Funny how the Dallas Cowboys seem to rise to the occasion when there's a big game on the schedule. After consecutive 13-10 losses to the Eagles and the Giants, the Cowboys came to life Sunday and beat the Redskins 38-20 to move back into first place in the NFC East.
Deion Sanders, sidelined by a concussion in the first quarter, came back into the game and returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown to give the Cowboys an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter. And Troy Aikman showed some toughness too, passing for two TDs and running for another.
The Pack is back in first in the NFC Central after blasting San Diego 31-3. Green Bay intercepted six passes to put this one away early. Bret Favre, still nursing a sore thumb on his throwing hand, sat on the bench in the fourth quarter.
Elsewhere, the Rams remained unbeaten with a 34-3 win over the Browns; the Patriots nipped the Broncos 24-23; and the Raiders scored a touchdown with 26 seconds left to beat the Jets 24-23.
| Week 7 NFL Recap |
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Chiefs 35 (4-2),
Ravens 8 (2-4) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
40.5: Completion percentage for Stoney Case before he was pulled in the second half in favor of Tony Banks.
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| Player of the Game |
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James Hasty, CB, Kansas City. Dominated the game with 11 total tackles, two interceptions and three passes defensed. |
| Breakdown |
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The Chiefs held Baltimore to 277 total yards, but managed only 218 yards of offense for themselves. Kansas City's defense stepped up with three interceptions -- two of which were returned for touchdowns -- to break the game open in the second half. Bam Morris carried 16 times for 70 yards and one touchdown to lead the offensive efforts for the Chiefs. Kansas City gets the Chargers at home next Sunday in a battle for first place in the AFC West, while Baltimore tries to regroup against Buffalo at home next week. |
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Lions 24 (4-2),
Panthers 9 (2-4) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
58.3: Third-down conversion percentage for the Lions.
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| Player of the Game |
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Greg Hill, RB, Detroit. Ron Rivers' backup was pressed into action when Rivers was injured in the first quarter, and Hill responded with 70 yards on 16 carries. |
| Breakdown |
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Charlie Batch had a gutty performance for the Lions, throwing for 210 yards and two touchdowns despite an arm injury that limited his throwing motion. Detroit allowed 320 yards of total offense to Carolina, but the Panthers couldn't get the ball in the end zone, having to settle for three John Kasay field goals. Tim Biakabutuka managed only 10 yards on nine carries after being injured in the first half as well, forcing Carolina to give four different running backs carries in the game. Steve Beuerlein once again posted big numbers(26-of-47 for 299 yards), but the only reason he threw 47 passes was because Carolina trailed by so much that it had to abandon the running game in the second half. |
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| Colts 31 (4-2), Bengals 10 (1-6) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
5: Sacks by the Colts on Bengals quarterback Akili Smith.
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| Player of the Game |
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Marvin Harrison, WR, Indianapolis. Speedster caught eight passes for 156 yards and one touchdown.
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| Breakdown |
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Indianapolis continued to show off its explosive young offense against an overmatched Bengals defense. Edgerrin James continued to stake his claim for the offensive rookie of the year award with two more rushing touchdowns. He only gained 52 yards on 26 carries, but his season totals are now 520 rushing yards and four touchdowns in six games. Peyton Manning also threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns. The defense did its share with five sacks of Smith, led by Chad Bratzke's five-tackle, two-sack effort. Bratzke and Shawn King were the two big offseason free-agent signings by the Colts, and they have both helped solidify the defensive line this season. Indianapolis held the league's leading rusher, Corey Dillon, to seven yards on six carries.
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| Cowboys 38 (4-2) Redskins 20 (4-2) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
60: Third-down conversion percentage by the Cowboys. |
| Player of the Game |
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Troy Aikman, QB, Dallas. Aikman completed 20-of-32 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns.
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| Breakdown |
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The rematch of the season opener didn't materialize into quite as much of a shootout, but defense was the forgotten side once again in Dallas on Sunday. The Cowboys got 352 yards of total offense, which is a bit of a moral victory for a Redskins defense that was allowing 401.6 yards per game coming in. Raghib Ismail continues to fill in for the injured Michael Irvin successfully at wide receiver. The Rocket caught six passes for 76 yards and a touchdown to lead Dallas' aerial efforts. Emmitt Smith got 80 yards and one touchdown on the ground, but Washington's defense limited him to only 3.3 yards per carry. The Cowboys embark on a tough two-game road trip with games at Indianapolis and Minnesota, while Washington gets two in a row at home against Chicago and Buffalo.
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| Vikings 40 (3-4) 49ers 16 (3-4) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
15: Penalties committed by the 49ers for 105 yards. |
| Player of the Game |
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Leroy Hoard, RB, Minnesota. Filling in for the injured Robert Smith, Hoard ran for 105 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries.
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| Breakdown |
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San Francisco's first three-game losing streak since 1980 has them looking like an NFC also-ran. Jeff Garcia struggled in his fourth career start, and was pulled in the fourth quarter in favor of Steve Stenstrom after throwing two interceptions. The 40 points were the season high for the previously struggling Vikings. Jeff George tossed three touchdown passes and had the Minnesota offense running smoothly like it did for most of last season under Randall Cunningham. Leroy Hoard's great game running the football kept the defense honest, helping to open up the passing game. Randy Moss caught only one pass for 24 yards, but his presence commanded the attention of the 49ers' defensive backs, allowing Matthew Hatchette to catch two passes for 88 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown.
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| Giants 31 (4-3), Saints 3 (1-5) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
111: Career-high rushing total by Saints rookie Ricky Williams. |
| Player of the Game |
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Kent Graham, QB, New York. Threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-29 passing.
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| Breakdown |
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Billy Joe Tolliver's three interceptions hurt the Saints, who wasted Ricky Williams' first career 100-yard game. The Saints sacked Kent Graham four times, but allowed 321 total yards to the Giants offense. New York obviously missed having Gary Brown to eat up carries and keep the ball on the ground, as they spread 32 carries between Leshon Johnson and Joe Montgomery. The Giants' defense took a beating in the game, losing Jessie Armstead, Shaun Williams and Percy Ellsworth to injury in the game. New Orleans may get some relief from its five-week downward spiral with Cleveland coming to the Superdome next week.
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| Buccaneers 6 (3-3) Bears 3 (3-4) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
497: Total combined offensive yards by the two teams. |
| Player of the Game |
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Derrick Brooks, LB, Tampa Bay. Brooks picked off two passes, made 10 total tackles and defensed four passes in the defensive struggle in Tampa Bay.
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| Breakdown |
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Tampa Bay and Chicago played what is probably the ugliest game of the season so far. Cade McNown looked awful in this second NFL start and was pulled in the second half for journeyman Jim Miller. The Bucs held their opponents below 100 yards rushing for the 12th straight game. Tampa Bay travels to Detroit next Sunday for a key battle within the NFC Central, while the Bears move outside the division to face the Redskins in Washington.
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| Rams 34 (6-0), Browns 3 (0-7) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
27: First downs by the St. Louis offense. |
| Player of the Game |
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Marshall Faulk, RB, St. Louis. Mr. All-Purpose had 200 yards of total offense, with 133 rushing yards and one touchdown on 16 carries, and 9 catches for 67 yards.
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The Rams continued their magical run in 1999 with an easy blowout win over the lowly Browns. But how much can you really learn about the Rams from a 31-point win over Cleveland? After all, Pittsburgh beat the Browns by 43 points in the opener. Kurt Warner continued his spectacular play, completing 23-of-29 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns. That gives him 1,531 yards passing and 18 touchdowns through six games, keeping him exactly on pace to tie Dan Marino's single-season touchdown passes mark of 48 set in 1984. Faulk had his second straight 200-plus yard day, and looks to be completely healthy for the first time in almost a month. As if the Rams needed another weapon in their offense, Faulk is re-establishing himself as the best all-purpose running back in football.
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| Patriots 24 (5-2) Broncos 23 (2-5) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
10: Penalties committed by the Broncos for a loss of 70 yards. |
| Player of the Game |
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Terry Allen, RB, New England. Led the revival of the running game 17 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
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| Breakdown |
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The curse is dead! No, not the Curse of the Bambino, but the Curse of Sam "Bam" Cunningham. The Patriots beat the Broncos for the first time since 1980, ending an 11-game losing streak to the Broncos. New England held off a second-half rally by the Broncos, after jumping out to a 17-10 halftime lead. Pete Carroll probably had bad flashbacks to last week's tough loss to the Dolphins as Denver clawed to within one with just over six minutes to play, but Jason Elam was short on the potential go-ahead 59-yard field goal inside of two minutes. The Patriots stayed within a half-game of the Dolphins for the top spot in the AFC East, and they head west to face the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday before getting their bye week in Week 9. Denver looked to be getting back in the playoff hunt before stubbing its toe in New England.
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| Dolphins 16 (5-1), Eagles 13 (2-5) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
36:05: Time of possession for the Miami Dolphins. |
| Player of the Game |
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Cecil Collins, RB, Miami. The rookie runner carried 26 times for 97 yards, helping the Dolphins control the clock in the low-scoring battle.
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| Breakdown |
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The Dolphins remain in sole possession of first place with the tough win over the Eagles, with a tough road game at Oakland looming next Sunday. Doug Pederson doomed Philadelphia with an awful performance, going only 13-of-25 for 108 yards and one interception. Miami's defense sacked Pederson four times, and the Dolphins' excellent secondary allowed only Charles Johnson more than 27 yards receiving. Damon Huard played well in his first NFL start, but Miami didn't find the end zone as often as Jimmy Johnson would've like. Huard completed 15-of-21 passes for 142 yards with one interception and no touchdown passes. Olindo Mare kicked three field goals, breaking his streak of four consecutive games in which he had kicked at least four field goals.
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| Packers 31 (4-2), Chargers 3 (4-2) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
6: Interceptions thrown by Chargers quarterbacks Erik Kramer and Jim Harbaugh, who were picked off three times each. |
| Player of the Game |
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Tyrone Williams, CB, Green Bay. Finished with two interceptions, five total tackles and three passes defensed.
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| Breakdown |
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Green Bay's defense sacked the San Diego quarterbacks three times in addition to picking off six passes. Harbaugh and Kramer combined to complete only 25-of-54 passes for 239 yards. The Packers ran for 129 yards on 28 carries against the league's top-rated rushing defense. Green Bay did a great job blocking All-Pro linebacker Junior Seau, limiting him to two solo tackles. Green Bay keeps pace with the Lions atop the NFC Central with the win. The Packers will have an emotional meeting with the Seattle Seahawks next Monday night, as Mike Holmgren will be returning to Lambeau Field for the first time since leaving to take the Seahawks job. San Diego travels to Kansas City next Sunday to take on the Chiefs for the AFC lead.
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| Raiders 24 (4-3), Jets 23 (1-6) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
56.3: Third-down completion percentage for the Raiders. |
| Player of the Game |
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Tim Brown, WR, Oakland. Torched the Jets for 12 catches for 213 yards and one touchdown.
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| Breakdown |
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Despite losing running back Tyrone Wheatley to injury in third quarter, the Raiders managed to gain 117 yards on the ground. The majority of that came thanks to the legs of mobile quarterback Rich Gannon who gained 60 yards on five carries. Gannon also completed 26-of-51 passes for 352 yards and two touchdowns. The Raiders trailed 23-7 late in the third quarter before Gannon and Brown started the furious comeback with a 45-yard scoring toss near the end of the third quarter. The latest in the string of heartbreaking losses for the Jets comes with but one silver lining -- they can't lose next week because they aren't playing. A welcome bye week will give the Jets a chance to regroup and try to salvage something out of a disappointing season.
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| Seahawks 26 (4-2) Bills 16 (4-3) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
385: Total yards gained by Seattle's offense. |
| Player of the Game |
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Derrick Mayes, WR, Seattle. Joey who? Mayes had his best game as a Seahawk, grabbing six passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
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| Breakdown |
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Seattle may be the quietest 4-2 team in the league, largely because its offense has struggled so badly for most of the season. Jon Kitna had his best passing performance of the year, throwing for 276 yards on 17-of-30 passing. His two touchdown tosses to Derrick Mayes show the chemistry that two have developed since Mayes came over from the Packers in a preseason deal. Mike Holmgren hopes that his offense continues to click like it did on Sunday, as Seattle's next game at Green Bay will mean a lot to him personally. The lone bright spot for Buffalo was the play of rookie Peerless Price filling in for the injured Eric Moulds at wide receiver. Price caught five passes for 106 yards and added his first NFL touchdown catch. Buffalo dropped its second straight game, and still has two more games left on a three-game road trip.
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| Steelers 13 (4-3) Falcons 9 (1-6) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
70: Yards by Atlanta players other than Terance Mathis, who had a season-high 12 catches for 166 yards and one touchdown. |
| Player of the Game |
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Levon Kirkland, LB, Pittsburgh. Helped hold the Falcons to 49 yards rushing on 25 carries, and finished with eight tackles and one sack.
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| Breakdown |
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Atlanta's offense looked dormant again until the final quarter. The Falcons surged in the fourth quarter to make a game of it, and they came within a last-second incomplete pass of giving Bill Cowher his first loss on Monday Night Football. Jerome Bettis carried 23 times for 80 yards, failing to go over the 100-yard mark for the first time in nine appearances on Monday night. The Steelers get a week off before heading to San Francisco on Nov. 7, while the Falcons face the Panthers in Atlanta next Sunday.
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