ball in my hands in street games, I’d call myself `Sweetness.’ “
