Week One NFL Top Performers
Posted: Tuesday September 08, 1998 10:39 AM
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Minnesota's Brad Johnson led the Vikings to victory with four touchdown passes ElsaHasch/Allsport |
ATLANTA (CNN/SI) -- Each week throughout the 1998 NFL season, CNNSI.com will honor three offensive players as being the week's Top Performers. At the end of the season, each week's winners will be pared down to five finalists for each award, and from those five, the season award winners will be selected by a readers poll.
Offensive Outburst Award
The inaugural Offensive Outburst Award goes to Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson, who stunned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with four touchdown passes in the Vikings' 31-7 victory. Johnson found Cris Carter and rookie Randy Moss for two touchdowns each, finishing with a modest 189 yards but a big victory in his first game since neck surgery last winter. Next week, Johnson and the Vikings have it a little easier, with a trip St. Louis to face the Rams.
Top Ground Gainer
Hearst's (right) 96-yard game-winning touchdown was the longest overtime run in NFL history OttoGreule/Allsport | |
It took him a little extra to put the game away, but this week's Top Ground Gainer is San Francisco's Garrison Hearst, whose 96-yard game-winning touchdown was the longest overtime run in NFL history. Hearst finished with one mean stiff-arm and a career-best 187 yards on 20 carries for his seventh career 100-yard game. Before the 49ers' 36-30 win over the Jets, Hearst's previous longest run was only 57 yards. Hearst has a big challenge next week as the 49ers travel to face the Washington Redskins.
Losing Effort Award
This hard-luck honor, given to each week's best performance in a loss, has to go to New York Jets quarterback Glenn Foley, who threw for 415 yards and three touchdowns, personally outdueling Steve Young but falling short as the 49ers won in overtime. Foley's 415 yards match Joe Namath for the sixth-best total in Jets history, and his three touchdowns equal his output for the entire 1997 season.
Top Rushing Performances
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Glenn Foley threw for 415 yards and three touchdowns in a losing effort Otto Greule/Allsport |
Garrison Hearst, 49ers, 20 rushes, 187 yards
Emmitt Smith, Cowboys, 28 rushes, 122 yards
James Stewart, Jaguars, 26 rushes, 115 yards
Donnell Bennett, Chiefs, 24 rushes, 115 yards
Karim Abdul-Jabbar, Dolphins, 23 rushes, 108 yards
Ahman Green, Seahawks, 6 rushes, 100 yards
Duce Staley, Philadelphia, 20 rushes, 95 yards
Robert Smith, Vikings, 18 rushes, 90 yards
Jamal Anderson, Falcons, 28 rushes, 88 yards
Corey Dillon, Bengals, 20 rushes, 87 yards
Top Passing Performances
Glenn Foley, Jets, 30-58, 3 TDs, 415 yards
Steve Young, 49ers, 26-46, 3 TDs, 363 yards
Peyton Manning, Colts, 21-37, 1 TD, 302 yards
Tony Banks, Rams, 29-44, 1 TD, 298 yards
Drew Bledsoe, Patriots, 20-32, 2 TDs, 289 yards
Brett Favre, Packers, 24-32, 2 TDs, 277 yards
Kerry Collins, Panthers, 21-37 2 TDs, 270 yards
Jeff George, Raiders, 19-31, 0 TD, 270 yards
Chris Chandler, Falcons, 17-33, 2 TDs, 268 yards
John Elway, Broncos, 22-34, 1 TD, 257 yards
Top Receiving Performances
Joey Galloway, Seahawks, 6 catches for 142 yards
Isaac Bruce, Rams, 10 catches for 131 yards
Bryan Still, Chargers, 6 catches for 128 yards
Keyshawn Johnson, Jets, 9 catches for 126 yards
Wayne Chrebet, Jets, 6 catches for 125 yards
Raghib Ismail, Panthers, 6 catches for 119 yards
Michael Irvin, Cowboys, 9 catches for 119 yards
J.J. Stokes, 49ers, 7 catches for 111 yards
Antonio Freeman, Packers, 4 catches for 110 yards
Marvin Harrison, Colts, 5 catches for 102 yards
Herman Moore, Lions, 9 catches for 100 yards
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