New Orleans defensive tackle La'Roi Glover had three sacks against St. Louis on Sunday, bringing his season total to 16 -- six shy of the NFL single-season record of 22 by Mark Gastineau in 1984. It was the third game this season that Glover had three sacks.
Glover, a fifth-year player out of San Diego State, already has eclipsed his single-season sack total (10.0 in 1998). The Saints' final four opponents -- Denver, San Francisco, Atlanta and the Rams -- have allowed 188 sacks this season.
Selected by Oakland in the fifth round (166th pick overall) of 1996 NFL Draft, Glover was assigned by the Raiders to the Barcelona Dragons in the 1997 World League enhancement allocation program. He was claimed on waivers by New Orleans on Aug. 25, 1997.
After first-year head coach Jim Haslett took over the Saints, he took one look at Glover and was hooked. "The first tape I put on," says Haslett, "I said, 'He stays.'"
"I use fear as my biggest motivation," says Glover. "I know if I don't come to play my hardest, the guy across from me is going to embarrass me.
"My mentality is let the numbers speak for themselves. We haven't gotten the attention in the past, and now that we are doing well, we don't need the attention. There's a time and place for that. We know in the locker room that teams are going to have a tough time when they play us. That's what keeps us happy."
| Week 13 NFL Recap |
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| Lions 34 (8-4), Patriots 9 (3-9) |
Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
57: Total offensive plays for New England -- two more than Detroit. |
| Player of the Game |
| Charlie Batch, QB, Detroit: Completed 16 of 24 passes for 194 yards and one touchdown, ran for 17 yards and one TD -- a 10-yard scamper shortly after being knocked from the game by a crushing shot to the chest from Patriots strong safety Lawyer Milloy. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| The Lions improved to 3-0 under head coach Gary Moeller, while the Patriots nailed down a losing season for Bill Belichick -- his fifth in six seasons as a head coach (four with Cleveland). New England took a 9-6 lead in the third quarter, then yielded 28 unanswered points. |
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| Vikings 27 (10-2), Cowboys 15 (4-8) |
Review |
Key Stat |
| Game Summary |
8: Career touchdown receptions for Vikings WR Randy Moss in four games against Dallas. |
| Player of the Game |
| Robert Smith, RB, Minnesota: Had 148 yards rushing and scored one touchdown, but his contributions on other scoring drives cannot be overlooked. On the Vikings' first TD of the second half -- for a 17-9 lead -- he had 9- and 39-yard runs. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| Minnesota continues to flaunt its offensive firepower in the wake of those who doubted second-year quarterback Daunte Culpepper. The Vikings' arsenal proved too much for the once-proud Dallas defense, which allowed an average of 7.1 yards per play. |
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| Ravens 44 (9-4), Browns 7 (3-10) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
44: Most points scored by Baltimore since franchise moved from Cleveland in 1996. |
| Player of the Game |
| Jamal Lewis, RB, Baltimore: Rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns, matching his season total. He set the Ravens' single-season rushing record with 1,095 yards. |
CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| Baltimore has recovered from its five-game TD-less stretch, averaging 25.6 points in its last five games. Cleveland continues to struggle without QB Tim Couch (42 points in last six games). If the Ravens continue to play ball-control offense and the defense maintains its level of intensity, Tennessee will be hard-pressed to repeat as AFC champion. |
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| Jets 17 (8-4), Bears 10 (3-9) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
3: Fumbles by Chicago RB James Allen, which led to 10 points for New York. |
| Player of the Game |
| Dedrick Ward, WR, N.Y. Jets: Oft-overlooked, fourth-year receiver had a season-high six catches for 93 yards, his highest yardage total since Week 2. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| Chicago gift-wrapped this game, but it is just the type of victory that can catapult the Jets on a streak. Playing in the rain, Jets QB Vinny Testaverde was stellar, completing 20 of 34 passes for 215 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. |
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| Steelers 48 (6-6), Bengals 28 (2-10) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
8: Number of players who have rushed for 1,000 yards in each of their first four seasons, including Cincinnati's Corey Dillon. |
| Player of the Game |
| Kordell Stewart, QB, Pittsburgh: Maligned for being less-than-"Slash," threw for a career-high three touchdowns and ran for another. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| Pittsburgh evened its record at 6-6, but its playoff hopes are fading. Jerome Bettis had 93 yards for his seventh 1,000-yard season in his eight years. Still, the Steelers' recent three-game losing skid will be the "what if" for the 2000 season. |
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| Eagles 23 (9-4), Redskins 20 (7-5) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
0: Carries by Washington RB Stephen Davis, who missed the game with an injury. |
| Player of the Game |
| Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia: Rushed for 125 yards, while completing 19 of 30 passes for 137 yards, one touchdown and one interception. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| Midnight struck for Washington. Six days after whipping St. Louis, the Redskins could not subdue Philadelphia when it mattered most: with first place in the NFC East on the line. If there is a saving grace for the Skins, only one of their final four opponents are above .500. |
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| Buccaneers 31 (7-5), Bills 17 (7-5) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
180: Total offensive yards for Tampa Bay, compared to 433 for Buffalo. |
| Player of the Game |
| Derrick Brooks, LB, Tampa Bay: Had 19 tackles, one assist and one of the Bucs' seven sacks. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| If Buffalo finishes one behind in the playoff race, chalk this one up to would've, could've, should've. For Tampa Bay, a win's a win. It wasn't pretty, but it counts just the same. |
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| Saints 31 (8-4), Rams 24 (8-4) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
1993: The last non-losing season for New Orleans. After Sunday's victory, the Saints can finish no worse than 8-8. |
| Player of the Game |
| Aaron Brooks, QB, New Orleans: Was 17-of-29 passing for 190 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in first NFL start. He also ran for two TDs. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| Who dat? New Orleans hasn't been in first place this late in the season since 1991. St. Louis has lost back-to-back games for the first time since Weeks 7-8 of '99. The Saints will get a huge emotional lift from this victory, while the Rams will welcome QB Kurt Warner back next week against Carolina. |
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| Raiders 41 (10-2), Falcons 14 (3-10) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
38: Unanswered points scored by Oakland after Atlanta took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. |
| Player of the Game |
| Rich Gannon, QB, Oakland: Was 15-of-22 passing for 231 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 64 yards. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| Oakland continues to do what is necessary: beat the teams it's supposed to. The Raiders held Atlanta's Jamal Anderson to only 26 yards and the Falcons to 31 rushing yards total. As the season nears the finish line, Oakland 'D' is rounding into postseason form. |
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| Dolphins 17 (9-3), Colts 14 (7-5) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
1: Number of interceptions by Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning, which led to Miami's game-winning touchdown. |
| Player of the Game |
| Damon Huard, QB, Miami: Completed 22 of 33 passes for 183 yards and one touchdown -- the game-winner with 1:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| Miami dealt Indianapolis' division-title hopes a tough blow, in addition to the Colts' third loss in four weeks. As great as his promise is, Manning continues to hurt the Colts when it counts most: an interception return for a TD in loss to Chicago, a safety in a two-point loss at Green Bay and Sunday's lone miscue, the INT which allowed Miami to drive for the victory. |
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| Jaguars 16 (5-7), Titans 13 (9-3) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
41: Number of seconds in difference of time of possession: Tennessee 30:41, Jacksonville 29:19. |
| Player of the Game |
| Mike Hollis, K, Jacksonville: Scored 10 points, including the game-winning 37-yard field goal as time expired. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| This loss clearly brings Tennessee back to the pack in the AFC, not to mention a mere half-game lead in the AFC Central against Baltimore. And Oakland has the advantage for home field through the playoffs. This was a huge loss for the Titans. As for Jacksonville, its season is a lost cause, even though it beat Tennessee. A hollow victory in the big picture. |
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| Chargers 17 (1-11), Chiefs 16 (5-7) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
44: Age of Kansas City starting QB Warren Moon, who substituted for an injured Elvis Grbac . |
| Player of the Game |
| John Carney, K, San Diego: A 52-yard field goal to win the game -- and end the Chargers' 11-game losing skid. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| It had to happen sooner or later. San Diego's victory -- 25 years after the team's last 0-11 start -- came against the same team it ended that skid against, Kansas City. The Chiefs have gone belly-up, losing four consecutive and five of seven. Add K.C. head coach Gunther Cunningham to the "waiting-to-be-replaced" list.
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| Broncos 38 (8-4), Seahawks 31 (4-8) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
47: Average yards of Denver's four offensive touchdowns. |
| Player of the Game |
| Mike Anderson, RB, Denver: With game tied at 31, he ran 80 yards for the game-winning TD with 3:34 left to play. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| Denver knew Oakland had already won Sunday, so keeping pace with the Raiders was a must. The Broncos trail the Raiders by two games in the AFC West, and are among six conference teams with at least eight victories. Seattle played valiantly, but not having a reliable quarterback continues to haunt head coach Mike Holmgren. |
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| Giants 31 (8-4), Cardinals 7 (3-9) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
25: Number of first downs for the Giants, to just 14 for the Cardinals. |
| Player of the Game |
| Kerry Collins, QB, New York: Completed 20 of 30 passes for 232 yards and one touchdown, without an interception. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| The Giants ended a two-game losing streak to remain a half-game behind the Eagles in the NFC East. Should the Giants and Eagles finish the season in a tie for the division lead, the Giants would win based on their two victories against the Eagles. Playing in place of the injured Jake Plummer, Cardinals quarterback Dave Brown was just 18-for-36 for 192 yards with a touchdown and one interception against his former team. |
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| Panthers 31 (5-7), Packers 14 (5-7) |
| Review |
Key Stat |
Game Summary and
Game Recap |
1-5: Packers quarterback Brett Favre's career record when throwing 50 or more passes. |
| Player of the Game |
| Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Carolina: Caught 11 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns. |
| CNNSI.com's Breakdown |
| Stop me if you've heard this one before -- a mediocre Panthers team bounces a mediocre Packers team from playoff contention in a late-season game. Though the Panthers won't be appearing in the postseason themselves, they can take solace in knowing that they bounced the Packers from contention yet again. Muhammad's stats may have been more eye-popping, but Brad Hoover's star performance was much less likely. In his first game on the national stage, the North Carolina native made Carolina forget about injuries to Tim Biakabutuka and William Floyd by gaining 117 yards and scoring one touchdown. Favre threw for 267 yards on 31-of-51 passing, but was picked off three times and had numerous passes dropped by his receivers. |
