2B
Friday, September 2, 1994
SPORTS RSITY DAILY KANSAN
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NFL Week One Preview
A look at the top games this weekend
KANSAS CITY (11-5) AT
NEW ORLEANS (8-8)
Televised 1 p.m.. NBC
Televised 1 p.m., NBC
LINE—Chiefs by 3.
SERIES RECORD — Saintslead3.
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LAST TIME MET — In 1991 at Arrowhead Stadium, Saints won 17-10.
Others brought in Steve Bono to backup-infured QB Joe Montana (2,144 yards, 13 TDs, seven INTS last season). Marcus Allen is 34, but has continued assault on record books. No. 1 pick RB Greg Hill is explosive runner. J.J. Birden and Willie Davis form exciting receiving duo.
CHIEFS OFFENSE — RUSH (No. 20), PASS (No. 15), OVERALL (No. 16)
SAINTS OFFENSE — RUSH (No. 14), PASS (No. 21), OVERALL (No. 21)
Jim Everett is latest in Saints' QB merry-go-round, with '93 starter Wade Wilson as backup. RB Derek Brown was sensational before injury cut '93 season short. Signed big-play
WR Michael Haynes (72 receptions last year with Falcons). Lost strong run-blocker Derek Kennard.
CHIEFS DEFENSE — RUSH (No.
PASS, P14 (No. 10). OVERALL (No. 11)
DE Neil Smith led NFL with 15 sacks and forced four fumbles. DLs Dan Saleumma and Joe Phillips clog mid-drile. Derrick Thomas returns to LB after disappointing season at DE. CB Dale Carter anchors secondary that lost Kevin Ross (Falcons), Albert Lewis (Raiders) and Martin Bayless (Redskins)
SAINTS DEFENSE — RUSH (No.
25). PASS(No. 1), OVERALL (No. 7)
Pat Swilling trade to Detroit a season ago started movement in which two other starting LBs left. Sam Mills is last of original four to return. DE Wayne Martin is best lineman.
SAN DIEGO (8-8) AT DENVER (9.7)
Televised 8 p.m., TNT LINE — Broncos by 7
LAST TIME MET — In Week 14 at Jack Murphy Stadium, John Carney's 34-yard FG with three seconds left lifted Chargers to 13-10 win.
SERIES RECORD — Broncos
lead 35-32-1.
CHARGERS OFFENSE — RUSH (No. 10), PASS (No. 17), OVERALL (No. 14)
Coach Bobby Ross is counting on QB Stan Humphries regaining 1992 form that saw Chargers win 11 straight and advance to second round of playoffs. RB Natrone Means (645 yards, eight TDs last season) replaces Marion Butts. RB Ronnie Harmon (73 receptions last year) is one of NFL's best receivers amongst backs.
BRONCOS OFFENSE — RUSH (No. 18), PASS (No. 4), OVERALL (No.5)
One of NFL's best offenses got better. Anthony Miller (84接尝),
1,162 yards last year) and WR Mike Parchion join QB John Elway (4,030 yards, 25 TDs, 10 INTS last season)
coming off best season. Throw in H-back Shannon Sharpe and RBs Rod Bermstein and Glyn Milburn.
CHARGERS DEFENSE — RUSH (No. 2), PASS (No. 28), OVERALL (No. 18)
All-Pro LB Junior Seau (129 tackles, 19 for losses last year) has led Chargers in tackles last three seasons. DE Leslie O'Neal (12 sacks last year) and Chris Mims lead pass rush.
BRONCOS DEFENSE — RUSH (No. 4), PASS (No. 27), OVERALL (No. 19)
DE Dan Williams battled through injury-filled rookie season, but has strong potential. DE Simon Fletcher (13.5拿 last year) leads pass rush.
LOS ANGELES RAIDERS (10-6)
AT SAN FRANCISCO (10-6)
Televised Monday, 9 p.m., ABC
LINE 490s by 7
SERIES RECORD — Raiders lead
5.2
LAST TIME MET — In 1991 at Memorial Coliseum, Raiders won 12-6.
RAIDERS OFFENSE — RUSH (No. 26), PASS (No. 5), OVERALL (No. 13)
QB Jeff Hostelster (3,242 yards, 14 TDs, 10 INTs last year) is coming off career season and Raiders have one of best WR corps in NFL: Tim Brown (80 reception, 1,180 yards last year) made Pro Bowl. Tom Rathman gives Raiders FB in mold of Mark van Feeben.
49ERS OFFENSE — RUS (No.
PASS, PASS 2), OVERALL (No.1)
No need for improvement here with unit that averaged 30 points per game. Steve Young threw for single-season team record 4,023 yards, along with 29 TDs, WRsJerry Rice (98 receptions, 1503 yards, 15 TDs last
year) and John Taylor are main reasons for Young's record. TE Brent Jones is one of NFL's best.
RAIDERS DEFENSE — RUSH (No. 20), PASS (No. 5), OVERALL (No.9)
With Howie Long retired, DT Chester McGlockton (team-high 78 tackles last year) and DE Anthony Smith (12.5 tackles last year) take over. CB Albert Lewis brings stellar stats to Los Angeles.
49ers, who allowed NFL worst 4.5 yards per rush, upgraded with DE Richard Dent. He joins No.1 pick Bryant Young and defensive rookie of year Dana Stubblefield (10.5 sacks last year) to form solid front.
49ERS DEFENSE — RUSH (No.
16), PASS (No. 16), OVERALL (No.
15)
DALLAS (12-4) AT
PITTSBURGH (9-7)
televised 4 p.m., FOX
Televised 4 p.m., FOX LINE — Cowboys bv.5.5
SERIES RECORD — Steelers lead 13-12
LAST TIME MET — In 1991 at
Tesla Stadium, cowboys won 10-10.
COBOYOBS OFFENSE — RUSH
(No. 2), PASS (No. 7), OVERALL (No.
4)
Nucleus of two-time champions still intact: regular season and Super Bowl MVP RB Emmit Smith (NFLhigh 1,486 yards, 10 TDs), QB Troy Alkman (3,100 yards, 15 TDs), WRs Michael Irvin (88 receptions, 1,330 yards) and Alvin Harper and TE Jay Novacek. Unit stacked with Pro Bowl linemen: C Mark Stepnski, G Nate Newton and T Erik Williams.
STEELERS OFFENSE — RUSH
(No. 6), PASS (No. 13), OVERALL
(No. 7)
If Barry Foster reverts to old form (AFC-leading 1,680 yards in 1992), the unit, which emphasizes ball control, will succeed. Rookie Bam Morris beat out Leroy Thompson to back up Foster. QB Neil O'Donnell (3,208 yards, 14 TDs, seven IBTs) had best his season despite painful elbow tendinitis. Charles Johnson was first WR taken in draft.
**COWBOYS DEFENSE** — RUSH
(No. 11), PASS (No. 10), OVERALL
(No. 10)
STEELERS DEFENSE — RUSH (No. 3), PASS (No. 15), OVERALL (No. 3)
Clearly, this is Rod Woodson's and Greg Lloyd's team. The All-Por cornerback and star linebacker are physical and emotional leaders.
This bend-but-not-break defense turned it on when it had to. Led by DFTs Russell Maryland and Leon Lett and LD Barrin Smith.
NEW YORK JETS (8-8) AT BUFFALO (12-4)
BUFFALO (12-4)
Televised 4 p.m., NBC
Televised 4 p.m., NB LINE — Bills by 6.5
SERIES RECORD — Bills lead 38-29
LAST TIME MET — In Week 17 at Rich Stadium, Steve Christie's 40-ward FG with 3:48 lft lifted Bills to 16-14 win in coldest regular-season NFL game in Buffalo history.
JETS OFFENSE — RUSH (No.9).
PASS (No. 10) OVERALL (No.9)
Much to anyone outside of Buffalo's dismay, Bills have talent to make it to fifth straight Super Bowl. Kyle (3,382 yards, 18 TDs, 18 INTS last year) and offense had good preseason. RB Thurman Thomas is one of NFL's top backs. Andre Reed, Bill Brooks, Don Beebe and Russell Copeland are WRs. C Kent Hull, T John Fina and G John Davis anchor line.
BILLS OFFENSE — RUSH (No.
No. 6)
PASS (No. 11), OVERALL (No.
2)
JETS DEFENSE — RUSH (No. 5).
PASS (No. 10), OVERALL (No. 8)
James Hasty, Ronnie Lott and Brian Washington and speedy No. 1 pick Aaron Glenn lead secondary. LB Mo Lewis is Pro Bowl material. Jeff Lageman (8.5 sacks last year) excelled at DE.
BILLS DEFENSE — RUSH (No.
21), PASS (No. 24), OVERALL (No.
27)
Unit tailed off some last season, but beared down when had to. Despite being double-teamed, All-Pro DE Bruce Smith (13.5 sacks last year) is one of NFL's best tackles.
PHILADELPHIA (8-8) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (11-5)
Televised 1 p.m., FOX
LINE — Giants by 3.
SERIES RECORD — Giants lead
62-54.2
LAST TIME MET — In Week 12 at Veterans Stadium, Phil Simms' '26-yard pass to Mark Jackson lifted Giants to 7-3 victory.
EAGLES OFFENSE — RUSH
(No. 15), PASS (No. 16), OVERALL
(No. 15)
Can Randall Cunnigham stay healthy for full season? After 4-0 start, went 4 after QB's Week 5 knee injuries. Herschel Walker (75 receptions, 610 yards rushing last season) finally found a home. Fred Barnett, Calvin Williams and Victor Bailey form solid receiving corps.
GIANTS OFFENSE — RUSH (No.
1) PASS (No.22) OVERFALL
1), PASS (No. 22), OVERALL (No. 10)
After 15 seasons, QB Phil Simmell fell victim to salary camp. Third-year QB Dave Brown takes over for Simms.
RB Rodney Hampton (1,077 yards in 12 games last season) will make transition easier. Kenyon Rasheed is new FB.
EAGLES DEFENSE — RUSH (No. 24), PASS (No. 8), OVERALL (No. 17)
Loss of DE Clyde Simmons and LB Seth Jeyner will hurt. Acquisition of ends Greg Townsend, fourth all-time with 107.5 career sacks, from Raiders and William Fuller (Oilers, 10 sacks last) will help. LB William Thomas is undersized, but active and tough. S Greg Jackson (Giants) joins one of NFL's best CBs Eric Allen.
GIANTS DEFENSE — RUSH (No. 5)
PASS, P(No. 10), OVERALL (No. 5)
Three-fourths of starting secondary took free-agent route. Despite salary cap constraints, fans and media criticize GM George Young for inactivity in market.
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ENDS THURSDAY
MINNESOTA (9-7) AT
GREEN BAY (9-7)
Televised 1 p.m., FOX
LINE — Packers by 3.5
SERIES RECORD — Vikings lead
32:24
LAST TIME MET — In Week 16 at Metrodome, Jim McMahon threw three TD passes in Minnesota's 21-17 win.
VIKINGS OFFENSE — RUSH
(No. 21), PASS (No. 14), OVERALL
(No. 17)
After 10 seasons in Houston, Warren Moon (3,485 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs last season) hopes Vikings are answer to Super Bowl dream. Terry
Allen, who set team-record with 1,201 yards in 1992, returns from major surgery on both knees. RB Amp Lee (49ers) adds depth. Cris Carter (86 receptions, 1,071 yards, nine TDs) and TE Steve Jordan (56 receptions, 542 yards) lead receivers. Speedy WR Qadry Ismail should get increased role.
PACKERS OFFENSE — RUSH
(No. 22), PASS (No. 18), OVERALL
(No. 19)
QB Brett Favre, close to signing with Rams, instead inked long-term deal with Packers. Favre ranked second in NFL last season in competitions (318) and second in NFC in yards (324), but first in NFL in INTs (34). Sterling Sharpe became first player to record consecutive 100-catch seasons (108-11). Reggie Cobb brings running threat team hasn't had in years.
VIKINGS DEFENSE — RUSH (No. 6), PASS (No. 6), OVERALL (No. 1)
Suffocating defense was large part of success last season. Front of Roy Barker, John Randle and Pro Bowl NT Henry Thomas combined for 27.5 sacks, ILB Jack Del Rio, solid against run, also had four INTs.
PACKERS DEFENSE — RUSH (No. 8), PASS (No. 7), OVERALL (No. 2)
After slow start, Reggie White (NFC-high 13 sacks) proved worthy of $17 million contract. Teams won't be able to key on White as much with addition of Sean Jones (Oilers, 13 sacks last season) at other end. CB Terrell Buckley is talented but inconsistent.
Compiled from The Associated Press.
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