The Buzz

1. OFF-BROADWAY HITS
Giants backup quarterback Danny Kanell, who lives in New Jersey, subs for Dave Brown and beats the Lions. Jets backup quarterback Glenn Foley, who was born in New Jersey, subs for Neil O'Donnell and beats the Patriots. On Sunday, September afterthoughts Kanell and Foley competed a combined 63% of their passes. The Giants are 5-3. The Jets are 5-3. Isn't this remarkable?

2. LAST MOOSE CALL?
Ever remember Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston limping or even getting up slowly after a play? Me neither. Now this sledgehammer pays. A bulging disk in his neck may force one of the league's classiest players to retire.

3. RUSH ORDER
Niners coach Steve Mariucci wasn't kidding when he said the ground game would be big by the Bay. San Francisco is running the ball 53% of the time and is averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Garrison Hearst ran for 105 yards in a 35-28 win over the Falcons in Atlanta. But the question remains: With their six wins coming against weak NFC West teams, how good are the 49ers? This Sunday's game is against the Saints, so we won't get a good read on the Niners until a Nov. 2 bout against the Cowboys.

4. STAMPEDED
So much for an undefeated season. Denver got run over in Oakland. The Broncos are surrendering 5.7 yards per rush, which is the kind of stat that will get them a warm seat next to the golden retriever and the fireplace come January.

5. BUFFALO KNUCKLEHEAD
Billy Joe Hobert lost his $47,500-a-week job as a backup quarterback after admitting that he didn't adequately prepare for the Bills' game against the Patriots on Oct. 12, a game in which he played extensively and that the Bills lost 33-6. Smart move. Even a quarterback-needy team would be foolish to touch this slacker.