1:00 Games
Philadelphia (4-2) * Phoenix (0-6)
It's an NFC East rematch between these two, with a chance for the Cardinals to complete a big upset for their first win of the season. Unfortunately, these nomads from the desert must continue in their search for the elusive victory, as the Eagles shut the door early on another important divisional victory to keep the lead. Randall Cunningham nearly struggled to outplay Chris Chandler, with the two throwing for a combined 418 yards and 4 interceptions (2 each). Uncharacteristically for a team with a bird mascot, it was the Eagles' ground game that sealed the win, with Herschel Walker and Cunningham combining for 171 rushing yards on just 9 attempts.
Final Score: Eagles 28, Cardinals 6
Chicago (3-3) * Green Bay (2-4)
With another unnamed team in the NFC Central riding a bullet, it's now a battle for bragging rights deep in the middle of the division. The Packers are skidding horribly behind their rookie quarterback, Brett Favre, who once again struggled for control. He completed 83% of his passes for a promising 324 yards, though apparently the other 17% of his throws were to Bears defenders, as they picked him off 3 times to seal the win in their comeback march. With Brad Muster returning, the Bob Christian Express takes a backseat; though we think the Bears have found a way to keep from derailing for now.
Final Score: Bears 33, Packers 28
Washington (2-4) * Minnesota (6-0)
It's a rematch of last year's NFC Championship game, though in this contest it appears only one team has a real shot of returning. The Redskins still get Minnesota's number, however, shutting Rich Gannon down to just 66 yards passing with a pick. Mark Rypien was stoically efficient, completing about half of his passes for 152 yards and no turnovers, while Earnest Byner and Terry Allen competed for yards on the ground, 87 yards to Allen's 95. With the score suggesting this game could've gone either way, we think there was a Roger Craig de-pantsing somewhere near the end zone as time ran out.
Final Score: Redskins 21, Vikings 14
New York Giants (2-4) * Seattle (2-5)
Two 2-win teams that were in the playoffs last year compete in this meaningless mid-season battle, with the Giants coming out on top behind the rise of Jarrod Bunch and his 98 rushing yards. Seattle's momentum comes to a screeching halt when someone apparently pinched Stan Gelbaugh awake long enough to throw just 133 yards with 2 interceptions. Unfortunately for Seattle, a sleeping Gelbaugh may have played better than Jeff 'the Walking Dead' Hostetler, whose 94 passing yards with a pick put this win on the backs of his defense, a horde of running zombies who have a particular taste for Chris Warren's brains.
Final Score: Giants 27, Seahawks 13
Detroit (1-5) * Tampa Bay (3-3)
A week after their disappointing loss to Chicago, the Buccaneers have a chance to get back on the wagon by playing yet another inferior opponent in the Lions. It's a return game for Detroit, who have a chance to get just their second win while also driving a stinger deep into Tampa Bay's playoff hopes. The Bucs' defense held strong, however, walling up Barry Sanders and crushing Rodney Peete, who had no options all day. Vinny Testaverde threw just 177 yards, 144 of those to Lawrence Dawsey, though we still think the Vinny mask will be the most popular come Wednesday evening.
Final Score: Buccaneers 19, Lions 3
Pittsburgh (2-4) * Kansas City (2-5)
Don't look now, but the Steelers still have a chance to save their season when they take on the underwhelming Chiefs out of Kansas City. Each of Dave Krieg's completed passes were to his own receivers, but K.C.'s porous defense couldn't keep from blowing the game in the final seconds. Pittsburgh leans heavily on Barry Foster once again, giving him 168 yards on the ground combined with a 52-yard pass to put him over 200 on the day, and the formula that new coach Bill Cowher has been looking for was right beneath his nose the whole time. Nobody wants to play against a mustache that mean.
Final Score: Steelers 27, Chiefs 20
Indianapolis (2-4) * Miami (4-2)
With a chance to right the ship and shake up the waters in the AFC East, the Colts collide head-first with the rising Dolphins of Miami. And once again, the 'Phins coast behind Dan Marino and his 275 passing yards, with 140 of those going to Philadelphia cast-out tight end Keith Jackson. First overall pick Jeff George is still enjoying his vacation in the land of mediocrity, lobbing up a lazy 158 yards for just a 40% completion rating, simply unable to keep up with the explosive offense out of South Beach. The Colts lose their fifth in a row, and at this rate they'll be lucky if the commissioner lets them play five more.
Final Score: Dolphins 28, Colts 20
4:00 Games
Buffalo (3-3) * New York Jets (4-2)
In what is likely the game of their season, the Jets look for a mid-season upset of Buffalo to keep pace. And with Browning Nagle at the helm, who could doubt this Gang Green squad? Keeping his composure in the second half, Nagle and his Jets scored 17 unanswered points to edge out the defending division champion Bills. Once again, Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas collapsed in the final quarter and a half, with Kelly only connecting for 116 yards and Thomas able to find 50 on the ground in 10 attempts. This may be the season where we see which way the toilets flush in Buffalo.
Final Score: Jets 24, Bills 21
Houston (4-2) * Cincinnati (3-3)
These two AFC Central participants collide for the second time in three games, with the Bengals desperately needing a win to end their 3-game skid. The Oilers didn't let up, however, with Lorenzo White eating up a struggling Bengals' rush defense for 55 yards on just 4 attempts. The Bengals attempted to play catch-up through the air, with Boomer Esiason finding rookie Carl Pickens on 5 connections for 162 yards. Unfortunately for Boomer, two of his passes found the hands of Oilers' defenders, which may have told the story of Houston's victory, also one of the best stories to read for insomniacs.
Final Score: Oilers 34, Bengals 24
San Diego (5-1) * Denver (2-5)
After a humbling 0-4 start, the Broncos secured two impressive victories before sacrificing John Elway to lose again last week. This week, the stables unleashed Elway back into the field to launch the ball for 265 yards and a late score to beat the coasting Chargers. Stan Humphries nearly matched Elway pass-for-pass, both completing 52% with Humphries throwing 249 yards of his own. The Chargers' also out-ran the Broncos, but whenever you carry the ball there's always a chance for a game-changing turnover. Which is why Denver perhaps chose to run the ball just 3 times for a total of 0 yards.
Final Score: Broncos 24, Chargers 21
Cleveland (3-3) * New England (1-5)
The Browns have won three games in a row, but they'll be the last to let anyone point that out for fear of jinxing their luck. Fortunately, for another week at least, that luck will continue with drawing New England as their next opponent. Kevin Mack assisted in the heroics of Mike Tomczak, bringing in 91 yards receiving before going out with an injury, while Eric Metcalf led the ground force with 101 yards. Alongside the anomaly of their offensive output, the Cleveland 'D' continued to thrive by picking Hugh Millen twice and forgetting to lock Anthony Pleasant's cage door.
Final Score: Browns 35, Patriots 17
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It's Halloween Week at The Tecmo Bowl, and what can be scarier than a winning Raiders team on the national stage? This means fans with spikes coming out of their lips, fans with skulls emerging from their chests, and Jay Schroeder with some confidence. Emmitt Smith and Eric Dickerson are two of the league's best rushers, with quarterbacks Troy Aikman and Schroeder emerging from the muck of last year to become two of the league's better captains. The Cowboys have to be shaking a bit in their cleats with this match-up coming along at the worst part of the season as they try to keep up with the Eagles in the NFC East. As long as they can avoid a hungry Raiders' defense, fans wielding axes, and NWA mistaking them for cops, Dallas should have a decent shot at getting back in the win column.
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