OK, maybe Chicago vs. San Diego doesn’t bring back memories of Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus. But this weekend is another chapter in classic NFL rivalries. Here’s a look at the five battles and their point totals over the years. If you squint, it makes it look like an Arena Football League game score.
Rivalry
StL.-San Fran.
Dallas-Wash.
G.B.-Minn.
N.O.-Tampa
N.Y.G.-N.Y.J.
Points
Rams up 2,412-2,382
‘Boys up 1,996-1,623
Pack up 1,700-1,588
Saints up 455-395
G-men up 170-150
TWO-MINUTE DRILL (If you read slowly)
– Kansas City is only the 11th team since 1970 to start 8-0, but the first to make bell-bottom pants look fashionable.
– Beware: Vikings WR Randy Moss has cracked 100 yards receiving in seven of 11 games he has played against Green Bay. And yes, they play the Packers this Sunday. Hello.
– Stick this in your back pocket and pull it out if you get in trouble: Bears K Paul Edinger has connected on all seven of his FG attempts of more than 40 yards.
– Chiefs WR-KR Dante Hall’s TDs average 79.8 yards, the highest average of any player in history with a minimum of 10 scores.
– Raiders QB Rich Gannon has had three different receivers rack up 100-yard games this season: Jerry Rice (126 yards), Charlie Garner (112 yards) and Tim Brown (110 yards). Don’t get jealous; Oakland is 2-5.
Mandatory Bears item
As required by the Federal Bears Coverage Act of 1986.
The Bears toppled the mighty Lions last week, and what did it get them? Try a franchise mark of 650-474-42, which makes Chicago the first NFL club to reach 650 wins. And if these ex-Staleys find a way to solve the enigma wrapped in a puzzle boxed in a paradigm called the San Diego Chargers, what do the Bears become? That’s right: the first NFL team to 651 victories.
