NFL KICKOFF: NEWS AND NOTES FROM AROUND THE LEAGUES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2014 GREEN BAY PACKERS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS PACKERS: Have won NFC North in each of past 3 years…QB AARON RODGERS had 104.9 rating in 2013 & is only QB in NFL history with 5 consecutive seasons with 100+ rating. Has 104.9 career rating, highest in NFL history. Is 4-0 as starter on Thurs. with 115.6 rating…Pro Bowl RB EDDIE LACY was 2013 Offensive Rookie of Year. Set franchise rookie records with 1,178 rush yards & 11 rush TDs…WR JORDY NELSON had career-high 85 catches & 1,314 yards last year. WR-PR-KR RANDALL COBB & HOFer GALE SAYERS are only 2 in NFL history with 60+ yard run, 60+ yard catch, 100+ yard KR & 80+ yard PR in 1st 3 seasons…LB A.J. HAWK led team with 118 tackles. LB CLAY MATTHEWS has 50 sacks in 69 career games. Since entering NFL in 2002, LB JULIUS PEPPERS is 2nd in NFL with 118.5 sacks. Since 2010 (incl. playoffs), CB TRAMON WILLIAMS ranks 3rd in NFL with 19 INTs & CB SAM SHIELDS is tied for 4th with 17 INTs…SEAHAWKS: Won 1st Super Bowl in team history…Pro Bowl QB RUSSELL WILSON had 101.2 rating last year & is only QB with 100+ rating in rookie & 2nd season. 1 of 4 QBs to win SB in 1st or 2nd season. Incl. playoffs, has 28 wins in 1st 2 years, most ever…Pro Bowl RB MARSHAWN LYNCH rushed for 1,257 yards & 12 TDs last year, his 3rd season in row with 1,200+ yards & 10+ TDs. Is only NFL player to rush for 1,000+ yards & 10+ TDs in each of past 3 seasons… Seahawks led NFL in 2013 with 39 takeaways, 28 INTs & +20 turnover diff. Seattle was 1st in NFL in points allowed (231), total defense (273.6) & pass defense (172)…Pro Bowl CB RICHARD SHERMAN led NFL with 8 INTs, 1st Seahawk to lead NFL in INTs since 1993. Since entering NFL in 2011, leads NFL with 20 INTs. Pro Bowl S EARL THOMAS was 1 of 2 in NFL with 100+ tackles (100), 5+ INTs (5) & 2+ FFs (2). Is only S in past decade with 100+ tackles, 5+ INTs & 2+ FFs in season. Pro Bowl S KAM CHANCELLOR had 93 tackles, his 3rd season in row with 90+ tackles. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2014 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT ATLANTA FALCONS SAINTS: Ranked 2nd in NFL in pass offense (307.4) & pass defense (194.1)…Pro Bowl QB DREW BREES was 2nd in NFL in pass yards (5,162), TDs (39), comp. (446) & comp. pct. (68.6) last year. Had 104.7 passer rating, his 4th season with 100+ rating. Has 3 consecutive 5,000-yard seasons & 4 overall, most in NFL history…NO is 8-1 (.889) when RB MARK INGRAM has 14+ att...Pro Bowl TE JIMMY GRAHAM had 86 catches for 1,215 yards & 16 TDs last year, 1st TE in NFL history with 1,200+ yards & 10+ TDs in 2 different seasons. His 16 TDs are 2nd most by TE in season. Had 6 100-yard games, tied for most ever in season by TE. Since 2011 (incl. playoffs), leads NFL TEs with 286 catches, 3,717 yards & 39 TDs. WR MARQUES COLSTON had 75 catches for 943 yards last year, his 7th season with 70+ catches & 900+ yards. WR KENNY STILLS led NFL with 20.0 avg. (32 catches for 641 yards)…Pro Bowl DE CAMERON JORDAN (12.5) & LB JUNIOR GALETTE (12) each set career-highs in sacks. LB CURTIS LOFTON led team with 125 tackles & LB DAVID HAWTHORNE was 2nd on club with 89 tackles. CB KEENAN LEWIS led team with career-best 4 INTs… FALCONS: QB MATT RYAN had 4,515 yards last year, his 3rd consecutive 4,000-yard season. Is 36-10 (.783) at home in career & 60-34 (.638) overall. Has 153 pass TDs & needs 1 to tie for franchise record…Since entering NFL in 2004, RB STEVEN JACKSON leads league with 10,681 rush yards…WR JULIO JONES is 1st in NFL history with 80+ rec. TD in each of 1st 3 seasons. Since 2007, WR RODDY WHITE ranks 4th in NFL with 626 rec. & 8,484 rec. yards. Has 6 1,000-yard seasons in past 7 years. Last year, WR HARRY DOUGLAS set career-highs with 85 catches & 1,067 rec. yards…T JAKE MATTHEWS is 4th son with HOF father (BRUCE MATTHEWS) to be drafted in 1st round (No. 6 overall)…LB PAUL WORRILOW led team with 127 tackles last year. CB DESMOND TRUFANT had team-high 17 PD in 2013 as rookie. Trufant & CB ROBERT ALFORD each had 2 INTs. S WILLIAM MOORE had team-high 3 INTs. Since 2010, Moore is only S in NFL with 3+ sacks (3.5) & 14+ INTs (14). DE OSI UMENYIORA had team-best 7.5 sacks last season. BENGALS: QB ANDY DALTON is 1st Bengals QB to lead team to playoffs in 3 consecutive seasons (2011-13). Has 30-18 (.625) record, highest win pct. of any QB in club history (min. 20 starts). In 2013, set single-season team passing records for yards (4,293) & TDs (33). 1 of 3 players in NFL history to pass for 3,000+ yards in each of 1st 3 seasons (PEYTON MANNING, CAM NEWTON)…In 2013, RB GIOVANI BERNARD’s 1,209 scrimmage yards ranked 3rd among NFL rookies (695 rush; 514 receiving). Had 56 catches in 2013, most ever in single season by Bengals RB… WR A.J. GREEN aims for 3rd in row with TD catch vs. Ravens. Since joining NFL in 2011, has 260 catches, most of any player in 1st 3 seasons in NFL history. Has 3,833 receiving yards in 1st 3 seasons, 2nd-most of any player’s 1st 3 NFL seasons (RANDY MOSS, 4,163)…Defense tied for 3rd in NFL with 4 INT-TDs in 2013...Since 2012, GENO ATKINS leads NFL DTs with 18.5 sacks. Has 3 sacks in past 4 vs. Ravens…In last meeting, CB DRE KIRKPATRICK had career-high 2 INTs, including 21-yard INT-TD…RAVENS: QB JOE FLACCO has 11-0 career home record in September, tied with JAY SCHROEDER for best among Super Bowl-era QBs (min. 10 att. per start). Since joining NFL in 2008, Flacco has 62-34 record (.646). His 62 regular-season wins are most of any starting QB in 1st 6 seasons since at least 1970. Has 24-12 (.667) career record vs. AFC North…Last season, RB BERNARD PIERCE had career-high 152 rush attempts for 436 yards & posted career-bests in catches (20) & receiving yards (104)…WR TORREY SMITH had 1,128 receiving yards in 2013, 2nd-most in single-season in club history (MICHAEL JACKSON, 1,201 in 1996). Has TD catch in 2 of past 3 vs. AFC North. WR STEVE SMITH SR. makes Ravens debut. Finished 13-year Carolina career as club’s all-time leader in catches (836), receiving yards (12,197) & total TDs (75)…LB TERRELL SUGGS (94.5) is Raven’s all-time sack leader. Has 5 career 10+ sack seasons, most in club history. In 2013, LB DARYL SMITH was 1 of 3 players in NFL with 5+ sacks & 3+ INTs…Since 2012, KR JACOBY JONES has 4 kick-return TDs (3 KR, 1 PR), tied for most in NFL. BUFFALO BILLS AT CHICAGO BEARS BILLS: In 2013, QB EJ MANUEL set club rookie record for TD passes (11). In last road game (12/15/13 vs. Jax.), Manuel completed 17 of 24 passes (70.8 pct.) for 193 yards with 2 TDs for 105 rating…In last 4 vs. NFC, RB C.J. SPILLER has 423 scrim. yards (377 rush, 46 rec.) & 2 rush TDs. Last Dec., ranked 2nd in AFC with 426 rush yards (RYAN MATHEWS, 534). Last season, RB FRED JACKSON (5,121) joined HOFers THURMAN THOMAS & O.J. SIMPSON as only Bills to reach 5,000 career rush yards…Rookie WR SAMMY WATKINS (No. 4 overall) set Clemson records for rec. (240), rec. yards (3,391) & TD rec. (27). WR ROBERT WOODS ranked 3rd among AFC rookies with 587 rec. yards in 2013. TE SCOTT CHANDLER led Bills in rec. (53) & rec. yards (655) in 2013, both career-highs…Defense led AFC with 57 sacks in 2013 & had 3 players with 10+ sacks, most in NFL (JERRY HUGHES, KYLE WILLIAMS, MARIO WILLIAMS). M. Williams had sack in only game vs. Chi. (12/28/08 w/ Hou.)…BEARS: QB JAY CUTLER is franchise leader in career pass yards (14,913), comp. (1,258), att. (2,090) & rating (83.1). Has won past 8 starts vs. AFC with 15+ att. & has 100.4 rating. In career (incl. playoffs), Cutler’s teams are 28-3 (.903) when he has 100+ rating…Pro Bowl RB MATT FORTÉ had career-high 1,339 rush & 594 rec. yards & is only Bear with 2 seasons with 1,000+ rush & 500+ rec. yards…Pro Bowl WRs ALSHON JEFFERY (1,421) & BRANDON MARSHALL (1,295) combined for 2,716 rec. yards, most by duo in NFL. Jeffery had 2 200-yard rec. games last year & has 2 best rec. yard games in club history. Marshall had 100 catches in 2013, his 5th 100-catch season, tied for most in NFL history. His 218 catches & 2,803 rec. yards are most by Bear in 1st 2 seasons with team…G KYLE LONG was 1 of 4 rookies named to Pro Bowl last year…Since entering NFL in 2004, DE JARED ALLEN leads NFL with 128.5 sacks. CB CHARLES TILLMAN is only player in NFL with 30+ INTs (36) & 30+ FFs (42) since entering NFL in 2003. Since 2012, Pro Bowl CB TIM JENNINGS is 2nd in NFL with 13 INTs & ties for 2nd with 3 INT-TDs. LB LANCE BRIGGS is only active LB with 1,000+ tackles (1,141), 15+ sacks (15) & 5+ INT-TDs (5). WASHINGTON REDSKINS AT HOUSTON TEXANS REDSKINS: QB ROBERT GRIFFIN III passed for 3,203 yards last year & has 3,000+ pass yards in each of 1st 2 NFL seasons. Since 2012, is only player in NFL with 6,000+ pass yards, 90+ rating & 1,300+ rush yards. Pro Bowl RB ALFRED MORRIS rushed for 1,275 yards last year, his 2nd consecutive 1,200-yard season. Has 20 rush TDs in 1st 2 seasons… WR PIERRE GARÇON led NFL with franchise-record 113 catches last year. Had 1,346 rec. yards, his 1st career 1,000-yard season. Had 5+ catches in all 16 games in 2013. Pro Bowl WR DE SEAN JACKSON set career-highs last season with Phi. with 82 catches & 1,332 rec. yards. Tied career-best with 9 rec. TDs. Since entering NFL in 2008, averages 17.2 yards per catch, 2nd highest mark in NFL (min. 300 rec.)…Since entering NFL in 2011, LB RYAN KERRIGAN is 1 of 2 players in NFL with 20+ sacks (24.5) & 2+ INT-TDs (2). Last season, Pro Bowl LB BRIAN ORAKPO had 10 sacks. Was only NFC player in 2013 with 10+ sacks & INT-TD. LB PERRY RILEY, JR. led team with 112 tackles last season. DE JASON HATCHER had career-best 11 sacks in 2013 with Dal. CB DE ANGELO HALL is 3rd among active players with 43 INTs…TEXANS: QB RYAN FITZPATRICK has started 77 of 85 career games for 4 teams (St.L., Cin., Buf., Ten.), passing for 16,790 yards & 106 TDs. In past 2 vs. Was., has completed 37 of 56 passes (66.1 pct.) for 471 yards with 3 TDs vs. 1 INT for 102.6 rating…Since 2010, RB ARIAN FOSTER leads AFC with 4,806 rush yards (90.7 per game). In past 10 vs. NFC, has 1,296 scrimmage yards (893 rush, 403 rec.) & 10 TDs (7 rush, 3 rec.). Had 138 scrim. yards in last meeting (69 rush, 69 rec.)…WR ANDRE JOHNSON (10) is tied with HOFer JERRY RICE for most games with 10+ catches & 150+ rec. yards in NFL history. For career, Johnson averages 6 rec./game, best in NFL history (min. 100 games). WR DE ANDRE HOPKINS had 802 rec. yards in 2013, 2nd among NFL rookies…Since 2012, DE J.J. WATT leads NFL with 31 sacks. Has 7.5 sacks in past 8 vs. NFC. Rookie LB JADEVEON CLOWNEY (No. 1 overall) makes NFL debut. 2-time All-America selection at South Carolina finished NCAA career with 24 sacks in 3 seasons. TENNESSEE TITANS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS TITANS: QB JAKE LOCKER won 4 of 7 starts in 2013, passing for 1,256 yards & 8 TDs in those games with 86.7 rating. Has played 23 games in 1st 3 seasons, passing for 3,974 yards with 22 TDs. Has also rushed for 502 yards (6.9 avg.) on 73 att…In only career meeting (12/11/11 with NYJ), RB SHONN GREENE rushed for 129 yards on 29 att. (5.4 avg.) with TD. RB DEXTER MC CLUSTER spent 4 seasons with KC (2010-13), posting 662 rush yards, 1,500 rec. yards & 3 PR-TDs…WR KENDALL WRIGHT led team in catches (94) & receiving yards (1,079) in 2013, both career-highs. Since joining Titans in 2009, WR NATE WASHINGTON leads team in rec. (267), rec. yards (3,944) & rec. TDs (26). Needs 56 receiving yards to become 9th player in club history to reach 4,000. In last road game (12/22/13 vs. Jax.), had 6 catches for 117 yards (19.5 avg.), including 30-yard TD…DT JURRELL CASEY led team with 10.5 sacks in 2013, joining RAY CHILDRESS (13 in 1992) as 2nd DT in club history with 10+ sacks in single season. S BERNARD POLLARD had INT in last meeting…CHIEFS: 2013 Chiefs won 11 games, tied for most by team that won 2 or fewer in previous season (2008 Dolphins, 2012 Colts)…Since 2011, QB ALEX SMITH is 30-9-1 (.763) as starter & has passed for 8,194 yards with 53 TDs vs. 17 INTs for 92.5 rating. In 2013, set club single-season record for rushing yards by QB, with career-high 431 yards on 76 att. (5.7 avg.)…RB JAMAAL CHARLES led NFL with 19 total TDs in 2013 (12 rush, 7 receiving). In 2013, joined HOFer O.J. SIMPSON (1975) as only players ever with 100+ scrimmage yards & TD in each of 1st 7 games of season. Had 145 scrimmage yards (108 rush, 37 rec.) & rush TD in last meeting. RB KNILE DAVIS has 4 rush TDs in past 4 games…In last meeting, WR DONNIE AVERY had 3 catches for 91 yards (30.3 avg.). TE ANTHONY FASANO has TD catch in 2 of past 3 vs. Ten…Since 2010, LB TAMBA HALI has 46.5 sacks, 2nd most in AFC (ROBERT MATHIS, 48). Has 8.5+ sacks in each of past 5 seasons. LB JUSTIN HOUSTON aims for 3rd season in row with 10+ sacks (10 in 2012, 11 in 2013). Had sack in last meeting. In last meeting, CB MARCUS COOPER notched 1st career INT. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS PATRIOTS: Have 10+ wins in 11 consecutive seasons, 2nd-longest streak in NFL history (1983-98 49ers, 16)…Head coach BILL BELICHICK (199) needs 1 win to become 6th coach in NFL history with 200 regular-season wins…QB TOM BRADY has 11 division titles, most by starting QB in NFL history. Brady’s 148 regular-season wins are tied for 3rd-most all-time by starting QB. For career, Brady is 17-7 vs. Dolphins & has 42 TDs vs. 20 INTs & 89.8 rating. Brady (49,149) needs 177 pass yards to surpass HOFer WARREN MOON (49,325) for 6th all-time…Since 2012, RB STEVAN RIDLEY ranks 1st in AFC with 19 rush TDs. Averages 4.5 yards/att. (2,477 yards, 555 att.), highest avg. in club history (min. 500 att.). Has 4 rush TDs in past 4 vs. Mia…In 2013, JULIAN EDELMAN led NE in rec. (105) & rec. yards (1,056), both career-highs. Joined WES WELKER & TROY BROWN as only players in club history with 100 catches in season. In last meeting, had career-high 139 yards & 13 catches with TD. TE ROB GRONKOWSKI has TD catch in 4 of past 5…S DEVIN MC COURTY has 2 career INTs vs. Mia. In past 4 vs. Dolphins, CB DARRELLE REVIS has 3 INTs, including 100-yard TD, FF & FR…DOLPHINS: QB RYAN TANNEHILL had career-highs in pass yards (3,913) & TDs (24) in 2013. Has passed for 7,207 career yards, 5th-most in 1st 2 seasons in NFL history. Only Dolphins QB to pass for 3,000+ yards in each of 1st 2 career seasons. In last meeting, passed for 312 yards with 3 TDs & 0 INTs for 120.6 rating…In past 2 vs. NE, RB LAMAR MILLER has 173 scrim. yards (150 rush, 23 rec.)…In 4 career games vs. NE, WR MIKE WALLACE has 352 rec. yards (88/game) & 3 TDs. Had 105 yards & 39-yard TD catch in last meeting. WR BRIAN HARTLINE has posted 1,000+ rec. yards in back-to-back seasons & can become 1st Dolphin to do so in 3 consecutive years. Hartline (3,769) needs 231 rec. yards to become 7th player in club history to reach 4,000 career. Aims for 7th in row with 4+ catches vs. NE…DE CAMERON WAKE ranks 4th in club history with 51.5 sacks & needs 5.5 to surpass TRACE ARMSTRONG (56.5) for 3rd in team annals. Has 4.5 sacks in past 6 vs. NE. LB OLIVIER VERNON led team with 11.5 sacks in 2013. Has 5 sacks in past 6 vs. AFC East…S MICHAEL THOMAS had 1st career INT in last meeting. OAKLAND RAIDERS AT NEW YORK JETS RAIDERS: Rookie QB DEREK CARR (Round 2, No. 36 overall) led NCAA in total offense (5,199), pass yards (5,082) & TD passes (50) at Fresno St. in 2013. In Wk. 4 of preseason vs. Seahawks, completed 11 of 13 passes (84.6 pct.) for 143 yards with 3 TDs & 0 INTs for 152.1 rating. Tied for 2nd in AFC with 4 preseason TD passes…RB MAURICE JONES-DREW has 68 career rush TDs, 2nd-most among active players (ADRIAN PETERSON, 86). In 3 career meetings (w/ Jax.), has 311 scrimmage yards (270 rush, 41 rec.) & 3 rush TDs. In last game vs. NYJ (9/25/11), RB DARREN MC FADDEN had career-high 171 rush yards on 19 att. (9 avg.) with 2 TDs, including career-long 70-yard run. RB MARCELL REECE rushed for career-high 123 yards in last meeting…WR ROD STREATER led team in catches (60) & rec. yards (888) in 2013, both career-highs. In last meeting, set career-highs in rec. (7) & yards (130), including 48-yard TD catch. WR DENARIUS MOORE has led Raiders in TD catches for 3 consecutive seasons, including team-best 5 in 2013…LB LA MARR WOODLEY aims for 3rd in row with sack vs. NYJ. LB NICK ROACH had career-high 5.5 sacks, 2nd most among Raiders in 2013…JETS: QB GENO SMITH set franchise rookie QB records in pass yards (3,046), rush yards (366) & rush TDs (6). Became 1st QB since at least 1970 with 4 game-winning drives in 4th quarter/OT in 1st 7 career games. Led NFL rookies in pass yards in 2013. Won 3 of 4 starts to end season, accounting for 7 TDs during span (4 pass, 3 rush)…Since joining NFL in 2008, RB CHRIS JOHNSON ranks 2nd in NFL with 7,965 rush yards (ADRIAN PETERSON, 8,774). In 2 career meetings (with Ten.), rushed for 215 yards (107.5/game) & 2 TDs, including 76-yard TD on 9/12/10. Has 7 career 75+ yard TD runs, most in NFL history. RB CHRIS IVORY led Jets with career-best 833 rush yards in 2013. Rushed for 76 yards & TD in last meeting…In 5 career starts vs. Oak. (w/ Den.), WR ERIC DECKER has 30 catches for 374 yards (12.5 average) & 4 TDs. Since 2011, leads all AFC WRs with 32 TD catches. TE JEFF CUMBERLAND set career-highs in rec. yards (398) & TDs (4) with 26 catches in 2013…DE MUHAMMAD WILKERSON led Jets with career-high 10.5 sacks in 2013. In past 3 vs. Oak., LB CALVIN PACE has 4 sacks & 2 FF. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES JAGUARS: QB CHAD HENNE has played in 25 games with 19 starts in 2 seasons with Jax., passing for 5,325 yards & 24 TDs. Originally drafted in Rd. 2 by Miami in 2008, has 2 career 3,000-yard seasons, including 3,241 yards in 2013…In 4 seasons with Min., RB TOBY GERHART rushed for 1,305 yards & 5 TDs on 276 carries (4.7 yards/att.). Also had 77 rec. for 600 yards (7.8 yards/rec.) & 3 TDs. In 6 career starts, averages 91.3 scrimmage yards per game (548 total; 405 rush, 143 rec.)…WR CECIL SHORTS III led team in catches (66) & yards (777) in 2013. In past 6 vs. NFC, has 485 rec. yards on 33 catches (14.7) average, including 2 100-yard games. TE MARCEDES LEWIS has TD catch in 4 of past 5. Needs 3 rec. to become 4th player in club history with 300 rec. His 25 TD catches rank 3rd in Jags history…DE CHRIS CLEMONS spent 2 seasons with Phi. (2008-09). Had 10+ sacks in 3 of 4 seasons with Sea. (2010-13)…EAGLES: Won NFC East last year. CHIP KELLY became 1st rookie head coach in franchise history to win division title…Team set franchise records for points scored (442), total net yards (6,676) & touchdowns (53) in 2013. Club had 4,110 pass & 2,566 rush yards & joined 1998 SF as only teams with 4,000+ pass & 2,500+ rush yards in season…Pro Bowl QB NICK FOLES led NFL in rating (119.2), avg. gain (9.12) & TD pct. (8.5) in 2013. Had 27 TDs & 2 INTs, best TD/INT ratio in NFL history. Foles’ 119.2 rating was 3rd best mark in season in NFL history…Pro Bowl RB LE SEAN MC COY led NFL with 1,607 rush yards & 2,146 scrimmage yards last year, both franchise records. 1st Eagle to lead NFL in both categories in same season since HOFer STEVE VAN BUREN in 1948. Since 2011, RB DARREN SPROLES leads NFL RBs with 232 rec., 1,981 rec. yards & 16 rec. TDs…WR RILEY COOPER had career-high 47 catches, 835 yards & 8 TDs last year. Averaged 17.8 yards per catch, 3rd best mark in NFL…LB DE MECO RYANS led team with 127 tackles in 2013. LB MYCHAL KENDRICKS had 4 sacks & 3 INTs last year, 1st Eagle to accomplish feat in season since 1996. Led NFL with 4 defensive FR. LB TRENT COLE led team with 8 sacks in 2013. Has 79 career sacks, 2nd most in team history. CLEVELAND BROWNS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS CLEVELAND: In 3 starts with Cle. in 2013, QB BRIAN HOYER passed for 615 yards & 5 TDs with 82.6 rating. Hoyer is only Browns QB to win each of his 1st 3 starts with team. Became 1st player since HOFer OTTO GRAHAM (1950) to throw 3+ TDs in 1st NFL game with Browns…For career, RB BEN TATE has 421 att. for 1,992 yards (4.7 avg.) & 10 TDs. In last 3 starts (w/ Hou.), rushed for 227 yards (75.7/game) & 3 TDs…In 8 seasons with Dal., WR MILES AUSTIN had 301 catches for 4,481 yards & 34 TDs. In 1st career start (10/11/09 vs. KC), set single-game Cowboys record with 250 rec. yards…TE JORDAN CAMERON ranked 2nd among AFC TEs with 7 TD catches in 2013, trailing only HOFer OZZIE NEWSOME (9 in 1979) for most by Browns TE in single season...Since joining NFL in 2007, T JOE THOMAS has started every game (112 in row), 2nd-longest streak among active tackles (D’BRICKASHAW FERGUSON)…LB KARLOS DANSBY makes Browns debut. In SB XLIII vs. Pit. (w/ Arz.), had INT & 8 tackles. LB BARKEVIOUS MINGO ranked 3rd among NFL rookies with 5 sacks in 2013. In past 3 vs. Pit., Pro Bowl CB JOE HADEN has INT & FF… PITTSBURGH: QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER has 95-47 (.669) reg.-sea. record as a starter, 3rd-best win pct. among active NFL QBs (min. 10 starts). Has 17-1 record (.944) vs. Cle. (9-0 at home) with 27 TDs vs. 12 INTs & 97.5 rating. Has most career pass yards (34,105) & TD passes (219) in team history…In 2013, RB LE’VEON BELL (1,259 scrim. yards) surpassed HOFer FRANCO HARRIS (1,235 in 1972) for Steelers’ single-season rookie record. Rushed for 90 yards & TD in last meeting. Has rush TD in 4 of past 5…WR ANTONIO BROWN set single-season club record for rec. yards in 2013 (1,499) & had 110 catches, 2nd-most in team history (HINES WARD, 112 in 2002). In past 5 vs. Browns, has 28 catches for 442 yards (88.4/game) & 3 TDs. WR LANCE MOORE make Steelers debut. Has 4 TD catches in past 5 vs. AFC (w/ NO). TE HEATH MILLER has 5 career TD catches vs. Browns (2nd-most vs. any opponent)…LB JASON WORILDS led team with career-best 8 sacks in 2013. In past 4 vs. Cle., LB LAWRENCE TIMMONS has 3 sacks, INT-TD, FF & FR. In 11/24/13 meeting, CB WILLIAM GAY had 21-yard INT-TD, FF & FR. S TROY POLAMALU has 4 INTs in past 6 vs. Cle. MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT ST. LOUIS RAMS VIKINGS: QB MATT CASSEL has won both career starts vs. StL. Last year, had 103.3 rating in 3 wins as starter…Since entering NFL in 2007, Pro Bowl RB ADRIAN PETERSON leads NFL with 10,115 rush yards & 86 rush TDs. In last meeting, rushed for 212 yards with 82-yard TD. Has 5 career 200-yard rush games & needs 1 to tie NFL record. Has 10+ rush TDs in all 7 seasons & is 1 of 3 in NFL history to rush for 10+ TDs in 7 different seasons…Pro Bowl WR-KR CORDARRELLE PATTERSON had 4 rec., 3 rush & 2 KR TDs last year, only player in NFL history to accomplish feat. Had 6 TDs (3 rush, 3 rec.) in final 5 games of 2013. Aims for 6th game in row with TD. In 4 meetings, WR GREG JENNINGS has 17 catches for 356 yards (89 per game) & 2 TDs. TE KYLE RUDOLPH has 12 rec. TDs in past 2 seasons…LB CHAD GREENWAY led team with 134 tackles last year. DE BRIAN ROBISON had career-high 9 sacks last year, his 3rd consecutive season with 8+ sacks. CB CAPTAIN MUNNERLYN leads NFL with 4 INT-TDs in past 2 seasons. Is only player in NFL with 2 INT-TDs in each of past 2 years. Last season as rookie, CB XAVIER RHODES led team with 10 PD…RAMS: QB SHAUN HILL makes 1st start since 2010 season with Det. In his last start, Hill defeated Min. & completed 28 of 39 (71.8 pct.) for 258 yards & 1 TD. Won final 2 starts of 2010 season & had 95.7 rating…RB ZAC STACY rushed for 973 yards & 7 TDs as rookie last season. In final 9 games, rushed for 759 yards (84.3 per game) & 7 TDs…Last year, WR-PR TAVON AUSTIN became only player in NFL history with 95+ yard PR-TD, 80+ yard rec. TD & 65+ yard rush TD in season. Scored 6 TDs (4 rec., 1 rush, 1 PR) as rookie in 2013. WR KENNY BRITT needs 50 yards to reach 2,500 career rec. yards & 1 TD to reach 20 career rec. TDs…Pro Bowl DE ROBERT QUINN set franchise record with 19 sacks & ranked 2nd in NFL last year. Led NFL in 2013 with 29 TFL. Had 6 sacks in final 3 games. DE CHRIS LONG has 12.5 sacks in past 18 games. Had 8.5 sacks last year, his 4th consecutive season with 8.5+ sacks. CB JANORIS JENKINS has 4 career TDs (3 INT, 1 FR). Since entering NFL in 2009, LB JAMES LAURINAITIS is only player with 12+ sacks (12) & 9+ INTs (9). LB ALEC OGLETREE led team with 119 tackles as rookie in 2013. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT DALLAS COWBOYS 49ERS: JIM HARBAUGH is 1st head coach since 1970 merger to lead team to Conference Championship Game in each of 1st 3 seasons…QB COLIN KAEPERNICK (3,197 pass, 524 rush) joined HOFer STEVE YOUNG (1992) as only 49ers QBs with 3,000+ pass & 500+ rush yards in season. Incl. playoffs, when Kaepernick starts & has 100+ rating, 49ers are 13-0…Pro Bowl RB FRANK GORE rushed for 1,128 yards last year, his franchise-record 7th 1,000-yard season…Pro Bowl TE VERNON DAVIS had 13 rec. TDs last season & added 2 in postseason. Since 2009 (incl. playoffs), leads NFL TEs with 51 TDs. Has 15 TDs in past 18 (incl. playoffs). WR ANQUAN BOLDIN had 1,179 yards in 2013, his 6th 1,000-yard season. Pro Bowl LB PATRICK WILLIS was 2nd on team last year with 104 tackles, his 6th season with 100+ tackles. Since entering NFL in 2007, is only player with 20+ sacks (20.5), 15+ FF (16) & 7+ INTs (7). Pro Bowl LB AHMAD BROOKS had career-best 8.5 sacks last year. Pro Bowl S ERIC REID was only NFC player in 2013 with 4 INTs & 2 FR. CB TRAMAINE BROCK led team with 5 INTs & 13 PD last season, both career highs…COWBOYS: QB TONY ROMO is 63-45 (.583) as starter. Has only 4 4,000-yard seasons in team history & only 3 30-TD seasons. Is 2-0 in career vs. SF, completing 43 of 72 (59.7 pct.) for 686 yards with 5 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 114.7 rating…Pro Bowl RB DE MARCO MURRAY had career-best 1,121 rush yards & 10 total TDs (9 rush, 1 rec.) last year…Pro Bowl WR DEZ BRYANT had 93 catches for 1,233 yards & 13 TDs in 2013. Only Cowboy with 90+ catches, 1,000+ yards & 10+ TDs in consecutive seasons. Has TD in 5 consecutive games. Has 23 rec. TDs in past 24. Since 2011, has 34 rec. TDs, most by NFL WR. Since 2007, Pro Bowl TE JASON WITTEN has 627 catches, most by TE. Is 2nd all-time in receptions (879) by NFL TE. Had 7 catches for 102 yards in last meeting. WR TERRANCE WILLIAMS had 44 catches for 736 yards & 5 TDs as rookie last year, incl. 4 games in row with TD…S BARRY CHURCH led club with 133 tackles last year. DE GEORGE SELVIE had career-best 7 sacks in 2013. CB BRANDON CARR has 10+ PD in each of past 5 seasons, incl. 12 PD last year. CAROLINA PANTHERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS PANTHERS: Won NFC South last year & tied team record with 12 wins…Pro Bowl QB CAM NEWTON is only player with 50+ pass (64) & 25+ rush (28) TDs in 1st 3 seasons. His 11,299 pass yards are 3rd most in 1st 3 seasons & his 2,032 rush yards are most by QB in 1st 3 years…RB DE ANGELO WILLIAMS is franchise leader in rush att. (1,370), yards (6,627) & TDs (46). Had 1,176 scrimmage yards, his 3rd season with 1,000+ scrimmage yards. Pro Bowl FB MIKE TOLBERT led team with 7 TDs (5 rush, 2 rec.)…TE GREG OLSEN led team with 6 rec. TDs & is only active TE with 5+ rec. TDs in every season since 2008…Club was 2nd in NFL in points allowed (241), total defense (301.3) & rush defense (86.9) in 2013. Pro Bowl LB LUKE KUECHLY was 2013 Defensive Player of Year. Kuechly (156 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 INTs) & LB THOMAS DAVIS (123 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 INTs) were only LB teammates last year with 120+ tackles, 2+ sacks & 2+ INTs. Pro Bowl DE GREG HARDY tied club record with 15 sacks last year…BUCCANEERS: New head coach LOVIE SMITH was 81-63 (.563) in Chi. with 3 division titles, 2 NFC Champ Games & berth in SB XLI…QB JOSH MC COWN makes 1st start with TB. Last year with Chi., played in 8 games (5 starts) & had career-best 109 rating with 13 TDs vs. 1 INT. His .045 INT pct. (1 INT, 224 att.) is 2nd best mark in NFL history…In 2 games vs. Car., RB DOUG MARTIN has 233 rush yards (116.5 per game) & 279 scrimmage yards (139.5 per game)…WR VINCENT JACKSON had career-best 78 catches for 1,224 yards last year. Has 1,000+ rec. yards in each of past 3 seasons & 5 of past 6 years. Among active players (min. 200 catches), has NFL-best 17.4 rec. avg. (422 catches, 7,362 yards)…LB LAVONTE DAVID was only player in NFL last year with 100+ tackles (144), 5+ sacks (7) & 5+ INTs (5). In past decade, David & BRIAN URLACHER (2007) are only 2 in NFL to accomplish feat. Pro Bowl DT GERALD MC COY had 7.5 sacks in final 8 games. Had career-high 9.5 sacks in 2013. S MARK BARRON had 88 tackles, 2 INTs & 2 sacks last year, 1 of 2 S in NFL to accomplish. SUNDAY NIGHT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT DENVER BRONCOS COLTS: In 2013, QB ANDREW LUCK became 1st QB selected No. 1 overall to start playoff game in each of 1st 2 seasons. Passed for more yards (8,196) than any other QB in NFL history in 1st 2 seasons. In last meeting, passed for 228 yards & accounted for 4 TDs (3 rush, 1 pass)…Since 2012, RB TRENT RICHARDSON has 14 rush TDs, tied for 4th in AFC…WR REGGIE WAYNE (1,006) is 1 of 9 players in NFL history to reach 1,000 career catches. Colts are only team in NFL history with 2 1,000-catch players (MARVIN HARRISON, 1,102). Needs 19 rec. to surpass ISAAC BRUCE (1,024) for 7th all-time. Since 2001, has NFL-best 13,566 rec. yards. In 2013, WR T.Y. HILTON set club record for rec. yards in single playoffs (327). WR HAKEEM NICKS makes Colts debut. Averages 18.8 yards/catch in last 4 vs. AFC (16 rec., 300 yards)…DE FILI MOALA had sack in last meeting. LB ERIK WALDEN forced fumble in last meeting…BRONCOS: Set all-time single-season record for points in 2013 (606) & became 1st team in NFL history to have 5 players score 10+ TDs each in same season…QB PEYTON MANNING set single-season passing record for yards (5,477) & TDs (55) in 2013. Ranks 2nd all-time in career yards (64,964), comp. (5,532) & TDs (491). Selected No. 1 overall in 1998, Manning spent 14 seasons (1998-2011) with Colts. Won 4 AP NFL MVP awards with Ind. & ranks 1st in career pass yards (54,828) & TD passes (399) in club annals…Last Dec., RB MONTEE BALL totaled 382 scrimmage yards in 5 games (76.4 avg.)…WR DEMARYIUS THOMAS led all NFL WRs with 14 TD catches in 2013. Only player in club history with 2 1,400-yard receiving seasons. In past 3 vs. Colts, WR WES WELKER has 25 catches (8.3/game) for 286 yards. TE JULIUS THOMAS led AFC TEs with 12 TD catches in 2013, surpassing HOFer SHANNON SHARPE (10 in 1996 & 1998) for single-season record by Broncos TE…Since joining NFL in 2011, LB VON MILLER ranks 3rd in AFC in sacks (35). MONDAY NIGHT, SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 NEW YORK GIANTS AT DETROIT LIONS GIANTS: Have 49 wins in road openers, 2nd most in NFL history…QB ELI MANNING has started 151 consecutive games, longest active streak by QB. Passed for 3,818 yards last year & is only NYG QB with 9 3,000-yard seasons in row. Has won 8 of 12 starts on MNF…RB RASHAD JENNINGS set career highs last year (with Oak.) in rush yards (733), rush TDs (6), rec. (36) & rec. yards (292)…WR VICTOR CRUZ has 241 catches for 3,626 yards & 23 TDs in past 3 years, averaging 80.3 catches, 1,208.7 yards & 7.7 TDs per season. WR RUEBEN RANDLE had career-best 41 catches, 611 yards & 6 TDs last year...Pro Bowl S ANTREL ROLLE led team with 95 tackles & 6 INTs in 2013. His 6 INTs were most by S in NFL last season. CB PRINCE AMUKAMARA had career-high 13 PD last year. CB DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE had 3 INTs, incl. 75-yard TD, & 14 PD with Den. last year. DE JASON PIERRE-PAUL is only DE in NFL with INT-TD in each of past 2 seasons. DE MATHIAS KIWANUKA had 2 sacks & FF in last year’s meeting…LIONS: Host 1st MNF game on Kickoff Weekend since 1971…QB MATTHEW STAFFORD passed for 4,650 yards last year, 3rd consecutive 4,500-yard season. Only QB in NFL history with 3 4,500-yard seasons in 1st 5 years. Since 2011, has 14,655 yards, 2nd most in NFL…Last year, RB REGGIE BUSH had career-best 1,512 scrimmage yards (1,006 rush, 506 rec.). Scored 7 TDs (4 rush, 3 rec.). RB JOIQUE BELL led team with career-high 8 rush TDs last season…Since 2011, Pro Bowl WR CALVIN JOHNSON leads NFL with 5,137 rec. yards & 111.7 rec. yards per game. Only player in NFL history with 5,000 rec. yards in 3-year span. In past 2 seasons, has 18 100-yard games. In career, has 5 200-yard games, tied for most in NFL history. Last year (with Sea.), WR-PR GOLDEN TATE was only player in NFL with 800+ rec. (898) & 500+ PR (585) yards…LB DE ANDRE LEVY had 6 INTs last year, tied for most ever by Det. LB in season. LB STEPHEN TULLOCH led team with 135 tackles. Since 2010, Pro Bowl DT NDAMUKONG SUH has 27.5 sacks, most by DT in NFC. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS CHARGERS: Since 2006, QB PHILIP RIVERS has 32,221 pass yards, 2nd most in NFL (DREW BREES, 38,733). In 2 career starts vs. Az., Rivers is 2-0 & has completed 34 of 44 passes (77.3 pct.) with 472 yards & 4 TDs vs. 1 INT for 132 rating…RB RYAN MATHEWS has 100+ rush yards in 3 of past 4. Led AFC with 534 rush yards in Dec. of 2013. In last meeting, rushed for 55 yards on 9 att. (6.1 avg.) & scored 1st career TD…TE ANTONIO GATES ranks 2nd in TDs (87) & 4th in rec. yards (9,193) all-time among TEs. In 2 career meetings, has 200 rec. yards & 3 TDs. In 2013, WR KEENAN ALLEN (AP Offensive ROY) led NFL rookies in catches (71), rec. yards (1,046) & TD rec. (8). In past 4 vs. NFC, WR MALCOM FLOYD is averaging 17.3 yards per catch (18 rec., 312 yards)…Since 2011, S ERIC WEDDLE has 12 INTs, tied for most in AFC (JAIRUS BYRD)…CARDINALS: Won 7 of final 9 games in 2013…QB CARSON PALMER passed for 4,274 yards & 24 TDs last year. Is only player in NFL history to pass for 4,000 yards with 3 teams (Cin, Oak, Az). In 6 career starts vs. SD, has completed 148 of 212 (69.8 pct.) for 2,036 yards with 14 TDs vs. 3 INTs for 116.4 rating…RB ANDRE ELLINGTON had 1,023 scrimmage yards (652 rush, 371 rec.) as rookie in 2013. Averaged 5.53 yards per carry last year, highest in NFL (min. 100 att.)…Pro Bowl WR LARRY FITZGERALD has catch in 149 consecutive games, longest active streak in NFL. Since entering NFL in 2004, leads NFL with 96 rec. TDs (incl. playoffs). Is 1 of 13 players in NFL history (& only active) with 11,000+ rec. yards (11,367) & 85+ rec. TDs (87). WR MICHAEL FLOYD had 1st career 1,000-yard season last year (1,041)…Since 2011, CB-PR PATRICK PETERSON is only player with 10+ INTs (12) & 3+ PR-TDs (4). Named to Pro Bowl in each of 1st 3 seasons. CB ANTONIO CROMARTIE has 28 INTs since 2007, 5th most in NFL. Played 1st 4 seasons with SD (2006-09). DE CALAIS CAMPBELL had career-high 9 sacks last year. Has 6+ sacks in each of past 5 seasons. LB JOHN ABRAHAM is active leader with 133.5 sacks & 48 FFs. #NFL #GREENBAYPACKERS #CHEESEHEADS #STEELERS #AARONRODGERS #NYGIANTS #DENVERBRONCOS
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 22:39:26 +0000
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